The Best Pasta in Chelsea: 4 Standout Italian Restaurants

Chelsea has long held a gilded reputation for sophisticated dining, high-fashion boutiques, and quintessential West London glamour. While the neighbourhood stretching between Sloane Square, King’s Road, and Draycott Avenue offers everything from contemporary bistros to heritage member clubs, its Italian culinary landscape remains one of London’s most decadent.

Whether you are looking for timeless white-tablecloth indulgence with fresh British seafood, a buzzy new Italian-American haunt with white-jacketed waiters, or sun-dappled terrace pasta over looking Duke of York Square, Chelsea delivers extraordinary craft. Drawing inspiration from Condé Nast Traveller’s celebration of the district’s top dining addresses, here is our definitive guide to the four best pasta restaurants in Chelsea: Daphne’s, Martino’s, Azzurra, and Polpo Chelsea.

1. Daphne’s (Draycott Avenue)

Opened in 1964 by legendary theatre agent Daphne Rye, this Draycott Avenue grand dame quickly became Chelsea’s favourite celebrity hideaway and has maintained its A-list charm for more than sixty years. Revitalised by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio with a pink marble bar, vintage Murano chandeliers, and a bright conservatory featuring a retractable glass roof, Daphne’s remains the gold standard for romantic Italian dining in SW3.

The kitchen celebrates regional Italian classics with uncompromising seasonal ingredients. The pasta section is available in both starter and main portions, allowing diners to sample delicate handmade shapes before moving on to grilled seafood or rich veal chops.

What to order: Calamaretti with Portland Crab & Chilli (£21.50 / £32.00). Tender rings of calamaretti pasta tossed with sweet, hand-picked Portland crab meat, fresh red chilli, garlic, and fragrant parsley. For autumn and winter visits, their handmade Smoked Ricotta Agnolotti with Girolle Mushrooms (£23.75 / £35.50) and rich Rigatoni with Veal Ragù (£19.75 / £29.50) offer sublime depth.

2. Martino’s (Sloane Square)

Following the runaway success of Mayfair hotspot The Dover, restaurateur Martin Kuczmarski unveiled Martino’s on Sloane Square. Evoking the moody, sophisticated elegance of mid-century New York-Italian supper clubs, the dining room is wrapped in dark walnut panelling, flickering candlelight, and crisp white linens, where servers in ivory dinner jackets and black bow ties glide by carrying chilled martinis on silver trays.

While the kitchen turns out exceptional thin-crust pizzas and crisp veal Milanese, the pasta menu is the undisputed centrepiece. Everything is executed with nostalgic affection and refined modern technique, avoiding culinary gimmickry in favour of pure comfort.

What to order: Lasagna Verde alla Bolognese (£26). Layers of delicate, spinach-infused green pasta sheets blanketed in a deeply savoury, slow-simmered beef ragù and silky béchamel sauce, baked until bubbling with golden parmigiano. Be sure to begin with a towering bowl of their paper-thin shoestring zucchini fritti (£13) alongside a signature house martini.

3. Azzurra (Sloane Street)

Perched on Sloane Street, Azzurra brings the sunny coastal spirit of Sicily and the Amalfi Coast to Chelsea. Conceived by restaurateur David Yeo with a design so striking it was crowned Best Restaurant Design in Europe at the International Hotel & Property Awards, the maritime space is anchored by an illuminated boat-hull ceiling, a gleaming raw bar, and an open kitchen dedicated to sustainable boat-to-table dining.

Azzurra partners directly with British day-boat fishermen, combining daily catches from Devon and Scotland with artisanal Italian pasta making. Their primi list reads like a masterclass in coastal seafood gastronomy, showcasing everything from Cornish clams to Oscietra caviar.

What to order: Spaghetti all’Astice (£46). Sweet, succulent native lobster tail and claw meat tossed with al dente spaghetti in a vibrant reduction of sweet Datterini tomatoes, garlic, white wine, and fresh basil. Seafood purists should also explore the Lorighittas al Polpo (£34)—a rare, hand-braided Sardinian ring pasta served with tender braised octopus, chilli, and a glossy parsley emulsion.

4. Polpo Chelsea (Duke of York Square)

For an informal, sun-soaked pasta lunch just steps from King’s Road, Polpo on Duke of York Square brings Venetian bàcaro traditions into the open air. With its extensive heated terrace looking out across the bustling square, it is an idyllic perch for people-watching over bitter spritzes, marinated olives, and crispy arancini.

While neighbourhood sister spots in Soho established Polpo’s reputation for Venetian small plates, the Chelsea venue excels at casual, generous pasta dishes that bridge the gap between light afternoon snacks and relaxed evening suppers. If you are exploring nearby West London pasta destinations like Fulham, Polpo provides the perfect unhurried starting point.

What to order: Seafood Linguine. Long strands of linguine tossed with fresh Dorset clams, mussels, tender squid, and plump king prawns in a light sauce of white wine, garlic, and fresh red chilli. If you prefer rustic comfort, their slow-simmered Spaghetti with Beef & Pork Meatballs in rich San Marzano tomato sauce remains a perennial crowd favourite.

The Shortlist

• Best for timeless Chelsea glamour and crab pasta: Daphne’s (Draycott Avenue) — renowned for delicate calamaretti with Portland crab, Murano chandeliers, and conservatory dining.
• Best for vintage Italian-American charm and lasagna: Martino’s (Sloane Square) — celebrated for bubbling lasagna verde alla bolognese, shoestring zucchini fritti, and retro supper-club glamour.
• Best for showstopping coastal seafood and lobster: Azzurra (Sloane Street) — unbeatable for luxurious spaghetti all’astice, rare Sardinian lorighittas al polpo, and award-winning design.
• Best for sunlit terrace dining and cicchetti: Polpo Chelsea (Duke of York Square) — the top casual choice for fresh seafood linguine, Aperol spritzes, and alfresco square views.