If there is one thing about me, it’s that I have eaten so much pasta while living in NYC. The variety of options that the amazing restaurants throughout the city offer make it difficult to grow tired of it.
From Brooklyn to Manhattan, to Long Island, I have compiled a list of five restaurants with some great pasta. Of course, there are so many other wonderful places, but these are the ones I think you must try if you’re craving some pasta.
Visiting other destinations in the region? Check out our other delicious guides:
- 5 Must-Try Vegan Pizza Brooklyn
- 10 Must-Try Jersey City Restaurants
- 10 Must-Try Restaurants In Rochester NY
- 5 Best Restaurants in LeRoy, New York
- 7 Must-Try Batavia Restaurants
- The 7 Best East Tremont Restaurants
The Best Pasta In NYC
Pasta Louise
1114 8th Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11215 // +13477253883
Pasta Louise, located in Park Slope, Brooklyn, has the best pasta in NYC. This restaurant is unique because its chef chooses a special pasta shape every day. Furthermore, diners can choose from various add-ons (for an additional charge). I always top my pasta dish with burrata. However, one can add Calabrian chiles, roasted Cannellini beans, spicy crispy prosciutto, house-made whipped ricotta, arugula, or breadcrumbs.
Furthermore, all dishes have the ability to be made with fresh gluten-free pasta. Pasta Louise has several pasta dishes to choose from including their best seller “Cacio E Pepe” which consists of cracked black pepper and salty pecorino which also happens to be my favorite dish off of their menu. “Louise’s Lasagna” is another specialty dish. It is made up of “so many layers of fresh mozzarella, heirloom tomatoes, basil, and thin fresh pasta sheets.” However, it is important to note that the lasagna is offered for dinner only.
If you’re in the mood for some red sauce, “Dad’s Famous Red Pepper Sauce” is for you. This sauce is “bright and creamy with roasted peppers, smoked paprika, and roasted garlic.” Pasta Louise recently opened their newest location at 1114 8th Avenue in Brooklyn, but they also have a smaller location called Pasta Louise Cafe at 803 8th Avenue, where you can pick up fresh pasta, sauce, and coffee. If you’re looking to dine at the sit-down location, be sure to make a reservation in advance as slots tend to fill up quickly. The restaurant does accept walk-ins (if time and tables allow).
However, there may be a time limit on your table if they have the table held for a future reservation. In addition to the tasty pasta, the decor of the new 8th Avenue restaurant is stunning with all of its flowers and beautiful lighting. This restaurant is enormous and holds many tables which is perfect if you’re planning on dining with a larger party.
Pasta-Eria
440 S. Oyster Bay Rd., Hicksville, NY 11801 // +15169381555
Pasta-Eria has some of the best pasta in NYC. Pasta-Eria is known for its classic pasta dishes as well as its signature pasta dishes. The classic pasta dishes offered include “Homemade Rigatoni Allamamma” made with ”tomato sauce, homemade ricotta, meatballs (2), virgin olio de oliva drizzle and basil” and “Cheese Ravioli,” to name a few.
When I dined here, I ordered the “Rigatoni Theresa,” which is made of “pink tomato cream sauce with chicken, spinach, and mozzarella tossed with rigatoni.” If you’re a meat-lover, you’ll want to try the “Pasta Emilio” dish which contains “a mellow combination of sausage, shrimp, and ham, scallions, and diced tomato in a light pink cream sauce over spaghetti.”
I would recommend saving the complimentary bread your server will provide your table at the beginning of your meal so that you can dip it in the delicious pasta sauce. The portion sizes are on the larger size. I like this because not only do I feel like one is getting great food for a great value, but I know that whenever I eat here, I will have leftovers for a meal the next day.
This restaurant can get crowded at times, especially around dinner-time or on the weekends, so make sure to keep that in mind if you plan on dining here. Although this restaurant may be located about a 45-minute train ride from Manhattan, it is completely worth it for the delicious pasta dishes and the wonderful service.
Gino’s
7414 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11209 // +17187481698
Gino’s in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn is an underrated but great Italian restaurant serving some pasta dishes, including “Penne Vodka,” “Bowtie with sweet peas, shiitake mushrooms, and grilled shrimp,” and “Rigatoni with fresh mozzarella, tomato, and basil.” Does it have the best pasta in NYC? Let’s find out.
My favorite dish from the menu is the “Rigatoni with grilled chicken, peas in vodka sauce.” Prior to dining here, I had never had peas with pasta before, but it is a combination I am very glad I tried. In addition to the amazing pasta at Gino’s, the ambiance is very nice and the servers are personable and efficient. What is unique about Gino’s is that they offer a family-style menu for in-restaurant parties of 10-20. This family-style menu consists of four courses for $55.95 per person, excluding tax and gratuity, but includes wine, beer, soda, coffee, and tea.
Although this is a four-course option, including appetizers, entrees, and dessert, there is a pasta option where the party can choose two pasta dishes from the selection of “Penne Vodka,” “Rigatoni with Fresh Mozzarella,” “Tomato and Basil Penne with Marinara Sauce,” “Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe and Sausage,” “Bowtie Pasta with Broccoli in White Broth,” or “Rigatoni with Italian Eggplant and Sausage.”
Gino’s accepts reservations for both indoor and outdoor dining, so be sure to indicate which you would prefer when reserving a table.
La Pecora Bianca
54 Prince Street, New York, NY 10012 // +12123808202
When I saw La Pecora Bianca draw a lot of attention on social media, I knew I had to check it out and see if I thought it was worth the hype. This restaurant did not let me down. It definitely has the best pasta in NYC. I had a pleasant experience from the moment I checked in to the moment I left. My server was very attentive and provided some great menu recommendations. La Pecora Bianca has several locations throughout Manhattan in SoHo, NoMad, Midtown, Bryant Park, Meatpacking, and the Upper West Side.
All of their pastas are made in-house and gluten-free pasta is available upon request, which is good for those who may have dietary restrictions. When I dined here, I ordered the “Bucatini” pasta with Cacio e Pepe. I did not add burrata to my dish, but the option is available as an add-on for pasta orders for an additional charge of $6.
Other pasta dishes offered include the “Gramigna” which comes with curly pasta, house-made sausage, broccolini, and chili flakes as well as “Linguine Nere” which comes with squid ink pasta, shrimp, tomato, fennel, and Calabrian chili. If you’re looking for something simple, I would recommend ordering the “Spaghetti” that comes with Pomodoro sauce and basil. In addition to the delicious pasta, the vibrant ambiance of this restaurant was cute and modern even when I sat in the outdoor seating area as opposed to the inside of the restaurant. This restaurant definitely does provide great scenery for some cute social media photos.
The Perry Club
157 7th Ave. S. Bet. Perry St. &, Waverly Pl., New York, NY 10014 // +12124070411
The Perry Club is an Italian restaurant located in the heart of the West Village. What makes this restaurant unique is that it uses all fresh ingredients, and their pastas are made fresh daily in their open pasta kitchen. Here’s why it has the best pasta in NYC.
This restaurant makes it super simple to order pasta. First, you select your hand-crafted pasta from a choice of Bucatini, Mezzi rigatoni, Treccioni, or gluten-free pasta for an additional $2. Then, you can select a homemade sauce. Options include Classic Pomodoro, A La Vodka, Pesto, Bolognese With Sausage, Broccoli Rabe and Grape Tomato, or Butternut Squash. If you’d rather try one of Hudson’s favorite dishes, you can select from “Meatball Bucatini,” which consists of a “cheesy stuffed meatball and bucatini with classic Pomodoro sauce,” or “Campanelle Carbonara,” which is served “with a fried egg and smoked bacon” to name a couple of dishes.
When I dined here, I ordered the Bucatini with the classic Pomodoro sauce and loved every bite. When I dined at this restaurant, the indoor area was unavailable, so I had the opportunity to sit outside, which happened to be very nice (although it was very hot outside) because it was the day of the NYC Pride Parade. The staff at this restaurant was extremely nice and the service was excellent. Our server ensured that we always had water and that our food was tasting delicious.
I highly recommend making a reservation for this restaurant so you can ensure yourself a table if you’re looking to eat here. This restaurant is known for its “Cheesy Meatballs” as seen on ABC’s show “Shark Tank.” These are cheesy meatballs stuffed with mozzarella. I tried these and absolutely loved them, although I was only able to have one. This was the first time I had a meatball stuffed with mozzarella. I will definitely be returning back to this restaurant for more. Although they are on the pricier side, it is worth it to try at least once. It definitely has the best pasta in NYC.
Which of these NYC pasta restaurants will you try first? Let us know in the comments section below!
