Archie MontroseEver had one of those rainy Vancouver evenings when nothing but a plate of perfect pasta would cheer you up? I found myself in the same pickle last winter, which kicked off my quest to find the finest Italian offerings.
From cozy family-run trattorias to Michelin-recommended gems, Vancouver’s pasta scene is surprisingly vibrant and deeply personal.
Let me take you on a carb-loaded journey through our city’s most sublime noodles!
How much is the average cost of pasta in Vancouver?
The average cost of a pasta dish in Vancouver ranges from CAD 15 to CAD 30, depending on the restaurant and ingredients used.
Casual eateries and takeout spots tend to offer more affordable options, while upscale restaurants may charge higher prices. Some places also offer prix-fixe menus or lunch specials for better value.
How We Chose the Best Pasta Places in Vancouver
- Taste / Quality: We considered the richness of flavors, balance of ingredients, and overall quality of pasta dishes.
- Serving Size & Presentation: Portions should be satisfying and dishes should be beautifully plated to enhance the dining experience.
- Ambiance & Atmosphere: We looked for inviting, well-designed spaces that enhance the enjoyment of a meal, whether casual or upscale.
- Customer Service: We assessed the efficiency of service, staff friendliness, ease of bookings, and overall customer service.
- Pricing: We reviewed whether the pricing reflects the quality, portion size, and overall dining experience.
1. Casereccio
| Taste / Quality | 5/5 |
| Authenticity | 5/5 |
| Freshness of Ingredients | 5/5 |
| Consistency | 5/5 |
| Serving Size & Presentation | 5/5 |
| Ambiance & Atmosphere | 5/5 |
| Customer Service | 4.8/5 |
| Pricing | 4.9/5 |
Casereccio is a gem in Vancouver’s Kitsilano neighborhood offering lovingly homemade Italian cuisine (as its name proudly represents). We noticed that this spot swiftly garnered acclaim as one of the city’s favorite destinations for authentic Italian pasta.
Upon stepping inside, we immediately felt the warmth of home. We love that they offer a customizable menu, allowing customers to pair a variety of freshly made pasta, such as gnocchi, tagliatelle, and ravioli with an array of traditional sauces.
We appreciate their commitment to authenticity which we think is evident in every dish, with recipes rooted in traditional Italian cooking.
The restaurant’s emphasis on freshness is unmistakable as well, with all pasta and sauces prepared daily.
Apart from fresh pasta, other items on their menu are also worth ordering, especially their dessert options like gelato and baked goods.
In terms of value, we think it’s quite balanced as the quality of the dishes aligns well with the pricing.
However, one thing we’ve noticed is that they operate on a bistro-style service model, where orders are placed and paid at the counter. We just think this setup can be a bit of a hassle and might not appeal to everyone.
Customer Reviews
One of the best Italian restaurants in the Vancouver area. Everything’s made fresh in-house. Excellent food. Great taste. All the pastas are made fresh. Gelato is one of the best. Nice seating area indoors and outdoors. Excellent staff, very polite & helpful. A lot of variety to choose from. Gnocchi is superb. Lasagna is a must have here. Coffee & croissants are perfect. Love the place. – xs2 Guds, Google Reviews
What a gem! Cute, unassuming cafe serving delicious fresh pasta. This was our first time here and we were really pleasantly surprised how high quality the pastas and the sauces were. The young servers were really attentive for an order-at-the-counter type of place too. Also, you must try their pistachio gelato—it really is the best version I’ve had in Vancouver! Naturally nutty, unpretentious, just absolutely perfect! So glad we found this place, will definitely be visiting regularly! – Cindy, Google Reviews
2. Bacaro
| Taste / Quality | 4.9/5 |
| Authenticity | 5/5 |
| Freshness of Ingredients | 5/5 |
| Consistency | 4.9/5 |
| Serving Size & Presentation | 4.7/5 |
| Ambiance & Atmosphere | 5/5 |
| Customer Service | 4.9/5 |
| Pricing | 4.8/5 |
Bringing a taste of Venice to Vancouver, Bacaro is a top-tier pasta destination with a coveted Michelin nod.
What makes Bacaro stand out is its focus on cicchetti or Venetian small bites traditionally paired with wine. Inspired by the lively bacari (Venice’s canal-side bars), this spot offers an authentic taste of Italy in the heart of Vancity.
We found the menu to be well-balanced with a mix of shareable plates and hearty pasta dishes. Their handmade pastas, like the tagliolini and bigoli, are a standout, while seafood lovers will appreciate the flavorful scallops and tuna crudo.
We also love how the wine list, which leans heavily on Italian selections, complements the dishes so well.
The Ambiance is another highlight – warm, inviting, and effortlessly chic. Whether you’re sitting at the bar sipping a spritz or enjoying a meal at the dining area, Bacaro exudes an intimate yet lively charm.
However, expect portions to be on the smaller side which may leave heartier appetites wanting more, especially given the premium pricing. Also, booking a table might be a challenge due to its popularity with longer wait times for walk-ins.
But overall, we think Bacaro delivers a refined yet relaxing dining experience that transports you straight to the canals of Venice without leaving Vancouver.
Customer Reviews
A delightful dining experience that effortlessly transports you to Europe! Picture this: a warm summer evening, seated on a charming street patio, watching the world go by—it’s like stepping into a European postcard. The ambiance is matched perfectly by the food: a simple yet exquisite affair. Think al dente pasta kissed with pesto, heirloom tomatoes brightened with dill, and to finish, tender scallops nestled alongside sweet peas. Pure, uncomplicated bliss on a plate. Hats off to our fantastic server and their stellar team. This spot is an absolute must-try! – Bradley Jones, Google Reviews
A fresh take on Venetian, with influence and wine program from adjacent northern Italy. The seafood stands out and the pastas satisfy. I took my parents here for their birthday and we had a delightful time. Cassy, our host, was gracious, knowledgeable and undeniably wonderful. I plan to return as much as I can. – Davyde Wachell, Google Reviews
3. Nook
| Taste / Quality | 5/5 |
| Authenticity | 5/5 |
| Freshness of Ingredients | 5/5 |
| Consistency | 5/5 |
| Serving Size & Presentation | 4.9/5 |
| Ambiance & Atmosphere | 5/5 |
| Customer Service | 4.7/5 |
| Pricing | 4.8/5 |
Nook is another local favorite in Vancouver, offering some of the best handmade Italian dishes in the city. Known for its warm, welcoming atmosphere and consistently delicious food, this cozy eatery has become a go-to for pasta lovers.
We love the classics like their tonnarelli cacio pepe and rigatoni boscaiola. We found them rich, comforting, and perfectly executed every time, and this consistency is another reason why Nook remains one of our favorites.
Plus, they have several branches across Vancouver which can be a bit tricky when it comes to consistency.
But from our experience, every visit has been highly satisfactory taste-wise. However, we can’t say the same for their customer service as we feel like the level of service is not the same for every branch.
But we still love their happy hour from 2 to 5pm. You can get your favorites like margherita pizza and rigatoni arrabbiata and pair them with a spritz or a pinot grigio.
Also, since the Nook chain is pretty popular, it’s better to book a reservation if you’re planning to dine in. But take note that their West End branch only accepts walk-ins.
Customer Reviews
A great experience! Authentic tasting Italian dishes with a modern flair. We enjoyed every morsel and shared 5 dishes. Everything was exceptionally tasty! Great service and wonderful atmosphere. Very close to the beach so you can go walk off your supper! – Raquel Millikin, Google Reviews
Delicious rigatoni boscaiola. It tasted rich and fresh and had a perfectly balanced level of saltiness. The mushrooms added a nice flavour too. Service was friendly and the food came quickly despite a full restaurant. The ambiance is cozy. – Lyla Yu, Google Reviews
4. Ask for Luigi
| Taste / Quality | 5/5 |
| Authenticity | 5/5 |
| Freshness of Ingredients | 5/5 |
| Consistency | 5/5 |
| Serving Size & Presentation | 5/5 |
| Ambiance & Atmosphere | 5/5 |
| Customer Service | 5/5 |
| Pricing | 4.7/5 |
Looking for the tastiest pasta in the city? Ask for Luigi! It’s one of Vancouver’s most beloved pasta spots, offering a cozy, rustic dining experience with some of the best handmade pasta in the city.
This Italian eatery is known for its fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and consistently high-quality dishes. It’s no wonder why it’s also a Michelin Guide-recommended restaurant.
We appreciate the authenticity and freshness the most, as the pasta here is made daily, which ensures perfect texture and rich flavor in every bite.
For brunch enthusiasts, we also love that they have a brunch menu available every weekend from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm. You can enjoy comforting dishes like their tagliolini carbonara with poached egg and a crispy frico.
Of course, for lunch and dinner, crowd favorites are the rigatoni alla bolognese and bigoli nero, while their duck ragu is also a must-try.
Meanwhile, we found the presentation equally impressive, each plate artfully arranged without feeling overfussy. The portions are satisfying (served family-style and perfect for sharing) yet refined, making for a well-balanced meal.
However, take note that the restaurant’s small size means it fills up quickly, often leading to long wait times, while bookings fill up fast. Also, while the food quality justifies the cost, prices can feel a bit steep, though definitely still worth it.
Customer Reviews
The rigatoni alla bolognese at Ask For Luigi is one of the best bowls of pasta I’ve eaten. Part of me wishes I lived in Vancouver so I could eat it more often! Besides the delicious made in house pasta, I loved the atmosphere. Cozy but lively for a Tuesday night. There wasn’t an empty table! With the friendly and attentive service, you really can’t go wrong. I’d love to come back next time I’m in Vancouver 🙂 – Danielle St-Hilaire, Google Reviews
AMAZING! We had the rigatoni bolognese and the prosciutto sandwich – both were delicious. The pasta was cooked superbly with the right balance of sauce to meat ratio while the sandwich was coated in a breadcrumb before being pan fried and the cheese melted to perfection. 100% recommend! – Troy Han, Google Reviews
5. Magari by Oca
| Taste / Quality | 5/5 |
| Authenticity | 5/5 |
| Freshness of Ingredients | 5/5 |
| Consistency | 5/5 |
| Serving Size & Presentation | 4.9/5 |
| Ambiance & Atmosphere | 5/5 |
| Customer Service | 4.9/5 |
| Pricing | 4.9/5 |
Formerly Oca Pastificio, the restaurant was reopened as Magari by Oca after the passing of its head chef, Gregory Dilabio.
The new restaurant honors his legacy by continuing to serve exceptional handmade pasta and authentic Italian flavors that made the original spot beloved by many.
When we got the chance to dine in, we felt like every dish is a testament to authenticity, with handmade pasta that boasts the perfect bite and depth of flavor. Their menu, though small, is carefully curated, featuring standout dishes.
Our favorites were their tortelli with sage butter and conchiglie al sugo which we felt were perfectly balanced. Their 7-course tasting menu is a must-try and we think offers great value at $70.
Their dessert, almond semifreddo, is a standout and one of the reasons why I want to keep coming back despite the long queues.
Take note that the restaurant’s cozy and intimate size means seating is limited and it’s recommended to line up before opening so you’ll be one of the first to get a table. Also, they’re only open from Wednesday to Saturday, so expect open days to be full.
Customer Reviews
I haven’t had a meal that’s blown me away in a while but Magari by Oca did just that. We had the anchovy salad, maiale tonnato, spaghetti cacio e pepe, conchiglie amatriciana, & the spinach ricotta tortelli. Everything was cooked and seasoned perfectly. The ingredients were simple but good quality and you could taste everything shine in each dish. 10/10 would go back and recommend it to all my friends and fam. Thank you for the top-notch hospitality & fantastic meal! – Kelsey W, Google Reviews
Best pasta of my life, for me it totally lived up to the hype. I lined up around 4:30 and was able to get in at 5 no problem. Highly recommend the tasting menu, each pasta was unbelievably good and unique, and the antipasti and dessert were perfect too. – Jeremy Kim, Google Reviews
