Where to celebrate National Pasta Day in Philadelphia

Philadelphia is one of the best places you could be for pasta. Whether you’re in Washington Square West, University City, Old City or smack dab in the middle of Center City, there are so many options to get your fix. From gnocchi to ravioli to wild boar Bolognese, the hardest part about eating pasta in Philly is choosing where to go and knowing when to stop eating. While National Pasta Day already passed on October 17, if you truly love pasta, everyday can be National Pasta Day. 

Little Nonna’s
1234 Locust St.
littlenonnas.com

This adorable Italian trattoria will have you feeling cozy the moment you walk in the door. You can choose to dine inside near the open kitchen or venture to their enclosed garden, which feels like it’s outdoors but has a roof. If you’re not sure what to get, definitely try their pan seared gnocchi with wild mushroom, roasted celery root, blistered tomato, watercress and truffle butter. It’s out of this world yummy.

Walnut St. Cafe
2929 Walnut St.
walnutstreetcafe.com

Open since this past June, Walnut St. Cafe is a new addition to the University City restaurant scene, serving up eclectic American cuisine from a Michelin-star team in Cira Center South. When it comes to pasta, you have a few mouth-watering choices but the ravioli with brown butter, ricotta and mint caught our eye.

Barbuzzo
110 S. 13th St.
barbuzzo.com

You can’t go wrong with a Philly classic. Barbuzzo, located near Avenue of the Arts, serves up pasta, pizza and more with a Mediterranean flare. If you haven’t had it yet, the fazzoletti pasta with roasted butternut squash, cauliflower, house made pancetta, sheep’s milk ricotta and walnuts will blow your mind.

Red Owl Tavern
433 Chestnut St.
redowltavern.com

Pasta might not come to mind when you think of Red Owl Tavern in Old City, but get ready to be dazzled by their popular bucatini pasta, which comes with a housemade wild boar Bolognese sauce. The item is available on both their lunch and dinner menus.

Osteria
640 N. Broad St.
osteriaphilly.com

If you’ve never been to Osteria, you’re really missing out. The ambiance alone is well worth the trip up Broad Street, complete with an open kitchen and a rustic interior that makes you feel like you’ve been transported to somewhere in Europe. Of course, the food stands in a league of its own. In terms of pasta, don’t leave without trying the chicken liver rigatoni. Together with the cippollini onions and sage, this is a dish that could be served family style but there’s a chance you won’t want to share.