There is a strong presence of Italian culture in the day-to-day activities that take place across Philadelphia. The cuisine offered in the area’s numerous family-run restaurants, as well as at the local markets, has a well-deserved reputation for being among the most scrumptiously delicious around.
Visits to Italy are highly recommended in Philadelphia due to the city’s abundance of traditional and cutting-edge Italian dining establishments. These places are some of the finest in the region and range from upscale to laid-back styles of dining.
If you’re a fan of Italian cuisine, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. We’ll help you find the perfect Italian restaurant, no matter the level of formality you’re looking for.
It is important that the location you choose has an ambiance and a design that appeal to you. In addition to that, it has to have a fair pricing and a lot of nice amenities.
In order to assist you in locating the establishments in South Philadelphia that provide the highest quality Italian cuisine, we have produced a list of the top ten Italian restaurants in the area.
Contents
Barbuzzo
I placed an order for dinner for a date night, and it arrived earlier than expected. They were unclear about where I had booked my reservation, but in the end, they sorted it out.
If you want to get back into creating sourdough bread, Barbuzzo is an excellent place to begin. It’s been quite some time since I’ve gone to a fine Italian restaurant in this area, and the addition of the sweet ricotta to the bread was a wonderful touch.
I can’t remember ever having gnocchi that was worth eating. My only knowledge of them is that they were airy, fluffy, and packed with flavor.
The pizza looked good, but when we had it, we found that it had an overwhelming amount of salt. Even though the flavor was not to our liking, we thought the crust was quite good. The pizza was tasty when taken as a whole.
In general, it’s a wonderful restaurant to go to. The only thing that might be considered a drawback was that the pizza lacked a significant amount of flavor, but even that would not prevent me from checking out their other options.
Popular Dishes:
- Margarita Pizza $15.00 photos
- Tufoli $17.00 photos
- Uovo Pizza $18.00 photos
- Caciocavallo Stuffed Meatballs $14.00 photos
Restaurant Info:
- Price: Medium
- Address: 110 S 13th St Philadelphia, PA 19107
- Phone: (215) 546-9300
- Website: http://www.barbuzzo.com/
Little Nonna’s
This is a very small restaurant that has the atmosphere of an Italian establishment run by a mother and her son. The meal is incredible, and those meatballs are some of the most flavorful I’ve ever had.
We were fortunate to snag a seat early, and the waitress was really helpful in providing information on the restaurant’s offerings, including the wines they presently had available. The sitting area that was located outside was also very tastefully done.
Stracciatella, along with olives and fresh bread, made for an excellent beginning to the dinner. After that, we moved on to a salad that included escarole and apples.
The arancini filled with spinach and broccoli rabe made for a delicious mix in this recipe. The rice balls had a crunchy exterior, and the rabe had a garlicky flavor.
The dinner gathering at Nonna’s was fantastic, and they served their renowned sauce. It was somewhat garlicky and had a consistency that was something between thick and thin. It was imperative that you sample this food.
Popular Dishes:
- Bucatini & Shrimp Scampi $22.00 photos
- Nonni’s Spaghetti & Meatballs $22.00 photos
- Rigatoni Alla Vodka $21.00 photos
- Pan Seared Gnocchi $21.00 photos
Restaurant Info:
- Price: Medium
- Address: 1234 Locust St Philadelphia, PA 19107
- Phone: (215) 546-2100
- Website: http://littlenonnas.com
Gran Caffe L’Aquila
In L’Aquila, Italy, the Piazza Duomo was home to a popular coffee shop called Gran Caffe L’Aquila. It was honored by D’Italia with the title of Best Bar in All of Italy the same year (2007).
An earthquake in the region of Abruzzo in 2009 caused the cafe L’Aquila to be demolished. After that, it was agreed that moving to Philadelphia and working with the original owner of the cafe, who was also an enthusiastic chef and wine director, would be the best approach to reproduce the caffe.
This traditional eatery, which can be found in the middle of Philadelphia’s Italian neighborhood, is known all over the globe for its gelato, as well as its housemade coffee and meals. In addition, private events are organized to cater to the needs of each group.
Popular Dishes:
- Agnolotti $21.90 photos
- Pappardelle al Ragu $19.90 photos
- Carbonara $18.50 photos
- Tagliatelle alla Panna $16.90 photos
Restaurant Info:
- Price: Medium
- Address: 1716 Chestnut St Philadelphia, PA 19103
- Phone: (215) 568-5600
- Website: http://grancaffelaquila.com/
Giorgio On Pine
The city is home to a brand-new Italian eatery called Giorgio on Pine, and it is an excellent choice for both lunch and supper. Pine Street is the address of this establishment, which serves delicious meals. After ordering the chocolate cake, they brought a cup of gelato out for the both of us to share. The combination of the two was just ideal.
It was a wonderful experience to dine at Georgio’s on Pine and get to know the local community. Everyone arrived at the same time, and while we did not have a reservation, the staff was able to satisfy everyone’s needs despite the lack of a reservation. The service was outstandingly friendly, and the quality of the meal was top-notch. Meeting new people and rehashing our travel experiences was a lot of fun for us.
Popular Dishes:
- Bucatini $14.50 photos
- Stuffed Chicken Breast $18.50 photos
- Spaghetti a la Vodka $15.50 photos
- Gnocchi $16.00 photos
Restaurant Info:
- Price: Medium
- Address: 1328 Pine St Philadelphia, PA 19107
- Phone: (215) 545-6265
- Website: http://giorgioonpine.com
Osteria
Osteria is an Italian restaurant in Philadelphia that has garnered a lot of praise throughout the years. According to a number of publications, this eatery is widely considered to be among the best in the nation in terms of critical praise.
The primary kitchen at Osteria is stocked with locally sourced, in-season fruit, handcrafted pastas, and wood-grilled meats, fish, and vegetables. The restaurant’s namesake meals are always prepared with care and are served in a friendly, comfortable setting.
However, with the short notice, we were only able to get a reservation at this one restaurant. Originally, we had other plans for supper. The service was perfect, as was the meal, and the whole experience was outstanding.
Popular Dishes:
- Lancaster Pork Chop $34.00 photos
- Mortadella $16.00 photos
- Charred Octopus $16.00 photos
- Rigatoni $18.00 photos
- Parma $18.00 photos
Restaurant Info:
- Price: High
- Address: 640 N Broad St Philadelphia, PA 19130
- Phone: (215) 763-0920
- Website: https://www.osteriaphilly.com/…
Pietro’s Coal Oven Pizzeria
Our double date took place at this establishment. The food was delicious, the service was outstanding, and the amounts were plenty for the two of us to enjoy a meal together.
Another one of those very gratifying meals was this one. We had a larger amount of leftovers than normal, as well as a dessert that was somewhat in the form of a heart.
This establishment is one of my top picks in the city, and I love that they serve happy hour all throughout the day. This is a wonderful site to visit on a lovely day or night, and there are often a lot of people there because of this. The calamari is also one of my faves, and the batter they use on it is delicious and perfectly done. The sauce made with white wine is equally fantastic.
Popular Dishes:
- The Sausage Pizza $20.50 photos
- 4-Cheese Pizza $20.50 photos
- Barese Pizza $20.50 photos
- Linguini Cielo $24.50 photos
Restaurant Info:
- Price: Medium
- Address: 1714 Walnut St Philadelphia, PA 19103
- Phone: (215) 735-8090
- Website: http://www.pietrospizza.com
Ralphs Italian Restaurant
Theodore Roosevelt is recognized as the first notable person to dine at Ralph’s. In the subsequent 111 years, the restaurant has become a favorite of a wide variety of well-known people.
With the support of the fifth and sixth generations, Ralph’s has become the nation’s oldest Italian restaurant that is still owned and operated by the same family. This ensures that each and every one of their customers is provided with the same high-quality cuisine and service that has been a part of their family for more than a century.
I went here without first looking at the reviews since I was unaware of their existence. The cuisine was outstanding, and in spite of the fact that this establishment had less than four ratings, I found it to be a really fulfilling experience overall. It is strongly recommended that you make reservations.
Popular Dishes:
- Chicken Parmigiana $24.00 photos
- Clams Casino $11.00 photos
- Veal Saltimbocca $29.00 photos
- Shrimp Scampi $28.00 photos
Restaurant Info:
- Price: Medium
- Address: 760 S 9th St Philadelphia, PA 19147
- Phone: (215) 627-6011
- Website: http://www.ralphsrestaurant.co…
Ristorante Pesto
As soon as you walk through the door, you are greeted with friendliness and warmth. The meal is consistently delicious and served in a timely manner. Additionally, if you are searching for something that is a little bit unusual, here is an excellent location to begin your search.
The ten of my closest friends and I went to Pesto together. When we are in need of an Italian restaurant, we never go anywhere else since it is our go-to spot every time. The cuisine is consistently delicious, and the service is exceptional in terms of friendliness.
It is imperative that you pay a visit to this restaurant if you are going to suggest a spot for someone to eat while they are in Philadelphia. It’s at capacity, and most of the time they make reservations.
The vibe here is warm and inviting, and the people are pleasant. The dishes were straightforward, but they served enormous servings. The wait staff was really helpful, kind, and polite.
These balsamic carrots, which were brought to us when we were dining at this restaurant, were out of this world. If you’re in the neighborhood, you absolutely have to stop by this eatery.
Popular Dishes:
- Lamb Chops $35.00 photos
- Shrimp Scampi $22.00 photos
- Fettuccine Alfredo Pasta $18.00 photos
- Black Ink $28.00 photos
Restaurant Info:
- Price: Medium
- Address: 1915 S Broad St Philadelphia, PA 19148
- Phone: (215) 336-8380
- Website: http://www.ristorantepesto.com
Spasso Italian Grill
They had an incredible spread of bread on the table. In the end, I decided to go with the Ricotta Cheese Meatballs that were served with a side of spinach. However, the event as a whole was enjoyable.
If you are in desperate need of a back-up at the last minute, this is a perfect location to look for one. It is out of the way and difficult to find because of its location.
At Spasso, they provide a large selection of authentic Italian cuisine on the menu. Today I had veal saltimbocca, which was one of the most delicious and delicate dishes I’ve ever had. The remaining veggies were delicious in their own right.
This apartment has a spacious dining space inside, a separate bar area, and a pleasant outside eating area with views of the Ben Franklin Bridge.
Popular Dishes:
- New York Strip Steak $27.50 photos
- Linguine Ponza $16.50 photos
- Veal Saltimbocca $22.00 photos
- Crabmeat Ravioli $21.00 photos
Restaurant Info:
- Price: Medium
- Address: 34 S Front St Philadelphia, PA 19106
- Phone: (215) 592-7661
- Website: http://www.spassoitaliangrill.
Le Virtu
The cuisine is delicious and prepared in a traditional manner. The staff is really kind and willing to assist. The terrace exudes warmth and coziness to all who visit.
Food is the most important component of a satisfying dining experience. Both the grilled polpo and the lamb skewers were delicious, but the grilled polpo was really delicious. The authenticity was also there in the fish in broth and the pappardelle.
Excellent ambiance, culinary offerings, and customer service all round. We were able to take in the scenery from the comfort of our outside booth. An enjoyable adventure all the way through.
Popular Dishes:
- Affettati Misti $29.00 photos
- Bucatini Con Ragu Di Coniglio $20.00 photos
- Maccheroni Alla Mugnaia $18.00 photos
- Torta di pere $12.00 photos
Restaurant Info:
- Price: High
- Address: 1927 E Passyunk Ave Philadelphia, PA 19148
- Phone: (215) 271-5626
- Website: http://www.levirtu.com