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Pasta Lab NYC
Master Critic Review
Pasta Lab NYC
8.0
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Hidden Gems Heaven
Pasta Lab NYC on Orchard Street operates like a fresh-pasta workshop, turning out trays of vegetarian lasagna and rotating shapes to eat at the small counter or take home. The focus is on texture and sauces rather than ceremony, making its lasagna feel more like a specialty from a neighborhood laboratorio than a sit-down red-sauce joint.
Must-Try Dishes:
Vegetarian lasagna with layered seasonal vegetables, Fresh tagliatelle with pistachio pesto, Take-home lasagna tray for two to three people
Scores:
Value: 8.8
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 7
What makes it special: Fresh-pasta workshop where lasagna and sauces change with availability and season.
Who should go: Pasta obsessives who care more about noodles than decor.
When to visit: Afternoons or early evenings before the small space fills.
What to order: Vegetarian lasagna, a fresh pasta-of-the-day, a take-home tray.
Insider tip: Ask which lasagna was made most recently if you’re grabbing a tray for later.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; generally manageable on Orchard Street before 6pm but tight after peak dinner hours. No valet.
Dress code: Completely casual; counter-style setup means anything from tees to light outerwear is appropriate.
Noise level: Low to moderate; small room with steady kitchen activity but still easy for conversation.
Weekend wait: 10–25 minutes depending on lasagna drop times and takeout traffic.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait, especially before 1pm when locals pick up trays.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Strong options — the signature lasagna is vegetarian and rotating fresh pastas often lean veggie-forward.
Vegan options: Limited — occasional vegan-friendly sauces or shapes, but the lasagna itself is not vegan.
Gluten-free options: Not ideal — no guaranteed gluten-free pasta prep and no dedicated GF equipment.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your date is a serious pasta fan comfortable with counter seating and a casual, workshop-like vibe. It's intimate in size but not atmospheric in a romantic sense.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — they don’t take reservations and operate on a walk-in basis. Arriving earlier in the evening helps secure a counter spot without standing around.
Is it kid-friendly? Best for older kids who enjoy pasta; the space is small with limited seating and no stroller room, so families should plan for quick visits rather than long meals.
Best For
Better for: Ideal when you want ultra-fresh, handmade pasta and lasagna in a fast, no-ceremony setting with take-home trays.
Skip if: If you want a traditional sit-down Italian dinner, a broad menu, or vegan/gluten-free certainty, choose a full-service trattoria instead.