22 Pasta Destinations In The U.S. Every Foodie Needs To Visit
America’s pasta scene has evolved beyond basic spaghetti into a wonderland of flavor, tradition, and innovation. From coast to coast, passionate chefs are crafting noodle dishes that rival anything you’d find in Italy.
I’ve traveled across the country to find the most amazing pasta spots that deserve a place on your culinary bucket list.
1. Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio in Chicago
Chef Sarah Grueneberg’s passion for pasta shines through every dish at this West Loop gem. The restaurant features a pasta-making station right in the dining room, turning the craft into dinner theater for lucky guests.
You must try their signature cacio whey pepe, an innovative twist on the Roman classic that uses the whey from house-made ricotta to create an incredibly silky sauce. For something truly special, order the ragu alla napoletana with massive handmade fusilli.
The warm, bustling atmosphere makes you feel like you’re dining in someone’s home rather than a James Beard Award-winning restaurant.
2. Rezdôra in New York City
A taste of Emilia-Romagna awaits at this Flatiron District hotspot where Chef Stefano Secchi recreates the pasta of his culinary training. The restaurant name means “grandmother” in the Modenese dialect, honoring the tradition of pasta-making passed through generations.
Their regional pasta tasting menu takes you on a journey through Northern Italy without leaving Manhattan. The anolini di Parma—little pillows filled with Parmigiano cream—will make you close your eyes in pure bliss.
If you can only order one dish, make it their signature silk handkerchiefs with white rabbit ragu, a delicate yet deeply satisfying plate that showcases their mastery.
3. Bestia in Los Angeles
Located in downtown LA’s Arts District, Bestia’s industrial-chic setting houses some of the most exciting pasta creations on the West Coast. Chef Ori Menashe combines Italian traditions with unexpected flavors that somehow make perfect sense.
Their spaghetti rustichella with sea urchin has achieved legendary status among pasta enthusiasts. The briny sweetness of the uni creates a luxurious sauce that clings to each strand of perfectly cooked pasta.
Don’t skip their cavatelli alla norcina with ricotta dumplings, housemade pork sausage, and black truffles—it’s a hearty, soul-satisfying dish that exemplifies Bestia’s bold approach to Italian cuisine.
4. Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder, Colorado
This James Beard Award-winning restaurant brings the cuisine of Italy’s Friuli-Venezia Giulia region to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The elegant dining room provides a sophisticated backdrop for some of the most refined pasta in the country.
Their tajarin with white truffle is a splurge-worthy indulgence during truffle season, with the delicate egg pasta serving as the perfect canvas for shaved truffles and butter. For something uniquely regional, try their cjalsons—Friulian stuffed pasta with unexpected sweet and savory fillings.
The impeccable wine program, focused on Northern Italian selections, offers perfect pairings for every pasta dish on the menu.
5. Vetri Cucina in Philadelphia
Housed in a historic townhouse in Philadelphia, Chef Marc Vetri’s flagship restaurant has been setting the standard for Italian cuisine in America since 1998. The intimate dining room with just 30 seats ensures every plate receives meticulous attention.
Their signature spinach gnocchi with brown butter might look simple, but the pillowy texture and rich flavor demonstrate why Vetri is considered a master of his craft. The almond tortellini with truffle sauce represents the perfect marriage of traditional technique and creative vision.
The tasting menu format allows you to experience multiple pasta courses, each more impressive than the last, making it worth every penny of its premium price tag.
6. Coppa in Boston
Tucked away on a quiet corner in Boston’s South End, this cozy enoteca from celebrated chefs Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette offers some of the most creative pasta in New England. The intimate space encourages lingering over multiple courses and bottles of Italian wine.
Their squid ink pasta with castelvetrano olives, smoked bone marrow, sea urchin, and breadcrumbs delivers an explosion of Mediterranean flavors in each bite. For something heartier, the cavatelli with bluefoot mushrooms and duck confit showcases their talent for combining unexpected ingredients.
Grab a seat at the small bar for a front-row view of the open kitchen where you can watch the pasta magic happen.
7. Spinasse in Seattle
This Capitol Hill gem focuses exclusively on the cuisine of Italy’s Piedmont region, creating a dining experience that feels like you’ve been transported to Turin. The open kitchen with pasta hanging to dry adds to the authentic atmosphere.
Their tajarin al ragu is the star—angel-hair-thin egg pasta cut by hand and tossed with the most delicate meat sauce you’ll ever taste. The butter and sage version is equally impressive, allowing the incredible texture of the pasta to shine.
A half-portion is available for most pasta dishes, which means you can try multiple varieties without overwhelming your appetite or your wallet. This is pasta worth traveling across the country to experience.
8. Flour + Water in San Francisco
Hidden in San Francisco’s Mission District, this pasta paradise has been drawing crowds for over a decade. The intimate, rustic space provides the perfect backdrop for Chef Thomas McNaughton’s regionally inspired Italian cuisine.
Their tasting menu offers the full experience with five pasta courses that showcase both traditional techniques and California’s incredible seasonal produce. I’m still dreaming about their corn cappelletti with brown butter and truffles from my last visit.
The restaurant also offers pasta-making classes if you’re inspired to recreate the magic at home, though nothing quite compares to experiencing it in their cozy dining room.
9. Nostrana in Portland, Oregon
Chef Cathy Whims brings decades of experience and six James Beard nominations to this Portland institution celebrating the cuisine of Northern Italy. The restaurant’s warm, farmhouse aesthetic sets the stage for pasta that’s both comforting and sophisticated.
Their signature ravioli al burro e salvia—ricotta-filled pasta with brown butter and sage—might seem simple, but it’s executed with such perfection that it’s transformed into something extraordinary. During truffle season, splurge on their tagliatelle with shaved Oregon truffles for a hyperlocal twist on an Italian classic.
The rotating Monday “Gnocchi Nights” feature unique variations on potato pasta that draw devoted regulars week after week.
10. Felix Trattoria in Venice, California
The handmade pasta at Felix will change the way you think about Italian food forever. Chef Evan Funke’s dedication to traditional pasta-making techniques is showcased through the restaurant’s glass-enclosed, temperature-controlled pasta laboratory where you can watch the magic happen.
Their cacio e pepe alone is worth the trip to Venice Beach, with perfectly al dente tonnarelli coated in a silky pepper-specked sauce. The menu rotates seasonally, ensuring the freshest local ingredients complement their incredible pasta.
Reservations are notoriously difficult to secure, so plan at least a month in advance or try your luck at the bar for walk-in seating.
11. Lilia in Brooklyn, New York
Chef Missy Robbins transformed a former auto body shop into a pasta lover’s paradise in Williamsburg. The soaring ceilings and open kitchen create an energetic atmosphere that perfectly complements her soulful cooking.
The sheep’s milk cheese-filled agnolotti with honey and saffron might be the most memorable pasta I’ve ever tasted. Sweet, savory, and utterly unique, it showcases Robbins’ talent for balancing flavors.
Her mafaldine with pink peppercorns and Parmigiano is deceptively simple but perfectly executed, with the ruffled pasta edges capturing just the right amount of buttery sauce. Save room for the Italian job sundae—it’s the perfect ending to a pasta feast.
12. Spiaggia in Chicago
For over 35 years, this Michigan Avenue institution has defined luxury Italian dining in Chicago. The recently renovated space offers stunning views of Lake Michigan that complement the refined pasta creations on your plate.
Their gnocchi with ricotta and black truffle preserves achieves a lightness that seems to defy physics, melting in your mouth like savory clouds. The lobster linguine with saffron and preserved lemon elevates seafood pasta to new heights with perfectly balanced flavors and impeccable technique.
While certainly a splurge, their pasta tasting menu with wine pairings creates memories that last far longer than the meal itself—a true special occasion destination.
13. Staple & Fancy in Seattle
Chef Ethan Stowell’s Ballard restaurant embodies the Pacific Northwest approach to Italian cuisine—respectful of tradition but not bound by it. The brick-walled space in a historic building creates a warm, inviting atmosphere for pasta exploration.
Their seasonal approach means the menu changes frequently, but look for their incredible ricotta cavatelli with foraged mushrooms when available. The simplicity of the dish allows the exceptional quality of the ingredients to shine through.
For the full experience, opt for the “fancy” menu—a chef’s choice feast featuring multiple pasta courses that showcase the kitchen’s creativity and technical skill. It’s the best way to experience everything this Seattle standout has to offer.
14. Cotogna in San Francisco
Adjacent to the more formal Quince, this rustic Italian restaurant in Jackson Square offers pasta with the same exacting standards but in a more accessible setting. The wood-fired oven and rotisserie visible from the dining room add to the sensory experience.
Their raviolo di ricotta with farm egg and brown butter is a technical marvel—a single large raviolo with an egg yolk that creates its own sauce when cut open. The agnolotti dal plin filled with roasted meats and cabbage is a perfect example of Northern Italian pasta at its finest.
Sunday Supper, a weekly changing family-style meal, often features off-menu pasta specials that showcase seasonal ingredients from their exclusive farm.
15. Ava Gene’s in Portland, Oregon
With a focus on Roman-inspired cuisine, this Southeast Portland restaurant combines Pacific Northwest ingredients with traditional Italian techniques. The stylish, energetic space provides the perfect backdrop for their pasta-focused menu.
Their cacio e pepe rivals versions found in Rome, with perfectly al dente noodles and a sauce that achieves the ideal balance of cheese and pepper. For something uniquely Portland, try their squid ink chitarra with Dungeness crab and chilies—a brilliant fusion of Italian technique and local seafood.
The vegetable-focused starters are equally impressive, making this a great choice for diners who want to balance their carb intake with seasonal produce.
16. Uchi in Austin, Texas
Though primarily known as one of America’s best sushi restaurants, Chef Tyson Cole’s fusion masterpiece includes a pasta dish so extraordinary it deserves a place on this list. The creative Asian-Mediterranean fusion perfectly represents Austin’s boundary-pushing culinary scene.
Their sole pasta offering—bavette with pork belly, kimchi, and smoked onion dashi—creates an umami explosion that will forever change how you think about noodles. The handmade pasta absorbs the complex broth while maintaining perfect texture.
Make reservations well in advance or arrive right at opening for a seat at the sushi bar where you can watch the chefs work their magic with both raw fish and this incredible pasta creation.
17. The Ordinary in Charleston, South Carolina
This seafood-focused restaurant in a former bank building might seem like an unusual pasta destination, but Chef Mike Lata’s squid ink pasta with seafood sausage has developed a cult following in Charleston. The high-ceilinged space with original vault creates a dramatic setting for this extraordinary dish.
The handmade black pasta is tossed with a seafood sausage that concentrates the flavors of the Atlantic in each bite. Bright notes of preserved lemon and herbs cut through the richness, creating perfect balance.
While you should definitely explore the raw bar offerings, saving room for this pasta is essential for any serious noodle enthusiast visiting the Holy City.
18. Macchialina in Miami Beach
Just a few blocks from the glitz of South Beach, this rustic Italian spot from Chef Michael Pirolo offers pasta that transports you straight to Southern Italy. The intimate, brick-walled space provides a cozy contrast to Miami’s typical flashy dining scene.
Their Thursday pasta night—with all handmade pasta dishes at $10—has become legendary among locals who line up for specialties like cavatelli with baby meatballs and porchetta. The beet mezzaluna with hazelnuts and brown butter demonstrates Pirolo’s ability to balance traditional techniques with creative flavor combinations.
Even at regular prices, the pasta here delivers exceptional value compared to other Miami Beach restaurants, making it a must-visit for pasta lovers in South Florida.
19. Giulia in Cambridge, Massachusetts
Between Harvard and Porter Squares, this unassuming restaurant has been serving some of the Boston area’s best pasta since 2012. The long communal pasta table—where the day’s pasta is rolled out each morning—is the most coveted seating in the house.
Their pappardelle with wild boar is the standout, with perfectly wide ribbons of pasta and a rich, gamey ragu that simmers for hours. The doppio ravioli with two fillings in one pasta showcases Chef Michael Pagliarini’s technical skill and playful creativity.
The warm service and reasonable prices make this a neighborhood restaurant worth crossing town for—just be sure to book well in advance as tables fill quickly every night.
20. Osteria Mozza in Los Angeles
Nancy Silverton’s pasta prowess is on full display at this cornerstone of LA’s Italian dining scene. The restaurant’s centerpiece—a mozzarella bar—may get the attention, but the pasta offerings are equally impressive.
Their orrecchiette with sausage and Swiss chard perfectly balances rustic comfort with refined technique. The tiny ear-shaped pasta catches pockets of the savory sauce in each bite. For something truly special, order the goat cheese ravioli with “five lilies”—five different preparations of garlic and onion that create incredible depth of flavor.
The celebrity clientele adds to the buzz, but the pasta itself is the real star at this Hollywood hot spot.
21. Piccolo Sogno in Chicago
The name means “little dream” in Italian, and that’s exactly what Chef Tony Priolo has created in this River West gem with one of Chicago’s most beautiful outdoor patios. Even in winter, the pasta makes braving the cold worthwhile.
Their ravioli quattro formaggi al tartufo—four-cheese ravioli with shaved black truffle—achieves the perfect balance of richness and delicacy. The handmade pappardelle with wild boar ragu offers rustic comfort that pairs perfectly with their impressive all-Italian wine list.
During summer months, securing a table in their lush garden feels like dining in the Italian countryside rather than the heart of Chicago—the perfect setting for enjoying their exceptional pasta.
22. Marea in New York City
With Central Park views and two Michelin stars, Michael White’s seafood-focused Italian restaurant represents the pinnacle of luxury pasta dining in Manhattan. The elegant space provides a fitting backdrop for some of the most refined pasta in America.
Their signature fusilli with red wine braised octopus and bone marrow is a study in textural contrast and rich flavor that’s worth every penny of its substantial price tag. The garganelli with crab and sea urchin creates an oceanic flavor explosion that showcases White’s mastery of seafood pasta.
Power lunches here are a New York tradition, but dinner offers a more relaxed opportunity to savor these extraordinary pasta creations without rushing back to the office.