Pastiamo Truckttoria review: This may be the best carbonara in the country

An Italian chef is working magic at the stove in this food truck

Marcela Castillo and Andrea Conti at Pastiamo Truckttoria, Grand Canal Street Lower, Dublin.
Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Marcela Castillo and Andrea Conti at Pastiamo Truckttoria, Grand Canal Street Lower, Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Pastiamo Truckttoria
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Address: The Place Proper Street Food, Albert Court East, Grand Canal Street Lower, Dublin 2
Telephone: 086 036 1769
Cuisine: Italian
Website: https://www.instagram.com/pastiamo.truckttoria/Opens in new window
Cost: €€

What’s on offer?

Roman chef Andrea Conti and his Mexican partner Marcela Castillo are bringing the joys of an Italian trattoria to Dublin in a truck. Handmade pasta is their speciality, especially spaghetti carbonara which is finished in a large wheel of Pecorino Romano, stirred around so that the pasta, egg and guanciale combine with the cheese to make the perfect sauce. They have vegetarian and vegan options, and also sell paninis at lunchtime. Trays of lasagne or cannelloni for four or six people can be ordered on request.

What did we order?

The spaghetti carbonara of course, plus tagliatelle a la Bolognese, the pasta special of the day, ravioli ricotta e spinaci, and tiramisu.

Spaghetti carbonara at Pastiamo Truckttoria. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Spaghetti carbonara at Pastiamo Truckttoria. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

How was the service?

Very friendly and informative. The pasta is cooked to order, so there’s a slight wait. You can hang out by the picnic tables but it’s more fun to watch Conti work his magic as he finishes the carbonara with his tongs on the giant wheel of Pecorino.

Was the food nice?

The carbonara was spectacular — creamy with flavours of the salty guanciale and savoury cheese. Being the real deal, there is, of course, no cream, just egg yolks used for the sauce. The tagliatelle had a typical ragu sauce with plenty of beefy flavour, and the ricotta and spinach ravioli, dotted with buffalo mozzarella, cherry tomatoes and pesto was light and tasty. There was easily enough for two people in the tiramisu, which was fluffy and delicious.

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What did it cost?

Dinner for three was €45.50 — carbonara €13.50, tagliatelle a la Bolognese €12, ravioli ricotta e spinaci €15 and tiramisu €5.

Where does it deliver?

Takeaway or eat there at picnic tables for now; there are plans for Deliveroo. Open Tuesday to Thursday 12-4pm. Friday and Saturday 12-9pm.

Would I order it again?

Most definitely, particularly the carbonara. This is extremely good pasta.

Corinna Hardgrave

Corinna Hardgrave

Corinna Hardgrave, a contributor to The Irish Times, writes a weekly restaurant column