New York City is home to a lot of “bests,” especially when it comes to food. The best hot dogs, the best bagels, the best Chinese food, and the best Italian. So when it comes to choosing where you want to go for a nice pasta dinner, the amount of options can be overwhelming. Lucky for you, we did our own food tour through the city and rounded up some of the best pasta dishes in all the boroughs.
La Pecora Bianca – Midtown, NoMad, SoHo
Sausage Gramigna
Few dishes take my breath away, and this is one of them. I don’t know if it’s the curly, silky noodles, the house-made sausage, or the fresh broccolini, but this crazy trio might have you clutching your chest as well. And we suggest that you convince whoever you are with to order the rigatoni alla vodka, so you can pick at it. Spoiler alert, it’s topped with a mound of fresh burrata cheese. “The White Sheep” is open for lunch and dinner every day and has three Manhattan locations for all the pasta-bilities.
Bar Pitti – Greenwich Village
Rigatoni Pitti
Now widely known for its glamorous crowd, mouthwatering menu, and pristine people watching, this celebrity hotspot is no longer a best kept secret. There are several appetizers, paninis, pastas, and desserts to choose from, but most popular has to be their rigatoni. Tossed with turkey sausage and peas, the light tomato cream sauce then perfectly glazes everything in its path. Check out their Instagram for daily blackboard specials, and a friendly reminder that they are a cash only establishment.
Lilia – Williamsburg
Mafaldini and Agnolotti
This restaurant is known for two showstopping pasta dishes, and honestly, the entire menu is pure culinary art. The mafaldini pasta dish is a mixture between a cacio e pepe and the world’s fanciest macaroni & cheese. The wide, ribbon shaped noodles dance with pink peppercorn and fresh parmigiano; and while so simple, it’s a must every time. Their next signature dish is a little more risqué but continues to be a crowd favorite. They call them agnolotti, we call them pasta pillows – either way, they are filled with sheep’s milk cheese and have saffron, dried tomatoes, and honey drizzled on top. Also, try their famous grilled blowfish tails to start the evening.
Isabelle’s Osteria – Flatiron District
Lumache
I’m a fan of big, short noodles and a strong believer of ricotta cheese, so this dish really delivers for me. Mixed with pork ragu, lemon, rosemary, and dallop of whipped ricotta on top, we’d say it hits all the main food groups! For any friends looking for a meatless option, be sure to recommend their famous mushroom lasagna made with spinach, porcinis, and fondu cheese.
Evelina – Fort Greene
Mafaldine Pesto
I go through these phases when I just want everything drenched in pesto. Not only does this spot use mafaldine pasta for their specialty green dish, but it’s then laced with broccoli rabe pesto, pine nuts, and big clumps of mozzarella cheese. And if you’re looking for a plate with a little more protein, everyone will suggest the pappardelle with oxtail ragu. Drool!
Piccola Cucina – Uptown, SoHo
Ravioli agli Spinaci e Ricotta con Ragu’ di Salsiccia
Sicilian chef, Philip Guardione, brings his creativity and Mediterranean tastebuds straight from Mount Etna to the Big Apple. The menu is full of stunning, homemade pasta dishes, but you must order the raviolis. Stuffed with spinach and ricotta then tossed in a light sausage sauce, you’ll be glad you did. For dessert we recommend the cannoli alla Siciliana, because everything is better with crushed pistachios.
somethingreek – Bay Ridge
Pastitsio
You may not expect to find a groundbreaking pasta dish at a Greek restaurant, but hold the damn phone. With heaping layers of macaroni and ground beef, topped with creamiest béchamel you have ever laid eyes on, this dish is literally stacked with flavor. While the pastitsio is only offered as a special on Fridays, this spot is also known for some of Brooklyn’s best gyros and Greek salads for every other day of the week.
Seamore’s – Chelsea, Dumbo, Nolita, Brookefield Place
Lobster Mac & Cheese
Maine lobster, three cheeses, breadcrumbs, OH MY! Known for their insane seafood specialties like fresh oysters and fish tacos, this lobster mac is an unexpected contender that blows the rest of the menu out of the water. The meat from whole claws sits atop a bed of creamy rigatoni, and a delicate sprinkle of chives is added before serving. Let’s be honest, you’ll be thinking about this for weeks.
Don Angie – Greenwich Village
Our Lasagna
If you’ve been searching for the best lasagna on the planet, then we just made your hunt a whole lot easier. Rolled up and baked in a honeycomb formation, this dish technically serves two, but no shame if you want it all for yourself. Homemade tomato sauce lines the bottom, clouds of melting ricotta sit on top, and what’s baked into the layers between is for you to find out. The lightly charred, thin noodles resemble rose petals, and we’d take this over flowers any day.
