20 best pasta restaurants in London
London has had a surge in pasta restaurants in recent years – these are our picks of the best places to go
Pasta is having a moment in London. While it never truly went out of fashion, recent years have seen a surge in restaurants celebrating bowls filled with all shapes and sizes, with a renewed focus on quality ingredients, regional authenticity and handmade pasta often made fresh right in front of you. From silky ribbons of pappardelle ragu to chewy strands of pici coated in the ever-Instagrammable glossy, peppery cacio e pepe, the capital’s pasta scene is a haven for foodies.
Whether you’re after a romantic special occasion spot, an easy lunch with the whole family or a buzzy pasta bar perfect for a quick group dinner with friends, there’s a place for every taste and budget.
In this guide, we’ve rounded up 20 of the best pasta restaurants in London, showcasing a variety of styles, settings and standout dishes. Some of our selection have now expanded into multiple branches across London, such as Lina Stores, Bancone or Noci, whereas others are hidden neighbourhood gems that are worth travelling across the city for. Get ready to twirl, scoop and savour your way through the city’s most delicious bowls of pasta.
For more restaurant recommendations, check out our picks of the best bakeries in London, the best afternoon teas in London
or try one of our 10 best places in London to eat classic British dishes.
Where to try the best pasta in London
Noci
From it's first Islington opening, Noci now has four branches across London, from the industrial surroundings of Battersea Power Station to leafy Richmond. The pasta menu of 8-9 dishes changes seasonally but a permanent staple is our favourite dish – the veal and pork genovese ragu on paccheri and topped with a swirl of creamy Monk's Head cheese that melts decadently into the sauce. The ragu is rich and sweet from plenty of caramelised onions – a must order. Elsewhere, try giant stuffed raviolos, a rich brown butter cacio e pepe or a spicy amatriciana. For kids, there's simple pasta with tomato, pesto or parmesan and butter for £7.50. Desserts aren't as strong here, so go for extra starters instead – the crispy fried parcels of parma ham, basil and stracchino cheese are like Italian samosas. We're also a fan of the zingy, sherbetty alcoholic spritzes to drink.
Prices: pasta from £12-18
Address: Battersea Power Station, Islington, Richmond and Shoreditch locations
Website: nocirestaurant.co.uk
Padella
Padella, located in Borough Market, was opened in March 2016 by Tim Siadatan and Jordan Frieda, who are also behind Trullo in Highbury. The restaurant was created to make fresh handmade pasta accessible to everyone and has since become a staple of the Borough Market restaurant scene – get there early and be prepared to queue. There's also now a larger Shoreditch location which would be better if coming as a family or with children (who might enjoy the pici with tomato sauce and ice cream for dessert). Luckily, the menu still lives up to the hype. Fresh pasta is rolled in the window just before service and the open kitchen combines traditional Italian techniques and quality British produce to make dishes like pappardelle and eight-hour beef shin ragu, fettucine with Cobble Lane nduja and the famous pici cacio e pepe.
Prices: pasta from £8-17
Address: Borough Market and Shoreditch locations
Website: padella.co
Lina Stores
When you're in need of a last-minute booking that will keep everybody happy, Lina Stores is a solid bet. It now has multiple locations across London (and soon to expand beyond), including Soho, King's Cross, the City, Marylebone and Clapham, each easily identifiable from the signature white and mint striped awnings. Each has a subtly different vibe, from the diminutive original Soho location (nab a seat at the bar) to the expansive King's Cross restaurant, suitable for families and larger groups. Head chef Masha Rener's menu is simple and authentic, with ingredients hailing directly from Italy and inspired by the original Soho delicatessen. If they're on the menu, kick off with antipasti of deep fried artichokes and punchy aioli. The pasta offering changes with the seasons and could include ravioli filled with lemon sole and served with samphire in spring or mushroom specials in autumn. Certain signature dishes are familiar staples of the menu, such as the burrata ravioli with tomato and basil, truffle taglioni or silky crab linguine. Savour your own bowl or order several pastas to share with a group, saving room for chocolate mousse dessert.
Prices: pasta from £9-17
Address: nine locations across London, including King's Cross, Soho and Shoreditch
Website: linastores.co.uk
Notto
Notto pasta bars were established by chef Phil Howard, previously of Michelin-starred Elystan Street, bringing fresh pasta served in memorable sauces. The original Piccadilly outpost has a slightly strange coffee-shop feel – head to the Covent Garden branch for a cosier evening vibe, great for a date night that feels luxurious but doesn't need to break the bank. The menu changes with the seasons and sharing three plates between two is recommended. Expect silky spaghetti, rich buttery sauces and great use of seasonal ingredients. The short dessert menu includes Italian classics of tiramisu or panna cotta, with soft serve ice cream available at Piccadilly.
Prices: pasta from £9-22
Address: Piccadilly and Covent Garden locations
Website: nottopastabars.com
Bocca di Lupo
Bocca di Lupo is a smart Soho institution for regional Italian cooking and wine. The menu is divided into seven sections (from fritti to grill), changing daily to adapt with the seasons and acting as a tour through different Italian regions and specialities. Puffy sage and anchovy fritti make the perfect snack to kick off with, and sea bream carpaccio is a refreshing starter. The concise pasta section consists of five pastas available in small or larger sizes, so you can have one to yourself or share a selection. The chefs make strong use of seasonal ingredients – tender rabbit orzo and trofie with wild garlic pesto on our spring visit elevated familiar dishes. If it's on the menu, don't miss the silky pappardelle ragu either. Sit at the bar to watch the kitchen in action, or relax in the smart dining room. Save room for dessert – Bocca di Lupo's sister ice cream shop Gelupo sits opposite so take your pick of fresh sorbets, gelato and granitas available in-house.
Prices: pasta from £11-36
Address: 12 Archer Street, W1D 7BB
Website: boccadilupo.com
Bancone
Bancone first opened in Covent Garden, tucked just behind the Strand, and now has three branches turning out elevated plates of fresh pasta, interesting antipasti (think pasta fritta topped with togarashi or cauliflower salad with smoked almonds) and chic desserts. It's worth booking in advance as all three branches tend to be heaving any night of the week.
At the original Covent Garden outpost (given a Michelin Bib Gourmand mention), sit at the marble-topped, brass-trimmed bar, overlooking the chefs at work. Fresh pasta, which is made and rolled upstairs, is flash-boiled before being tossed with any of the 10 sauces on offer. They're famous for their 'silk handkerchief' pasta with walnuts and a confit egg yolk, while elsewhere, Japanese influences make a surprising appearance – Herdwick hogget is paired with pappardelle, soy, Thai basil and chilli, and king prawn agnolotti is served with nori in a lemongrass broth. For drinks, classic negronis with the right amount of chunky ice and a twist of orange are just as well received as the prosecco.
Prices: pastas from £9-18
Address: Covent Garden, Borough Yards and Golden Square locations
Website: bancone.co.uk
Eataly, Pasta e Pizza
Head to Eataly and in among the tourists, you'll find plenty of Italians picking up top quality produce, from freshly baked focaccia to Italian cured meats, cheeses, pastries, olive oil and more. Once you've finished browsing, you'll have worked up an appetite ready to head upstairs to the buzzy and simply named Pasta e Pizza, great for families. Pasta is served al dente – choose from traditional bolognese, clam and mussel spaghetti or carbonara made with proper guanciale. Pizza and salads are available, too, with bottomless pizza menu on Sundays. Don't forget to pick up some produce and pasta after your meal.
Prices: pasta from £14-22
Address: Eataly London, 135 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 3YD
Website: eataly.co.uk
Ombra
This ramshackle restaurant perched above Regent’s Canal in Hackney, along with it's sun-soaked terrace, is the place to be on a sunny day. The regularly changing menu focuses on organic produce, rare breed meat and homemade pasta made daily. The pasta comes in all shapes and sizes, including thick tonnarelli laces that cling to spicy ‘nduja and tubes of rigatoni to soak up vibrant pea and mint sauce.
Prices: pasta from £16
Address: 1 Vyner St, Bethnal Green, London E2 9DG
Website: ombrabar.restaurant
Murano
Murano is Angela Hartnett’s Michelin-starred contemporary Italian restaurant in Mayfair. Described as 'humble Italian cooking meets Michelin-starred flair', pasta is elevated to refined heights. Menu highlights include agnolotti parcels filled with provolone and puréed smoked potato, chicken tortellini scooped up from a clear, nourishing broth and a unique play on the classic tonnata using fried monkfish slices on a fennel salad lifted with veal jus. For dessert, try the chocolate marquise’s elegant layers topped with a PX sherry reduction or the signature silky Amalfi lemon tart in delicate pastry.
Prices: from 3 courses for £95
Address: 20 Queen Street, Mayfair, London W1J 5PP
Website: muranolondon.com
Manteca
After pop-ups in Soho, Manteca found it's first permanent home in Shoreditch. The restaurant focuses on nose-to-tail Italian cooking, so alongside hand-rolled pasta you'll find house-made salami (dry-cured and selected from the downstairs salumeria), seasonal vegetables and wood-fired breads. The selection of pastas is short and likely to centre around ragus (could be beef shin, duck or even goat), with salads to choose from first and whole fish or chops for secondi. There's a carefully honed wine menu, and cocktails focusing on amaro (an Italian herbal liqueur) and classics with a twist – parmesan dirty martini, anyone?
Prices: pasta from £14-16
Address: 49-51 Curtain Road, London, EC2A 3PT
Website: mantecarestaurant.co.uk
Nipotina
Nipotina is a casual restaurant from restaurateur Samyukta Nair in Mayfair. Chef Somaia Hammad brings Italian warmth to her unfussy, family-style cooking. The generous menu is split into cicchetti (order the crisp courgette fritti with aioli), antipasti, primi, secondi and pizza. Wines are exclusively Italian and the pasta is house-made. Try the mafalde, rich creamy tomato, beef and veal ragu, or – from the special seasonal truffle menu – tagliolini in a creamy parmesan sauce with a shaving of fresh Umbrian truffle added by the waiter. Desserts are notable here too, from an airy tiramisu to a unique almond cheesecake.
Prices: pasta from £12-29
Address: 49 South Audley St, W1K 2QD
Website: nipotinaristorante.com
Pophams
The team behind the popular East London bakery moved its pastry skills into pasta territory for evenings in the London Fields branch. The baking skills are still very much present throughout the menu, with hunks of fresh-from-the-oven sourdough to start, homemade caraway-flecked crackers to scoop up smoked trout pâté and a perfectly formed croissant apple tart for dessert on our visit. For the pasta, explore the short seasonal selection of fresh, homemade pasta shapes coated, filled and topped with seasonal sauces. A highlight on our visit was the casoncelli parcels filled with a white veal mince bolognese, tossed in butter, guanciale pieces and parmesan.
Prices: pastas from £12-29
Address:197 Richmond Road, E8 3NJ
Website: pophamsbakery.com/pasta
Trullo
Trullo, older sister to Padella, serves pasta, antipasti and larger charcoal grill dishes like juicy pork chops and whole lemon sole. The menu changes daily, depending on seasonal produce, but a couple of antipasti, plates of pasta and one larger oven dish would be the perfect order for two. Rich beef shin ragu coats slippery ribbons of pappardelle, while sweet squash ravioli gets a richness from the olive oil.
Prices: pasta from £14-18
Address: 300 - 302, St Paul's Road, London, N1 2LH
Website: trullorestaurant.com
Emilia's Pasta
Emilia's Pasta first opened in St Katherine's Docks and now has five locations across London, plus an online shop selling colourful bags of their own dried pasta made in Italy. They believe pasta should be casual, generous and comforting, with the menu a culmination of travel around the Emilia-Romagna region and beyond in Italy. Pasta is made daily on site and the concise illustrated menu acts as an exploration of different pasta shapes and styles, from a decadent four-hour slow-cooked béchamel bolognese to bucatini carbonara and homemade basil pesto on casarecce. It's a great option for families and kids, with simple choices on offer for fussier eaters like tomato and basil radiatori. Side salads, classic Italian spritzes to drink and a dessert menu including tiramisu and pistachio cheesecake complete your evening.
Prices: pasta from £11-17
Address: five locations across London, from Aldgate to Victoria (opening soon)
Website: emiliaspasta.com
Taverna Trastevere
Taverna Trastevere might have popped up on your Instagram feed if you're a carbonara fan: social media often deems this as one of London's best. This neighbourhood spot in south west London offers a 'taste of Rome' with a relaxed family atmosphere filled with families, groups of friends and couples. Prices are on the higher side, but portions are rich and generous. The famous golden yellow spaghetti carbonara is rich and filling, but its worth trying some of the fried snacks to start too, including cacio e pepe potato croquettes and suppli, similar to arancini. Pizza, secondi and a trio of tiramisus for dessert are all on the menu too.
Prices: pasta from £18-24
Address: 112 St John’s HI, London SW11 1SJ
Website: tavernatrastevere.com
Pastaio
Pastaio is chef Stevie Parle’s casual venture that brings handmade pasta and affordable wines to Soho, just a two-minute walk from Oxford Street. It's a cavernous Tom Dixon-designed space with high ceilings and exposed fittings, with a huge, colourful mural down one wall and space for larger groups and families. The menu of 10 pasta dishes covers a range of styles and pasta shapes, including original dishes we haven't spotted on some of our other top pasta restaurants. Choose from mortadella, pork and parmesan tortellini in brodo, eight-hour bolognese or simple slow-cooked tomato sauce with basil, parmesan and tagliolini.
Prices: pasta from £9-18
Address: 19 Ganton Street, London, W1F 9BN
Website: pastaio.co.uk
Burro e Salvia
Pop in to Burro e Salvia to watch staff hand rolling pasta of all shapes and sizes and buy to take away or continue through to the back to sit in the bright, contemporary café. The short menu (which changes monthly to incorporate seasonal ingredients) could include carbonara with fat strands of pici, a sausage ragu or cheesy gnocchi.
Prices: pastas from £16-20
Address: 52 Redchurch Street, London E2 7DP
Website: burroesalvia.co.uk
Brutto
Brutto is a Tuscan-Florentine restaurant from the late restaurateur Russell Norman. The relaxed, no-frills interior is reminiscent of old-school Italian establishments, with red gingham tablecloths and a wine menu emphasising Tuscan bottles. It's definitely not just pasta here – from the antipasti, the coccoli (dough balls, pictured above) with prosciutto and stracchino are not to be missed and the secondi section of the menu varies from a humble ribollita to impressive Florentine steak. The menu is good for sharing, with small pasta plates that could include traditional tortellini in brodo, penne alla vodka and tagliatelle with a rich, meaty ragu.
Prices: pastas from £14-19
Address: 35-37 Greenhill Rents, London, EC1M 6BN
Website: msha.ke/brutto
Big Mamma Group
The Big Mamma group first opened in London with the opening of Gloria in Shoreditch in 2019. More outposts soon followed, each with a slightly different vibe and all known for their fun over-the-top decor, from Circolo Popolare with towering walls lined with hundreds of bottles and space for groups in booths, to the kitschy Ave Mario in Covent Garden – loosely inspired by Florence, it's a sprawling affair with almost 300 seats spread over three floors of bold, Instagrammable interiors. The menu differs slightly across the venues but is always sure to be memorable, such as the famous carbonara for two served out of a parmesan wheel and the towering lemon meringue pie. The Big Mamma Group might not offer the best pasta you've ever had, but it is where to go for a fun night out, extravagant food and flamboyant service.
Prices: pasta from £15
Address: various locations across London
Website: bigmammagroup.com
Sorella
Sorella is a neighbourhood favourite in Clapham. Having lived, worked and even celebrated their wedding on the Amalfi Coast, it had always been a dream of Robin and Sarah Gill to open Sorella, an Italian restaurant. The menu starts with cicchetti and antipasti such as fried olives, fennel salumi and changing flavours of irresistibly crisp arancini, from carbonara to porcini mushroom. The short pasta menu could include a seasonal ragu, classic carbonara, cheesy risotto or gnocchi. There's more than pasta, too: try the aubergine parmigiana or go for Sunday lunch, for slabs of pork and nduja lasagne, ossobucco or saddleback porchetta.
Prices: pasta from £17-18
Address: 148 Clapham Manor St, London, SW4 6BX
Website: sorellarestaurant.co.uk
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