12 Italian Cafés In Providence, Rhode Island Serving Perfect Pasta
Providence’s Italian food scene is a carb-lover’s paradise hiding in plain sight. From Federal Hill to downtown, this compact Rhode Island city packs more authentic pasta per square mile than you’d ever expect.
I’ve eaten my way through countless plates of handmade pappardelle and pillowy ravioli to bring you this definitive guide to pasta perfection in the Creative Capital.
1. Massimo: Where Pasta Dreams Come True
This place makes me want to propose to a plate of bucatini. Located on Atwells Avenue, Massimo combines old-world techniques with modern flair that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance.
The house-made pappardelle with wild boar ragu haunts my dreams in the best possible way. Their pasta is rolled daily by someone who clearly made a deal with the devil to achieve such perfect texture.
Try their squid ink linguine with seafood if you’re feeling adventurous. It’s like diving into the Mediterranean without getting wet.
2. Al Forno: The Legendary Pasta Pioneers
Where were you when you first tried Al Forno’s baked pasta? I remember my initial bite like it was yesterday, a religious experience disguised as dinner.
Their signature baked pasta with five cheeses is the dish that launched a thousand imitators. Cooked at scorching temperatures in their wood-fired ovens, the pasta emerges with those crispy, caramelized edges that make you want to slap the table.
Husband and wife owners revolutionized Italian-American cuisine when they opened in 1980, and they’re still showing everyone how it’s done.
3. Camille’s Restaurant: Old-School Italian Glamour
Stepping into Camille’s feels like time-traveling to the Rat Pack era. The white tablecloths and tuxedoed waiters set the stage for pasta that’s been perfected over their century-plus existence.
Though they’ve been around since 1914, there’s nothing dusty about their lobster ravioli swimming in champagne pink sauce. The pasta sheets are so thin you could read your horoscope through them.
Frank Sinatra used to eat here when performing in Providence. Order the Linguine alle Vongole and channel your inner Chairman of the Board.
4. Pane e Vino: Pasta That Transports You To Tuscany
Are you ready for pasta that makes you speak Italian even if you don’t know the language? Pane e Vino’s intimate Federal Hill spot delivers authentic Tuscan vibes with every forkful.
Their gnocchi with wild mushrooms and truffle cream sauce is so good it should be illegal. Each potato dumpling feels like it was individually blessed by an Italian grandmother.
Grab a seat on their seasonal patio and watch the world go by as you twirl your way through their Spaghetti alla Carbonara. Made the proper Roman way with no cream, thank you very much.
5. Cassarino’s: The Federal Hill Institution
However many decades they’ve been open hasn’t dimmed Cassarino’s pasta prowess one bit. This three-story Federal Hill landmark serves old-school Italian-American classics without pretension or apology.
The Linguine Frutti di Mare arrives with enough seafood to make a fisherman jealous. Their pasta has converted countless tomato sauce purists to the creamy side.
Family-run since forever, the staff treats you like a long-lost cousin even on your first visit. Don’t skip the tableside-prepared Caesar salad before diving into your pasta feast.
6. Costantino’s Venda Bar & Ristorante: Hidden Pasta Paradise
Did you know there’s a secret pasta laboratory hiding inside what looks like an Italian market? Costantino’s dual-identity as both a gourmet shop and restaurant means they’re serious about authenticity.
Their pasta carbonara makes me want to write poetry. Perfectly al dente spaghetti coated in a silky egg sauce with crispy pancetta and freshly cracked pepper. The restaurant section feels like you’ve stumbled into someone’s stylish Italian home.
Bonus: You can buy the same imported pasta they use in the market section, though your version at home will never quite measure up.
7. Pasta Beach Providence: Coastal Italian Simplicity
Though the name sounds like a weird summer vacation spot, Pasta Beach delivers serious coastal Italian cuisine. The minimalist space lets the handmade pasta take center stage without distraction.
When their Tagliatelle al Ragù Bolognese arrives, you’ll understand why Italians protect their food traditions with such passion. The pasta is rolled so thin it practically dissolves on your tongue, leaving behind only the memory of wheat and egg.
Their wood-fired pizzas get all the Instagram love. But trust me, it’s the pasta that will haunt your dreams long after you’ve paid the check.
8. Roma Ristorante: Red Sauce Royalty
When nothing but old-school Italian-American comfort will do, Roma Ristorante delivers the classics without trying to reinvent the wheel. The dining room feels like a time capsule from 1980, and I mean that as a compliment.
Their Fettuccine Alfredo is unapologetically rich and creamy, made the way your Italian-American grandma would if she owned a restaurant. The portion sizes should come with a warning label, prepare to waddle out with tomorrow’s lunch in a doggy bag.
Family-owned for generations, they still make their own pasta daily using recipes that have survived longer than most marriages.
9. Angelo’s Civita Farnese: The People’s Pasta Palace
Hence my addiction to Angelo’s unpretentious pasta perfection. Operating since 1924, this Federal Hill institution serves pasta the way it was meant to be, simple, satisfying, and without a hint of foodie pretension.
The hand-rolled gnocchi with their signature red gravy (never ‘sauce’ here) could make a grown man weep. These little potato pillows have sustained generations of Providence families through good times and bad.
Skip the fancy wine list and go for the house red in a small glass tumbler. It’s the authentic experience that pairs perfectly with their under-$15 pasta plates.
10. The River Bistro: Riverside Pasta Perfection
Are we still in Providence? The River Bistro’s waterfront setting makes pasta-eating feel like a Mediterranean vacation, even in the heart of Rhode Island.
Their seafood linguine arrives steaming with local clams, mussels, and whatever fish was caught that morning. The pasta itself has that perfect resistance that makes you slow down and appreciate each bite.
Grab a table on their deck overlooking the water during summer months. The combination of fresh pasta, ocean breeze, and Italian wine will have you planning your actual trip to Italy before dessert arrives.
11. Double Zero: Plant-Based Pasta Revolution
Though entirely vegan, Double Zero will make you question everything you thought you knew about pasta. This plant-based paradise crafts pasta dishes so satisfying that die-hard carnivores regularly fill the sleek, modern space.
Their mushroom carbonara uses king oyster mushrooms instead of pancetta and a cashew cream sauce that somehow captures the richness of the original. The house-made pasta has that perfect chew that’s often missing from vegan alternatives.
Even Italian purists might be converted after trying their truffle cacio e pepe. It’s made with cultured cashew cheese that miraculously captures parmesan’s umami magic.
12. Anthony’s Authentic Italian: The Neighborhood Gem
When locals want real-deal pasta without the Federal Hill crowds, they head to Anthony’s. Tucked away in a residential neighborhood, this unassuming spot has been serving homestyle pasta for decades without changing a thing.
Their Sunday gravy with meatballs, sausage, and braciole over rigatoni is the stuff of legend. The pasta is always perfectly al dente, the sauce simmered for hours just like nonna used to make.
Family photos line the walls and the same server has probably been working there since before you were born. Cash only, no reservations, and absolutely worth the wait.
