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    Gran Caffe L'Aquila

    4.4 (1.7k reviews)
    Open 7:30 am - 11:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Gran Caffe L'Aquila Takeout or Delivery

    Gran Caffe L'Aquila Photos

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    GRAN CAFFE L'AQUILA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Casual
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Gran Caffe L'Aquila

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    Aquilla L.

    This was the experience I was waiting to have the entire time I was in Philly!!! I can see why it have managed to last the rest of time. It is truly a classy experience. From the moment I walked in I felt as if I was VIP. The hostess, the manager, maitre dee (?), server, gelato server all the most please t and so willing to explain and re explain- whew and no ..... I did not have a reservation- and I went for lunch. Now on to the food!!! Dare I say it - dare I say it .... Freshly prepared- expertly delivered.... Impeccable taste!!! THE PASTA !!! I wish I could have ordered more- but I'm also on a fitness journey and literally can't - but I ordered the RAGU!!!! Baby !!! The flavors paired so well, not heavy, the meat so juicy not fatty. My partner got the Gnocchi- the creamy factor.... Just so delicious.... We chatted on the balcony just before the joint got busy on a Sunday and completed it all with their Caffee Aquila Espresso ..... it's my namesake and it's essential! Enjoy yelpers

    stracciatella
    Elaine T.

    The gelato here is delicious! The pasta portion is pretty decently sized and the starters are good too. It's not a huge restaurant space but overall it was enjoyable.

    Half chicken
    Lily S.

    I've lived in Philly for way to long to have never tried Gran Caffe L'Aquila. A group of friends and I went on a Saturday night for their restaurant week offerings. We made a reservation for 6:15pm, but we'rent seated until close to 7. There's not much of a place to hang out while you wait, so that was a bit complicated. For 45 dollars you got a huge spread, totally worth the price. We each got two apps, an entree and a desert. Seperate from restaurent week, we each got a drink. They we're delicious, but a bit pricy, around 15 dollars each. The half chicken was delicious, perfectly cooked and flavorful. The espresso martini was ok, a little bitter for my liking, but my lemoncello spritz was perfect! Our server was friendly and attentive while serving multiple tables. The space is massive! There has to be over 100 tables and a bar with a few tables downstairs. It feels a bit cramped upstairs, but not too bad. Will definitely be back soon!

    Gnocchi alla Bava
    Ashley L.

    Went to dinner here after years of wanting to go and finally made it! Got the gnocchi alla bava and it was absolutely amazing. Finished dinner with salted caramel gelato which was so creamy and smooth. Will definitely return!

    Paccheri Datterini Gialli
    Yash V.

    Had an excellent time at Gran Cafe! Have tried their gelato many times, but the restaurant has been on my list for years, and it certainly did not disappoint! The servers were so attentive and made all patrons feel welcome. The ambiance was upscale yet approachable. The upstairs is much larger than expected, great for bigger groups. Eggplant caponata bruschetta appetizer was the highlight of the night!! Will be back to try their other delicious appetizers.

    Chicago Paper Plane and Moscato D'asti, Gatta (Piemonte)
    Joe R.

    I really enjoyed my dinning experience here. We were in the city for Christmas Village and I was in the mood for Italian for dinner. My fiancé recommended this place as she had visited it previously a few years ago through work. The ambiance was certainly unique, in that it has a store/cafe/bar style dining area. There is an upstairs that is a more traditional dining room if you would prefer that. However, I actually enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the downstairs area. My appetizer and drink were very good, but what set this place apart was the very unique entree. I ordered the Agnolotti which came with a black truffle gelato. Yes as in the ice cream like gelato. This "savory" gelato was extremely interesting. My taste buds really didn't know what to make of it at first. It was sweet like ice cream but had that savory black truffle flavor. As the gelato melted into the pasta it gave this creamy, cold and delicious flavor that it is unlike anything I had before. My fiancé's dish had a guanciale gelato that again was super interesting and delicious once mixed into her carbonara. Our server was very attentive and kind. I will definitely be back here again to try some more interesting offerings.

    Outside
    John J.

    This is a charming restaurant above the Gelato shop on the street level in Rittenhouse. Food (4.25/5) - menu has a good mix of appetizers, antipasto, pastas, mains and salads... and of course gelato! - Cesarina - a fresh traditional caesar salad with an authentic flavourful fresh-made dressing - Sugo Della Dominica - veal, sausage, lamb and wild boar meatballs served with a traditional tomato sugo served with fusilli pasta. Sauce was great and meats were not bad... meatballs were my favourite. - Gelato - was very tasty - creamy and vibrant fruit flavours Service (4.5/5) - sat at the bar and service was solid - knowledgeable and attentive with regular check-ins on water, drinks, etc. Atmosphere (4.25/5) - interesting set up with the gelato shop downstairs and some outdoor patio tables, with the bar and restaurant up top in a dimmer more intimate feel. Overall (4.25/5) - it's a good choice for casual italian dining or late night gelato in Rittenhouse.

    Nicey W.

    The food, service, and ambiance was exceptional! I had the butter salmon scampi with white wine. My night ended with a caramel Gelato.

    bruschetta
    Mikka V.

    I really enjoyed this restaurant! TBH, I wasn't expecting the food to be as good as it was and the vibe seemed pretty authentic and italian for a restaurant near Rittenhouse. I ordered this seafood pasta which was so tasty. My friend and I also ordered bruschetta and only 3 pieces came out. I thought that was interesting considering there was 2 of us and i've had other restaurants ask if we want to add another piece for a small charge so we could have even amounts. Bruschetta also isn't something that's easy to split up. the gelato at the end was the best! i always stop by to pick up gelato and this was my first time sitting inside and eating it. will come here again!

    Janine A.

    Everything was perfect for a birthday dinner. Every bite & sip was delicious & our server Marco was fantastic. We did the restaurant week menu & it was a GREAT value.

    Salmone in Placca
    Angela L.

    Stopped in for dinner tonight while in town. Ordered the salmone in placca and peach mango gelato. The salmon was delicious! Luca was our server. The restaurant has a down stairs and up stairs area. We ate down stairs and the place only had one or two tables open. Nice simple decor. Definitely a place to check out!

    Mozzarella, Tomato Focaccia
    Suzanne A.

    The experience has been consistent for all the years I've been coming here! Seating opinion life the downstairs bar area with tables, the upstairs dining room and outdoor seating. The upstairs has a relaxing trattoria vibe. The downstairs is more pub vibe with TVs showing mostly soccer games. The staff is professional and knowledgeable about the menu. The lunch menu was extensive. Every month has a special menu highlighting one of Italy's regions. We had the beef brisket over polenta with fresh grilled veggies. The brisket was huge. The meat melted in your mouth. The light sauce was delicious so was the polenta and veg. Spaghetti Vongole (clams) was also delicious. It had lots of clams and a sauce that was flavorful without being overpowering. We also had a sausage dish that was very tasty. It had both sweet and spicy sausage with the lightest fried onions I e ever had! It also had a gastronomic mustard gelato that really added to the flavor. The cappuccinos were very good. You can choose what roast you like. The gelato is the best in Philly! My favorite is the desire-a light cream with Amorena cherries and the dark chocolate. The entrance has a little boutique with authentic Italian products. Many of the same items I lugged home from Italy can be found here!

    Coconut rum gelato
    Edward R.

    Another review: Food: didn't let down, amazing food details of spices, food combo and luv how some of the meals have gelato (bold adding icecream as part of the spice&flavoring contrast) service: amazing and aware of what Italian specialty is being done. Ambiance: i went with family of 4, but good for 2, lunch, dinner, hangin out, fancy dinner, regular dinner...

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    Gran Caffe L'Aquila Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Gran Caffe L'Aquila

    Is vehicle parking available?

    No this is in the city so you would need to find street parking or use a parking garage

    Is it casual dress?

    Hi Patricia, yes it is.

    Are there any gluten free pasta options? We have a member of our party that has celiac disease.

    I was there in May and they did have gluten-free options available.

    Can I bring my own wine? If so is there a corkage fee?

    No they are not BYOB they have a wine list.

    Is Italian also spoken here or it is an all-English establishment? 👀 I would like to practice my Italian haha

    Yes many of the staff actually speak Italian! Feel free to practice.

    Can I come here and just order something at the counter, or do I have to sit down and order? This is in general, all foods!

    You can order at the counter/bar

    Is there one in Philadelphia and Los Angeles?

    This is in Philly.

    Is the sorbet vegan?

    Sorbet is vegan. It is fruit ice.

    View All 11 Questions

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    We had a really enjoyable dinner at Barbuzzpo. The food was delicious, the staff was friendly and…read morewelcoming, and the service was excellent throughout the evening. Reservations are a good idea since it can get busy. To start, we shared a fresh goat cheese salad along with the following entrees , including short rib over polenta, mushroom pasta, grape leaves, and an octopus salad. Everything was flavorful and nicely prepared, and it was fun to try a variety of dishes. For dessert, we had the salted caramel boudino, which was a perfect way to end the meal--rich, smooth, and not overly sweet. Overall, it was a wonderful dining experience with great food and a warm atmosphere. I'd happily come back and would recommend Barduzzo to anyone looking for a great meal in Philadelphia.

    4 Stars feels low - 5 stars seems high. Overall a very…read moreenjoyable meal. Food was excellent. Here's the rundown: GRILLED HEIRLOOM CARROTS: Creamy, savory, fantastic SPRING VEGGIE SALAD*: fresh, tasty, elevated salad PAN SEARED GNOCCHI: show stopper, would order again 5 stars ROSSA (WOOD FIRED PIZZA): basic but excellent SALTED CARAMEL BUDINO: house specialty for a reason {small but really good beer selection} Service was attentive - maybe a tad too attentive but certainly well-meaning. *The only (very) slight ding, is that the waiter noted it was family style, but the portions were individual sized. We added on the salad b/c we need something else. I always thought 'family style' was larger portions shared by the table. No biggie. The room is not big a bit cozy. All table were taken but didn't feel cramped or chaotic. Overall - very glad I came to Barbuzzo and would certainly recommend.

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    Exhibition counter
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    Giuseppe & Sons

    Giuseppe & Sons

    4.1
    (680 reviews)
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    Giuseppe's is fantastic! My husband and I had an amazing Sunday dinner a few weeks ago there. From…read morethe speakeasy vibe of the restaurant to its South Philly culinary inspiration, it was an amazing meal that we'll always remember. We ordered a number of things to share family style - - The Artichoke Francaise appetizer was something we'd never seen before on a menu, so we wanted to try. It was so good and I'm still trying to dupe it at home for my vegetarian hubs. - My husband is a eggplant parm connoisseur, so we also ordered their Eggplant 'Parmigiana' appetizer. He said it was good. - Ricotta Tortelloni was delicious and our favorite savory dish. The aged balsamic cuts through all the richness of the cheeses perfectly. It was so good! - To round off the meal, we ordered dessert and ordered the tiramisu. Glad we did because Giuseppe's & Son's has the BEST tiramisu that either of us has ever tasted. Ava was our waiter that evening. She was the best! When I mentioned my husband was vegetarian, she made sure to clear with him if certain ingredients in the dishes were ok with him. It's a big relief whenever that happens when we dine out. Plus, she was friendly and convivial. The tables at either side of us liked her too. That quality is important and adds to the overall experience for diners. Just had to shout out. Giuseppe's is hands-down a wonderful place and a gem. We highly recommend it if you're looking for something truly special.

    This spot is unexpected. Went back to this spot last evening for dinner . The dining room is…read moredownstairs and much larger space than anticipated. Decorated vintage chic Italian restaurant with booth and table seating. We started off with three cocktails that were seasonal options all were good and boozy as expected. The waiter was great at recommending top picks and favorites. We started dinner with the 8oz mozzarella and meatball appetizer. The meatballs were served 4 in sauce small to average size meatballs were good, soft and flavorful. The mozzarella was a show pulling it tableside from curds to a full 8oz ball finished with salt , pepper, and flavored olive oil. Dinner we ordered three Italian specialties. Chicken Milanese that was served with shaved Italian cheese and arugula. One vela parm which had the perfect ratio of sauce to cheese. The third meal was a basic bolognese that was served with mafaldine pasta. Entrees were all good. We also added the truffle pasta option for the table which was also prepared tableside with the cheese wheel and shavings of fresh black truffles was a perfect finish. We also had a sharing side of gnocchi with sauce. All in all we had a solid meal. It wasn't the best Italian I even had but it's good. The total was 336 for three with 2 rounds of drinks . This is pretty good for center city fine dining.

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    Ambiance
    Ambiance
    House made ricotta cheese
    House made ricotta cheese
    Love the pictures hung along this hallway

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    Dante & Luigi's

    Dante & Luigi's

    4.3
    (603 reviews)
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    A home run find in Center City Philly. From the moment we…read morewalked in and were greeted to the goodbyes and thank you as we were leaving. Everything was as perfect as it could be why is that because this restaurants been doing it for over 126 years they know a thing or two their customers and had to prepare plate delicious meals. Surprise surprise we actually found parking OK maybe that's because we got there earlier than our reservation in hopes to make another stop that didn't work out so we came early and they greeted us with open arms took us to a beautiful table in front of vintage fireplace hence we were sitting in the perfect spot. Our server, Justin came over to greet us. We got into some conversation before we even touched upon the food. He was exceptional at his run through the menu, his explanations on preparations handling questions. This was definitely not his first, not his second and not his third rodeo he's definitely a professional at what he does. Upon review of the menu we started off with steamed clams and a spicy marinara and actually asked for fra Diavlo hence they gave it an additional hit of spice. It had a nice kick. It was very tasty. My wife was going back-and-forth between their signature lasagna and a little weak weenie with crab Bianco and in the end she went with the baked lasagna oh my goodness the size of that piece on the plate we took half home. She certainly enjoyed her. For me, I went with the veal Catherine, the medallions veal with shrimp, lump crab meat, and fresh tomato and a Bianco sauce the plating presentation I can't describe you'll just have to see my photograph. I've never seen it like this before and it was extremely tasty. Very tender I would certainly get that dish again. And since I am not a pasta eater, I ordered a side vegetable of broccoli Rob. And we ordered a bottle of the Italian Montepuliciano wine, what was the perfect compliment to our dinner? And this was my birthday. My wife was surprising me she had already pre-ordered their homemade tiramisu with ladyfingers, which would wind up taking with us cause we were kind of full and had later that night at one of our favorite coffee houses in Philly and boy that dessert was perfect and I'm glad we waited. Again, everybody was smiles, friendly, and helpful. The place of spotless and you really feel like you're in someone's home. Be sure to see my food photos and don't blame me if you drool on your cell phones

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    Dante & Luigi's Back Dining Area
    Dante & Luigi's Back Dining Area
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    1.1 mi
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    My favorite restaurant that I went to while visiting Philly. This place feels like being back in…read moreItaly. It is tiny inside with just a bar and a couple tables. That's it. I love this European feel. Up first, I had a $17 El Noe. I was hoping for a strong burnt mezcal taste, but nope. It seems like only Florida gets this drink right. The drink wasn't bad at all, but I was just looking for that burnt taste. I also had a $18 Dirty Pasta Water Martini, basically a dirty martini. It was fine, but it came in a micro grass which was kind of weird. Clearly this isn't a place you come for cocktails. Now, onto the star of the night, the food. Up first, the $16 Spring Salad. Loved it, hit the spot. Also, had the $17 Arancini. I really liked those little balls and especially the dipping sauce. I had the $26 Rigatoni. It was absolutely phenomenal. I could go eat it every day. My mom had the $24 Tonnarelli and it was also top tier excellent. The flavors, the atmosphere, the staff, everything here is top notch. The Internet did not let me down. I'm so glad I decided to book this restaurant. I had a wonderful night.

    The rumps seasonal pasta was great and would come back for that!…read more Maybe because I had higher expectations this was a 4 for me! The antipasti we chose the crudo was not my style of sashimi pairing. They added a fish with something even more oily/heavy so it just made everything heavy and not light and fresh which I prefer. The rigatoni honestly was way too salty for my taste. With the focaccia that's mid...it was less salty. The rumps seasonal pasta was delicious and fresh tasting! The service however is amazing and the server gave the great rec of the seasonal rumps pasta!

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    Such a charming spot!
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    Vetri Cucina

    Vetri Cucina

    4.5
    (588 reviews)
    0.5 mi
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    My typical review would go a lot differently, but Vetri Cucina is different...so their review…read moreshould reflect the absolutely incredible experience that dining in this gorgeous establishment provides. We have had the great fortune of dining here multiple times. What sets this particular establishment apart from other dining experiences we have had in Philly is their attention to...everything. From the flatware to the glasses to the greeting, service, and knowledge of their food...the dining journey you embark upon is unparalleled. When we arrived, our waiter, Eric, greeted us warmly. We have had the pleasure of meeting Eric on many occasions. Why is Eric so special? He knew our names. Remembered our conversations. Recommended items based on our previous dining habits. He provided interesting details about the products. Explained why and how dishes were created in the manner they chose, and frequently checked back to ensure our meal was as magical as we hoped. Chef Vetri came out to warmly greet us and thank us for returning. Maybe some would see that as a small gesture, but to us...it made us feel important and valued. For such a talented souls to take time to say hello, knowing how much it had meant to us on prior visits, underscores their attention to detail and service. It was appreciated beyond words. One of the hostesses, Diana, also made sure to check up on us. She asked questions based on prior conversations, she laughed and joked with us about life and home ownership. She sought out my wife to say hello when Rachel had stepped away for a moment. The exceptional steps the staff took to ensure our night was a step above others was clearly notable. We couldn't have been more appreciative of all of the efforts of the entire restaurant. We walked away feeling on top of the world...if only for a few short hours. The restaurant itself is such a warm, hospitable environment...how can you beat a rustic row home in Center City on a cozy Friday evening? The decor is inviting and familiar...like walking into a family's living room. It's quaint, it's beautiful, and it certainly pays homage to the heritage of the city. As for the food...that's the easiest part to review. There wasn't a misstep on our plates. From the oyster amuse bouche, with a horseradish crema that stayed in your chest just long enough to tell you hello but not hot enough to tell you it's a bad night, to the molten pistachio cake....the menu took us on a winter/spring journey a ride at Disney plant replicate. The gnocchi with black trumpet mushroom and smoked goat with polenta were my stars. Rachel loved the foie gras and wagyu. But really...what can beat the spinach gnocchi or the tortellini or the onion crepe or the....younger the point. The attention to detail, blending of flavors, and notes that accentuate one another is unrivaled in this city. Yes, it's that good. I can't thank the staff and Chef enough for providing us with a night we will not soon forget. Five stars was a no brainer. Simply the best place to eat in the city, hands

    The place has beautiful ambiance. No music however there is a beautiful chandelier. The staff and…read moreservice were good but the food served Feb 2026 was delightful. The sommelier was able to help me find several wine glasses to pair with my meal. My party enjoyed each dish immensely but felt the hostess could use some training. She seemed unaware that it is federal law that the drinking age is over 21 and kept explaining that the normal carding policy was state law; very strange experience with host but overall delightful restaurant.

    Photos
    Vetri Cucina
    FOIE GRAS PASTRAMI WITH TOASTED BRIOCHE AND MOSTARDA
    FOIE GRAS PASTRAMI WITH TOASTED BRIOCHE AND MOSTARDA
    Tasting menu

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    Tasting menu

    Gran Caffe L'Aquila - coffee - Updated June 2026

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