There’s finally a hint of chill in the air, and the leaves are showing off their best colors. Thousands of runners are getting ready for the Richmond Marathon, and that means one thing: pasta season. Whether you’re running this Saturday or cheering from the sidelines with a cowbell, you’ve earned a plate of the best pasta in Richmond. There’s no better way to celebrate America’s Friendliest Marathon than with a carb-loading dinner at one of Richmond’s local pasta restaurants. Here’s where to twirl before (or after) the big day.
Bombolini Pasta | The Fan
Pasta night just got an upgrade. John and Lolita Kreckman started making fresh pasta in their garage back in 2008, and their West Main shop is still the place Richmonders go to stock their kitchens. Pick out fresh noodles in rotating shapes and flavors, from classic egg pasta to squid ink and even chocolate, then grab a jar of house-made sauce to go with it. Raviolis, lasagna, frozen meals, olive oils, and balsamic round out the shelves, so dinner is basically done. All that’s left is boiling the water.
Edo’s Squid | Near VCU and the Fan
This is the cozy, hole-in-the-wall Italian spot Richmonders have been crowding into for years. A sister restaurant to the late, legendary Mamma Zu, Edo’s keeps that same unfussy, garlic-forward spirit alive with big portions and a menu full of pasta and seafood. And yes, order the squid.
La Grotta Ristorante | Downtown
Tucked into the historic Miller & Rhoads building downtown, now home to the downtown Hilton, La Grotta serves Northern Italian cuisine in a warm, wine cellar setting, backed by a wine list that’s earned Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence.
Casa Italiana | West End
Family is the whole story at Casa Italiana. The family’s roots trace back to Carini, Sicily, and that hometown hospitality comes through in every plate.
Civita Italia | Short Pump
The newest Italian kid on the block, Civita Italia opened in GreenGate this August, with chef Kevin LaCivita (of beloved Pomegranate and The Blue Goat fame) in the kitchen. The handmade pastas include lasagna, carbonara, bolognese, shrimp fra diavolo, and salsiccia alla vodka. Bonus for non-runners: the Aperol spritz and Negroni are on tap.
Frank’s Ristorante & Pizzeria | Bon Air
Thirty-five years and still feeding the neighborhood like family. Frank and Elisabetta Carollo opened Frank’s in 1991, and today their son, chef Giuseppe Carollo, runs the kitchen. The menu sticks to comforting classics, from eggplant rollatini and chicken marsala to shrimp scampi and veal parmigiana. It’s the kind of place regulars have been coming back to for generations.
Pasta House | Mechanicsville
What started as a way to make a living has become a community gathering spot at this family-owned Mechanicsville eatery. For more than 20 years, their family has served fresh, handmade pasta, including classics like spaghetti (tossed in Hanover tomato sauce, of course) and fettuccine, as well as house favorites including seafood cannelloni.
Gersi | The Fan
Husband-and-wife team Gersi Memaga and Susannah Proctor opened the original Gersi in New York, then brought it to Proctor’s hometown of Richmond in 2019. The menu leans northern Italian, with house-made pastas and sauces in a cozy, bustling room that feels straight out of the city.
Dinamo | Near VCU
Another branch of the Mamma Zu family tree, Dinamo is small, warm, and seriously good. The pasta-driven menu runs from squid ink pasta to a classic bolognese, and the compact dining room lets you watch the kitchen do its thing.
8 1/2 | The Fan
The Fan’s go-to for Italian takeout. 8 1/2 comes from the same family as Edo’s Squid and Dinamo, so you know the garlic game is strong. It’s takeout only, so grab your pasta (or a pie) and walk it across the street to Scuffletown Park for a picnic.
Joe’s Inn | The Fan
A true Richmond institution, Joe’s has been feeding the Fan since 1952. Its signature dish is the Spaghetti a la Joe: spaghetti baked under a blanket of provolone and topped with meat sauce or marinara served in a portion large enough to feed you and a friend.
The Grapevine | West End
A little Greek, a little Italian, the family-owned Grapevine serves homemade Italian dishes alongside Greek favorites, and every meal starts with free homemade bread. Order the baked spaghetti, and maybe a flaming cheese appetizer for the table.
Mama Cucina | Glen Allen
Don’t let the strip mall fool you. This family-run spot in Innsbrook cooks every pasta dish to order, and you can swap in your favorite shape on just about anything. It’s small and it fills up fast, so call ahead for a table.
Cover Image: Bambolini Pasta
