Where to find the best pasta in London

Hands up if you’re a pasta lover? I’m guessing everyone put their hand up just then…London has its fair share of Italian restaurants, but traditionally, it was only the more expensive joints across the city that would offer freshly made pasta dishes on their menus. In the last few years, we’ve seen a smattering of new openings serving affordable and delicious pasta creations on a daily basis. See below for my favourite pick of the bunch (from affordable to more pricey)…

Padella, Shoreditch

Lina Stores, Soho and King’s Cross

Hands down my favourite place in London for pasta: besides from some tasty antipasti dishes (the aubergine polpette are seriously addictive), the pasta at this family-run restaurant and deli is the focus on the menu here. Served on the cutest mint-green plates (to match the stylish decor in each of its branches), you’ll find inventive and delicious flavour combinations, including ricotta and black truffle agnolotti, and pumpkin ravioli with hazelnuts, butter and sage - each melt in the mouth and delicious. Don’t miss the famous cannoli for dessert either! Their King’s Cross branch is the largest, combining restaurant and deli under one roof (and also has a tasty breakfast menu), but their Soho joints are atmospheric and cutesy.

Trullo, Islington

This romantic, moody trattoria in Islington is where I’d choose to go for date night time and time again: reserve one of the booths downstairs for a truly intimate experience. The menu changes daily, but there’s always one or two homemade pasta dishes available: if they’re serving their famous pici cacio e pepe, you’ll want to order double portions. Another focus of the restaurant is their charcoal grill: all dishes here are simple and seasonal, but packed with flavour.

Lina Stores, King’s Cross

Padella, London Bridge and Shoreditch

Sister restaurant of Trullo, Padella is a more casual pasta bar serving up queues of hungry Londoners every day near London Bridge. Get here early and expect to queue to even get your name on the list, but if you’re a true pasta lover, it’s worth the wait. Serving up a whole host of delicious pasta options (and a sizeable aperitivo menu to accompany), you’ll find options such as tagliarini with crab and chilli, or pappardelle with fennel sausage. I’d recommend going with a friend (not a big group, otherwise you’ll be queueing for a while!), and ordering several dishes to sample between you. They’ve recently opened a second bigger branch in Shoreditch: expect the same menu and a super slick space.

Bocca di Lupo, Soho

A Soho institution, Bocca di Lupo has long been a contender on London’s culinary scene, serving up delicious and hearty Italian food in a slick and traditional space. Besides the delicious secondi on the menu (grilled meats and the like), their pasta creations are utterly delicious: think pumpkin and amaretti cappellacci in butter and sage, and the best orecchiette cime di rapa I’ve found in the city.

Pophams, Hackney

Whilst Pophams may have cut their teeth on London’s culinary scene with their killer pastries, their artisan pasta evenings at their Hackney outpost are something to rave about too. Expect daily flavour combinations and delicious handmade pasta served up by super friendly staff. Save room from the sticky toffee croissant pudding.

Pophams, Hackney

Pastaio, Soho, Westfield, and Market Hall West End

If you’re looking for a hearty bowlful of fresh pasta for a reasonable price, look no further than Pastaio, whose original branch is conveniently located off Regent Street. This casual restaurant is perfect for dipping into if you’re a solo diner, and offers your classics (rigatoni with tomato sauce and Parmesan or carbonara), to more inventive options such as spinach pasta with chilli and breadcrumbs and wild mushroom tagliatelle.

Locanda Locatelli, Marylebone

Now this one’s for a special occasion…Michelin-starred Locanda Locatelli is worth visiting if you’re in the mood for celebrating. The refined menu here offers an impressive range of pasta dishes, from pappardelle with hare ragu, to gnocchi with artichokes and Murazzano cheese. Rather impressively, there’s also a vegan menu on offer here; make sure to save room for the mains and desserts too.

Manteca, Shoreditch

This Shoreditch gem serves up bowls of hand rolled pastas alongside boasting an in-house salumeria and meaty dresses within a laidback but slick space. Opt for their tonarelli crab caio e pepe or rigatoni with kale sauce, chilli and pangrattato.