The Best Italian Restaurants in Philadelphia

It was a months-long quest, and it took us through mountains of pasta, gallons of gravy, and more Limoncello than can possibly be healthy, but here, now, are the 30 greatest spots to eat Italian food in this city.
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By Chrstine Speer Lejeune, Jason Sheehan

Philadelphia practically bleeds red, white and green. Here, Italian culture and Italian food are woven inextricably into the fabric of our lives—from the little street-corner trattoria where you drank chianti with your first love, to the neighborhood market where you buy your olives and parm and sfogliatelle, to the rollicking, endless Sunday dinners full of more characters than any Martin Scorsese film.

And that’s what we’re celebrating this month: this city’s edible Italian soul. We point you to the best places to eat, where to shop for the most authentic ingredients, what to buy and what we love. We sit down for a family dinner in South Philly, honor the institutions (and the paesanos) that have kept Old Country traditions alive across a century or more, and tell you where to find the best spaghetti and meatballs in town. So what are you waiting for? Dig in.

Click here to see the 30 best Italian restaurants in Philadelphia.

 
 
Originally published in Philadelphia Magazine, July 2012

  • Good Lookin ouT

    Andy kids grew up under the spot light of being the Eagles Coaches son. It’s as if Andy and his family are real Phila People,struggling with the same problems in families across the region. That is the part of this disaster of loosing a child that makes this news difficult People, Fans of Andy and the Eagles, identify with Andy as a parent and those things some go through raising children today. I thought it was admirable Andy shared those difficulties in hopes of finding a solution for his family as well as trying to set the tone for other families who were going through the same difficulties.

    God Bless the Reid Family at a time of crisis and great difficulties. My Condonlences

  • Valarie

    I assume somehow Ralph’s Italian Restaurant in Philadelphia (the oldest family owned restaurant in the country) did not make the 30 best Italian Restaurant list in Philadelphia because someone forgot to visit there and check out their food. Otherwise it would be an absolute disgrace that they didn’t make the list. Ralph’s food is fantastic. Their mussels red is excellent. The Chicken Sorrento is amazing. The Linguine Pescatore is an absolute favorite. And Ralphs’ staff is so friendly. It’s like enjoying a holiday dinner with the family, how could you not love them. Trust me…Ralph’s is definately at the top of the list for Italian Restaurant’s in Philadelphia!

  • http://phillymag.com Cathy

    I can not believe Ralph’s did not make the top 30! Really? Not only is Ralph’s a beloved Philadelphia institution it is one of the best Italian restaurants in the city. What is wrong with you people? I feel you owe them and us a huge apology. Shame on you PM!!!

  • Cathy

    I can not believe Ralph’s did not make your list. What is wrong with you people? Not only is Ralph’s a beloved Philadelphia institution, it is at the very least one of the best Italian restaurants in the city. You owe them and us an apology!! Shame on you Philadelphia magazine.

  • Austin

    Did you guys stop by East Falls? No In Riva (highest rated Italian Restaurant in Philly on Yelp) or Fiorino (3rd highest rated Italian Restaurant in Philly on Yelp, 2 bells from Laban)?