Dinner at La Banca

Known for their exquisite taste and passion, we sent Renfrewshire Foodies on assignment to this incredible Neilston Road eatery.

Tucked away in a former bank building on Paisley’s Neilston Road, La Banca Italian provides hearty Italian fare, generous portion sizes and an extensive menu designed to suit all ages. 

We received a warm welcome from owner Rachel on a wet and windy Thursday night in January. Positioned at a quiet corner table, this allowed us to enjoy a chat during dinner without missing out on the atmospheric hum in the background. It was lovely to see a local independent restaurant so busy during the week and we spotted a real mix of diners, ranging from older groups of friends, to large families and the odd couple out to enjoy the traditional Italian dishes. 

We started off our evening by sharing a plate of Italian bread and oil, which owner Rachel told us comes from a small Italian bakery in Renfrew, paired with a caprese salad (£5.50) to share. Having seen other diners’ meals arriving, we knew we wouldn’t leave hungry, so chose to split a starter so we could keep room for dessert. 

Next up, the mains arrived. One of us went for a classic take on Italian meatballs (£9.95), serviced with orecchiette pasta which made a change from bland old spaghetti. Served in a rich and tasty tomato-based sauce, it was topped off with a lashing of parmesan. The other Renfrewshire Foodie went for a vegetarian main (of which there were several options available), enjoying a risotto verde (£9.25) served with mixed green vegetables, courgettes, spinach, broccoli and peas. It arrived looking incredibly vibrant and was smooth and creamy. 

The menu is vast, with a wide array of starters priced between £4-£7 and mains ranging from pasta to pizza, meats, chicken and a selection of sides. There was a good selection of main dishes for less than £10, which is great if you’re on a budget. 

Although we were getting full, everyone knows dessert goes straight to the heart, not the stomach. The panna cotta (£4.95) was recommended by the owner and was delicious – strawberry in flavour and complete with the obligatory wobble! We also tried the warm vanilla brownie and ice cream (£4.95). Both were devoured in minutes. 

La Banca is the ideal venue for an affordable family gathering. It’s modern, spacious and there’s a big enough menu that even the fussiest of family members should find something to enjoy. 

La Banca Italian Restaurant, 63 Neilston Road, Paisley, PA2 6NA, 0141 887 1100.