Philadelphia is a city that takes its Italian cuisine seriously. The love affair between Philadelphians and Italian food has been ongoing for years and has even caught the nation’s attention. You’ll find that the city is overflowing with delicious Italian restaurants serving up all the classics like pasta, gravy, meat, and seafood. In this guide, we’ve handpicked some of the best Italian in Philadelphia.
The Victor Café
This one-of-a-kind restaurant, housed in a former gramophone shop on Dickinson Street, combines the best of Italian cuisine with live opera.
At Victor Café, you’ll find a menu of classic Italian dishes with bestsellers like ravioli, burrata, prince Igor, and tiramisu.
The delicious Italian food and live opera make Victor Café the perfect destination for a special occasion or a night out with friends. Check them out for some of the best Italian in Philadelphia.
Menu: Victor Cafe Menu
Top Review: “My parents are getting older and I’ve opted to gift experiences over things. My mom loves all things Italian and opera- so this was a perfect fit. It surpassed every expectation. Everything we ordered was delicious and portions were generous. Prices were reasonable as well. And the singing…my heart!! Watching my mom tear up in response is something I won’t forget. The place was packed and everyone was clearly enjoying themselves. Valet is a good option and worth the $15. This first visit won’t be my last.” – Kristin N.
1303 Dickinson St Philadelphia, PA 19147, (215) 468-3040
Gran Caffe L’Aquila
Co-owned by Stefano Biasini and Michele Morelli, who both hail from Italy, Gran Caffe L’Aquila was designed and built in Italy before being shipped to Philadelphia.
This attention to detail and authenticity is reflected in every aspect of the restaurant, from the menu to the décor.
Experience popular dishes like gelato, carbonara, arancini, and Pappardelle Al Ragu. Their gelato is out of this world, so make sure you try it for yourself!
Menu: Gran Caffe L’Aquila Menu
Top Review: “Highly recommend for any downtown Philly visit. This place is amazing for late night Gelato or affogato, or for daytime lunch. We came in for brunch at 11ish and what a splendid time it was to come in. We arrived upstairs and had the quaint space to ourselves for a good hour on a weekday. Our server….I have not had such good service in a long time. He was very in tune to our needs, polite but also distant in the best way possible. The olive oil they provided with the bread was incredibly decent quality and they were generous with it. The mains were delicious. The gnocchi and all other pastas were lovely. I’d highly recommend. There was even a wedding party entering as we finished up, so getting to see a beautiful bride and groom was the cherry on top of a wonderful meal.” – Eman S.
1716 Chestnut St Philadelphia, PA 19103, (215) 568-5600
Little Nonna’s
When you visit Little Nonna’s for the first time, be prepared for a dining experience like no other. You will see very quickly why they are one of the top Italian spots in Philadelphia.
As you enter one of the best Italian restaurants in Philadelphia, you’ll be amazed by the mile-high spaghetti and meatballs and their daily Sunday gravy. The overall atmosphere is charming, and the staff is always friendly.
Little Nonna’s standout dishes include tiramisu, wild mushroom arancini, Rigatoni Alla Vodka, and pan seared gnocchi.
Menu: Little Nonna’s Menu
Top Review: “This place never disappoints. The service is always good and the food is delicious. They offer The Sunday Gravy even on Saturdays and you might want to order it. Rich, flavorful, seasoned tomato goodness with greens, meats and this night served with penne. I was here two nights ago but am still looking forward to the last bit of leftovers today. We ordered a beautiful bottle of red and had the best Nutella-not-too-sweet-but-sweet-enough creamy-filled cannoli. My very good friend treated us to dinner here for taking care of her cat while she left for the holiday. My cat hissed at HER cat for most of the hours of the days but I would listen to all of that hissing for a month again, if the end result is a dinner at Little Nona’s.” – Angie B.
1234 Locust St Philadelphia, PA 19107, (215) 546-2100
Barbuzzo
Barbuzzo is an Italian spot that you need to put in your rotation. It’s simple and extremely popular but lives up to the hype.
The setup is intimate and better for hangout with friends or brunch. It’s cozy and intimate, with friendly and quick service. The cocktails are worth mentioning, and ordering the pizzas will not disappoint you.
The popular dishes visitors recommend are salted caramel budino, roasted beet salad, Caciovallo stuffed meatballs, and Uova pizza.
Menu: Barbuzzo’s Menu
Top Review: “This is one of my favorite spots in the downtown area. Every time I visit Philly this is a must stop. Caught a table on a Saturday evening and luckily the weather cooperated with us to be able to sit outside. Cocktails over the last three times I’ve been here have been spot on, me and my wife enjoyed the fiore rosa the most recent time. The pizzas have been exquisite here. The most recent was a pork guanciale with Brussel leaves pizza (uovo pizza). I can say i haven’t quite had that combination before, but they knocked it out of the park. Lastly, I am very impressed with the service. We had some issues with some of the places we dined in Philly with the amount of time it took to get served. They were on top of it here despite being absolutely full we were able to get in and out in just a little over an hour.” – Phil H.
110 S 13th St Philadelphia, PA 19107, (215) 546-9300
Giorgio on Pine
Giorgio on Pine is a rustic and casual Italian dining restaurant, relatively new in the Italian restaurant scene in Philadelphia.
It’s a BYOB spot with decadent dishes. They’ve even got an entire gluten-free menu available with an excellent selection for those with a sweet tooth.
People recommend getting the gnocchi, ravioli, rigatoni, and tiramisu for dessert.
Be sure to give Giorgio’s a go, they have some of the absolute best Italian in Philadelphia.
Menu: Giorgio’s Menu
Top Review: “We had a lovely dinner here – Giorgio was so friendly and accommodating. We especially enjoyed the lobster ravioli and salmon. It felt authentic, like you could pick up the restaurant and put it on a side street in Rome. It was also Giorgio’s birthday and a neighborhood boy stopped by with his dad to say happy birthday – this is a real neighborhood gem.” – Alyssa Y.
1328 Pine St Philadelphia, PA 19107, (215) 545-6265
Philadelphia is a city that loves Italian cuisine, and it’s evident with the numerous top-notch Italian restaurants that call this city home. From classic red-sauce joints to chic and modern trattorias, there is something for everyone in this city.
Whether you’re in the mood for live opera, decadent gelato, or a hearty bowl of Sunday gravy, Philadelphia’s Italian restaurants have you covered. Be sure to add these best Italian restaurants in Philadelphia to your list.
You might also like drooling over these articles:
- The Best Italian Spots in New Jersey
- The Best Italian Restaurants in Nashville
- The Best Italian Restaurants in Fort Lauderdale
- Top Italian Restaurants in St. Louis, Missouri
- Top Italian Restaurants in Dallas
- The Best Italian Restaurants in Manhattan
- Pizza Paradise: The Best Pizza in Cincinnati
- The Top Pizza Restaurants in Boston
best italian philadelphia, best italian philadelphia, philadelphia italian
