Soho has historically been the epicentre of London’s Italian community, and that vibrant legacy lives on in its exceptional pasta scene. Whether you want a quick counter-side bowl of fresh hand-rolled pasta before a West End theatre show or a long, wine-soaked evening in a cosy dining room, Soho delivers some of the capital’s finest Italian cooking.
Here are the best places to eat fresh pasta in Soho.
1. Padella (Kingly Street)
The legendary Borough Market pasta bar brought its hand-rolled magic to Kingly Street, giving Soho a dedicated temple to simple, affordable pasta perfection. Centred around open counter seating and a bustling subterranean dining room, Padella makes every plate of pasta fresh to order in full view of diners.
The menu is famously concise, hyper-focused, and accessible. Fresh pasta dough is rolled daily on marble counters, cooked for mere seconds in boiling salted water, and tossed with glossy, emulsified butter and cheese reductions. It remains an essential pilgrimage for anyone who loves pure Italian craft.
What to order: Pici Cacio e Pepe. Thick, chewy, hand-rolled Tuscan pici noodles glistening in a luscious emulsified sauce of black pepper, pasta water, and aged pecorino and parmesan. Pair it with their silky beef shin pappardelle if visiting with a friend.
2. Lina Stores (Brewer Street)
You cannot discuss Italian food in Soho without paying homage to the iconic mint-green striped awning of Lina Stores. Operating as an authentic Italian deli on Brewer Street since 1944, their nearby Greek Street pasta restaurant serves regional classics with unmistakable finesse and flair.
The dining room feels like a stylish 1950s Milanese espresso bar, complete with pistachio leather stools, marble counters, and flickering vintage lighting. The kitchen specialises in delicate handmade egg pasta and meticulously pinched filled parcels, making it a stellar date-night and dinner spot.
What to order: 30-Egg Yolk Tagliolini with Black Truffle. Impossibly fine, golden ribbons of 30-yolk pasta emulsified in cultured butter, parmigiano reggiano, and topped with a generous shower of aromatic shaved black truffle.
3. 40 Dean Street
A fiercely independent, family-run Soho classic that feels like stepping back into old bohemian London. 40 Dean Street is warm, candlelit, and buzzing with energy, serving hearty, generous portions of regional Italian pasta right in the beating heart of the district.
The menu leans into comforting, crowd-pleasing Roman and Southern Italian traditions without modern pretension. It is the kind of welcoming, dependable neighbourhood dining room where regulars linger over carafes of Chianti and steaming plates of seafood pasta.
What to order: Handmade Lobster Ravioli. Delicate pasta parcels stuffed with tender lobster meat in a silky, coral-tinted shellfish bisque sauce with fresh cherry tomatoes and basil. If you crave heat, their fiery Penne Arrabbiata with garlic and fresh red chilli never misses.
The Shortlist
- Best for counter-side dining and value: Padella (Kingly Street) — unbeatable for chewy pici cacio e pepe and fast fresh bowls.
- Best for style, cocktails, and dates: Lina Stores (Greek Street / Brewer Street) — celebrated for 30-egg yolk tagliolini and stylish retro interiors.
- Best for classic Soho charm and generosity: 40 Dean Street — the go-to spot for rich lobster ravioli, warm service, and old-school Italian comfort.
