The whole experience was great. The ambience is amazing loud crowded lots of very attractive, people dining, and drinking. The weight staff was excellent and the food was sheer perfection I had a great time and I would certainly go back read more

Came here while traveling back East as I know L'Aquila really well and have many relatives there. This place offers authentic Italian regional fare with emphasis on quality imported ingredients and artisanal gelato. We had an excellent tagliere di salumi with the unique Parmesan gelato (can only compare it to a cheese flavoured cold butter!), panzanella salad, Cesarina (Caesar salad) pappardelle al ragù and GF penne alla carbonara. I would have preferred my pappardelle a bit more 'al dente' and for my taste it was a tad overcooked but maybe that's how they like it here in Philly or the guy at the stove overcooked it. (Hence the 4 stars instead of 5) Gelato afterwards was excellent. Really fabulous store selling all kinds of unique high end Italian gastronomical goods, making it also an excellent destination for gift shopping. read more

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This very well reviewed restaurant had a really off night tonight. The fish wa salty, the pasta was overdone, and the salad had an off taste. A complaint led to a shrug. Perhaps just a bad night for them. read more

I always look at their weekly special menu. I was curious about their Italian sangria and the pizza dolce Abruzzese as a dessert I was seated on second floor next to the bar. Luca is very friendly, welcoming, and attentive. The pesca e vino was a perfect aperetivo, not too sweet. My main course was timballo di scripelle which is similar to a lasagna. It has veal meatballs, lamb ragu, scamorza, peas. Luca proactively added grated cheese on top to add more flavor. I wish there was more of the marinara sauce because the pasta soaked up the sauce. Other than that, it was a decent entree. Dessert: the pizza dolce is a three-layer sponge cake that according to the menu it has a supposed to be a rum cake. I didn't taste the rum. Overall it was delicious. Beautiful plating and presentation read more

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 read more

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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. read more

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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! read more

Gran Caffe L'Aquila - Half chicken - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

We ate late dinner here and we're happy we did. The main restaurant is located on a second floor above the grocery store. It was pretty packed but noise level was not bad. We ordered 2 appetizers to share, the crab cake and the pear salad. Both were very good. I went with the lamb chops from my entree and they were very good as well. They go through a lot of dessert. I love the variety of gelato flavours though I went for the pumpkin which was marvellous.The gelato was rich and creamy. The service was superb from start to finish and the food was very much enjoyed by both of us. I would go there again, without a doubt. read more

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! read more

Gran Caffe L'Aquila - Gnocchi alla Bava - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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. read more

Gran Caffe L'Aquila - Paccheri Datterini Gialli - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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. read more

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

Gran Caffe L'Aquila - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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! read more

Gran Caffe L'Aquila - Salmone in Placca - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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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! read more

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Oh Gran Caffe L'Aquila. I will never stop coming here. Everything is top notch- the food, the ambiance, the service, and most importantly the gelato. Every time I come here I waiver between ordering something new bc I want to try the whole menu or ordering one of my usuals bc it's just that good (the Parma panini and the seafood salad hit every time) I love this place read more

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! read more

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The food is delicious (don't miss the carbonara or gelato). The service was somewhat slow, but it was nice to not feel rushed on a busy night. I went back the next day for coffee and it was great. I especially enjoyed being able to sit outside and read, again, without feeling rushed. Definitely more of a European feel. read more

This was such a fantastic meal. I went in with little expectations and booked a reservation over the Thanksgiving holidays for dinner before driving back home with my kids to DC. I picked this spot mainly since I was looking for something a little more casual and relaxed but with highly rated food. And I must say, this food was incredible! We ordered the Pappardelle Al Ragu, perfect enough to feed our family of four. My partner and I also got some cocktails and they were just perfect. The Aperol Spritz was a hit for my partner while I got a Negroni Spritz, the first I've ever heard of this in spritz form. It was unique and exactly the kindof flavor profile that I enjoy. The staff was warm, welcoming and so kind to my family. They even brought us some paper and pens to keep the kids actively engaged while the food came. There is a small shop on the ground level, that includes an ice cream counter and small bar in the back. It was fun to explore the shop while waiting. For seating, I'd recommend the second level. Our table was a little dark. Seriously, I had to break out the phone's flashlight. Though, I think we had the darkest spot in the entire place. It was cozy upstairs and thought it was the perfect way to wrap our time in Philly. read more

Always fresh always authentic never frozen the food and the ambience are second. To none in center city. The staff treat you like family as soon as you walk in. read more

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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... read more

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One thing I loved was the large portion sizes, both entrees and desserts, particularly for the price. Pastas weren't nearly as rich or flavorful as you might expect. If I were really hungry and this was nearby I'd maybe stop by but otherwise I can do without. The cakes were good! Especially the creamy & rich Stacciatello Gelato, like the ones I enjoyed in Rome. The establishment is charmingly arranged--I suggest you sit at the top floor if you want a bit more privacy/room/lights. No complaints on service. read more

I've only had the gelato, but it was so good I will definitely be coming here more often. Ordering was really easy, and the portion size was good. The front store area had a ton of Italian dry goods that I definitely want to try next time I'm there. read more

Gran Caffe L'Aquila - Gelato - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The gelato was very good. Smooth and sweet. The kinderino was delicious. I loved the hazelnut wafer chunks. The Limoncello drink was extremely strong with gin flavor. The espresso martini is good, but strong bitter espresso flavor. read more

Gran Caffe L'Aquila - Kinderino Snickerino - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Gran Caffè L'Aquila is a great spot in Philadelphia with both indoor and outdoor dining available year‑round, including heated outdoor seating in the winter. Perfect for any occasion. Been there a couple of times and the food was consistently good, their desserts are especially enjoyable, and the drinks are well made. Service is friendly and efficient, and the ambiance adds to the overall experience. If you are a lover of Italian cuisine visit them. read more

Gran Caffe L'Aquila - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I came here for a birthday celebration with a group of girls and was quite pleased with everything. The cocktails were delicious, the service was impeccable, and the store downstairs is very cute. The only downside was HOW MANY PEOPLE!! Ahhh, the crowds. Alas, I get it. It's the place to be. I was also really interested to hear about the process that people need to go through in order to be qualified to serve the public. Their mastery of the menu, ingredients, and Italian language is no joke. You basically need to take the equivalent of an SAT exam before they plop you in front of customers... and it shows. Tip your servers appropriately, they are busting their asses! read more

My go to place for gelati when I am not in Italy. Fondente is always my favorite. They also got a seasonal menu featuring different regions of Italy. read more

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I did restaurant week here with a couple yelpers. I didn't realize the downstairs had a ton of gelato options and a cool cafe spot. The upstairs was a bit tight to walk around. They had booth seating with images of Italy around. I really liked how spacious the booth was. The waiter kindly took our coats as well. The meal started with some bread. The bread was fluffy. The first course was pecorino verticale. This was something I have never tried out before. It kind of reminded me of a charcuterie board. The dish had grapes, crostini, pieces of cheese, etc. I really liked the cherry blossom honey on this dish. The second dish was Stracciatella alla romana. It was this egg drop soup that was pretty plain. My last entree was the pasta alla papalina which was this fettuccine dish. The pasta had egg cream sauce that really made the dish creamy. It also had this amazing prosciutto mixed in that was complemented by cracked black peppers. For dessert, I had the Go Birds. It was this amazing gelato but they only sell it when the eagles go into the superbowl so if you ever see it on the menu, I highly suggest getting it. read more

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I was back at Gran Caffe L'Aquila for lunch today, and it was just as exceptional as my first visit seven years ago--still a solid five stars. The Aperol Spritz was perfection, and the salumi misti was wonderful. I especially loved the Parmigiano Reggiano gastronomic gelato paired with the salumi--it was a unique and delicious touch. I had the carbonara, which was absolutely delicious, and the Italian bacon gelato was sublime. The pasta, once again, was perfection. My lunch partner ordered the Capri panini and truffled fries, both of which were fantastic. To finish, I indulged in a duo of gelati--Desire (my favorite, with Amarena cherries) and yogurt gelato. A perfect ending to an outstanding meal! The service was great and the ambiance was perfect for lunch. Original Review 8/19/2018: Our first trip here and it was so very good! The appetizers were delicious, drinks great and the entrees and gelato sublime. The stand out for me is the savory food/gelato pairings. The carbonara has an italian bacon gelato that oozes into the hot pasta to become a part of the sauce, I had the Arrosticini Biasini, lamb and bacon skewers served with a long hot pepper gelato. Truly one of THE BEST things I have eaten in a long time in terms of taste, flavor and innovation - that is delicious and not gimmicky for gimmick's sake. I finished with the affogato and the gelato trio which meant I was able to sample four of the gelatos and they were all amazing. The aperol gelato and the desire a gelato with amarena cherries was just the best. Great night with great company and great food! read more

What a fabulous fabulous restaurant! Loved everything! I want to get the name correct... Micael was the epitome of hospitality! Food was delicious and the vibe was bumping with happy guests! I recommended this spot for a rehearsal dinner... that's how much I enjoyed it! read more

Gran Caffe L'Aquila - Salmon - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This is a great spot for gelato or coffee. The cafe is a great spot to catch up with someone, it has a bar-like feel. You can't go wrong with this place. This is also a great spot to check out some Italian products at the market and then order some coffee. read more

truly a gem in philly, delicious authentic italian food and amazing gelato spot! i've been coming for gelato since i moved to philly 3 years ago, but this was my first time dining at the restaurant. my boyfriend and i were seated upstairs, i was shocked by how much seating was up there and also by how busy it was! they definitely deserve the popularity, the food was just as good as the gelato. we started with the carpaccio di gambero rosso which was light and refreshing. my boyfriend had the agnolotti and i had the sugo della domenica. the agnolotti was delicious, rich and truffle-forward. the presentation on the sugo della domenica was odd, but the pasta was tasty and cooked al dente. i enjoyed the meatballs, but was personally not a fan of the sausage. overall, everything was delicious! we ended the night with the tiramisu and the stracciatella. both were delicious. i absolutely love the gelato here. we had a great experience at gran caffe l'aquila. everything felt so authentic, there were multiple birthdays at dinner and we heard them singing happy birthday in italian. our server was friendly and food came out fast. definitely would come back, especially with how close it is to my apartment and how convenient it was to make a reservation. read more

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Strolled into this place for the gelato and ended up in the back bar for Charcuterie, Spritz's and Amaro. (We didn't get the gelato but heard it was really good from a few people). This is the type of Italian place I wish I had near my house. Drink menu was full on Italian. I've never been to a restaurant that had an entire page of Amaros to choose from. The Charcuterie was great, vibe was good and the front of the house is a small deli like market. There are limited tables on the sidewalk, 4-6 believe so at busy times I think it will he hard to sit outside. We did not see the additional seating as we only stayed in the bar area, but looking through pictures there is some. The food coming out of the kitchen looked great, but we were only there for a bite and a drink or two. I will go back here. read more

Gran Caffe L'Aquila - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The server! Unfortunately I did not get his name but he called me Bella consistently and set the tone for an authentic Italian meal taking us on a journey to Italy and describing where in the restaurant and how the food is made. He went the rough the entire delectable menu and I wanted everything. My only wish is that the pasta dishes had singular meats and not combined. That is why I opted for gnocchi with mushrooms. It was delicious but extremely filling. We had a pre fixe menu and received all the courses and picked an entree. The wine paired beautifully and the servers remembered our drink orders and our glasses were never empty! The restaurant was a nice and family appropriate. The lighting was dim and set the stage for the food the main show! I cannot wait to return! It's in the heart of Philadelphia next to a Sephora. Kill 2 birds with 1 stone. read more

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Gran Caffe has such a large range of options and an authentic menu. I've been in Philadelphia a little over 3 years and celebrated my first weekend and birthday in the city here. I still find myself coming back. Amazing photos attached! The inside ambiance is gorgeous and classic! Such a beautiful restaurant, and upstairs is even more classic. The hallway to the bathroom downstairs is super narrow. Gelato to start your day or end it, it's so beautiful and even better here! The food quality is good, served fresh and always hot. I had the Alfredo for the first time as they were running a special and always asked for it during most visits, so good and creamy! I've had slight challenges during some visits with service, but overall it's a great establishment and I have some that I love to call my favorites! This is a place I'd recommend! read more

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Not only is this restaurant massive in size but their menu is very large, too. I popped in with 3 friends for Restaurant Week. The four course dinner for only $40 was a steal. Our waiter brought over water and sliced bread with a specialty olive oil once we were seated. I wasn't in love with the olive oil but the bread was delicious. I chose something on the lighter side to start - buffalo mozzarella cheese with tomato. Their own version of caprese, I assume. It was tasty and salted nicely. Suppli, or Roman fried rice balls, were excellent. Not too messy and the marinara wasn't overpowering. I enjoyed this dish the most. Cacio e Pepe is a safe standard pasta dish and since I was looking for something without meat, this was the perfect choice. I loved it. Very cheesy, creamy and cooked al dente. Finally, I debated about whether I should get the gelato or the cheesecake. The gelato looked extremely appetizing but I wasn't craving something cold. The cherry crusted cheesecake was a winner! It was warm but not in a bad way. It melted in my mouth and the gelato on the side that accompanied it was very satisfying. I enjoyed dining here for Restaurant Week and I look forward to coming back to try some items on their regular menu in the near future! read more

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Ordered on DoorDash. I go here all of the time for gelato and these is my second time getting other food. The staple is for sure the gelato, the experience of seeing the inside and then sitting outside in one of the cute seating areas and people watching. read more

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My friend and our two little families dined here one Sunday night. The waiter was very nice and helped set up our table to accommodate our littles. Now to the food! The calamari was okay..would have liked a better seasoning on the breading but it hit the stop. The aranchini balls were decent but nothing to write home about. My husband's bruschetta toast had very fresh tomatoes which made the toast refreshing. I got the spaghetti carbonara which was a star item on the menu. I thought the sauce was too thick and a bit overcooked with the egg clearly showing in the sauce. It also had too much pepper which was odd. It had a good flavors atleast but I'm just not a fan of that much pepper. We got gelato and that was pretty good. Overall an underwhelming experience but the place is beautiful inside and everyone had a great time. My husband's veal was phenomenal in flavor so if I come back I may have to get his dish instead! read more

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I started with a soup from Abruzzo with seven legumes and seven pastas. For a main course, I had pappardelle with a ragu of pork, veal, lamb and chicken. The service was friendly and efficient. The seating and overall ambiance were not especially comfortable. Overall, the experience was good, not great. Unfortunately, I forgot to order gelato which I hear is delicious. read more