If there’s one thing to know about Jersey’s food scene, it’s that we take our pasta very seriously. Penne vodka at every birthday party, rigatoni with Sunday sauce, hand-made ravioli and agnolotti—New Jersey has no shortage of it.
To build on that, four New Jersey eateries were just named among the top 100 places to eat pasta in the U.S. by Yelp—and one secured the No. 1 spot in the nation.
The No. 1 Pasta Spot in the Country
Yelp recognized The Pasta Shop in Denville as the No. 1 pasta restaurant in the nation. Executive Chef Tommy Pollio’s Morris County Italian joint specializes in hand-made pasta and a variety of sauces.
Choose from spaghetti, rigatoni, ravioli, linguine, and more, depending on the seasonal offerings—all made in house at this no-reservations eatery. In classic New Jersey fashion, the vodka sauce is the most popular choice for hungry diners, according to Yelp, but The Pasta Shop’s status as one of the best goes beyond the staples. They are consistently recognized for their house-made gluten-free pastas, made on a dedicated machine to avoid cross contamination.
“Yelpers praise the first-come, first-served restaurant and market with its open kitchen, wood-burning oven, and pasta-making demos in the front window, but recommend arriving early to snag one of the few tables,” Yelp wrote.
NJ Is Well Represented
Three other New Jersey restaurants were recognized on the list.
Pasta Volo in Asbury Park (No. 8) was praised for its creative, build-your-own pasta bowls, fair prices, and takeout options. L&D Sapore Ravioli & Cheese in Middlesex (No. 57) and Mavi’s Pizza and Pasta in Fort Lee (No. 65) were also ranked in the top 100.
Yelp used a number of factors, including review volume and average rating to determine which restaurants were worthy of the top 100. The brand notes that pasta is increasingly popular—Yelp searches for “pasta shops” rose 52% from September 2025 to August 2026. The full list, which was released in celebration of National Pasta Day on October 17, includes a mix of sit-down pasta restaurants, takeout hubs, and hybrid spaces where pasta classes and meals are offered. Yelp’s take: pasta restaurants can be the new third space.
It’s only fitting that a state as dedicated to pasta as New Jersey would be home to the best pasta restaurant in the country. Read Yelp’s full Top 100 Pasta Places of 2026 here.
Peter Candia is the Food + Drink Editor at New Jersey Digest. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Peter found a passion for writing midway through school and never looked back. He is a former line cook, server and bartender at top-rated restaurants in the tri-state area. In addition to food, Peter enjoys politics, music, sports and anything New Jersey.
