Pasta de Pasta

The closest Italian restaurant to First Avenue, Pasta de Pasta keeps things simple with fast service and a short menu that leans on local favorites. You can grab a dish at the counter or sit down; curbside pickup and takeout are also smooth if you’d rather skip the tables. Weekday lunch crowds often split between solo diners and pairs, while dinner brings a steady mix of neighbors and late arrivals.

Catch it at 165 1st Ave in the East Village after noon since they don’t open earlier. Call ahead if you want to shorten the wait: (917) 922-3106. Before you head over, pull up the map for walking directions—street parking in the evenings can be tight, so the 6 train exit at Astor Place is usually the fastest footpath.