Ceaser salad is so good. Bottle up the dressing. But the chicken cutlets were blah. Pasta was over cooked

Really nice restaurant on the Thames River. Views are beautiful (especially in the summer), and the food is great. Portions are huge and the prices are incredibly reasonable. Service is always good as well. Would absolutely recommend to anyone who likes pasta, this place is arguably among the best pasta places in Southeastern CT. read more

Paul's Pasta Shop - View - Italian Near Me - Groton, Connecticut

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After reading all the rave reviews we were looking forward to stopping at Paul's for some house made pasta. Then I saw they have a new owner? So I went in with a 'let's see' mindset. We both ordered spaghetti, one with a meatball, one with sausage. The pasta is flat as it would be if house made. However, having lived in Italy, eating many a 'house made' restaurant pasta, and, having made my own, to me this spaghetti does not have the taste or texture I expected from house made. My meatball did taste homemade. However, as is common in the restaurant industry, the texture leads me to believe a big batch is made and frozen for later use. It was tough to cut. A bit rubbery. The sauce was OK, Not delightful. Not bad. All together this was not a dish worth chewing for me personally and I left half of it behind. Seating is available both indoors and outside over looking the river. Parking is available behind the building or about a block away in a free public lot. One restroom for all. Prepared foods available 'to go' at a deli counter by the entrance. The entrance is a few steps up from the sidewalk. read more

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Since I moved to New London, everybody told me I had to try Paul's. I agree that if you visit the area, you should try Paul's It really has its own vibe and aesthetic going on. The Spaghetti pie was absolutely insane. Huge portion and I ordered the small. My son had the Ragu pasta. He wasn't thrilled with all the green peppers, but he knew that it came with that in the dish. He did however like the fettuccine pasta that was in it. 4/5 stars would highly recommend and an added bonus was we may have had the world's prettiest waitress. read more

Paul's Pasta Shop - Son could not decide - Italian Near Me - Groton, Connecticut

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Went for pickup because I'd been craving lasagna for weeks, and I was disappointed to find it swimming in marinara There was so much sauce that it honestly took away from the dish for me. I've heard great things about this restaurant, so maybe my expectations were high, but unfortunately I just wasn't impressed, maybe I'm not Italian enough ‍ read more

If you are in the Groton area you haveeeeee to stop at Paul's!!! The pasta is made from scratch and cooked perfectly every time! The Alfredo is heaven, the garlic bread is to die for and the place is set overlooking the river, the service was great it can get busy but we got there at the perfect time, must go!!! read more

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Great Italian restaurant! The pasta here is made fresh. This restaurant serves a variety of standard pasta dishes as well as daily specials not on the menu. I was visiting the area and came by self on a busy night. The staff was very friendly and sat me promptly and clarified any questions I had about the menu. The restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating. I ordered the clam linguine with red sauce (you have the option to choose a white sauce). You have the difference size options to order for your pasta dishes and I went with the small. The small was a pretty big! The restaurant does not skimp on their portions. The pasta itself was very fresh and the clams were abundant and divine. The pasta was so good that I came back a second time! I was visiting the area and unfortunately did not have time to come back more times. There is street parking and a little parking lot out back where you get a view of the water. Overall a great place to eat at and will definitely come back if I am in the area. read more

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Oh my gosh best pasta in CT! Waterfront location, great menu & reasonable prices, all fresh fresh fresh. Pasta is authentic and flavorful, always cooked to perfection, and the staff is friendly and ontop of it. I always take a pint of their homemade pesto home. Go here if you love pasta!! read more

Recommended by a hotel staff so we tried it. Place is small so get there early, call ahead to see how long the wait. Sitting inside can get stuffy and sitting outside can get cold, specially when the sun goes down and when the breeze blows Water was served in a clear plastic cup... I ordered the small eggplant parm over angel hair and hubs got the small fettuccine rags. Skipped the dinner bread...saved the carbs for dessert. Portion was just right, but I still took a quarter home. My red sauce we kinda bland, no flavor, like a waterdown diced tomato. I did not taste any garlic, oregano, basil...nothing . I tasted my hubs, his sauce had a bit of flavor from the green peppers. I really wanted to like the place but it was "aight". Ordered Cannoli to go...it was good, not too sweet. read more

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Paul's pasta is a great local restaurant, we love getting take out and the occasional dinner in. In the summer the views from the deck are so nice at sunset and the pasta is always delicious. Their Alfredo sauce is my favorite! read more

Paul's Pasta Shop - Sunset from the deck - Italian Near Me - Groton, Connecticut

Checked out this pasta shop and we had a delicious dinner! The half portion of ravioli was perfect for a light meal. The meal came out very fast and the restaurant was cozy! read more

Paul's Pasta Shop - Ravioli - Italian Near Me - Groton, Connecticut

This place has not changed one bit since I was here 6 years ago and that's a great thing! I was stationed in Groton for two years and this was a staple for comfort food. The place is quaint and has a New England charm to it- the service was great. In fact the waitress has been there 16 years! I came with a party of five & we were sat in about five minutes. I got the buffalo Mac n cheese and everyone tried it and we all loved it. It's cheesy with a little hint of buffalo sauce, topped with breadcrumbs ! Yummy! My nephew got the kids spaghetti and he said "this is good!" So that's his review. Lol My husband got Alfredo and he ate the whole thing and loved it. His twin got chicken parm and said the chicken was really good but he was not a huge fan of the noodles and red sauce... I forget what the name of the dish his wife got but it was thick noodles with a white sauce & peas and she said it was so good. read more

Paul's Pasta Shop - Kids spaghetti - Italian Near Me - Groton, Connecticut

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"Same as it ever was, Same as it ever WAS" Talking Heads Pulled right up to the front in the hot rod just in time for lunch. The tables were filling up fast. I had a choice table on the back porch overlooking the water ! This was my first time back here since the new owners took over. Hence, same as it ever was! Without even looking at the menu, I ordered my favorite here, linguine with white clam sauce, small portion. I also ordered a Sprite. My friendly server brought me the soda almost immediately, and within 10 minutes my lovely lunch arrived. Oh, that linguine! That clam sauce, with the lovely garlic smell and taste included. Those minced clams, so generously added to the sauce. And the price, so reasonable. I passed on the bread, even though I wanted it to sop up the rest of the goodnesses. Anyways, this pasta dish was heavenly! I love coming here. This little hole in the wall sticks to a small menu with everything so well done. I love the touch of the two gentlemen in the front making the homemade pasta. Parking is easy in front, on the main street, or in back there are approximately 8 to 10 additional parking spaces. Thank you, Paul's Pasta for making me feel so at home. I really thought this was gonna be a loss of an institution. Instead... same as it ever was, same as it ever was! read more

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The place is very small but cozy functional. The waitress was all alone and it was very busy on this particular Friday. I went with friends. The food was good. I got the cheese ravioli. They were good but still very hard around the edges. The sauce was plentiful which I appreciate. It was not hot or spicy, which I really enjoyed. I would not travel all the way out here again as the food was not that impressive. They had several assorted desserts that looked really good. So if you're in the area it's a decent place to eat. read more

Paul's Pasta Shop - Cheese ravioli - Italian Near Me - Groton, Connecticut

Best lasagna evar, simply to die for. Finished off an entire small and can't believe they sell a large!!! Mozzarella bread app & Chianti were out of this world. Small spaghetti & meatball was pushed to the side after first bite. The meat lasagna was really the star of the show! Wear some warm clothes if visiting during colder months, lovely place for a romantic dinner! read more

Paul's Pasta Shop - Italian Near Me - Groton, Connecticut

*THERE IS PARKING IN THE BACK* What a wonderful dinner we had with our son & new Daughter in law recently. The weather was so perfect! The food was perfect! Our food was fast hot and brought out fast! What a perfect day! read more

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Ordered take out on a Thursday evening. Pretty easy to call and get it ordered. They said it would be ready in about 30 minutes. It was very easy to go in and pick up the food. My friend and I ordered the chicken parmigiani and breaded chicken Alfredo both large to split. They were both very good. The portions were large and we were able to both get two meals out of the portions! Sauce was good and chicken great. Good price for the portions! Overall would definitely come back! read more

Paul's Pasta Shop - Large Breaded Chicken Alfredo - Italian Near Me - Groton, Connecticut

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Amazing service, food was homemade and delicious, definitely will be coming back. Their fettuccine Alfredo was the best in my opinion!

It took me way too long to finally check out Paul's. I've been a couple of times now, and every time I leave, I'm already asking, "When are we going again?" Here's the deal: you go to Paul's for the pasta. It's fresh, simple, and really well done. There's no over-the-top presentation, no unnecessary ingredients, no excessively strong flavors or fancy garnishes--just straightforward, delicious pasta that hits the spot. You can even watch the noodles being made to order, which is pretty cool. I always get the "large," and it's always a little too much... but I never regret it. I'll eat pasta until I pop. After reading some of the other reviews, however, it may be helpful to set expectations: if you're someone who's mostly in it for the sauces, toppings, or mix-ins, this place might not totally hit the mark for you. The pasta really runs the show, and everything else is kept pretty simple. Now, a few things to know before you go: it's a small place and it's popular, so there's usually a wait. They don't take reservations (understandable for a spot this size), and there's not much room to wait around. Parking can be a bit of a pain, but there's a small lot and some street parking nearby. Also, it's probably not the best pick for big groups, people with gluten issues, or anyone wanting a long, slow, multi-course kind of dinner. It's more of an in-and-out experience focused on good food, not lingering for hours. Bottom line: if you love pasta, this place is absolutely worth checking out. Just come hungry--and maybe not with a party of more than six (Probably ideally not more than 4). read more

Best pasta ever Not super authentic at all if that's what you're into but great dishes and portions. Buffalo Mac N Cheese and Chicken Alfredo are to die for read more

Paul's Pasta Shop - Italian Near Me - Groton, Connecticut

Wow.. found this place on yelp. Spectacular food, intimate seating. Our waitress,Madison was awesome. Try the Alfredo sauce mixed with Pesto....simply delicious. read more

Paul's has been on my radar for years, and recently one of my Food Blogger friends reported that she had been frequently eating there. When I visited nearby Fort Griswold Museum with family and saw how close Paul's is, it was the ideal time to visit. The back of Paul's abuts the water overlooking the New London Fairy Area. The front is on a Groton Street I had never seen before. There is a small inside dining area and a covered, but open area out back overlooking the water as you walk in, there's a case of pasta salads and desserts etc.. The people who work at Paul's are very friendly. I had fun talking to the person behind the counter in the front. I don't know if that is Paul, or even if there is a Paul, but he had a good deal of pride in representing Paul's Pasta. Cheers to that. When I first visit a beloved place, sometimes I double order to expand what I'm trying and make sure I have leftovers. My friend and Foodie Twin Jen H. knows what I'm talking about. I don't usually look at the actual words of Yelp reviews before I order (I generally go by overall score and food pics until I write my review), but I saw Don P's review sitting up top and I always like to hear what he has to say. Very knowledgeable about the restaurant industry. He said something like Paul's has the best pasta Alfredo he's ever had (as of the time of his review at least). That's all I needed. The breaded chicken Alfredo was one of my two orders, even though that's a rare order for me. My second order? What's the opposite of chicken Alfredo? Meat lasagna with red sauce! Done! The breaded chicken with the Fettuccini was awesome. Perfectly breaded, tender and tasty. The pasta texture was very good too. As I said, I don't often order Alfredo sauce. I normally prefer a sauce that is saltier, more acidic and/or and more seasoned. I'd normally choose carbonara for that reason if I wanted a white sauce. But I think this Alfredo Sauce was executed very well. There was a substantial amount of sauce. And it coated the fettuccini well. It was smooth and rich. But as is often the case for me, I needed some more salinity for this sauce to beideal for me. I can see how Alfredo purists love it though. The lasagna was gigantic. I got the larger of the two portion options. It was visually impressive on the plate. You're happy you ordered this when it arrives at the table. This was a good lasagna, but the red sauce was a bit sweet for me. I probably would have preferred a larger proportion of meat to the pasta as well. Notwithstanding my comments, this was a very good first visit and I saw enough to know that I need to explore more of the menu. While I was there, I overheard somebody say to always order something with the shrimp. I look forward to that. 4.25 Stars. read more

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I really wanted to like this place. All of the staff were attentive and friendly. The service was wonderful. And the atmosphere was so cute and quaint. Which is why I was generous with giving it a 3 star review. But the food was lacking flavor. In every dish that my significant other and I ordered and ate. read more

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Had the privilege of visiting my son at the sub base. He recommended we eat at Paul's. What a lovely place! Very charming! While it overlooks the river, we chose to eat inside. Our table was comfortable and the service was excellent. My wife and son had the Chicken Parmigiana and I had the Chicken Marsala. The portions were generous! The pasta was perfectly cooked. The chicken on both dishes was moist. The sauces were divine! My only regret was that I didn't ask to buy one of their shirts. It had "Legalize Marinara" printed on the back. How could anyone disagree with that! read more

Nice small restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining, food was good, service was a little slow getting to us and took some time for food to come out, but it was a busy Saturday night so i understand why. Overall, check it out if you're in the area! Beautiful views right on the water. read more

While in Groton a couple of days ago, I had dinner at Paul's Pasta Shop. This highly rated restaurant showed up on Yelp and I said, why not? It's located next to the water and has a small parking lot behind it and free street parking just watch for some no parking signs. Paul's is a smallish restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. Inside they have a small refrigerated display case of food to sell and near the front window you can watch them make and cut their fresh pasta. I chose to sit outside that has a nice view of the Thames River with New London on the other side. From their specials menu that evening I ordered the shrimp linguini and asked for the large version for $22. I added a side garden salad for $4 and a small order of garlic bread for $2. The salad arrived shortly after and it was excellent. The lettuce, tomatoes, etc. tasted like they were harvested the same day. Very fresh and with the honey poppy seed vinaigrette dressing absolutely delicious. Get this salad! The entree arrived about 15 minutes later. The bread basket had enough bread in it for two people and was brushed with garlic butter with bits of garlic in it. Their version of this bread is crusty and I enjoyed it. Finally the large bowl of pasta had 8 large shrimp in it with squash, red peppers, garlic, olive oil and white wine all bathed together into the house made linguini. Two things about this dish. 1. It was delicious. 2. It was a lot of food. I almost wished I had ordered the smaller version but it was also so good to eat. , The table service was very good too. I could find no fault with this meal. Everything was excellent tasting, the prices were very reasonable and the portions large. I now understand why it is so highly rated. read more

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Delicious and fresh italian food with some old school charm. A great value for money!

Wow! Small storefront with great view of river. Exceptional food. Caesar salad was a standout. Great value old style cooking, friendly staff. Wish it was closer to us, but we'll worth a trip. read more

Paul's Pasta Shop - Meat lasagna, pasta carbona, both small size plates, and garlic bread. - Italian Near Me - Groton, Connecticut

Paul's is a local treasure. It's been around so long that most people probably take it for granted (myself included). But when you think about it, it's really a one of a kind place. If I am craving pasta- obviously I want it to be good. And when I think of where I can get the best pasta in the area, my mind instinctively goes to some of the higher end Italian restaurants. All of those restaurants have their time and place, but sometimes I don't want to bother will everything that goes along with going to a nice restaurant- Do I need to make a reservation? What should I wear? That's where Paul's comes in. Five star pasta dishes, house made from scratch, in a laid back setting. Does it get any better? A couple of other things that I very much appreciate about Paul's: - Consistency. I'm a creature of habit. Probably 75% of the time I go, I'm ordering the breaded chicken alfredo. When I get it, it's always the same, and it's always excellent. I haven't seen them have an off day yet. - The food travels well. In most cases, I feel like takeout always loses quality by the time you get around to eating it. When I pick up Paul's, it is always piping hot and just as good as it would've been at the restaurant when I'm eating it at home. - Excellent service. The people here are so accommodating and helpful, without fail. Sometimes I'll put in big orders at Paul's for a work lunch, which I know can be annoying for the person picking up the phone. They're always friendly, and always have the food ready right on time. If you live around here, I know I'm preaching to the choir. Paul's isn't a secret. If you're not from here- go check it out. You won't regret it read more

Paul's Pasta Shop - Breaded Chicken Alfredo - Italian Near Me - Groton, Connecticut

The day that Paul's Pasta closes I will be devastated. It is the best date night or catch up with friends spot! Any variation of their chicken Parm (Alfredo, vodka, marinara) is my go-to! read more

Paul's Pasta Shop - Chicken Parm a la vodka (special) - Italian Near Me - Groton, Connecticut

The last 3 times we've ordered the chicken Alfredo, is been absolutely awful! This used to be our "go to" pasta place. Unfortunately, after giving it multiple tries, we won't be returning. We have been patrons for over 20yrs. But, we will not be returning. So very, very sad. read more

Came here on a Tuesday night and ordered the breaded chicken Alfredo to go. I thought everything was a little too bland but the noodles were cooked well. I will definitely go back though because the restaurant's right on the water and it seems to be a local favorite. read more

Paul's Pasta Shop - Breaded Chicken Alfredo - Italian Near Me - Groton, Connecticut

Paul's has been around a long time and I have always enjoyed their pasta. If you can get some to go it is very much worth it. They have a good menu, good variety, and reasonable prices. For me their tomato sauce is ok, but not the style I like. That does not mean it isn't good. I like that they make so much of their dishes and don't serve junk. That's huge. If the weather is good you can have a view over the river from the patio. Lots to like about Paul's read more

Oof. I've been hearing so much about Paul's Pasta for years now and I must say it didn't live up to the hype. While I'm a fan of neighborhood secrets and humble restaurants, Paul's decor feels tired and in desperate need of a fresh paint job. Similarly, the food seems tired and in desperate need of a refresh; it appears that menu hasn't changed since its opening a few decades ago. If a restaurant is going to depend on Nonna's classics as their main staples, they'd better be damn good. And this was just average, which unfortunately undercuts the effort that goes into creating fresh pasta. read more

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This is my favorite family-style pasta place. Going to this place isn't quite like going to an Italian restaurant. It's more like going over to your Italian friend's house for dinner. I've never had the privilege of meeting any of the back half of the house, but all the front half are friendly, attentive, and they know their menu. They fresh-make their pasta, which gives it an amaaaaaazing texture. Their fettuccine ragu is what I order most of the time. And while the sauce is great, it's not the main star, in my opinion. The pasta is the star. And for a pasta dish, I think that's the right priority. I would be happy eating a plate of their pasta with just a drizzle of olive oil and some cracked black pepper on top. Overall, here's what I think of their food quality in a nutshell. If they plated like a high end restaurant, they could half their serving size, double their prices, and move to the North End, and they'd still do pretty well. But you know what? I'm glad they choose to be a mom'n'pop family-style restaurant that's accessible to all. This place is a gem. read more

absolutely excellent for years and years, even with the transition to new ownership, they have not missed a beat!

I'm not a local and have been going to this place for a few years while staying out of town. It's been great until tonight. Walked in the door at 8:02pm and they rejected me because they "close at 8pm for winter hours". There were at least 20 people sitting and eating. I was solo. Sorry Paul but you just lost a great customer. read more

We love a good trip to Rhode Island and on the way home we always spend the night at my Mother in law's in Uncasville. Recently someone told me about Paul's Pasta and we've been dying for some good, fresh pasta and after seeing the reviews we knew we had to go. We took the 13 minute drive after hitting the beach all day and we were not disappointed!! We went around 8pm, and with 3 people in our party we were told it was a 45 minute wait (which we expected.) waiting for good quality food doesn't bother us, if anything, it's a good sign. Surprisingly after about 20 minutes of walking around the area, looking at the water, we got a text saying our table was ready. We were lucky enough to be sat outside on the deck with the beautiful view of the water (and even caught a firework show!) The menu is short and sweet, and will appeal to everyone in your group without being overwhelmed with options. Our waitress was quick, efficient and very friendly. They take their small and large portions very seriously, so if you're looking for some serious leftovers go large! We got the breaded chicken Alfredo, that was well seasoned and cooked perfectly. The Chicken Diablo which I think after everyone tasted was the table's favorite dish, and (not pictured) Lobster Ravioli which was incredibly fresh and perfectly cooked. We also shared a Tuscan Bean dip that was perfectly balanced with flavor and texture and something we've talked about since. Needless to say, we will be back with every beach trip in the future. read more

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The food was delicious for a reasonable price. It was also well portioned. It was a very hole in the wall place. It has both outdoor and indoor seating. Service was relatively fast. read more

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Came here for the first time on 2/14/25. Tried to order some food around 5ish, but it was mobbed so we were told that our order wouldn't be ready until 755pm. This place appears to be beloved by locals here in this area and it's a mom and pop type of establishment. I am not sure I see its value from my visit here. Got a small Chicken Parm, small Buffalo Chicken Mac, Small Carbonara, some garlic bread, and cheese cake. First for the average: the Chicken Parm was bland, flavorless, and boring--very disappointing. The Chicken Mac my friend raved about was also, very boring and flavorless. The Carbonara on the other hand was creamy, and delicious, the bread was also average at best. The best thing about this visit, seemed to be the cheesecake which was absolutely phenomenal. I am not sure if there is a difference between the dine in experience vs. take out but nothing about this place stood out for me as a must return to, avg at best with bland food so picture me not impressed. read more