There’s something deeply satisfying about a perfect plate of pasta. Whether it’s silky tagliatelle, chewy rigatoni, or hand-pinched tortellini, the best pasta makes you slow down and savor every bite.
Across the U.S., some restaurants are turning flour, water, and eggs into pure joy. These spots serve not just pasta—but stories, traditions, and flavor that lingers.
1. Carbone – New York City, NY
Spicy rigatoni vodka is the star here, fiery and creamy with just enough snap from the chili. Velvet-smooth sauce clings to the noodles in a way that makes forks move fast. The retro décor and suited servers seal the deal.
Dinner at Carbone feels like walking into a glamorous time machine. It’s bold, brassy, and unforgettable in every way. Pasta here isn’t just food—it’s theater.
2. Felix Trattoria – Los Angeles, CA
Glass-walled pasta rooms show off the rolling, shaping, and cutting happening in real time. Chef Evan Funke’s hand-crafted noodles channel the rustic traditions of Italy’s heartland. Every plate arrives with warmth and depth.
From delicate tagliolini to rich pappardelle, Felix brings Old World energy to Venice Beach. The space buzzes, the pasta sings. It’s as close to Emilia-Romagna as L.A. gets.
3. Rezdôra – New York City, NY
Dishes like gramigna with pork sausage taste like a deep dive into Modena’s kitchens. Handmade shapes and slow-simmered sauces highlight regional Italian precision. Every ingredient feels chosen with care.
Rezdôra is about craft and comfort in equal parts. The pastas tell stories from northern Italy—bite by beautiful bite. It’s pasta with a passport.
4. Giacomo’s – Boston, MA
No reservations, cash only, and lines down the block—this North End legend doesn’t mess around. Giant portions of lobster ravioli and spicy fra diavolo arrive piping hot and unapologetically rich. Red sauce classics live large here.
It’s loud, fast-paced, and full of charm. Giacomo’s serves nostalgia by the forkful. Come hungry and leave rolling.
5. Macchialina – Miami Beach, FL
Rustic Italian comfort meets Miami cool in this dimly lit pasta haven. House-made pastas like cavatelli with sausage and broccoli rabe pack bold, earthy flavor. The vibe is cozy, with just enough edge.
Macchialina doesn’t overthink—it overdelivers. Every dish feels like a recipe from Nonna’s book with a beach-town twist. It’s indulgent in all the right ways.
6. I Sodi – New York City, NY
Cacio e pepe is simplicity perfected—peppery, creamy, and impossibly comforting. The Tuscan-focused menu keeps it clean and honest. Every pasta comes out balanced and beautifully plated.
This is a quiet kind of excellence. No flash, just deeply satisfying food. I Sodi is where pasta gets personal.
7. Via Carota – New York City, NY
Rigatoni with pork sugo arrives in a rustic dish that looks like it came from someone’s farmhouse table. Fresh herbs, just-cooked noodles, and golden olive oil come together without fuss. It’s restrained, but deeply flavorful.
The space feels lived-in and lovely. You eat slowly here, because you want it to last. It’s pasta done the old-school way—with love and no shortcuts.
8. Osteria La Spiga – Seattle, WA
Emilia-Romagna traditions thrive at this Seattle staple. Tagliatelle al ragù and tortelli di zucca taste like they were flown in from Bologna. Rich sauces, fresh dough, and deep flavors define the menu.
You can feel the soul in every dish. It’s cozy, timeless, and full of warmth. This is pasta the Italian way—slow and from scratch.
9. Ristorante Machiavelli – Seattle, WA
Locals swear by the lasagna, layered high and baked until bubbling. The vibe is casual, a little old-school, and wonderfully consistent. Their marinara has that “made with love” flavor.
It’s the kind of place you go back to again and again. Nothing flashy, just comforting plates done right. Seattle’s best-kept red sauce secret.
10. Bottega Louie – Los Angeles, CA
Vibrant colors, clinking glasses, and pasta dishes that pop with personality. The truffle pasta arrives rich and glossy, while the pomodoro bursts with tomato sweetness. Everything looks as good as it tastes.
It’s part café, part food hall, part dinner party. Bottega Louie doesn’t hold back—and neither should you. Come for the pasta, stay for dessert.
11. Scarpetta By Scott Conant – Miami Beach, FL
The tomato and basil spaghetti is shockingly simple—and absolutely stunning. Al dente noodles swim in velvety sauce that tastes slow-cooked and deeply layered. It’s the signature dish for a reason.
Scarpetta takes the basics and makes them sing. It’s elegance without ego. A reminder that simplicity wins when done right.
12. Don Angie – New York City, NY
Lasagna for two comes rolled like cinnamon buns and baked to golden perfection. Their chrysanthemum salad and poppy-seed-covered garlic bread are cult favorites too. Bold flavors and clever twists define the experience.
Don Angie is Italian-American comfort food with a wink. It’s fun, inventive, and always packed. Pasta here comes with personality.
13. Trattoria Sofia – Houston, TX
A tree-shaded patio and candlelit tables set the scene. Handmade pasta with pistachio cream and truffle makes it hard to choose just one dish. Everything feels fresh, fragrant, and just a little romantic.
It’s casual elegance at its best. The portions are generous, the flavors full. Pasta lovers, you’ve found your Houston hideaway.
14. Boia De – Miami, FL
Tiny space, huge flavor—this place serves pasta with edge and attitude. Ricotta gnocchi with crispy garlic and acidic tomato sauce is a crowd favorite. Plates are small, but the impact is big.
Boia De feels like a dinner party with chefs who know how to play. It’s cheeky, delicious, and deeply satisfying. A must-visit for anyone into modern twists.
15. Primo – Rockland, ME
Pasta with vegetables grown out back, herbs snipped minutes before plating, and sauces made from scratch. Ricotta cavatelli and farm egg ravioli shine in this cozy converted Victorian home. It’s local food with Italian roots.
You can taste the care in every forkful. Primo blends garden-fresh with old-world flavor. It’s a destination, not just dinner.
16. Fiola – Washington, D.C.
Delicate agnolotti, filled with seasonal purées, glide across the plate in buttery sauces. Every element feels composed and intentional. The presentation is as elegant as the dining room itself.
Fiola turns pasta into fine dining art. Expect subtle flavors and masterful technique. A pasta experience dressed in a tuxedo.
17. Il Ritorno – St. Petersburg, FL
Lamb sugo and black garlic take familiar shapes into bold new territory. Fresh pappardelle comes silky and perfectly al dente. The kitchen isn’t afraid to experiment.
Il Ritorno walks the line between creative and comforting. It’s pasta for people who want something different—but still delicious. Complex, rich, and totally memorable.
18. Rocca – Tampa, FL
House-made burrata tops warm spaghetti, melting slightly as it hits the plate. From rigatoni bolognese to squid ink tagliolini, the variety keeps things interesting. Everything tastes like it was made moments before.
The energy is young, but the flavors feel old and familiar. Rocca mixes tradition with confidence. Pasta this good doesn’t need flash.
19. Walrus Rodeo – Miami, FL
Wood-fired ovens, unexpected flavors, and a name you won’t forget. Smoked mushroom mafaldine and charred leeks give pasta a playful twist. It’s inventive without being fussy.
Expect big flavors in a relaxed, offbeat setting. Walrus Rodeo is for the curious and hungry. Every plate comes with a little attitude.
20. Maggiano’s Little Italy – Various Locations
Big booths, generous pours, and classic comfort food that always hits the spot. From baked ziti to four-cheese ravioli, the pasta comes hearty and crowd-pleasing. Their family-style servings invite you to linger.
Maggiano’s delivers reliable joy with every visit. It’s Italian-American warmth at scale. Come for the Alfredo, stay for the leftovers.