The most popular pasta dish in every state, according to Yelp reviews
Erin McDowell
- Each state has a unique favorite when it comes to pasta dishes.
- Yelp identified the most popular pasta dish in each state based on Elite member reviews.
When it comes to pasta, each state has its own unique tastes.
Some crave the rich creaminess of a classic fettuccini Alfredo, while others are all about the savory layers of a stacked lasagna.
Yelp identified the most popular pasta dish in every state based on customer reviews from its Elite members — dedicated diners who frequently write reviews on the site — to create an ultimate list of pasta dishes to cross off your bucket list. If the dish was no longer on the restaurant’s menu as of this article's publication, Business Insider chose the second-most popular pasta dish on the restaurant's Yelp page.
These are the most popular pasta dishes in every state, from spicy penne alla vodka to creamy carbonara.
ALABAMA: Shrimp scampi at Mazzara's Vinoteca in Huntsville
What customers say: "We had the meatballs and the shrimp scampi. The service was great as well. Haley was our server and she was very personable and attentive. My wife and I don't eat out much, but when we do, this is what we are looking for," wrote Yelp user Thomas F.
ALASKA: Spaghetti and meatballs at In Bocca Al Lupo in Juneau
What customers say: "It's my favorite restaurant in town. The pizza is excellent — I love the New York (pepperoni). The Caesar and Juneau Greens salads are wonderful. The Thunderdome appetizer is great. The menu changes, but there are regular dishes like spaghetti and meatballs, that's another favorite of mine. I aspire to make meatballs like Beau's. Decent pours on the wine. Desserts are delectable. Unlike other places, it is consistently good," wrote Yelp user Kim M.
ARIZONA: Stuffed gnocchi at The Sicilian Butcher in Phoenix
What customers say: "I ordered the tomasas meatballs with carbonara sauce and gnocchi. The gnocchi were like little puffy pillows. The peas still had some bite to them and weren't mushy which is a plus! The meatballs were huge and moist inside! The taste was incredibly delicious! The tiramisu was for dessert and it was some of the best tiramisu I have ever had! The total was a little more than we were expecting but I feel like it was matching the quality and amount of food we received," wrote Yelp user Ashley D.
ARKANSAS: Lobster ravioli at Pastafina Italian Restaurant in Cave Springs
What customers say: "Probably the best restaurant in Arkansas! The Caesar salad was very good and fresh. The calamari was delicious- not overly fried or chewy. The shrimp and lobster ravioli were AMAZING! Everything came out piping hot. Our server, Savannah, was a sweetheart and had the best recommendation. The atmosphere was great. They had Italian music and very cute decor. We want to go back and try every dish," wrote Yelp user Gabriela Z.
CALIFORNIA: Uni pasta at PASTA e PASTA by Allegro in Los Angeles
What customers say: "Uni pasta was absolutely amazing! Great food and services. The uni flavor was extremely heavy (in a good way) and creamy. Will be back again soon," wrote Yelp user Andi D.
COLORADO: Spicy lobster rigatoni alla vodka at Quality Italian in Denver
What customers say: "Quality Italian came highly recommended from Denver natives and my coworkers that visited numerous times so I had to try it. It takes a modern twist on the Italian American steakhouse model. They have a wide variety of options and the service is really good. It is a bit on the pricey side but the portions are big and filling. I would recommend the lobster rigatoni. This is perfect for a date night, catch up with friends, or just a solo dinner at the bar," wrote Yelp user Samantha T.
CONNECTICUT: Cacio e pepe at Zeneli Pizzeria & Cucina Napoletana in New Haven
What customers say: "This may not be traditional New Haven pizza, but it is 100% worth experiencing. As they have a master pizzaiolo, the service is impeccable and quick. One of the best places to also get cacio e pepe which can be accompanied by an Aglianico red wine. Take a chance to watch the pizza being made before your very eyes in a beautiful wood-fired beehive oven. Have an authentic taste of how they make Neapolitan pizza in Italy," wrote Yelp user Brianne B.
DELAWARE: Gnocchi at Scalessa's in Wilmington
What customers say: "Everything I have had from Scalessa's has been amazing! The gnocchi is the lightest, most decadent I've had anywhere! The Sunday sauce is perfecto! Don't skip the broccoli rabe, it's always fresh and cooked to perfection," wrote Yelp user Kim S.
FLORIDA: Bucatini cacio e pepe at Mia's Italian Kitchen in Orlando
What customers say: "This place is such a vibe! It has lively 70s/80s music, and the food is superb. Our very enthusiastic server helped me decide to order the Bucatini Cacio e Pepe, and it was delightful. My sister ordered the Chicken Parm, which was beautifully cooked, but the standout was my dad's Roasted Mushroom Lasagna. Our server was enthusiastic, and I highly recommend it," wrote Yelp user Kristi T.
GEORGIA: Pasta carbonara at Forza Storico in Atlanta
What customers say: "The food here is delicious. I always get the carbonara and it never disappoints. Additionally, I love the atmosphere here. The only downside is that the service is quick, and you can feel like you're being rushed," wrote a Yelp user Reagan L.
HAWAII: Tagliatelle at Noe Italian in Kapolei
What customers say: "The food was amazing as well as the service!! My top two were the signature now tagliatelle pasta with truffle and their olive oil cake. I don't always love truffle-flavored things, but I haven't stopped thinking of that pasta," wrote Yelp user Taylor M.
IDAHO: Spaghetti at Vincenzo Trattoria in Boise
What customers say: "This is probably the best Italian food in Boise. Highly recommend the spaghetti à la Vincenzo. The bread is incredible. Great vibes," wrote Yelp user Brandon Y.
ILLINOIS: Cacio e pepe at Rose Mary in Chicago
What customers say: "Good variety of high quality, nicely composed small plates. The zucchini fritters and cacio e pepe held up to the hype we had heard. Really enjoyed sitting at the chef's table to enjoy the action in the kitchen. Excellent prompt service as well. Great spot to bring people visiting town," wrote Yelp user Susan F.
INDIANA: Gnocchi at Nesso in Indianapolis
What customers say: "Best food I could find in downtown Indianapolis. Nothing remarkable but certainly decent quality, some creativity, healthy options, pretty space, good service, clean restaurant. Huge portions and very reasonably priced," wrote Yelp user Jac B.
IOWA: Cavatelli at Aposto in Des Moines
What customers say: "My husband and I had dinner at Aposto last night. Our pizza fritta small plate felt like it was missing something — a bit bland — but the main courses more than made up for it. I had the osso buco and my husband had the cavatelli pasta dish. Wow! Amazing pasta, sauces, and the perfect dishes on a colder autumn night. When we are back in Des Moines we will be heading Aposto's way," wrote Yelp user Jenna K.
KANSAS: Bolognese at Plate in Leawood
What customers say: "Went for KC Restaurant week. It was so yummy! The Bolognese was cooked perfectly. Very flavorful. The tiramisu was delicious. Not too sweet. The service was fantastic. Alex was our waitress and she was super sweet and attentive. Great place for dinner," wrote Yelp user MaryLou F.
KENTUCKY: Rigatoni cacio e pepe at Bar Vetti in Louisville
What customers say: "This place is amazing! Must try the burrata appetizer. It was so creamy and delicious, served with wonderfully grilled bread. Also loved the cacio e pepe. The atmosphere is upscale with a cool vibe. Will return for the burrata alone," wrote Yelp user Kelly W.
LOUISIANA: Pasta alla vodka at Sofia in New Orleans
What customers say: "It has been several weeks now since my trip to NO, and I still think about this bowl of pasta on the regular. They offer a gluten-free pasta (not penne for once) that absolutely passes as the real thing. The [pasta] alla vodka was spectacular, spicy yet creamy. We also ordered the shrimp for an appetizer and it was perfectly cooked. This was the first dinner of my trip and the rest of my meals paled in comparison," wrote Yelp user Karina G.
MAINE: Squid-ink pasta at Via Vecchia in Portland
What customers say: "This place is so cool! And the squid ink pasta is fabulous! Would come back here again," wrote Yelp user Auna H.
MARYLAND: Squid-ink pasta at Tagliata in Baltimore
What customers say: "You can't go wrong with anything at Tagliata, but their squid ink pasta lives rent-free in my head. This place is extra special to me since I've celebrated big events here. They have never failed to make the occasion special," wrote Yelp user Rhemy G.
MASSACHUSETTS: Gnocchetti at Ciao! Pizza & Pasta in Chelsea
What customers say: "The inside is small, and the seating is more of an outdoor dining area. The service is quick and easy to order. But the pasta is AMAZING. We ordered the gnocchetti and shrimp scampi and it was one of the best pasta dishes I've ever had. The gnocchetti was the perfect texture and the beef was so tender. Must try the gnocchetti if you come here," wrote Yelp user Julie K.
MICHIGAN: Wild-mushroom fettuccine at Pop's For Italian in Ferndale
What customers say: "Pop's NEVER disappoints! I especially love the wild mushroom fettuccini. The antipasto salad is also excellent," wrote Yelp user Colleen J.
MINNESOTA: Cavatelli at Red Rabbit in Minneapolis
What customers say: "Great food, good atmosphere. Can be a little loud if that bothers you. They don't take reservations but we've never had to wait long. Meal is ALWAYS excellent. Recommend the cauliflower, burrata, arugula salad, cavatelli, and salmon. And don't forget the sticky toffee cake! Great drink menu, too," wrote Yelp user Darcy M.
MISSISSIPPI: Lasagna at The Sicilian II in Biloxi
What customers say: "Great place. A very small number of tables. Maybe only 10. It's important to call ahead and make a reservation. Great place for a date night or catching up with friends. Definitely take your time here. Also, do yourself a favor and order the lasagna. It's phenomenal," wrote Yelp user Marty G.
MISSOURI: Spaghetti alla chitarra at Louie in Clayton
What customers say: "I have been trying to get a reservation here for a while. I had Resy notify me when reservations opened up Friday evening and I ended up getting a table. The service was excellent. I started off with one of their cocktails. The drink was good but on the smaller side. We ordered the Margherita pizza and the chitarra pasta. Both were delicious! I will definitely be back," wrote Yelp user Parker B.
MONTANA: Wild-boar ragù at Abruzzo Italian Kitchen in Whitefish
What customers say: "Started with the elk tartar and Italian wedge salad. Both are very good. Then had the wild boar ragù for dinner. This dish is amazing," wrote Yelp user Johnny R.
NEBRASKA: Brown-butter fettuccine at Cibo Vino in Omaha
What customers say: "Parents are visiting this week, and this was on my must-go list for them. We all thoroughly enjoyed the food and the amazing service. I just ordered for the table some of my favorites — rosemary focaccia, pesto gnocchi, brown butter fettuccine, mushroom ravioli, and, of course, cannoli. Every dish was a hit but the overall favorite was the mushroom ravioli. Easy to make reservations online so you can guarantee there won't be any wait," wrote Yelp user Stephanie L.
NEVADA: Rigatoni carbonara at Esther's Kitchen in Las Vegas
What customers say: "The rigatoni carbonara was a bacon lover's dream. It wasn't too much but you can tell they cooked the sauce with the bacon and didn't just toss it in there in the end. Super delicious," wrote Yelp user Rilee B.
NEW HAMPSHIRE: Pesto pasta at Granita Enoteca in Keene
What customers say: "Nice ambiance and very good service with an efficient and friendly staff. The food was excellent. Delicious home-baked focaccia bread, beautiful salads, and delicious entrees. This was the best dining experience I have had in a long while," wrote Yelp user Mike K.
NEW JERSEY: Pappardelle Bolognese at The Pasta Shop in Denville
What customers say: "We had such an amazing dinner here on Thursday night! Service was impeccable, food was sublime! We had bacon and corn arancini, tomato and burrata toast, corn ravioli with truffles, and Bolognese! We will be back," wrote Yelp user Lori D.
NEW MEXICO: Pork Bolognese at M'tucci's Twenty-Five in Albuquerque
What customers say: "The food was amazing. I had the pork Bolognese. The pasta was great and mixed with that meat sauce was so good. It also has a great bar with some really good drinks. The service could not have been better. The waitress was attentive and knew the menu and specials," wrote Yelp user Scott S.
NEW YORK: Sourdough pasta cacciatore at Don Angie in New York
What customers say: "I was extremely excited for Don Angie, and they lived up to the hype. The service and drinks were amazing, but most importantly, the food was delicious! We had the garlic cheese bread as an appetizer. It might sound underwhelming, but the bread was light and crispy and the cheese was gooey and flavorful. I highly recommend. My favorite dish was probably the chrysanthemum salad. It was one of the best salads I've ever had. Finally, we had the sourdough pasta cacciatore, which was small but delicious," wrote Yelp user Dean M.
NORTH CAROLINA: Penne alla vodka at Little Mama's in Charlotte
What customers say: "Visited Little Mama's for a dinner date with my bestie. I got the penne with vodka sauce and the meatballs. The meatballs were really big and flavorful and the vodka sauce was just as tasty. The meal was beyond filling and I will definitely return," wrote Yelp user Takoya L.
NORTH DAKOTA: Bolognese at Anima Cucina in Bismarck
What customers say: "A complete surprise and delight. Great service, incredible espresso, and delicious food. Will be back the next time I am in town," wrote Yelp user Jason R.
OHIO: Limone pasta at Pepp & Dolores in Cincinnati
What customers say: "We had a great experience at Pepp & Dolores. I would definitely recommend booking a reservation in advance. Our server was very knowledgeable of the menu and was attentive. The pasta is the real star of the show. I would recommend the limone pasta," wrote Yelp user John N.
OKLAHOMA: Fettuccine Alfredo at Prossimo Ristorante in Tulsa
What customers say: "Wonderful restaurant. I would highly recommend this place. The tomato salad as an appetizer is very good. Also, the Alfredo is out of this world having them to do it tableside," wrote Yelp user Amanda J.
OREGON: Tagliatelle at Gumba in Portland
What customers say: "Found this restaurant on TikTok and glad we came here! Such a lovely restaurant — it has a rustic, cozy charm to it and is relatively casual. Made a reservation for 4:30 p.m., and there were a surprising amount of people there. The pasta dishes are creative, and I believe they rotate because some of the dishes in other people's Yelp reviews weren't on the menu. We ordered the tagliatelle, which was done carbonara style and had burrata on top, which gave it a nice sweetness. We also got the pappardelle with braised beef short rib, and the short rib was super tender," wrote Yelp user Alice C.
PENNSYLVANIA: Cacio e pepe rigatoni at DiAnoia's Eatery in Pittsburgh
What customers say: "The food was great! We enjoyed mussels, and the broth was delicious. I got the cacio e pepe, which was delicious," wrote Yelp user Hanna N.
RHODE ISLAND: Short-rib gnocchi at Massimo Restaurant in Providence
What customers say: "I've been here twice over the last couple of months. Both visits were outstanding. I had the carpaccio appetizer and lasagna for the first time. Great presentation and the taste was off the charts for both. Tonight, I had the short rib gnocchi. The taste and seasoning were absolutely perfect. The Massimo Manhattans are awesome," wrote Yelp user Jeff B.
SOUTH CAROLINA: Agnolotti at Le Farfalle in Charleston
What customers say: "Sasha was our server. She was excellent! The food was amazing!! Based on the reviews, we ordered the whipped ricotta and baguette appetizer. It was silky smooth and delicious! Then we ordered the braised artichoke hearts, the crispy potatoes vinaigrette, and the agnolotti. It was all fabulous! I would recommend everything we ordered and would definitely go back again," wrote Yelp user Destini K.
SOUTH DAKOTA: Manicotti at Sabatino's Italian Ristorante in Rapid City
What customers say: "Wasn't too hungry but stopped in for dinner. I had the beef ravioli. It was delicious and the sauce was extraordinary. My wife had the manicotti. She claimed it was the freshest pasta dish she has ever had and perfectly seasoned. Next time, and there will be a next time, we are coming with bigger appetites," wrote Yelp user Dave B.
TENNESSEE: Cacio e pepe at Pastaria in Nashville
What customers say: "Pastaria met all of my carb cravings! The Risotto Balls are a must-have! For entrées, we ordered the bucatini rigate and canestri cacio e pepe. I wish the cacio e pepe was a little bit more cheesier but it certainly did hit the spot. The dinner portion sizes are humongous and I had plenty of leftovers to take home. The atmosphere is very cute and I think they did a good job at spacing out the tables during this pandemic. I am definitely coming back," wrote Yelp user Anika R.
TEXAS: Pappardelle alla Bolognese at Red Ash in Austin
What customers say: "A minimum of five stars for this establishment. Stellar corn risotto and fruitt di mare. The Bolognese was perfect. Red Ash handily defeats its nearby Italian competition," wrote Yelp user Eric K.
UTAH: Carbonara at Sicilia Mia in Salt Lake City
What customers say: "I have come here several times due to the kind staff, great menu options, and environment of the restaurant. I have never been disappointed during my visits here. The staff is always so attentive and the food always is above and beyond my expectations. I usually get the carbonara during my visits because it is so delicious but many of the other items I have gotten off the menu are just as delicious. Really enjoy this place and glad it has continued to be around for so many years," wrote Yelp user Samantha B.
VERMONT: Spaghetti alla chitarra at Mystic 802 in Manchester
What customers say: "Loved it! The staff was very friendly and helpful with making our reservation (thanks, Caroline!), and the service was phenomenal. It's a really clean, comfy, but sophisticated atmosphere. Four of us enjoyed the charcuterie plate and shared four of the five pasta dishes. Everything was exceptional, especially the spaghetti alla chitarra and the tagliatelle," wrote Yelp user Jason K.
VIRGINIA: Rigatoni alla Bolognese at Mia's Italian Kitchen in Alexandria
What customers say: "It looks like a tavern inside, so pretty. Really good service. Burrata is solid, but the rigatoni bolognese was really good, plus they grated fresh parm in front of me! The Carbonara was good but not as good as the bolognese. Blood orange margarita was citrusy and light," wrote Yelp user Isabella C.
WASHINGTON: Squid-ink pasta at Bucatini in Edmonds
What customers say: "Rockfish sandwich is really delicious and as big as a canoe! Seafood with squid ink pasta is fabulous as well," wrote Yelp user David D.
WEST VIRGINIA: Pasta specials at Mama Mia Pie & Pasta in Elkins
What customers say: "The waitstaff was so helpful with our little ones. The food was great! We only had pasta dishes, so we can't rate the pizza, but it was awesome. Good view, too," wrote Yelp user Kaity B.
Learn more about Mama Mia Pie & Pasta here.
*The restaurant's Elkins location is closed, but its Canaan Valley location is open.
WISCONSIN: Lobster mac and cheese at Dorsia in Milwaukee
What customers say: "I really enjoy Dorsia's pasta flights as well as their innovative cocktails. I would recommend skipping the pesto pasta and definitely trying the lobster mac and cheese! You really only need three for two people unless you want leftovers," wrote Yelp user Frankie B.
WYOMING: Spaghetti and meatballs at Glorietta Trattoria
What customers say: "Food was amazing! Great menu and service. Highly recommend! We had the spaghetti and elk bolognese-both were delicious," wrote Yelp user Mandy H.
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