Image credit: natalinaitalian/Instagram
There are few things more rewarding than a plate of fresh, handmade pasta. For authentic Italian fare that tastes like Nonna made it, hit up these restaurants in KL and PJ that serve the best pasta in town.
Also, explore our guide to the best bagels in KL and PJ.
No trip to Italy feels complete without indulging in a plate of handmade pasta — a tradition rooted in technique, quality ingredients, and generations of culinary pride. But even after the holiday ends, that longing for tagliatelle, ravioli, or linguine can linger. Fortunately, KL and PJ are home to a growing number of restaurants that treat pasta-making with the same reverence as the Italians.
Image credit: @natalinaitalian/Instagram
Across Malaysia, a mix of Italian and locally owned establishments are putting fresh pasta at the heart of their menus, having conquered the art of wood-fired pizzas. These aren’t just generic renditions, but carefully crafted dishes made with attention to detail — from hand-kneaded doughs to delicate folds and cuts that bring out the best of each pasta type.
Chef Stefano at Natalina Italian Kitchen, for example, brings the flavours of his Italian heritage to life with specialities like ravioli ricotta e spinaci and lasagna verticale al ragù di manzo — a bold, vertical twist on a comfort classic. Stuffed tagliatelle, Wagyu Bolognese, béchamel, and three cheeses come together in a layered dish that speaks to both tradition and creativity.
Also read | Heading To Malaysia? Don’t Miss-out On These 15 Cafes & Restaurants For Food In Ara Damansara, PJ
But pasta isn’t just about the usual spaghetti and fettuccine. Restaurants here are also embracing lesser-known pasta shapes like cappellacci, filled like dumplings, and gnocchetti, tiny shell-like pieces perfect for capturing sauce.
If you’re after a comforting, satisfying meal reminiscent of a trattoria in Rome or Florence, these are the places to visit. This guide rounds up 10 of the best spots in KL and PJ for handmade pasta that’s fresh, flavourful, and unmistakably Italian.
Where to find the best handmade pasta in KL and PJ
Strato
Perched above the city at Troika Sky Dining, Strato pairs handmade pasta with striking views and bold flavour combinations. Standout dishes like Wagyu beef cheek tortellini in sage brown butter and black spaghetti with snow crab and lobster tomato sauce show off the kitchen’s inventive flair, making Strato a must-visit for pasta with a touch of luxury.
Operating hours: 6 PM – 12 AM (opens daily)
(Image credit: Instagram/ @stratotroika)
Address Level 23A Tower B, The Troika, 19, Persiaran KLCC, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Website Website here
Phone +60 3-2162 0886
Zenzero Restaurant & Wine Bar
For refined Italian dining, Zenzero delivers with its focus on fresh pasta made in-house and seasonal, high-quality ingredients. Whether it’s linguine in sea urchin butter sauce or a rotating selection of ravioli, each dish here reflects the elegance and simplicity of classic Italian cuisine.
Operating hours: 12 PM – 12 AM (opens daily)
Address Lot AG1 Amplewest@Menara 6 No, Jalan Puncak, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Website https://www.zenzerogroup.com/
Phone +60 3-2022 2899
Grano Pasta Bar
Grano brings a modern, casual approach to pasta with impressive results. Known for offering a wide variety of pasta types and textures, Grano’s dishes are full of personality — from its signature pecorino romano-topped gnocchetti to the herb pesto creste de gallo with artichokes and broccoli. It’s a great choice for diners seeking both comfort and creativity.
Operating hours: 12 PM – 3 PM, 5.30 PM – 10.30 PM (weekdays, closed on Mondays) | 12 PM – 10.30 PM (weekends)
(Image credit: Grano Pasta Bar/Facebook)
Address 29, Jalan Riong, APW Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Website Website here
Phone +60 3-2201 3613
Back Alley Pasta
This intimate spot in Ampang fuses Asian flavours with Italian tradition, creating bold, unique dishes that change with the seasons. The now expanded space accommodates more diners and adds dessert options, but it’s still the house-made pappardelle with Angus flank steak and bacon that steals the show.
Operating hours: 5.30 PM – 10 PM (weekdays, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays) | 11.30 AM – 10 PM (weekends)
(Image credit: Instagram/ @backalleypasta)
Address No 8 jalan 1/67b, Off, Jalan Mengkudu, 55000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Phone +60 3-2856 3065
Natalina Italian Kitchen
Chef Stefano’s menu at Natalina is a celebration of traditional Italian techniques and rich, hearty flavours. Its pasta offerings are extensive, from seafood-filled squid ink ravioli to truffle-scented gnocchi. The standout for us is the dramatic lasagna verticale layered with Wagyu Bolognese and creamy béchamel — a dish that’s both theatrical and deeply satisfying for the tummy.
Operating hours: 12 PM – 10 PM (opens daily)
(Image credit: Instagram/ @natalinaitalian)
Address Avenue K, Lot 06 – Level 03, 156, Jln Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Website Website here
Phone +60 12-673 3860
Bottega
Known for its welcoming ambience and deli-style charm, Bottega blends rustic Italian cooking with quality ingredients. Its carbonara, made with guanciale and finished with a silky sauce, is widely considered one of the best in the city. Both its KL and PJ locations serve up comforting plates that feel like home.
Operating hours: 11 AM – 11 PM (Mondays to Thursdays) | 11 AM – 11.30 PM (Fridays to Sundays)
(Image credit: Instagram/ @yes.its.ash)
Address 1A, Jalan Ceylon, Bukit Ceylon, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Website Website here
Phone +60 3-2070 4222
Nero Nero
Sister restaurant to Natalina, Nero Nero dives into the flavours of Southern Italy with a focus on imported produce and handmade pasta. Expect dishes like eggplant and ricotta ravioli or squid ink fettuccine tossed with prawns and calamari — all executed with finesse and authenticity.
Operating hours: 12 PM – 10.30 PM (Mondays to Saturdays) | 12 PM – 3 PM, 6 PM – 10.30 PM (Sundays only)
(Image credit: Instagram/ @neronero.kl)
Address L3 – 02, Jalan Damanlela Damansara City Mall, Pusat Bandar Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Website https://www.neronerokl.com/
Phone +60 19-667 4546
Alta Cafe
While it may be better known for its burger, Alta Cafe’s pasta deserves equal praise. Its small, curated selection includes dishes like rigatoni in white ragù and orecchiette with anchovy, lemon, and herbs — each one showcasing a thoughtful balance of flavour and technique in a relaxed, neighbourhood setting.
Operating hours: 8 AM – 7 PM (opens daily)
(Image credit: Instagram/ @alta_cafe)
Address 59-1, Jalan Bangkung, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Website Website here
Phone +60 3-2201 0725
Aposto
At Aposto, chef Chu Wei Sin blends modern flair with handmade tradition. From gorgonzola and white corn ravioli to lobster linguine in creamy bisque, the pasta menu is inventive yet rooted in Italian fundamentals — many locals agree that it’s a standout in the TTDI dining scene.
Operating hours: 5.30 PM – 11 PM (closed on Mondays)
(Image credit: Instagram/ @aposto.kl)
Address 38, Lorong Rahim Kajai 14, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Website Website here
Phone +60 10-282 4990
Timothy Cafe
At Timothy Cafe, pasta is made fresh daily using semola flour and free-range eggs, resulting in noodles with excellent texture and depth of flavour. The masak lemak butter pasta — rich with curry leaves, beef bacon, and a spicy, creamy sauce — is a perfect example of how local ingredients can transform a classic Italian format into something entirely new and delicious.
Operating hours: 8 AM – 9 PM (Mondays to Thursdays) | 8 AM – 10 PM (Fridays to Sundays)
Image credit: @timothy_highstreet/Instagram
Address 24, Jalan Tun H S Lee, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Website Website here
Phone +60 11-6211 5167
Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
Written By
Melissa Foong
Born and raised in the beautiful city of Kuala Lumpur, Melissa loves writing all things fashion, beauty ..Read Moreand dining-related. She has written for BURO 24/7 and Augustman, and when she’s not busy chasing deadlines, you can find her tucked in a blanket rereading her favourite series of fantasy novels, Harry Potter. Read Less