Located in the heart of Cary, North Carolina, La Grassa Pastificio stands as a dedicated sanctuary for those who appreciate the artistry of authentic Italian cuisine. Situated at 908 NE Maynard Rd, this establishment has cultivated a reputation for prioritizing the foundational elements of traditional cooking: high-quality ingredients, time-honored techniques, and a deep respect for the culinary heritage of Italy. Unlike many modern dining venues that prioritize speed or complex fusion, La Grassa Pastificio focuses on the purity of the pasta-making process, ensuring that every dish served reflects the soul of a true Italian kitchen.
The philosophy behind the restaurant is rooted in the belief that great food begins with the dough. By emphasizing the craft of the pastificio, the kitchen team transforms simple, premium flour and eggs into a variety of shapes and textures that serve as the canvas for their culinary creations. Guests visiting the Cary location are invited to experience an atmosphere that balances casual comfort with a sophisticated appreciation for gastronomy, making it an ideal destination for both quiet weeknight dinners and celebratory gatherings with friends and family.
Beyond the plate, the restaurant serves as a community hub where the local neighborhood can connect over shared meals. The environment is designed to be welcoming, encouraging diners to slow down and savor the nuances of each course. Whether you are a long-time enthusiast of handmade pasta or someone looking to explore the depth of regional Italian flavors, La Grassa Pastificio offers a consistent and thoughtful dining experience that honors the simplicity and elegance of Mediterranean cooking traditions.
Key Highlights of the La Grassa Experience
Artisanal Pasta Craftsmanship: The core of the menu is built upon fresh, handmade pasta produced on-site. This commitment to traditional methods ensures a superior texture and flavor profile that distinguishes the restaurant from establishments relying on mass-produced alternatives.
Commitment to Quality Ingredients: Every dish is prepared with a focus on sourcing the finest components available. By prioritizing fresh produce, high-quality cheeses, and authentic imported goods, the kitchen maintains a standard of excellence that resonates in every bite.
Authentic Culinary Philosophy: The menu reflects a deep understanding of Italian culinary roots. Rather than overcomplicating recipes, the chefs allow the natural flavors of the ingredients to shine, staying true to the regional styles that have defined Italian cuisine for generations.
Welcoming Neighborhood Atmosphere: Located conveniently in Cary, the restaurant provides a warm and inviting space. The service is designed to be attentive yet unobtrusive, fostering a relaxed environment where the focus remains entirely on the enjoyment of the meal and the company of others.
A Destination for Culinary Appreciation
La Grassa Pastificio represents more than just a place to eat; it is a testament to the enduring appeal of handmade, honest food. By maintaining a clear focus on the integrity of their craft, the team at 908 NE Maynard Rd continues to provide a reliable and high-quality dining option for the Cary community. The dedication to the pastificio tradition ensures that each visit offers a glimpse into the heart of Italian cooking, where passion and precision meet to create memorable experiences. For those seeking a meal that celebrates the beauty of simplicity and the warmth of genuine hospitality, this local gem remains a standout choice in the North Carolina culinary landscape.
As the restaurant continues to evolve, its core mission remains unchanged: to serve exceptional pasta that honors the past while delighting the palates of modern diners. Whether you are a local resident or a visitor passing through the area, a meal at La Grassa Pastificio offers a refreshing reminder of how satisfying and profound a well-prepared dish can be. We invite you to join us and experience the dedication, care, and authentic flavors that define our approach to Italian dining.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Menus
Photos
Reviews La Grassa Pastificio
L V
30-05-2026
The location and the ambiance are nice. The food was good, however the portion sizes did not match the price in my opinion. The experience was fine up until the end of our time, when the person paying our meal decided to not leave a tip due to 1) not having any cash which is their preferred method, and 2) as I stated earlier, they did not feel the portion sizes matched the price. It was strongly considered, but ultimately, they opted out of it. Instead accepting this, the server/manager decided to walk over to our table and ask if everything was ok? We answered, yes everything was fine. At this moment, this should have been left alone and ended the conversation, but instead, the server decided to continue on with the fact that a tip was not left, and if you didn’t want to tip that’s fine. This was mentioned 3 times, while a group was sitting beside our table. I found this to be highly unprofessional and disgusting. I finally took out my card, and just tip on my end since my friend that was paying for the meal was being accosted. I then called later that evening to speak to the owner, and was told by the manager, whom was also our server, that the owner would return later on that Tuesday, and would return my call then. It has not happened and it’s been over 3 weeks.
Food: 2
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 3
Kelly Sanford
30-05-2026
Who’s hungry? I’m having an incredible dinner at La Grassa—honestly one of the best meals I’ve had in a long time. Chef Robert is not only talented, but also incredibly warm and welcoming. It’s truly a privilege to enjoy his food. Business … More
Rian Merchant
30-05-2026
Great service, delicious food, beautiful setting. The focaccia is so so good! So fluffy and flavorful. You can tell the pasta is made from scratch. The eggplant dish was our favorite. So much flavor! We got the Budino for dessert and it was delicious and smooth. Highly recommend this place, especially for a cute date night. More
Robert Campbell
30-05-2026
Wow! You need La Grassa in your life! Dined here tonight, wonderful and thoughtful service with out-if-this-world food, everything was just fantastic. The chef was very nice, visiting the dining room. Overall a a fine dining experience in a … More
Jo David
30-05-2026
We tried this place last night and I would NOT recommend this restaurant to anyone. The wine was terrible, we sent it back and tried another bottle - both terrible. We ordered the arancini and it was awful. So much cheese, hardly any rice. … More
Andrea Polik
30-05-2026
OPEN FOR LUNCH, too, from Wednesday to Saturday, 11am - 2pm indoor and outdoor seating. We shared an Arancini as a starter - excellent - , the day's fish was salmon with lemon, capers and asparagus (YUM), my dessert was dark cherry gelato (light, fruity, lovely) with a cappuccino as good as it is anywhere in Europe, served with a small piece of biscotti.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Reservation
Reservations recommended
Special events
No special event
Seating type
Indoor dining area, Outdoor patio / terrace
Parking space
Plenty of parking
Parking options
Free parking lot
Kid-friendliness
Outdoor seating has the view of a construction site, just far enough not to be noisy and yet close enough to provide live entertainment to any small kid while the parents can eat in peace. Indoors and in the evening you won't notice the construction going on (by the way, a preschool is being built).
JC Chanowsky
30-05-2026
Very fun experience for a night out visiting. We were staying at a local hotel and this was one for the few non franchise restaurants in the area and we’re glad we stopped in. Extremely small menu which was pleasantly nice to be overwhelmed with too many options. The food was very fresh and had great flavor. The owner made sure sure to stop by every table and we will def be back in the future. Highly recommend.
Food: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Samantha Schell
30-05-2026
Found this place by accident. Spent a long day traveling and my husband and I were starving when we left the airport. Went to a bagel place first and they were out of bagels and so rude. So we looked to see what was close by and found this place. Since it was Mother’s Day, they were packed. But one of the gentleman servers very graciously sat us at the bar. This ended up being awesome because of the open kitchen concept so we got to watch the food being made. We started with the focaccia which was so incredibly fluffy and the most flavorful tapenade dipping sauce. I had the shrimp and scallop risotto and my husband had the seafood linguine. The food was not only phenomenal, but the staff was so kind and accommodating. They really love their food here. So happy to have stumbled upon this place and we will definitely be back
Price per person
USD 100+
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Noise level
Quiet, easy to talk
Wait time
No wait
Chris Proulx
30-05-2026
Unfortunately, my wife booked us this restaurant for my birthday a few weeks in advance and wish we had seen the latest reviews. Upon entering to the right on the bench was a Swiss Army knife, and you would think the dining room would be ready and clean, but it wasn’t. It was very dim lit where we weren’t even sure if they were open and when we walked in, there were barely any lights on in the kitchen, nobody in the kitchen and only two staff and two people dining in the whole place. We sat down on a very uncomfortable wood bench and were greeted with probably the most disgusting menus I’ve ever seen, they were greasy wrinkled, and you just looked around and it just didn’t feel clean in there. We ended up leaving and did not stay to try the food. When you charge as much as you do for food and drink and cannot provide a nice atmosphere or even a clean one it is cause for concern. Highly disappointed that we had to on a Saturday night find dinner reservations with no time.
Atmosphere: 1
Estelle Tsalik
30-05-2026
First time dining at La Grassa and will definitely be back. The food was delicious and Chef Bobby brought out the arancini himself. They were kind enough to split the pappardelle on two plates. Can’t wait to go back to try the fresh made bread and other dishes. A little delicious gem in Cary.
Order type
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
USD 20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Arancini, Veal Pappardelle
Recommendation for vegetarians
Highly recommend
Vegetarian offerings
Vegetarian menu or section
Parking space
Plenty of parking
Parking options
Free parking lot
brian mcgillicuddy
30-05-2026
Quaint little Italian restaurant with theater kitchen. I enjoyed the cappelacci with a glass of red wine (Alanera) and a cannoli for dessert. My wife enjoyed her chicken parm. The entire meal was delicious. The service was great. I would recommend it.
Price per person
USD 30–40
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Arancini, Cannoli
Reservation
Not sure
Seating type
Indoor dining area
Parking space
Plenty of parking
Parking options
Free parking lot
Bonnie Dubya
30-05-2026
My family and I came to Cary for a wedding. We searched an Italian restaurant near us and this was the closest. Don't let being in a strip mall fool you... The food was authentic and fantastic! The service was unlike any service I've … More
Jennifer Novak
30-05-2026
First time trying La Grassa since moving to the area. We decided to try due to the good reviews, but unfortunately, it was not up to par.
We made a reservation for 4 people, that included a toddler. We weren’t aware … More
Sara Jane Danaher
30-05-2026
I discovered LaGrassa after searching for a “best Italian restaurant in Cary”, looked at their menu, saw that it had a 4.7 rating, and booked a reservation on Wednesday, 2/18/26. … More
Morgan Ricca
30-05-2026
It was our 1st time here- we walked in and was greated by the nicest server dana- her knowledge about the menu was great!!! The place was immaculate!!! Loved the atmosphere! Food was absolutely delicious!! We started off with some wine- … More
T
30-05-2026
Absolutely loved this place. The pasta was fresh and perfectly cooked, and you can tell everything is made with care. The sauce had that authentic, rich flavor you expect from a true Italian kitchen. Service was warm and attentive without being overbearing, and the atmosphere felt cozy but elevated. It’s the kind of spot you go to for a relaxed dinner that still feels special. Definitely coming back.
Order type
Dine in
Price per person
USD 10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Reservation
Reservations recommended
Noise level
Very quiet
Sean Mann
30-05-2026
The food was pretty mid. Especially for the price. My pasta was ok but the foccia bread was unlike any foccia we've ever had. We were served something more like a large muffin than flat airy foccia. It was very spongey with a thick greasy but crispy outside. It wasn't very good. We also had clams in a white garlic sauce. It was served like soup in a deep dish bowl drowning in a thin sauce. In addition to the odd serving choice there were multiple cracked clam shells and one that wasn't open. When you are served clams at a restaurant it's important that none are still closed and more important to not serve broken clam shells for you customers to accidentally chomp on.
Lights were flickering which was an interesting atmosphere for Valentine's Day. They were out of gnocchi that my wife was looking forward to (it's a pretty limited menu and we were there at opening). And there was no special menu for Valentine's Day. But they did put some balloons in the window!
I'm a bit shocked this place is so well reviewed. We've had better meals at Carrabba's and I think that Italian chefs might have a small issue with y'all calling that oily muffin foccia.
Service was nice.
Price per person
USD 30–40
Food: 3
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 3
Group size
2 people
Amaya White
30-05-2026
Came up to North Carolina for a Girls Trip in March and this was the first restaurant we ate at when we arrived. It’s been months and the food is still on my mind! It was by far the best food we ate our entire 2 day trip.
We were seated as soon as we walked in. Even though a large party was coming in after us they still made sure to accommodate us and we really appreciated that after such a long drive.
The staff was so lovely, kind, and very attentive. The chef was very informative and had a great conversation with my mom, my friend, and I. The next time we are in North Carolina, we will definitely be back. It was truly an unforgettable experience and I recommend that everyone try this place out!! 🩵
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
USD 20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Reservation
Reservations recommended
Wait time
No wait
Joe & Yesenia Craft
30-05-2026
Atmosphere:
Cozy with just the right touch of sophistication. It felt comfortable and stylish without trying too hard. Great for a relaxed dinner or a special night out.
Service:
Really impressed. Our waiter let me try a wine first, actually listened to what I didn’t like, and then picked out something perfect. It felt personal and thoughtful, not just going through the motions.
Food:
What can I say? Absolutely delicious. Everything was light, flavorful, and just the right amount. I’ve been trying to find a place that captures the taste of real Italian food—and this is it. So, so good.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Nichole Goodnight
30-05-2026
Let me start off by saying I am incredibly picky about food due to phobias and fears.
I decided to give this place a try based on some good reviews I found.
First off, Dee is one of the best waiters I’ve ever had in my entire life. They were attentive, personable, and just all around a delight.
Now, the food. Everything I tried was some of the best food I’ve had. The gnocchi was to die for. The chicken Parmesan was phenomenal. The bolognese was superb. The cappellacci? Heavenly.
We also tried the Tiramisu which was authentically amazing as well as the Budino which was rich, chocolatey, and delightful all around.
A huge showstopper was the espresso gelati. It was creamy, full of flavor, and left you wishing you had more.
Do yourselves a favor and eat here.
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
USD 30–40
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Reservation
Not sure
Group size
Not sure
Reviews La Grassa Pastificio