Best Pasta in London: Where to Find the City’s Finest Bowls
Sep 24, 2025
TL;DR: Quick Picks for the Best Pasta in London
Budget: Padella – cult favourite, handmade pappardelle from £7.
Mid-Range: Bancone – creative dishes like silk handkerchiefs with walnut butter, ~£15.
Premium: Luca – refined, seasonal pasta in a fine-dining setting, £20–£25.
Authentic Southern Italian: ‘O Ver St James – handmade recipes with D.O.P. ingredients, from £19.5.
London is a pasta lover’s dream. Restaurants serve everything from silky tagliatelle at affordable counters to indulgent ravioli in Michelin-starred dining rooms. The search for the best pasta in London often points to familiar names like Padella, Bancone and Lina Stores. These spots are famous for fresh, handmade plates that draw queues day after day.
However, the best pasta London offers is not just about hype. At ‘O Ver St James, recipes follow southern Italian tradition and use premium D.O.P. ingredients. The menu shows how pasta can be authentic yet elegant. From Gnocco alla Sorrentina to Raviolo Genovese, each dish brings flavour and craft together.
Affordable Pasta Restaurants in London
London’s pasta boom has made it easy to eat well without spending much. These restaurants keep prices low but never compromise on freshness or flavour.
Padella (Borough Market & Shoreditch)
Situated at Borough Market and in Shoreditch, Padella is the name that always comes up first for pasta lovers. The pappardelle with beef shin ragù is a signature bowl for good reason, and it costs little more than £12. Lines often stretch down the street, but the wait is part of the ritual. For many, this is where the love of handmade pasta begins.
Lina Stores (Soho & King’s Cross)
Lina Stores began as a delicatessen in Soho and has grown into several restaurants across the city. The pasta is rolled fresh every morning. Try the tagliolini with truffle or a bowl of simple pici cacio e pepe. Prices sit comfortably between £13 and £17, making it one of the best-value pasta stops in central London.
Pastaio (Soho)
Bright, modern, and fun, Pastaio in Soho serves generous bowls at prices under £16. The cacio e pepe is creamy and sharp. Seasonal dishes, like spaghetti with chilli and spinach, keep the menu fresh. It is an easy choice for groups who want lively dining without high prices.
Mid-Range Pasta Restaurants Worth Visiting
For diners who want more creativity without the formality of fine dining, these restaurants hit the middle ground. Prices hover around £14 to £20, with menus that push pasta beyond the basics.
Bancone (Covent Garden & Soho)
Located in Covent Garden and Soho, Bancone has become a modern classic. Its “silk handkerchiefs” with walnut butter and confit egg yolk are a signature dish in London. Other bowls, like rigatoni with spicy nduja, draw just as much love. The setting is stylish yet relaxed, making it easy to drop in for a quick plate or linger over a full meal.
Officina 00 (Shoreditch & Fitzrovia)
With restaurants in Shoreditch and Fitzrovia, Officina 00 feels like both a workshop and a dining room. The chefs shape pasta at the counter, giving guests a clear view of the craft behind each dish. Cavatelli with nduja and pecorino is deep and punchy, while scialatielli with seafood shows the kitchen’s range. Prices stay fair for the quality and theatre on offer.
Burro e Salvia (Shoreditch)
Burro e Salvia is best known as a pasta lab in Shoreditch, East London. The team hand-makes small batches daily, offering shapes not often seen elsewhere. Diners can eat in or take fresh pasta home. A plate of ravioli or tortellini costs around £15, and the focus on tradition makes it a quiet favourite among locals.
Fine Dining Pasta Restaurants in London
Some of the best pasta in London resides at fine-dining restaurants. Here, pasta is treated with the same care as any tasting-menu dish. Expect seasonal ingredients, precise plating, and prices that reflect the craft.
Luca (Clerkenwell)
Luca of Clerkenwell blends Italian cooking with British produce. The dining room is elegant, and the pasta is always refined. Ravioli with pumpkin and sage is a favourite, while crab tagliolini highlights fresh seafood. Prices usually sit between £20 and £25, making it one of the city’s top choices for a special night out.
Murano (Mayfair)
Angela Hartnett’s Michelin-starred restaurant in Mayfair is known for bold flavours and confident cooking. Pasta often features on the tasting menu, with agnolotti or ravioli filled with seasonal ingredients. While prices are higher than most, the experience makes Murano a true fine-dining destination.
River Café (Hammersmith)
The River Café in Hammersmith has been a London institution for decades. Its pastas are simple but executed with flawless attention to detail. A plate of tagliatelle with crab can cost £30 or more, yet it remains one of the city’s most celebrated dishes. Dining here is as much about the atmosphere as the food.
Authentic Southern Italian Pasta at ‘O Ver St James
Tucked into St James’s Market, ‘O Ver brings southern Italian pasta to the heart of London. The restaurant focuses on heritage recipes, handmade shapes, and D.O.P. ingredients sourced directly from Italy. Each dish reflects both tradition and refinement, offering a dining experience that stands apart from London’s more casual pasta bars.
Gnocco alla Sorrentina (£19.5)
Soft potato gnocchi are baked in rich San Marzano tomato sauce. Smoked mozzarella and Parmigiano Reggiano add depth. Fresh basil and Sicilian olive oil lift the flavour. This is a comforting vegetarian classic.
Fusillo Paolone (£23.5)
Neapolitan fusilli from Gragnano meet Lucanica pork sausage and porcini. A touch of tomato, herbs, and aged Parmesan tie it together. Hearty, rustic, and true to southern Italian tradition.
Raviolo Genovese (£26.5)
Handmade egg ravioli filled with slow-cooked Genovese ragù. The beef and onion base cooks for twelve hours. Butter, sage, and Pecorino cream finish the dish. It is indulgent yet deeply authentic.
Raviolo Gamberi di Mazara (£30)
Sicilian red prawns fill handmade ravioli with mascarpone and spice. A lemon butter sauce adds brightness. This is a luxurious plate for seafood lovers.
Explore the full pasta menu at ‘O Ver St James.
Pasta Shapes, Sauces and Ingredient Provenance
Pasta recipes shine when the shape and sauce work together. Silky tagliatelle gather up slow-cooked ragù, while the ridges of rigatoni cling to rich tomato. Pillowy gnocchi sink into butter and cheese, and ravioli reveal their filling in one perfect bite. The pleasure comes from balance: texture against flavour, softness against bite.
That balance depends on ingredients too. San Marzano tomatoes bring natural sweetness and depth. Olive oil from Sicily adds fruit and pepper, while Parmigiano Reggiano and Pecorino Romano cut through with sharp, aged flavour.
At ‘O Ver St James, these ingredients are sourced directly from Italy. They turn a simple bowl of pasta into a dish that honours tradition while standing out in London’s dining scene.
Vegan and Vegetarian Pasta in London
London’s pasta scene has grown with changing tastes. More restaurants now serve dishes that work for vegan and vegetarian diners. Padella offers simple tomato-based sauces that let the pasta shine. Pastaio makes a seasonal spinach and chilli spaghetti that skips meat without losing flavour. Burro e Salvia sells fresh vegetarian pasta you can cook at home.
At ‘O Ver St James, the Gnocco alla Sorrentina is the highlight. Soft potato gnocchi are baked with San Marzano tomatoes, smoked mozzarella, and basil. It’s rich, warming, and completely vegetarian. For anyone seeking the best pasta in London without meat, ‘O Ver proves that authenticity and comfort belong on the same plate.
The Cost of Pasta in London at a Glance
Here’s how prices stack up across the city’s top pasta spots. Use this as a quick reference after the detailed picks above.
Budget (£7–£14): Padella, Pastaio, Lina Stores. Handmade pasta at counters and casual restaurants.
Mid-Range (£14–£22): Bancone, Officina 00, Burro e Salvia. Creative menus in lively dining rooms.
Premium (£20–£35+): Luca, Murano, River Café. Refined dishes served in fine-dining settings.
Authentic Regional (£19–£30): ‘O Ver St James. Southern Italian recipes made with premium D.O.P. ingredients.
Best Pasta in London by Neighbourhood
London is vast, and the best pasta spots are spread across the city. Here are some highlights by area.
Southbank: Padella Borough for its famous pappardelle with beef shin ragù, and ‘O Ver Borough for authentic Neapolitan recipes close to the market.
East London: Officina 00 and Burro e Salvia. Creative dishes and a true pasta lab.
West London: Da Maria and River Café. Family-style cooking and refined classics.
Central London: Bancone, Lina Stores, and ‘O Ver St James. From casual bowls to authentic southern Italian recipes.
This breakdown helps diners plan around location. Whether you are near Borough Market, Shoreditch, or St James’s Market, excellent pasta is never far away.
London’s Pasta: Affordable, Refined, and Authentic
London has no shortage of great pasta. From a £7 bowl of pappardelle at Padella to the polished tagliolini at River Café, the city covers every style and budget. The variety is what makes it one of the best places in the world to enjoy Italian cooking. Whether you're looking for a quick bite at lunch or a pre-theatre dinner, you'll find the best options right here in the capital.
Among these choices, ‘O Ver stands out for its southern Italian heritage and focus on D.O.P. ingredients. Whether you visit St James’s Market or Borough, the menu shows how authenticity and refinement can share the same plate. For anyone searching for the best pasta in London, it is a destination worth adding to the list.
Book a table at ‘O Ver St James and experience authentic pasta in the heart of London.
FAQs About the Best Pasta in London
Still have questions about where to find great pasta in London? Here are some quick answers to what people often ask.
Where can I eat the best pasta in London?
Popular choices include Padella, Bancone, and Luca. For authentic southern Italian pasta, ‘O Ver St James is a standout.
Which London restaurants serve handmade pasta?
Padella, Lina Stores, Bancone, and Officina 00 all specialise in handmade pasta. ‘O Ver St James also prepares every dish by hand using traditional Italian techniques.
Is pasta expensive in London?
Prices range from £7 at casual spots like Padella to over £30 at fine-dining restaurants such as River Café. Most mid-range pasta dishes cost £14–£20.
Are there vegetarian or vegan pasta options in London?
Yes. Pastaio, Burro e Salvia, and Lina Stores all offer vegetarian dishes. At ‘O Ver St James, the Gnocco alla Sorrentina is a vegetarian favourite.
Which neighbourhoods have the best pasta restaurants in London?
Borough Market (Padella, ‘O Ver Borough), Shoreditch (Officina 00, Burro e Salvia), and Soho (Bancone, Lina Stores) are key areas. For the West End, ‘O Ver St James is an essential stop.