Spagnoletti

King’s Cross’s dining scene might be at saturation point, but Spagnoletti is doing a fine job at cutting through the noise. This self-named retro-futuristic diner combines quirky interiors with genuinely creative modern Italian cooking, all just a stone’s throw from King’s Cross station.

There’s nothing trattoria-like about this Italian spot. The split-level space marries white tiled walls with canary yellow pipework and eye-popping seating, while mirrored walls and ceilings accentuate every detail. The open kitchen is a nice touch, allowing diners to watch chefs roll out fresh pasta from their table, and a physical reminder that for all Spagnoletti’s eccentricities, the beloved Italian staple still lies at the heart of menu.

Still, there’s more to the menu than just pasta, and sharing is encouraged. Charcoal-hued croquettes are dramatic to look at, but inside reveal a comforting mix of wild mushroom and truffle. Pasta is a highlight. Four, fat parcels of ravioli hide various classic fillings, from creamy pumpkin to spinach and ricotta. This sits on a bed of oozy stracciatella and a pool of butter – delicious, but almost too rich. A well-cooked piece of stone bass was also swimming in butter, and needed the sharp lift of citrus, or a more carefully honed sauce to bring it together. We finished with a zesty orange polenta cake, neatly cut into a thin oblong and paired with splodges of orange curd and a subtle cardamom ice cream.

Service is warm and relaxed, and we like the fact that you could just as easily nip in for a quick lunch as you could for a long and experiential dinner. Sure, the cooking isn’t faultless, but choose wisely and you could be in for a delicious meal (pasta is encouraged) in an immersive setting straight out of a sci fi film set.

Nestled within the Megaro Hotel, Spagnoletti is an all-day Italian restaurant located just a stone’s throw from the city centre, serving honest Italian food reimagined with modern flair. The name and design are inspired by Charles Spagnoletti, a 19th century London engineer and inventor who helped develop the telegraphic signalling systems used across mutiple railway lines.  

The kitchen is headed up by award-winning chef patron patron Adam Simmonds, who has worked in some of the nation's greatest kitchens, from Raymond Blanc’s two Michelin-starred Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, to Danesfield House (later renamed Adam Simmonds at Danesfield House), Adam Handling Chelsea and The Capital Hotel in Knightsbridge. Together with head chef Denilson Salvanini, they champion seasonality, sustainability and provenance across their menus, from freshly made pasta to exquisite meat and fish dishes.  

All the interiors at the Megaro hotel are by Henry Chebaane who has also lent his talented hand to Spagnoletti. The two-floor restaurant features a relaxed lounge and bar area upstairs, with plenty of craft beer on tap, while the main dining room sits on the ground floor and boasts a bright yellow colour scheme with futuristic details. 

Start with an Italian cocktail like a Spicy Margarita or the Spagnoletti Special. Alternatively, there is a selection of sparkling teas and Italian wines to choose from (including wines on tap). 

The all-day menu starts with Italian snacks like fresh focaccia, or wild mushroom and truffle arancini, followed by a selection of pasta dishes like rabbit lasagne or tortiglioni with prawns and chilli. For the main event, look out for the likes of veal Milanese with brown butter, and lamb rump and belly with polenta. Don’t skip the dolci here, as there is a star-studded selection featuring house tiramisu, polenta and orange cake, and a salted caramel ganache with praline and banana.  

For those looking for an extra special dining experience, there's a set chef's menu with optional wine pairing to choose from. 

The restaurant is also open for breakfast, so swing by in the morning for a full Italian breakfast, fresh pastries and plenty of strong coffee.