Good food, great service, and an unbelievable atmosphere out by the bar with a grape leaf canopy

This is a restaurant that provided the most welcoming, part-of-the-family experience that I've had in quite a while. We had a large party and were served buffet style, but that didn't stop the staff from checking in as often as staff bussing an ordinary table. The owner (manager?) bringing out a tray of house-made limoncello and offering it to the (adult) table was a little touch that made this a very, very praiseworthy spot. I recommend Cafe Michelangelo to anyone in the area. While the food may not blow you away as a traditional five-star restaurant, considering the place holistically makes it worthy of an easy fiver. read more

Been here about 3 or 4 times. The very first time there was a hair in my pizza. The last time, it was cold inside and service was slow. Not impressed with the food. I tried to support this local business, but it's not cutting it. They need higher standards. read more

I usually love this spot! Only been 2 other times and both times I've dined inside with no issues. And I only have ever had their pizza. Today I ordered takeout 1 large specialty pizza (Michelangelo's pizza) It really didn't take that long to get here and when I received it, it was cold. I have never in my life been given a takeout pizza that was cold. I wouldn't even have cared if it was warm but it's cold. Like it's been sitting out and they just boxed it didn't warm it at all. I'm very disappointed the taste is very subpar as well money wasted as it's going in the trash. read more

Love this restaurant! Food is always delicious, and the service was great. Only thing that ever changes that is how busy the restaurant is- some of the servers are just more frantic (understandably) during a rush. Otherwise, one of our favorite places to eat and hang out! read more

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Been here numerous times wonderful food service vibe a must visit antipasto lg calamari and a large Michelangelo pie boat the edges drinks ice cold tell Jules hi read more

Haven't been here in over a decade since relocating to Boston. I must say, the food was great, my friend and I spit a fabulous (huge) pasta dish, which she was craving, and I could not stop dipping my fresh made bread into, as she did also. We sat at the back bar, which I believe is considered the Bocci Bar, which was located right next to the traditional bocci ball courts On the right. The one man band was playing some cool toons from the Complete Unknown. which I found chill and relaxing. The aroma from the fire pit was an extra plus...made itfeel like home. Would we come here again for food and vibe...absolutely! Can't wait to enjoy this atmosphere again! The only thing I would wish is that they would have more IPAs and Sours on tap for the beer drinkers like myself I must add that that the back bar visuals should be wicked cool in the summer since they have their original grape vines hanging overhead....again...wicked cool! Can't wait to enjoy a meal and some cocktails again here! read more

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I am so disappointed in this restaurant after dining in several times. I called in a pick up order for 3 Italian hoagies and a pepperoni pizza. When I opened the container with the hoagie I almost fainted. I have never seen a hoagie that was thrown together with over ripe tomatoes that were sliced thick and were very watery. I would have never expected anything from this restaurant that was as inedible. I immediately called the restaurant to speak with a manager, I left my number hoping to get a return call which never happened. I called the next morning and was told there wasn't anyone on duty that could do anything about it because the manager was in Italy. I plan to never spend another dime there. It's obvious that they are not concerned with customer satisfaction. read more

Cafe Michelangelo - A soggy hoagie thrown together and thrown in the trash. - Italian Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Best paparadelle bolognese i've ever had! Great outside area in the summer and i enjoyed the inside as well in the colder months . Definitely recommend for date night or a group of people. read more

PIZZA: Above average tasting. Canned tomatoes in the sauce detract from the flavor. So do the canned mushrooms. CHEESESTEAKS: Cheap beef but tasty. HOAGIES: Above average. SERVICE: Slower than a dead snail swimming in frozen molasses. Plan on waiting an hour or more for food after ordering in the restaurant, whether eat-in or takeout. PRICES: Very high considering the tiny portions. ATMOSPHERE: The arrogant owner belittles employees in front of customers. Negative vibes. Also, food preparation occurs behind closed doors, so there is no way to monitor it for contamination whether deliberate or accidental. NEIGHBORHOOD: Gradually decaying as more low class people move in but still nice by Philly standards. read more

Cafe Michelangelo - the front of the restaurant - Italian Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Run. This place is awful. Prices on the menu are not what they are on the bill. When you point that out, they blandly say that it says prices are subject to change. They sure did. 0 stars is not an option. read more

Took the family and the in-laws to eat and settled for this place what a big mistake the atmosphere was dark and dingy. If they cared enough it would be a nice place but they clearly do not. The waitress serving us was very nice she brought us some plates and the plates were dirty she brought out a new set and some of those still had food stains we were about to leave but decided to stay we ordered a pizza which was floppy...dough was weird we also ordered some chicken and fries, all was bad I spoke to the manager about the plates and some other bad experiences of ours and he started to blame the waitress and talking to her in a bad way. We asked for the check and will never look back. Horrible owners. read more

Was there today Food was excellent as usual except the soup Was cold, Manhatten clam chowder,took the waitress about 10 minutes till she came back and I told her I had cold soup,she took it back ,took about 7 minutes till she came back with hot soup. I have eaten there since 2017, it was the first time we had a waitress who was terrible. She served the drinks to everybody but me, no coffee for me .I said to her where's my coffee,she we went got me my coffee. .She did not refill my cup and one other person when they were empty. I will think twice before I go back there again. It's a shame. read more

A slight step up from your average pizza shoppe yet not quite the Italian cafe it aspires to be. Cade Michelangelo is offering take out as well as outdoor dining during the COVID crisis. They offer an out door bar, covered outdoor seating and large industrial fans to circulate the air on these hot summer days. Paper tablecloths adorn the tables and can be easily replaced for the next dining party. We came for lunch and enjoyed a calzone and sandwich. Balsamic chicken sandwich to be precise. This thinly pounded breast was dripping with balsamic glaze (don't wear white if planning on this option) not quite packing in the flavor as one would expect with the abundance of sauce. Lackluster but for the price was acceptable. Calzone was tasty yet some ricotta still remained chilled inside. Waitress was pleasant and the only one caring for outdoor patrons on a Friday afternoon which wasn't much of an issue as it was only us and one or two at the bar. All in all we would return yet nothing to brag on or insist one try. A neighborhood place with real meals as well as pizza choices it offers an option for the Bustleton area diners read more

Cafe Michelangelo - Italian Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Leah was a very good waitress and was quick with serving us! She brought our food out quickly and checked on us multiple times. Compared to my experience from hell last time- this was so much better! The food was very good and the service was great! Glad I gave this place another try because everything tasted as good as I remember it tasting before my experience from hell and they actually lived up to there stars that they earn on Yelp. My party of 5 ended up coming for dinner and coming around 630, it was a bit crowded but most of the crowd were sitting outside on the patio since the weather was so good today. We were seated and greeted by our waitress Leah right away. She served our drinks quickly and took our orders. I got the Large Chicken Cesar Salad and shared it with my mom- it was HUGE!!! My sister and her husband also ordered the salad and they ordered a large pepperoni pizza and me and my mom shared a small white with spinach and ricotta cheese. The salad was honestly enough food and we ended up having leftover pizza. My daughter got the chicken fingers and fries and the fries had American cheese on it! She enjoyed her meal as well. All of our food was delish and I am glad my sister, another Yelper talked me into coming back and giving them another chance!!! read more

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Beware they add a 4% credit card fee to all purchases. Living in the suburbs it's bad enough that the sales tax is 2% higher in the city. That's not their fault but the credit card fee is. Raise your prices stop with the fees. I won't be back and will make sure never to recommend this restaurant again. read more

We've been going there for years and it never changes, it's always delicious. The service is friendly and courteous. The wait to be seated was never long. The decor is decorated romantic and great for a date night. Love this restaurant. It's one of my favorites. read more

Delicious restaurant that we frequent very often. The clams in white sauce, crepes florentine, and the veal piccata are our favorites. Everything is always consistent in taste and flavor that keeps us coming back. We even catered a few parties which had all the guests raving about the food. Highly recommend this Bustleton neighborhood gem!! read more

Sorry no pictures for this review. Friend had her son's birthday party or should I say birthday dinner. Two nice size tablesveach holding 10 seats. The restaurant was busy which makes sense for a Saturday night. Unfortunately due to the crowds food was slow to come to the table and there was only one waiter for our party who I believe had other tables as well. Which was such a disappointment as the bread was fresh - crispy on the outside and soft in the middle. The calamari was very good cooked just right with good flavor. The antipasti had a nice selection of meats, cheeses, olives and peppers and of course you can't go wrong with Mozzarella sticks. The Caesar salad dressing had so much garlic that it felt like my tongue got burned from it. My chicken parm had a good flavor and the chicken cutlets where thin just like I like it but my meal was at best room temperature. There was live music which was enjoyable. Overall It was a fabulous evening with friends who are like family and parts of the meal were good. If I was in the area again I would give it another chance but I wouldn't go out of my way to return. read more

This place has it down. The food, the ambience, the decor. Hit's the nail on the head for authentic, casual Italian. Feels like a place you'd stumble into on a quiet summer afternoon in Milan on your first solo-backpacking trip, ravenous after walking around the city for hours in search of a good and affordable meal but with no knowledge of the Italian language so you decided for the one with the buffet so you wouldn't have to awkwardly interact with people. (Based on a true story? Possibly). Except of course, that it's in Philly, and you'll probably drive, not walk here (and that the staff speak fluent English, obviously). Go here on a weekday to avoid the crowds and eat your heart out of pizza, pasta, breadsticks, mussels, and more. The buffet comes with a caesar salad, but you have to ask. An order of coffee includes unlimited refills, but despite being called a cafe, the coffee is actually average. 5 stars if not for that minor grievance. read more

Cafe Michelangelo - Italian Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Came here for dinner with my family and some family friends. I gotta say that I had a little higher hopes for this place. It wasn't bad, but everything just lacked flavor. I split a margarita pizza and a chicken parmigiana sandwich. I also tasted one of my family members gnocchi. The crust on the pizza was good, but it stopped there. The sauce didn't have much taste and there were pools of grease from the cheese. The chicken parm sandwich suffered the same as the pizza since the sauce just didn't have taste. The gnocchi tasted good, but the pasta itself had a strange texture. That being said the service and the ambiance of the restaurant were nice, but it could use a little updating. Would I go back here? Sure. But would it be my first choice? Definitely not. read more

A nice neighborhood place. Great chicken parm and chicken piccata. Pizza as well. Drinks cheaper than most places. Always have had great service. read more

One of the go to Italian spots in northeast Philly especially in the summer when there is live music and bocci ball with pretty lights and grape vines outside. Best known for their thin crust brick oven pizza! It's perfectly crunchy and soft inside. The tomato sauce is my absolute favorite of any pizza place - it's so fresh! I also love their antipasto salad - tuna salad, roasted eggplant, artichokes, salami, carrots, broccoli and potatoes. Perfect if you're like me and like a little bit of everything! Their Caesar salad dressing is homemade and super garlicky and delicious! Definitely get the Caesar salad if you're a fan! Would recommend asking for light dressing or on the side. Their pasta is pretty good - good topping to pasta ratio but, sometimes you have to add a lot of your own seasoning to get the right flavor! My favorite is the seafood pasta! Overall, great vibes and very popular spot with amazing pizza and salad and pretty good pasta! read more

Food is a 10; Service is a 0! Was in for dinner on a recent weekday evening; there were 6 in our party. As always, the food was outstanding - no complaints in that regard. (The Arugula steak salad was a real hit!) However, no matter how good the food, if the service is sub-par, it ruins the entire dining experience. Want a server to walk away as you are asking a question? Want to wait 10 minutes or more for the spoon you requested to show up? Want to have the drink you ordered never be served? Want to see a staff of servers all of whom look miserable and as though they hate their jobs? If you answered "yes" to any of those four questions, then you have come to the right place. I know at least 2 in our party will never return, as they were extremely disappointed; as for the other four, it's hard to say. Cafe Michelangelo, you really need to step up your game when it comes to all aspects of your service. read more

This is my favorite restaurant! I love that they have outdoor seating that makes you feel like you are somewhere different than a strip mall on Bustleton Avenue. They have bocce ball & on weekends they have local bands. The food is delicious! My all time fav is the Rigatoni Arriabetta. There pizza is cooked in a brick oven, we like to splurge and get a small pizza as an appetizer. They also have an amazing antipasto that comes in small or large. Make sure you have people to share it with because the small is big enough for 4 people depending on how hungry you are. They have amazing desserts, like tiramisu or gelato. Unfortunately, I'm always too stuffed to order any, so I think I may make it a point to go and just get dessert one day. The reason I'm giving them 4 stars being my favorite restaurant is that the service is really on the slower side. I recommend this place highly but if you're in a hurry this isn't the best choice. read more

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Rips people off by charging 4% fees when paying with DEBIT card. Tried to address via email before putting out a negative review, no response. read more

Pretty nice spot for dinner. Nice, friendly atmosphere. My friends go here a lot more than me. Pretty consistant good food and service.

Cafe Michelangelo is the "go to" local spot in Northeast Philadelphia and Bucks County. I've been coming here with my family since I was a child. There's plenty of seating for large groups, and a bar for those who just want to watch the game. In the summer there is also out door seating and they also have a bocce ball court. The usual dishes I typically get are the fried calamari, mussels in white sauce, and the chicken Caesar salad. Their tiramisu is hands down the best I ever had. This is a local staple I'll always dine in. read more

Cafe Michelangelo - Italian Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Food and service were excellent! Live music was great and not too loud :) will be returning!

Hot, fresh and on-time! Pizza crust was crisp and light. Sauce seemed super light and fresh.

The food is delicious and always served piping hot. The wait staff is lovely and very responsive to our needs. We always have a fabulous time here. read more

I understand why so many people enjoy dining at Café Michaelangelo on Bustleton Avenue in the Far Northeast, Philadelphia. While most customers are local to the area, we were coming down from Bucks County, and this Italian haven was just a few miles over the county line. It doesn't look like much on the outside. A narrow parking lot separating the building from heavily trafficked Bustleton. The façade a worn brown wood with narrow doors and confusing signs. Still, we found our way in through the side entrance and walked into a small lobby, followed by a large glass-walled dining room with high exposed beam ceiling and vistas overlooking a back yard that was treed and green - more like a tree house feel, than a structure anchored to the ground. Although aging, it was very attractive. Positive first impressions. We were seated at the first table in the dining room. Although closest to the door, there was a half wall with trellis protecting us, and we soon forgot we were sitting on the edge. The menus were brought out quickly and we settled in to scour it for that evening's delights. While reading, we ordered a Stone IPA and River Horse Raspberry Tripel Horse Belgian-Style Ale. (You're wrong! I had the fruity beer, and my beautiful companion the very stout IPA.) We decided to go light. Fried calamari as a shared appetizer, and roast pork and Italian sausage sandwiches as our mains. Alina was our excellent server. She took very good care of us first timers. Although the calamari was almost exclusively cut into bands, with only one set of tentacles, it was quite good; especially the dipping red sauce which was spicily chunky and required a second helping. While I might not get it again, it was a fine vehicle for sauce delivery. The sandwiches were both first rate. They were served on decent Italian rolls which supported their passengers from plate to mouth without hesitation or flopping. The meat was tender and flavorful, with dipping sauce to enhance the experience. The sausage was cut into smaller slices for ease of ripping off chunks of the sandwich, and had ample onions and green frying peppers mixed throughout and more of that wonderful red sauce. Really liked both plates. And, there was a plentitude of stuffing in each - so much so that we could only eat half of each sandwich and brought the rest home for stepson to enjoy. We had planned to order something separately for him, but we had so much that it wasn't necessary. Alina brought us the takeout containers and bags with an easy smile, despite the loss of the extra sale to the house. No doubt, she had seen this happen before. We thoroughly and zestfully partook of our Café Michelangelo meal, and commented as we ate how good it was. In warmer weather, eating on the back patio would be a worthy addition to the program. An exceptional find on the wild streets of Bustleton. And, the prices didn't hurt either. read more

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This is the place to go if you want consistently good food and great service. Friendly staff, generous portions. Always accommodating. Probably one of my favorites in NE Philly. read more

Food is great, but the grumpy male manager is rude and speaks to his paying customers in a derogatory way.

I like this place a lot. Very friendly service and amazing fresh food as always. Craft beer is a bonus

I have been coming here for many years now- my mom and dad love this place and they throw a lot of our family get togethers here. The food is good and they always accommodate our large party 15-25 people. The waitress is always pleasant and always tells us jokes. We always seem to get the same waitress and she always works her butt off to make sure everybody is happy and has everything they need. The pizza here is great probably 1 of the beat in the Somerton area. The chicken fingers, cheese steaks, french fries, and chicken parmigian is also delicious. I give this place 5 stars you should give it a try you wont br disappointed. read more

Cafe Michelangelo - Italian Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In the beginning of September my transplant recipient and I held a anniversary dinner here with our families. Cafe Michelangelo did a wonderful job at coordinating everything for us. I truly can't say enough great things. We had around 16 people and were seated in a private area out back. They even rearranged the table for us last minute so we could all be seated together which we super appreciated. We went with a prefix menu, family style, consisting of two pastas to start, salad, and two entrees. I must say the rigatoni vodka is my absolute favorite and the menu the portions are huge. Everything from start to finish was great. The waitresses were very on top of everything as well. I couldn't be happier! My husband and I also came here recently and ordered the shrimp diavolo. A++ the sauce is soooo good. Definitely a staple for me any time I come here from now on! read more

First off , the food is excellent except bread( no biggie) Major issue is that we had to wait over half an hour for our food. Back up. Arrived with no reservation on Friday night. Expected to wait. Was told it would be about 20 minutes, although there were 2 tables for 2 right in front of us and all other parties were 6 or more. Ok seated and ordered. Over half an hour later , I got the attention of the Manager. I told him not happy it was this long and he basically blamed US. " I told you it would be a wait' ". Yes to get seated" No, I told you we were backed up" No you did not. Ok, so that really happened. Went out and looked at kitchen. They really expanded the seating here and are taking large parties, but they did NOT expand kitchen. I guess it is ok to let patrons wait a while because they wouldn't spend money to expand kitchen I would rather eat somewhere that had good food but great service rather than somewhere that has great food but horrible service read more

One of my favorite places in Bustleton!! Very good service, amazing food - ugh especially Rigatoni arrabiata and fried calamari, great cocktails, live music and outdoor seating!! read more

Cafe Michelangelo - Pollo Rosso and fried calamari - Italian Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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I have eaten here many times before and today I decided to try the gnocchi in blush sauce. I ordered it for take out and I can say with confidence it was the best gnocchi I've ever had. The portion was so large that I had lunch the next day too. read more