50 Best Italian Restaurants in Philadelphia

“Excellent Food & Amazing Service 👍👍“

“Outstanding service and dining experience. Phenomenal food. BYOB!“

“It was an unforgettable dinner. The moment I stepped inside, I felt as if I had been invited to a close friend’s or family member’s home for a warm, intimate meal. The space is small, cozy, and wonderfully personal. The two chefs prepared and served each course with perfect timing, offering fresh, beautifully crafted dishes one after another without a single moment of dullness.

It was a joy not only to taste the food but also to watch the careful, thoughtful preparation behind every plate. The flavors were excellent, the progression of courses felt seamless, and I left with that perfect feeling of satisfied fullness.

There is no doubt that this restaurant fully deserves its Michelin one-star rating. A truly memorable dining experience.

The only thing I found disappointing was that, although I mentioned it was our wedding anniversary when making the reservation, nothing was acknowledged at all. The staff’s prepared guests’ birthday cakes, special party hats, cards and even a moment where the lights were turned off so everyone in the room could celebrate together. In contrast, our table didn’t receive even a simple mention of our anniversary.“

“Great restaurant - highly recommended“

“Not child friendly need more option“

“Classic Philly Italian club for eating, drinking, socializing and polishing your Italian since 1918. Close your eyes, sit down and wait while the 1950's waves inhabit you. Priceless. You'll need a local guide to get in - members only.“

“Been eating there since I was a kid with family in the market. Now live in Key West for last 30 years but specifically make sure each time I come up to see family I go to Villa Di Roma, clams casino, asparagus, gravy and the people there that run it all family. Amazing piece of the food history of the Italian market that is a must try anytime.“

“My family is from Northern Italy. My grandmother and great grandmother were the best cooks in the world. They would have loved the food at Dolce. My family was at home in Memphis making raviolas that same day my daughter and I were in Philadelphia. It was our first visit to your beautiful city. When we return someday, we will definitely be coming back there to eat. Thank you for a wonderful 70th birthday dinner. Mille grazie!“

“The Bok building is a magical place, but go to the roof and eat at Irwins. The food, drink, and service was outstanding. The outdoor rooftop seating has a beautiful view of south Philly. Our reservation was outside. During our experience it did rain a bit, but it was worth staying. Our server was a trooper for keeping the patio goin. At night during a Phils/Eagles game you can hear the crowd roar. Electric.

The food and drink was great. There are Mezze, Pasta, Main Entree and Dessert options. I assume the menu is seasonal based on the ingredients, but I am unsure. There is a cocktail menu, wine offerings and full bar. I didnt have time to even take pictures of all the food and cocktails we were enjoying it soo much. We ordered about half the menu and will be returning to order the remaining items.

Dessert is worth it's own mention. At a lot of places, dessert is kinda a throwaway/pass. Not at Irwins. I told my wife we will also be coming back to Irwins solely for drinks and desserts next time we are eating somewhere else close by. We got the Milk and Honey Pistachio Gelato and an Almond Torta Cake that should be nominated for some kind of award.

I would recommend making a reservation. If the weather is nice, eat outside. Tell your spouse you are taking them to a Sicily Roof Jawn for dinner.“

“Great covered outdoor patio along with tasty food - perfect combination.“

“Both the food and the service are Excellent.“

“Food was delicious and staff was friendly“

“Awesome experience! Great food! Excellent service!“

“Great atmosphere, fun pasta options and perfect service!“

“This was one of our most memorable dinners of 2025 so far — everything we ordered was delicious.

We started with the marinated tomatoes with stracciatella and the focaccia, then had the Thai basil tagliatelle with crab and the breaded pork chop as mains, and finished with the corn brûlée and blueberry pâte à choux for dessert.

The marinated tomatoes with the focaccia were an excellent pairing, and the tagliatelle was a surprisingly delightful fusion — spicy, flavorful, and very well balanced. The pork chop was excellent too: juicy and flavorful, though slightly undercooked near the bone. The corn brûlée was fantastic, while the pâte à choux was the only dish that didn’t quite hit the mark.

Overall, the food was outstanding and the space was very cozy. Our only wish was for slightly better ventilation in the restaurant, but otherwise, it was an amazing dining experience.“

“celebrated my daughter's 16th birthday last night and everything was perfect.“

“Fantastic dining experience our server Sean Martin was amazing.“

“My fiancé and I went to Cicala on Saturday night before a comedy show at The Met. It was our first time there and I was very impressed with the intimate atmosphere. It was perfect for a date night. Our waitress, Breanna C, was fantastic. One of the first things she asked is what brought us there today and once we mentioned we were seeing a show, she provided her recommendations for how to time everything so we would not be rushing to make it to the show on time. Breanna was very knowledgeable and helpful with the menu. She also provided honest recommendations, which was appreciated. The food was delicious and portion sizes were perfect. We had a great experience!“

“Went to Adelina's five months ago the week they opened. It was a disappointing experience on multiple fronts and my review said as much. Last night was completely different and I thought it was important to say so. The service was attentive. The wine list was expanded and had more affordable options. But the star of the night was the food. Eggplant fritters were crispy outside and pillowy inside and came with a delicious complementary dipping sauce. A charcuterie board is not usually something that excites me. But the selections we tried were transportative. The pecorino tartufo with our Pinot noir were the perfect pair. The other meats and cheese we tried made every bite a party. Our entree selection was the lasagne, which we didn't realize was vegetarian. The dish completely won us over. Inventive and flavorful, the lasagne in not like something you've had before and is a must try! I'm so glad we came back and gave Adelina's another try. Cheers!“

“This place was as magical as we had hoped. The atmosphere is like noplace I have been in Philly before. The staff were incredible and seemed to sincerely enjoy being a part of this place. It really felt like we were getting a glimpse of something special that won’t be there forever.“

“Cute spot for a drink. Interesting mix of drink options and prices were quite reasonable for the area. The seating is a bit limited but we were lucky enough to grab a seat right by the bar. Bartenders were super friendly and quick. Didn't get any food but the sandwiches around us looked interesting and would consider coming back to try these.“

“The dinner that I enjoyed at MSC falls within the top 1% of meals I’ve had in Philly. The flavors, ingredients, and presentation were all hitting at an elite level. The shrimp cocktail was a beautifully strange rendition (shrimp cubes???!), but also one of the tastiest. The focaccia speck toast hit salty and sweet notes perfectly. I loved how bottarga acted as a parm/salty element in the crab gemelli alla vodka, which featured perfectly al dente pasta. Scallops couldn’t have been more luscious and tender, and the series of sauces worked together in perfect harmony. Based on the panna cotta and budino, I’m certain dessert should never be missed. The team is warm and inviting, including the head chef who came out and spoke with us briefly. Can’t wait to return!“

“Ate there yesterday and friendly Atmosphere, very friendly and excellent food“

“My best friend brought me to this hidden gem last summer for my birthday and surprised me with a return visit this year — and I swear, it just keeps getting better. Hands down, this might be the best Italian in Philly. The food doesn’t just sit pretty on the plate — it jumps out, grabs you by the soul, and gives you a warm, savory hug. Every bite is a bold, beautiful explosion of flavor that hits you in the heart and the taste buds. This place isn’t just dinner — it’s a love story in pasta form.“

“The good is absolutely amazing“

“Incredible food, wonderful staff and service. We loved our date night here! Highly recommend.“

“I was visiting from out of the area and grabbed a slice, and it was absolutely delicious! The young lady at the counter was super helpful and friendly as well. Definitely recommend.“

“Do yourself a favor; invite 4-5 friends bring a nice bottle of wine and you will have a wonderful evening. Don’t be afraid to simply order the specials.“

“Spectacular food and ambiance! First time here last night - was for my dad’s 70th. The food was unbelievably fantastic! Erid (our server) was excellent and very attentive. The bartender Patrick made the most delicious espresso martinis I’ve had to so far anywhere. The chicken parm took up the entire plate and the chicken carbonara tasted other-worldly! The wine selection is excellent and it was just an overall excellent experience. I’m already jonesing to go back!!!“

“We were in town for the weekend. Came across this place on Saturday night. We enjoyed it very much. The oysters were fresh. My wife really liked the romaine salad. Spaghetti al limone was tasty - the sorrento lemon really comes out. The frutti di mare was really tasty - the chef is not afraid to bring the spice. Service was very attentive. We would visit again if we make it back to Philly.“

“My all time favorite Philly restaurant! Delicious food, amazing service, and the best atmosphere in Fitler Square! 10/10!“

“We were able to take advantage of the $45 special. The caponata and bread were excellent as was the salad with walnuts and goat cheese. The fried calamari was cooked perfectly and the marinara sauce was delicious. My husband enjoyed the salmon and fiussile dish which was a very generous portion. Zuppe de pesce was chuck full of a good variety of seafood and a lot of spaghetti. The tiramisu was delicious. The gratis red wine was mediocre.“

“my fiance and I were in Philly (from Maine) and she treated me to Osteria for my birthday dinner. The service was amazing throughout the meal, I wish I got the servers name as he was really an incredibly friendly young man who clearly knew the menu very well. The atmosphere is wonderful and the interior is just lovely. In terms of the food, I had the wild boar bolognese which was a special that night, and it was AMAZING!! Really, all the food was impeccable, from the focaccia to our mains. Super pleased and the next time I’m in town, I will most definitely be coming back!!“

“Great dinner and wonderful service!“

“This place was a true dining experience! The staff to the chefs was truly amazing. I recommend the tasting menu, it allows you to understand the authenticity and story of Tulip Pasta & Wine Bar through their food. My boyfriend and I enjoyed ourselves so much we plan to take our moms to experience the same enjoyment we did. Can’t wait to be back“

“We had a great last night in Philly. The food, location, and our server, Tyler was friendly, courteous, and had a good sense of humor to handle 3 Southern woman. Thank you!“

“As wonderful as I remember. A true cc gem. Get the tiramisu“

“Excellent food & service , been here many times, Love it ❤️👍“

“it feels like a restaurant in Paris France but more friendly service and welcoming“

“Excellent food, service, and atmosphere. The staff is quick and helpful. The dance of flavors between the appetizers, entrees, and desserts were magnificent. A little bit of a walk from the theater but well worth it for a date night out. Careful with the stairs and it’s narrow when walking between tables, but to me this just elevated the coziness of it all. We will definitely come again!“

“It was a wonderful experience the service was great the food was great !!!!! Highly recommend!!!!!“

“Delicious pizza, wonderful appetizers, great drinks, excellent customer service, and awesome open kitchen. They helped make my 30th birthday perfect. 💚“

“The food and service is always fabulous! The Blackened Salmon was to die for! A shout out to Riley for being a great server and her recommendation for the salmon! My very favorite restaurant in Philly since 1993!!!“

“My pizza steak was sooooo good, down to the last bite!!!“

“It was fine, manager was nice enough to serve us while the server was busy. Food was delicious.

Was pleasantly surprised by the meatballs, chicken parm sandwich and pan fried mortadella.

Would prefer other options rather than just fries with the sandwich.

Bathroom needs to be cleaned a little better.“

“I moved to the neighborhood from Brooklyn recently. One day while walking around, I passed this unassuming place. The only indication that it was open was a chair outside with a bouquet of flowers to pin down a paper menu to the chair. The menu looked divine.

A few days later I walked past, showing my partner that the place almost seemed closed from the outside but was very cute inside. Someone who worked there came out as we were looking and was very kind, asking us if we had reservations yet. We said no but booked immediately.

The first time I visited, I had the sourdough, Marinated Mussels (hakurei turnips, miso, chili oil), Carrot (crab, brown butter), Shrimp (peaches, coppa, toasted marcona almonds), and Gnudi (corn& basil). It was an entirely no-skips meal. The mussels came cold, out of their shell, and the sauce was incredible. The “carrot” was more like a crab cake with coconut, brown butter, and an unidentifiable but delightful citrus. A perfect balance of rich & light. The gnudi seemed simple, but the lightly spicy sauce really pulled all the ingredients together. Finally, the shrimp with peaches really knocked my socks off. Lots of places will make “seasonal” menus but not put the effort into making sure that produce is top notch. The peaches would’ve been delicious on their own, but with the rest of the dish, they really shined.

The second time I went (just a few weeks later) I got the Chicory Salad (anchovy, buttermilk, comte), the Steelhead Trout (sungold tomato, perilla), and a tuna crudo special. I also re-ordered the bread, the carrot with crab, and the gnudi. Everything was just as good as last time, and the new additions were truly worth trying. Something as simple as a chicory salad can be so hit or miss - but WOW!

For dessert we had the cherry brown butter tart with crème fraiche. No complaints at all here.

Now I’ve rambled on plenty about the delicious food, which I will be back for very soon, but I truly haven’t ever been to a place with better service. The workers are extremely attentive and kind. I felt like I’ve known everyone there for a long time.

Thank you, Illata, for being such a wonderful neighborhood spot.“

“We did the tasting menu and were absolutely blown away by the exquisite flavors of each course. The wine pairing complemented each dish perfectly. The staff and chefs were exceptional as well.“

“From the moment you walk in, the smell lets you know you are in for delicious, made from scratch pizza. Crust is perfect, flavours on point and the roasted cherry peppers add the ideal complement if you like a little kick. Yummy pizza that pairs well with a nice cab. sav. Thank you guys!“

“Outstanding food and service“

“Delicious food. Friendly staff. A great place for dinner.“