Sauce, cheese, pasta – Mamma Mia! These 22 spots for the perfect pasta dish will have your lunch, dinner and yes, even your breakfast covered. Spoiler alert: think beyond just traditional Italian cuisine.
Aviano’s Corner Trattoria
The enticing smoke that rises from the Shrimp Scampi Spaghetti dish is the result of several generations who have worked to leave their mark as a tasteful legacy. Pair it with a glass of wine and a slice of tiramisu to feel like you’ve been transported to Italy without ever leaving York.
101 South Duke Street, York, PA | avianostrattoria.com
Capow Jamaican Restaurant
Pasta has translated itself in various different ways across cultures. So, when you’re in Harrisburg and find yourself at the city’s smallest restaurant for some Caribbean food like Jerk Chicken, don’t forget to order a side of their Pasta Salad to truly complete the meal.
1403 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA
Café 301
When you’re thinking about pasta, you can’t neglect Mac and Cheese and Chef Laurie Newman created a fresh take on this childhood favorite. By introducing it to lump crab meat and shrimp, she is now serving one of various dishes that are attracting many visitors to Locust Street.
301 Locust Street, Columbia, PA | cafe301.net
Citronelle
The Lamb Bolognese Gnocchi is the perfect Parisian taste on an Italian classic. Everything about the handmade gnocchi and the lively downtown restaurant location, will leave you saying, “La vie est belle” (Life is beautiful).
110 West Orange Street, Lancaster, PA | citronnellepa.com
Crawdaddy’s
With the description “Southern comfort food with a New Orleans Flair,” you know to expect something unforgettable not only in flavor but in experience as well. The Cajun Cream Pasta with chicken, shrimp, andouille sausage or crawfish is a must-try for your next lunch.
150 North 6th Street, Harrisburg, PA | crawdaddyshbg.com
DaVinci Italian Eatery
Expand your pasta vocabulary in addition to your palate. Sacchetti are “one dozen pasta pouches filled with a blend of the finest Italian cheeses, simmered in rose sauce.” But if this is too new, you can always make your own pasta dish and choose your favorite sauce to go with it as well.
6617 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, PA | davinciitalianeatery.com
Diva’s Have to Eat
There’s a variety of cultures represented in every dish that they sell. Whether you’re in the mood for Spanish, Soul, or Italian food, be sure to order their Stuffed Lasagna with Garlic Bread and a side of the Strawberry Spinach Salad for a meal that’s both savory and sweet.
35 South Eighth Street, Lebanon, PA | divashavetoeat.com
Gettysburg Eddie’s
You might go there to watch baseball on a TV or to learn about the man who devoted his life to the game. Just make sure that whichever you do, you’re eating a dish of their Chicken or Shrimp Alfredo and a slice of Homemade Peanut Butter Pie.
217 Steinwehr Avenue, Gettysburg, PA | gettysburgeddies.com
The First Post
The Shrimp and Sausage Pepperonata may not roll so easily off of the tongue verbally. But with so many rich flavors all on one plate, it is a menu option that your tastebuds will always remember.
3691 East Market Street, York, PA 17402 | thefirstpostyork.com
Gabby’s Italian Bistro
This quaint spot is great for the whole family, offering new entrée specials every day. Their Chicken Parmigiana over Angel Hair pasta is bound to become a personal favorite because with breaded chicken, mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce and of course, pasta, it has all the best ingredients.
452 East Cumberland Street, Lebanon, PA | gabbysitalianbistro.com
Gabriella Italian Restaurant
Gabriella’s was envisioned to bring a sophisticated Italian dining experience to all who enter its doors, especially after rebuilding from an electrical fire in 2013. The Manicotti, which is “stuffed with ricotta cheese and topped with tomato sauce and melted mozzarella,” is a delicious pasta specialty proudly served here.
3907 Jonestown Road, Harrisburg, PA | gabriellaristorante.com
Salt & Pepper Italian Bistro & Pizza
With pasta drainers for chandeliers and salt and pepper shakers as other light fixtures, the Tortellini Primavera won’t be the only thing that you’ll find wonderfully authentic. Peas, diced tomatoes mushrooms and cheese all come together over tortellini that is simply better than words could describe.
486 Royer Drive, Suite 102, Lancaster, PA | saltnpepperitalianbistro.com
La Cucina
Chef Armando hopes to invite you into the traditions that inspire each dish and his Penne Vodka is no different. While this may be a regular on most Italian menus, this one stands out among the rest, not just because of the fresh ingredients and locally sourced products, but because there’s bacon!
490 Eisenhower Drive, Suite 4, Hanover, PA | lacucinaitalian.com
Mexitaly
If there is one place where two worlds so tastefully collide, it’s here. The Mushroom Cannelloni with tomatoes, goat cheese and leeks in a creamy bechamel sauce may look like the Manicotti’s sibling but has a unique flavor that you’ll want to pair with one of Mexitaly’s craft beers.
2440 East Market Street, York, PA | mexitaly.com
Noodles & Co.
Why just have one bowl of pasta when you can have several? Try the World Flavors option as part of one of their Family Meals and have a little bit of everything; from Cauliflower Rigatoni to Pad Thai with Shrimp and even Wisconsin Mac & Cheese (sharing optional).
2099 Fruitville Pike, Lancaster, PA
2108 South Queen Street, York, PA
5108 Jonestown Road, Harrisburg, PA
164 South 32nd Street, Camp Hill, PA | noodles.com
Pizza Leone
Since breakfast is the most important meal of the day, it only makes sense to respect it in various ways. With the morning flavors of eggs and bacon combined with cream of potato sauce and parmesan cheese over pasta, the Farfalle La Mattina is truly the ideal “fusion of Italian pasta & American breakfast.”
1665 Waynesboro Pike, Fairfield, PA | pizzaleonepa.com
Soulcialize Catering
The name of this business sounds like the perfect remedy for months of quarantining and the menu items are equally as satisfying to the ear and appetite. An order of the Finga Lickin Chick’n (Fried Chicken) with a side of Baked Mac & Cheese redefines comfort food in the best way.
31 South Duke Street, Lancaster, PA | soulcializecatering.com
Blue Bird Inn
The Cajun Chicken Alfredo main dish infuses a twist of flavor to an already beloved alfredo sauce, making this fettuccine classic even more memorable. Sit out on the deck and enjoy the Bourbon Bread Pudding as well, while appreciating the rich history behind this popular business.
2387 Cornwall Road, Cornwall, PA | bluebirdinn.com
Thea Restaurant
With the Greek word for “aunt” in the restaurant’s title, there is a reflection of home when you have a seat at their table. The Eggplant Rollatini does not disappoint with the taste of breaded eggplant, fresh cheeses, Pappardelle pasta, and marinara sauce. It’s Greek inspiration and Italian familiarity at its finest.
1303 Saxton Way, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 | thea-dining.com
Trattoria Fratelli
Fall is undoubtedly colorful and flavorful. The Butternut Squash Ravioli with a Pear Martini is a match that you can’t get all year round because they so appropriately and tastefully represent this unique season.
502 East Lehman Street, Lebanon, PA | tratfrat.com
Victor’s Italian Restaurant
It’s time to start looking forward to Mondays instead of mourning the weekend’s end because at Victor’s, every Monday is Meatball Monday! On any other day, an order of Spaghetti and Meatballs would cost you $22. But on Mondays with a Caesar Salad and warm artisan bread it’s $18. Is it Monday yet?
554 South Ogontz Street, York, PA | victorsofyork.com
Visaggio’s Ristorante
A warm bowl of Pasta Fagioli is the answer to every chilly day. With sausage, cheese, beans, and ditalini pasta, it may remind you of your mother’s chili growing up, but the nostalgia might wear off at the second or third bite of something so fresh and gourmet.
6990 Wertzville Road, Enola, PA | visaggios.com
