How to Find the Best Philadelphia Italian Restaurants

No need to visit restaurant chains that boast authenticity when you can dine at the "real thing" in Philadelphia, home to a large and lively Italian community. Anchored by theNinth Street Market, the most prominent section of Philadelphia, known as South Philly, is where you'll find regional Italian cuisine, from upscale dining to red checkered tablecloth, family style platters.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Transportation
• Map of Philadelphia, if a tourist
• Good appetite

Finding Best Italian Restaurants in Philadelphia

1. Get a map of Philadelphia and find south Broad Street and Ninth Street. Most of the best Italian restaurants in Philadelphia are located off South Broad Street, off South Street and nearby Ninth Street. There are also good restaurants on North Broad Street, north of City Hall. If you're limited to time, dining at any of the restaurants off South Broad and Ninth Street is a good guarantee as you'll be in the heart of South Philly.

2. Eat at any of these restaurants on or near Ninth Street, often referred to as the "Ninth Street Market," which is in the heart of Southy Philly: Ralph's Italian Restaurant on Ninth Street features terrific grilled meats. Tre Scalini is a wonderful spot on 11th Street. For a casual lunch, eat at Vesuvio's, "Home of America's Best Sandwich" (according to NBC's Today Show) on 8th Street. Great happy hour there too. Kristian's Ristorante on Federal Street used to be a butcher shop and was converted into a restaurant known for its sausage risotti and gnocchi with mussels and sweet sausage. Be serenaded while you eat at Victor Cafe on Dickinson Street.

3. Drive across South Broad Street to Passyunk Avenue. Eat at Marra's or Fiore's, right across the street, and enjoy some of the best pizza and mussels in the City. Travel a block away to Mamma Maria Ristorante Italiano, voted by the South Philadelphia community as "The Most Authentic Italian Restaurant" in Philadelphia. There are also Italian bakeries and other shops along the avenue.

4. Travel west to the Old City/South Street section of Philadelphia and eat at La Famiglia on Front Street, one of the more high-end Italian restaurants in Philadelphia. You'll feel like you're in someone's home and the extensive wine collection is a plus. Eat at the Monte Carlo Living Room on South Street, which like La Famiglia, is on the elegant side, featuring lace tablecloths, crystal chandeliers and top-notch Italian cooking. Visit nearby DiPalma on Market Street, which features more casual contemporary Italian cuisine. Spasso Italian Grill on Chestnut Street features desserts made by the inhouse pastry chef and a casual menu of pasta and a speciality of focaccia paninni.

5. Travel north on Broad Street. There you'll find Osteria, recognized as best new restaurant by the James Beard Foundation. The menu is elegant and the service top notch. A few blocks west takes you to Davio's, upscale Italian dining in a converted historic bank. This is a perfect place for a business lunch. If you're looking to spend up to $100 per guest, travel to Spruce Street and dine at Vetri's, which has limited seating. Five to seven courses are included in the price.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're traveling with small children and don't want to experiment with a new restaurant, visit the chain restaurants in Philadelphia such as Maggiano's, Olive Garden and Bucca di Beppo.
• Parking is tricky in South Philadelphia so if you can't find street parking, put it in a lot.
• Philadelphians refer to red tomato sauce as "gravy" so don't be put off thinking you'll be served pasta with turkey gravy on it.
• If you ask directions to "Pass-y-unk Avenue," don't be offended if the person doesn't know where you mean. It's pronounced "Pash-unk")
• Be aware of cars you see parked in the middle of the street in South Philadelphia. This is a common parking practice in that part of the city, but can lead to a ticket.

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[bluestarchick95]

on 7/28/2008 I live in Philly and a resteraunt that my family and I really love going to is called Pietro's. It's a great Italian place, and not a chain. If you do go there, try the mussels, they are to die for! Also, the Reading Terminal has so many places to sit and eat, you won't believe your eyes. There's a lot of variety and good food. If you're looking for great Asian food, go to Budakon, it's a bit upscale and it's pretty close to some great historical spots. And in case you were wondering, no, we don't refer to tomato sauce as "gravy"... I don't know where you got that from... :]