The Italian-American community has thrived in Philadelphia, one of America’s oldest cities. For those who love Italian food, this has resulted is one serendipitous fact: Philly has some of the best Italian food in the country. And, out of all of the different Italian restaurants that the city has to offer, here are some of the very best of the best:
-Vesuvio Restaurant & Bar-
736 S. 8th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 922-8380
Tue – Thu 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Fri – Sat 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Sun 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Vesuvio is hands-down on the best Italian restaurants in Philadelphia. For starters, the service is wonderful and the staff is extremely knowledgeable about the menu and wine offerings. The food itself, of course, is remarkable in complexity and taste. Classic Italian main dishes are the highlight of the menu, but the chef also excels at creating delectable, intensely rich cakes and desserts. Likewise, Vesuvio offers some of the best seafood-inspired Italian cuisine available, featuring excellent crab-cakes and seafood pastas. This is a must-visit place.
Special Tip:
If you’re in the mood for a cocktail instead of wine, try the “Vesuvio Explosion.” It’ll blow your mind.
-Bistro Romano-
120 Lombard St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 925-8880
Mon – Thu 4:30 pm to 10:00 pm
Fri – Sat 4:30 pm to 11:00 pm
Sun 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm
This historic Philadelphia landmark is an outstanding example of how old-world charm and decor can meld with new world sensibilities to create a wonderful dining experience. Bistro Romano, which is located in the history-laden Society Hill area, offers a wonderful array of culinary options as well as boasting what may well be Philadelphia’s best wine list, offering well over 100 different wines from around the globe. The interior or the restaurant is extremely pleasing to the eye and is kept dim, but not to the point of interfering with the experience whatsoever. The Italian sausage that is served at this establishment is worth a visit, all by itself.
Special Tip:
This place offers a “Mystery Dinner Theatre” option, which can be a lot of fun for those interested in such activities. Call to inquire about times, and prices, but don’t expect your visit to be cheap. It is, however, a great option for impressing a date.
-Ristorante Panorama-
14 N. Front St.
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 922-7800
Mon – Thu 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Fri 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Sat 5:30 pm to 11:00 pm
Sun 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
This self-titled “world class wine bar” is a definite contender for Philadelphia’s best Italian food. While its wine list is quite impressive, and is massive in terms of scale, it may not have quite as much refinement as that of Bistro Romano. The cuisine offered at Ristorante Panorama, however, is second to none. Fresh, homemade pastas and legendary veal selections are what has turned this restaurant into the booming success it now is. Also, you’ll find some of the best salads offered anywhere, let alone in the city of Philadelphia. Expect to pay a premium here, as most meals are priced in the “astronomic” price range.
Special Tip:
During the summertime, they offer a patio which is a lovely place to enjoy some high-class, outdoors dining and a little moonlight.
-La Viola-
253 S. 16th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 735-8630
Mon – Thu 11:00 am to 3:00 pm &
5:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Fri 11:00 am to 3:00 pm &
5:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Sat 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Sun 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm
La Viola is one of Philadelphia’s premier Italian eateries, when price is taken into consideration. Although the food will definitely fail to meet the stellar standards of the restaurants listed above, it is still extremely fine cuisine, and offers a passingly good wine list. The pasta dishes are rich, generally ensconced in high-quality mozzarella, and varied enough for the vast majority of palates. The service here can be questionable, on occasion, but for those who don’t mind brusque servers who tend to mind their own business and remain aloof, that will not be an issue. All in all, this is one of the better Italian restaurants in the city, even with all its minor flaws.
Special Tip:
Plan ahead and make a reservation. Also, this place gets insanely busy at peak times, and can become rather noisy, so try to make your reservation during an off-hour, such as 4:00 pm or 9:00 pm, if at all possible.
