At first glance, Al Dente may look more like a franchise or family restaurant. But don’t be fooled, if you like pasta this is a great choice to go to!
It’s actually all they do! And it’s great to watch them make it behind the huge canisters of olive oil. The flames shooting up and the chefs “swinging” the pans making sure every bit it’s soaked in sauce. And just like that, your meal arrives.
You will be queuing around lunchtime as workers flood this place, Al Dente is well known in the area with all the offices around it. But if you go in the evening you should be ok.
The English menu reads easily: pasta, pasta, and more pasta. With the highlight being a bacon-topped carbonara. We re not going to lie: it’s tasty. Especially because the spaghetti were al dente, with just the right seasoning.
Another great thing you can choose your portion size. For example, the normal carbonara (110g) is 980¥. Go “mini” (70g) and get 50¥ discount. Go big (180g) and pay 100¥+, or go double (250) and pay 300¥+. Just to warn you, it’s rich, if you get carbonara or any option with bacon, normal should be ok. But check out the pictures below to see the small portion versus a normal one.
Also, our pro tip here at Obsessed with Japan: order bread with it, to soak up the leftover sauce. Tip two: order the bruschetta. It’s perfect! A little taste of Italy..
..and if you are looking for a drink after, why not check out nearby Shinjuku Grandbell Hotel Rooftop bar?
Web
https://www.giraud.co.jp/company/brandlist.html#pasta-house (only brand portfolio)
Address
〒160-0023 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Nishishinjuku, 1 Chome−25−1 新宿センタービル
Opening hours
- Every day 11 am – 9 pm
- except Sunday from 11.30. am
