RestaurantsLondonCovent GardenWC2N

survey result

Summary

£60
  £££
2
Average
2
Average
2
Average
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“Delicious pasta at relatively affordable prices” inspires major loyalty to these “busy” pasta pitstops in Soho, near Trafalgar Square and in Borough Yards: for their legions of fans, “a staple option for a quick meal in London”, even if “the narrow WC2 branch in particular is tight for space and can feel a little crowded and noisy”. The experience, though, can tip into just feeling “rushed”, “unimpressive” or “hyped”, not least due to the “hit ’n’ miss service”. Top Menu Tips – “obviously the ‘silk handkerchiefs’ are best”; “Cacio Pepe is like you’ll never find outside Rome at an unbelievable price”.

Summary

£59
   ££
2
Average
3
Good
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“Elevating accessible pasta to another level” and “at fair prices” has won a huge fan club for these pasta pit-stops, which – in July 2023 – added a Borough Yards location to their outlets in Soho and off Trafalgar Square. It’s the “narrow” WC2 branch that’s best known, and, despite the weight of custom, “helpful staff do their best” and it delivers “lots of atmosphere”. The food rating dipped this year, though, due to a few refuseniks who say “it used to be good, but is becoming a victim of its own success”. Executive Chef Ben Waugh creates all new dishes and ensures the classics are still on the menu, such as Fazzoletti (silk handkerchiefs) with confit egg yolk and walnut butter. There is also an aperitivi and cicchetti bar.

Summary

£56
   ££
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“A perfect pre-theatre choice that’s quick and classy” – these West End pasta-stops off Trafalgar Square and in Soho provide “excellent pasta, reasonable prices and a speedy turnaround”. “Buzzy rather than comfortable (many tables only have stools), really keen nearly all Italian staff provide the (fairly) limited menu”“fab fresh pasta” with “modern Italian flavours” that’s “not complicated, but done with precision”, all “at an amazing price”.

Summary

£52
   ££
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“For a quick Italian meal in the West End”, you will struggle to better this award-winning duo of “beautiful” pasta-bars, off Trafalgar Square and in Soho’s Golden Square, where the “gorgeous fresh pasta” is notably “excellent value”. To be fair, the odd reporter does feel the cooking is “serviceable rather than spectacular”, but the vast majority say the dishes are “to die for”. “Friendly staff get high marks” too, as does the “fantastic buzz”.

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 Bancone?

Restaurant details

No dress code

Bancone Restaurant Diner Reviews

Reviews of Bancone Restaurant in WC2N, London by users of Hardens.com. Also see the editors review of Bancone restaurant.
David B
The pasta is still of a high standard, and ...
Reviewed 10 months, 21 days ago

"The pasta is still of a high standard, and the service quite attentive, but the Coven Garden branch is crowded and rather unconfortable, and the whole experience feels a bit rushed"

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

Prices

  Cost Availability Courses
Menu1 25.00 Lunch only 11
Menu2 35.00 Dinner only 11

Traditional European menu

Starter Main Veggies Pudding
£7.00 £11.50 £4.00 £7.50
Drinks  
Wine per bottle £21.50
Filter Coffee £3.50
Extras  
Service 12.50%
Opening hours
Monday12 pm‑11 pm
Tuesday12 pm‑11 pm
Wednesday12 pm‑11 pm
Thursday12 pm‑11 pm
Friday12 pm‑11 pm
Saturday12 pm‑11 pm
Sunday12 pm‑10:30 pm

Best Italian restaurants nearby

Fumo
Italian restaurant in Covent Garden
£59
   ££
2
Average
3
Good
4
Very Good
Ave Mario
Italian restaurant in Covent Garden
£69
  £££
3
Good
4
Very Good
3
Good
The Petersham
Italian restaurant in Covent Garden
£105
£££££
2
Average
2
Average
3
Good

Best similarly priced restaurants nearby

PizzaExpress
Pizza restaurant in London
£58
   ££
2
Average
3
Good
3
Good
Côte St Martin's Lane
French restaurant in Trafalgar Square
£60
  £££
1
Poor
2
Average
3
Good
Fumo
Italian restaurant in Covent Garden
£59
   ££
2
Average
3
Good
4
Very Good