The Pasta Shop in Denville, NJ, Named No. 1 in U.S. by Yelp

The Pasta Shop in Denville was just named the No. 1 pasta spot in the country on Yelp’s Top 100 Pasta Places of 2026 list.

Located in downtown Denville off of Route 46, the Pasta Shop has long been a North Jersey favorite for its fresh pasta and daily-made mozzarella. It’s already known for its notoriously hard-to-snag tables.

Unlike most Italian spots in New Jersey, the Pasta Shop doesn’t accept reservations. Instead, diners are seated on a first-come, first-serve basis. Takeout is available, though customers should anticipate longer-than-normal wait times due to the high demand.

The menu keeps things simple, offering antipasti, al forno (baked) entrées and six pasta dishes: a rigatoni alla vodka, a black linguine with spicy Argentinian red shrimp, linguine and clams, ziti norcina with homemade sausage, pappardelle Bolognese, and spaghetti carbonara. Classic cannoli are on offer for dessert.

The Pasta Shop partners with Hunterdon County’s Old York Cellars to sell wine, including red and white varieties of its aptly named “What Exit” label. Diners are also welcome to BYOB.

Yelp isn’t the only national publication taking notice of the Morris County restaurant. Earlier this year, the Pasta Shop also earned a spot on USA Today’s 2026 Restaurants of the Year list, which recognized 39 dining destinations across the country.

The Pasta Shop is open Tuesday through Friday from 3 to 9 pm, and Saturday from noon to 9 pm. It’s closed Sunday and Monday.

The Pasta Shop wasn’t the only New Jersey restaurant to make the list. Pasta Volo in Asbury Park ranked No. 8, earning praise for its build-your-own pasta bowls, affordable prices and takeout options, while L&D Sapore Ravioli & Cheese in Middlesex and Mavi’s Pizza and Pasta in Fort Lee landed at No. 57 and No. 65, respectively.