Tortelli Pasta Bar — Restaurant in Cluj Metropolitan Area

My recent visit to Tortelli Cluj was absolutely outstanding, and I can confidently say this restaurant has earned a permanent spot on my favorites list.

Food Quality & Menu I ordered the Manzo Tartufo, and it was nothing short of spectacular. The dish showcased perfectly tender beef elevated by the rich, earthy aroma of truffle that permeated every bite. The preparation was masterful - you could taste the quality of ingredients and the chef's attention to detail. This isn't just Italian food; it's authentic Italian cuisine crafted with passion and expertise.

Wine Selection The Dealu Rosu wine pairing was excellent. It's wonderful to see a restaurant supporting local Romanian wines while maintaining an Italian culinary focus. The wine complemented the truffle flavors beautifully, creating a harmonious dining experience that enhanced both the food and drink.

Value for Money Here's where Tortelli truly shines - the total bill came to just 143.70 RON after discounts for a premium dish and two glasses of quality wine. In today's dining landscape, especially for Italian cuisine of this caliber, this represents exceptional value. You're getting restaurant-quality food at very reasonable prices.

Service & Atmosphere The service was professional and efficient. The staff clearly knows their menu and wine pairings. The modern POS system with digital tipping options shows attention to contemporary customer service expectations. The restaurant feels well-organized and smoothly operated.

Overall Experience Tortelli Cluj strikes the perfect balance between authentic Italian flavors, quality ingredients, attentive service, and fair pricing. Whether you're looking for a romantic dinner, casual meal with friends, or simply craving exceptional Italian food, this restaurant delivers on all fronts.

The Manzo Tartufo alone is worth the visit, but I'm already planning my return to explore more of their menu. This is exactly what Cluj's dining scene needed - accessible fine Italian dining without the pretentious atmosphere or...

Small (space is a bit tight) and cosy place downtown in the pedestrian area of the old City that serves only pasta (along some soup, lasagna and deserts) and a small wine menu mainly from the Moldavian Corcova cellars and some Italian wines. While the pasta is good and the wines are ok, the main attraction of this place is the personnel that is way above the local or national standard in terms of hospitality and availability. My preferences were promptly memorized after the first visit which was a shock (pleasant one) as was the fact that they will split the table bill if you want to pay separately - that comes in handy when you are two couples looking to both pay by card. We're on our way to becoming regulars of this place, something that hasn't happened for a long time in Romania for us. Prices are acceptable (7-8 $ for a pasta dish and 3-4 $ for a glass of wine)....

After the renovation a few bad things happened: Very crowded It's weird to stay at the pasta bar if you are a group of 3 or 4. Someone is always left out of the conversation. Your shirt will smell of garlic and onions. Your jacket will also smell. Lasagna is no longer made fresh it is heated in a heater or if you order from home apparently in the microwave. I would rather not see them cook if this involves me seeing the exposed aluminum from the pans as a consequence of them being too old. The renovation skipped those. (I don't know how these pans pass safety regulations - don't cook in exposed aluminum). Waiters are more confused than before sometimes overprioritizing the bar or underprioritizing it.

In conclusion, for me the old Tortelli was great, this one is much less. I do not consider it a good investment. Maybe invest in...