Top 10 Best Italian Restaurants in Philadelphia

Written by Brian A. in Rankings

In Philadelphia, Italian culture is deeply rooted in the daily life of the city. The food that is served at the neighborhood markets and at the many family-owned restaurants in the area is known to be incredibly satisfying.

From authentic Italian restaurants to trendy places to eat out, Philadelphia has plenty of reasons to visit Italy. From the elegant to the casual, these establishments are some of the best in the area.

If you love Italian food, then we’ve got you covered. From fine dining to casual Italian restaurants, we’ve got you covered.

It should also be a place that has the atmosphere and style that you like. It should also be well-appointed and have a reasonable price.

We’ve compiled a list of 10 good Italian restaurants in South Philadelphia to help you find the best options when it comes to Italian food.

Barbuzzo

Ordered food for a date night, and it showed up early. They were confused as to where I booked, but they eventually resolved it in the end.

Barbuzzo is a great place to start making sourdough bread again. It’s been a while since I’ve had a good Italian restaurant in town, and the sweet ricotta was a great addition to the bread.

I’ve never had good gnocchi before. All I know is that these were light, fluffy, and full of flavor.

The pizza was nice, but when we tried it, it was incredibly salty. The crust was also nice, though we did not like the taste. Overall, it was a good pizza.

Overall a great place to eat. The only low note was that the pizza had a little bit of seasoning, but that would not stop me from trying their other offerings.

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Little Nonna’s

This is a tiny restaurant that feels like a mom-and-pop Italian place. The food is amazing, and the meatballs were absolutely delicious.

We were able to get a table early, and the server was very helpful in explaining what they have and what wines they’re currently offering. The outdoor seating area was also nicely done.

A great start to the meal was Stracciatella with olives and fresh bread. We then went on to a salad with apples and escarole.

This dish was a great combination of spinach arancini and broccoli rabe. The rice balls were crisp and the rabe was garlicky.

Nonna’s had a great dinner party with their famous sauce. It was a bit thick and had a lot of garlic flavor. This dish was a must-try.

Popular Dishes:

  • Bucatini & Shrimp Scampi $22.00 photosOpens in a new tab.
  • Nonni’s Spaghetti & Meatballs $22.00 photosOpens in a new tab.
  • Rigatoni Alla Vodka $21.00 photosOpens in a new tab.
  • Pan Seared Gnocchi $21.00 photosOpens in a new tab.

Restaurant Info:

Gran Caffe L’Aquila

Gran Caffe L’Aquila was a well-known caff in Piazza Duomo in L’Aquila, Italy. In 2007, it was named the Best Bar in all of Italy by D’Italia.

In 2009, an earthquake in Abruzzo destroyed the caffein L’Aquila. It was then decided that the best way to recreate the caffe was to move to Philadelphia and work with the original owner, who was also a passionate cook and wine director.

Located in the heart of Philadelphia’s Italian community, this authentic restaurant features world-renowned gelato, housemade coffee, and food. Private events are also planned to fit every group.

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Giorgio On Pine

Giorgio on Pine is a new Italian restaurant in the city that’s great for both lunch and dinner. It’s located on Pine Street and has great food. We went for the chocolate cake, and they brought out a cup of gelato for us. The two were so perfect together.

Georgio’s on Pine was a great place to eat and meet new people. Everyone was there at once, and even though we didn’t have a reservation, the staff was accommodating to accommodate everyone. The food was excellent, and the staff was incredibly helpful. We had a great time meeting people and talking about our trip.

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Osteria

Osteria is a highly acclaimed Italian restaurant located in Philadelphia. It has been regarded as one of the most critically acclaimed restaurants in the country by various outlets.

Osteria’s main kitchen is filled with fresh, seasonal produce, homemade pastas, and wood-grilled meats and seafood. Its signature dishes are made with love and are served with a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

We were planning on going to a different restaurant for dinner but this one was our last minute reservation. The food was impeccable and the atmosphere was impeccable.

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Pietro’s Coal Oven Pizzeria

We went to this place on a double date. The food was good, the service was impeccable, and the portions were big enough to accommodate both of us.

This was another incredibly satisfying meal. We had more leftovers than usual and even had a dessert that was a little heart-shaped.

This place is one of my favorites in the city, and they have happy hour all day long. This is a great place to go during a nice day or night, and they can get packed with people. The calamari is also one of my favorites, and they do a great job battering it. The white wine sauce is also amazing.

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Ralphs Italian Restaurant

Theodore Roosevelt was the first famous guest to visit Ralph’s. Over the next 111 years, the restaurant has been a favorite of various celebrities.

With help from the fifth and sixth generations, Ralph’s has become the oldest family-owned Italian restaurant in the country. This means that every customer receives the same great food and service that has been a part of their family for over 100 years.

Not knowing about the reviews, I went here without looking at them. The food was impeccable, and despite the fact that this place has less than four stars, it was still incredibly satisfying. I highly recommend making reservations.

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Ristorante Pesto

It’s warm and welcoming from the moment you enter. The food is always fresh and incredibly satisfying. It’s also a great place to start if you’re looking for something a little different.

I went to Pesto with 10 of my closest friends. It’s the only place that we ever go to when we’re in need of an Italian restaurant. The food is always fresh and the staff is incredibly friendly.

If you’re planning on recommending a meal to someone who is visiting Philadelphia, this is a must-visit place. It’s packed, and they usually have reservations.

The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming. The food was simple and the portions were huge. The servers were very friendly and accommodating.

While we were eating at this restaurant, they served these balsamic carrots, which were just out of this world. This is a must-visit restaurant if you’re in the area.

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Spasso Italian Grill

They had an amazing table of bread. I ended up ordering the Ricotta Cheese Meatballs with a little bit of spinach. The whole thing was good though.

This is a great place to try out if you are in need of a last-minute backup. It is located off the beaten path and is well-hidden.

There are a lot of traditional Italian dishes at Spasso. Today I ordered veal saltimbocca, which was incredibly tender and good. The other vegetables were also great.

This unit has a large inside dining area, a separate bar area, and a nice outdoor dining area with views of the Ben Franklin Bridge.

Popular Dishes:

  • New York Strip Steak $27.50 photosOpens in a new tab.
  • Linguine Ponza $16.50 photosOpens in a new tab.
  • Veal Saltimbocca $22.00 photosOpens in a new tab.
  • Crabmeat Ravioli $21.00 photosOpens in a new tab.

Restaurant Info:

Le Virtu

The food is authentic and well-balanced. The staff is very helpful and personal. The patio is very welcoming and comfortable.

The key to having a good meal is good food. The grilled polpo was exceptional and the lamb skewers were also good. The seafood in broth and pappardelle was also authentic.

Great atmosphere, great food, and great service. We were seated outside and enjoyed the view from our booth. Overall, a great experience.

Popular Dishes:

  • Affettati Misti $29.00 photosOpens in a new tab.
  • Bucatini Con Ragu Di Coniglio $20.00 photosOpens in a new tab.
  • Maccheroni Alla Mugnaia $18.00 photosOpens in a new tab.
  • Torta di pere $12.00 photosOpens in a new tab.

Restaurant Info:

  • Price: High
  • Address: 1927 E Passyunk Ave Philadelphia, PA 19148
  • Phone: (215) 271-5626
  • Website: http://www.levirtu.comOpens in a new tab.

Brian A.

Brian has always loved the dining experience, a talent he inherited from his family, who already succeeded in the restaurant business. Throughout his years of managing various cultural restaurants, Brian has extensive knowledge in restaurant industry.

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