Must try pasta in Liverpool

If you’re looking to experience an authentically Italian, family-run restaurant, then Cucina Di Vincenzo should be your first stop.

The Margiotta family’s Italian roots run deep, starting in 1904 when Vince, the owner’s Nonno (grandad), emigrated from Italy to Scotland. Vince and his family now reside in Liverpool, where they opened Cucina Di Vincenzo in 2016, and it has been a hit with the locals ever since.

The restaurant is known for its amazing family values, the friendly staff and of course the mouthwatering food. On the menu, you will find a wide range of authentic Italian pasta dishes, including the orecchiette Vincenzo and pappardelle ragu.

A Cucina Di Vicenzo table booking is like gold dust, so if you want to visit, make sure you book in advance. If you can’t secure a booking, you may want to venture to their second location in the Duke Street Market, where you will find Pinsa Romana. This is a pizzeria-style collaboration between Cucina Di Vincenzo and Vita Rosa, a much-loved restaurant based in Basilicata, Italy. Here, you will find little slices of pizza heaven.

Another south Liverpool Italian hotspot nestled in Rose Lane is the quaint restaurant known as L’Olivetto. This restaurant is run by husband and wife duo Kevin – the head chef – and Shoonagh De La Cruz – the hostess with the best wine recommendations.

L’Olivetto’s menu features authentic Italian dishes with a twist and all food is locally sourced from Italian-only vendors, so the food is always fresh and on point. There are plenty of options to choose from for the whole family, including the melt-in-your-mouth calamari fritto and bruschetta to start, followed by hearty bowls of linguine con polpette and the signature spaghetti alla L’Olivetto.

They also offer a children’s menu, which includes Italian classics such as spaghetti carbonara.

If you visit L’Olivetto on a Sunday, you will get treated to a delicious two-course roast, which is available from 2-7pm. This is the perfect way to cure your hangover or enjoy a day out with the whole family while enjoying dishes from one of the best Italian restaurants in Liverpool.

If you venture into Liverpool city centre looking for the best pasta, then The Italian Club is a no brainer. Located on one of Liverpool’s most famous streets – Bold Street – this restaurant is a standout favourite due to the authenticity and freshness it provides.

The Italian Club is owned by partners Maurizio Pellegrini and Rosaria Crolla, who both grew up in Italy and brought their excellent Italian taste with them when they emigrated to Scotland, then Liverpool. They own The Italian Club, The Italian Club Fish and The Italian Club Bakery, which are all equally impressive.

At The Italian Club, you will rediscover your love for pasta with dishes such as the oven-baked penne alla principessa, the fresh lobster in the agnolotti all’astice and the creamiest ravioli ricotta e spinaci. After eating any of these meals, you will walk away feeling full and extremely satisfied.

To compliment your pasta, you should sample the impressive wine list on offer at The Italian Club, or if you prefer, you could try one of the 15 types of coffee available to help you liven up after falling into a pasta coma.

A list of Liverpool’s best pasta places wouldn’t be completed without Casa Italia Pizzeria and Pastaficcio, which has been serving the best authentic Italian dishes for over 40 years. The restaurant is still owned by the same Italian-born family – the Campolucci-Bordis – who are forever friendly to Casa Italia customers.

The restaurant is situated in the centre of Beatles memorabilia, near Matthew Street and the Eleanor Rigby statue, so a wide range of customers walk through the doors, including sightseers, Beatles fans, locals and even some world-famous faces. Liverpool’s own Paul McCartney, Robbie Williams, Liam Gallagher and even Kylie Minogue have all had a hearty Italian meal at Casa Italia.

Casa, as it’s known to the locals, offers a wide range of pasta dishes to suit the whole family’s tastes, including penne, spaghetti, tagliatelle and oven-baked pasta. You can even get a bambini portion of each pasta dish for the little ones. Some of the standout pastas on the menu include the cannelloni, genovese and the sorrentina tagliatelle.

There is also an excellent selection of wine at Casa Italia, with some of the wine sourced from Barbara, which is the neighbouring village of Ostra Vetere – the Campolucci-Bordis Italian hometown. Customer favourites include Verdicchio La Vaglie and the LaCrima di morro d’alba DOC Pignocco, which are both produced by award-winning wine maker Stefano Antonucci from Barbara, Italy.