I’ve been here many times and the food is always excellent—fresh, flavorful, and consistent. However, service could really use improvement. Staff are often inattentive, which affects the overall experience. Still worth visiting for the food, but hoping to see better service soon.


Pasta Fresca Thảo Điền - Italian restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City
About This Place
Pasta Fresca occupies a covered outdoor space inside Oishi Town, a small cluster of restaurants tucked off Thảo Điền street via a hẻm. The kitchen runs a build-your-own pasta format: diners choose a shape — spaghetti, rigatoni, pici, gnocchi among them — then pair it with a sauce that ranges from classic ragu to gorgonzola to creamy carbonara. The pici, a thick hand-rolled Tuscan pasta, has become the reference order, particularly with rich cheesy sauces, and long-time guests note that the flavor has stayed consistent from the restaurant's earlier Phu Nhuan location on Phan Xich Long.
The antipasto section sets the venue apart from most Thao Dien Italian options. A cold cuts board arrives loaded with mortadella, salami, coppa, Parma ham, and spicy 'nduja sausage, while the cheese platter covers mozzarella, taleggio, Parmesan, and gorgonzola alongside caramelized onion and focaccia. Arancini stuffed with 'nduja and mozzarella round out the starters. These ingredients are sourced rather than approximated, which accounts for both the quality and the pricing — around 400,000 VND per person for a shared meal, higher than the street food baseline nearby but in line with the ingredient sourcing.
Pizza takes longer than other dishes, a point multiple reviewers flag, but the dough is light and airy in the Neapolitan tradition rather than the thicker delivery-style crusts common elsewhere in the district. The outdoor seating is covered, which mitigates the midday heat, though the setup is simple: no design ambition, no pretension. The crowd leans toward expats and Thao Dien residents who make the alley trip specifically for the pasta and charcuterie rather than the atmosphere.
What to order at Pasta Fresca Thảo Điền

Italian Mixed Antipasto Platter
649k VND
Parma ham, Mortadella, Salami, Coppa, caramlized onion, Bufalo Mozzarella, Taleggio, Parmesan, Gorgonzola, fresh grapes,

Beef Tagliata (300gr)
629k VND
Steak Úc Rib-eye, rocket, cà chua bi chocolate, khoai tây chiên (Australian Rib-eye steak with rocket salad, chocolatd t

Passion Fruit Salmon
527k VND
Baked Salmon With Asparagus, Baked Potatoes And Passion Fruit Sauce

Pork Chop Alla Milanese
459k VND
Crumbed Pork Chop With Rocket Salad, Lemon And Honey Sauce

Australian Beef Steak Salad
415k VND
Australian Rib-eye Steak In Caesar Salad With Shaved Parmesan Cheese
Full menu below · prices in VND.
Reviews
Tucked away in the heart of District 2, this Italian restaurant is a true culinary gem. The pizza might take a little time to arrive, but trust me—it’s worth every second of the wait. The dough is spot-on: light, airy, and full of flavor, with that unmistakable taste that transports you straight to Italy. The pasta dishes are equally impressive, crafted with care and bursting with authentic Italian flair. You can tell the kitchen takes pride in every plate they serve. If there’s one small bémol, it’s the side offerings—breadsticks and pizza dough served alongside are a bit too dry and plain, with the sticks leaning toward overly hard. But honestly, that’s a minor note in an otherwise fantastic dining experience. The ambiance adds to the charm: cozy, welcoming, and perfect for a relaxed evening out. Whether you're a pizza purist or just craving a taste of Italy, this spot delivers.
Food was good but both of us got food poisoning the next day. Not sure if it was from the steak or the salad or the pizza, but it was surely from the dinner we had at Pasta Fresca. Atmosphere is nice, but you will get a bit disappointed if you need to go to the restroom. It’s also quite close to the kitchen 🤔🤔. Price was affordable (about 400k/person with shared steak, pizza, salad, chips and drinks). The big minus is really about hygiene.
Everything is perfect except the pasta, gnocchi is overcooked and the sauce was not impressive, I like the cheese truffle pizza and salad should be more rocket to balance the taste.
Fantastic for fresh pasta. Service was so wonderful. We enjoyed and felt the care form the staff.
Visiting Pasta Fresca Thảo Điền
- ✓
Menu starts from: 29k VND, based on 77 priced items on the public menu.
- ✓
Reservations: Call +84 394 513 422 to book — recommended for weekend dining.
- ✓
Best for: date night, casual dinner, group dinner, weekend lunch.
- ✓
Delivery: Listed on GrabFood.
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Frequently Asked
- What's the best dish at Pasta Fresca Thảo Điền?
- The pici pasta is the reference order, especially with gorgonzola or creamy carbonara sauce. One long-time guest notes the flavor 'remains exactly as I remembered' from the original Phu Nhuan location.
- Does Pasta Fresca Thảo Điền have outdoor seating?
- Yes. The restaurant occupies a covered outdoor space inside Oishi Town, described by reviewers as 'cozy outdoor seating,' though it can feel warm at lunchtime.
- Is Pasta Fresca Thảo Điền good for sharing cold cuts and cheese?
- The antipasto section is a standout — boards include mortadella, salami, coppa, Parma ham, and 'nduja, while the cheese platter covers mozzarella, taleggio, Parmesan, and gorgonzola with focaccia.
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