The first outpost of Bancone, opened in 2018, which has held a Michelin Bib Gourmand for seven years.
Running chef
There is a head chef overseeing operations, as mentioned in customer reviews, but no specific name is provided in the search results.
Insights
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Last updated: 1/14/2026, 11:34:16 AM
Key Information
Bancone Covent Garden is an award-winning Italian restaurant specializing in fresh, handmade pasta. The name 'Bancone' means 'bar' or 'counter,' reflecting its lively, informal atmosphere with counter seating that allows diners to watch chefs prepare food. It is known for offering great value in its prime Covent Garden location.
Customer Perception
Customers generally praise Bancone for its fantastic Italian food, particularly the fresh, handmade pasta, and the incredible value for money. The lively atmosphere and the unique experience of watching chefs at the open kitchen counter are frequently highlighted. Signature dishes like the 'silk handkerchiefs with walnut butter and confit egg yolk' and 'fried artichoke' receive high acclaim. While overwhelmingly positive, some reviews mention dishes can be salty (e.g., carbonara), portions might be considered small by some, and there are occasional minor criticisms regarding restroom cleanliness or isolated service hiccups. It's important to note that many dishes contain nuts, and customers with allergies are advised to inform staff.
Additional Details
Bancone has multiple locations across London, including Covent Garden, Golden Square (Soho), Borough Yards, and Kensington. The Covent Garden branch is located at 39 William IV Street.
Accommodates nut allergies (inform staff, as many dishes contain nuts)
Best Times to Visit
Reservations are highly recommended, especially on weekends, as the restaurant often has long lines at opening. For walk-in customers, arriving early is advised to secure a table or counter seat.
Awards & Recognition
MICHELIN Guide Bib Gourmand • 2025
Voted one of London's Best Italian Pasta Restaurants
Bancone delivered one of the most memorable meals I’ve ever had, including what may be the best pasta dish of my life. The handkerchief pasta was nothing short of extraordinary—rich, creamy, buttery, and so aromatic that you could smell it the moment it arrived at the table. Every bite was perfectly balanced and showcased just how incredible a simple dish can be when executed flawlessly.
The rest of the menu was equally impressive, with fresh pasta, outstanding ingredients, and warm, attentive service. Bancone strikes the perfect balance between comfort and refinement.
The restaurant itself is quite small and understandably very popular, so I highly recommend making a reservation in advance. If you’re in London and love pasta, this is a restaurant you simply cannot miss.
Solid dining experience. The service was on point. The food was top notch, exactly as expected with minimal presentation but not really blown away. We had the Burrata, Past and walnut with confit egg yolk, Herdwick Hogget pappardelle. The pastas were cooked to perfection and the sauces for the 2 pastas were just right and not overbearing or overpowering. Ok atmosphere. The service was very good. It is affordable with the portions being just right.
4
Delicious food and a nice atmosphere. Between the 4 of us, we shared a few antipasti and had a main each. The anchovy cream dish and silk handkerchiefs were incredible, alongside one of their signature negronis. Great dinner spot! Enjoy.
3
Ok-ish Italian. Overrated perhaps?
Slow service (we did go on a busy Saturday afternoon), good antipastis, disappointing mains, underwhelming desserts. The portions were ok, but the gap between courses was way too long.
For the 4 of us, we ordered an extra main as we wanted to try the fresh pastas.
Antipasti
1. Potato sourdough with olive oil - the bread was delicious.
2. Artichoke, romesco, roasted nuts - excellent flavours and textures. The base was finger licking good.
3. Coppa Sarda, caper berry - Unremarkable.
4. Burrata, Delica pumpkin, garam masala, toasted seeds - interesting flavours and textures.
Mains
1. Silk handkerchiefs, walnut butter, confit egg yolk - signature dish for a reason. Delicately flavoured and tasty.
2. Bucatini cacio e pepe - tearfully over seasoned and inedible.
3. Anchovy cream, jalapeño, martini olive & mafalde - the other outstanding dish for us was this. Delicate flavours, with shots of jalapeño and anchovies on a creamy base.
4. Spicy pork & nduja ragù, tagliatelle - also over seasoned and flavourless.
5. Rare breed beef caramelle, marrowbone, crispy cavolo nero, Barolo - brothy and heavy.
Desserts
1. Fior di latte, fig leaf olive oil, rosemary, sea salt - fancy ice cream on granola
2. Chocolate tart, mascarpone, lime - thick brick of chocolate. Lovely presentation, but a struggle to get thru.
3
Popular restaurant serving fusion-italian food in a modern chic environment.
We arrived on a Friday night at 8pm with no reservation and they kindly accommodated us at the "bancone" where we had ample space to dine.
For starters we had a tuna tartare that missed a bit of sparkle, and a flavoursome fried artichoke with red pesto.
For the main, we had the popular handkerchief walnut pasta.
If you're feeling adventurous, I'd recommend the salty fior di latte ice-cream with olive oil as a dessert - what an amazing blast of flavours!
Staff were super attentive and kind, however I felt they were a bit stretched as we had to wait ~20min between the starter and the main - acknowledging the restaurant was full and it was Friday evening!
