Emilia’s Crafted Pasta in Aldgate is an Italian restaurant on Alie Street, close to Aldgate East, Whitechapel and the edge of the City of London. Its terracotta walls, textured bar and generous communal tables draw inspiration from the Emilia Romagna region. An open kitchen brings additional energy to the room by allowing diners to watch fresh pasta being shaped and cooked.
Freshness and simplicity guide the restaurant’s approach to Italian food. Pasta is made by hand each morning using techniques learned from traditional cooks, then matched with sauces chosen to suit the texture and form of each shape. The result is comforting food that respects familiar regional methods while remaining accessible for casual, everyday dining.
The menu explores several pasta shapes and sauce styles, from slow cooked meat recipes to fragrant pesto, filled pasta and rich vegetarian combinations. Seasonal specials give the kitchen room to present more experimental dishes while maintaining the same emphasis on fresh preparation. Italian drinks and desserts complement the pasta and help turn a simple bowl into a complete meal.
Emilia’s bustling Aldgate location suits weekday lunches, dinners with friends and group gatherings around the larger tables. Private hire is available for bigger occasions, while takeaway and delivery provide convenient alternatives to dining inside. The combination of visible craftsmanship, warm hospitality and a focused menu gives the restaurant a distinctive character in East London.
Address: 77 Alie Street, Aldgate, London, England E1 8NH, United Kingdom
Emilia's Crafted Pasta (Aldgate) Menu
Antipasti
Mixed marinated olives (vegan)
Toasted sourdough bread with organic EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) (vegan)
Sourdough bruschetta with seasoned heritage tomatoes (vegan)
Plate of cured Italian meats:
Truffle mortadella, Coppa di Parma & spicy Ventricina salame new!
Creamy Burrata with organic EVOO
with toasted sourdough bread
Creamy Burrata with organic EVOO
with heritage tomatoes
Salad (main course or to share)
Italian garden salad with rocket, cherry tomatoes, olives, marinated borlotti beans, raisins, pumpkin seeds, pickled onions and radish (lemon & tahini dressing) (vegan)
Pasta dishes
All our pasta and sauces are freshly made every morning in our restaurant with 100% natural ingredients.
Homemade tomato sauce with freshly chopped basil (radiatori) (vegan)
Homemade tomato sauce with freshly chopped basil (radiatori) (vegan)
with buffalo mozzarella DOP
Homemade tomato sauce with freshly chopped basil (radiatori) (vegan)
with a 100g ball of Burrata Pugliese new!
Homemade pistachio pesto with sautéed cherry tomatoes (casarecce) (vegan)
Homemade creamy walnut sauce with chestnut mushrooms (casarecce) (veggie)
Truffled Cacio e Pepe (casarecce)
Carbonara with pancetta (or smoked salmon), pecorino DOP and beaten eggs (bucatini)
Homemade 4 hour slow cooked béchamel bolognese with grated parmesan* (pappardelle) (no pork)
Homemade basil pesto with grated parmesan* (casarecce)
Sustainably sourced yellowfin tuna Puttanesca with tomatoes, olives & capers (bucatini) (spicy) new!
Handmade ravioli with high-welfare 100% grass-fed lamb, parsley and parmesan* in a light butter & sage sauce
Side dishes (5.5 each)
Rocket, olives, cherry tomatoes and mixed peppers salad (veggie)
(honey balsamic dressing)
Rocket and parmesan* salad, lemon dressing & balsamic vinegar
Steamed fine green beans with extra virgin olive oil (vegan)
or our homemade basil pesto
After Pasta
All our desserts (except our gelato) are freshly made every day in each of our restaurants. Our gelato is made in Italy by a small producer using traditional artisanal methods.
Affogato
espresso with creamy mascarpone gelato
100% Natural Italian gelato (in a cup)
creamy mascarpone, chocolate & hazelnut, Sicilian pistachio or raspberry sorbet (vegan)
Emilia’s signature amaretto tiramisù
with crushed amaretti & cantuccini biscuits sprinkled on top (contains alcohol & nuts)
Creamy pistachio cheesecake
with a crunchy, chocolate shortbread biscuit base
Creamy vanilla panna cotta with strawberry compote and shortbread crumble new!
made with real vanilla pods!
‘Chocolate salami’ with sea salt
made from 54% chocolate and crunchy biscuits (vegan)
Italian crunchy almond biscuits
a handful of amaretti and cantuccini biscuits
Digestifs
Double shot of Limoncello, Amaretto, Amaro or Grappa (50ml)
all 6
Dessert wine
Palazzina Moscato Passito DOC (70ml/375ml)
6.5/26
Coffees
Espresso/Macchiato (single)*
Espresso/Macchiato (double)*
Cappuccino, Latte, Americano*
Corretto (espresso with grappa)
Hot drinking chocolate
(Real chocolate – made with chocolate beads, not powder!) Salted caramel (served with organic fresh milk) Vegan rich chocolate (served with oat milk)
Hot drinking chocolate
(Real chocolate – made with chocolate beads, not powder!) Salted caramel (served with organic fresh milk) Vegan rich chocolate (served with oat milk)
Pot of tea
all 3.7
English Breakfast
Peppermint
Green tea
Red berry
Red
125ml/750ml
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC
6.2 / 28
Uggiano Roccialta Chianti DOCG
7.2 / 33
Bottega Vinai Pinot Nero DOC new!
8.2 / 38
White
125ml/750ml
Il Meridione Grillo IGT
6.2 / 28
Camillone Sauvignon Blanc DOC
7.2 / 33
Nuovo Quadro Gavi di Gavi DOCG new!
8.2 / 38
Rosé
125ml/750ml
Ancora Chiaretto DOC
6.7 / 30
Prosecco
125ml/750ml
Dolci Colline DOC
7.7 / 35
Italian craft beers (330ml bottle)
Non-alcoholic beer Menabrea (0% ABV)
Menabrea Blonde (lager)
Baladin x Emilia’s L’ippa (IPA) new!
Cocktails (10 each)
Hugo (Elderflower & Prosecco Spritz)
Aperol Spritz / Limoncello Spritz
Gin & tonic
Peach Bellini
Negroni
Mocktails (8 each)
Elderflower sours
Watermelon Mojito new!
Organic Italian soft drinks (4.7 each)
Lemonade / Orangeade / Pomegranate
Tè alla Pesca – Peach iced tea (all 275ml)