Unexpectedly Excellent Plates of Pasta in Seattle

Try these winners in some surprising places

by Dylan Joffe Apr 13, 2017, 11:42am PDT

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Squid ink pasta.

| Mangia Me/Yelp

by Dylan Joffe Apr 13, 2017, 11:42am PDT

Seattle may feel far from Italy, but when it comes to pasta, this city can hang, what with the likes of Il Corvo and its legendary short-list of fresh noodles, or Italian icon Spinasse with its famed tajarin, those egg yolk-colored noodles in a delicate butter-and-sage sauce. For all the top options, check out Eater Seattle's guide to essential pasta places.

There are unsung plates of pasta in this fair city, too, though, many of them flying under the radar in places you'd least expect: a German establishment serving traditional stuffed pastas alongside its brilliant brats; a food truck slinging some of Seattle's most satisfying spaghetti; the Vietnamese place with an classic combo of clams, wine, butter, Asian-inflected. Who knows? You may yet find a few pleasant surprises here.

Note: Map points are ordered geographically and are not ranked by preference. What's your secret pasta dish? Show it some love in the comments, send Eater an email about it, or start a forum thread in its honor.

Altstadt

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Who knew the Germans made such delicious stuffed pastas? Meet Maultaschen, ravioli’s bigsibling. While the flavors do change frequently, an example of how Altstadt serves these pillowy pockets is stuffed with braised lamb and accompanied by pea and lamb sauce, spinach egg custard, and pea tendrils. Pair with a seasonal Fassbier (draft) and say gute Nacht.

209 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104

(206) 602-6442

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Stateside

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French-Vietnamese fusion comes together with an Asian-influenced sauce of Shaoxing wine and Maggi butter atop succulent little clams and wheat noodles. Don’t forget a glass of Taittinger Champagne to go along with it; Stateside is one of the only joints in town that has a glass of the methode traditionnelle for a reasonable price.

300 E Pike St, Seattle, WA 98122

(206) 557-7273

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Mangia Me

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You might be skeptical of homemade pasta pulled from the back of a truck, but this business-on-wheels is associated with Green Lake favorite Perche' No Pasta and Vino, and its high mobility doesn't seem to do the lasagna and spaghetti any harm. Check the website for the truck's latest parking spot and get some goods.

300 Terry Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

(425) 610-9561

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Dueminuti

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A fast-casual eatery touting the science and nutrition of its pasta? You're right to raise an eyebrow. But this new health-conscious restaurant, likely to be a chain in the future, makes food you'll want to eat even on a cheat day. The oxtail and ossobucco ragout is a standout sauce on any noodle shape.

412 Broadway E, Seattle, WA 98102

(206) 397-4375

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Bottlehouse

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If you’ve never been to this house-cum-bottleshop, drop whatever you’re doing. Known more for its curated wines, cheeses, and meats, Bottlehouse surprises with one of the greatest plates of mac and cheese in the city. Served in a personal cast iron, this bubbly orecchiette is worth any commute.

1416 34th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122

(206) 708-7164

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Cafe Flora

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It's a tough gig, sticking to the strict vegetarian and vegan lifestyle, but Cafe Flora has been making it a little easier on diners since day one. Flora's food is inventive, and constantly changing to cater toward fresh, seasonal products. A wintery rendition of spaetzle with roasted celeriac, spinach, pear, smokey Rogue Creamery bleu cheese, and walnuts is a shining example of the consistent pasta knockouts that the kitchen produces.

2901 E Madison St, Seattle, WA 98112

(206) 325-9100

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Westward

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A few outstanding options for seafood-less pasta grace the menu here, a bit of a surprise given the restaurant's fishy focus and lakeside location. The pork sugo with black pepper orecchiette and an egg may now be Seattle's preferred way to brunch, and the vegetarian black pepper gemelli for dinner is just as good.

2501 N Northlake Way, Seattle, WA 98103

(206) 552-8215

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Eve

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The menu here might be incredibly friendly to dietary restrictions, but that doesn't mean it cuts out flavor. The dish not to miss? The spicy crab noodles, with giant pieces of Dungeness crab and kicking heat.