Location: London, England
Cuisine: Italian
Since my trip to Rome and Naples last year, I’ve been constantly seeking real, fresh, authentic Italian food. I wondered whether somewhere besides Italy could truly capture that same feeling. After a bit of searching, I realised that one of my favourite London staples, Lina Stores, had expanded beyond its original delicatessen into a collection of restaurants across the city. The story begins at their original delicatessen on Brewer Street in Soho, first opened in 1944 by Lina, a formidable woman from Genoa. More than 80 years later, it still serves high-quality Italian produce, from cured meats and cheeses to fresh, handmade pasta and panini, all rooted in a strong sense of tradition and authenticity.
Just around the corner, their Greek Street restaurant was the brand’s first step into dining, bringing many of those deli favourites to the table. It feels like a natural extension of the original shop, with the same signature pistachio-green interiors and a menu centred around fresh pasta, antipasti, and dolci.
Their menus change often to reflect the seasons and available produce, something I’m always glad to see. We started with focaccia, a true test of Italian baking, which was fluffy, flavourful, and a promising start.
We ordered three pasta dishes: one for Victor, one for me, and a third to share. Victor chose the Pappardelle con Ragù di Vitello, a rich, slow-cooked veal ragù that felt like a perfect expression of the dish. I opted for the Spaghetti al Nero con Ragù di Seppie, a squid ink pasta that instantly reminded me of arròs negre, the black rice dish found in Spain. The squid ink added a deep, slightly briny richness, making it my standout dish of the evening.
We also shared a simple but elegant Tagliatelle all’Ortica, made with young nettle, butter, and Parmigiano DOP. It was delicate and lightly flavoured, the kind of dish that highlights just how good fresh pasta can be.
More recently, I visited Lina Stores Marylebone, which offers a slightly different experience. Located on the corner of Marylebone Lane and Wigmore Street at the entrance to Marylebone Village, the space is larger and more versatile, spread across two floors with an all-day restaurant, delicatessen, and a stylish basement bar that doubles as a private dining space.
I visited during the week to try their set lunch menu, which is excellent value at £17 for two courses or £20 for three, available Monday to Friday from 12pm to 5pm. To start, I had the Insalata di Radicchio, Finocchio, Gorgonzola e Nocciole. The bitterness of the radicchio balanced beautifully with the sweetness of green apple and the richness of gorgonzola, while hazelnuts added a satisfying crunch. For my main, I chose the Casarecce alla Calabrese, with prawns, Calabrian chilli, and tomato. It had just the right level of heat, with the chilli adding depth without overpowering the dish, and the pasta was perfectly cooked. And of course, I couldn’t skip dessert. The Tiramisù was everything you want it to be: light, creamy, and deeply infused with coffee and marsala.
Across both visits, Lina Stores delivers consistently on what matters most: high-quality ingredients, excellent handmade pasta, and a clear respect for Italian culinary traditions.
Whether you’re after a cosy, deli-style experience in Soho or a longer, more relaxed lunch in Marylebone, it’s a place that feels both authentic and distinctly London at the same time. Definitely an Italian staple in the city.
Looking for more incredible food in London? Check out my other Restaurant Reviews.
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