My Top 5 Favorite Italian Restaurants in Philadelphia

There are so many wonderful aspects about living in Philadelphia - the walkability, the community, the art,  the FOOD. Seriously, Philadelphia is such a food city, which is something I try to never take for granted. There are so many incredible restaurants, new and old. I really want to get better at sharing my favorites so I thought I would start with a post on a few of my favorite Italian restaurants. Several of these spots are my go-to to take friends and family when they are visiting. You can very rarely go wrong with Italian food and there's usually something on the menu for everyone. 

My top 5 favorite Italian Restaurants in Philadelphia:

Trattoria Carina

2201 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Trattoria Carina translates to "Little Darling" in Italian which makes perfect sense for this elevated but laidback 32-seat trattoria located close to Rittenhouse Square. The menu changes seasonally but always offers fresh, homemade pasta. It has a small bar featuring Italian wines by the glass, cocktails and beer but you can also BYOB as well. 

Favorite Dish on the Menu: Spicy Crab Pasta with Tomato Sofrito and Calabrian Chili

Giorgio on Pine

1328 Pine St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

A rustic and authentic BYOB trattoria, this is one of my favorite date night spots in Philly. It's such a cozy spot located right between Washington Square West and Center City. The focus is on classic Roman cuisine, and the desserts are delicious. 

Favorite Dish on the Menu: Gnocchi tossed in 12 hour braised beef ragout. 

Cry Baby Pasta

627 S 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

A place for pasta and wine, this is one of my neighborhood favorites here in Queen Village! This is a great spot to go with friends, the menu is extremely shareable (in fact, shared plates are recommend) and I never feel rushed. The dishes range from modern Italian to more old-school red sauce pasta dishes and yes, it is named after the cult classic John Waters film. 

Favorite Dish on the Menu: Tagliatelle with bolognese, tomato, pepperoni and parmesan (highly recommend the bruschetta and Brussel sprouts as well).

Osteria

640 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19130

Delicious food and a beautiful atmosphere! This spot has been critically acclaimed since it opened in 2007 (and was a James Beard winner in 2010 for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic Region) and you can easily see why. Each dish is crafted perfectly, there's usually a sommelier on hand to help you with your wine choice, and the space is just so warm and inviting despite being in a slightly industrial setting. 

Favorite Dish on the Menu: I have several favorites but here are my top 3 - Tuna Carpaccio, Seared Duck Breast and Funghi Pizza. 

The Victor Cafe

1303 Dickinson St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

I had to include a South Philly old-school Italian spot on this list and The Victor Cafe came to mind right away. While this isn't a spot I go to regularly like the others, it is fun for a special occasion or celebration. Two fun facts! There is live opera singing every 20 minutes (all of the servers are trained opera singers), and Rocky VI, as well as Creed 1 & 2 were filmed here. 

Favorite Dish on the Menu: Veal Saltimbocca with prosciutto, sage, and wild mushrooms in marsala wine jus. 

The next Italian spots that I want to try out are Fiorella (I've heard so many great things!), Dante & Luigi's (another South Philly old-school Italian restaurant), and Tulip Pasta & Wine Bar (a trendy, new pasta spot in Fishtown). Do you live in Philly? If so, what are your favorite Italian Restaurants? I'm always looking fro new places to try out!