al42 by Pasta Chef rione Monti

We had an amazing experience at AL42. The food was absolutely incredible, every dish was full of flavor and prepared with such care. Chef Leopoldo Frigerio truly brings something special to the table with his creativity and respect for Italian tradition. The service was just as outstanding. Massimo (I hope I got the name right), "the great" our host, was exceptional. He was warm, attentive, and made us feel truly welcomed from the moment we arrived. Honestly, this was one of the best food experiences I had in Rome. I would 100% recommend this place. Whatever you order, you can be sure it will be delicious.

We were ready to get in just over an hour before they opened to ensure we had a place, the queue can develope quite quickly. The host is exceptionally good and very funny, he makes the atmosphere very friendly and entertaining. The food is delicious, we had capresse, vegetarian lasagne and caprese cakes. All cooked to perfection and brought out very quickly. The capresse was fantastic, it is incredible how much flavour a simple salad can have and the mozzarella was exceptional. The vegetarian lasagne was cooked so well, a slight crispy top and perfectly cooked throughout. The sauce on the lasagne was exceptional and it was definitely the best lasagna I have had. The caprese cake was delicious, just the right level of chocolate with some cream on the side. Masterfully made food, I couldn't recommend it more. But make sure you get there early.

Beautiful and cosy restaurant with an amazing host, who helped us decide on what to order and the food was just divine! We loved the fresh truffle pasta and the sea bass dish. The street where it is located is also very pretty and makes for a great stroll in the evening.

We were passing by in the Monti area, saw this restaurant (and it's queue) and decided to try it out. Well worth a short wait - it has its own process, when you are called in the menu on the wall is explained, you make your selection and pay, and then you're shown to a table/high-top to wait until you're called to pick up your order. My Pappardelle with Ragu was somewhat life-changing, the freshest most delicate pasta I've had, coated with a meat sauce (not tomatoey). I inhaled the pasta, it was that good. Recommended.

We shared 3 pastas across 2 people and finished everything! Best carbonara of the entire trip (and we had a few) but my favorite was definitely the pomodoro basilico - I still think about it! The only downside is they don’t have a bathroom at all not even to wash your hands, they just have hand sanitizer, which I think is absolutely necessary for any dining establishment even if it not a big restaurant. Everyone was very friendly, the line is long but it moves.

Absolutely loved this place! The service was excellent, very friendly and attentive from the moment we walked in. They actually take the time to explain the whole menu before you even sit down, which makes the experience really personal. The menu is short, but that’s a good thing—it makes it easy to choose, and every dish feels carefully made. I tried the carbonara and it was so delicious—creamy, salty , and it was perfect . You can really taste the quality and freshness of the ingredients. The restaurant itself is quite small, but honestly, that doesn’t matter once you taste the food. It has a cozy atmosphere that makes the whole experience even better. Truly one of Rome’s hidden gems — a place you’re delighted to discover. Highly recommended if you love authentic pasta and warm hospitality! 🍝✨

If you are in Rome and craving truly unforgettable pasta, al42 is an absolute must. The flavors are out of this world — the pasta is fresh, perfectly cooked, and crafted with a balance of simplicity and richness that only Italians can achieve. Every bite feels like a celebration of Roman culinary tradition. Be prepared, though: the place is small and popular, which means the wait can be long. But honestly, the experience is worth every minute of anticipation. The atmosphere outside is lively and filled with excitement as people wait for their turn to enjoy the food. What makes al42 even more special is the hospitality. The staff treat you like friends rather than just guests, and there’s one kind gentleman in particular — a true polyglot who spoke six languages — who helped seat people with such grace and warmth. Watching him move effortlessly between languages to make every guest feel welcome was inspiring and made the experience even more memorable. al42 is more than just a restaurant — it’s a slice of authentic Roman life, with incredible food and even more incredible people. Highly recommend!

We had 2 meals here after discovering this gem on our second to last night in Rome. We tried 4 dishes but everything looked fantastic. Definitely give the ravioli and lasagna a try!