Turci Pasta

Turci Pasta, a local favorite in College Park, is a contemporary take on traditional Italian cuisine, offering an intimate dining experience due to its cozy layout and warm lighting. With all pasta and sauces made in house, the high degree of care and special attention to the quality of ingredients curates an undoubtedly tasty meal. Turci is also accessible for those with dietary preferences, as most dishes come vegetarian-friendly, and several options are listed as gluten-free.

A main staple of the Turci menu is their Build Your Own Pasta dishes. While all of the pasta and sauce options are flavorful and incredibly fresh, we specifically recommend the ravioli paired with their arrabbiata sauce –a marinara spiced with vibrant herbs and chili pepper. The ravioli is perfectly al dente with a creamy cheese filling, and its richness lends itself well to the tasteful kick of the arrabbiata sauce. The flavor of this particular sauce is quite lively, and those who enjoy a bit of spice will thoroughly enjoy this dish. While there is the choice to add one of several different types of proteins, all pastas in this category are available vegetarian-friendly, if you so choose.

In addition to their iconic Build Your Own Pasta entrées, Turci has several Antipasti options and Signature Dishes. One of our favorite starters is the burrata and pesto caprese salad. The rich pesto and the smooth burrata pair perfectly with the juicy and slightly acidic cherry tomatoes, creating a delightful opening dish, finished with fresh basil leaves.

Turci also features an extensive selection of classic Italian desserts, including the particularly noteworthy tiramisu. Sumptuous and creamy, the dessert carries complex notes of both the light, whipped mascarpone and the rich chocolate and coffee. The dish is presented with a shot of bold espresso on the side, intended to be poured atop the dessert. This unique addition to the traditional dish enhances the tiramisu’s flavor even further, making it an overall delightfully robust finale to the meal.

Our honorable mentions include the bold cappuccino, the crispy and tangy classic bruschetta, and the rich and juicy meatballs, paired with Turci’s house-made spaghetti.

While prices can start to get up there for some of the Signature Dishes, generally the high quality ingredients and impressive flavors available make up for the cost, in our opinion. Reservations at Turci are available, but walk-ins are certainly possible, especially during lunch Friday-Sunday and earlier in the evening on weekdays. Overall, the handmade pasta dishes and classic Italian fare at Turci Pasta come together to make a beautiful meal that we believe is definitely worth a try.