You know that moment when a fork twirls through noodles and you suddenly stop talking because the bite is that good? South Carolina hides a surprising number of places where that happens, often tucked into old bank buildings, quiet shopping plazas, or little side streets.
Fresh pasta takes time, patience, and real skill, so finding a kitchen that makes it by hand is like finding a small treasure. Grab a napkin, because this list is going to make you hungry.
1. Le Farfalle
Picture a sunny, breezy dining room on a quiet downtown Charleston street, and then picture a plate of glossy black squid ink spaghetti landing in front of you. Le Farfalle calls itself a neighborhood osteria, and it takes a fresh, modern spin on classic Italian cooking with carefully sourced ingredients.
The pasta is made in house, and you can taste it. Noodles arrive tender, lively, and cooked just right.
Stuffed pasta filled with rich duck confit is a standout, while cacio e pepe keeps things simple and peppery.
Start with warm rosemary focaccia or octopus carpaccio, then save room for chocolate cake. Vegan and vegetarian diners get full menus of their own, which is a thoughtful touch.
Dinner runs nightly starting at 5 PM, and reservations are strongly recommended since weekends fill fast. A cozy outdoor area makes date nights feel extra special.
2. Jianna
Spaghetti and meatballs sounds ordinary until you try the version at Jianna. Built on freshly made noodles, the dish has a bouncy texture and deep flavor that makes the classic feel brand new.
Perched above South Main Street in Greenville, this sleek spot offers city views and a patio that looks out over the bustling street below. Housemade pastas share the menu with seafood and seasonal specials, so every visit can feel a little different.
Smoked mozzarella agnolotti, fusilli, and the Spaghetti TBG are all worth a look, along with North Carolina burrata and chilled market oysters.
Finish with salted caramel semifreddo for a sweet, creamy ending. Weekend brunch runs Saturday and Sunday from 11 AM to 2 PM, and dinner follows in the evening.
Parking downtown can be tricky, so plan ahead. Reservations help too, since a wait is common.
3. Pasta Fresca
Sometimes the best restaurants feel like family, and Pasta Fresca in Columbia has exactly that vibe. Run by a couple who clearly love their craft, it serves pasta made fresh in-house alongside sauces built from scratch.
The menu leans toward seafood, with favorites like Seafood Santa Fe and Shrimp Alfredo Fresca. Chicken Alfredo Fresca and chicken Parmesan cover the comfort side of things.
Don’t skip the loaded bread, a cheesy starter that disappears fast, or the hand breaded calamari.
Inside, the rustic-chic room feels warm and classy, and there’s a patio for nice evenings. A private dining area works well for bigger gatherings, and live music sometimes adds to the mood.
Prices are friendly, usually around $20 to $30 per person. Dinner starts at 4:30 PM Tuesday through Sunday, and Thursday and Friday evenings get the busiest crowds.
4. Lucy Anne’s
Fun fact: one of Spartanburg’s newest pasta spots lives inside a historic bank. Lucy Anne’s opened in June 2025 in the old Citizens and Southern National Bank building on West Main Street, and yes, the old vault now serves as a pasta room.
The cooking blends the American South with flavors from different regions of Italy. Hand-cut pasta is the star here, with cavatelli on the menu and a tomato sauce that tastes slow and deep.
Ragu and sausage pair beautifully with the fresh noodles.
The decor is stunning, and an upstairs bar and dining area adds extra charm. After dinner, downtown Spartanburg is fun to stroll.
Dinner runs Tuesday through Saturday from 5 to 10 PM, with Sundays and Mondays closed. The motto says it all: no shortcuts, no filler, just good food in a room worth being in.
5. Portofino Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar
Myrtle Beach is famous for fried shrimp and boardwalk snacks, but tucked along North Kings Highway sits a quieter treat. Portofino focuses on Northern Italian cooking, with homemade pasta and signature veal dishes leading the way.
The noodles come out properly al dente, and the sauces are rich and layered. Rigatoni Bolognese is a crowd favorite, and the lasagna is hearty enough to share, though you probably won’t want to.
Lobster ravioli with scallops and shrimp feels like a beach-town splurge done right.
Veal Parmigiana, spaghetti carbonara, shrimp cacio e pepe, and Mussels Portofino round out the menu. The dining room is calm and romantic, a nice break from busy vacation days.
Doors open at 4 PM Monday through Saturday, and reservations are smart on Friday and Saturday nights. Parking is easy, with a free lot right on site.
6. Sfoglia Ristorante Italiano
In Italian, sfoglia means a thin sheet of fresh pasta dough, so the name alone hints at what matters most here. This quaint Beaufort restaurant lives up to it with homemade pasta that feels truly crafted.
Lobster ravioli and veal specialties headline the menu. The signature lasagna arrives bubbling in an iron pot, which makes it feel like a special occasion all on its own.
The Girella, a rolled pasta dish, shows off the kitchen’s handiwork, while gnocchi and risotto offer more delicious options.
Start with the bruschetta, which is packed with bright flavor. Lunch and dinner run Tuesday through Saturday, and Sunday brings brunch from 11 AM to 3 PM.
Prices sit on the higher end, so it’s a great pick for birthdays or anniversaries. Free parking is easy to find in this charming little town.
7. Il Buongustaio
Ever tasted pasta with that perfect little bite in the center? Il Buongustaio in Florence nails it.
The name roughly means someone with great taste in food, and the kitchen backs that up with freshly made pasta and well-made sauces.
Beyond the noodles, the menu features seafood and veal, along with dishes like gamberoni all’aglio, which is garlicky jumbo shrimp, and slow-roasted porchetta. Dessert gets just as much love, thanks to homemade ice cream.
Italian music plays softly, and the room feels cozy and quaint without being stuffy. Hours are limited, so plan carefully.
Dinner runs Thursday through Saturday evenings, and Sunday offers a midday meal from 11:30 AM to 3 PM. It’s closed Monday through Wednesday.
Plenty of free parking makes the trip simple, and reservations are accepted for those who like a sure thing.
8. Piatti
Rounded booths, beautiful artwork on the walls, and a warm welcome at the door set the tone at Piatti on Hilton Head Island. It’s the kind of place where vacation dinner turns into the highlight of the whole trip.
Authentic house-made pasta drives the menu, and homemade raviolis get special attention, including a well-loved lobster ravioli. Creative chef specials sometimes feature dishes like bucatini with sausage, spinach, and butternut squash topped with creamy burrata.
Eggplant layered with tomatoes and mozzarella is a strong choice too.
The atmosphere stays relaxed and quiet, with outdoor seating for warm island evenings. Decadent desserts make a sweet finale.
Dinner runs Monday through Saturday from 5 to 9:30 PM, and Sundays are closed. Reservations are recommended, especially during busy beach seasons, and free parking keeps things easy.
9. Salmeri’s Italian Kitchen
Hungry at lunchtime? Good news.
Unlike many spots on this list, Salmeri’s Italian Kitchen in Fort Mill opens at 11 AM every day, so fresh pasta isn’t just a dinner thing here.
The pappardelle Bolognese is a hearty showstopper, with homemade ribbons tossed in sauce loaded with meatballs, beef short ribs, and Italian sausage. Freshly made raviolis, especially mushroom ravioli, are another big draw.
Cajun shrimp fettuccine adds a little Southern kick.
Handcrafted pizzas, calamari, warm olives, and a caprese salad fill out the menu, and tiramisu wraps things up nicely. The vibe is lively yet comfortable, with kids’ menus and high chairs for families.
Prices stay friendly, around $20 to $30 per person, and parking is free. Friday and Saturday evenings get busy, so a reservation never hurts.
10. Tavola Italian
Made fresh daily. Those three words explain why Tavola Italian in Simpsonville earned a place here.
The kitchen rolls out scratch-made pasta every day and pairs it with sauces full of flavor, plus local beef and vegetables.
Spaghetti carbonara and frutti di mare, a seafood pasta, show off the noodles beautifully. The house confit garlic focaccia is a must, soft and fragrant.
For bigger appetites, there’s a whole branzino and an 8oz prime filet mignon.
Desserts include lemon ricotta cheesecake and tiramisu. The setting feels refined and quiet, with live music on some nights and a private dining room for celebrations.
Dinner runs every night, and weekend lunch adds midday options on Saturday and Sunday. Free on-site parking and outdoor seating make it an easy pick for date night or family dinners alike.
11. Costa Coastal Kitchen & Bar
Chalkboard menus, flickering candles, and crackling fireplaces give Costa Coastal Kitchen & Bar in Murrells Inlet a warm, storybook feel. It blends Italian cooking with fresh coastal seafood, which makes perfect sense in this fishing town.
Freshly made pastas share the spotlight with grilled grouper, halibut, crab cakes, and diver scallops over mushroom risotto. Shrimp scampi and Shrimp Olivia are seafood-meets-pasta favorites.
Homemade bread arrives too, and it’s hard to stop eating.
Don’t miss the sausage-stuffed banana peppers, a popular starter with a little heat. Veal parmigiano and chicken marsala cover the classic Italian side.
The mood is relaxed and unfussy, yet still special enough for date night. Doors open at 4 PM Monday through Saturday, and reservations are recommended for busy weekend evenings.
Free parking makes arriving easy.
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