Pasta is always a simple dish, but one that comes in a multitude of varieties. Whether your preference is lasagne, gnocchi, ravioli, linguini or penne, pasta is the ultimate comfort food. Filling and flavourful, pasta is a great dish year round and Edmonton has some amazing Italian pasta places to suit your palate. [Photo credit: iStock.com/AlexPro9500]
So popular that you have to make reservations at least three weeks in advance or chance it with a last minute pop-in, Corso 32 is widely lauded as the source of Edmonton’s best pasta. A small, cozy room with stellar service and authentic, fresh Italian pastas, Corso 32 serves simple handmade pastas packed with flavour. Try the tonnarelli or cavatelli for a promising pasta experience. Chef Daniel Costa also owns Bar Bricco, next door to Corso 32, and he’s created an app called Tavola for Italian recipes with suggested music and wine pairings.
Tucked away in Oliver Square, Cibo Bistro is just as good as Corso 32 but an easier place to get a table. Quality, affordable Italian, Cibo also makes their fresh pastas by hand daily and has spectacular seasonal menus that take advantage of fresh, local ingredients. Servings are perfectly sized and flawlessly delivered with exceptional service. Presentation is lovely, and they know how to do pasta with an optimal sauce to pasta ratio. Try the daily special (always amazing), the tagliatelle or the gnocchi.
An Edmonton mainstay on the pasta scene for the last 20 years, SPK does southern Italian cuisine in a large romantically lit room. SPK offers a wide selection of pasta dishes in large portions (you can always take leftovers home for lunch the next day) and does a really good Bolognese. Try the tagliatelle Bolognese or the penne arrabiata for winning pasta dishes.
Located across from the historic LeMarchand Mansion, Il Pasticcio is known for its home-style pastas and festive Italian atmosphere. Servings are hearty and large, created with sauces made from scratch and fresh cheeses. My personal favourite is the Pasticcio, which is five different pastas in gigi sauce – I love all the textures! Fan favourites include the lobster tagliatelle and the carbonara.
A quaint family-owned bistro, Café Amore specializes in seafood and has a fresh lobster tank in restaurant so you can pick your own lobster. A popular local spot, you’ll want to make a reservation about a week or two in advance to secure a table. Dishes are reasonably priced and generously portioned. Try the truffle or sweet curry pastas for uniquely delicious dishes.
Situated in a 1913 mansion in High Street (off 124 Street and 102 Avenue), Violino has a straight up, authentically Italian atmosphere with its dark woods, large windows and wood-fired oven. Violino also has private rooms for intimate dinners and offers set menus for these events. A romantic, upscale Italian restaurant, you may want to dress up to eat here. Favoured items to try include the fettucini tavolino and the strato lasagna.
An Italian family-owned restaurant, the Tasty Tomato has been serving fresh, authentic Italian in Edmonton for more than 20 years. Relished for their home-style pastas, the rotini tre formaggi is an incredible Italian mac and cheese and the spicy linguini pescadore is raved about.
A west end Italian staple, Piccolino’s is always busy (a good sign for good Italian). Since it’s a busy, small room, be sure to make reservations, but you can also call and order take out. They have great pizza, but for pasta, the gnocchi al forno and the pescatore are hits.
Highly praised for their pizza and pasta, Ragazzi is another Italian family-owned gem in the Bonnydoon neighbourhood. While the exterior is a bit sketchy, the friendly service inside makes up for it. The linguine alle vongole and the ravioli al pomodoro are favoured pasta selections.
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