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

hello@linastores.co.uk

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

viaemilia@food-roots.com

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

info@padella.co

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