Noci Shoreditch — Restaurant in London

Disappointment, Misinformation, and Opportunism AVOID!!!! This is the outrageous experience we had just 15 minutes ago!

What we experienced at this restaurant today was nothing short of a disaster. My friend has a mushroom allergy, and I don’t consume gluten. When ordering, I asked for the same pasta in a gluten-free version, and my friend asked if the mushrooms could be removed. The staff confidently said, “Yes, we can remove them!”, so we placed our order. But when the food arrived, it was a complete mess: • For my friend: Pasta without mushrooms with truffle but gluten-free • For me: Pasta without mushrooms but with gluten.

In other words, neither of us could eat our dishes. But the most shocking part was that, despite initially telling us the mushrooms could be removed, when my friend placed a second order, they suddenly claimed that this was absolutely impossible!

When we explained that my friend couldn’t eat this pasta at all due to a serious respiratory risk, do you know what they said? “The mushrooms can’t be completely removed.” Then they simply told my friend to order something else.

And what happened to the incorrect dish? They said they would throw it away.

To prevent unnecessary waste, I suggested, “At least let us take it as a takeaway.” But they charged us not only for the incorrect dish but also for the replacement one.

The result? Two people were supposed to order two pastas. We ended up with three pastas, but we were charged for FIVE!

When the bill arrived, we asked for clarification, and the staff just pointed at the manager and said, “That’s how it is, talk to her if you want.” We were so frustrated that we just left to avoid further confrontation.

Playing with people’s health should not be this easy. At first, they claimed they could remove the mushrooms, but later they denied it completely. If my friend had eaten that pasta, they could have had a severe breathing issue!

And instead of taking responsibility for their mistake, they used the situation to charge us even more. Not a single apology, no compensation—just an attempt to squeeze more money out of us. We paid 74 its insane unbelieveable

They took advantage of our politeness. I couldn’t even eat the pasta I originally ordered, just to avoid waste. I had every right to request a takeaway for the incorrect dish, yet they charged us for everything—no apology, no compensation, nothing.

This is outright theft. AVOID THIS PLACE...

Our visit to Noci in Shoreditch was a disappointment, particularly for the birthday girl, who had chosen the restaurant for her celebration. Instead of a special evening, the experience left her feeling upset and embarrassed.

Although we had a 7:30 pm reservation, drinks weren’t offered until 8pm, and our orders weren’t taken until 8:15 pm. After starters finally arrived, we were told we needed to order desserts immediately because the kitchen and bar would close at 9 pm. This felt rushed and poorly organized, especially as the delays were entirely on their end.

The starters were a small saving grace—lukewarm arancini, but still flavorful, and the rosé wine was pleasant (after some effort to get a glass of ice as the glasses were warm!). However, the mains were a disaster. The veal and pork ragu looked unappetizing and to be honest I’ve had better ready meals from Asda! It was a real letdown, especially given the expectations we had for a restaurant like Noci. This cannot be Italian food. They definitely make good use of the microwave!

The staff did refund the mains, after complaint was made, but the way the situation was handled left much to be desired. The manager didn’t come over to address the issue, and there was no apology or gesture to acknowledge the ruined celebration. The birthday girl was particularly disappointed, as she had trusted Noci to deliver an enjoyable evening.

While the wine was nice and the effort by one waitress to address our complaints was appreciated, the overall experience was marred by poor service, underwhelming food, and a lack of attention to customer satisfaction. Sadly, we left with no reason to return. I think it is It’s unfair to expect the servers to present food that the kitchen has clearly prepared with such little care—this puts them in an impossible position. If you’re thinking of having a pleasant night out, you would be better to go to the Wetherspoons...

Perhaps my most memorable meal in London. I was having a hard time finding a good meal but came to Noci with some hope. I wish I mustered the strength the speak to the server… had he checked in on me I would’ve found it in me to voice my concerns. I hate to complain and I hate to waste food so I held my tongue but I fear I must provide a disclaimer for those who come after me.

I ordered the Amatriciana ziti for lunch. Upon first bite of the noodle I was struck by the intense flavor of salt. Surely it was just a bad bite. I tasted each component individually. The tomato had but a sigh of its vegetal sweetness quickly masked by the intense salt. It was as though the pasta was boiled in the Dead Sea and then the concentrate was transferred to the sauce. I know guanciale is supposed to be salty, that I expected. The noodle and sauce tasted equally salty to the guanciale. The combination was a total salt bomb. The pecorino was the most edible item but there was not nearly enough to save me. I am not sure how the server didn’t notice my discomfort as I ate the noodles one by one. I was not savoring it but rather trying to keep it down. I drank half the carafe of water provided. As one does when they finish a trek through the desert.

Do not order the Amatriciana ziti unless you LOVE salt. I do not have any sodium sensitivity that I am aware of. Most things I ate in London have been under salted. This was this most salty item I’ve ingested in a long time. My mouth was dry the rest of the evening and my kidney pulsed. I could not eat any dinner after.

I really wish I chose a more veggie forward dish perhaps then I would’ve had a better time. The folks next to me seemed okay. Is this simply the norm for Amatriciana ziti and I am just unaware? Why did none of the reviews warn me. I cannot help but laugh and cry over this experience as my last full...