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Manteca
★ 4.0(1 review)Restaurant
livelyrusticenergetic
About the Vibe
Manteca is Shoreditch's answer to nose-to-tail Italian done right. They make their own pasta in-house and run a proper salumeria, so everything from the bread to the charcuterie has that artisanal touch. The space is big and lively—perfect for a boisterous group dinner, though you might need to raise your voice a bit. Skip the lunch rush if you want to actually hear your tablemate, but go for the weekend dinner when the energy really kicks in.
Known For
- •hand-rolled pasta
- •in-house salumeria
- •nose-to-tail dishes
- •wood-fired bread
Best For
group dinnersweekend brunchmeat lovers
1 review
City InsidersEditorialApril 9, 2026
Solid nose-to-tail Italian with great pasta
Manteca is exactly the kind of place Shoreditch does best—unpretentious but technically impressive. You walk in expecting another loud Italian spot, but the quality of the food sets it apart. The hand-rolled pasta is genuinely excellent, and the nose-to-tail approach means you're getting cuts you won't find elsewhere. The salumeria is a real draw—grab some cured meats to go with your wine if you're just popping in for drinks.
The space itself is a converted Pizza Express, so it's big and can get pretty packed. On a Saturday night, it's basically a nightclub with better food. The noise level can be a bit much for conversation, but that's part of the charm if you're with friends. Service is friendly but can be slow when they're swamped. Go for the weekend dinner when the atmosphere is at its peak, and don't skip the wood-fired bread—it's a great starter.
It's not perfect. The menu is smaller than you might expect for a place this size, and some dishes can lean a bit heavy. But for a solid night out with proper Italian food that doesn't feel like a tourist trap, Manteca delivers. It's become a local favourite for a reason.