Cinque Terre–Style Pasta in Atlanta: Where to Find It and What to Expect

If you’ve heard about Cinque Terre pasta and you’re in Atlanta, you’re probably imagining seafood, fresh herbs, and coastal Italian flavors. While you won’t find the actual Ligurian coastline here, you can get remarkably close on a plate at several Atlanta restaurants, markets, and even in your own kitchen.

This guide breaks down what “Cinque Terre pasta” usually means, how it fits into Atlanta’s international cuisine scene, and where to look if you want that specific Italian Riviera vibe in the city.

What Is “Cinque Terre Pasta,” Really?

Cinque Terre is a cluster of five seaside villages on the Italian Riviera in Liguria, known for:

• Seafood (shrimp, mussels, clams, fish)
• Pesto alla Genovese (basil, pine nuts, Parmigiano, pecorino, olive oil)
• Olive oil, lemons, and tomatoes
• Simple, fresh pasta dishes that taste of the sea

There’s no single official dish called “Cinque Terre pasta” in Italy. In Atlanta menus, the name typically refers to:

• A seafood pasta with a white wine, garlic, and tomato or light cream sauce, or
• A pesto-based pasta inspired by Liguria’s famous basil pesto
• Sometimes a combination: pesto, shrimp, and vegetables

So when you see Cinque Terre pasta (or something like “Cinque Terre linguine” or “Ligurian seafood pasta”) at an Atlanta restaurant, expect a coastal Italian-style pasta with either pesto or mixed seafood, often both.

How Cinque Terre–Style Pasta Shows Up on Atlanta Menus

Common Styles You’ll See

In Atlanta’s Italian and Mediterranean restaurants, Cinque Terre–inspired pasta often includes:

• Linguine or spaghetti as the base
• Shrimp, scallops, mussels, or clams
• Garlic, white wine, olive oil, sometimes tomatoes
• Fresh parsley or basil
• Occasionally pesto instead of a red or white sauce

You may also see related dishes labeled as:

• “Ligurian pasta”
• “Seafood linguine” with a coastal Italian description
• “Pesto pasta” featuring Genovese-style basil pesto

If you’re set on something specifically Cinque Terre–inspired, look for menu descriptions mentioning:

• Liguria / Cinque Terre
• Basil pesto
• Mixed seafood and white wine sauce

Where Atlantans Look for Cinque Terre–Style Pasta

You won’t always see the exact words “Cinque Terre pasta” on a sign, so it helps to know where and how to search.

1. Traditional Italian Restaurants

Many of Atlanta’s Italian spots, especially those that lean rustic or coastal, rotate seafood pastas that feel very Cinque Terre–like, even if they don’t use the name.

Common menu categories to check:

• “Frutti di Mare” (seafood) pasta
• Chef’s specials or seasonal seafood features
• Any dish described as “Ligurian,” “Riviera,” or “coastal Italian”

Neighborhoods where you’re likely to find this style:

• Buckhead – Higher-end Italian restaurants often feature seafood linguine or pesto pastas.
• Midtown – Restaurants around Peachtree St NE and the Arts Center area frequently offer creative coastal Italian dishes.
• Inman Park / Old Fourth Ward / Virginia-Highland – Smaller, chef-driven spots that rotate regional Italian inspirations, including Liguria.

💡 Tip:
When you’re browsing menus online, use search terms like “seafood linguine,” “pesto pasta,” “Ligurian,” or “Riviera” within Atlanta.

2. Italian Markets and Specialty Grocers

If you’d rather make Cinque Terre pasta at home in Atlanta, Italian markets and specialty grocers can supply the right ingredients.

What to look for:

• High-quality dried pasta: linguine, spaghetti, trofie, or trenette
• Good extra-virgin olive oil
• Fresh basil
• Pesto alla Genovese (ideally refrigerated, not shelf-stable jars only)
• Seafood for pasta: shrimp, mussels, clams (often in the fresh or frozen section)

Areas that typically have good access to these ingredients:

• Buford Highway corridor – Strong selection of international markets with seafood and herbs.
• Sandy Springs / Dunwoody / Brookhaven – Several specialty grocers and upscale supermarkets carry imported Italian pasta and pesto.
• Midtown / West Midtown – Gourmet markets that stock imported Italian items and fresh seafood.

Even larger mainstream supermarkets in Atlanta often carry:

• Imported Italian dried pasta brands
• Pre-made basil pesto
• Fresh herbs and frozen shrimp

These are more than enough to create a convincing Cinque Terre–inspired pasta at home.

How to Recreate Cinque Terre–Style Pasta in Your Atlanta Kitchen

If you’re in Metro Atlanta and want the experience without dining out, you can put together a simple version with easily available ingredients.

A Simple Atlanta-Friendly “Cinque Terre” Pasta Formula

Base ingredients (easy to find locally):

• Dried linguine or spaghetti
• Olive oil
• Garlic
• Cherry or grape tomatoes
• Shrimp or a frozen seafood mix
• Fresh basil or pre-made pesto
• Dry white wine (optional)
• Salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes

Basic approach:

1. Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente.
2. In a pan, gently sauté minced garlic in olive oil.
3. Add shrimp/seafood and cook just until opaque.
4. Add halved cherry tomatoes, a splash of white wine (if using), and reduce slightly.
5. Toss in drained pasta with a bit of reserved pasta water.
6. Stir in pesto (or chopped basil + more olive oil), season, and serve.

Everything here is straightforward to buy at a typical Atlanta supermarket or international market, so you don’t need specialty shops.

Pesto vs. Seafood: Two Main “Cinque Terre Pasta” Profiles in Atlanta

To help you know what to order or make, it helps to separate two main styles you’ll encounter.

Many Atlanta diners who ask for “Cinque Terre pasta” are looking for one of these two experiences, or a combination of both.

Ordering Tips for Atlantans Who Want Cinque Terre–Style Flavors

If a restaurant doesn’t list “Cinque Terre pasta” by name, you can still steer your order in that direction.

What to Say When You Order

You can tell your server something like:

• “I’m looking for something like a Cinque Terre seafood pasta—garlic, white wine, tomatoes, and mixed seafood. What’s closest to that on your menu?”
• “Do you have a Ligurian-style pesto pasta—basil pesto, olive oil, pretty simple and fresh?”

Servers in Atlanta’s Italian or Mediterranean spots are typically familiar with regional Italian styles and can guide you to the closest match or suggest a simple tweak (like adding shrimp to a pesto dish).

Dietary Considerations for Atlanta Diners

Without getting into medical advice, there are a few common preference and ingredient questions Atlanta diners often have about pasta dishes like this.

1. Seafood and Shellfish

Cinque Terre–style pasta often includes:

• Shrimp
• Mussels
• Clams
• Scallops or white fish

If you avoid shellfish or prefer fish only:

• Ask if they can prepare a “pescatarian” or fish-only version.
• Ask for a similar pasta with vegetables instead of seafood if needed.

2. Vegetarian or Vegan Options

For a vegetarian Cinque Terre–style feel in Atlanta:

• Look for basil pesto pasta without seafood, or ask to omit it.
• Many pestos contain cheese; if you’re vegan, ask:
  • Whether the pesto includes Parmigiano or pecorino.
  • If they can offer an olive oil, garlic, tomato, and basil pasta instead.

3. Gluten-Sensitive Diners

In Atlanta, more Italian and international restaurants now offer:

• Gluten-free pasta options (usually corn, rice, or legume-based)

If you’re gluten-sensitive or prefer to avoid wheat:

• Ask if they have gluten-free pasta and whether they can prepare the seafood or pesto sauce with that base.
• If ordering takeout in Atlanta, note any requests clearly and confirm when you pick up.

Takeout, Delivery, and Leftovers in Atlanta

With Atlanta’s strong food delivery culture, you can often have Cinque Terre–style pasta delivered to your hotel, office, or home.

What Atlantans Commonly Do

• Use local delivery platforms to filter for Italian or Mediterranean restaurants in your ZIP code.
• Scan menus for seafood linguine, pesto pasta, or coastal Italian descriptions.

For leftovers:

• Store in the refrigerator and reheat gently with a splash of water or olive oil.
• Seafood pastas are usually best within a day for taste and texture.

Using Atlanta’s Neighborhoods to Guide Your Search

The kind of Italian or coastal-style restaurant you’ll find can vary by neighborhood:

• Downtown & Midtown

  • Good if you’re staying near major hotels or the convention district.
  • Likely to find Italian and Mediterranean spots with seafood pasta options.

• Buckhead

  • Often features more upscale Italian restaurants with seafood linguine, risotto, and pesto dishes.
  • Good area if you’re looking for a more formal dinner.

• Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, Virginia-Highland

  • More neighborhood-style, chef-driven restaurants that may feature regional Italian specials, including Ligurian or Cinque Terre–inspired pastas.

• West Midtown

  • Known for creative, modern restaurants; you may find coastal Italian or Mediterranean interpretations that echo Cinque Terre flavors, even if they’re not labeled that way.

If You’re Visiting Atlanta and Craving Cinque Terre Flavors

If you’re just in town briefly and want at least one meal that reminds you of the Italian Riviera:

1. Choose a central neighborhood like Midtown, Buckhead, or Inman Park.
2. Pick an Italian or Mediterranean restaurant with:
   • At least one seafood pasta
   • At least one pesto or basil-focused pasta
3. When you arrive, explain you’re looking for a Cinque Terre–style seafood or pesto pasta and ask for the closest match or any nightly specials.

You don’t need a restaurant to use the exact phrase “Cinque Terre pasta” to get the experience you’re after; in Atlanta, it’s more about:

• Seafood + white wine + tomatoes + herbs, or
• Pesto + fresh basil + olive oil, or
• A combination of both on pasta.

Armed with that understanding, you can navigate Atlanta’s international cuisine scene and find (or recreate) a satisfying Cinque Terre–style pasta, whether you’re a resident or just passing through.