Where to go for a big bowl of pasta
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Where to go for a big bowl of pasta

We’re from the firm belief that every night is pasta night, and Geelong has a number of Nonna-worthy pasta dishes that are guaranteed to perk you up after a tough day that only a big serve of carbs can fix. Next time you’ve got pasta on your mind, let one of these restaurants sort you out with some of the best spaghetti, fettuccine, pappardelle, and ravioli in the region.

Centra
If you’ve got an urge for Italian done right, look no further than Centra, which has become the go-to place for authentic rustic Italian in the Geelong region. It’s modern, stylish, classy, and best of all is only about locally sourced seasonal produce that’s flavoursome, expressive, honest and (most importantly) delicious. Back to the pasta. If you’re craving something vegetarian, Centra have a mouth-watering ricotta gnocchi dish with gorgonzola fondue with walnut, a pumpkin tortellini with brown butter sage and amaretti biscotti, or a decadent mushroom risotto. If meats more your style, indulge in the lamb ragu pappardelle, or embrace the ocean and go for the ‘Linguini allo Scoglio’ with comes with prawns, scallops, calamari, mussels, olive oil and white wine… um sold? Pair with a glass of vino and you’ll be thanking us later.

You can find Centra at 131 Yarra St, Geelong, open Tuesday to Sunday from 12pm. Call them on 5224 1515 to book your table.

Lipari
Geelong home of too good to refuse: carb-loaded, butter-drenched pasta. Building on recipes passed down from the family, Lipari has created a menu that pays homage to all the family classics. Here you just need to choose your pasta of choice (Penne, Spaghetti, Fettuccine, Tortellini, Ravioli or Homemade Gnocchi) and then match it to your favourite Italian sauce and you’ll be dreaming it for days to come. Sauces range from your classics like bolognese, pesto, matriciana, a marinara seafood mix and napoletana, to flavoursome options like calabrese, carbonara, a Chicken, Mango & Avocado sauce and the Chef’s Special Bacon, Spring Onions & Chicken (our pick!!).

Regarded by many as Geelong best Italian restaurant, which people talk about and come back for time after time – you’ll soon see why.

Lipari is located at 10 Union Street, Geelong. Call 5222 5600 to book or order some takeaway.

Osteria Fiorenza
Osteria Fiorenza is Geelong’s newest home to some of the tastiest Italian cooking outside of Italy itself. Opening only six months ago, the restaurant celebrates traditional Italian flavours, focusing on the simple, flavourful dishes – with all the pasta lovingly and meticulously handmade by their chef. We’ve got our eye on the handmade tagliatelle pasta with cream and citrus sauce, fresh mint, Cognac and Parmigiano Reggiano (cheese!), or the Tuscan spaghetti with cherry tomatoes, roasted red peppers, pancetta, garlic and chilli! If you’re after something a level up from authentic, this is it.

Osteria Fiorenza is located at 49 Gheringhap Street, Geelong

Caruggi
Providing Geelong with delicious Northern Italian Cuisine, Caruggi is the perfect place to sit back in a relaxed atmosphere and immerse yourself in all that is Italian. Simple rustic fare with specialties from the Ligurian coast, if you’re looking for some damnnnn fine pasta that will rival your nonnas, this is it. From the classic napoli or bolognese, to something a little more indulgent like the Pesto Genovese with green beans and potato, Pizzoccheri (buckwheat pasta) with savoy cabbage, Asiago cheese and sage or even the squid ink calamari and pea risotto, Caruggi have all your pasta needs sorted. They even make cream based pasta on request, and offer gluten free pasta if your tummy doesn’t sit well with the traditional form.

Caruggi is located at 66 Little Malop Street, Geelong. Call 5229 6426 to book your pasta-filled evening.

Dennys Kitchen
There’s barely a person in the world that doesn’t seek comfort in the cheesy aromatic goodness of a pizza fresh out of a wood-fired oven. Well we’re not talking about pizza, but you’ll still smell it here when you head to Denny’s Kitchen for a hearty bowl of pasta! With a passion to create beautiful, delicious food with high-quality ingredients, most of their delicious handmade pastas (yes handmade, on site), wood-fired pizzas and fresh, seasonal plates are designed to share at the table, making it the ideal spot for your next catch up. We absolutely love their take on the classic carbonara linguini, completed with smoked kaiser bacon, mushrooms, spring onion, and Parmesan, as well as their matriciana hand-rolled gnocchi, with crispy spiced kaiser bacon, kalamata olives, capers, white anchovies and napoli sauce. Definitely a treat yourself kind of place…

Located at National Wool Museum 66 Brougham Street Geelong. Phone 03 5223 2536 or visit dennyskitchen.com.au

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It’s not rocket science. A simple slurp of spaghetti or forkful of fettuccine can make life suddenly look very sweet indeed – so round up your pasta loving mates and buon appetito!