TTI top 5 – Best London pasta restaurants
Welcome to the PASTA PARTY.
Pasta has had a HUGE come back over the last couple of years. It’s bounced back after it’s reputation was slurred during the ‘clean eating’ movement a few years back. Plus I’ve heard many people say ‘if you want to lose weight, then stop eating pasta. However, recent studies has discovered that pasta is not as bad for you as so many want to believe.
My mantra is that we should be able to to enjoy all foods – everything eaten in moderation. You cant’ keep a good ‘thing’ down and recently London has opened its loving arms to pasta again.
Over the last couple of years, a number of new London pasta restaurants have opened priding themselves on making the freshly made famous Italian carb. Opening their doors to those who embrace a good plate of pasta and those who appreciate beautiful al dente pasta coated in well balanced flavoured sauces.
Pasta is food for the soul for me and I want to share with you my top London pasta restaurants (so far) on where to have the best Pasta Party!
Lina Stores
One of the latest London pasta restaurant openings, Lina Stores is the extension of long standing Italian deli in Brewer street, Soho, which has been opened since 1944. Serving a selection of freshly made pasta dishes inspired by central Italian cooking. My favourites include the veal ravioli with wild garlic and toasted breadcrumbs and pappardelle with a rabbit ragu, rosemary and olives. In addition, there is a delicious selection of Italian antipasti to start with and beautiful cocktails and wines to compliment your meal.
51 Greek St Soho, London W1D 4EH
Nearest tube: Leicester square.
5pm – 11pm Monday to Saturday
Closed Sundays
Tel: +44 (0)203 929 0068
Via Emilia
Down a well lit street, off Hoxton square, Shoreditch, stands Via Emilia, the sister restaurant to ‘In Parma’ (Fritzovia, central London) and is owned by the guys behind Food Roots. Via Emilia prides itself on bringing the best pasta dishes from Emilia Romagna – the Italian northern central region, which is considered the food valley of Italy. Its also where fresh egg pasta was invented. Each pasta dish is from a different city/town from the region offering a menu with something for everyone. My favourite pastas include Tagliatelle with the bolognese pork and beef ragu and Gnocchi with borlotti and tomato sauce. But before you start your meal, you must try the Gnocco Fritto – a softly fried bread that compliments beautifully with their selection of charcuterie and cheeses from Emilia Romagna. Order a bottle of chilled Lambrusco and prepare yourself for an unforgettable dinner.
37a Hoxton Square N1 6NN London
Nearest tube: Old Street
Mon–Fri 11:30am–11:00pm
Sat 1:00pm–11:00pm
Sun 1:00pm–10:30pm
+44(0)20 7613 0508
- Filled Pasta – Spinach Ravioli, Pumpkin Tortellini
- Tagliatelle in Bolognese Ragu
- Via Emilia – Antipasti selection
Fat Tonys
Starting out as a pop up, Fat Tony’s pasta has now become a permanent resident at Bar termini – central and I couldn’t be any happier. James French, self trained chef has set up shop and is delivering a menu centred around southern Italian cooking in one of my favourite bars in London. Pasta favourites were the Tagliarine with crab, chilli, garlic and parsley and Rigatoni with a datterini tomato and basil sauce. I’ve also read that the Bucatini cacio e pepe is also excellent and will try on my next visit. Starters are also excellent. Panzanella, burrata, octopus salad and chargrilled aubergines are also a must. With the amazing Italian cocktail offered at Bar Termini your in for a special PASTA PARTY
31 Duke Street, W1U 1LG
Nearest tube: Bond Street
Tuesday to Saturday 12-3pm & 5-9pm
Tel: +44 (0) 784 101 7138
- Tagliolini with crab, garlic & chilli
- Rigatoni in a tomato sauce
- Fat Tonys – Antipasti
Emilia Crafted Pasta
Set in the heart of St Katherines Dock, you will find Emilia Crafted, a restaurant offering the best in freshly made pasta. Their open kitchen allows you to see the guys hard are work creating all the different shapes, which they ensure compliment their freshly made sauces, giving you an excellent pasta experience. Their pasta menu highlights recipes from different Italian regions giving you more flavour diversity. Favourite dishes include the Caserecce with walnut sauce and mushrooms; and Rigatoni with tuna in a spicy tomato sauce.
Unit C3 Ivory House, St Katharine Docks, London, E1W 1AT
Nearest tube: Tower Hill
Monday to Thursday 12:00 – 21:30
Friday and Saturday 12:00 – 22:00
Sunday 12:00 – 21:30
Tel: +44 (0) 207 4812004
hello@emiliaspasta.com
- Emilia Crafted Pasta Menu
- Casarecce with creamy walnut sauce and mushrooms
- Rigatoni with tuna in a spicy tomato sauce and parsley
- Emilia Crafted Pasta
Padella
The first ever restaurant to pride themselves soley on a pasta menu in London. At the time, some would say that could have been risky and could have gone either way. But of course, the boys behind Trullo are laughing now. Who would have thought they would have hour long queues of people waiting to get their hands on a plate of pasta when they first opened. Even with so many other pasta restaurants now in London, I still think of Padella as one of the best and deserves its crown. One of my favourite dishes is their popular dish Pici Cacio e Pepe and their Pappardelle in 8 hour beef shin ragu. However everything off their menu is pretty amazing and nothing ever disappoints. Just be prepared to queue is all I would say but it will bebe worth the wait.
6 Southwark St, London SE1 1TQ
Nearest Tube: London Bridge
- Monday to Saturday 12-3.45pm & 5-10pm
- Sunday 12-3.45pm & 5-9pm
- Padella – Fettuccine with chicken livers and Marsala
- Padella – Burrata & Salami
- Padella – Cacio e Pepe
Even while I finish typing this up, I’ve heard of a couple new pasta places that have opened. I will do some ‘research’ and update you guys soon. In the meantime, go and enjoy a good Pasta Party. It’s the only way to live!
Paola x
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