This award-winning Borough Market pasta bar could be credited as the first of its kind in London. From the owners of Islington’s famous Italian restaurant Trullo, their dream was to serve fresh, hand-rolled pastas inspired by regular trips to Italy, in an informal bar setting. The service is quick, the vibe is busy and fun. Solo diners can sit at the marble bar looking out over Borough High Street or if you’re more than one, there’s table seating with room for burratas or radicchio salad and other antipasti sharing plates. A short, seasonal menu shows strong regional Italian influences and their most famous Cacio e Pepe is definitely worth the journey, as is the succulent 8-hour Dexter beef ragu. A slice of lemon tart or a scoop of ice cream and an espresso keeps the pudding list authentic, the meal fast and with most dishes around £6, it’s a pretty economical lunch.
Thames Wharf, Rainville Rd, Hammersmith, London W6 9HA
River Cafe
For over 30 years, A-listers have flocked to this Thameside location in Hammersmith location for (the late) Rose Gray and Ruth Rogers’ inspired Italian cooking. The daily changing menu and superior sourcing keep the chefs perfectly in line with the seasons, and dishes such as ravioli with buffalo ricotta and garden herbs or oven-roasted turbot keep the customers coming. The interior is modern and minimal with bursts of colour, including a shocking pink wood-fired oven, which forms part of the open kitchen. Prices may be steep, but the experience, attentive staff and quality of food make it worth every penny.
169 Church Rd, Barnes, London SW13 9HR
Dining and Cooking