A popular Soho Italian deli, Lina Stores, has recently opened a new branch in a Grade II-listed former bank located in Shoreditch. The restaurant, which officially opened on Saturday, October 19th, offers a variety of handmade pasta, antipasti, secondi, and dolci from lunch to dinner.
The new restaurant is situated in a former NatWest bank branch that was built between 1865 and 1880 in a distinctive Italianate style. With 87 seats available, the ground floor houses the restaurant while the basement features the second iteration of Lina Stores’ aperitivo bar, Bar Lina.
The restaurant serves all the classic Lina Stores favorites along with some new dishes. The design of the restaurant has been carefully crafted to preserve the building’s history, showcasing original Victorian architecture and features. The banking hall’s timber and mosaic floor has been restored, and the walls have been left untouched to reveal decades of history, creating a unique blend of old and new.
The interior of the restaurant features Lina Stores’ signature pistachio green hues, marble-top tables, plush banquette seating, and opal glass lamps. Additionally, there is a formica and oak bar where guests can watch the chefs at work. Behind timber panels and beneath the original skylight, there is a private dining room for up to 12 guests.
Bar Lina, located in a separate entrance and reached by a staircase, was once the back office for the bank. The space has been transformed into a stylish bar with a marble bar, dark red color scheme, exposed brickwork, and lighting reminiscent of 1970s Italy. The bar offers a unique twist on classic dishes and drinks inspired by Italy’s bar culture, with space for up to 52 guests and a semi-private lounge seating 12 in the original vault of the bank.
Lina Stores, originally opened in Soho in 1944 as an Italian delicatessen, has since expanded to three delis and six restaurants across London. The new Shoreditch location offers a wide range of antipasti, pasta dishes, and dolci, including signature dishes like the Lina Stores tiramisu and homemade ice creams and sorbets. The wine list features organic and biodynamic wines from various regions of Italy.
Bar Lina is set to enhance Shoreditch’s nightlife with a rotating list of DJs playing music from different eras, spanning Lina Stores’ eight decades. Head chef Masha Rener expresses excitement about the new location, stating that Shoreditch’s rich food history and vibrant bar scene make it a perfect fit for Lina Stores.
If you want to experience the unique blend of history, culture, and exquisite Italian cuisine, be sure to visit Lina Stores Shoreditch at 180-182 Shoreditch High Street.