Since opening their first Caffé Tucci on Surrey Street in 2022, brothers Stefano and Salvatore Capasso have earned widespread praise for bringing the flavours of their Neapolitan hometown to Sheffield. Earlier this year, they built on that success with a second venue on Ecclesall Road. Like the original, it operates as an Italian coffee shop and deli by day but in the evening transforms into Pasta Tucci, serving customisable homemade pasta dishes designed to take away.
Stefano explains that the vision for Pasta Tucci stemmed from a desire to bring high-quality affordable pasta to the city without the ‘hipster’ prices seen elsewhere.
“Nowadays, pasta is often a bit too fancy,” Stefano laughs, “but for me, it should be something everyone can enjoy without paying ridiculous prices.” His solution is a menu that balances quality and value, with dishes ranging from £7.50 for basic options to around £10-£12 depending on additions.
The menu, while rooted in tradition, offers a southern Italian twist on pasta classics including rich Amatriciana, Naples favourite Genovese and creamy vegetarian option Nerano. According to Stefano, it’s the Genovese that has been winning over Sheffielders the most, taking hours to cook down onions and beef into a deeply caramelised sauce until it’s almost like a chutney.
“It’s painful,” he admits, “but the final product is beautiful. You pair the sauce with black pepper, basil and pecorino and it’s just gorgeous.”
For those seeking a more personalised experience, diners can build their own pasta dishes from a range of base options. While Stefano insists there are some non-negotiable rules about which toppings go with each sauce, he welcomes experimentation.
“We have to draw the line at some things! If you want to add burrata on top of your Amatriciana, that’s fine. It might be indulgent but it’s all about creating something you love.”
In true Neapolitan style, Pasta Tucci embraces the relaxed casual vibe of Italy’s small neighbourhood trattorias. There are no white tablecloths or silver cutlery here. Instead, you’ll find wooden tables upstairs, bowls of steaming pasta and the invitation to bring your own wine for a cosy date night.
“I don’t want it to feel like a restaurant; it’s more of a takeaway pasta shop,” Stefano insists. “It’s meant to be like soul food – something simple but very satisfying.”
Before leaving, Stefano insisted we try a bowl for ourselves and with the aromas wafting up from the downstairs kitchen, we didn’t need much persuading. He brought up two steaming bowls: one with gnocchi in a rich beef and onion ragu sauce served with the welcome addition of spicy nduja sausage and the other a hearty Rigatoni all’Amatriciana coated in a tangy tomato sauce with chunks of salt-cured guanciale adding a smoky savoury kick while the sharp pecorino cheese nicely cut through the deep flavours on offer.
The portions were generous – “pasta should always fill you up,” Stefano insists. “I’m always saying, ‘more, more!’” And on a cold October night, the warm hearty dishes were deeply satisfying – the very definition of comfort food, which together would’ve come in at under £20.
Looking ahead, he has ambitious plans for the Pasta Tucci concept. “I believe this could be a format that’s scalable,” he says. “We could create small kitchens around Sheffield, keeping the quality high but making it easier for people to get great pasta in their neighbourhood.”
For now, though, the team are focused on perfecting the experience, making sure every bowl of pasta is cooked with the same care and attention that defines their approach. “At the end of the day, it’s about the passion,” he says. “In Italy, we say it’s the hands behind it – that’s what makes good pasta. And that’s the ethos we want to share with Sheffield.”
Try it for yourself:
Caffe Tucci,
655 Ecclesall Road,
Open from 5:30 pm to 9:15 pm every day.
Follow @pasta_tucci for updates.
