The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House
Italian restaurant · Traverse City ·

The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House

Italian restaurant · Traverse City ·

Pasta, pizza & salads in brick-lined space; great calamari

homemade pasta
fresh pasta
bolognese
caesar salad
reservations recommended
small space
friendly staff
great service
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House by null

Information

136 E Front St, Traverse City, MI 49684 Get directions

$20–30

See Menu
Usually a wait
Restroom
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Dinner reservations recommended

Information

Static Map

136 E Front St, Traverse City, MI 49684 Get directions

+1 231 943 1178
flyingnoodletc.com
@flyingnoodletc

$20–30 · Menu

Features

•Usually a wait
•Restroom
•Accepts reservations
•Popular for lunch
•Popular for dinner
•Dinner reservations recommended
•Cozy
•Trendy

Last updated

Jan 14, 2026

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Despite COVID-19, Northern Michigan Restaurants Broke Records During Summer 2020 | Eater Detroit

"The Flying Noodle, a new Italian noodle shop opened by Adrienne Brunette during the pandemic, benefited from Front Street’s outdoor seating expansion when the city closed the road, gaining additional seats that helped offset indoor capacity losses." - Stacey Brugeman

https://detroit.eater.com/21451446/restaurants-northern-michigan-upper-peninsula-covid-19-summer-2020-pandemic-tourism
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House

jaimie H.

Google
The food was good. I would go back for the apple brie appetizer alone! My spouse loved the bolognese. I liked the alfredo sauce, but wish my chicken was a bit thicker. Overall, a great atmosphere! We had excellent service by Jake. We will be back. Reservations are a must.

Kimmy A.

Google
Absolutely love this restaurant! It is our favorite in all of Traverse City - truly the best Italian you can find anywhere! It is one of our go to spots (we go all the time). We went there tonight to celebrate my mom’s birthday and Armani made it truly such a special and memorable evening that we will always remember and cherish as a family. Miyoshi is also simply amazing!! If you want the best Italian and best service you truly cannot find anywhere better than The Flying Noodle. Everything we have ever ordered here is spectacular and they are truly doing everything right. We love their classic marinara, cheese bread, and meatballs just to name a few things (their sauce is seriously legendary)! So much love for this little restaurant and their entire team that goes above and beyond each and every visit to create the best experiences!

Corbin D.

Google
Words cannot describe how wonderful the food is here! The caesar salad is simply the best you will ever have…the lemon takes it to the next level. And don’t even get me started on the cheese garlic bread! These folks are culinary experts! Their seasonal menu items are also incredible. This time, the french onion pasta blew me away. So cozy and flavorful. The restaurant is also incredibly spotless! But perhaps even more impressive is the service. We always love seeing Armani, April, and now Miyoshi. She was the best, even surprising us with a little sampler bowl of a dish I was debating on getting instead of the french onion! Thank you, noodle crew, we’ll be back again and again.

Cathy D.

Google
FOUR TIMES I tried to get a seat here. Never made a reservation, just walked in hoping they had a spot. Nope. FINALLY a place for two at the bar! We'll take it!!! I am so glad we did! The food here is PHENOMENAL! True confession here, Im not a big eater and ordered the chicken Caesar. It was DELICIOUS, the chicken was moist, done to perfection, the lettuce was pieced the right size, the croutons were heavenly and the dressing divine. My husband had the short rib pasta with an addition of mushrooms. Yes! Order the mushrooms! I am not a huge pasta fan but I probably would have tried to eat the ENTIRE dish! The people next to us ordered the garlic cheese bread and I was so very envious, next time we are definitely ordering that too! As for cocktails they have a nice variety and my husband loved the marmalade Manhattan type of drink. So much so he had two. I am NOT a bourbon drinker but this was very tasty! Since our meal was so good we decided to "force" ourselves to share the cheesecake. Cheesecake? Really? This was more like heavenly vanilla silk. UNFREAKINGBELIEVABLE. Dont make the mistake thinking this is just another pasta place, and dont make the mistake of not making reservations.

Stephanie J.

Google
Had reservations for an early dinner (4:30p) as we had plans in town at 6p. We were celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary and love Flying Noodle. My favorite cocktail in town is served here (Smooth Sailing). Normally we sit at the bar and simply walk-in, but we opted for a table this time. Hubby had the clams and I chose a shrimp caesar salad. We shared the burrata. How nice to have more crostini than cheese for once! Our waiter was fantastic. Service was almost too fast as we were done by 5:05p. Keep up the great work! We recommend this place frequently to friends.

Courtney S.

Google
Tried making a reservation a week or so in advance and they said they could only take us at 4:30 and they wouldn’t take walk ins. I told them we were celebrating our daughter’s birthday. On the phone and when we got there they didn’t care. The group in front of us was a walk in and they told them they could be put down for a table in a hour. So that was confusing to me. We got sat right away but our server was terrible. Little to no attention. Lack of refills and no care of it being our daughter’s birthday. The place was extremely overcrowded and loud. The food absolutely sucked. I got the green pasta and it lacked flavor. The kids meals were a whole joke. Chips with pasta?? Chips for kids? The options were very limited and the pasta type was not kid friendly. Also picked this place because the menu said house made pasta and it was very much not homemade pasta at all. It was a huge disappointment and waste of money with the lack of quality of food.

Kayla F.

Google
As a first time patron in Traverse city, I had a great experience at the flying noodle! We got to the restaurant right at 4 when they opened and were seated right away. I ordered the marinara with chicken and it did not disappoint! The portion size was perfect and the noodles were cooked perfectly. Our waiter was kind and attentive. The other guests I was with thoroughly enjoyed their meals as well. I would recommend this place to anyone visiting Traverse City!

Rosa J.

Google
This was our third time coming, and it was just as good as the last. Will always come back! Pictured: Garlic dots, caesar salad, french onion pasta with crispy chicken, and pesto pasta with crispy chicken.
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Darla L.

Yelp
"What's that smell?" we heard the patrons say, as we walked by en route to our table for two. While I hope they were commenting on the wonderful smell of pasta, pesto, and marinara, I suspect their remarks were based on the distinct aroma of us, two unwashed rustic campers who wandered over to Traverse City from the DH Day Campground. We ignored them and ordered drinks and pasta with pesto sauce. Mine was gluten-free pasta with mushrooms and pesto. His was regular pasta with chicken and pesto. We wolfed it all down in no time at all, since we were over-exercised and underfed. It was freaking fantastic. We'll be back, but we promise we'll bathe before visiting again. Sincerely, The Elderly Yelp Savant and Her Elderly Man
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Gabi S.

Yelp
This place had such fresh and amazing tasting pasta! Me and my girlfriends were on a weekend trip in traverse city and were starving for some lunch. The wait was about 25 min so not too bad and we did sit at the bar. The restaurant seemed pretty small/ intimate. The waiter at the bar was very nice and informative and I would for sure go back! The only reason I'm giving it a 4/5 is because there was a hair in our calamari and I'm sure they would have made us a new one if we said something but we were too hungry to wait
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Coleen S.

Yelp
PUBLIC WARNING: Allergy Safety Ignored by Management If you or someone you love has a food allergy, do not eat here. My daughter has a life-threatening nut allergy. We ordered and politely asked the waitress - who was also the manager - to confirm with the chef. She rolled her eyes, acted irritated, and treated a basic safety check like an inconvenience. When I explained it was for my daughter's safety, not her ego, she doubled down with attitude instead of professionalism. No empathy. No reassurance. Just ego and defensiveness. My daughter left the table in tears, and we left without eating. A manager who reacts this way to a life-or-death allergy is not just unprofessional, she is a danger to the public. If this is her idea of "managing," she has no business leading a restaurant or working in one.
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Erin P.

Yelp
What a great place! I ate here during ladies night with some friends and we all loved our meals. I am dairy-free and ordered the muffaletta and the chop salad. I wish I took a picture because it looked and tasted delicious, but I was too excited to eat! I also ordered the house red wine and it was great! The ambiance was nice and the staff were incredibly friendly. We will be back!!
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Fatima N.

Yelp
My friend and I stopped by for a quick dinner while in Traverse City. I can't recommend this restaurant enough. They had something on the menu for everyone's taste and it was quick and delicious. The pizza was perfectly crispy and and doughy. The pasta was perfectly cooked and flavorful. We did not have a reservation but they were able to accommodate us at the bar daily quickly. Would recommend if you find yourself up north!
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Mark M.

Yelp
Booked a res for 1 on Halloween night from friends recks. It was super busy but I was quickly seated by the kind hostess. Miyoshi was an awesome server and helped me out with what to try. We ended up with the Caesar salad and the braised beef. The Caesar was crispy and crunchy with a great Caesar dressing. Each bite kept getting better and better! Now onto the Braised beef pasta. The noodles are housemade and were the perfect al dente. Nice spice of the giardinera to complement the hearty short rib. I also ordered the housemade lemonade that was the perfect balance between sweet and tart. Book it!
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Amy W.

Yelp
I came across this restaurant while looking for somewhere new to try. The reviews were great and the food look delicious. The location is convenient and there is plenty of street parking. This is a charming spot. Very small. It has a minimalistic style. I definitely recommend reservations. There are only about 7 tables total and probably 10 spots at the bar. I headed to the bar and had a seat. My bartender (I levieve his name was Josh) was fabulous. Very helpful and personable. I ordered a glass of wine and chicken fettuccine alfredo. The service was very quick. Almost too quick lol. The chicken was lightly breaded and perfectly cooked. The pasta was super tender. I enjoyed my time there and would absolutely come back.
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Kristy Y.

Yelp
Must go! Food and drinks are delicious. We got seated right away but that might have been luck bc they were busy. There is outside and indoor seating. We started with the garlic knots and they came with a marinara sauce. Great shareable but I could have eating the whole plate myself. That good. The cocktails were pretty and so so good. We all got different cocktails and no complaints. Dinner we had people get carbonara, clams, and Italian sausage. All were five star. When you get the plate looks like small portion but really was perfect and wasn't too stuffed afterwards.
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Ben S.

Yelp
Great ambiance, and the staff is friendly, though you can tell they're a bit overworked. The Caesar here is absolutely amazing. The lettuce is cut into perfect, evenly sized pieces, making every bite smooth and balanced. The croutons are basically seasoned breadcrumbs, giving you crunch and flavor in every bite instead of giant chunks. The crispy chicken is insanely good, and I would recommend it over regular grilled chicken. The lemon is fresh and hits exactly right without overpowering anything. Overall, one of the best Caesars in TC. My main Critique of this restaurant is the cost and portion size. There's not much you can do about the cost, as everything in Traverse City comes at a premium, but $18+tax+tip for a salad that only fills me up about halfway is a little unfortunate considering the quality of flavor. Overall, a great place to eat!
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Linda I.

Yelp
Insanely good pasta in cute digs! Walked in for lunch and was immediately charmed by the smaller dine in space and open kitchen. For two, split a Caesar salad and two of their pastas. Each new bite really surprised me and blew me away! The Caesar salad is a lighter brighter version, punctuated by fresh lemon and a creamy, milder dressing. The grated parm and crumbled croutons, plus dash of green onion, rounded out the flavor and I liked the pretty uniform texture throughout. The pastas though!!!! Got a fettuccini with littleneck clams, white wine, butter, shallot, lemon, herbs. Honestly paired with the salad well with the lemon continuity. But wow this had great depth of flavor. Felt SO summery and seafood-y and delish! Then the Italian sausage, malfadine, heirloom tomato (blended into the sauce), sweety drop peppers, pecorino, basil pasta was insane too!! A PUNCH of flavor, and loved the sour/acid in this one (from the peppers?). Really, really special. The actual pasta in both dishes too were so good - fresh, chewy, bouncy, and I liked that I got to try two pasta types. 10/10 recommend, would absolutely come back here.
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Julianna G.

Yelp
This was place was so good I think I died and ascended while eating my pasta. SUPER tiny in there so def get on the list early (and in person) and then you can spend the time while you wait walking up and down Front street. Sat at the bar high tops and wasn't jazzed at first, but our server kept my water filled so no complaints. I am of the belief that they really shouldn't sit anyone at the table by the door where everyone lines up to get on the list - that's lowkey evil
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Kayla F.

Yelp
As a first time patron in Traverse city, I had a great experience at the flying noodle! We got to the restaurant right at 4 when they opened and were seated right away. I ordered the marinara with chicken and it did not disappoint! The portion size was perfect and the noodles were cooked perfectly. Our waiter was kind and attentive. The atmosphere was cozy with a homey feel. The other guests I was with thoroughly enjoyed their meals as well. I would recommend this place to anyone visiting Traverse City!
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Johnfavour N.

Yelp
I had the most amazing takeout pasta from Flying Noodle during my visit in Traverse City! I had the Alfredo with shrimp and pesto with broccolini. The mafaldine pasta was a fun shape that was cooked perfect al dente and held the sauce well. The alfredo sauce was thick and flavorful, you can really taste the garlic. The pesto was delicious and I loved the broccolini option. I liked that there were large chunks of pine nuts in the pesto sauce. We called in advance to place our order, and it was peak dinner time so it took about 30 minutes to prepare. There's plenty of street parking which made for easy pickup. It seemed packed inside but you can make reservations up to a month in advance. I can't wait to come back!
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Susan M.

Yelp
Garlic dots, garlic dots, garlic dots. Staff as always was wonderful and food as always was perfectly seasoned to bring out the best of each ingredient. The garlic dots are wonderful... get your own Don't share they are that yummy!
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Melanie T.

Yelp
Their pasta was so good that my partner and I considered going there again the next day!! We were only visiting Traverse City for a few days but we kept wanting to go back. When we first arrived in Traverse City on our road trip we were craving pasta and called in for a to go order, so we could take it to our Airbnb and enjoy. I was surprised that on a Wednesday evening around 8pm, they were packed! When I called, they said the order would take around 20-30 minutes which was accurate. When I walked in to pick it up, there were people waiting outside and inside to dine in because it was so busy. So definitely make a reservation if you want to dine in! And once we had the food, I totally get it!! Maybe the best pasta I've had....ever?!? The highlight was the Alfredo with shrimp. I loved that they use mafaldine pasta which has lots of ridges that really holds the sauce well so that it's perfectly coated. It was also bouncy and slightly al dente. The Alfredo was a great consistency (not too thick or thin) and tasted amazing. Best Alfredo I have ever had! I also really liked the Pesto with Broccolini! It was both light and refreshing as a sauce. The garganelli pasta noodle was a fun shape and complimented the pesto sauce well. I loved that the whole pine nuts added textural variety to the dish and made it even more fun to eat. The Broccolini was also tasty and complimented the pasta very well. 10/10 would order/come again! Next time I'm in Traverse City, you will find me here.
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Karmen F.

Yelp
Happy to report that all the great reviews aren't just hype! I am glad we chose to have our last dinner of the trip at Flying Noodle. It didn't disappoint and I wish I could eat this pasta dish all over again! Walking up there appeared to be quite a wait but we had our hearts set on this place for dinner and were willing to wait. The hostess said it would be about 25 minutes or so and we said we were happy to wait. I was impressed to see the manager bussing tables and helping as much as possible to get guests seated as quickly as possible. I have a lot of respect for management who isn't above pitching in and remains kind to their staff during a rush. Our server was great, friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. All things that make for a great experience. We were seated outside as we didn't have a preference and despite the leaning table and slight drizzle, all the staff was friendly, had great suggestions and we had a great meal! I asked for a dairy free option and they were happy to accommodate. I mentioned a menu item that sounded good if possible to have something similar made dairy free and they chef had no problem creating something delicious. I would definitely visit again when in town!
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Ally R.

Yelp
Customer service here is amazing! Both the hosts and the bartender were great. The host was accommodating at arranging room for us at the bar during a busy dinner hour. The bartender (I think her name was Abby) was very patient and friendly with a member in our party who was taking time to find a wine they liked. The food was absolutely delicious and exceeded expectations. The pasta primavera and the spaghetti with meatballs were great and other members of our party enjoyed the Italian sausage dish. The portions are perfect size! Filling but you don't feel overly full. We all had clean plates! Would recommend making a reservation to guarantee a spot for dinner. You don't want to miss your opportunity to dine here.
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Madison S.

Yelp
We've been wanting to try for awhile and we finally popped in over Labor Day Weekend! It was terrific! The space was super cute, the service was great (our waiter, Armani, was very nice and attentive), and the food even better. We started with drinks: Limoncello for me, Peroni (Italian beer) for my dad, and the house white for my mom. Next, we got the fried calamari, which was delicious. It was crunchy and the bright flavors of the sauce drizzled on top tied it all together. It also had fried pepperoni pieces in it too, which we all surprisingly liked. For entrees, we got the crispy pesto chicken sandwich, which had pesto, garlic aioli, heirloom tomato, brick cheese, and sprouts on a ciabatta roll. It came with a choice of side and we opted for the chopp salad. We also split the pesto pasta with grilled chicken on top. So good!! Can't wait to go back!
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Olivia J.

Yelp
Stopped in for happy hour at the bar after walking around downtown. Super cute space - the bar is a bit small so if you have a larger group making a reservation online is probably a good idea. Service was super quick and they were very helpful. We loved all the apps we got and enjoyed their drink specials. The smooth sailing cocktail which was super light and refreshing. We have also been for dinner and enjoy all their pastas too!
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Abbie B.

Yelp
The service here was great and the meal was delicious. The restaurant is small and intimate with a great atmosphere. The wait is worth it!
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Laurie A.

Yelp
Great spot and amazing service! Pasta was perfectly cooked and my clams were tender and fresh. Waitress recommended adding shrimp and it was even better!
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Todd R.

Yelp
The pasta with meat sauce was incredible. The waiter said it would be a little spicy, and it was, but it was the perfect amount of heat. Great garlic bread as well. We sat outside, which we don't normally do, but the weather was fine and it was very nice.
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Riley D.

Yelp
We have lived in TC for a few years now and have never been able to get into the Flying Noodle because of the crowds. Well, we lucked out prior to season starting and were able to make a reservation and I have to tell you...I completely understand now. First, this place is a cozy dining setting with limited seating. Secondly, the food is so fresh and amazing I fully appreciate why there is always a wait. The staff is welcoming, attentive and helps contribute to a great dining experience. The food...some of the best Italian food we have ever had. The Flying Noodle was immediately added to our regular date night rotation of favorites in the TC area. The portions are large and the prices are fair. If you're looking for amazing Italian, you won't be disappointed.
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Abbey H.

Yelp
Unfortunately some of the most mediocre Italian food I've ever had. I really wanted to love this place but the drinks weren't great and the food was over priced.... I will give it another try and update.

Jon N.

Yelp
Great service, great food. Would definitely recommend if you're looking for a nice dinner spot in Traverse City. We got the marinara with meatballs and it was delicious. Also tried the pizza, it was smaller than I thought it would be but very good. Overall Great experience.
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Jennifer L.

Yelp
Excellent food. The service was amazing and the ambiance of The Flying Boodle was upbeat and fun. We sat at the bar in front of the window on Front St. and we each had terrific meals! Menu was fun and interesting. I had a seafood dish and my husband tried the bolognese dish. Highly recommend both and I think we tried the garlic knots fresh out of the oven. So good!
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Kerrigan Y.

Yelp
This was our second time at The Flying Noodle and we had another wonderful dinner. You must make a reservation here, but it is worth the planning. The atmosphere is causal chic, perfect for dinner after walking around downtown. The staff were very friendly and helpful, and our service was perfect. The pasta is made fresh and is very delicious. They offer interesting menu options in addition to the classics. There was not one thing we did not enjoy. They also have gluten free pasta and vegan options for anyone in your group who has special dietary needs.
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Allison D.

Yelp
Absolutely delicious. Great service. I had the carbonara and added crispy chicken. It was outstanding! We sat at the bar. It was comfortable and a great experience.
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Curt R.

Yelp
Showed up at 7:11 as a single diner. Tried to sit me at the Bar, I'm disabled and can't sit in a high chair. Although the resturant is open for another 1 hr 50 min hostess told me they had no way to seat me. It's not that busy here. Thanks.
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Tammy M.

Yelp
The food is amazing! We had the cheese bread, and it was probably some of the best we have ever had. My husband had the house chopped salad, and I had the Caesar. Both were very good. I had the bolognese and my husband had the pesto pasta. We would recommend both. Our service was also excellent.
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Heather M.

Yelp
If you want freshly made pasta brought to your table with love, the you got to go to The Flying Noodle. This place is Italian food on steroids. I loved their bolognese, spaghetti with Alfredo and marinara mixed, and of course their blueberry tiramisu. The price is worth every bite. Make sure you make a reservation since this place is quaint and fills up quick! Can't wait to go here again on February 8th with my family and my in laws from out of town!

Jeff K.

Yelp
This is our favorite place to eat in TC! The food has so much flavor! It's a cool little place and worth the wait! Jake the bartender was awesome!
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Tony L.

Yelp
The Flying Noodle - Italian Pasta House 136 E Front St, Traverse City, MI 49684 What do you call a fake noodle? An IMPASTA! The authentic homemade pasta here does not play! Everything from beginning to finish was brimming with flavor! If you are ever in Traverse City, Michigan, you definitely have to give this place a shot!! 1. MEATBALLS Marinara, ricotta, fresh herbs. fried toasted bread 13. 2. CARBONARA garganelli, asparagus, bacon, pecorino, egg yolk, cracked pepper, herbs 16. 3. 6 SLICE PERSONAL DEEP DISH PIZZA 15. 4. ALFREDO mafaldine, cream, garlic, parm 14. ADD ON with mushrooms. #Tonylameats #theflyingnoodletc #traversemichigan #pasta

Kristen M.

Yelp
Good luck getting a table here. It's like the hosts enjoy telling you that they're booked for the rest of the night, even though the restaurant promises that it "has a portion of the dining room and bar available for walk-ins." I've shown up a full four hours before closing and been told that there are no tables available for the rest of the night. This has happened to me every single time I've tried to eat here, and never with a party larger than four. I've never been so consistently turned away from a place that is somehow fully booked many hours before closing. There are also lots of other reviews here about people being rushed to end their meal quickly to give up their table for reservations? Food might be okay (still haven't managed to find out) but this place is seriously mismanaged.
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Martin W.

Yelp
I'm pretty easy to please, and I give the benefit of the doubt more often than not. However, I won't spend any money at the Flying Noodle ever again. We were there to celebrate a birthday, and the birthday girl had lots to tell about her recent trip to Tahiti. She's admittedly a slow eater, but it was my impression that the Flying Noodle was not a fast-food joint. We felt pushed to leave, and then shoved to leave. "We have this table reserved in five minutes, but take your time." I don't expect to get the bum's rush while spending a few hundred dollars at a restaurant; it was, after all, a Thursday afternoon. They had loud fans on the entire time, as the ambiance was, shall we say, industrial. The fans and other loud interference made conversation difficult. The closeness of other tables only added to the dissonance. The food was only so-so. The highly touted fresh pasta didn't make an impression--it was just spaghetti. The dessert was not worth the price. The Peroni beer was unaffected and good. If you're looking for a quick meal, this is the place for you. Personally, I will spend my money at Artisan or Pepe's, where I have never felt unwelcome.

Megan E.

Yelp
We were here almost 2 years ago and I still can't get it out of my head! We had a little date night, my first time there, and the staff was wonderful, the vibe is fantastic, and the food was UNFORGETTABLE. Hands down the best Alfredo I've had to date, and I am a pasta girly, so I am picky! It was so good I refused to finish it, just so that I could experience it again later! 10/10 DO recommend, any chance I get!

Nathan F.

Yelp
Couldn't say enough good things about this place from the inviting hostess (sorry I can't remember your name) to April at the bar and the chefs making our food. Absolutely would recommend to anyone! Thank you for the great night!

David B.

Yelp
The servers were very friendly and we received our food quickly. The kitchen is open so you can see everything that is going on in there. The Garlic Dots were really good. The primavera was good but I was a bit disappointed. The menu description said it was gnocchi in a pesto sauce with vegetables. It was mostly as advertised, except no gnocchi. Instead it was tiny pasta shells. It was good, but not what I was expecting.
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Czara V.

Yelp
This place is AMAZING!! If you're ever in TC, you have to try the Flying Noodle! You will not be disappointed. We ended up here because of all the stellar reviews and they definitely came through for us! We were visiting from out of town, and had a craving for Italian. I called and made a reservation since all the reviews said this place was tiny. Disclaimer - IT IS! But don't let that deter you because the food is phenomenal! We started with the Caesar salad, calamari, and fried Brussels sprouts. Let me just say - I'm a salad person and there isn't much you can do to a Caesar that will surprise me. But wow!!! Flying Noodle really did it! The Caesar was fresh and seemed so airy and light. Something about their dressing was so addictive - I ate the entire plate and it was huge lol The calamari was so good and a lemon garlic aioli that was to die for! My daughter - who hates garlic - love it and said it tasted like ranch dressing. She ate every last drop! And the Brussels sprouts - my husband couldn't stop raving about them! Our entrees (short rib pasta and short rib calzone) were delicious but very protein heavy. Which we probably should have assumed based off the name. Lol! But they were very tasty and the portions were sizable. We had alot to go. Our server was sweet and very friendly. Our 2 year old son kept dropping his toys and jumping on the seat, but the staff were so accommodating and understanding. This place is a gem! Will totally return if we're ever back in TC!
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Sarah S.

Yelp
Food was phenomenal!!! And Armani was an incredible bartender!! We can't wait to go back!
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Elise M.

Yelp
The place has such a great vibe, it's small but you definitely don't feel cramped. The menu is also small, but I always feel that places with small menus send out the best food and this was 100% here. Loved the golden beet app and the personal deep dish! The bolognese sauce was good but what kept the dish from being 'just ok' was the crispy parm bites on top. I sat at the bar and April was so wonderful and such a delightful server. Will definitely be back!
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Chelsea A.

Yelp
Loved my time at the Flying Noodle! Dinner out on the patio/street reminded me of my times abroad. The menu was flexible, build your own pasta or order an entree. I had Alfredo with mushrooms, the menu seemed easily made vegetarian, gluten free, or vegan. The lemon zest was the five star touch on the food for me! Our server Matt was great, the house white wine is Pinot Grigio which happens to be my favorite! At $6 a glass, this restaurant was a gem of dinner experience in Traverse City.
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Heather W.

Yelp
Tasty fresh pasta dishes, though the host/seating situation left a LOT to be desired. Descriptions by the server and menu are definitely inaccurate, which is a tad aggravating. But fresh and delicious, if you do not mind vinegary spacy sauce on things. I love spicy foods but do not think it brings on everything, as seems to be the fashion. And please learn what 'bacon' is, vs what it is you are serving and promoting. Nice (stemless) glasses of house wine, once you eventually get it 45m later. (Perhaps that's their limiting procedure...) Very, very stuffy, hot, stagnant interior.

Chloe B.

Yelp
The servers were so nice and respectful, food was delicious and affordable as well! Would definitely come again.
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Dan M.

Yelp
The food especially the bolognese is incredible! The portions are perfect and the service is spectacular! A Traverse City must! The restaurant while small but comfortable delivers a unique personal experience! Well worth the wait i(f there is one) the prices are affordable and well worth it! Thank you Flying Noodle for so many great experiences with my family at your restaurant!
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Autumn C.

Yelp
Such a cute fun place. I went here while visiting my parents, the food is amazing. I had a salad and cheese bread. The cheese bread is like a mini deep dish pizza, minus the sauce ;)! Our waitress was kind and very attentive even though the cherry festival was getting ready to start. Let me tell you it's NuTs ! Thank you for such a refreshing salad ! Great fresh ingredients as well !
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Todd A.

Yelp
First off, there was a big race in town the day after we were there, so lots of people were trying to get in to carb load(including me). A reservation was the only realistic way to get in. After eating there I understand why it's popular. The garlic dots were probably the highlight for my wife and me. We both had the bolognese and loved it. Definitely noticing a trend towards more healthy (small) portions which was ok with us. Our only downside was having to wait 15 minutes past our reservation time due to lingering guests ahead of us. While I wish it would have been a shorter wait, I do have to credit the hostess with nudging them out. We are hoping to return to try some other items.
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Maria B.

Yelp
From the start, our server was exceptionally friendly. We ordered the calamari which I forgot to take a picture of. They were very well seasoned with a great crispy crust but still very tender. Cooked perfectly. For our entrees, we ordered an Italian chop side salad, white bean hummus and pasta bolognese. These were all good but I can't say amazing. Overall a solid restaurant

L M.

Yelp
Went here for the first time with some friends during Friday Night Live. It was a busy time, and when we walked up to the hostess (who we found out later was the general manager), Miyoshi was very pleasant and professional. From the moment we walked in, we could tell she knew the business. She was up front about a large party coming in, and the time she quoted us was spot on for dining at the bar. The bartender, Jake, was also very kind and attentive! Met the owner, her family, and her mom. They were all such down to earth people and so much fun to chat with! Excellent service, food was delicious. Loved the gluten free bolognese!