Padella Shoreditch

If you were to pick ten Londoners at random, line them up, and demand they tell you what their favourite restaurant is, chances are at least two of them would say Padella. We suggest you don’t actually do that because it’s arguably quite creepy. Instead just trust us when we say this excellent handmade pasta restaurant creates near-cult-like feelings of devotion over their £8.50 pici cacio e pepe. Affordable, casual, and home to many a top negroni, their big restaurant just off of Great Eastern Street isn’t quite as charming as their OG spot in Borough Market but it’s still perfect for big pasta cravings and pappardelle-fuelled catch-ups. Plus, unlike their walk-in only spot in Borough Market, a limited number of tables here are available to book which officially makes it a great shout for a lowkey birthday or a date night where you can’t risk a 40-minute wait in a queue.