clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Every Philadelphia Restaurant Marcus Samuelsson Visits on ‘No Passport Required’

Where to find Neapolitan pizza, cannoli, lasagna, Italian cheeses, and more

View as Map

Most Italian Americans came from southern Italy and settled in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, which has the second-largest Italian population in the United States. Today, Italian Americans who stayed in South Philly have built on generations of Italian-run businesses — there are Italian shops, private clubs, bakeries, and restaurants that have been operated by the same families for close to a century, if not longer. But there are also Italian Americans who are exploring their heritage and culinary traditions in different ways, experimenting with dishes, local Pennsylvanian ingredients, and the parts of their cuisine that mean the most to them.

Watch “Philadelphia” from Season 2 of No Passport Required, hosted by chef Marcus Samuelsson, here. And in this map, find the places Samuelsson visits in the episode.

Note: Since filming, Paradiso and Tre Scalini have closed.

Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Le Virtu

Copy Link

Francis Cratil-Cretarola and Cathy Lee’s restaurant Le Virtu serves a menu rooted in cuisine from Abruzzo, a region in southern Italy. In this episode, chef Damon Menapace makes taccozzelle — a pork sausage ragu with mushrooms, black truffle, and saffron — with Samuelsson.

Termini Bros Bakery

Copy Link

The Termini family takes pride in their bakery, opened in 1921, and their recipes, which have been used for three generations. They call the recipes a “living tradition.” Samuelsson learns how to make the bakery’s signature ricotta cannoli, which has a special ingredient: red wine in the cannoli dough.

building with sign that says termini pastries

Palizzi Social Club

Copy Link

At the members-only Palizzi Social Club, Samuelsson and president Joey Baldino cook brasciole — short rib filled with breadcrumbs and lardo, then rolled and sliced — and try a traditional stewed tripe.

red neon sign that says filippo palizzi club

Di Bruno Bros.

Copy Link

For 80 years, Di Bruno Bros. has been serving up cheese, olives, cured meats, antipasti, and other Italian goods to hungry shoppers in the heart of Philly’s historic Italian Market. Samuelsson samples cave-aged pecorino and anchovies, then tours the entire Italian Market.

storefront that says du bruno bros since 1939

Ralph's Italian Restaurant

Copy Link

Opened in 1900, Ralph’s is widely considered the oldest Italian restaurant in the country. With the Rubino family, Samuelsson makes lasagna, veal parmesan, and — of course — the classic Italian gravy.

sign that says ralph’s italian restaurant

Vetri Cucina

Copy Link

At Vetri, Samuelsson mills flour and learns about how different flours can make a “revolutionary” difference in Italian cuisine. With chef and owner Marc Vetri, he makes a few pasta shapes, including a rolled pasta called trofie, which they eat with pistachio pesto and orange zest. They also make “old-school” meatballs with the chef’s father, Sal Vetri.

sign that says vetri with 1312 underneath

Spuntino Wood Fired Pizzeria

Copy Link

Chef and co-owner Salvatore Carollo is a fourth-generation pizza maker. His restaurant, Spuntino, focuses on Neapolitan pies, a specific style of pizza that has earned UNESCO World Heritage status. Pizzas cook for 60 to 75 seconds at a minimum of 900 degrees in a wood-burning oven.

sign that says spuntino

Le Virtu

Francis Cratil-Cretarola and Cathy Lee’s restaurant Le Virtu serves a menu rooted in cuisine from Abruzzo, a region in southern Italy. In this episode, chef Damon Menapace makes taccozzelle — a pork sausage ragu with mushrooms, black truffle, and saffron — with Samuelsson.

Termini Bros Bakery

The Termini family takes pride in their bakery, opened in 1921, and their recipes, which have been used for three generations. They call the recipes a “living tradition.” Samuelsson learns how to make the bakery’s signature ricotta cannoli, which has a special ingredient: red wine in the cannoli dough.

building with sign that says termini pastries

Palizzi Social Club

At the members-only Palizzi Social Club, Samuelsson and president Joey Baldino cook brasciole — short rib filled with breadcrumbs and lardo, then rolled and sliced — and try a traditional stewed tripe.

red neon sign that says filippo palizzi club

Di Bruno Bros.

For 80 years, Di Bruno Bros. has been serving up cheese, olives, cured meats, antipasti, and other Italian goods to hungry shoppers in the heart of Philly’s historic Italian Market. Samuelsson samples cave-aged pecorino and anchovies, then tours the entire Italian Market.

storefront that says du bruno bros since 1939

Ralph's Italian Restaurant

Opened in 1900, Ralph’s is widely considered the oldest Italian restaurant in the country. With the Rubino family, Samuelsson makes lasagna, veal parmesan, and — of course — the classic Italian gravy.

sign that says ralph’s italian restaurant

Vetri Cucina

At Vetri, Samuelsson mills flour and learns about how different flours can make a “revolutionary” difference in Italian cuisine. With chef and owner Marc Vetri, he makes a few pasta shapes, including a rolled pasta called trofie, which they eat with pistachio pesto and orange zest. They also make “old-school” meatballs with the chef’s father, Sal Vetri.

sign that says vetri with 1312 underneath

Spuntino Wood Fired Pizzeria

Chef and co-owner Salvatore Carollo is a fourth-generation pizza maker. His restaurant, Spuntino, focuses on Neapolitan pies, a specific style of pizza that has earned UNESCO World Heritage status. Pizzas cook for 60 to 75 seconds at a minimum of 900 degrees in a wood-burning oven.

sign that says spuntino

Related Maps