RestaurantsLondonLondon BridgeSE1

Breaking news

September 2019: Padella will be opening a second site on Phipp Street in Shoreditch in early 2020.

survey result

Summary

£44
    £
4
Very Good
3
Good
4
Very Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“Love Padella! Both the one in Borough Market and the one in Shoreditch”. “It doesn’t need any review as everyone seems to already know it” – a “go-to Italian” with “simple, perfect portions whose comforting flavours just sing” (freshly made every morning on the premises) all at “amazing value” prices. “It’s so busy, you need to book way in advance (at least in EC2, unlike SE1 where you need to queue)”. “All in all, the whole experience is devoid of pretence: nothing tries to be fancy, it is just damn good.” “I take all my friends, all of whom have been impressed… and many have subsequently returned for themselves. Says it all!”

Summary

£42
    £
4
Very Good
3
Good
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“Still some of the very best pasta in London at half the price of most places” continues to inspire rave reviews for these genius pit stops, where “pound for pound the great value for money is always good” (“and extends to the drinks”). “For an unplanned midweek supper there’s nothing better”, although at the mega-popular Borough Market original it can feel “like a conveyor belt” at busier times. At “the funky newish premises in Shoreditch” there’s “rather more space than in SE1, with proper booking… what’s not to like?”. Top Menu Tip – “just go for the cacio e pepe… but everything else is good as well”.

Summary

£31
    £
5
Exceptional
4
Very Good
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“Every time we go to Padella, we’re just bowled over by the splendid simplicity of their dishes, packed with flavour, and at the most ridiculous value prices!” – Tim Siadatan and Jordan Frieda’s Borough Market staple added a stylish Shoreditch sibling, in early 2020 (just before Covid-19 struck) and in EC2 in particular they are absolutely crushing it as one of the capital’s best options on a budget. Indeed, “it’s hard to comprehend how they can serve such a quality meal at the price”. The formula is deceptively simple: “no reservations, no frills”: just “superlative, freshly made pasta” (“it is lovely to see the dough being rolled by hand every morning on my way to the office”) from a “compact menu”. “Arrive ultra-early to dodge the worst of the perma-queues”, although “the line moves relatively quickly, and their beeper system means you can go for a drink and come back to get your table”. “Portion sizes are definitely not large, but it’s definitely worth the wait”. “Knock back a perfectly great Negroni, tuck away three dishes and a glass of wine, and walk out less than £30 lighter!”

Summary

£28
    £
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“Bellissimo!” – Tim Siadatan and Jordan Frieda’s Borough Market four-year-old remains one of the capital’s best options on a budget. The formula is simple: “no reservations, no frills”: just “superlative, freshly made pasta” from a “compact and great value menu”. “Arrive ultra-early to dodge the worst of the perma-queues”, although “the line moves relatively quickly, and their beeper system means you can go for a drink and come back to get your table”. In early 2020, just before Covid-19 struck, they absolutely crushed it with the opening of an outstanding follow-up in svelte, airy, polished-concrete Shoreditch premises. Trading in EC2 since they re-opened post-pandemic has remained deservedly strong for an incredible value destination.

For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).

Have you eaten at Padella?

Restaurant details

No dress code
60

Padella Restaurant Diner Reviews

Reviews of Padella Restaurant in SE1, London by users of Hardens.com. Also see the editors review of Padella restaurant.
Peter C
Seemingly constantly busy this very cosy It...
Reviewed 3 months, 9 days ago

"Seemingly constantly busy this very cosy Italian on the edge of Borough market operates an effective virtual queuing system. once you have been called to enter you are greeted with a small but well put together menu of food all of which we tried were tasty and well prepared."

Report this comment
Dino J
One of many restaurants in London that have...
Reviewed 10 months, 11 days ago

"One of many restaurants in London that have no idea how to cook pasta despite this hugely popular"

Report this comment
Have you eaten at Padella?
Post your own review of Padella and contribute to our annual restaurant review guide.
Post your own review

Prices

Traditional European menu

Starter Main Pudding
£3.00 £6.00 £4.50
Drinks  
Wine per bottle £16.00
Filter Coffee £2.00
Extras  
Bread £2.00
Service 10.00%
Opening hours
Monday12 pm‑3:45 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm
Tuesday12 pm‑3:45 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm
Wednesday12 pm‑3:45 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm
Thursday12 pm‑3:45 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm
Friday12 pm‑3:45 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm
Saturday12 pm‑3:45 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm
Sunday12 pm‑3:45 pm, 5 pm‑9 pm

Best Italian restaurants nearby

Bancone
Italian restaurant in Southwark
£59
   ££
2
Average
3
Good
3
Good
Salt Yard Borough
Spanish restaurant in Southwark
£61
  £££
3
Good
2
Average
2
Average
Macellaio RC
Italian restaurant in Southwark
£73
  £££
2
Average
2
Average
3
Good

Best similarly priced restaurants nearby

Patty and Bun
Burgers, etc restaurant in London Bridge
£44
    £
3
Good
2
Average
2
Average
Rambutan
Sri Lankan restaurant in Southwark
£41
    £
5
Exceptional
3
Good
3
Good
Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Soho Wharf
Burgers, etc restaurant in Southwark
£41
    £
3
Good
3
Good
2
Average