Lobster Linguine, Amalfi Tagliolini & 7 Coastal Pastas to Try in London This Summer
Knightsbridge Italian Restaurant: Coastal Pasta
Summer in London asks for a different plate. Discover ALBA, the Knightsbridge Italian restaurant serving coastal pasta opposite Harrods. Lighter. Brighter. Something that tastes of salt air and lemon zest rather than slow-braised winter weight. Coastal Italian pasta delivers exactly that, and ALBA London - sat opposite Harrods at 70 Brompton Road - has built its menu around it. In fact, the pasta section alone reads like a coastline drive from Amalfi down to Sicily. Among the highlights, you'll find Lobster Linguine, Amalfi Tagliolini and squid ink spaghetti. If you want the south of Italy without the Ryanair queue, this is where to head.
Why Coastal Italian Pasta Owns Summer in London
Pasta is no longer a niche order. Britons get through roughly 190,000 tonnes of pasta each year, with the UK pasta market valued at $659 million in 2024. Coastal pasta does particularly well from May onwards - it leans on seafood, citrus and good olive oil rather than heavy cream or ragù. That suits how people actually want to eat in summer. It also suits the way Knightsbridge does fine dining now, which is less about formality and more about flavour you remember on the walk home.
What Sets ALBA's Kitchen Apart
Executive Chef Cristian Ianni and his hand shows on every plate. The pasta is treated as the headline act, not a holding course before mains. You can watch it being finished too - the open kitchen and fresh seafood display sit in full view of the dining room.
7 Coastal Pastas at Alba
1. Lobster Linguine
The signature, and rightly so. Whole lobster, hand-cut linguine, a tomato base that stays bright rather than heavy. It's the dish most regulars order without looking at the menu, and the one that often defines first-time visits.
2. Amalfi Tagliolini with Mazara Prawns
Golden tagliolini with red prawns from Mazara del Vallo on Sicily's west coast - the prawns Italian chefs quietly obsess over. Sweet, almost buttery, eaten near-raw at the centre. Lemon zest. Good oil. Not much else needed.
3. Spaghetti al Nero di Seppia
At ALBA, the Knightsbridge Italian restaurant opposite Harrods, squid ink first turns the spaghetti glossy black. Then cuttlefish brings the brine. Meanwhile, the dish's roots split between Sicily and Venice, depending on who you ask. Either way, order it with a glass of Falanghina - and definitely don't wear white.
4. Crab Ravioli with Caviar
Sweet crab tucked into thin pasta sheets, then finished with a spoon of caviar on top. Quietly the most luxurious thing in the section. The salinity from the caviar is what makes it work - without it, you'd lose the edge.
5. Spaghetti alle Vongole
The classic, done properly. Fresh clams, garlic, white wine, parsley, no cream anywhere near it. The version here uses the lovely juicy clams caught in the Tyrrhenin Sea that define Campanian coastal cooking. The broth at the bottom of the bowl is the point - keep some bread for it.
6. Paccheri with Seafood Ragù
Big tubes of paccheri are built for sauce, and the slow-cooked seafood ragù here finds its way inside every one. Comfort food, but the coastal version.
7. Gnocchi alla Sorrentina
A nod up the coast to Sorrento. Soft gnocchi baked with tomato, basil and fior di latte until the top blisters. Proof that ALBA's pasta section isn't only about seafood.
Finding Alba, the Knightsbridge Italian Restaurant
The restaurant sits at 70 Brompton Road, SW3 1ER - opposite Harrods, walkable from both Knightsbridge and South Kensington tube. Doors open at midday daily, with kitchen service running late on Fridays and Saturdays until midnight. The 9-course tasting menu by Stefano Tortelli is available every day for anyone wanting the wider story of the menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is ALBA London?
You'll find ALBA at 70 Brompton Road, SW3 1ER. More specifically, the restaurant sits directly opposite Harrods in Knightsbridge.
What kind of food does ALBA serve?
Above all, ALBA serves Amalfi Coast-inspired Italian fine dining. The focus leans heavily on seafood and pasta. Meanwhile, the wine list draws mostly from Italy and France.
What's the signature pasta?
First, the Lobster Linguine takes the crown. Then comes the Amalfi Tagliolini with Mazara prawns, a close second.
How do I book?
To begin with, you can book online at alba-ldn.uk. Otherwise, ring the team directly on +44 (0)20 3985 4992.
