My typical review would go a lot differently, but Vetri Cucina is different...so their review should 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 read more

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The place has beautiful ambiance. No music however there is a beautiful chandelier. The staff and service 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. read more

Scrippelle In Consomme - 6/10 Monkfish En Croute With Black Truffle - 10/10 Linguine Ai Frutti Di Mare - 10/10 Classic Split: Spinach Gnocchi With Ricotta Salata with Brown Butter and Almond Tortellini with Truffle And Parmesan - 11/10, one of the best things youll ever eat Duck Xo Culurgiones - 8/10 Smoked Beef Cheek With Brown Butter Carrot Crema - 10/10 Gianduja Chocolate Mousse With Passion Fruit And Hazelnuts - 10/10 read more

Don't ask. Just go. Phenomenal service and ambiance is lovely and intimate with the absolute perfect lighting. I asked for everything non alcoholic and they accommodated me. Some of the best bites of pasta I have ever had. read more

Vetri Cucina - Italian Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A+! Located in what looks like a row home, this restaurant is hard to miss. The ambiance of the restaurant is nice and quiet, and our waitress went above and beyond. Particularly, when it came to choosing a wine, she was extremely helpful and generous in giving us samples before settling on a final selection. Food wise, everything I had exceeded expectations. The sweet onion crepe, which is a long standing menu item, particularly stood out. There are two menu options, a standard tasting menu and the premium. The standard plus an additional appetizer was the perfect amount of food. Highly recommended! read more

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Such a great experience and great food. I love the option that those sitting at the table can do the classic tasting menu or the seasonal forchetta menu. The service was wonderful. Everyone from the food runners to the waiters knew the history of the food. Can't wait to come back for the wine pairing. read more

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We got to sit in a separate room off the kitchen on the 2nd floor. I was there for a special event dinner. Service was impressive. Glasses were always filled, and they are very attentive. We countless courses. I couldn't recall how many but they were delicious. Italian inspired dishes and elevated dining to the max! Loved the dessert, the pistachio soufflé. That was the highlight dish of the evening. They gave us a muffin and devoured it the next day. Memorable meal for sure! read more

Vetri Cucina is one of the best dining experiences you can have in Philadelphia. I've been lucky enough to dine here multiple times over the past two years, and every single time, I leave saying, "That was the best meal of my life." Tucked between Center City and Washington Square West, the location is convenient. The restaurant has two intimate, dimly lit floors (stairs outside lead to the first floor entrance), and the atmosphere is warm, and elegant. Perfect for a romantic date or a small celebratory gathering. Service is exceptional. They take time to ask about food allergies and any special celebrations. Once, I showed up an entire month early for a reservation (oops!)... but they kindly accommodated my party, which included family visiting from out of town. That alone deserves five stars. You're greeted with a complimentary cocktail when seated. The seasonal tasting menu is always a surprise and a delight, with flawless pasta and inventive courses. Each dish feels personal. I especially love their raspberry caramels--they once gave me extra when I mentioned how much I adored them. On one visit, there was a baby at a nearby table, and the entire dining room embraced it without the usual fuss you'd expect in a fine dining setting. It really speaks to the welcoming and gracious spirit of the restaurant. They occasionally host cooking classes and other special events. The next time I visit, I'm definitely trying the wine pairing package. Vetri Cucina is a splurge, but one I recommend wholeheartedly to anyone looking for an unforgettable meal. Treat yourself. read more

There is literally nothing bad I can say about Vetri. If you're going to get the Forchetta menu which is their big tasting menu come hungry because you're going to get stuffed. It's rare that I enjoy everything on a tasting menu but I truly did with this one. The first dish was Lamb Canoli, paired with a dry sparkling wine. I could have eaten two or three more plates of that. That dish set the tone for the rest of the menu. You know a tasting menu is good when you wish you had another couple of bites. The wine pairing was on point. Perfect. They do have a good selection of after dinner drinks so I opted for an Armagnac and a macchiato to cap it off. All in all, the best fine dining experience I've had in Philadelphia recently. I'm coming back for sure. read more

Tucked away in a stately Spruce Street townhouse - the former home of Georges Perrier's late, great Le Bec Fin before it moved to its Walnut Street location - Vetri Cucina, which opened its doors in 1998, remains the distinguished flagship of chef/restaurateur Marc Vetri's restaurant regime. The interior is sedate and sophisticated. And while servers are young, they are also quite personable and extremely knowledgeable with regard to both menu and wine list. They set the tone for our evening at table; and we sensed from the moment we were seated that the experience will be a pleasant one. The evening of our visit we chose the four course tasting menu, currently priced at $165.00 per person (plus beverages, tax, gratuity and various supplements). There were, however, a number of freebies along the way, which added enjoyment. My dining companion and I began, for example, with complimentary glasses of prosecco spiked with bitters, a delightful concoction that immediately energized our appetites for the good things to come. This was followed by an intriguing amuse-bouche of mini toasts adorned with silky chicken liver mousse topped with mascarpone and pistachio. To begin the meal proper, my dining partner couldn't resist the Squab en Croûte, the moist tender meat of a young pigeon encased in a light, flaky pastry crust. The thing that really attracted her to the dish, however, was its accompaniment, the rhubarb agrodolce. This is a condiment that is made by reducing sugar or honey, vinegar, and sometimes fruit and/or vegetables; in this case, rhubarb. The result was a slightly sticky, marvelously tangy sweet-tart sauce that succeeded in propelling the appetizer into orbit. And my Sweet Onion Crepe was every bit its equal and even more addictive. Prepared to caramelized perfection, the sweet onion flavor was simply irresistible. But the pièce de résistance was the pool of truffle-infused parmesan fondue, the perfect complement to the decadently delicious starter... This is one wow of a dish that is simply not to be missed. The pasta course also had a great deal going for it. My dining partner quickly settled on the Spinach Gnocchi, which was an excellent choice... And the ethereal dumplings found the perfect traveling companions in shaved ricotta salata and splash of brown butter. But even better, in my opinion, was the Ramp Ravioli revved up with a ricotta cheese filling and dash of lemon. An absolute winner! As an added bonus, the kitchen sent out a complimentary plate of their Tagliolini with Morel Mushroom Ragu for us to share. Tagliolini is a type of ribbon pasta, long like spaghetti, similar to tagliatelle, but thin like capellini. It is a traditional recipe in the Molise and Piedmont regions of Italy. Although not as photogenic as either the Spinach Gnocchi or Ramp Ravioli, the Tagliolini was, in its own unique way, exceedingly comforting as well as soul-satisfyingly delicious. Since my dining partner and I both love Dover sole, when the Dover Sole for Two was announced as an entrée special, it was, as they say, a done deal - especially since our server noted that it would be prepared à la meunière. The word itself means "miller's wife" in French. The fish is first dredged in flour and then sautéed. The meunière sauce, as the name implies, is a simple, rustic presentation consisting of brown butter, chopped parsley, and lemon. What arrived at our table, however, was strictly a bastardized version... filets drowned in a surprisingly viscous sauce overwhelmed with radish slices and a salty flavor derived from a surfeit of capers... And, as if to add insult to injury, the texture of the fish was decidedly rubbery, a sure sign of overcooking. Not the kitchen's finest hour. Desserts, though were right back on track... However, one very important additional item needs to be mentioned... namely, the wines. Two white wines being offered by the glass were particularly noteworthy. The first was the Tiefenbrunner Müller Thurgau 2018 "Feldmarschall von Fenner" from the Alto Adige region of Italy; the second, Domaine Thomas St. Aubin 1er Cru 2018 "Murgers des Dents de Chien," a chardonnay from Burgundy, France. Both wines were extremely impressive... And the restaurant's price tag was pretty impressive as well... $35.00 per glass. $35.00!!!!! Both these wines were very nice, indeed... but charging $35.00 per glass is more than just a little outrageous. Especially when you realize that the Tiefenbrunner may be purchased online for $43.99 per bottle ($48.99 through PA State Stores); and the Domaine Thomas is available from Total Wine for $59.99 per bottle. Couple this with the disappointing Dover sole, and the fact that the check for the evening, including tax and tip, came to over $400.00, and you begin to understand why our visit to Vetri Cucina prompted such a host of mixed emotions. read more

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Service was absolutely amazing. We were running late, and they were very accommodating and told us to just relax when we got there (almost 40 min late for our reservation due to Presidency campaigning being in the city & blocking off many freeway exits). They started us off with some sweet wine which was great. We got the Classic Tasting Menu which I'll detail below. The "*" indicates their older menu items that have not really changed and they highly recommend. It was not always my favorite. I also did the wine pairing which is 3 oz a pour each item, and was decent. If you finish it all it can get you a good buzz. For the price of another person, I do not know if I would do it again though. (Free) Oyster - strawberry ontop. Already separated for you so you can just slurp it up. Tasty and nice freebie. *FOIE GRAS PASTRAMI with TOASTED BRIOCHE - Four pieces, very rich and buttery. Well prepared and creamy - not a huge foie gras person but probably one of the best I've ever tried (Free) Tableside bread - very soft, came with a pork/sausage spread which had a pepperoni-like spread taste. Unique. Antipasta - TESTINAMILANESE - the most flavorful, very tasty and enjoyable. Probably my favorite of the 3 tried - GRILLED OCTOPUS - was expecting more. It was well cooked but just not super flavorful - *SWEET ONION CREPE - Very uniquely cooked with the layers. Nice flavor. Would recommend. Pasta - MANDILLIDISETA - not a big portion but very tasty, not a strong mushroom flavor. probably my favorite of the 3 tried. - PACCHERI ALL'ARRABBIATA - lobster was good and pasta was shaped in a very unique style, was good but nothing super unique - *CLASSIC SPLIT - gnocchi is more flavorful but has a decently strong spinach flavoring Secondi - POACHED HALIBUT - well cooked just a little too soupy/watery. The - VEAL - little bit of fat in the piece served but tasty - PORK SECRETO - pork shoulder that's nice and crispy, potatoes were layered and very well cooked. My favorite of the 3 tried. (Free) Palette cleanser - tasty light, mix of luke warm and cold, sweet flavoring Dolci - *MOLTEN PISTACHIO CAKE - a must! This was delicious. Came with a little congratulations chocolate. Easily the best of the 3 - STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE - Good but nothing out of the ordinary - COFFEE SEMIFREDDO - Tasty, nice combination of a hard and soft pieces. (Free) Cookies - Nice finishing 3 types of cookies given at the end Throughout the night there was fantastic service. The initial server did mishear me in asking for still instead of sparkling water so the whole night I got sparkling water but I didn't mind. The servers speak off a script when presenting the food, and it felt so rehearsed I'm not sure how much they would know if asked things OFF the script. Inside looks a little older style. The glasswear and setting are all nice. There is a kitchen experience that I saw some others going to that seemed very fun to hang out with the chefs. Overall, it is a pretty penny to attend but service is fantastic and they give you a bunch of freebies throughout the night. We got an extra dessert because they served an incorrect one on accident (not sure if it was truly an accident because they had the second one ready immediately), oysters, a Polaroid picture for memory, extra cookies, and wine. Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 4/5 Food: 4.5/5 read more

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For me, this was a once in a lifetime culinary experience I'll never forget. While I do enjoy dining at nice restaurants, I don't see myself splurging to this extent. The generosity of my fiancés cousin & husband is unmeasurable as they, along with Vetri, treated us, for our engagement, to the most incredible meal that no words can describe. Vetri is set in a charming, old 3 story row home located in Washington Square not far from Broad Street. There is a lot next door but we opted to Uber. Upon arriving we were shown to our table which was decorated with small wooden hearts and each employee we interacted with congratulated us on our engagement. Everyone we had the pleasure of meeting that night represented Vetri so well and went out of their way to make our experience as smooth and unforgettable as one could imagine. We decided on the 6 course set tasting menu (the 4 course tasting menu has multiple options to choose from for each course) and coupled our dinner with wine pairing. A half glass (heavy pours - and all imported from Italy) was paired with each of the 6 courses. Vetri also has a full bar and offers drinks a la carte if you'd prefer not to do the wine pairing. Vetri starts your night off with a delicious complementary spritz and a little, delicate foie gras. I have to admit I'm not a fan of liver but I did enjoy the taste and texture. We were served 2 different breads, both warm and fresh with great crust. Once our tasting started, I had already felt like I was seated for a while (but not in a bad way). I wanted this experience to last and to be able to soak it all in. I keep referring to this night as an experience, because that's exactly what it was, not just a dinner. I also felt the spacing between courses was perfect. At no point did we feel rushed, but we were also never waiting for our next dish. Enrique, our primary server, was outstanding. He was professional, personable, and treated us as if we were his regular customers even though this was the first time we've met. His passion for his job was clear and he was enthusiastic and thorough while explaining each plate and wine he brought out. Our first course, Shrimp Carpaccio with Jimmy Nardello peppers, was delicate and delicious. It was plated beautifully and must've taken meticulous care to slice the shrimp so thinly and uniformly. Our 2nd course, Gnocchi Alla Bava with Truffles. The gnocchi were light and pillowy, and were far and away the best gnocchi I've ever had. The next course, which took over my favorite of the night, was Wagyu Short Rib Ravioli in a Bone Marrow Verde sauce. Stunning, rich, savory. The bone marrow sauce could not be wasted and soaked up perfectly in the bread served earlier in our seating. We moved onto the Seafood Mixed Grill. A generously sized piece of Bronzino, Octopus, and lobster tail for each person. The Bronzino was flaky and the skin added great texture. The Lobster and Octopus were both firm yet very tender, and the octopus was lightly and nicely charred. Next came the Roasted Hen topped with Maitake Mushroom. My first time having a Maitake mushroom and I loved it. The flavor and texture complemented the hen perfectly. For dessert, they brought out multiple items, contrary to the menu. Again Vetri showed their awareness and focus on making their customers feel special as one of the desserts had a white chocolate ribbon with "congratulations" written on it. At this point we were full and made a little extra room for dessert. Vetri went above and beyond to make our experience not only memorable, but unforgettable. From the moment we walked through the front door we knew we were in for a one of a kind night. If you have the opportunity to go to Vetri, please go. I know you'll enjoy it as much as we did. read more

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Last weekend, my husband and I enjoyed a lovely date night at Vetri. The last time we ate at Vetri was 3 years ago, right before the pandemic. There have been some changes and new additions to the tasting menu. We definitely had more variety and more food before. Even though we got less food from the tasting menu this time around, the cuisine was more elevated. The complimentary pre-dinner bites from 3 years ago were these local raw vegetables. There's nothing wrong with local raw vegetables, but it just didn't make any sense as part of Vetri's tasting menu. Last weekend's complimentary pre-dinner bites were raw oysters with salmon roe and a celery root soup, which made more sense and was definitely an upgrade from before. I did notice service was slow to start and reminded me of the slow service from 3 years ago. Since we were both starving, we ordered the foie gras pastrami with toasted Brioche as an add-on and thought that would arrive quicker than the rest of our food. Eventually, the foie gras pastrami with toasted Brioche arrived, and it was so good. After that, the service picked up. The house bread with house made 'nduja was delicious. Our server didn't mind that my husband asked for another serving of 'nduja. For our appetizers, my husband had the torched Hiramasa Crudo, and I had the Potato Burik with broccolini and caviar. Nothing out of the ordinary, but we both enjoyed our dishes. Then came the pasta course. The spinach gnocchi and almond tortellini classic split and the chestnut agnolotti were spot on. You can always count on Marc Vetri's pastas. After the pasta courses came our meat dishes. I had the seared venison, and my husband had the smoked baby goat. I loved my seared venison. It was perfectly prepared and I could have totally eaten another one. Desserts were a molten pistachio cake and rice cake. The Molten pistachio cake was delicious. My husband wished he didn't get the rice cake. I definitely prefer the new and improved version of Vetri. Even though I didn't walk out with a stuffed belly like last time, I enjoyed every single bite. read more

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The fine people at Vetri Cucina slotted me in last minute. The tasting menu with wine paring was roughly $500 including a self chosen 30%commission(tip) for the staff. The service was impeccable. The waitstaff's knowledge enhanced the experience and the sommelier paired wines were wonderful...which is good at roughly $30/glass. They were quite good and VERY WELL PAIRED. Thoughtful, flavor-enhancing, well worth the price. The food/wine was phenomenal. Soup/app: squash and salamifoiegras Salamifoiegras...best dish!!!!! Amazing. The meal only got better. If you are a party; order from The priz fix menu and share/taste everything. Portions are large for the price. I'll be going back as many times as I can. Give them all the stars. I would fly here just to eat and then go home. My table was close to the kitchen and was wonderful. read more

This was our first visit to Vetri after years of being on our list. We came to celebrate a special occasion, and Vetri did not disappoint. Service was 5/5 100% One notable situation that night is that when we were ordering the pastas, I had asked the server if we can add on a pasta mid-meal as we weren't sure of our hunger level and were stuck between 3 pastas we really wanted to try including the morel mushroom one. The morel mushroom one ended up being the one we were going to add on later. The server had asked which pasta we were thinking about adding on later. Fast forward to the pasta portion of the meal, our server had given us a serving of the morel mushroom pasta to try - on the house! That morel mushroom pasta was so flavorful, and ended up being our favorite of the 3 pastas we chose. The noise level is average, and the setting of the restaurant is well lit, bright and a wonderful atmosphere for a good meal. For our entree we tried the pork cheek and the sole. Both were very good - but 2 months later what I still remember the most is that mushroom pasta and the service we received. At the end of our meal - the desserts were decorated with "congratulations" from the pastry chef, a thoughtful touch to our celebration. When the check came, there were even more complimentary bon bons - my favorite being the raspberry caramel. I would highly recommend Vetri for a special occasion. It's not cheap, but in my opinion worth every cent for the experience you receive. Hats off to both the front and back of house, chefs, sous chefs, pastry chefs , everyone - thank you for an unforgettable experience. read more

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I read a lot of reviews prior to writing . I didn't want to start mine out the same but it true. I wanted to love this place so much more than I did. A Philly icon chef who has taught and train so many more talented chefs what a place. We arrived for our 6 o clock reservation. Many tables were full. The space is dimly lit , drab void of any decor. It was meant to be simple cooking with simple ingredients. The china was bone and white plain, the glasses were all murano and noticed the napkins were also from Italy. Now on to the food. The summer menu wasn't awfully appealing to us but one of many wait staff explained that you can add on take away, substitute from either menu. We stuck to the regular menus and picked courses to our liking. We were asked about food preferences and allergies at the beginning and told the chef will accommodate as best they can worth mentioning we didn't have any allergies or preferences. We started with amuse bouche. Was a lobster soup wonton. It was meant to not be savored but one bite. It was tasty but hard to taste in one bite. We had the onion crepe which looks more like a slice of an onion crepe but wonderfully flavorful with sweetness and saltiness. My better half opted for the chorizo stuffed octopus which he say was good not amazing. We had a pasta course of rabbit ragu and the split gnocchi and tortellini. The tortellini was good but the brown butter was off for the gnocchi. It usually has a nutty flavor but this seemed greasy only. For entrees I had the smoked lamb which was absent of all smoke. One lamb chop came on the plate which offered about three bites . We also ordered the striped bass which came out decorated beautifully but not flavored so well . Only finished half of the entree. The dessert was the star the molten pistachio cake was complimentary for our anniversary and was good. The cheeesecake option was also decadent and creamy and delicious. We also had the polenta biscuit with gelato that one wasn't as memorable or pretty. The meal also had some bread service with butter and andouille spread which was just off. We had a sorbet with yogurt palate cleanser. They started off the meal with complementary cocktail.... It was lovely summer spritzer that was nice start. We opted not to do the wine pairing as we don't always love sweeter wines and opted to buy a single bottle to share. The wine was Italian and good. All in all we had a nice time , it definitely didn't live up to the hype of other reviewers but that's food for you. We all have different preferences and expectations. All in dinner was 540.00 for 2 people including gratuity. Was a special night out for us. read more

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Hands down, this was the best restaurant I have gone to in Philadelphia. Although a hefty price, it was worth every penny. The food was plentiful and incredibly flavorful. The fettuccine was so light and tasted like the pasta I had in Italy. We did not do the wine pairings, but all the wines that they offer sound incredible. We did split a bottle of Lambrusco and enjoyed it so much we each separately purchased one to bring home. The service was excellent and our waitress had great recommendations and was very accommodating. Overall 10/10, would highly recommend. Great for a date spot, celebrating birthdays, or just to enjoy an upscale meal. read more

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About a 1-1.5: We came to Vetri Cucina as a group after a work event, and we all opted to go for the seasonal Forchetta menu, as it had the option of adding a white truffle supplement (which, we did). The menu included: +Sweet onion crepe with truffle & Parm fonduta - reminded us of a French onion soup, but in crepe form +Veal Tartare with brown butter, sweetbreads, and hazelnuts +Beef shank cappelletti with parsnip custard stuffed bone marrow +Salt baked branzino with charred brussels sprouts - this was overly salty +Squab en croute with cippolini and stone-milled polenta with chestnut crema and cured egg yolk - didn't try this, as I'm not a fan of squab +Blond chocolate budino The white truffle shavings were generous and ample. Service was a bit underwhelming; we felt that it was a snail-like pace and were eager to finish and leave. Lot available adjacent to the restaurant. +underwhelming menu items +slow service +lot adjacent to restaurant read more

A 20-minute drive from the Philadelphia airport into a beautiful historic neighborhood, less than a mile from Independence Hall, this is a perfect introduction to the city. It was Halloween night, and the Phillies were in the world series, so I lucked out with the only reservation left for the evening. There's no valet, but there's a parking lot right next to the restaurant. This is a memorable, price fixe menu with the four courses offering enough on its own. I benefited from the hospitality of the associates here who delivered several bonus items to the table throughout the evening- aperitif, amuse-bouche, an extra pasta dish, a large pour at the end of a wine bottle, palate cleanser between courses and finally, petit fours and cappuccino after dessert. Every taste became my new favorite. As I walked the surrounding area after dinner, I was still thinking about the experience. Just lovely. read more

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We made reservation couple weeks in advance for 5:30pm on a Monday evening. We were the first to be seated but by 6:30 or 7, it was pretty much full. There is a parking lot right next door and you can use spothero to reserve the parking. The atmosphere in the restaurant is pretty nice, mostly small tables but enough spaces to enjoy the meal. There is only the 4 course meal option but there are several choices for each ANTIPASTI, PASTA, SECONDI and DOLCI. Each course tastes good and has good presentation. The portions are just right. All the servers are attentive and friendly. Overall, great place for special occasions. read more

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Wonderful experience. In beautiful, charming townhouse, wonderful service and amazing food people who work there know a lot about food and wine. It was a memorable experience. I hope to return my next time in Philadelphia. read more

What unbelievable service at this restaurant. We came in on a Sunday night, our anniversary night, and were treated with amazing service. We were recommended several dishes based on our dietary restrictions, and tried the following: Apps: Hiramasa Crudo Sweet Onion crepe - this was the clear winner for our appetizer portion of the meal - this dish is out of this world, and something so different than what I have had anywhere else Pasta: Garganelli with duck ragu - the duck was thankfully not very chewy, and the pasta was of course well cooked Fettuccine with mushrooms - great dish, so simple yet elegant We couldn't decide between the fettucine and the classic split, so our waiter brought us both dishes without charging us which was awesome. The classic split was to die for - the gnocchi was on another world in terms of how soft they were. Definitely try this dish Secondi: Monkfish - reasonably cooked, but honestly nothing I would need to eat again Quince terrine - good but not great Dessert: Just get the molten pistachio cake, it was next level, and the highlight of this meal. read more

Love this place, my son recently moved to Philadelphia and was looking for a good Italian restaurant. I highly recommend this place amazing atmosphere good ,food great service. read more

Really disappointed in the food offerings here. Definitely not worth the almost $900 bill at the end of the night for two people with two wine pairings. I tried the sweet onion crepe which came highly recommended in many reviews. Nothing specially about the pastry on the outside and the onions were nothing but caramelized onions. Didn't feel like the sauce added anything to the dish and the dish itself needed more balance to it. For pasta we had the classic split, trofie and ricotta cavatelli. The classic split and trofie felt very heavy and buttery. I would have appreciated some brightness anywhere in these dishes but it was just greasy, heavy and oily. For main dishes we had the fluke and the highly recommended baby goat ..... Yeah at this point I feel like the meal could not be saved. I will say the wine pairing was EXCELLENT. Very well paired and went perfectly with each course. But that's about it. Sad that this was a bummer for my anniversary dinner but at least we tried the place out. read more

We rented the private space upstairs for a large group dinner, and little did I know that it would be a truly memorable dining experience. We started off in the kitchen with the chefs and a glass of prosecco! On the table were platters of delicious apps and charcuterie. It was such a cool experience to be able to start the meal off there. And that foie gras pastrami bite was heavenly. We progressed through the rest of the menu. My favs: the sweet onion crepe, spinach gnocchi and maitake fettuccine...but really, everything was superb. The service throughout the evening was very good. The staff was very attentive and accommodating. read more

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Best meal I have had in Philly hands down. Went to celebrate anniversary with my wife. Service was impeccable. Food was delicious with a broad range of interesting flavors- standouts were the game hen and molten pistachio cake. read more

This five-star review goes to the service. I must start this review talking about the service because the service was everything. Every person, every dish, every drink was orchestrated by the master conductor and boy, did it make for an amazing experience. There were a number of times that the time between courses seemed to be too long, but we were regularly checked on. Bill was absolutely exceptional - kind, thoughtful, and knowledgeable without being overbearing and pretentious. That's not to say the food wasn't great. It was...but there is other incredible food in Philadelphia. This one comes with the name and the $$$$ price tag. This was the March 2023 menu and the highlights were: Foie gras pastrami - amazing flavor and texture. Campanelle with chorizo and octopus - delicious and large portion. Didn't notice tons of octopus but tasty nonetheless. Roasted suckling pig - very few restaurants do this so naturally had to order. Molten pistachio cake - greatest creation you never knew you needed. So odd in the best ways it was exceptional. Baked Alaska- not quite the standard but as to be expected with the blood orange flavor. The cake inside was a little too thin making it overall unbalanced. Was it a memorable meal? Absolutely. Was the staff incredible? Yes. Will I be back? Perhaps not, but will cherish the experience I had. read more

Vetri Cucina - Downstairs - Italian Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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One of the best restaurants I've been to in Philly. Attention to detail is so key for guest experience and they really excel at this. Highly recommend doing the wine pairing - our extremely knowledgeable waiter gave extremely detailed explanations for each wine served during each course, even when all 6 of us often had different wines! read more

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Amazing service and really great food! Highlights were the mushroom fettuccine (all the pastas really) and the pistachio cake. But the service was really what made this special. Our waitress was super knowledgeable, friendly, welcoming, and generous (gave us lots of free stuff for my husband's birthday). Highly recommend! read more

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We celebrated my birthday, my husband and me in this restaurant. And according to him, this is a good dinner for $ 200, but not for $ 500. I am a rather slender woman, but the food portions were completely microscopic ($ 125 per person) and the wine offered by the completely useless sommelier was heavy for this light dinner. As a result, instead of continuing the evening with champagne, I fell asleep at 8 pm One definite plus is the great service! read more

I went here with my father and the food was exquisite and divine, the service was fast and simple and the whole vibe was great. The tasting menu's give you options which are each divine. I would totally recommend read more

The desserts were impeccable. I have a personal thing against lava cakes (they're not bad, but not worth the fuss in my book), but the molten pistachio cake really surprised me. And the palette cleanser? Absolutely crushed it. I did not expect such a unique combination of flavors in Philadelphia. Unfortunately, I did find each individual savory course a bit "one note," i.e. the amuse (although *intentionally* burnt) only tasted of char, the veal tartare was overpowered with brown butter, and both the pici as well as the branzino were too salty. I did not finish the branzino and my guest and I had to swap some of our dishes. HOWEVER, service was perfect and that's why Vetri gets 5 stars in my book. What the food that night lacked was made up for by the rockstar FOH staff. My server kindly asked me multiple times if I would like something instead of the branzino when I didn't seem to enjoy it - it's on me for not speaking up! I didn't want to cause a fuss, but I don't think they would have minded/been mean about it. At the end of the day, Vetri may not be the first thing I recommend to someone in town, but the meal ended on a high note and I'd go back in the future. read more

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Food and service is excellent. I will always pick on wine costs in any restaurant other than byo of course. I don't spend money on golf etc., other than the orchestra and FOOD & WINE. I mention this because I will occasionally indulge in Michelin rated restaurants in other cities. Philly will not pay for Michelin rated reviews of their city. I think it costs $100k - perhaps a year, but Michelin probably won't pay their demands. I mention the Michelin ratings, because Vetri is perhaps a 2 star. Dinner cost was close to $600 w/o tip. The only issue was the cheap wine for $145, but it was ok. This was of course w/o the Philly 10% drink tax. If this was a byo, we would likely visit 5 times or more per year for the great food. Probably once per year for a special occasion. My wife is worth it. read more

Recently visited for a private event, and the experience was great! The dining room was stunning and the opportunity to watch things being prepared in the kitchen was very cool. The staff were very friendly and extremely knowledgeable and passionate about everything being served. There were a lot of food options between the reception and tasting menu. They were even able to accommodate and make substitutions to account for dietary needs. My only knock is that the tasting experience is pretty pricey, but that's to be expected given the level of service and quality of food. read more

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Went to Vetri Cucina for the first time tonight. Will not be our last. The service team was amazing. They provided exemplary service. My husband ordered the wine that matched the dishes perfect. The staff explained each dish and wine. Was told which region the wine was from as well as information about the vineyard. The meal was fantastic. The staff provides little touches that makes it an experience, not just another meal. Marc Vetri came out from the kitchen and greeted us. That was amazing. No doubt he was very busy and he still made time to speak with some of the guests. read more

I will always remember this meal. Incredible experience from start to finish. Servers were very friendly and attentive, and the timing of each plate was perfect. Make sure to do the wine tasting -- it added a whole other dimension to the meal that really enhanced everything. This EASILY falls into the top 3 restaurants in Philly for me. Do yourself a favor and go here! read more

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tl;dr a Philly fine-dining veteran, Vetri serves up incredible Italian food with a generous side of nostalgia Vetri is no stranger to conversations about the best restaurants in Philadelphia, promising an unparalleled take on Italian dining. I've been meaning to give it a whirl for years, but life has blocked me out last-minute each time I've scheduled a reservation. And, ironically enough, the wake of the pandemic was finally my time. Indoor dining mid-COVID is a new challenge for restaurants and restaurant-goers, alike. Fortunately, Vetri did a phenomenal job of ensuring social distancing throughout our visit -- most notably, were separated from other tables by both plenty of room and by physical dividers. Walking up the stairs to Vetri's dining room felt like being welcomed into an old-school Italian home. A center island and espresso machine are on full display in the space, and the lime-green walls are highlighted by Victorian guardrails and wooden accents. The semblance of traditionality is sharply contrasted by a deep red blown-glass chandelier, while 50s music plays unobtrusively in the background. We were welcomed with a complementary spritz, a summer crowd-pleaser with an orange liquor base and a slice of fresh fruit. As we browsed the menu, our server eagerly highlighted some of her favorites. We opted for the Beef Tenderloin Tartare, the Sweet Onion Crepe, the Swiss Chard Gnocchi, the Corn Anolini the Dry Aged Pork Loin, the Roasted Baby Goat (a $35 upcharge), the Chocolate Polenta Souffle, and the Panna Cotta with Poached Peaches and Raspberry Granita. To kick off our meal, we were ushered a bowl of focaccia and whole-grain sourdough. The airy center of our bread was contrasted by a delicately charred crust, complemented by a salty butter. We then were offered an amouse-bouche: cucumber-zucchini gazpacho with a tempura squash blossom. Each bite tasted like summer, transporting me to childhood afternoons rolling down grassy hills. On to our antipasti, the tartare sported a blast of acidity from the red onion and capers. Admittedly, I would have preferred the crisp of traditional toasts over the somewhat doughy gnocchi friti, but the dyanmic flavors were a strong win. Meanwhile, the crepe was magical--the condensed onions almost had a jam-like consistency and the smokiness of an open fire, bound by a rich pasty and truffle cream sauce. By transforming the essense of onion into something brand new, it's no wonder that this is one of the Vetri's classics after 2 decades. To the pasta course, the gnocchi themselves were heavenly pillows, with a richness of butter and ricotta that gave way to the delicate flavor of the chard. Meanwhile, the anolini highlighted the sweetness of summer corn, echoing the sweetness and happiness of the best corncake of my childhood. This was doubled by the zing of salt from Osetra caviar. For the entrees, the goat was the fancy rendition of a holiday roast: the polenta itself could stand its own, and the meat. (especially the crispy skin) was loaded with flavor from spices and flame alike. This was arguably the best dish I've had the pleasure to enjoy this year (and well worth the $35 supplement). On our other plate, the espresso reduction and the duo of honey nut squash were the standouts, adding a desserty dimension to an otherwise standard slice of meat. Finally to dessert, the souffle was masterfully cooked, the dynamic dark chocolate finding the ideal balance between dense and gooey, and complemented by a vanilla gelato and cocoa nibs. In contrast, the zing of the summertime fruits brought the lightness of the last days of summer to the panna cotta. Lastly, we were offered 2 flavorful final bites: a fruit-creme truffle and an almond cookie. At $110 for the COVID 4-course tasting menu (a relative steal compared to the $165pp just a few months ago), Vetri undoubtedly is a meal fit for a special occasion. But just the goat alone is reason enough to splurge on the experience. While I wondered if I would be missing out on the full Vetri experience, I nonetheless and left feeling contently full (rather than overwhelmingly so). Most importantly, Vetri left me with a memorable experience, both in exciting new memories and in ones I haven't recalled in years. read more

Vetri Cucina - Corn Anolini with Osetra Caviar and Buttermilk Fondue - Italian Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A very nicely appointed, comfortable, quiet space. Excellent service. The relative downer was the food - it was above average, but for the price, we expected to be wowed by more of the dishes than we were. The fish with oolong and coconut sauce seemed over-salted to the point of me almost saying something, but I didn't want to negatively impact our occasion dinner. The best item was their signature onion tart - definitely care taken on making those - intense yet subtle flavors. The signature molten pistachio cake was good, but didn't bowl us over. Likewise, the pastas for which they are famous were good, but not great. read more

Great service ,fantastic food.Ideal ambiance.Not inexpensive but worth the price of admission

Service was as good as it gets. But the food ( maybe it was a one off ) bad! Cold , lacked flavor, and very expensive. At one point my party started laughing because we couldn't believe how bad the food was!!! read more