12 Miami Restaurants Serving Exceptional Pasta

As one of the modern Design District’s original restaurants, MC has cemented itself as a favorite of both locals and visitors, and is equally at home as a backdrop for a successful business deal or a spot to recharge after an afternoon of shopping. Its pasta selections range from meaty Bolognese and spaghetti misto di pesce loaded with Manila clams, PEI mussels, and prawns, to a luxurious plate of creamy fiocchi pillows stuffed with roasted pear and two types of Italian cheese.

The arrival of chef Evan Funke’s LA import arriving in Miami has been the talk of the town. Here, pasta is meticulously hand-rolled in a windowed room that offers you a peek into what you’ll be enjoying at the table. Think of it as dinner and a show. Known for its Roman cuisine, the menu nails the classics, including cacio e pepe, rigatoni all’amatriciana, and carbonara. You’ll also find plussed-up ragus here, with options like oxtail and wild boar.

Peruvian pasta masters Janice Buraschi and Juan Manuel Umbert recently brought their perfected recipes to Wynwood with the opening of their first stateside outpost. The chef-partners and husband-and-wife duo are laser-focused on showcasing their homemade pasta style by embracing simple, quality ingredients that speak for themselves. Starters like razor clams and spicy housemade ‘nduja speak to that focus on quality, while pasta dishes always hit the mark. with plates like cappellacci stuffed with Peruvian corn and bathed in brown butter; simple-but-flavorful combinations like pici with marjoram and garlic, or taglierini with anchovies, peperoncini and crunchy pangrattato; and familiar favorites like pappardelle with braised beef cheek ragu or tonnarelli all’amatriciana.

This is another classic Miami pasta haunt, but it recently underwent a renovation, and now it’s bigger and better than ever. The entire menu (not to mention a tasting menu of the kitchen’s greatest hits) is excellent, but the housemade pasta stands out. Which to choose? You really can’t go wrong, if it’s on, the lasagne is unmissable while the the cavatelli Macchialina (with baby meatballs and incredible red sauce thickened with slow-cooked beef) bears the restaurant’s name for a reason.

Chef Giorgio Rapicavoli, the creator of the cherished Eating House, brings his take on Italian pasta to Luca in Coral Gables. The housemade pasta dishes here are straight to the point, focusing on simple, flavorful ingredients like 24-month Parmigiano Reggiano, San Marzano tomatoes, and housemade chile oil. There’s also a marked lightness to the pasta dishes here, too, with standouts including mafaldine tossed with Parmesan, lemon juice and its fragrant zest, to gemelli with local Florida basil and pistachio. Plus, you can add local stracciatella to any pasta.

One of the many benefits of chef-owner Fabio Trabocci bringing his Michelin-starred talent to Coral Gables is his ability to infuse playfulness and creativity into his dishes. That’s especially true of the stellar five-course pasta tasting menu at Fiola, which is every pasta lover’s dream. Also, look out for seasonal truffle dishes like spaghetti all chittara with truffle butter and rose Parmigiano foam, with an option to add a flourish of Alba truffles.

Chef Massimo Bottura is world-renowned not just for his talent but for his vivacious personality, and that’s reflected in this energized prismatic space. Choose from several sublime pasta dishes that showcase the chef’s creativity and technique, including his famous handmade tortellini and classics like cacio e pepe, carbonara, and tagliatelle al ragu.

Come here for the pasta and stay for the party – calling this staple Fort Lauderdale restaurant vibey is an understatement. Soulful jazz from a live band fills the room while revelers sip on stiff martinis at the lively bar and diners in plush banquettes dive into its hearty dishes. A family-style meal is best here, and you’ll probably still walk away with leftovers of its famous spicy rigatoni vodka, cacio e pepe with shaved black truffles, or three-meat Bolognese.

You know you’re in pasta heaven when a menu has three separate sections just for pasta. The varieties and quality at this Wynwood standout are impressive: White sauce pasta here includes the favorite cacio e pepe but also offers a pistachio cream and basil pasta with creamy potatoes and basil. Over in the red, you’ll find the slow-cooked Bolognese and rich lasagna, and in the “more pasta” category, you can choose from pesto or a seasonal mushroom pasta that arrives with a shower of shaved black truffles.

A sleek, moody dining room or lush, cloistered terrace sets the scene for a sophisticated dining experience. While none of the pasta selections – like the cacio e pepe, beef ragu, or ricotta ravioli – will disappoint, the menu’s standout is the tagliolini al tartufo nero that’s completely indulgent, rich, and oh-so-satisfying.

This NYC import wears its fabulousness lightly, from the casual chic of its decor, to its generous terrace and the fact that it has its own garden for vegetables and herbs. You’re here for the orrecchiette with homemade sausage and broccoli rabe, but in truth, the rest of the pasta dishes are impressive — aglio e olio is simplicity exemplified, while cavatelli with wild mushrooms is a reminder of how good that combination can be. Gluten free pastas are available, too.

For red sauce enthusiasts, the arrival of New York City’s famed Rao’s was thrilling. This outpost received a swanky South Beach makeover inside the Loews Miami Beach Hotel. Its pasta ranges from lobster fra diavolo and veal ragu to carbonara and linguini with clams. If you want to keep it simple, its famous tomato sauce can be paired with your choice of one of the seven kinds of pasta on the menu.