Like any good Roman-transplant, I took most of August off. My travels took me to Turkey, Ireland, Spain and the US but now I am back and happily scarfing down more pasta than I would have believed prudent 2 years ago.
My hands down favorite place for a lunchtime carb fix in Rome’s historic center is Pastificio.
Pastificio is 85% pasta shop and 15% delicious, serendipitous 4 euro lunch shop, should you be so lucky as to wander by at the right time.
The shop is on one of the most exclusive streets leading up to Via Del Corso and I had heard about it for some time before I finally found it. What eventually tipped me off was a suspiciously long line leading out of a non-descript storefront I had wandered by countless times before.
But each day, starting at 1pm and going until 2:30ish pm (fellow bloggers, please correct me if I am wrong), Pastificio serves up hot pasta amid shelves of dried goodies you can take home for later.
You get two choices every day. There’s usually a vegetarian option and a meat-lovers surprise. On this day, I went for the Amatriciana.
Served on plastic plates, you have to order at the counter, and then squeeze into a spot on the slim ledges along either wall. You can also ask for it to go and eat outside near the Spanish Steps. What makes it so good, in addition to fresh ingredients and an unbeatable price, is the free drink that comes with it. When you pick up your pasta, look for the jug near the cash register and the plastic cups. Pour yourself a glass of complementary house wine, or help yourself to the water that is offered through out the seating areas.
Pastificio
Via della Croce, 8
Metro: Spagna
That looks like a great place for lunch, altho I’d take mine out to the Spanish Steps to eat. And free wine? I’m in!
Wow, great tip! Got this on my list of places to visit next time I visit!!!
)
Sounds delicious and carbs at lunchtime are fine
Not sure if it’s because it’s almost dinner time but that pasta looks really yummy. I mean, that type of pasta. They probably sell it too…
But I’ve never seen the place. Maybe I never walked past it at the right time
YAY! I was looking for the name of this place lately. Do you have other cheap lunch/dinner suggestions for centro storico?
One of my absolute favorite lunches in town! If you are lucky to go on a day they have the Carbonara, make sure and try it. It is one of the best in town.
and of course, Thursday is Gnocchi day!
Seems realy yammie, I have passed that place a lot of times but I have never stopped for lunch, I think now I will!
I was so lucky to have discovered this place. It was recommended by Lonely Planet guidebook. Amazing yet inexpensive pasta and very drinkable free water, plus warm and modest atmosphere! I thought they must be communist because other restaurants around were horrid and expensive!
And I just wondered how do you say “this is to go” in Italian?
Hi Fran! When you order, at the end you can say “da portar via, grazie!” Which means “to go, thanks!”
“Vorrei l’amatriciana da portar via, grazie” = “I would like the amatriciana pasta (e.g. with tomato sauce and guanciale/bacon) to go please.”
At Pastificio they will put in a plastic to go container and a bag for you.
Grazie mille! So delighted to hear your reply : )
I live in Rome,I know ehere is it but I never got inside, next time I must stop for lunch.
Thak you
Um, can we please implement the complimentary house wine in America please?