okay, yes. over one-year later, i finally came back to try the chicken parmesan and it was so good. definitely better than whatever i had last time. my boyfriend and i shared the caesar salad, the fried mozzarella, and the chicken parmesan, and it was honestly a good amount of food for the both of us (though we did get ice cream before lol). [[HIGHLIGHT]]i like that they have outdoor seating, which is perfect for our dog.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]it was a warm day, so sitting outside was perfect, but i do believe they have heat lamps for when it gets a little chilly.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] we didn't have a reservation, but they were so accommodating and able to squeeze us in after a short 5-minute wait around 8p. [[HIGHLIGHT]]definitely worth the hype, very cute neighborhood spot![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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I originally made a reservation for 2:30 PM thinking they offered a lunch menu, but if you're coming for the pasta, make sure to come after 4:30 PM. We actually had to leave and come back later & I'm so glad we did! The food was absolutely fantastic. The service was 10/10 from start to finish. We ordered the chicken Milanese, which was perfectly crispy and fresh. All of the pastas were seasoned beautifully and cooked to perfection. My favorite dishes were the cavatelli and the chicken cutlet!! both were incredible. I'll definitely be coming back, especially to try the chicken parm. This place has officially earned a special spot in my heart. read more

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The meatballs were amazing. The pasta al dente perfection. I LOVED the food. Service was good. Prices were on point. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Comfortable seating.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]My only beef was the volume with which the kitchen staff operated. It's an open concept kitchen/dining area with subway tile walls. The place was already a cacophony of voices so the kitchen staff playing out their personal version of The Bear was unbearable. Staff over your shoulder bellowing out orders and instructions to one another. I found it difficult to have a conversation.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] But hey, maybe it's just me. I'll go back for the food during the week and maybe sit outside read more

Trattoria Carina - the amazing meatballs - Italian Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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We came here for a birthday dinner and the pasta was very good! We had no leftovers left because everything was the perfect proportions! Our waitress was nice and the food came out fast! [[HIGHLIGHT]]It was a small cafe but perfect for intimate dinners.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] My only complaint was the espresso martini tasted a little salty. Other than that it was a cute place to come for dinner! read more

Trattoria Carina - GEMELLI - Italian Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]Cute neighborhood spot with a great outdoor seating area, especially on a beautiful day.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We started with the whipped ricotta, Caesar salad, and marinated olives. The whipped ricotta was easily the highlight and one of the best things I've tasted in a while. The Caesar salad was also fresh with a nice hint of citrus. The entrees were a bit underwhelming. The spicy crab pasta lacked flavor, and the chicken Parmesan was decent but could've used more sauce and seasoning. Service was quick and friendly, though, and I'd definitely come back to try other dishes, especially for that whipped ricotta! read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]I love a space where I just get it and nobody is trying to tell me, the food and vibe make it clear.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Great corner spot with indoor and outdoor dining creating a fun scene made better by a sun splashed spring evening.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The tik-tok famous Caesar is great, split it with a friend. The octopus in a chili sauce is a highlight! Chicken parmigiana, rigatoni and cacio y Pepe just work. This is so good, so simple, so well presented, and service is great. Grab a Hugo Spritz, grab a seat and chat and soak up the vibe and enjoy. read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]Great lowkey spot! Definitely want to come back and sit outside at some point, the tables were SO cute.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Loved the chicken Milanese. The fresh spring mix and crispy chicken were a great combo. Our server was nice and attentive too. Can't ask for more! read more

Trattoria Carina - CHICKEN MILANESE - Italian Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The pepperoni melt was kinda greasy and def on the salty side. Not gonna lie, the salads and pasta that went past our table looked way better -- wish I'd ordered one of those instead. Service was nice though, waiters were freindly and kept checking in which was appreciated. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Only other thing is the seating felt a bit cramped, but honestly it wasn't that big of a deal.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Had a great meal here later in the afternoon recently. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The place was about to close for lunch / dinner break but they happily seated us in the outside small patio.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Our server was pleasant. We spilt a chicken Caesar salad & each had a couple of drinks. No issues & would stop back again if in Fitler Square. read more

Trattoria Carina - CAESAR SALAD - Italian Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Decent italian place but lacked some flavor for my personal preference. Grabbed the octopus starter and the Spicy Crab pasta. Everything was just okay--the octopus was dry and chewy without much else, and the Spicy Crab pasta felt heavy and redundant after a few bites. Nothing fresh in anything I tasted to spice up the palate. This is one of my friend's favorite places so willing to give it another try but would recommend more sharing/family-style to have variety. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Service was great and vibes during the summer are great--open windows and people-watching.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Trattoria Carina - OCTOPUS - Italian Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Came here for a late summer celebration date night - [[HIGHLIGHT]]cute Italian spot with nice outdoor patio seating[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]], very nice service, and lots of vegetarian options (for example, the rigatoni vodka can be made vegetarian by removing the sausage)! They also have great seasonal specials - when we came, there was a sweet corn ravioli that had saba, an Italian grape syrup inside that blew our minds; my husband who doesn't like pasta said it was the best pasta he's ever had and even got us takeout ravioli a week later. The rigatoni was just okay, could have been a bit creamier & saucier. The broccolini was very bitter and not our favorite, but the whipped ricotta was a hit, can't go wrong. Overall I would come here again with a friend if they were craving pasta! read more

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This is our third time coming to eat here and it never disappoints! My husband ordered the chicken parm and I ordered a Cesar salad with chicken cutlet and it was to die for. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant is on the smaller side but has a great ambiance and the servers are always attentive.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We will continue coming back here! read more

Trattoria Carina - CAESAR salad with chicken cutlet - Italian Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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This spot feels like eating at your nonna's--if your nonna lived in a stylish Rittenhouse corner bistro. Everything here tastes lovingly made, and I usually don't comment on ingredients, but you can really tell they use the good stuff. The olive oil alone deserves its own shoutout--smooth, rich, and honestly sublime. We came during a quiet spell without a reservation and were lucky the kind staff found us a spot. The space is intimate and cozy inside, with charming outdoor seating that adds to the European vibe. As we were leaving, it started to fill quickly--clearly a local favorite. Meal starts with fresh focaccia and that olive oil I can't stop thinking about. We shared the tomato and onion crostini appetizer--simple, elegant, and perfectly balanced with just the right touch of balsamic. I got the Sunday Gravy: house meatballs, rich tomato sauce, and spaghetti that was satisfyingly al dente. But honestly? I couldn't stop stealing bites of my partner's chicken Parm. The chicken was crisp but tender, the cheese bubbling and golden, with just the right amount of sauce. It's clear why it's their signature dish. Great food, warm service, and a location that feels like a hidden gem. Can't wait to return. read more

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One of the best Italian restaurants in the city. I've always heard great things about Trattoria Carina so when my friend moved in to that neighborhood, we had to try it. The place did not disappoint. In fact, it exceeded all expectations. The chicken Parm was heavenly and enough for two separate meals, and the pasta with it was delicious. The Cesar salad was good, as was the tiramisu. Service was good and while the place was busy, they were very accommodating in finding us a spot. Also, low-key one of the best espresso martinis in the city. Do attend. read more

Trattoria Carina - CHICKEN PARMESAN - Italian Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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It was an amazing experience great food and good service too overall was super great :)

I love it here. It's a must if you enjoy a good chicken parm. The cutlet is on the thicker side (which I appreciate since it's more protein) and the sauce is phenomenal. The serving of pasta that comes with the chicken is the perfect amount to satisfy that carb craving. I usually turn this chicken parm into two meals since it's huge. Love coming here! read more

Trattoria Carina - CHICKEN PARMESAN - Italian Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Someone said it's their fav Italian food place in Philly... so I had to try! Service was amazing - our waiter was so kind and let us really enjoy our meal. Super pretty interior with floor to ceiling windows. The gemelli (pesto pasta) was SO good. Had a super unique balance between the freshness and lemony herby flavor of pasta, and the rich nutty flavor. Really enjoyed this, and the pasta was very al dente! The mafaldine bolognese game with a super fun curly thick noodle, but I didn't love the sauce. Liked that it was slightly creamy, but the meat was a bit too salty for me. Love the idea of combing beef, pork, and veal though! The Sunday gravy entree was a meat lovers heaven!! Came with braised shortrib, meatball, sweet italian sausage, and spaghetti. Tiramisu was delicious - leans more cake than cream, really filling, and a great portion! Definitely shareable. read more

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My girlfriend and I celebrated our birthdays here after realizing we'd not had Italian food together in a while. She took one bite of the salad and said "Okay, THIS is what a Caesar salad is supposed to taste like." And devoured the leftovers the next day. You read that right, she reveled in leftover salad. How many times have you given that sort of endorsement for salad leftovers!? I'm still thinking about this meal, over a week later. Specifically I'm thinking about how long before I can get back to Philly for the chicken parm. It was the best I've ever had. The crunch, the flavor, the accompaniment of house made rigatoni. Oh man did I overeat. I did the happy wiggles. And the next day I had a full meal of the remaining portion. The burrata with sourdough, are you effing kidding me? There were figs. FIGS!! I died and went to heaven. It was noisy but the pace of service was great and we loved the cozy atmosphere. read more

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I'll start this off by saying that this is more of a 4.5, because the reason I'm deducting a point is due to the closeness of tables in the restaurant. The restaurant is small and place is tight so it felt as though I was intruding on the date of the table next to me. That being said, make sure you make a reservation as the place gets packed. Onto the food, everything was a hit! I had the gemelli pasta and tiramisu and am already planning on my next visit to try other items on the menu. read more

Already thinking about the next time I can visit here - everything was so delicious!! The whip ricotta and broccoli rabe apps are great. The chicken Parm was my favorite entrée, but all of the pastas were excellent as well. The chocolate mousse dessert is an absolute must. read more

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This is a restaurant that I've passed by for years but I'm so glad I finally went! (Maybe even a bit regretful I didn't try it sooner!) We went here on a Wednesday evening. It was pretty easy to get a reservation online. We were seated for 3 at a table indoors. Might be good to know that there is a step up for seating inside though they also offer seating outdoors! The space is very cozy and cute with an open kitchen. Our servers were really friendly and checked-in us appropriately. They start you with focaccia bread for the table. The olive oil was really good! I ordered the spicy crab pasta and it was delicious! Not too spicy, but has a nice little kick. The pasta shells were also nice and al dente. We also ordered a burrata to split (probably one of the best appetizers I've had in a bit - extremely well balanced, and an amazing marriage of flavors). Portions were hearty and prices I think are priced well. Excited to come back - in the meantime I'll keep dreaming of the burrata read more

Trattoria Carina - SPICY CRAB - Italian Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

10 outta 10 for food and service. Tik Tok bought me here for that Caesar Salad and I it did not disappoint. I recommend this place 100 times read more

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A delicious Italian spot! The vibes of the spot are so cute, especially outside, with the cute umbrellas and tables that feel like you're outside in Europe and enjoying food. We got a pesto pasta as well as a Cacio E Pepe pasta with a whipped ricotta to start. All of this is very good pasta was very fresh as well. The cacio e Pepe was my favorite ive had in the city! Reservations to get booked up pretty quick, so would recommend reservation if you would like to choose where you're sitting inside versus outside. read more

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What a lovely place! No wonder it's always so packed! Came here on a Sunday evening and only outdoor seating was available so I took it. Ordered the Caesar salad, meatballs (you can even just order one!) and spicy crab. My favorite was the meatball. It was delicious! The spicy crab was good too with pasta cooked al dente with a great chew and mild spice. I liked the little crab pieces but I wish there were more! Also love the complimentary bread they serve at the beginning: so pillowy and soft. Service was fast and they were all very friendly. Will be back! read more

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Came back for brunch. Both entrees were excellent! Love it here. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It does get quite loud though![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Trattoria Carina - Brunch crispy chicken sandwich - Italian Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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So glad I finally got to check out Trattoria Carina! I came for an early Friday night dinner and had some delicious bites. The huge windows make for a cozy place to watch the streetscape. The wait staff were all very attentive throughout the meal. To start, we split the Classic Caesar with romaine, croutons, parmesan. The caesar dressing does have anchovies, but as a vegetarian, they offered me a lemon oregano vinaigrette instead which was insanely good and honestly might have been the tastiest bite of the night! We also split the Roasted Squash Toast (with stracciatella, brown butter crumb, agro dolce). This was good but probably my least favorite bite of the night due to the tough texture of some of the squash pieces. We also got the Fried Mushrooms which came with a delicious fennel aioli. Finally, we split the Gemelli (pasta with pistachio pesto, lemon, parmesan) which achieved a great balance with brightness from the lemon and also richness from the pistachio pesto. Excited to return in a different season and try some other dishes! read more

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Such a cute location! Perfect for people watching in the summer. Food was great! Got their Cesar salad and vodka rigatoni. Service was quick and server was really friendly. Would 10/10 recommend. Note: parking is hard to find (street parking only) read more

Trattoria Carina - Rigatoni - Italian Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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I'm becoming a regular here due to the delicious food, subtle ambiance, cheerful staff and proximity to my home. I recommend the chopped salad and chicken parmesan that comes with a side of rigatoni. However, you can't go wrong with any other dish. The restaurant sits on a corner with lovely green umbrellas atop outside tables. Simply divine. 5 pickled peperoncini! read more

Trattoria Carina - Chicken Parmesan - Italian Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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I went here for brunch with some friends. We made a reservation, so we were able to get seated quickly. The restaurant was quite busy and loud but service was still timely. The food was delicious, and did not take too long to come out from the kitchen. I had traditional breakfast, we ordered the popular chicken Caesar salad, and my friends ordered different sandwiches from them. I would definitely come back here again. And I would recommend making a reservation for brunch because it does get pretty packed. read more

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I feel like I've gone through Hell and back to dine at this restaurant, and it was still worth it! Sorry for the dramatics, but here's the story... I've had two trips to Philly this year (my first two trips to Philly ever). I was in town for two days in July for a concert. The only night that I could have eaten here, I came to Trattoria Carina as a walk-in with an hour to spare before the concert, but couldn't make it work as the wait was an hour to an hour and a half. I wanted to come the next day but the restaurant wasn't open for lunch and I had to fly back home. As fate would have it, a couple weeks ago, God gave me another chance to get that Chicken Parm by setting up a work trip for me to go to Philly (won't He do it?!). I finally made it to Trattoria Carina two weeks ago while in town. And yes, I made a reservation this time. The service was excellent! My waitress was friendly and efficient. The restaurant is very charming and the ambiance is quaint. In other words, it's intimate. I had the Old Fashioned cocktail, a side Caesar salad, and the famous Chicken Parmesan. Everything was great!!!! I couldn't stop eating the complimentary fresh bread, and the Caesar salad was one of the best I've ever had! It was so good! I was gob smacked by how huge the Chicken Parm portion was. It was ginormous! The chicken breast was as big as my face! The flavor of the pasta was magnific! *chef's kiss* Everything was excellent! The prices aren't bad but my total bill came out to about $60 before tip. Philly, you have a gem here. I look forward to making my way back to TC when the wind blows me back to Philadelphia again. Cheers! read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]To start, this place is so cute![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The staff is so nice. And the food is delicious!!! I LOVED the burrata. Very flavorful piece of cheese. And if you're a Caesar salad fan, yummmmmm! My favorite. The pastas are homemade, can't go wrong with that. And the tiramisu for dessert. Yes to it all! Definitely will be back! read more

Trattoria Carina - Italian Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Beautiful space outdoor dining.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Very pleasant and attentive servers. Got the Sunday dinner and chicken Parmesan. Sunday dinner was excellent, chicken Parmesan was overly fried would not order again. Tomato sauce had a wonderful taste to it. Pasta was done perfectly. Tiramisu for dessert was amazing. The only reason there's one star off is chicken Parmesan should be a staple at an Italian restaurant and it really was not up to par. read more

Small indoor place with friendly neighbor seating. Space outside on sidewalk with heat lamps. Very delicious! All the items our table had were delicious! read more

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Nice little Italian spot with a cozy setup. Has some tables both inside, and outside with heat lamps, and you're warmly welcomed in. Start the meal with a very tasty bread and oil basket. Menu features many pasta dishes. Cacio e pepe was a good portion and had a great sauce: robust olive oil, cheese, and pepper. Pasta made in house. Spicy crab pasta sauce was also great. The chicken parm is huge, and also comes with a small bowl of pasta. Great spot, thanks read more

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When a friend wanted to try dinner at this spot before hanging out locally off of Fitler, I decided to give it a shot after being told that it was a good spot for dinner. I was intrigued by the smaller menu, having limitations with dairy and meat options in my diet. I was able to give the lump crab pasta a try, and I was not hugely impressed. The pasta was al dente and/or not cooked all of the way - I couldn't tell which. For an entree over $30 in Philly, I was a bit disappointed. The server was very kind and the atmosphere was a typical crowded restaurant vibe. I would be okay not coming back here, and trying another restaurant instead honestly. read more

My Mom and I came to Trattoria Carina for brunch today. The inside of the space is very small and somewhat awkward to navigate. The wait staff was welcoming and helpful. We ordered the ceasar, the chicken parm sandwich, and the pesto pasta. The ceasar was fine. A bit salty and lacking the subtle anchovie taste of a really good ceasar salad. The chicken parm salad was kinda blah. The bread wasn't great, and I found the chicken bland. The pesto pasta was delicious!!! So flavorful with a good texture. Next time, we'll come for dinner and try more pastas. And maybe go for one of their other salads and the brocollini instead. read more

We came here for dinner on a Wednesday night. The restaurant had a warm, casual vibe. To start, we had the caesar salad, which was a generous portion size and included deliciously buttery croutons. We also enjoyed the fried mushrooms. These were battered, crispy, and served with a tasty aioli sauce. Finally, we had the burrata. It was very creamy. Its subtle flavor paired well with the sweet jam and warm accompanying bread. They also provided complimentary focaccia bread with olive oil for the table. This was also served warm and was quite satisfying. For my main, I had the butternut squash ravioli. The sweet and savory flavors were delicious and I loved the rich sauce. Their star dish is the chicken parmesan. The portion size was huge and it got rave reviews from our party. Our waitress was friendly. Overall, a lovely meal! read more

The food was delicious, portions were perfect , and service was great. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We sat outside on a chilly night but the heater made it comfortable.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Our waiter was so nice and checked in the perfect amount. We loveddd all the food. The pasta we knew would be great but the Caesar salad was such a nice surprise by how fresh and salty it was. 10/10 would go again read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]Everything exceeded expectations thanks to warm hospitality perfectly prepared dishes balanced flavors and an inviting atmosphere making the visit special memorable and deserving of repeat visits with friends family often.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

A flawless experience top to bottom! Make your rezzies and add "eating spicy crab pasta on the sidewalk" to your summer bucket list. I (finally) got to enjoy a full meal here and was totally blown away by the quality and care that goes into this menu. Not to brag, but my date (hello Yelp Miami legend Diandra L!) and I put together the most flawless order: 1) The classic Aperol Spritz. Hard to do poorly but this was extra refreshing as we sat outside on a hot night. 2) Our server recommended the caesar and it really is very good. Crunchy breadcrumbs on top, tossed to perfection so every leaf is properly sauced, and a refreshing addition to an otherwise heavy meal. 3) Chicken parm. If you're dining here for the first time, this is a MUST order. Their cutlets are some of the best I've had and it comes with an order of rigatoni. The portion size is out of control - enough to fill up four hungry people. 4) Spicy crab pasta. A nice amount of heat and the pasta is al dente perfection. I don't think you'll go wrong with any of the pasta options here but this is a fabulous dish. We also opted to BYO a little rosè and I deeply appreciate the option to do so. They kept the ice coming and we dined at a leisurely pace. Very European vibes and so grateful to have this gem in the neighborhood! read more