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A very small location but definitely one of the best pasta we had in Rome! The carbonara was definitely the best I ever had! It's creamy and not clunky like most cheese based carbonara. The pork is also crispy porcheta! Definitely come early or come at lunch. I came for takeout and didn't leave until after standing in line for 1 hr and finally getting my food 30 mins later. But it was definitely worth it for some of the best pasta I have ever had in my life!
We did stand in line for 40 minutes... it turned out for good reason. We had just come from seeing the Coliseum and walking for nearly five hours. We ordered the pesto, the pomodoro, soup of the day, which was fish, the ragu lasagne, and even more. All delicious, amazing, spectacular. I say trust Chef Leopoldo Frigerio!! Have a I mentioned how nice the people are there? So nice. Great service. Great atmosphere. And have I MENTIONED the Tiramisu. No? Wowza. See the photos. And enjoy if you are in Rome.
Also known as al42 Pasta Chef. There was a line when I visited for lunch, but they're "fast food", so it wasn't much long of a wait. Their menu was simple, but I felt it wasn't exactly the authentic type of pasta that I was looking for. Regardless, the food was delicious and affordable. They also have wine here! The owner guy spoke fluent English and went around greeting everyone! It was nice. Credit card accepted.
You will return for so many reasons. The food is heavenly, get the alfredo! I tried everything I could and the food kept on getting better and better. The host is charming and one of the reasons you will return. He makes you feel welcomed and takes good care of you. The helper behind the counter is kind and knowledgeable. Multiple languages are spoken. The atmosphere feels like a deli, nothing pretentious or forced. You can see the little details that make it a genuine local staple. I highly recommend it for the price, quality and service. It's technically a food lab. Their experiment, serving the best.
I've been going here since they first opened in 2015, when the Monti region wasn't popular as it is now. They've always been great, but they've evolved and grown over the years. They still have that street food feeling, but as they've grown in popularity, they've figured out how to serve their very diverse clientele, from locals, to tourists, to frequent visitors. There is something for everyone. My order with my group: -Amatriciana -Carbonara -Caesar salad They're very generous with the guanciale and the portions. The staff is warm and efficient. The pasta comes out fresh. Sometimes they are able to accommodate mixing the pasta with the sauce, but more often than not, it comes as is as they have to be efficient in their small kitchen. They are absolutely the best street food pasta in town.
Wait, this is a chain with multiple locations? Noticed in multiple places... Or I passed it during different times of day and couldn't tell First pasta in Italy -- home cooked pasta is better. Review based on carbonara and the second menu item. People said to try out carbonara but the taste is too strong that I couldn't finish it! Should have seen the black pepper warning. I don't know if this is a case of adding too much spice or whatever you know the more you have the more distinctive/unique taste you have but you sacrifice food quality. Also there isn't much meat on the food. The second option had better tasting sauce, which was distinct and tasted fine, but didn't sell it. Pasta is chewy.
Amazing pasta that's fast and relatively cheap! The portion size is generous too. Their regular size was plenty enough but they do offer a large size if you're feeling super hungry. The carbonara was delicious. It was cheesy and rich with the perfect saltiness and bacon pieces. Oh I could eat that all the time! My husband got the pasta ragu bolognese and it was good and hearty. They have a spice tray of level 1-17 and there a chart to tell you what pepper is closest to that level. I believe a 5 is like a jalapeño. I didn't have the tiramisu but everyone else seemed to order and enjoy it. Friendly staff. Quick service.
Pasta Chef was my first taste of real fresh Roman pasta. What I love about the pasta is that it is fresh and made as you order. The location is pretty small and during typical lunch hours, it does get busy. The location is great after spending the morning at the Colosseum and Roman Forum. It is about a 15 minute walk so it's far away from the tourist trap but not too far where your feet want to collapse. The first time I came here, I ordered the Alfredo. I'm not a fan of tomato sauce so I get pretty excited when I see non tomato options for pasta. The Alfredo was so good. It was creamy and soft. Not too moist or dry. Even though the pasta was good, what made me come back for dinner again before I left Rome was the service. The service is fantastic. They are nice and friendly. No matter how busy it was, they always present the food with a smile like they are genuinely glad that you are here eating the food they are proud to make. The second time I ordered carbonara after discovering it on a food tour. That was good too. I liked the Alfredo more because of the noodles but the carbonara was delicious too. Can't go wrong with any of the options on the menu
19 days ago
Came here beginning of December 2025 and had lunch. There was a wait to get a seat. Once you get a seat then you can order thru the counter and bring the food back to your seat. All self service, and there is no server. Ordered Carbonara and lasagna. They were alright. I had better experience elsewhere... This was more like fuzz from social media... read more
Probably our favorite meal in Rome! Pasta Chef is phenomenal and the owner (who is out running around and organizing everything) is a great personality and very fun guy. This is not your typical restaurant since you order at the counter and then go sit down, but it is still very, very good. Prices also feel very fair. We got the carbonara and alfredo and both were amazing (though slight preference for the carbonara). Secret to this place is to come early since seating is a bit limited and it's no secret it's so good! Great food and owner is very fun which contributes to some fun vibes. Also in a very nice part of town. read more
A very small location but definitely one of the best pasta we had in Rome! The carbonara was definitely the best I ever had! It's creamy and not clunky like most cheese based carbonara. The pork is also crispy porcheta! Definitely come early or come at lunch. I came for takeout and didn't leave until after standing in line for 1 hr and finally getting my food 30 mins later. But it was definitely worth it for some of the best pasta I have ever had in my life! read more
4 months ago
3 years ago
8 months ago
We did stand in line for 40 minutes... it turned out for good reason. We had just come from seeing the Coliseum and walking for nearly five hours. We ordered the pesto, the pomodoro, soup of the day, which was fish, the ragu lasagne, and even more. All delicious, amazing, spectacular. I say trust Chef Leopoldo Frigerio!! Have a I mentioned how nice the people are there? So nice. Great service. Great atmosphere. And have I MENTIONED the Tiramisu. No? Wowza. See the photos. And enjoy if you are in Rome. read more
2 years ago
Price is incredible for what you get, it's delicious. There will probably be a line, we waited for 40 minutes in the heat but it was definitely worth it. read more
Also known as al42 Pasta Chef. There was a line when I visited for lunch, but they're "fast food", so it wasn't much long of a wait. Their menu was simple, but I felt it wasn't exactly the authentic type of pasta that I was looking for. Regardless, the food was delicious and affordable. They also have wine here! The owner guy spoke fluent English and went around greeting everyone! It was nice. Credit card accepted. read more
2 years ago
Nice place where you feel special. Good food, highly recommended! The prices are very good and you feel like home. read more
3 years ago
It's been almost a year and we still talk about the food here. The carbonara is something I'm going back for. Bonus: The people were so nice and knew SO many languages to help you order. read more
3 years ago
You will return for so many reasons. The food is heavenly, get the alfredo! I tried everything I could and the food kept on getting better and better. The host is charming and one of the reasons you will return. He makes you feel welcomed and takes good care of you. The helper behind the counter is kind and knowledgeable. Multiple languages are spoken. The atmosphere feels like a deli, nothing pretentious or forced. You can see the little details that make it a genuine local staple. I highly recommend it for the price, quality and service. It's technically a food lab. Their experiment, serving the best. read more
I've been going here since they first opened in 2015, when the Monti region wasn't popular as it is now. They've always been great, but they've evolved and grown over the years. They still have that street food feeling, but as they've grown in popularity, they've figured out how to serve their very diverse clientele, from locals, to tourists, to frequent visitors. There is something for everyone. My order with my group: -Amatriciana -Carbonara -Caesar salad They're very generous with the guanciale and the portions. The staff is warm and efficient. The pasta comes out fresh. Sometimes they are able to accommodate mixing the pasta with the sauce, but more often than not, it comes as is as they have to be efficient in their small kitchen. They are absolutely the best street food pasta in town. read more
2 years ago
Wait, this is a chain with multiple locations? Noticed in multiple places... Or I passed it during different times of day and couldn't tell First pasta in Italy -- home cooked pasta is better. Review based on carbonara and the second menu item. People said to try out carbonara but the taste is too strong that I couldn't finish it! Should have seen the black pepper warning. I don't know if this is a case of adding too much spice or whatever you know the more you have the more distinctive/unique taste you have but you sacrifice food quality. Also there isn't much meat on the food. The second option had better tasting sauce, which was distinct and tasted fine, but didn't sell it. Pasta is chewy. read more
3 years ago
Good place food good too. Try both soo good. Service efficient. Atmosphere friendly and worm crowded. read more
8 years ago
Amazing pasta that's fast and relatively cheap! The portion size is generous too. Their regular size was plenty enough but they do offer a large size if you're feeling super hungry. The carbonara was delicious. It was cheesy and rich with the perfect saltiness and bacon pieces. Oh I could eat that all the time! My husband got the pasta ragu bolognese and it was good and hearty. They have a spice tray of level 1-17 and there a chart to tell you what pepper is closest to that level. I believe a 5 is like a jalapeño. I didn't have the tiramisu but everyone else seemed to order and enjoy it. Friendly staff. Quick service. read more
8 years ago
Pasta Chef was my first taste of real fresh Roman pasta. What I love about the pasta is that it is fresh and made as you order. The location is pretty small and during typical lunch hours, it does get busy. The location is great after spending the morning at the Colosseum and Roman Forum. It is about a 15 minute walk so it's far away from the tourist trap but not too far where your feet want to collapse. The first time I came here, I ordered the Alfredo. I'm not a fan of tomato sauce so I get pretty excited when I see non tomato options for pasta. The Alfredo was so good. It was creamy and soft. Not too moist or dry. Even though the pasta was good, what made me come back for dinner again before I left Rome was the service. The service is fantastic. They are nice and friendly. No matter how busy it was, they always present the food with a smile like they are genuinely glad that you are here eating the food they are proud to make. The second time I ordered carbonara after discovering it on a food tour. That was good too. I liked the Alfredo more because of the noodles but the carbonara was delicious too. Can't go wrong with any of the options on the menu read more
My wife and I work out and have big appetites. The tuna and anchovies salad was just ok. Think the anchovies were super salty but I don't know my anchovies so maybe that's what it was supposed to be like. Anyways, the fusilli pesto, lasagna ragu, and spinach ricotta raviolis were all good. The best was the fusilli pesto I liked how they had spice powder from level 1 to level 17, which was the Carolina reaper read more
2 years ago
7 years ago
Great pasta for a very inexpensive price - what a steal! Came here for a casual dinner one night. I must warn you all that this is a very casual place, predominantly targeting those looking for a quick and easy takeout meal. When we came, the place was packed (the place is tiny and maybe seats 20 people max). It took us roughly five minutes before a table was free. We ordered two fettuccine ai porcini, one lasagna ragu, and one fettuccine al ragu bolognese. As I only got to taste the fettuccine ai porcini, I am able only to comment on that particular dish. It was fairly light and not heavy at all, with sufficient olive oil and mushroom flavour. The porcini mushrooms had a great earthy and fragrant flavour. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the dish. Our experience was pleasant, and I was more than ecstatic to find a cheap pasta joint serving plates at less than or roughly 10€! read more
3 years ago
Great service and great tasting food. Super friendly customer service. Be prepared to wait as it is a very small restaurant. But the service is very quick. You order at a counter in the back and sit down to eat. Located in a very cute neighborhood. read more
4 years ago
7 years ago
Quick place to stop by for some pasta on one of the side streets of Monti. They have a small menu and a few daily specials of various pastas. I opted for the spaghetti with prawns and the sauce was amazing, a garlicky fresh tomato sauce. The pasta itself was also fresh and al dente. I also tried the fusifilli pesto which was a bit chewier. Pesto seasoning was great, but I wish there was an option to add some protein to it. And for those who like a larger portion, you can add on another 50 grams of pasta for 1-2 euro. read more
4 years ago
8 years ago
Local gem in Monti. Here you will find delicious, fresh pasta at reasonable prices. The portions are large. We came here a little before closing and we didn't feel rushed at all. I had the fettuccine bolgnase and my boyfriend had the pasta with pesto- we also shared the pasta chef salad. If you're in Rome you have to try a pasta bolganase and I would recommend trying it here. read more
8 years ago
After a wearisome day of travel, we stopped into the pasta chef for dinner. The unorthodox style of ordering pasta from a counter seemed a bit odd: but patience yielded treasures unimaginable. We ordered the verde salad, the Carbonara (7 €), and the Rigatoni al Pomodoro e Basilico (5 €). The taste of the homemade pasta was like angels dancing on my tastebuds. The salad was fresh: the simplicity of olive oil and cucumbers let the romaine and arugula show off. We concluded our meal with the espresso Italiano, (1 € each) which comes with a baby biscotti, a perfect pair. The serving sizes were extraordinary for the price (especially the salad), the seating area had WiFi and even an aiding USB charging port for dead cellphones. We are planning to visit again before we leave Rome. A brilliant little spot. read more
Maybe I'm just a stupid American but this simple pasta restaurant was the best pasta I have ever eaten IN MY LIFE. I enjoyed it so much! When I'm at home really hungry daydreaming about good food this place always comes to mind. It's small inside, so not good for groups, but I recommend ordering a few dishes to try. We ordered three large dishes and shared them. It was the perfect plan. To say we were stuffed at the end would be an understatement! I liked the spinach ravioli and mushroom pasta the best so those are my recommendations but I can't see anything not being good here. They even offer wine! Totally get some wine to go with your meal, because let's face it, What's pasta without wine? :-) read more
7 years ago
Decided to visit this gourmet street food joint after reading some good reviews on Yelp. The place is small and while deemed a take out counter, it does have two small tables and a few bar stools for dine in. There a variety of pastas and salads to order and the wait time is around 20 minutes for food. We ordered a fettuccine alfredo, fettuccine porcini, the Mezze Maniche Alla Matriciana and the pasta chef salad. The salad was not overly impressive (would probably not order again) but the pastas were very good. The fettuccine porcini was one of the best I've ever had and I would come back for just that alone. I should also note there was no air conditioning when we went and it was quite warm eating dinner. read more
8 years ago
Great place for a quick lunch! It's not expensive considering its touristy location, and there's a decent amount of seating inside. The pastas range from around 6 euro to 11 euro each, and I think they're made fresh in the back. The spaghetti with prawns was incredibly: super chewy thick spaghetti and really strong seafood flavor. read more
3 years ago
5 years ago
Unbelievable!!! I'm so glad that Yelp led us to this gem. Fettuccine Alfredo was so good! I just sent my son back up to order some Lasagna Ragu! I can't get enough! read more
8 years ago
Wow, my first Italian pasta and it didn't disappoint. Holy crap, homemade pasta makes such a difference. When my sister and I first arrived, there were people waiting outside and the restaurant was crowded. There were a few tourists like myself who discovered this place from good ol'Yelp, and there were so many locals. My sister got the fettuccine Alfredo and I felt so overwhelmed by the choices, I chose their simplest rigatoni with tomato and basil. First I kind of regretted not getting something more complicated, but in the end, it didn't matter. Their simple dishes taste just as amazing. The noodles were chewy and thick, how noodles should always taste. They were soft and, the texture was just perfect. The simple tomato sauce complimented the pasta perfectly. The service was great. The woman taking our order was patient even though it took us a while to look at the menu (it's all in Italian). The man calling out orders announces them in English too so, you shouldn't have a problem if you don't speak Italian. Really accommodating and amazing service. Also, it's a lot less salty than American food. The flavor is still there but less salt, which is amazing. read more
A friend of mine recommended me this place before my first grand Europe trip and it did not disappoint!! Really love the simple menu and wish I got to try this place at least twice. The price plus the quality of pasta is amazing. My cousin and I ordered the cabonara and fettucini. The cashiers were very friendly and asked us where we're from (haha). I came here on a Saturday evening and did not have to deal with a long line. :) read more
3 years ago
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More info about Pasta Chef
Via Baccina 42
00184 Rome
Italy
Monti
Directions
06 4883198
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https://www.al42.it
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Pasta Chef - italian - Updated June 2026
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