There is nothing like sitting down to a dinner of homemade pasta. The hand-mixed dough formed into myriad shapes and sizes, each variation grabbing the sauce in a specific way, makes it a versatile dish with plenty of possibilities. Head out on an adventure to one of the dreamy Italian restaurants of Pittsburgh to get a taste of how innovative these chefs can be with handmade dough. Whether you opt for cheese-filled, long or short, squares or tubes, spirals or shells, you’re sure to leave saying “Bravo!”
DiAnoia’s Eatery
Sit down in this cozy neighborhood restaurant for a meal that brings Italy to Pittsburgh. Everything at DiAnoia’s is made with freshness and health in mind so not only can you find handmade Gnocchi Sorrentina, but, it comes in a bread bowl that’s baked in-house.
Fish nor Fowl
Manicotti, mafaldine, and fusilli, oh my! If there’s a specific pasta type you’re looking for, Fish nor Fowl probably showcases it. Plus, each dish features savory protein additions like wild mushrooms, spicy crab, or pork sogu.
Piccolo Forno
What started as a home for Italian baker Antonio Branduzzi has turned into a Tuscan daydream. Piccolo Forno specializes in authentic, homemade dishes each with different flavor profiles. Try something a little spicy by ordering their Spaghetti with shrimp and crab tossed in a spicy calabrian pepper compound butter. Or, order the Ravioli filled with spinach and drizzled with a lemon and sage compound butter.
Dish Osteria
Dish is a place to gather at the table with friends and family for flowing conversation and delicious food. Their housemade pasta comes in many different forms — from the always-loved Spaghetti ai Frutti di Mare to long, wide-noodled Pappardelle ai Funghi. The common denominator: you are guaranteed to taste something authentic and wonderful.
Girasole
Dine in the rustic atmosphere of an Italian wine cellar with live musical entertainment at Girasole. Try authentic Italian dishes like their Linguine Rustiche which has a delicious combo of littleneck clams and baby spinach. Between the menu, the dining room, and the host-owner’s courtly Old World manner, it’s the perfect blend of tradition and modernity.
Vallozzi
Gnocchi is the first pasta that Helen Vallozzi made in her basement all the way back in 1955. Over 50 years later, served with sausage ragout and broccoli rabe, it’s still one of the restaurant’s top dishes . But don’t worry, if gnocchi isn’t your thing there are plenty of pasta varieties to choose from.
Zarra’s Restaurant
Dedicated to Zarra’s Southern Italy family heritage, this restaurant may introduce you to a few Italian dishes you’ve never tried before. Dig into pasta recipes passed down from generations like Judy’s Homemade Ricotta Noodles, Linguine di Contosta, and Ravioli di Filomena. Can’t decide what to get? Order Zarra’s Sampler featuring lasagna, eggplant romano, sautéed spinach, meatballs, and sausage.
Alla Famiglia
At Alla Famiglia, you feel at home the second you walk through the door. This restaurant focuses on traditional Italian dishes using cherished techniques and correct ingredients. Their Zucca Melanzana or Pear and Gorgonzola Sacchetti are just two of their handmade pasta dishes.
Iron Born Pizza
You probably know Iron Born for their delicious pizzas but they actually make their own pasta as well. Bite into a dish of homemade rigatoni and a meat bolognese sauce. Or, if you’re not a red sauce fan, take a leap with their Orecchiette Pesto Cream. It features their house-made orecchiette with a smooth pesto sauce thanks to the addition of cream.
Senti Restaurant
This crisply modern dining room brings together authentic Italian food and traditional European service in one space. Creativity is essential for Senti, with walls covered in original artwork and a clever menu to match. Among our favorites: a martini from the bar followed by Ravioli di Zucca, which combine butternut squash, ricotta, and brown butter sage sauce.
Forma Pasta
If you’ve ever been curious about the making of pasta, grab a bite to eat at Forma Pasta to learn the process from start to finish. Take part in a pasta-making class and dine in house afterward or take their uncooked pasta to-go for your own family meal.
Il Pizzaiolo
This Italian eatery forges their processes straight from Naples, importing their other ingredients from the Italian sources as well. With so many different pasta varieties to try, it’s hard to choose between rigatoni, ravioli, gnocchi, tortelloni, cavatelli, and other types. So, we recommend getting a few different dishes for the table and taste-testing them all!
Pino’s Contemporary Italian Restaurant
Chef Pino takes his cooking seriously so he uses his own pasta maker for batches of fresh, vegan pasta. You’ll find dishes anyone can enjoy like a classic Tomato Basil Sauce or Bolognese. But if you’d like to be a little more adventurous you can give their Clam Sauce a try.
Della Terra
Fiore and Michelle Moletz renovated a lovely old bank building on Zelienople’s bustling Main Street. Inside, a pizza oven turns out authentic pizza, while delicious housemate pasta flows uninterrupted from the kitchen. Pick what tempts you: there’s not even a chance you won’t be delighted with what appears on your table.
Talia
The open kitchen at Talia lets to see your Ricotta Gnocchi featuring shrimp, lobster, crab, roasted red peppers, and a lobster reduction get made right before your eyes. Watch chefs spin pizza dough, pull pasta dough, and top each creation with a bit of cheese. The restaurant also has gluten-free pasta available for those with allergies.
Story by Kylie Thomas
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