Family-run Rucoletta restaurant is an authentic Italian eatery in the heart of St. Pauls, serving classic Italian dishes. You'll find the restaurant right around the corner from St. Pauls station, making it easy to get to from anywhere in London, and perfect for those exploring Central London during the day.
Inside, Rucoletta is minimal but homely, with old photographs of Italy lining the walls, and flowers brightening the solid wood tables. The atmosphere is intimate and relaxed, and friendly staff are on hand to help you with the menu.
Rucoletta specialises in authentic trattoria fare, including a range of pasta dishes, secondi, antipasti, starters and desserts. Kick things off with classics like insalata tricolore with avocado, basil, buffalo mozzarella, tomato, and homemade extra virgin olive oil, polpettine di vitello con polenta (veal meatballs in a light tomato sauce with polenta), or a hot, melting slab of aubergine parmigiana, straight from the oven.
Pasta dishes deliver more traditional flavours, from a classic tagliatelle alla Bolognese, to a spaghetti alla vongole (spagetti with clams), or penne in a spicy all'arrabiatta sauce. Mains are similarly authentic - make sure you save room for bistecca all'Italiana with garlic spinach and roasted cherry tomatoes, or a crispy breadcrumbed cotoletta alla Milanese with parsley new potatoes.
If there's any chance that you still have room, the Rucoletta dessert menu is packed with fantastic sweet treats, including a tiramisu (made to a special house recipe), rum baba, pastierina Napoletana (classic Neapolitan cake with ricotta wheat cream filling), and of course, an affogato. Staff also mix up a mean aperol spritz and negroni if you fancy a little aperitivo and some nibbles, and everything is delivered with generosity in a cosy, welcoming atmosphere.