Pastaio Pasta Restaurant Carnaby menu with prices 2026 is everything a pasta lover in London needs to plan the perfect visit. Located at 19 Ganton Street just off the iconic Carnaby Street in Soho, Pastaio has built a loyal following since chef Stevie Parle opened its doors in 2017.
From hand-rolled fresh pasta and seasonal antipasti to prosecco slushies and classic tiramisu, the menu offers outstanding quality at prices that remain genuinely fair for central London.
Pastaio — the Italian word for pasta maker — is a dedicated fresh pasta restaurant sitting at the heart of London’s Carnaby district. Founded by acclaimed British chef and restaurateur Stevie Parle, the restaurant quickly became one of the most talked-about pasta spots in the city.
Every single morning, a team of skilled pastai handcraft the pasta from scratch. They combine organic grains, freshly sourced seasonal produce from Natoora, and the finest sustainable ingredients from small UK and Italian growers. The result is a plate of pasta that feels both authentic and contemporary.
Pastaio’s philosophy is simple: deliver the best pasta you have ever eaten at a price that does not require a special occasion to justify. That mission has made it a beloved local institution and a must-visit destination for tourists exploring Soho and Carnaby Street.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 19 Ganton St, Carnaby, London W1F 9BN |
| Phone | +44 20 3019 8680 |
| Website | pastaio.co.uk |
| Nearest Tube | Oxford Circus / Piccadilly Circus |
| Opening Hours | Open 7 days a week |
| Google Rating | 4.5 stars |
| Average Price Per Person | £30–£40 |
The restaurant is conveniently located just a short walk from Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus tube stations. Its central position makes it a natural choice for lunch after shopping on Carnaby Street or dinner before a West End show.
Walking into Pastaio, you immediately notice the energy. The walls feature bright, vibrant murals commissioned specifically for the space, and the interior was designed by the acclaimed Tom Dixon studio.
Seating is mostly communal — long shared tables with black stools and large pendant light features overhead. The canteen-style layout encourages a social, relaxed dining experience where strangers become dining companions.
As the evening progresses, the lighting softens slightly and the buzz of conversation fills the air. Whether you are having a quick solo lunch, catching up with friends, or on a casual date night, the atmosphere adapts effortlessly. The restaurant also offers outdoor terrace seating, making it a wonderful spot during warmer months.
Pastaio’s menu is built around three core principles: seasonality, sustainability, and accessibility. The menu changes regularly to reflect what is freshest and most flavourful at any given time of year.
Ingredients come from trusted small producers. Eggs are sourced from Rodley Court in Kent. Ricotta is made fresh every day in West London. Organic grains and tomatoes come from southern Italy. Meat and fish are British, sustainable, and carefully selected.
This commitment to provenance does not inflate the prices. Pastaio remains one of the most affordable quality pasta restaurants in central London, offering real value for the quality on the plate.
The antipasti section at Pastaio Pasta Restaurant Carnaby is a highlight in its own right. With around eight options priced between £3 and £9.50, it offers something for every appetite and budget.
These starters are designed to be shared, setting the table for the pasta courses to follow. Many regulars order two or three antipasti to share alongside a main pasta dish.
| Antipasti Dish | Price (Approx.) | Key Ingredients |
|---|---|---|
| Fried Mozzarella, ‘Nduja & Honey Sandwich | £5.50 | Fried mozzarella, spicy ‘nduja sausage, honey |
| Burrata with EVOO | £8.50 | Whole burrata, extra virgin olive oil |
| Burrata with Smashed Broad Beans | £9.00 | Creamy burrata, broad beans |
| Squash Caponata | £7.00 | Squash, tomato, olives, pine nuts, raisins, mint |
| ‘Nduja Devils on Horseback | £6.50 | Spicy ‘nduja, prunes — a Pastaio twist on the classic |
| Focaccia with Burrata (Pastaio x Wild Farmed) | £7.50 | Wild-farmed focaccia, fresh burrata |
| Aubergine Caponata | £6.50 | Roasted aubergine, tomato, capers, olives |
| Tuna Carpaccio | £9.50 | Sustainable bluefin tuna, capers, lemon |
The Fried Mozzarella, ‘Nduja & Honey Sandwich is the single most iconic antipasto on the Pastaio menu. It has appeared since the restaurant opened in 2017 and remains a permanent fixture that regulars order on every visit.
The pasta section is the heart of the Pastaio Carnaby menu. Every pasta dish is made from scratch each morning and plated to order. Prices typically range from £10 to £18 depending on ingredients.
The menu rotates seasonally, but these are the most consistently featured and celebrated dishes across 2025 and into 2026:
| Pasta Dish | Price (Approx.) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Beef & Porcini Bolognese Tagliatelle | £14.00 | Regeneratively farmed beef, porcini mushrooms, 8-hour ragu, parmesan |
| Lobster Linguine | £18.00 | Fresh lobster, butter, herbs, citrus |
| Squash Ravioli with Butter & Sage | £13.00 | Hand-rolled ravioli, roasted squash, sage brown butter |
| Slow-Cooked Tomato & Basil Tagliolini | £11.00 | Classic tomato sauce, fresh basil, parmesan |
| Wild Mushroom, Butter & Lemon Zest Casarecce | £12.50 | Mixed wild mushrooms, brown butter, lemon, herbs |
| Slow-Cooked Sausage Ragu | £13.00 | Italian sausage, rich tomato ragu, handmade pasta |
| Nettle & Spinach Ravioli | £13.50 | Bright green nettle and spinach pasta, butter sauce |
| Cavolo Nero Paccheri | £12.00 | Tuscan black kale, garlic, olive oil, chilli |
| Pappardelle Bolognese | £14.00 | Silky pappardelle ribbons, rich beef and porcini ragu |
| Tonarelli Cacio e Pepe | £11.00 | Classic Roman pasta, Pecorino, black pepper |
| Lemon & Parmesan Spaghetti | £11.50 | Bright lemon, aged parmesan, spaghetti, olive oil |
| Seafood Linguine | £16.00 | Mixed sustainable seafood, tomato, white wine, herbs |
The Beef & Porcini Bolognese is arguably Pastaio’s signature dish. The ragu is slow-cooked for eight full hours, rendering the beef to an extraordinary softness that coats every strand of pasta. Diners consistently list it among the best bolognese in London.
Pastaio has always taken its vegan offering seriously. The kitchen maintains a dedicated green vegan menu alongside the main menu, ensuring plant-based diners are never treated as an afterthought.
Vegan options are clearly marked on the menu and the staff are well-trained in guiding vegan guests through every section. Many antipasti, pasta dishes, and desserts are either naturally vegan or can be easily adapted.
Popular vegan dishes include the Squash Caponata antipasto, the Cavolo Nero Paccheri pasta, and the Slow-Cooked Tomato & Basil Tagliolini. Staff willingly mark up the entire menu for vegan guests on request.
| Vegan-Friendly Options | Category |
|---|---|
| Squash Caponata | Antipasti |
| Aubergine Caponata | Antipasti |
| Tomato & Basil Tagliolini | Pasta |
| Cavolo Nero Paccheri | Pasta |
| Lemon Spaghetti (without parmesan) | Pasta |
| Selected seasonal desserts | Dessert |
Pastaio offers gluten-free pasta as a standard option across the menu. Guests with gluten intolerance or coeliac concerns can request gluten-free pasta for most of the main pasta dishes.
The kitchen team is experienced at handling dietary requirements and takes cross-contamination seriously. Always notify staff of your dietary needs when booking or upon arrival.
Gluten-free pasta is available at a small supplement and is made to order. The team takes pride in ensuring no diner misses out because of dietary restrictions.
Desserts at Pastaio are classic, indulgent, and generously portioned. The menu stays focused — a small, curated selection of Italian-inspired sweets that hit every note.
| Dessert | Price (Approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tiramisu | £7.50 | Classic recipe; £1 donated to charity per order |
| Baked Ricotta Cheesecake | £7.00 | Light, creamy, Italian-style |
| Ice Cream from Hackney Gelato | £5.50 | Scoops from London’s Hackney Gelato |
| Seasonal Dessert Special | £6.50–£8.00 | Changes with the rotating menu |
The tiramisu is a particularly beloved fixture. Made with layers of espresso-soaked sponge, rich mascarpone cream, and a dusting of cocoa powder, it is a deeply satisfying finish to any meal. Every tiramisu ordered results in a £1 donation to charity — a detail that has won considerable affection from guests.
The drinks menu at Pastaio Pasta Restaurant Carnaby is concise, affordable, and carefully chosen to complement the food. It includes wines, cocktails, prosecco slushies, and excellent non-alcoholic options.
| Wine | Price (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| White Wine (glass) | From £4.50 |
| Red Wine (glass) | From £4.50 |
| Prosecco (glass) | From £5.00 |
For a central London restaurant, wine prices starting at £4.50 per glass are genuinely reasonable. The wine list stays focused on Italian varieties that pair naturally with the pasta dishes.
| Cocktail | Price (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Aperol Spritz | £6.00–£7.00 |
| Negroni | £6.00–£7.00 |
| Seasonal Cocktails | £7.00–£9.00 |
The Aperol Spritz and Negroni are the cocktail cornerstones of the Pastaio drinks menu. Both are expertly made and generously poured at a price that suits the accessible ethos of the restaurant.
The prosecco slushy is perhaps Pastaio’s most talked-about drink and a social media favourite. Available in flavours including white grape and Aperol, these adult slushies are served from £4.50 and are the perfect aperitivo on a warm afternoon.
They are so popular that regulars hope they become a permanent year-round offering. The white grape prosecco slushy is described by diners as refreshing, fun, and completely addictive.
| Non-Alcoholic Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Hibiscus Agua Fresca | Zesty, floral, and refreshing |
| Peony Blush Sparkling Tea | Elegant and delicate |
| Soft Drinks | Standard selection available |
| Coffee | Italian-style espresso and filter options |
The non-alcoholic selection is thoughtful and goes well beyond the usual range. The Hibiscus Agua Fresca and Peony Blush Sparkling Tea are particular standouts praised by food bloggers and reviewers alike.
Pastaio serves both lunch and dinner seven days a week. The experience differs slightly depending on the time of day.
At lunch, the restaurant operates at a brisk pace. It is popular with local office workers, shoppers, and tourists exploring the Carnaby area. Tables turn over relatively quickly, making it easy to drop in for a satisfying midday meal.
Dinner is a livelier affair. Tables fill quickly from around 6:30 PM onward, especially on weekends. The atmosphere becomes more social and celebratory, with the drinks menu playing a bigger role. Booking is strongly recommended for Friday and Saturday nights.
If you are visiting Pastaio Pasta Restaurant Carnaby for the first time, these are the dishes that define the restaurant:
The Beef & Porcini Bolognese Tagliatelle is the undisputed star. Eight hours of slow cooking, regeneratively farmed British beef, and earthy porcini mushrooms create a ragu of extraordinary depth and richness.
The Fried Mozzarella, ‘Nduja & Honey Sandwich is the starter to order without hesitation. Crispy, spicy, and sweet all at once — it has been on the menu since day one for good reason.
The Squash Ravioli with Butter & Sage is a vegetarian masterpiece. Pillowy hand-rolled pasta encasing sweet roasted squash, finished in fragrant sage brown butter, converts doubters into devoted regulars.
The Tiramisu with its charity donation element combines classic Italian dessert perfection with a meaningful cause. Order it without question.
Pastaio’s menu is explicitly described as radically seasonal, with ingredients sourced through Natoora — a leading sustainable produce supplier working exclusively with small artisan growers. The menu evolves continuously throughout the year.
Winter menus lean toward hearty, warming ragu dishes and roasted vegetable antipasti. Spring menus introduce bright, green-forward dishes featuring broad beans and fresh herbs. Summer brings lighter pasta options and the return of the legendary prosecco slushies. Autumn features mushroom-led dishes, squash fillings, and deeply savoury ragu specials.
Regulars return specifically to explore what is new each season. This rotating approach ensures that even the most frequent visitors always discover something fresh and exciting.
Pastaio accommodates group bookings and offers set sharing menus that are popular for celebrations, work dinners, and hen parties. The group menu removes the need for pre-orders, making it stress-free for large parties.
A typical group feast includes a spread of antipasti, a pasta dish per person chosen from the seasonal menu, and dessert. The format encourages sharing, conversation, and the relaxed communal dining experience the restaurant is known for.
Group menus are available on request when booking. Pastaio has hosted birthday celebrations, pre-theatre dinners, and corporate team lunches with equal success.
London has no shortage of Italian restaurants, but Pastaio carves out a unique position in the market. Here is how it compares:
| Feature | Pastaio Carnaby | Typical Central London Italian |
|---|---|---|
| Pasta Made Fresh Daily | Yes | Sometimes |
| Seasonal Rotating Menu | Yes | Rarely |
| Price Per Person | £30–£40 | £40–£70+ |
| Vegan Dedicated Menu | Yes | Rarely |
| Gluten-Free Pasta Available | Yes | Sometimes |
| Ingredient Provenance | Named UK/Italian producers | Often unspecified |
| Prosecco Slushies | Yes (signature) | No |
Pastaio consistently delivers a quality of fresh pasta that rivals much more expensive restaurants, at a price point that makes it genuinely accessible to a wide range of diners across London.
Pastaio holds a 4.5-star rating on OpenTable and consistently ranks among the top Italian restaurants in Soho on Google and TripAdvisor. Reviewers most frequently praise the freshness of the pasta, the friendly and attentive service, and the fair value for money.
Common highlights in reviews include the bolognese, the ravioli, the atmosphere, and the quality of staff recommendations. Critics occasionally note that communal tables make private conversations difficult, and that the restaurant can feel loud on busy weekend evenings.
Price per person ratings consistently fall in the £30–£40 range for a three-course meal with drinks, which is considered exceptional value for central London dining.
Reservations can be made through the Pastaio website at pastaio.co.uk or via OpenTable. The restaurant accepts walk-ins subject to availability, but booking is strongly advised for Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday lunch.
The restaurant opens seven days a week. For specific opening hours on public holidays, checking the official website or calling +44 20 3019 8680 directly is recommended. Outdoor terrace seating is available in warmer months on a first-come, first-served basis.
Pastaio is located at 19 Ganton Street, Carnaby, London W1F 9BN, just off iconic Carnaby Street and a short walk from Oxford Circus tube.
The average spend per person is between £30 and £40, covering antipasti, a pasta main, dessert, and a couple of drinks.
Yes. Pastaio maintains a dedicated green vegan menu and staff are trained to guide vegan guests through every section of the full menu.
Yes. Gluten-free pasta is available at a small supplement for most main pasta dishes; always inform staff of dietary needs at booking.
The Beef & Porcini Bolognese Tagliatelle, Fried Mozzarella & ‘Nduja Sandwich, Squash Ravioli with Butter & Sage, and classic Tiramisu are the essential dishes every first-time visitor should order.
Cocktails including Aperol Spritz and Negroni are priced between £6 and £7, and the signature prosecco slushies start from £4.50 per glass.
Yes. Tables can be booked through pastaio.co.uk or via OpenTable; walk-ins are welcome but booking is strongly recommended for weekend evenings.
Pastaio was founded in 2017 by acclaimed British chef and restaurateur Stevie Parle, also known for Rotorino and Palatino in London.
Yes. The menu is radically seasonal and rotates continuously based on the freshest ingredients available from Natoora and small artisan producers across the UK and Italy.
Yes. The restaurant offers terrace dining for outdoor seating, available during warmer months on a first-come, first-served basis without reservation.
Pastaio Pasta Restaurant Carnaby menu with prices 2026 confirms that this remains one of the finest and most affordable fresh pasta experiences in all of central London.
From the iconic Beef & Porcini Bolognese Tagliatelle slow-cooked for eight hours to the irresistible Fried Mozzarella & ‘Nduja Sandwich and the legendary Prosecco Slushy, every element of the Pastaio experience has been crafted with genuine care and culinary integrity.
The team of pastai handcraft pasta every morning using sustainable, seasonal ingredients sourced from named UK and Italian producers — delivering quality that far exceeds the price point.
Whether you are visiting Carnaby for a solo lunch, a group celebration, a date night, or a pre-theatre dinner, Pastaio delivers a warm, buzzing atmosphere and a plate of pasta that consistently earns the praise of first-timers and devoted regulars alike. Book your table at pastaio.co.uk, order the prosecco slushy on arrival, and prepare for the best pasta in London.