Pastitalia

Elena is the best! I called her to ask what the best pasta would be for the sauce I was making that day. She not only suggested some slight revisions to my sauce, but gave me the best service when I arrived to select the pasta. She is always ready to suggest the best pairing: pasta and sauce, or fresh baked pastry and coffee! Elena conducts her business with a smile and makes you feel like you are the only customer in the world. It’s like having a little slice of Italy right in Harlem! I love the atmosphere here; the food is incredible, and the cherry on top: unparalleled customer service! A truly local experience and one to treasure!

Delicious and authentic homemade pasta and sauces. Gluten free pasta and baked goods are incredible. Best espresso in the city. Lovely Italian pasta bar for any occasion! Love having it in the neighborhood :)

We tried two dishes at this place, and the portions did not disappoint. The tomato and shrimp, along with the mussels, stood out for their delightful flavors. They have a self-serving water station. The cake and latte added a sweet note to our experience. Staff were nice and the store was clean. Will come back to try other dishes.

Top quality Italian breakfast! Croissants, bomboloni, cookies, cakes homemade ... made us feeling home ... and for a moment we felt as we were having breakfast in a cafe in Milan! The food was excellent, the pastries were so delicious and the service was extraordinary: catering on time, everything prepared with an elegant presentation, each item with its tag and ingredients. You cannot miss a coffee and croissant at PastaItalia!

Loved this place! Food was super fresh and satisfying. The owner is also super kind and welcoming! Definitely coming back again!

A truly authentic and intimate Italian locale in the neighborhood. Great homemade pastas, tasty focaccia with salad (in my opinion it’s their best kept secret), coffee and pastries. The owners are friendly and welcoming. We sometimes also buy the ready made pasta salsa (Ragu) to prepare at home. So convenient.

An authentic Italian spot in the middle of Harlem! There’s a front patio, indoor seating and a back yard. All of the offerings are hand made there. Highly recommended.

What an amazing gem in Harlem. I loved the pasta and service we got. They do a wonderful happy hour on wine and spritz drinks. I have dined in and gotten pasta to go and it has never disappointed. My only complaint is I wish they stayed open later so I could enjoy more pasta!

From the moment you step into Pastitalia, you can tell this isn't just another pasta spot--it's a labor of love. Elena and Matteo, a talented Italian couple from Elba, have poured their passion into bringing fresh, homemade Italian flavors to Harlem. Their story--from running a Tuscan restaurant to perfecting Neapolitan pizza and now crafting pasta masterpieces--shines through in every bite. One of my favorite things about Pastitalia is their pasta-and-sauce combo bar. You pick your pasta (long, short, or stuffed) and pair it with a sauce like rich Bolognese, spicy Arrabbiata, creamy quattro formaggi, or fragrant pesto. Everything's made fresh daily--using quality ingredients like Parmigiano Reggiano, EVOO, and organic tomato purée. The Fettuccine Quattro Formaggi is a dream: perfectly al dente pasta blanketed in a luscious cheese sauce with a balanced tang and richness. Don't skip the il caffé and il mercato sections--they truly round out the experience. The espresso is bold and smooth, and they offer Italian pastries that are just as delightful. Plus, you can take home fresh pasta, sauces, and pantry staples from their Mercato to recreate the magic in your own kitchen. The atmosphere is bright and welcoming, with that warm Italian hospitality infused in every interaction. Friendly staff, efficient service, and a clean, inviting space make it perfect for anything from a quick lunch to a relaxed weekend breakfast or coffee run.

Great hidden gem! Fresh pasta and salad ! Italian beer! Holds maybe 10 folks! Everything fresh and home made. Enjoy.

Nothing beats fresh pasta on a nice summer evening. Mix and match sauces with the many types of pasta they have available. Similar to their sister restaurant, Sottocasa, Pastitalia focuses on high quality ingredients and well-balanced flavors for delightfully satisfying meals. I highly recommend the mafalde. The Pasta con cozze e gamberi is delicious as well. The kids love the 4 formaggi and the pesto. You really can't go wrong with any of the sauces or pastas! The seating inside is quite sparse, so I recommend getting it to go or planning to push tables together in the back or front patios if you have a large group.

Delicious and friendly and cozy. Perfectly cooked fresh pasta, with simple yet masterful sauce. And a lot of Italian restaurants can be overpriced--this one is not. This is a place that I would come to even when not already in the neighborhood. Well worth the trip.

Food is amazing here. If you want absolutely delicious pastas that are made fresh in-house, you have to stop by here. The quality of the different noodles are excellent and worth a visit for that alone. Staff are very friendly and are quick to prepare meals. We got a norma pasta (eggplant, burrata, and noodles in a tomato sauce with Parmesan) as well as a funghi e tartufo (creamy truffle mushrooms). For the norma, we got caserecce noodles (think of them like more spiralized and thick macaroni noodles). This pasta was light, delicate, and had a great balance of sweetness along with the tartness of the tomato sauce and the nuttiness/umami of the parents on top. Excellent pasta, but I would say the eggplant part was just ok. It is really small pieces of eggplant that are hard to taste. My personal favorite was the second pasta. We got the creamy truffle mushroom pasta with linguine. Let me say that this was the best linguine texture you will have. The fresh noodles have such a good bite to them and are cooked just a little less than al dente which is a perfect texture. The sauce is bold, rich, and topped with Parmesan. All the ingredients together make an excellent umami explosion that may be too rich for some people, but it was just enough for me. I would say there are a few reason I can't give this spot 5 stars. First, everything is self serve and yet the restaurant still asks for tips going up to 25% on the point of sales system. I would be happy to give a good tip if I felt there was actually customer service involved. But you have to buy food at the counter, find a table after, get your own water, clean your own tables, and take your bowls/plates/utensils to the counter as well. Additionally, any extra condiments or other items you want also have to be retrieved yourself. Also it feels pretty cheap to use small plastic disposable cups for water instead of some type of glass. With all of that, it's hard to justify tipping on top of doing all of that yourself. Second, I feel like they could give more bread with the meal. Currently, they give 2 small pieces of bread approximately 1" x 2". It would be really nice if they could give a good chunk of an actual loaf with the meal. And last, the price does not make up for what you are getting. 2 vegetarian pastas for $50 and still leaving slightly hungry isn't great. The portions could be a little bigger, and they should adjust prices to be more in line with the quality of the service. Many pasta spots downtown that are similar concept (pay at front, sit down and get your own stuff) are $10-15 for plain/vegetarian pastas.

Food is delicious, and patio seating in both shade and sun has you feeling like you are no longer in Manhattan. The impeccable kitchen space is framed by clear glass that allows you to see the prep. Dessert unusual in taste and construction, and a fine way to end the meal beyond the usual sweet treat. My only reservation is that when I showed the woman at the counter the piece of plastic wrap I found in the short rib sauce, I had little confidence that she'd show the owner, tossing the napkin with the plastic in the trash instead of showing M who was nearby. More to note is the staff reaction, not the piece of plastic wrap.

Love the vibe here. We have patronized since they opened. My review is for 2 specific recent experiences. Of all the places in the neighborhood, I enjoy their coffee the most, and my bf raves about their pasta and pastries. I used to come all the time, but started making coffee at home more, so I only come maybe once a week. Recently though, I've come here twice, both times I ordered my usual- large coffee with half-n-half. I usually have them put it into my 16 oz. coffee mug to save cups. My issue is that both times, the new barista, who understandably doesn't know my ritual, charged me different prices. The reason I'm writing about it this time, is because the amount of coffee she poured into my mug was the equivalent of a size small. (Half of my mug). I told her I ordered a large, and she replied "we only have one size". I point to the cups and said, "I usually get a large cup. Did something change? She shrugged. I guess so. It would be helpful to post the prices so that customers know what we're paying for.

Y'all, this place is so great. Italian-owned with fresh pasta, generous portions and delightful sauces. I have had almost everything on this menu and you cannot go wrong here. The service is friendly and the prices do reflect an elevated Italian experience for the neighborhood, but they are not outrageous or un-deserved. So if you're looking for a lovely night out at a place off the beaten path, Pastitalia is a great spot for dates, conversation and feeling cozy. Go get you a big plate of lovely pasta!!

Still great, and now open for dinner (til 9pm)! Don't sleep on happy hour, from 4pm til closing, for $8 glasses of wine, Prosecco, spritzes, and more.

Recommended by a friend that frequents this restaurant. We were fortunate to find parking about a block away. It is also close to 125th st on 2 and 3 train. I say this because no matter what borough you are from, it is worth the trip. The food is prepared for each guest. If you're in a rush, don't come here or put your order in on your way. There is outdoor seating in the front or backyard, as well as inside. I ordered a pasta with pesto and salmon. The fresh basil , garlic and other seasonings were put together beautifully. A family member ordered the shrimp with a black ink pasta. It was delicious. The bottles of prosecco are about 35 bucks and was perfect with the meal. I would definitely return.

I don't understand the positive reviews of this restaurant. I ordered vegetarian lasagna with extra sauce (an additional $2.00), and it was dry and tough. Please don't waste your money.

Lovely little tucked away Italian spot. Just had an iced coffee but the service and ambiance was nice so I might come back to try more.

The service was top-notch, only surpassed by the food. The restaurant is small, but mighty. The owner and staff know their Italian food and pasta. Definitely a new neighborhood favorite.

Amazing fresh pasta in very cozy nook. They have a few nice outdoor seats with umbrellas. Pasta was very fresh and beautiful in presentation. Was a tiny bit salty for my taste but I guess that's just a carbonara for you. Server was very nice. It is European so if you get espresso it is single shot unless you say otherwise.

This is a warm, welcoming and utterly delightful and charming little restaurant that serves some of the best Italian food I have eaten. Their formula is simple: use the highest quality ingredients available, treat them with love and respect and serve with a smile. The prices are affordable because they eschew unnecessary "fancy" touches, but that just adds to the appeal and keeps things casual, simple and comfortable. Matteo and Elena are the consummate hosts. I highly recommend Pastitalia!

A cute pasta shop! I stopped in for lunch, and had the tagliatelle with the artichoke sauce. It was a touch bland for my taste, but the pasta itself was delicious and tender! It was a good portion, but a bit pricey for what I usually expect to pay for pasta. If you've been to Forma Pasta in Brooklyn, I preferred their pasta and prices to here. The interior is lovely, well-decorated, and clean, and service was quick and friendly. It's a good option for pasta in the area but be prepared to spent $25-30+ per person!

Everything was absolutely perfect. There is a cozy ambiance, moderate noise levels and don't even get me started on how good the food was. 11/10

Just happened to notice this place the other day walking down the street, and decided to go in the next day for lunch. What a nice surprise! The food was so very good and nice portions. The prices were not outrageous, for the quality and taste of the meal. The people working there were very friendly and eager to please the customer, that is something you don't see very often these days . My friend and I had a nice Friday afternoon. Thank you very much.

Pastitalia is one of my favorite little nooks in New York. Their pasta is incredible, their pastries are incredible, their espresso is incredible, and their prices are great, too. Everybody that works there is super friendly. The atmosphere, both inside and in both of their patios, is delightful. Can't recommend this place highly enough. The carbonara will blow your mind.

Very disappointed. Saw such wonderful reviews on yelp and maybe I expected too much Noodles very dry I like my noodles al Dante but not not uncooked Too much salt So many great Italian places in NYC but I'm sorry to say this place was below par

So glad to find this hidden gem around the neighborhood! Everything we got was so good! The pasta was freshly made and packed with flavors! They also sell homemade pasta and pasta sauce. The owners and servers are super nice and welcoming. The place is clean and has a front and backyard.

What a wonderful find in Harlem. Found it by chance after getting off of MetroNorth train. The food was inventive and delicious. I had lasagna, recommended by the owner. He didn't lie. It was delicious. My wife had black spaghetti with lots of shrimp. The owner also treated us to Prosecco cuz my dish took a little longer to deliver. The ambiance was welcoming and warm. Customer seemed very happy to be there. We will return.

Such a hidden gem!!! Just moved into this neighborhood, and when I went in here hearing the customers speaking Italian to the cashier I knew it was authentic. Claudia the waitress is really nice and welcoming, the owners are amazing, not to mention about the PASTA & pastries! Best I've ever had in NYC, MUST TRY! This is my go to place now :)

Es un lugar muy acogedor, la comida es muy buena y el trato es 10/10. Sin duda alguna volveré.

I love Pastitalia. Such a great neighborhood spot. The homemade pasta and paninis are amazing and the coffee is excellent. The staff are all so friendly. It's also a really cute spot with outdoor seating.

Most delicious handmade pasta and sauce. Espresso is also the best in the city. They make homemade gluten free pasta. Favorite neighborhood pasta and espresso bar with lots of gluten free and vegan pastries!

They sell fresh pasta also! The owners are so sweet and the service is so friendly! The decor and overall vibe of the restaurant is so cute, very instagrammable and bright and airy vibes !

The service here is very good. The people are very friendly and helpful. It does feel like you are in Italy there. It smells amazing inside! You smell all of the ingredients especially when you go early, and they are prepping for later. As for the food, I have been there a few times and haven't had anything really great. The pastries aren't all that and the food needs more flavor. The pasta itself was very delicious! Perfectly cooked. The bolognese sauce needed more salt and seasonings, but it was okay. I like that they have the area to adjust the food to your liking. You can add salt, pepper, etc. The food isn't overly filling. It's enough to hold you until you get home for more food or if you want to eat a bunch of dessert. The sandwiches are decent but small and expensive. I do like that they give you a side salad. For the desserts, I haven't had anything that's a must try. Some of them were just not for my taste and some of the pastries were just not as fresh tasting as I'd like. They were just out all day from the morning. Overall would I go back? Probably because I'm always in the area and hungry but maybe just get something light and maybe a tea would be all I would get. I may try more of the pastas to see if there are better ones.

Delicious gluten free pasta and lovely, sweet, staff! Also had the gf apple cake. Would love to try more dishes.

Charming ambiance with indoor and outdoor seating. Great craft coffee and delicious food. Friendly and attentive service.

Excellent, excellent, excellent. Incredibly tasty fresh pastas with a whole assortment of sauces that they can be made with. Also possible to purchase fresh pasta to bring home to cook, which we've done several times. Yummy deserts & coffee as well. Good vegetarian & gluten-free options. The team that works there is so freaking friendly & nice. They would make Mr. Roger's proud. Quiet & clean indoor & outdoor dining. Kid-friendly, too.

FRESH and TRUE ITALIAN HOMEMADE This food was so fresh. Homemade pasta just divine. The coffee was like wow and I am very particular about my coffee. The pastry so fresh, even gluten free. You can tell the ingredients are so pure. My first time ordered out to make sure I like the place. I got gluten free to try out the place. Sooo delicious. The woman who makes the pasta said if it has to do with stomach discomfort try my regular pasta because the flour is imported from Italy. I went the next day with a friend and we did not know what to order so they made suggestions for us. The food was incredible and no stomach discomfort. You can even purchase fresh raw pasta to go. I kept hearing people talk about her gnocchi. It was sold out the two times I was there. Now the ambiance is simple and just brings a smile on your face. They have indoor, outdoor front and back. Moderate pricing and you can even join a friend for coffee and pastry. Just a gem and my new meet up place.

What a great little restaurant! Incredible fresh pasta dishes. Plus panini's, croissants, pastries, amazing coffee, and even wonderful wine. Dine in or take out. Everything is very authentic Italian, as are the owners, who are delightful. We had the pasta special which was pasta with a zucchini cream sauce and shrimp. Absolutely delicious. And a warm croissant with ham & cheese which comes with a small salad. Also, delicious. The service was wonderful. Didn't leave without getting some tiny button chocolate hazelnut cookies to go. Inside and outside dining. We'll definitely be going back again and again. So happy to have this restaurant in our neighborhood!