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Venison carpaccio on a plate alongside artichokes and pepato cheese.
Venison Carpaccio at Vetri Cusina.
Vetri Cusina.

Philly’s Essential Italian Restaurants

If there’s one thing this city knows, it’s pasta

by Ernest Owens Updated
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Venison Carpaccio at Vetri Cusina.
| Vetri Cusina.
by Ernest Owens Updated

Philadelphia’s fondness for Italian cuisine runs deep, be it at a white-tablecloth restaurant or homey red-sauce joint. Over the years, the city’s love affair with these pasta palaces has gotten national attention — Italian food in Philly is just that good.

Some of these places are tried-and-true Philadelphia institutions that have been around for more than a century, while others are relative newcomers that have carved out a spot for themselves with creative modern takes amid stiff competition. Either way, you can’t miss the pasta, gravy, meat, and seafood at these essential Italian restaurants.

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A Mano

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Per the name (Italian for “by hand”), A Mano nails house-made pastas like lumache with corn and porcini butter in an elegantly simple Fairmount setting. The fantastic menu shifts seasonally, rounded out at times by such starters as roasted beets with whipped ricotta and honey grilled peaches with stracciatella plus mains including grilled branzino and chicken Milanese. To get the full experience, opt for the four-course family-style Abbondanza menu, and don’t forget to bring your own drinks for pairing.

2244 Fairmount Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 236-1114
(215) 236-1114

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Osteria

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Since 2007, this James Beard Foundation award-winning restaurant has been consistently impressing diners with its groundbreaking family-style Italian cuisine. Their signature entrées, such as their chicken liver rigatoni with Cipollini onions and sage, Bitto cheese, and mozzarella and cotechino sausage is worth making a reservation immediately.

640 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 763-0920
(215) 763-0920

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Gran Caffe L'Aquila

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The Italy-Philly connection is strong at Center City’s bi-level Gran Caffe L’Aquila, a recreation of an Italian cafe destroyed in the 2009 earthquake that hit Abruzzo. The entire restaurant was designed and built in Italy before being shipped to Philly along with its co-owners, Stefano Biasini and Michele Morelli. Biasini is a world-champion gelato maker and even finds ways to incorporate the sweet stuff into savory entrees (truffle gelato melting over buttery pasta, for example). Stop in for a scoop from the case in the front and some wine and other goods from the market, or settle into one of the restaurant’s indoor or outdoor tables for the full experience.

1716 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 568-5600
(215) 568-5600

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Vetri Cucina

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Since 1998, this inventive, award-winning restaurant continues to blaze a trail for contemporary Italian cuisine with a bold prix-fixe menu that amazes diners from all over the world. Chef/Owner Marc Vetri continues to impress with remarkable dishes such as ricotta cavatelli with wild boar sausage and shishito peppers, pan seared fluke with summer tomatoes, olives and potato galette, and smoked baby goat with house-milled polenta.

1312 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 732-3478
(215) 732-3478

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Giorgio On Pine

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This is a classic BYOB that has been the staple for diners in Midtown Village and beyond, For years, Chef/Owner Giorgio Giuliani has been serving up traditional Italian cuisine (such as spaghetti a la vodka, veal with prosciutto, and bucatini) but with a sensitivity for providing gluten-free pasta options, seasonal ingredients, and a more dietary-flexible menu for all.

1328 Pine St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 545-6265
(215) 545-6265

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Ambra Restaurant

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This new edition has impressively expanded the depth of the modern Italian dining experience. Co-owners Chef Chris D’Ambro and Marina de Oliveira aren’t just feeding diners with impressive cuisine, but have curated a unique opportunity for them to eat in the restaurant’s kitchen as their talented team of chefs provide them an up-close view of them at work.

705 S 4th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(267) 858-9232
(267) 858-9232

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Dante & Luigi's

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Old-school is the name of the game at Dante & Luigi’s, which claims to date back to 1899 and therefore disputes nearby Ralph’s title as the oldest Italian restaurant in the U.S. (It’s complicated.) Regardless, with its high ceilings, chandeliers, fireplace, wainscoting, and white tablecloths, this South Philly landmark is the most upscale of the city’s historic Italian restaurants. And talk about street cred: As the story goes, Dante & Luigi’s was once the scene of an attempted mob hit. Go for the ricotta gnocchi, lasagna, or perciatelli Genovese, a richer spin on a classic Bolognese.

762 S 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 922-9501
(215) 922-9501

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Ralph's Italian Restaurant

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Ralph’s is another South Philly institution — it allegedly originated in 1900 and therefore claims to be the oldest Italian restaurant in the country. (It’s complicated.) Ralph’s is also still family-run and much of its staff has been around for decades. More than a few celebrities have come through the door, including Frank Sinatra, Taylor Swift, and Joe Biden (though not all at once); devoted diners keep coming back for sausage and peppers, mussels, pasta, and veal parm. You can make reservations online for indoor and outdoor seating.

760 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 627-6011
(215) 627-6011

Saloon Restaurant

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For more than 50 years, this intimate South Philly Italian spot has been welcoming diners with generous portions of linguine pescatore, veal parmigiana, and the signature Bosses’ Chicken, a paillard topped with sweet and hot peppers. No word on whether or not that last dish was a favorite of restaurant regular Joey Merlino, a noted mob boss. Reserve tables in the dining room or bar through OpenTable.

750 S 7th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 627-1811
(215) 627-1811

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Fiorella Pasta

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Marc Vetri’s Italian Market pasta bar is perennially packed — and for good reason. From creative cocktails like the Dirty Pasta Water Martini to a tight menu full of fantastic small plates and gorgeous house-made pastas, there’s a lot to love about this former butcher shop turned dining destination. You can make reservations for tables indoors or on the covered and heated outdoor patio through Tock.

817 Christian St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 305-9222
(215) 305-9222

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Villa di Roma

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Since 1963, the throwback Villa di Roma has been an Italian Market favorite for hearty pasta dinners in a brick-walled space. The red sauce is so popular that the restaurant sells it by the jar. But it’s not just spaghetti here. The menu includes enough veal, seafood, chicken, sausage, and steak entrees to make choosing just one a challenge.

936 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 592-1295
(215) 592-1295

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The Victor Cafe

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Housed in a former gramophone shop on Dickinson Street, the Victor Cafe is Philadelphia’s premier destination for red sauce Italian and live opera. Choose from a menu of straightforward Italian classics like linguine with clams and veal saltimbocca and enjoy the serenade of singing servers. This unique restaurant takes reservations on OpenTable.

1303 Dickinson St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 468-3040
(215) 468-3040

Le Virtu

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East Passyunk’s destination for Abruzzese fare serves excellent classics like pappardelle ai funghi and branzino with fingerling potatoes, as well as rustic plates like fettuccine with butcher’s ragu. The outdoor patio is lovely and the wine list is thorough. You can book through OpenTable.

1927 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 271-5626
(215) 271-5626

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Irwin's

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You’d be forgiven for thinking Irwin’s on the eighth floor of the Bok Building is all about the view — and indeed, there’s nothing like it — but it’s Michael Vincent Ferreri’s family-style dorade, fritto misto, and house-made pastas that really take the cake, especially paired as they are with intriguing natural wines. You can make reservations via Resy for indoor and seasonal outdoor dining.

800 Mifflin St, Philadelphia, PA 19148
(267) 270-5894
(267) 270-5894

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Zeppoli

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South Philly native Joey Baldino worked his way up to chef de cuisine at Vetri before opening Zeppoli in 2011. He focuses on Sicilian cooking at this 35-seat BYOB, a short ride across the river in Collingswood, New Jersey. Don’t skip the overflowing antipasto to start or the zeppoli Siciliano for dessert. This is the only spot on the list that isn’t in Philadelphia proper, but it’s too good not to include — and still easier to access than Palizzi Social Club, the wonderful but members-only restaurant that Baldino runs in South Philly.

618 W Collings Ave, Collingswood, NJ 08107
(856) 854-2670
(856) 854-2670

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A Mano

2244 Fairmount Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19130

Per the name (Italian for “by hand”), A Mano nails house-made pastas like lumache with corn and porcini butter in an elegantly simple Fairmount setting. The fantastic menu shifts seasonally, rounded out at times by such starters as roasted beets with whipped ricotta and honey grilled peaches with stracciatella plus mains including grilled branzino and chicken Milanese. To get the full experience, opt for the four-course family-style Abbondanza menu, and don’t forget to bring your own drinks for pairing.

2244 Fairmount Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 236-1114
(215) 236-1114

Osteria

640 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19130

Since 2007, this James Beard Foundation award-winning restaurant has been consistently impressing diners with its groundbreaking family-style Italian cuisine. Their signature entrées, such as their chicken liver rigatoni with Cipollini onions and sage, Bitto cheese, and mozzarella and cotechino sausage is worth making a reservation immediately.

640 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 763-0920
(215) 763-0920

Gran Caffe L'Aquila

1716 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

The Italy-Philly connection is strong at Center City’s bi-level Gran Caffe L’Aquila, a recreation of an Italian cafe destroyed in the 2009 earthquake that hit Abruzzo. The entire restaurant was designed and built in Italy before being shipped to Philly along with its co-owners, Stefano Biasini and Michele Morelli. Biasini is a world-champion gelato maker and even finds ways to incorporate the sweet stuff into savory entrees (truffle gelato melting over buttery pasta, for example). Stop in for a scoop from the case in the front and some wine and other goods from the market, or settle into one of the restaurant’s indoor or outdoor tables for the full experience.

1716 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 568-5600
(215) 568-5600

Vetri Cucina

1312 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Since 1998, this inventive, award-winning restaurant continues to blaze a trail for contemporary Italian cuisine with a bold prix-fixe menu that amazes diners from all over the world. Chef/Owner Marc Vetri continues to impress with remarkable dishes such as ricotta cavatelli with wild boar sausage and shishito peppers, pan seared fluke with summer tomatoes, olives and potato galette, and smoked baby goat with house-milled polenta.

1312 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 732-3478
(215) 732-3478

Giorgio On Pine

1328 Pine St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

This is a classic BYOB that has been the staple for diners in Midtown Village and beyond, For years, Chef/Owner Giorgio Giuliani has been serving up traditional Italian cuisine (such as spaghetti a la vodka, veal with prosciutto, and bucatini) but with a sensitivity for providing gluten-free pasta options, seasonal ingredients, and a more dietary-flexible menu for all.

1328 Pine St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 545-6265
(215) 545-6265

Ambra Restaurant

705 S 4th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

This new edition has impressively expanded the depth of the modern Italian dining experience. Co-owners Chef Chris D’Ambro and Marina de Oliveira aren’t just feeding diners with impressive cuisine, but have curated a unique opportunity for them to eat in the restaurant’s kitchen as their talented team of chefs provide them an up-close view of them at work.

705 S 4th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(267) 858-9232
(267) 858-9232

Dante & Luigi's

762 S 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Old-school is the name of the game at Dante & Luigi’s, which claims to date back to 1899 and therefore disputes nearby Ralph’s title as the oldest Italian restaurant in the U.S. (It’s complicated.) Regardless, with its high ceilings, chandeliers, fireplace, wainscoting, and white tablecloths, this South Philly landmark is the most upscale of the city’s historic Italian restaurants. And talk about street cred: As the story goes, Dante & Luigi’s was once the scene of an attempted mob hit. Go for the ricotta gnocchi, lasagna, or perciatelli Genovese, a richer spin on a classic Bolognese.

762 S 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 922-9501
(215) 922-9501

Ralph's Italian Restaurant

760 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Ralph’s is another South Philly institution — it allegedly originated in 1900 and therefore claims to be the oldest Italian restaurant in the country. (It’s complicated.) Ralph’s is also still family-run and much of its staff has been around for decades. More than a few celebrities have come through the door, including Frank Sinatra, Taylor Swift, and Joe Biden (though not all at once); devoted diners keep coming back for sausage and peppers, mussels, pasta, and veal parm. You can make reservations online for indoor and outdoor seating.

760 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 627-6011
(215) 627-6011

Saloon Restaurant

750 S 7th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

For more than 50 years, this intimate South Philly Italian spot has been welcoming diners with generous portions of linguine pescatore, veal parmigiana, and the signature Bosses’ Chicken, a paillard topped with sweet and hot peppers. No word on whether or not that last dish was a favorite of restaurant regular Joey Merlino, a noted mob boss. Reserve tables in the dining room or bar through OpenTable.

750 S 7th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 627-1811
(215) 627-1811

Fiorella Pasta

817 Christian St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Marc Vetri’s Italian Market pasta bar is perennially packed — and for good reason. From creative cocktails like the Dirty Pasta Water Martini to a tight menu full of fantastic small plates and gorgeous house-made pastas, there’s a lot to love about this former butcher shop turned dining destination. You can make reservations for tables indoors or on the covered and heated outdoor patio through Tock.

817 Christian St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 305-9222
(215) 305-9222

Villa di Roma

936 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Since 1963, the throwback Villa di Roma has been an Italian Market favorite for hearty pasta dinners in a brick-walled space. The red sauce is so popular that the restaurant sells it by the jar. But it’s not just spaghetti here. The menu includes enough veal, seafood, chicken, sausage, and steak entrees to make choosing just one a challenge.

936 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 592-1295
(215) 592-1295

The Victor Cafe

1303 Dickinson St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Housed in a former gramophone shop on Dickinson Street, the Victor Cafe is Philadelphia’s premier destination for red sauce Italian and live opera. Choose from a menu of straightforward Italian classics like linguine with clams and veal saltimbocca and enjoy the serenade of singing servers. This unique restaurant takes reservations on OpenTable.

1303 Dickinson St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 468-3040
(215) 468-3040

Le Virtu

1927 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148

East Passyunk’s destination for Abruzzese fare serves excellent classics like pappardelle ai funghi and branzino with fingerling potatoes, as well as rustic plates like fettuccine with butcher’s ragu. The outdoor patio is lovely and the wine list is thorough. You can book through OpenTable.

1927 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 271-5626
(215) 271-5626

Irwin's

800 Mifflin St, Philadelphia, PA 19148

You’d be forgiven for thinking Irwin’s on the eighth floor of the Bok Building is all about the view — and indeed, there’s nothing like it — but it’s Michael Vincent Ferreri’s family-style dorade, fritto misto, and house-made pastas that really take the cake, especially paired as they are with intriguing natural wines. You can make reservations via Resy for indoor and seasonal outdoor dining.

800 Mifflin St, Philadelphia, PA 19148
(267) 270-5894
(267) 270-5894

Zeppoli

618 W Collings Ave, Collingswood, NJ 08107

South Philly native Joey Baldino worked his way up to chef de cuisine at Vetri before opening Zeppoli in 2011. He focuses on Sicilian cooking at this 35-seat BYOB, a short ride across the river in Collingswood, New Jersey. Don’t skip the overflowing antipasto to start or the zeppoli Siciliano for dessert. This is the only spot on the list that isn’t in Philadelphia proper, but it’s too good not to include — and still easier to access than Palizzi Social Club, the wonderful but members-only restaurant that Baldino runs in South Philly.

618 W Collings Ave, Collingswood, NJ 08107
(856) 854-2670
(856) 854-2670

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