Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Pasta Chef

    4.6 (235 reviews)
    InexpensiveItalian, Fast Food
    Closed 12:30 pm - 3:30 PM, 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

    Pasta Chef Photos

    PASTA CHEF ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Dogs allowed

    Recommended Reviews - Pasta Chef

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Lasagna
    Tim J.

    Amazing service and food. Best lasagna I've ever had. Felt like it melted in your mouth. Carbonara was excellent as well. Very cool experience for our first night in Rome

    Carbonara e tagliatelle
    Martin M.

    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!

    Menu
    David S.

    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.

    Fettuccini alfredo, carbonara
    Edith C.

    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.

    Clara C.

    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.

    Lazagna
    Justina M.

    Nice place where you feel special. Good food, highly recommended! The prices are very good and you feel like home.

    Tonnarelli allá carbonara (front) & fettuccine al ragú bolognese (back) - May 2022
    Magz B.

    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.

    Hugo C.

    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.

    Tonnarelli alla Carbonara
    Jonas M.

    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.

    Carbonara bottom, second option top
    Andrew F.

    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.

    Asks you are from I said Saudi he knows what I can eat from menu. I like how crowded and how tasty their food price good too.
    Mohammed G.

    Good place food good too. Try both soo good. Service efficient. Atmosphere friendly and worm crowded.

    Kristina L.

    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.

    Melanie T.

    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

    Spinach ricotta ravioli, lasagna ragu, fusilli pesto, and anchovies tuna salad

    See all

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of J M.
    32
    55
    10

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mio F.
    8
    258
    70

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of C F.
    3
    44
    16

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of E N.
    0
    93
    9

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jason B.
    30
    18
    11

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of AJ C.
    1
    44
    1

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Grace L.
    11
    18
    35

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alisha K.
    843
    59
    80

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of A F.
    1
    73
    22

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ryan B.
    63
    10
    0

    7 years ago

    Delicious! Great food & well priced! Some cool spices for sale on the wall as well! Employees were very friendly!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Cute hole in the wall spot, great food for an amazing pRice I would for sure go again!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Best place ever when going to Rome. Food is amazing and service too. 100% recommended

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Inauthentic Italian restaurant, overcooked noodles. Standing only but not all that fast.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Great place for a quick bite! Lovely atmosphere, very friendly staff, and delicious food! It is also very affordable. Highly recommend!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rebecca J.
    388
    181
    29

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kristine W.
    126
    133
    114

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 3 of 6

    Pasta Chef Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - Pasta Chef

    While rome-ing around Rome (LOL I had to) pasta was a dish I ate everyday, sometimes even two times a day!

    Mentioned in 57 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Le Tavernelle - Lobster pasta

    Le Tavernelle

    4.5(168 reviews)
    0.2 kmMonti
    €€

    Our first meal in Rome was here, and I'm so glad it was here. We arrived on Christmas Eve and…read morewanted a good meal. Our hotel manager had suggested another restaurant, but I was apprehensive to try, but did later, more on that restaurant review in it's own post. I rather did what I should have done throughout the trip to, which is to search google for local reviews. This tactic I found to be much better than to trust American reviews for restaurants to visit from Youtube or even here, just because the American touristy taste tends to favor bland or Olive Garden style pseudo Italian. The real Italian taste is much different and something one needs to develop. I was familiar with European Italian food, as I had said before in other reviews that Mexico has better Italian food outside of Italy. Additionally, the good restaurants here in Italy do not open before 7 PM. If it does or if someone that looks foreign to Italy is outside trying to lure you in, it's a tourist restaurant with iffy flavor. At this restaurant my husband had the Lobster pasta and I had the spinach/ricotta ravioli, and we both were beyond satisfied. We also had the artichoke as an appetizer, and trusted the waiter with his suggestion for a bottle of wine. He must have been some genius because the wine went well with our meal. The ambience was cozy and very family oriented, however, the rain outside made it romantic for us. Another key point for this restaurant and it traditional flare was that they brought out the olive oil and red vinegar for our salad and of course olive oil for our wonderful home-made bread. I'm so glad we chose this place for those of us Americans who understand culinary cuisine.

    Revisited after 19 years - truly authentic and will return…read more Although, we didn't have the same waiter, he is still there after 29 + years. Every dish we ordered was delicious, not a crumb remained on the plate!

    Photos
    Le Tavernelle - Inside dining area

    Inside dining area

    Le Tavernelle - Squid and seabass

    Squid and seabass

    Le Tavernelle - Interior restaurant

    See all

    Interior restaurant

    Pasta Chef - italian - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...