Pasta. The simplest of staple foods, found in cupboards across the nation and often, perhaps, overlooked. But whilst it’s easy to think of pasta as plain or even boring, this magical food is versatile, comforting and incredible when done right. If you’re missing out on a holiday this year, then enjoy Italy at home, in these ten top restaurants serving up fresh pasta that is simply superb.

For an upmarket pasta experience, head to Bancone. They offer a mouth-watering selection of fresh pasta dishes (with gluten free pasta available): our favourite is the silk handkerchiefs with walnut butter and confit egg yolk for an incredibly smooth, rich dish, or the taglioni with razor clam, lime and bottarga.

Their antipasti and dessert offerings are also superb, and we seriously recommend this spot for an indulgent Italian feast.

Find Bancone at 8-10 Lower James Street, W1F 9EL

A ‘pasta bar’ serving exclusively pasta dishes, Padella is the place to go for casual yet delicious dining.

The daily menu is available on the website, but favourites have included gnocchi with nutmeg butter, pappardelle with 8 hours Dexter beef shin ragu, and Pici cacio & pepe – classicly simple pasta staples, done to perfection.

They now have two locations, in Shoreditch and Borough Market, and are very popular, so we suggest booking if you can.

Find Padella at 1 Phipp Street, EC2A 4PS, and 6 Southwark Street, SE1 1TQ

For fresh pasta made on-site that is purely scrumptious, make sure to try one of Pastaoi’s two locations. Highlights include the slow-cooked sausage ragu, with malloreddus, garlic, fennel, chilli & breadcrumbs, or, for a real indulgent treat, the whole lobster linguine (for 2), with white wine, garlic, chilli & parsley.

Their desserts are incredible too, from their tiramisu to their cheesecake, and the vibes are spot-on – think bright, colourful dining spaces to enjoy incredible food.

Find Pastaio at 19 Ganton street, Carnaby, Soho, W1F 9BN, and Unit 1032 , Lower Southern Terrace, W12 7SL

For authentic pasta made from traditional recipes, head to Officina 00. Their restaurant offers incredible pasta dishes, from a Crozetti with wild mushroom, house pork sausage, parsley and port sauce which is deliciously savoury, or the ink tagliolini with softshell crab, samphire, chilli and breadcrumb.

What sets Officina 00 apart, though, is its very own pasta workshop: Elia Sebregondi and Enzo Mirto have created a series of masterclasses on introduction to pasta making, filled pasta making and even their own recipes, which makes a great gift for foodie friends.

Find Officina 00 at 156 Old St, EC1V 9BW

Manteca know pasta. Their sample menu boasts pasta dishes that are creative and indulgent, like their pappardelle with lamb and fig ragu, or their agnolotti del plin, with summer truffle and hazelnuts.

You can see the thought put into the food at Manteca, and their a self-described focus on sustainable cooking. For seriously good pasta, this is a must-try spot.

Find Manteca at 58-59 Great Marlborough Street, Soho, W1F 7JY

Lina Stores is well-known in the city for its pasta, handmade since 1944, and for good reason. Their pasta dishes are creative and indulgent, like their Pici con Salsiccia al Finocchietto e ‘Nduja (Pici, Fennel Sausage, ‘Nduja, Rosemary, Grana Padano), or their Raviolini con Burrata, Salsa di Datterini, Pinoli (Burrata Raviolini, Datterini Tomato, Toasted Pine Nuts).

They have a restaurant in Soho, an extension of their original deli on Brewer Street, and a second restaurant in King’s Cross.

Find Lina Stores at 51 Greek Street Soho, W1D 4EG, or 20 Stable Street, King’s Cross, N1C 4DR

Flour and Grape make pasta that is simply exquisite. The menu is superb – classic and unpretentious – we recommend the ravioli with ricotta, lemon, parmesan and sage butter, or their pappardelle with beef short-rib ragu.

We also recommend their dessert menu, boasting an incredible Amalfi lemon tart and blood orange sorbetto.

Find Flour & Grape at 214 Bermondsey St, SE1 3TQ

For an indulgent dinner out, try Luca. Their restaurant is dark and cosy in the evening, and their terrace light and airy – and the food is incredible, with a focus on seasonal produce. Luca don’t serve exclusively pasta, but their selection on offer is impressive.

Their agnolotti cacio e pepe with manjumup truffle is divine, as is the rigatoni with pork sausage ragu, tomato, anchovy and mint. For an amazing dinner out, this is the place to go.

Find Luca at 88 St John Street, EC1M 4EH

A southern Italian restaurant in east London serving some truly delicious handmade pasta, Campania has a menu that is simple but impressive.

They serve classic pasta dishes, like risotto pescatore and pappardelle lamb ragu, using quality ingredients from local suppliers and a lot of care. They also offer pasta ‘to go’ in their shop, so you can enjoy it at home.

Find Campania and Jones at 23 Ezra Street, E2 7RH

Marcella’s dinner menu changes throughout the week based on seasonal produce but is always deliciously tempting.

They serve classic pasta dishes, from tagliatelle to spaghetti, as well as some mouth-watering Italian desserts. For an indulgent yet elegant dining experience, pop to Deptford for Marcella’s incredible offerings.

Find Marcella at 165A Deptford High St, SE8 3NU