Italian Restaurants in Philadelphia, PA

Bistro Romano is an intimate Italian eatery with a charming, rustic ambiance in the heart of Philadelphia. Housed in a historic building dating back to the early 1700s, Bistro Romano features open-beam ceilings, hearth-brick walls, and soft lighting, which create a warm, informal setting for a romantic rendezvous.

An upstairs lounge and bar feature the original bar fixture from the luxury liner City of Detroit III as well as comfortable leather seating, while the wine cellar located beneath the street is part of the former network of underground tunnels in Society Hill and is home to an impressive collection of vintages. Guests can enjoy a unique experience by dining in the wine cellar, listening to soothing live music in the piano bar, or taking part in one of the popular Mystery Theater events that are frequently hosted at Bistro Romano.

120 Lombard St, Philadelphia, PA 19147, Phone: 215-925-8880

Established in 1899, Dante & Luigi's is Philadelphia's oldest restaurant and the longest continuously running Italian restaurant in the United States.

Situated in the heart of the historic Italian Market district, Dante & Luigi’s was once the destination of immigrants from Italy arriving in Philadelphia who, unable to speak English, came with scraps of paper citing the name of the restaurant, where they could find lodging and work.

Today, housed in two converted townhouses, Dante & Luigi's retains much of the charm and serves a well-balanced mix of Old World specialties, ocean-fresh seafood and no less than 15 types of exceptional handmade pasta dishes. For an authentic taste of an Italian classic, try the tiramisu with hand-dipped ice creams.

762 S 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147, Phone: 215-922-9501

Located in East Falls with a distinct neighborhood feel, Fiorino is an intimate spot with a rustic vibe that never fails to deliver when it comes to delicious Italian food.

Reserve your seat for lunch or dinner and tuck into platters of white wine mussels or a classic avocado shrimp cocktail, followed by pasta dishes like spaghetti with clams or tagliatelle Bolognese.

Entrees feature prime meats, chicken, and fresh seafood – think chicken battuta, Franco's saltimbocca, or the seafood-heavy spaghetti scoglio – and desserts to end off on a sweet note include tiramisu, cannoli, and panna cotta. This cozy, romantic Italian eatery features a selection of easy-drinking wine as well as a BYOB policy, so feel free to take our bottle. Guests can also enjoy cooking classes, which are held throughout the year.

3572 Indian Queen Ln, Philadelphia, PA 19129, Phone: 215-843-1500

Romantic Restaurants

Giorgio On Pine is a rustic trattoria-style restaurant in the heart of Center City where guests can savor authentic Italian cuisine in a casual atmosphere.

Owner/chef Giorgio Giuliani focuses on classic Roman cuisine that is prepared using only the freshest locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. The standard menu offers an array of traditional Italian fare, such as linguine and clams, spaghetti primavera, and veal melanzane, and there is a special, separate gluten-free menu with all the same delights sans the gluten. Giorgio on Pine caters for private parties and other functions and features a BYOB policy so guests can enjoy their bottle of wine at lunch or dinner.

1328 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, Phone: 215-545-6265

Gran Caffe L'Aquila offers a multifaceted, urbane Italian experience with an authentic Italian café featuring an elegant dining room that looks like a library, a wine bar and a cocktail bar, a coffee bar and roastery, a charcuterie cabinet, and several mouthwateringly tempting pastry cabinets.

The café is renowned for specialties such as four different blends of house-roasted coffee, Nutella frappes, spiked espressos, and house-made gelato, all of which are served with freshly baked pastries and panini. The dining room serves lunch and dinner as well as a weekly tasting menu with traditional Italian delights such as platters of antipasti and small plates, fresh salads and soups, house-made pasta dishes and creamy sauces, and meat, chicken, and fresh seafood plates.

Gran Caffe L’Aquila offers an award-winning wine program with an extensive selection of easy-drinking and lesser-known wines from Italy and around the world as well as a cocktail program with handcrafted creations.

1716 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, Phone: 215-568-5600

Old World service meets traditional age-old Italian cuisine to create an unforgettable dining experience at La Famiglia Ristorante.

Functioning out of Old City for more than 40 years, the classic Italian restaurant oozes timeless appeal with waiters who still pull your chair out for you, starchy white napkins, and a wine list as thick as a telephone directory.

With a distinct focus on serving delectable dishes prepared with high-quality ingredients, the menu features sumptuous dishes such as garlic-sautéed shrimp or seafood in a creamy red sauce, taglioni with black and red caviar, and fat rigatoni smothered in sweet cherry tomato sauce. For a special occasion, book a table in the wine cellar for a private and romantic dinner surrounded by decades of fine wine.

8 South Front Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, Phone: 215-922-2803

La Viola is a family-owned Italian restaurant and bistro located in the heart of Philadelphia’s city center.

The restaurant features two dining establishments across the street from each other – La Viola Ovest (West) and La Viola Bistro, both of which serve delectable Italian cuisine in stylish settings.

Located just blocks away from some of the city’s best attractions, such as the Kimmel Center and Rittenhouse Square, both the restaurants serve simple and delicious Abruzzi-inspired fare and are ideal for light lunches or romantic dinners. La Viola Ovest has a gorgeous outdoor garden for alfresco dining and a beautiful private event space that can be hired for special celebrations and occasions. La Viola offers a BYOB policy so guests can enjoy their bottle of wine while dining.

252 S. 16th Street Philadelphia, PA 19102, Phone: 215-735-8630