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11 Must-Try Miami Pasta Dishes

Carb load in the most delicious of ways

by Amber Love Bond Updated
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by Amber Love Bond Updated
Photo credit: Toscana Divino

It may be bikini season all year long in Miami, but that shouldn’t be stopping anyone from getting some carb loading on. Miami has almost as many amazing pasta dishes as it does beaches. From happy hole-in-the-wall deals to fine dining, there’s something for everyone — from vegetarian dishes to one pound meatballs and everything in between. There’s really no excuse to not make the most of the promising pasta our city has to offer.

Note: points are listed in geographical order from north to south. Points aren’t rankings.

Editor’s Note: Most Florida restaurants have resumed indoor and outdoor dining services. However, this should not be taken as endorsement for onsite dining, as there are still safety concerns: for updated information on coronavirus cases in your area, please visit the Florida Health Department’s website. Studies indicate that there is a lower exposure risk when outdoors, but the level of risk involved with patio dining is contingent on restaurants following strict social distancing and other safety guidelines.

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Vesuvio al Pomodorino at Lido Restaurant and Champagne Bar at The Surf Club

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Made with a fun curly pasta called eliche, this simple pomodoro pasta is a beloved specialty by chef Antonio Mermolia. Featuring just pasta, cherry tomatoes, and basil it is an absolute delight.

9011 Collins Ave, Surfside, FL 33154
(786) 482-2280
(786) 482-2280

Also featured in:

Tortellini in Brodo at Boia De

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Tucked in an unassuming shopping plaza is Boia De, home to some of the best food in town. The menu changes seasonally, but if the tortellini in brodo is on the menu make sure to order it. These bite sized pillows of pasta are bathing in a broth that’s so good it’s hard not to sip it straight out of the dish.

5205 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33137
(305) 967-8866
(305) 967-8866

Also featured in:

Spaghetti with tomato and basil at Scarpetta

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The spaghetti at Scarpetta is as simple as it sounds. The fresh made pasta, tomatoes, and basil are plated into a perfect pasta ball shape. The dish is brought to the table under a cloche, allowing it to steam and be piping hot as it is placed on the table. Pro tip: it’s featured on the Miami Spice menu every year. 

4441 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33140
(305) 674-4660
(305) 674-4660

Also featured in:

Wild mushroom rigatoni at Osteria Morini

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Pop into the Kimpton Palomar on Miami Beach for creative Italian eats at Osteria Morini restaurant. Hailing from New York, its menu features an array of handmade pasta dishes including the standout rigatoni smothered in wild mushroom ragù, rosemary, and black truffle moliterno.

1750 Alton Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 918-1037
(305) 918-1037

Also featured in:

Cavatelli Macchialina at Macchialina

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It’s hard to have a best pasta list in Miami without mentioning Michael Pirolo’s Macchialina. While it’s impossible to order wrongly, always make sure to order the cavatelli made with baby meatballs, porchetta, and pecorino. It’s saucy and delicious. What’s even better — this dish is just $10 on Thursdays. 

820 Alton Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 534-2124
(305) 534-2124

Also featured in:

Fettuccini al Gusto at Ristorante Fratelli Milano

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Fratelli Milano has been a staple for more than a decade in Downtown Miami. The restaurant is owned by twin brothers  — one makes the pasta and one makes the pastry — and it’s a match made in heaven. As is the fettuccini al gusto on the menu, which is served with a choice of red, pink, or alfredo sauce and the option of adding a protein. But those in the know, know pink sauce and chicken are the way to go. 

213 SE 1st St, Miami, FL 33131
(305) 373-2300
(305) 373-2300
Photo credit: Amber Love Bond

Spaghetti and Kobe Meatball at Prime Italian

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Looking for a one-pound Kobe meatball? Prime Italian has exactly that and it’s served over a hefty pile of spaghetti. This show stopping meatball is just as tasty as it is large. It’s finished off with a large spoonful of ricotta and basil on top. Show up hungry or ready to share Lady and The Tramp style, because it’s just that kind of meal.

101 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 695-8484
(305) 695-8484

Also featured in:

Spicy Rigatoni Vodka at Carbone

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Is it possible to visit New York transplant Carbone without ordering the spicy rigatoni vodka pasta? Those who are lucky enough to snag a reservation will be delighted in the simplicity of this famous pasta dish that adds a subtle layer of heat and creaminess to the classic dish.

49 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Also featured in:

Carbonara di Mare at Toscana Divino

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Toscana Divino wants diners to have a true Tuscan experience. While there are plenty of traditional dishes, the more modern carbonara di mare really hit it out of the park. This dish features spaghetti “chitarra,” sea urchin, fish roe, caviar, and bottarga.

900 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33130
(305) 371-2767
(305) 371-2767

Also featured in:

Pasta carbonara at Eating House Miami

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Bacon, truffle, egg yolk, and parmesan — those are the ingredients Giorgio Rapicavoli uses in his pasta carbonara. This dish has been one of the only true staples on this ever changing menu, which is a testament to how much it is admired. 

804 Ponce De Leon Blvd, Coral Gables, FL 33134
(305) 448-6524
(305) 448-6524

Lasagna at The Big Cheese Italian Restaurant

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This Miami establishment has been around for more than 30 years. It’s home to some of the best sports memorabilia in town and, as the name suggests, all things cheesy. The lasagna is one of the cheesiest items on the menu and a must-try, with layers of homemade meat sauce and extra cheese that is enough to cause a serious food coma or at the very least last for two meals. 

8080 SW 67th Ave, Miami, FL 33143
(305) 662-6855
(305) 662-6855

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Vesuvio al Pomodorino at Lido Restaurant and Champagne Bar at The Surf Club

9011 Collins Ave, Surfside, FL 33154

Made with a fun curly pasta called eliche, this simple pomodoro pasta is a beloved specialty by chef Antonio Mermolia. Featuring just pasta, cherry tomatoes, and basil it is an absolute delight.

9011 Collins Ave, Surfside, FL 33154
(786) 482-2280
(786) 482-2280

Tortellini in Brodo at Boia De

5205 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33137

Tucked in an unassuming shopping plaza is Boia De, home to some of the best food in town. The menu changes seasonally, but if the tortellini in brodo is on the menu make sure to order it. These bite sized pillows of pasta are bathing in a broth that’s so good it’s hard not to sip it straight out of the dish.

5205 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33137
(305) 967-8866
(305) 967-8866

Spaghetti with tomato and basil at Scarpetta

4441 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33140

The spaghetti at Scarpetta is as simple as it sounds. The fresh made pasta, tomatoes, and basil are plated into a perfect pasta ball shape. The dish is brought to the table under a cloche, allowing it to steam and be piping hot as it is placed on the table. Pro tip: it’s featured on the Miami Spice menu every year. 

4441 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33140
(305) 674-4660
(305) 674-4660

Wild mushroom rigatoni at Osteria Morini

1750 Alton Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Pop into the Kimpton Palomar on Miami Beach for creative Italian eats at Osteria Morini restaurant. Hailing from New York, its menu features an array of handmade pasta dishes including the standout rigatoni smothered in wild mushroom ragù, rosemary, and black truffle moliterno.

1750 Alton Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 918-1037
(305) 918-1037

Cavatelli Macchialina at Macchialina

820 Alton Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139

It’s hard to have a best pasta list in Miami without mentioning Michael Pirolo’s Macchialina. While it’s impossible to order wrongly, always make sure to order the cavatelli made with baby meatballs, porchetta, and pecorino. It’s saucy and delicious. What’s even better — this dish is just $10 on Thursdays. 

820 Alton Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 534-2124
(305) 534-2124

Fettuccini al Gusto at Ristorante Fratelli Milano

213 SE 1st St, Miami, FL 33131

Fratelli Milano has been a staple for more than a decade in Downtown Miami. The restaurant is owned by twin brothers  — one makes the pasta and one makes the pastry — and it’s a match made in heaven. As is the fettuccini al gusto on the menu, which is served with a choice of red, pink, or alfredo sauce and the option of adding a protein. But those in the know, know pink sauce and chicken are the way to go. 

213 SE 1st St, Miami, FL 33131
(305) 373-2300
(305) 373-2300
Photo credit: Amber Love Bond

Spaghetti and Kobe Meatball at Prime Italian

101 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Looking for a one-pound Kobe meatball? Prime Italian has exactly that and it’s served over a hefty pile of spaghetti. This show stopping meatball is just as tasty as it is large. It’s finished off with a large spoonful of ricotta and basil on top. Show up hungry or ready to share Lady and The Tramp style, because it’s just that kind of meal.

101 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 695-8484
(305) 695-8484

Spicy Rigatoni Vodka at Carbone

49 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Is it possible to visit New York transplant Carbone without ordering the spicy rigatoni vodka pasta? Those who are lucky enough to snag a reservation will be delighted in the simplicity of this famous pasta dish that adds a subtle layer of heat and creaminess to the classic dish.

49 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Carbonara di Mare at Toscana Divino

900 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33130

Toscana Divino wants diners to have a true Tuscan experience. While there are plenty of traditional dishes, the more modern carbonara di mare really hit it out of the park. This dish features spaghetti “chitarra,” sea urchin, fish roe, caviar, and bottarga.

900 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33130
(305) 371-2767
(305) 371-2767

Pasta carbonara at Eating House Miami

804 Ponce De Leon Blvd, Coral Gables, FL 33134

Bacon, truffle, egg yolk, and parmesan — those are the ingredients Giorgio Rapicavoli uses in his pasta carbonara. This dish has been one of the only true staples on this ever changing menu, which is a testament to how much it is admired. 

804 Ponce De Leon Blvd, Coral Gables, FL 33134
(305) 448-6524
(305) 448-6524

Lasagna at The Big Cheese Italian Restaurant

8080 SW 67th Ave, Miami, FL 33143

This Miami establishment has been around for more than 30 years. It’s home to some of the best sports memorabilia in town and, as the name suggests, all things cheesy. The lasagna is one of the cheesiest items on the menu and a must-try, with layers of homemade meat sauce and extra cheese that is enough to cause a serious food coma or at the very least last for two meals. 

8080 SW 67th Ave, Miami, FL 33143
(305) 662-6855
(305) 662-6855

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