When you think of classic comfort foods, there is one carb-loaded option that reigns supreme: pasta. Whether you’re craving a traditional marinara sauce or a creamy penne a la vodka, the options in Massachusetts are world-class. From Boston to Springfield, here are the 10 best pasta places in the state.
Fiorella’s Cucina serves up new takes on favorite Italian classics. A favorite is their linguini and meatballs, served with marinara. Heartier than traditional spaghetti and meatballs, the meal almost always guarantees leftovers.
For an upscale plate of amazing pasta, visit Da Vinci. The atmosphere and service, along with the delicious food, make it well worth the cost. Be sure to call to see if a reservation is necessary, especially if visiting on the weekend.
The fresh ingredients used at Capellini’s lend themselves to some of the best pasta dishes around. Try their Capellini Combo for several great tastes in one hearty entrée. Their stuffed shells are to die for, too.
For delicious northern Italian cuisine, check out Tre Monte. Choose from butternut squash ravioli, penne pink, Tagliatelle Bolognese and more for flavorful classics featuring some of the best pasta around.
If you’re dying for pasta, but want something a bit more unique than spaghetti Bolognese, you’ll love Giulia. Choose from entrees like pappardelle wild boar, tortellini en brodetto and Macomber turnip and ricotta agnolotti—and these are but a sampling of the creative dishes they serve. The hospitality and service are fantastic, too.
The atmosphere is friendly and comfortable and the pasta is divine. If this sounds like the kind of place where you’d like to mangia on a hearty, delicious Italian mean, then check out Carlo’s Cucina Italiana. Named one of Boston’s “Top 10 Underrated Restaurants,” they’re further proof that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.
No, Polcari’s isn’t much to look at, but if you allow that to impede your judgment, you’ll miss out on some tasty pasta dishes. They’ve been around “forevah,” according to the locals, and with good reason. The portions are ample and delicious and the service is great.
Complete with checkered tablecloths and grated cheese containers on the tables, Mangia Mangia Italian Kitchen is known for their generous portions of pasta and pizza. It’s the perfect place for a classic helping of spaghetti and meatballs.
The pasta at Typical Sicilian is so good you’ll want a bucket of it. Well, you’ll at the very least want one to share. Home of the Pasta Bucket, they feature several to-go options of just that—a large plastic bucket filled with your choice of pasta dish, served with bread. It’s an excellent, delicious, affordable way to do takeout for 4-6 people. The menu for eating in is even more remarkable, with options like lobster shrimp fra diavlo and rigatoni salsiccia.
The chef and owner of Trattoria Rustica was born and raised in Pompei, Italy. His homemade bread and pasta keep his patrons returning time and time again. Try his linguine allo scoglio—an enticing combination of clams, mussels and shrimp in a tomato-basil, white wine, garlic and red pepper sauce, served over linguine. Delicioso!