Pasta Mad

Pasta Mad is a casual Italian restaurant in Alexandria, Sydney, centred on handmade pasta, focaccia and family recipes. The menu covers familiar pasta shapes including spaghetti, fettuccine, conchiglie, rigatoni and gnocchi, with sauces ranging from simple Aglio e Olio and Pomodoro to Siciliana, Bolognese, Amatriciana, Puttanesca and Boscaiola. There are also focapanini, meatballs, arancini, garlic bread, salads and Italian desserts, so it works for a quick lunch, an easy takeaway dinner or a meal built around sharing. The venue says dishes are made fresh to order, with ingredients sourced locally as well as imported from Italy.

Some of the more distinctive offerings include Caserecce Siciliana, pairing twisted pasta with tomato sauce and eggplant, and Fettuccine Boscaiola with creamy sauce, pancetta and mushrooms. The Focameatballs bring together fresh-baked focaccia, meatballs, tomato sauce and melted cheese, while the focapanini range combines the house bread with ingredients such as Parma ham, mortadella, chicken schnitzel, soft cheeses and vegetables. For something smaller, the menu includes Polpette Della Nonna, arancini and hand-cut rosemary-salted potatoes. Tiramisu, cannoli and affogato provide a straightforward Italian finish.

The restaurant’s story is closely tied to family and food traditions. Pasta Mad was inspired by Gracie’s mother, who migrated from Italy in the 1950s and worked as a chef for more than 30 years. She still joins Gracie each week to make fresh gnocchi. The business also highlights a focaccia recipe passed down through the family and developed from an heirloom recipe received in San Giovanni Friuli, Italy. The focaccia is rested for 72 hours before baking, according to the venue, and is presented as a central part of the offering alongside the pasta.

With dine-in, takeaway, home meal options and catering available, Pasta Mad is suited to solo diners, families, groups and relaxed meals with friends. Its sharing-focused menu and casual approach also make it a practical option for an informal catch-up or dinner at home. The venue is at 71–91 Euston Road, Alexandria, and reports a 5.0 Google rating from 289 reviews.