
Hey Guys, Nick here, aka Pasta Daddy! We will ONLY be closed until March 16th to recharge our pasta making batteries and reset our dining room 🙂 Again, this is just a small break and we look forward to seeing and serving you all from our heart when we reopen on the 17th at 11am :)) All the Love! Nick Albano 2192429160 (call me text me personally until then with any and all inquiries and questions)
Address and Contact Information
Address: 22 Washington St, Valparaiso, IN 46383
Phone: (219) 242-9160
Website: http://eatalbanos.square.site/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: cake.net
Order: Order online
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Albano’s: Order Online
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Albano’s Pasta Shop (@albanospastashop) – Instagram
Reviews
First time trying Albano’s Pasta Shop today and it absolutely delivered — small space with seriously big flavor.
The homemade bread set the tone immediately — warm, fresh, and impossible to stop eating even when you promise yourself you’re saving room. The meatballs were tender, rich, and clearly made with care — true comfort food, not an afterthought.
The short rib tortellini was the standout. Deep, slow-braised flavor wrapped in delicate pasta with a beautifully balanced sauce that tasted layered and intentional. This is the kind of dish that reminds you what handmade pasta should taste like.
Portions are very generous — we couldn’t even finish everything and happily left with leftovers that will be lunch (and maybe dinner) for days. Always a bonus when the food is this good the next day too.
I believe the chef’s name was Nick, and he was incredibly accommodating, which made the experience even better. You can tell there’s real passion behind both the food and the hospitality.
As for the one-star reviews… some people just don’t like flavor. Or joy. Or seasoning. It always cracks me up when someone says “I never leave bad reviews” and their profile is basically a museum of 1-stars. If you know food, you’ll know this place is doing it right.
Cozy, authentic, and absolutely worth it. We’ll definitely be back.
Passing through and we managed to get a late night reservation. There is no sign out front, so we were a little turned around but the host ran out to bring us in. She told us about their “speakeasy vibe” which you can sense right when you walk in.
This place is fabulous. Everything came quickly, was piping hot, and was through the roof on flavor! I could not believe the taste level on the meatballs – truly one of the best things I’ve ever eaten and certainly the best meatball ever.
We talked with Nick, the owner, on our way out and he was so kind. He shared a little about his story and we bonded over food. He sent us home with a piece of his signature lavender honey cheesecake and it was melt in your mouth good with the most beautiful lavender color.
I hope we come back again but even if I’m not in the area, it would be worth the drive to make the trip. So good!
The service was prompt and friendly. We ordered a glass of Brut Rosé from Cremant D’Alsace in France. It was not very cold, so I asked for a glass of ice. After that, it was delicious! Other than that, we stuck with the water pitcher they bring to each table.
Then we shared an order of their Homemade Foccacia. I have to say, this was my one letdown of the meal. It came out barely warm and it was hard to chew. You could sharpen your teeth on the crust! It was more like day old French bread. This was not like any foccacia I have had before…and I have made my own at home. And, the herb olive oil for dipping, was heavy on fennel. Fennel and I don’t get along. I stuck with a bit of the red sauce for dipping. So, unfortunately, I would not recommend the bread.
On the other hand, the entrees, caesar salad, and portion sizes are out of this world! We enjoyed the spaghetti and meatballs and the short rib tortellini but couldn’t finish it all. I couldn’t believe the amount of food for the price you pay.
And Nick personally came out to apologize for the wait on my salad, due to issues in the kitchen. He even took it off the bill even though we told him it was completely unnecessary since I was inhaling it. This salad alone is worth a trip back.
Bottom line is that this place is a gem. The lack of signage is a bit confusing if you have never been before, but you will definitely never forget it. And I’m sure that like us, you’re gonna go back.
Thank you to the whole staff for a lovely dinner!
Downtown Valpo is a whole mess with parking, but that’s not the shop owner’s fault at all and I would still absolutely recommend this spot to anyone. It felt so refreshing and comfortable in the restaurant; I’m left impressed, content, and absolutely planning a future visit! Honestly one of the best experiences I’ve had in any restaurant, I really hope to see this place grow! You guys are doing great things!
The food itself was truly phenomenal. The caramelized onion tortellini was one of the best bites of food I have ever had in my life, rich, delicate, perfectly balanced, and unforgettable. The focaccia was also extraordinary. My husband bakes focaccia at home, but this was on another level, with a light chewy dough, just the right crunch, and a sprinkle of sea salt that made it perfection. The potato tortellini was equally memorable, like the best of a pierogi fest, with pasta so delicate yet cooked to perfection. And dessert, a lavender cheesecake made from Chef Nick’s mother’s recipe, was both unique and comforting, the perfect finish to the meal.
The service was warm and attentive, and Chef Nick himself came out to speak with us. When he learned of our loss, he generously offered to cover our meal and shared how his own mother, his best friend, inspired his cooking. That generosity deeply moved us, but even without it, this meal stands among the very best we have ever had.
Albano’s is more than a restaurant, it is a place where food is prepared with soul, precision, and heart. At a time when we needed comfort, this meal nourished us in every way. Thank you, Chef Nick, and his staff! The food, the service, the ambience was truly over-the-top amazing!
Honestly cannot say enough good things about this meal. We left feeling like we were back in Italy. One of Valparaiso’s most under-rated restaurants!