Lina Stores

Exquisite Italian Delights, Unmissable Experience

On a bustling corner of South Kensington sits Lina Stores, brightly claiming its spot with signature mint-green façades—an understated beacon for those seeking an authentic slice of Italy in London. We found ourselves herded into this cozy cucina on a radiant Saturday afternoon, lured in by the promising hum of clinking cutlery and satisfied murmurs escaping from within. The interiors whispered of Italian bistro’s past with meticulous details such as ornate plates and a kitchen proudly on display, where one can witness culinary artistry in real-time—each dish, a painting stroked across heated canvases.

The menu is unapologetically decadent yet elegantly restrained. A sentence has never suited better than when describing the Pici alla Norcina—a marriage of rustic sausage with rich cream, elevated by a zing of white wine. Each pasta promises al dente perfection, whether it’s the zesty Tagliatelle with lemon or the heady infusion of truffle in the Tagliolini—not merely dishes but a symphony of flavors paying homage to the regions they hail from. In our enchanted state, service seems tangible, like an old friend that builds tension only to dissolve it with charm and kindness, especially when manager Cristina adds her personable touch to the experience. Between delicate Gamberi Grigliati and a strawberry-colored Aperol, you wonder if perhaps this little corner is truly Tuscany's outpost amidst London's museum-laden avenues. Lina Stores offers more than just a meal—it invites you into a story, where each bite is a verse breathing life into the warmth of la dolce vita. — Clarissa Cuisinier