What started as a pasta offshoot from the team behind north London’s Trullo has since become a London essential in its own right.
Islington's Trullo is known for its rustic Italian fare served in a relaxed, neighbourhood setting. Padella takes that same handmade pasta ethos and delivers it with sharper pricing, quicker pace, and a more pared-back style.
The Borough Market original earned cult status for good reason—think pici cacio e pepe with silky depth, tagliarini with nduja that packs just the right punch, and a slow-cooked pappardelle with 8-hour Dexter beef shin ragu. The wine list spans from Assi Bianco from Puglia to a generous Poggiotondo Chianti.
Queues here can be long, but turnover is quick—and waiting outside is part of the Padella experience, especially with Borough Market’s bustle all around.
The newer Shoreditch outpost offers more space (and crucially, the ability to book), but the vibe stays true: casual, confident, and reliably excellent. You can even tune in to for a taste of its energy.