As a request for my birthday, I asked that my mom/brother and two friends join me at Murph’s for what I coined to be the best bar and pasta in Fishtown. We arrived at 5:45, got put on the wait list, and was told it would be a 1 hour wait, so we sat at the bar.. had some beers and we were willing to wait for the food. Which is always exceptional. After an hour and a half we checked in with the host, and we were told that we would be the next table. We sat and watched 2 other large tables get sat before us. A gentleman came up from the kitchen twice within this time frame to alert staff that items were sold out and they were at capacity. At 7:45, the host came over and told us it would be another 2 hours. I kindly pointed out that we had already been waiting 2 hours already, he fumbled saying he didn’t realize we were on the first page on the reservation list, despite multiple tables before and after our name being visibly scratched out. He said we could be next in “the yard” but we had to wait another hour as those tables just got their food. I have worked in the service industry for the last 10 years, so the lack of customer service was truly appalling and I felt badly for the lack of management to handle multiple disgruntled parties. The bartenders, although they had nothing to do with the seating, decided to comp our recent round due to our frustration with being refused dinner service at the bar after two hours of waiting. Where is your management on a night like this? Signed, two hour drive home and hungry.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
TypNights Wilson
I came down to PHL with my daughter, son and her friends - 5 total to celebrate a birthday. We checked in on a Saturday at 545. Our names on the initial wait list was an hour. We stood and then sat at the bar. After watching 2 hostess changes and multiple parties get seated before us I was obviously offended. The last host with a mustache seated a walkin group of females before us. When asked, he shrugged. The owner or came up twice - displeased with the house staff and said to shut down the kitchen.Appreciate the bar staff. The hostess staff seating preferentially is your downfall. So disappointed in what was lauded as a great meal and environment. Keep a steady hostess for tabs on your lengthy waitlists. You had many upset patrons.
Amanda Hess
Murphs is my all time favorite place to get a really good, fresh homemade comfort meal. i try something new each time and i have yet to try anything i didn’t like. murphs will always be my first go to when i am in fishtown!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Meatballs App, Fried Burrata
G
Literally if you live anywhere near fish town Come here !!! My fiancé and I got the meatballs and ricotta for an app AMAZING tasted like moms meatballs .. we ordered and spilt the tagliatelle with filet and truffles OH MY GOD ! My taste buds are SCREAMING I am 100% Italian and know flavors but this right here MANNNNN best thing I’ve eaten in a long long time ! Bartenders are so attentive and the atmosphere is awesome !!! Check this place out yalllll amazing
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wesley P
Staff is pleasant. The guy who owns the bar is from Ireland. This bar only excepts cash tho.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Jaclyn Poupard
This place is a gem when it comes to Italian food. The place is small so it can get loud. Its affordable, and they have excellent wine pairings. The cook is from Sicily, so you know the food is legitimate. Sometimes, they run out of food, so get there early.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Caprese Salad, Veal Tortellaci and Lobster Ravioli, Meatballs App, Stuffed Gnocchi, Gnocchi Sorrentino, Meatballs, Fried Smoked Mozzarella, Fried Burrata, Pear & Cheese Fiocchi, Fried Arancini, Pappadelle with Filet Mignon, Creme Brulee Cheesecake, Lasagna, Gnocchi with Bacon and Shrimp in a Rose Sauce
Cody Felibrico
Came to Murphs on 2 occasions and had drastically different experiences service wise. My advice is to come on a weekday and early with the exception of Tuesday when the kitchen is closed.1st visit: Came on a Saturday evening. Wait was out the door but was told a table for 2 would take an hour and half. Ended up taking 2.5 hrs but we stuck it out and only got lucky because a bar seat opened up which is open for anyone walking in or on the waitlist if seats accommodate. However this caused miscommunication with the host and the bartenders because they were also cutting off the kitchen for any new walk ins so even though we were seated and on the list prior to cut off they basically paid us no attention in regards to drinks or foods. After 20 mins and finally clearing up the situation we were able to order but most items were already sold out. Luckily the items we wanted, aside from the appetizer, were available. The food was really good but the overall experience was a terrible way to end our night and in my opinion hindered my opinion on the food itself at the time. I could sense the workers were spent based on how busy it was but it would have felt great not feeling invisible after a 2.5 hr wait and when 2 customers have nothing in front of them while 3 bartenders pace the bar.2nd Visit: Came on a Thursday evening and there was still a waitlist but not nearly as long as before. We were told 45 mins so we came back in 30 to ask for an updated wait time. There were 2 groups in front of us on the list and only a 4 seater table available so we stood by the bar. This awesome dude from behind the bar asked us if we needed to be seated to which we told him we were still on the waitlist. The guy said to not worry about it since there was no one else waiting and sat us immediately at the open table. Both our server and the host came over in light speed and were extremely hospitable in every aspect to the point that I was shocked considering our last experience. The same app was still sold out but this experience made me genuinely enjoy the everything in its totality and makes me want to come back until I get to try the fried smoked mozz.Aside from the differences in service the food is consistently solid. Perfectly cooked pasta, great sauces, great desserts. Cash only but decently affordable for the quality of food in my opinion. I wish I got the names of everyone who was part of the experience on our second visit. Certainly deserved the tip but would have loved to have acknowledged them personally for making our dinner so enjoyable.
Great fishtown bar,especially on Wednesday night.Karen's a great bartender and easy to look at.MDJCGreat old school bar.The best food in Fishtown.Regulars are the best,as is Meganthe bartender.MDJC
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jeremy Alfano
An absolute must try food spot in Philly; well worth the rave reviews and hype.You walk into what seems like an ordinary Irish bar, but you’re met with some of the best Italian food in the city. I went with a group and tried a handful of things with the seafood manicotti being my favorite. Fresh sauce, insane filling, and a nice sized portion.Everything about this place blew me away; including the very affordable pricing and friendly staff
A hidden gem in fish town that I almost don’t want to tell anyone about. You’d never expect to have one the best Italian meals of your life when you walk into this Irish bar, but prepare to be amazed. Meatballs and fried burrata as apps, tagliatelle filet for an entree, and lemon cake and tiramisu for dessert. All were amazing and would get again. Always can’t beat the price! Can’t wait to go back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Meatballs App, Fried Burrata, Pappadelle with Filet Mignon
Alexa M.
I will have dreams about this pasta. We went early and got a seat the bar. by the time we left, there was a line of people waiting to sit. It's so funny that an Irish sports bar is making this much of amazing Italian, but it's all true! I loved the pear pasta dish the most. Can't wait to go back!
Dallas Foster
Are you kidding me?!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Thomas W.
Great food, but poor service. They will rush you. Go for lunch only, you have a better shirt at but being rushed
Meg D.
*Cash only* (ATM onsite) Some of the best Italian food at an Irish dive bar? Count me in! Murph's is a small venue so expect to wait for a table. But trust me, it's so worth it. Pro tip: they DO take reservations, but you have to have a minimum of 6 people (I believe they only have 1 reserved table). You can't go wrong with anything on menu!
An Irish Pub that serves Italian food. Who would have thought this made any sense at all. But it was truly brilliant!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Meatballs App, Stuffed Gnocchi, Fried Burrata, Creme Brulee Cheesecake
As a request for my birthday, I asked that my mom/brother and two friends join me at Murph’s for what I coined to be the best bar and pasta in Fishtown. We arrived at 5:45, got put on the wait list, and was told it would be a 1 hour wait, so we sat at the bar.. had some beers and we were willing to wait for the food. Which is always exceptional. After an hour and a half we checked in with the host, and we were told that we would be the next table. We sat and watched 2 other large tables get sat before us. A gentleman came up from the kitchen twice within this time frame to alert staff that items were sold out and they were at capacity. At 7:45, the host came over and told us it would be another 2 hours. I kindly pointed out that we had already been waiting 2 hours already, he fumbled saying he didn’t realize we were on the first page on the reservation list, despite multiple tables before and after our name being visibly scratched out. He said we could be next in “the yard” but we had to wait another hour as those tables just got their food. I have worked in the service industry for the last 10 years, so the lack of customer service was truly appalling and I felt badly for the lack of management to handle multiple disgruntled parties. The bartenders, although they had nothing to do with the seating, decided to comp our recent round due to our frustration with being refused dinner service at the bar after two hours of waiting. Where is your management on a night like this? Signed, two hour drive home and hungry.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I came down to PHL with my daughter, son and her friends - 5 total to celebrate a birthday. We checked in on a Saturday at 545. Our names on the initial wait list was an hour. We stood and then sat at the bar. After watching 2 hostess changes and multiple parties get seated before us I was obviously offended. The last host with a mustache seated a walkin group of females before us. When asked, he shrugged. The owner or came up twice - displeased with the house staff and said to shut down the kitchen.Appreciate the bar staff. The hostess staff seating preferentially is your downfall. So disappointed in what was lauded as a great meal and environment. Keep a steady hostess for tabs on your lengthy waitlists. You had many upset patrons.
Murphs is my all time favorite place to get a really good, fresh homemade comfort meal. i try something new each time and i have yet to try anything i didn’t like. murphs will always be my first go to when i am in fishtown!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Meatballs App, Fried Burrata
Literally if you live anywhere near fish town Come here !!! My fiancé and I got the meatballs and ricotta for an app AMAZING tasted like moms meatballs .. we ordered and spilt the tagliatelle with filet and truffles OH MY GOD ! My taste buds are SCREAMING I am 100% Italian and know flavors but this right here MANNNNN best thing I’ve eaten in a long long time ! Bartenders are so attentive and the atmosphere is awesome !!! Check this place out yalllll amazing
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Staff is pleasant. The guy who owns the bar is from Ireland. This bar only excepts cash tho.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
This place is a gem when it comes to Italian food. The place is small so it can get loud. Its affordable, and they have excellent wine pairings. The cook is from Sicily, so you know the food is legitimate. Sometimes, they run out of food, so get there early.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Caprese Salad, Veal Tortellaci and Lobster Ravioli, Meatballs App, Stuffed Gnocchi, Gnocchi Sorrentino, Meatballs, Fried Smoked Mozzarella, Fried Burrata, Pear & Cheese Fiocchi, Fried Arancini, Pappadelle with Filet Mignon, Creme Brulee Cheesecake, Lasagna, Gnocchi with Bacon and Shrimp in a Rose Sauce
Came to Murphs on 2 occasions and had drastically different experiences service wise. My advice is to come on a weekday and early with the exception of Tuesday when the kitchen is closed.1st visit: Came on a Saturday evening. Wait was out the door but was told a table for 2 would take an hour and half. Ended up taking 2.5 hrs but we stuck it out and only got lucky because a bar seat opened up which is open for anyone walking in or on the waitlist if seats accommodate. However this caused miscommunication with the host and the bartenders because they were also cutting off the kitchen for any new walk ins so even though we were seated and on the list prior to cut off they basically paid us no attention in regards to drinks or foods. After 20 mins and finally clearing up the situation we were able to order but most items were already sold out. Luckily the items we wanted, aside from the appetizer, were available. The food was really good but the overall experience was a terrible way to end our night and in my opinion hindered my opinion on the food itself at the time. I could sense the workers were spent based on how busy it was but it would have felt great not feeling invisible after a 2.5 hr wait and when 2 customers have nothing in front of them while 3 bartenders pace the bar.2nd Visit: Came on a Thursday evening and there was still a waitlist but not nearly as long as before. We were told 45 mins so we came back in 30 to ask for an updated wait time. There were 2 groups in front of us on the list and only a 4 seater table available so we stood by the bar. This awesome dude from behind the bar asked us if we needed to be seated to which we told him we were still on the waitlist. The guy said to not worry about it since there was no one else waiting and sat us immediately at the open table. Both our server and the host came over in light speed and were extremely hospitable in every aspect to the point that I was shocked considering our last experience. The same app was still sold out but this experience made me genuinely enjoy the everything in its totality and makes me want to come back until I get to try the fried smoked mozz.Aside from the differences in service the food is consistently solid. Perfectly cooked pasta, great sauces, great desserts. Cash only but decently affordable for the quality of food in my opinion. I wish I got the names of everyone who was part of the experience on our second visit. Certainly deserved the tip but would have loved to have acknowledged them personally for making our dinner so enjoyable.
Recommended dishes: Stuffed Gnocchi, Fried Burrata, Pear & Cheese Fiocchi, Pappadelle with Filet Mignon
Great fishtown bar,especially on Wednesday night.Karen's a great bartender and easy to look at.MDJCGreat old school bar.The best food in Fishtown.Regulars are the best,as is Meganthe bartender.MDJC
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
An absolute must try food spot in Philly; well worth the rave reviews and hype.You walk into what seems like an ordinary Irish bar, but you’re met with some of the best Italian food in the city. I went with a group and tried a handful of things with the seafood manicotti being my favorite. Fresh sauce, insane filling, and a nice sized portion.Everything about this place blew me away; including the very affordable pricing and friendly staff
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
A hidden gem in fish town that I almost don’t want to tell anyone about. You’d never expect to have one the best Italian meals of your life when you walk into this Irish bar, but prepare to be amazed. Meatballs and fried burrata as apps, tagliatelle filet for an entree, and lemon cake and tiramisu for dessert. All were amazing and would get again. Always can’t beat the price! Can’t wait to go back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Meatballs App, Fried Burrata, Pappadelle with Filet Mignon
I will have dreams about this pasta. We went early and got a seat the bar. by the time we left, there was a line of people waiting to sit. It's so funny that an Irish sports bar is making this much of amazing Italian, but it's all true! I loved the pear pasta dish the most. Can't wait to go back!
Are you kidding me?!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food, but poor service. They will rush you. Go for lunch only, you have a better shirt at but being rushed
*Cash only* (ATM onsite) Some of the best Italian food at an Irish dive bar? Count me in! Murph's is a small venue so expect to wait for a table. But trust me, it's so worth it. Pro tip: they DO take reservations, but you have to have a minimum of 6 people (I believe they only have 1 reserved table). You can't go wrong with anything on menu!