Broders’ Pasta Bar has been feeding South Minneapolis with house-made pasta and risotto since 1994, building a loyal following one twirl of noodles at a time.
At 5000 Penn Avenue South, the restaurant turns familiar Italian comfort food into an occasion through thoughtfully made sauces, distinctive pasta shapes, and a menu that changes with the seasons.
Its enduring appeal comes from a dining experience that feels both wonderfully special and reassuringly rooted in the neighborhood.
How Broders’ Pasta Bar won locals’ hearts
Broders’ Pasta Bar opened in 1994 with a clear focus on authentic, house-made pasta and risotto.
That long-running commitment gave locals a reliable destination for Italian dishes made with care, not shortcuts.
The kitchen prepares an impressive range of pastas, from silky egg noodles to less common shapes such as stringozzi and quadrucci.
Fresh pasta provides a satisfying foundation, but the restaurant’s ingredient combinations keep return visits interesting.
One plate might pair beef short ribs with red wine, tomato, and gremolata, while another brings together saffron pasta, roasted corn, ricotta, mascarpone, and pimentón oil.
That balance of comforting and inventive makes the menu feel generous without losing its Italian point of view.
Broders’ also gives diners plenty of choices, with pasta, risotto, antipasti, salads, classics, and desserts all represented on the menu.
The weekly pasta and risotto specials add another reason for regulars to check back, since they introduce new seasonal combinations.
Classic recipes earn their place alongside those specials, including spaghetti carbonara, cacio e pepe, fettuccine Alfredo, and pasta with basil pesto.
The restaurant’s food is designed for the table, starting with shareable antipasti such as calamari fritti, arancini, and burrata with tomatoes and basil.
Its menu makes room for different preferences through vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free designations.
Walk-ins are welcomed, keeping the experience casual and approachable for a spontaneous lunch or dinner.
In the end, Broders’ has won affection by making pasta night feel like a neighborhood tradition with enough variety to remain exciting.
Food Highlights
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Paccheri con Stracotto: Large pasta tubes arrive with beef short ribs, red wine, tomato, and gremolata, making this a rich, slow-cooked option for anyone craving a deeply savory pasta dinner. 🍝
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Ravioli di Mais: Saffron and egg pasta holds roasted corn, ricotta, and mascarpone, then meets red peppers, cream, Pecorino Romano, and pimentón oil for a sweet, creamy, and gently smoky specialty. 🌽
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Risotto ai Funghi: Carnaroli rice, local Liten Bekk Farm mushrooms, white wine, Pecorino Toscano, thyme, and porcini powder make this a mushroom-forward risotto worth ordering for its layered earthy flavor. 🍄
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Fettuccine con Gamberi: Spinach and egg pasta is paired with shrimp, chickpeas, kale, red onion, dill, feta, and lemon, offering a bright seafood choice with plenty of texture. 🍤
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Linguine Vongole: Egg linguine with clams, pancetta, red onion, white wine, and chilies delivers a briny, lightly spicy pasta for seafood fans. 🦪
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Ravioli di Zucca: Egg pasta filled with butternut squash, amaretti, and Grana is finished with brown butter, sage, almonds, and spiced pepitas, making it a sweet-savory seasonal favorite. 🎃
- Tagliarini di Locanda di Lupo: Egg-yolk pasta joins Prosciutto di Parma and truffle cream in a luxurious, fragrant specialty that leans into the restaurant’s more indulgent side. 🍄
Atmosphere
Broders’ Pasta Bar carries the warmth of a longtime neighborhood Italian restaurant, where the focus stays firmly on plates of pasta served hot and ready to enjoy.
The walk-in-only format keeps things relaxed and spontaneous, while the broad menu suits anything from a quick lunch to an unhurried dinner.
Its decades-long presence at Penn Avenue South adds a sense of continuity that regulars can feel.
Bottom Line
Visit Broders’ Pasta Bar for house-made pasta, inventive specialty dishes, comforting Italian classics, seasonal pasta and risotto specials, and a welcoming walk-in experience.
The menu offers substantial variety, from mushroom risotto and short-rib paccheri to seafood linguine and truffle cream tagliarini.
Address: 5000 Penn Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55419
📞 (612) 925-9202
Open Sun–Thu, 11 AM–9 PM | Fri–Sat, 11 AM–9:30 PM