An Italian staple, pasta is an irresistible dish for many, especially when topped with flavourful sauces and hefty amounts of cheese. However, while you can find pasta pretty much anywhere you look, not every place has the same flair as authentic Italian cuisine.
So twirl up succulent strands at these eight Italian restaurants, which arguably boast the best, most authentic pasta mains around Singapore!
Bar Cicheti
In a dimly-lit shophouse space along Jiak Chuan Road lies Bar Cicheti, whose sister joints include popular pizzeria Cicheti and South Beach’s Cafe Cicheti. So simply take it to Chinatown to enjoy an elegant Italian dining experience with pasta and wine; go straight for the Bucatini Cacio e Pepe that showcases thick, hand-rolled pasta tossed with parmigiano, marjoram and sarawak black pepper, although the adventurous would prefer the Tagliolini Nero that pairs squid ink tagliolini with spanner crab and a spicy Nduja sauce. Bar Cicheti is founded by the Cicheti Group, an enterprise specialising in bringing authentic Italian dishes to Singapore, so you can bet that they’ll be coming close to the real thing.
Website: https://www.barcicheti.com/
Address: 10 Jiak Chuan Rd, Singapore 089264
Opening Hours: Daily, 12pm-2:30pm, 6pm-10:30pm
Bella Pasta
Like its sister restaurant Bella Pizza, Bella Pasta is all about wholesome Italian fare. Simply choose from a variety of pasta and risotto dishes, from the simple Penne Pomodoro to the rich Ravioli Ricotta Spinaci. With sharing platters, antipasti and desserts all available on its extensive menu, you’ll never run out of options here. And just like Bar Cicheti, Bella Pasta and its sibling eateries are founded by a culinary group. The Bella Group is spearheaded by an Italian entrepreneur who’s been cooking up authentic fare ever since he moved here in 2009. Combined, the group covers traditional gelato, Neapolitan-style pizza, handmade pasta, and other comfort food.
Website: https://www.bellapasta.com.sg/
Address: 30 Robertson Quay, #01-09, Singapore 238251
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri, 12pm-2:30pm, 6pm-11pm, Sat-Sun, 11:30am-11:30pm
iO Italian Osteria Singapore
Tucked away in a quaint community mall in the West, it may seem as if Italian Osteria doesn’t have an extensive pasta menu, but that’s simply not the case. In addition to the lamb ragu and orecchiette available on the regular menu, you’ll be able to pick from a full list of classic pasta dishes, by just checking in with your server. These include Aglio Olio, Cacio e Pepe and more. The restaurant’s name, ‘Osteria’, is an Italian term for a casual eatery that focuses on simple dishes with local ingredients. And indeed, that’s the vibe it tries to capture. This place was founded by a group of Italian friends, who sought to introduce Singapore to the flavours they knew and loved from all the way back home.
Website: https://io-osteria.com/sg/
Address: 4 Hillview Rise, #02 – 01, Singapore 667979
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri, 11:30am-10pm, Sat-Sun, 10am-10pm
Pasta Bar
So well-known for dishing out mouth-watering pastas handmade daily with eleven different dough recipes, it’s almost mandatory to make a reservation to indulge in the offerings at Keong Saik Road’s Pasta Bar. The Tagliatelle features a 24-hour braised beef ragu and parmigiano, while the Lobster Linguine for 2 will delight couples with a hankering for crustaceans thanks to a 1.5lb Boston lobster swimming among noodles. It’ll be profane to opt for anything other than pasta here, although its menu does showcase a grain-fed angus onglet and summer-inspired salads. Pasta Bar’s founder, Alessandro Giusetti, has formerly worked in Michelin-star restaurants. As an Italian native and long-time chef, his works are sure to satisfy that craving for true-blue Italian pasta.
Website: https://pastabar.sg/
Address: 55 Keong Saik Road, #01-05, Singapore 089158
Opening Hours: Mon-Wed, 6pm-11pm, Thurs-Sun, 12pm-3pm, 6pm-11pm
Pasta Brava
Dedicated Italian restaurant Pasta Brava at Craig Road have been dishing out quality pasta since 1991, and it’s safe to say folks come a-flocking for the Lasagna Tradizionale Con Ragu Di Manzo Scelto thanks to a decadent beef ragout bechamel ladled over layers of thinly-sliced pasta. The Fettuccine Alla Carbonara is also a solid dish choice; picky eaters can even customise their own pasta dish with a noodle and sauce of choice. As a 30-year-old restaurant with an Italian founder, the quality and authenticity surely speak for itself.
Website: http://www.pastabrava.com.sg/
Address: 33 Erskine Rd, #01-13 Scarlet Hotel, Singapore 069333
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat, 11:30am-10:30pm, Sun, 11:30am-9:30pm
Pasta Fresca Da Salvatore
With a substantial and hearty pasta menu, what you get at long-standing Pasta Fresca is an authentic Italian experience that makes you feel right at home. The Tortellini Alla Bolognese is a must-try as the little dumplings are coated with a luscious minced beef sauce, and the Cannelloni Ricotta E Spinaci is one of the signature oven baked pasta dishes. The restaurant’s owner, Salvatore, imports ingredients manufactured right there in Italy, and has been running the chain since 1988.
Website: https://www.salvobistro.com/
Address: 2 Tanjong Katong Rd, #01-05, PLQ3 437161
Opening Hours: Mon-Thurs, 11:30pm-3pm, 6pm-11pm, Fri-Sun, 11:30am-11pm
Tipo Pasta Bar
At halal-certified Tipo Pasta Bar, don’t be afraid to go all-in on flavours. ‘Cause the restaurant’s winning combinations include the Salmon Pesto that offers creamy pesto pasta with salmon and sundried tomatoes, while the Mushroom Madness sees a white sauce with a mushroom medley. Feel free to build your own pasta too, sauces such as Alfredo and Garlic & Olive Oil await. Like many other pasta places listed, Tipo was founded by an Italian owner. Chef Giovanni Melis, with his knowledge of classic Italian staples, founded this halal eatery in 2015.
Website: https://www.tipo.sg/
Address: 28 Aliwal St, #01-07, Singapore 199918
Opening Hours: Daily, 11am-10pm
Waterfall Ristorante Italiano
The Shang’s sophisticated Italian restaurant has got one of the most extensive pasta menus around. So those who enjoy a variety of flavours will want to pop by for anything from the classic Rigatoni All’amatriciana to the decadent Tagliatelle al Tartufo e Fegato Grasso comprising truffle button mushrooms and pan seared foie gras. Pizzas are always an option as well; try the four-cheese margherita-based signature, or the Genovese for basil pesto, mozzarella and shrimp. These delights from Southern Italy are brought to the table by Italian chef Marco De Vincentis, who has an extensive record of working in Michelin-starred restaurants in Singapore and Italy.
Website: https://www.shangri-la.com/singapore/shangrila/dining/restaurants/waterfall/
Address: 22 Orange Grove Rd, Level One, Garden Wing, Singapore 258350
Opening Hours: Daily, 12pm-2:30pm, 6pm-10pm
The next time you get a hankering for toothy al dente pasta, coated in sumptuous tomato sauce, you know where to look. So what are you waiting for? Come get a taste of some of the best pasta Singapore has!
