Padella Shoreditch

When restaurants expand, they usually risk watering down their offering as they attempt to cater to the masses. Not so with Padella, whose second site in Shoreditch is just as brilliant as its bustling, queue-lined site in Borough. This one is considerably larger though, with a spectrum of counter seating, burgundy leather booths and intimate tables for two that look like a delightful spot for date night. It’s packed when we arrive early evening on a Tuesday with small groups, mates catching up and punters perched at the bar with one of its signature Negronis.

The thing is, you just can’t help but fall in love with Padella. It’s the perfect blend of relaxed and special. There are rustic elements, like wooden cutlery and paper menus; modern touches, like its industrial open kitchen; and elegant flourishes in the form of a glossy marble counter and seductive low-level lighting. In short, it’s perfect for any occasion. So yes, Padella appeals to the masses, but it does so without feeling characterless or contrived.

The menu remains uncomplicated and true to its roots, too. There is a handful of antipasti – chewy sourdough with fresh olive oil and oozy mushroom and provolone arancini doused in Parmesan – but the focus remains primarily on the pasta. A plate of feather-light tagliarini dressed in lemony crab butter was addictively delicious. Its famous pici cacio e pepe, the one that looks like udon, was glossy, cheesy and chewy, thanks to the thickness of those ‘noodles’. Elsewhere, thin ribbons of pappardelle hiding pockets of eight-hour beef shin ragu were a marvel.

Prices have crept up since its early days, but not to anything astronomical or unexpected. In fact, we think £7 cocktails, £12 pasta dishes and £6.50 for a pitch-perfect tiramisu is excellent value. Service is also cool, calm and collected. As far as pasta restaurants in the capital go, Padella is still one of the best.

Since Padella opened its doors just off Borough Market in 2016, the pasta restaurant has quickly become one of London’s must-try dining spots, gaining fame for the snaking queues that form outside of it every night (Padella Borough doesn’t accept bookings). Hoping to replicate its phenomenal success, Padella has opened a second site in Shoreditch serving up classic Italian food with an ever changing menu.

Padella in Shoreditch restaurant is much bigger than the original, with a long bar area, lots of tables and booth seating, as well as a large open kitchen where diners can watch the chefs create plate after plate of pasta. Unlike the Borough site, you can also book in advance here, with a limited number of tables available for reservations. 

Padella’s menu changes regularly, although you'll always find a few classic dishes that are a fixed part of its offering, like its slow-cooked beef ragu and its pici cacio e pepe. The menu features a tight selection of antipasti, handmade pasta dishes and puddings. Kick off with a selection of small bites, like sourdough and olive oil, mixed Italian olives, or bruschetta with black Iberiko tomatoes and wild oregano. Examples of pasta dishes include fettuccine with Cobble Lane cured nduja, mascarpone and lemon, or cavatelli with cavolo nero, chilli, anchovy and garlic. From the dessert list, you can expect tiramisu to be on the menu, as well as a rich chocolate and salted caramel tart.

Cocktails include a short selection of Italian classics, like its signature Negroni and an Aromatic Spritz, while a selection of Italian wines can be ordered by the glass or carafe.

Padella is the sister restaurant of Trullo, another much-loved London restaurant in Islington, which opened its doors back in 2010. Padella’s impact on London’s dining scene is undeniable, with the restaurant kick-starting the trend for affordable pasta-focused restaurants with simple menus that change regularly.