First impression walking in is a stunning restaurant with beautiful decor and ambiance. The bar is gorgeous. The restaurant is quite and the perfect location for a date night. It is the perfect temperature inside even with the cold coming in from the door opening. The host was very kind and quickly seated us. The server was also great and kind. We choose still water, which was very clearly just tap water from the city and no filtration used. We also ordered cocktails. The cocktails were quite well made, maybe a little strong on the liquor pours for some, but I prefer it that way. They do not serve bread when you sit, which is totally fine a lot of places don't. We requested some bread and they did bring some. It was EXCELLENT. The only thing that could have made it better was a side of butter or oil to dip. But the bread itself was the perfect temperature inside, soft and moist, and crispy crust. It was evident that it was fresh. As far as the food, that is where the main disappointment comes in and the 3 star rating. Quite frankly, if I was reviewing just the food it would be a 2/5. I think it is easy fixes though but let me expand. First, for appetizers we got the Brussels sprouts that were perfect and had great flavor. We also got the beet salad. It was okay... the red beets were good but the golden beets in it were SO sour. Way too much vinegar. The gnocchi was a miss. To be frank, I am not sure what to do to improve it other than maybe a new supplier. They were very mushy and did not feel like gnocchi at all. The pasta sauce they used for it was no bad though. We also got the lemon-based spaghetti. That was actually pretty good. The sauce was nice and buttery with good flavor. To be honest, the biggest disappoint and what drives this review down the most was the chicken Milanese. The presentation was fine but when we took a bite we were in shock. Not only is the chicken not seasoned, at all, but it tasted fishy. They must have fried the chicken Milanese in the same fryer as the calamari. Total disappointment because chicken was other was crispy on the outside and juicy. If they add seasoning to the breading and change out the oil, I think they would have a pretty good product. In fact, that change would make this a 4/5 experience in my book! read more

We went to Oltremare last night and have mixed feelings about our evening. The good--service was great, they were nice and helpful. Food was good and bad. The scallops appetizer, whipped ricotta appetizer, and tuna tartare were good. They had a special of Florentine steak, 38 ounces for $115. We ordered it rare (as that's the traditional way it's cooked) but it came out medium well. For such an expensive dish, you'd hope it would come out correctly. We were surprised they even sent it out to us. The rest of the entrees were just fine. I wouldn't return. read more

What an amazing experience. I had the potato gnocchi, per the recommendation of G at the bar. OMG. This is absolutely delicious. The sauce is perfect. The gnocchi are so well done. I can tell these were house made. Had the opportunity to meet the chef/owner. He offered on my next visit to make food that would be easy for me to swallow and eat. Who does that? This could possibly be the best place in Philadelphia I have ever been. Y'all need to go if you are here read more

Oltremare - Potato gnocchi - Seafood Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Came here on Friday night and tried the Abbondanza (mix of chefs tasting menu of meats and pastas) and it was sooo worth it (75$ pp). Service was very friendly and ambiance was quiet and calm (mostly becus it was a Halloween night) They started us off with 5 apps: oysters, shrimp cocktail, focaccia, beets salad, crudo over focaccia. Beet salad was soo refreshing and crudo was made to creamy and seafoody perfection. For entrees, we got spaghetti al limone and fazzoletti, and branzino and chicken Milanese. The Al limone and branzino were def our favorites. For dessert, they served the panna cotta which was so silky and smooth and the chocolate olive cake which was not our favorite. Overall would say this was an amazing experience and will def come back to try their a la carte menu! read more

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Oltremare hasn't really been on my radar ... we had reservations for A Mano for a Sunday night, but a few days prior, we were reached out to that they were cancelling all reservations at A Mano due to some work being done in the restaurant. So! We were moved to Oltremare instead (I didn't know they were "sister" restaurants). When we arrived, our server (who turns out is married to the chef) was incredibly apologetic about the switch up and accommodating - she let us BYOB even though Oltremare has their own bar to make up for the changed plans. Service was excellent throughout the night (it helped that it wasn't overly crowded), and the ambience was just right. I loved all the subtle hints of sea throughout the restaurant paired with unique lighting fixtures and other decor. The playlist was on point, playing bangers all night! As mentioned, we BYOB'ed so I can't speak to the beverage menu. For food, their menu focuses on Italian seafood, but there also are some meat dishes throughout. Our server walked us through the menu and guided our selections as we wanted to share a bunch of dishes among the 4 of us diners. We started with the hamachi crudo, which had a beautiful mix of Calabrian chile and orange. Very fresh and high quality fish. We then moved on to the frutti di mare, featuring squid ink pasta, a variety of fish, and 'nduja, which was a surprising touch. The pasta was divine, and I loved the kick of spice. We finished out with the grilled branzino, the braised pork shank, and a side of brussel sprouts. The sprouts were standard, but the inclusion of pork bits made it stand out a bit more. The pork was solid - loved the accompanying polenta and fennel salad. The branzino was my favorite, really enjoying the romesco sauce and touch of almonds. This was plenty enough food to feed our group, with very minimal left over but also not feeling too stuffed after. Pricing was reasonable considering all that we ordered and the portion sizes. Being able to BYOB was an appreciated touch, but I can see the price of the meal going up a good bit if you did get drinks. Oltremare was a solid spot for a last minute change-in-plans dinner. There are so many excellent seafood spots in Philly, it's hard to place were Oltremare falls in my list. But if you're looking for good vibes, nice people, an Italian take on seafood, and reasonable pricing in the Rittenhouse area, I would direct you here! read more

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Stop what you are actually doing, aka reading this review, and go to Oltremare. This place is a hidden gem, I hope for my sake it stays hidden but I know it won't because it's that good. I went here on a date night with myself, and I got the actual perfect combination of dishes. The decisions I made were with the help of a great server who fully understood the assignment for the night. He was supportive of my choices which may have seemed excessive but turned out to be the perfect combinations of flavors and amount of food. He provided excellent advice throughout my dining experience. Go experience this place for yourself and don't miss the artichoke dish or lobster pasta! read more

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This place had potential but holy moly did I just have THE WORST service in a while. We waited 25 minutes for print out -paper menus. The server barely acknowledged us, even after we ordered. My friend had to leave to head to her train because entrees took an hour (they all DID NOT come out together). My other friend's squid ink pasta was overcooked. Our oysters were good but so much parsley were on them. No one had checked in at this point to see how everything tastes until we were close to being done. When it came to the bill, we were charged a full pasta but they managed to fix that. But don't worry I tipped 20% bc I am in the industry :) read more

Oltremare - Branzino, gnocchi, squid ink pasta - Seafood Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Came here for dinner on a weeknight. Very tasty. Good portion sizes. Less crowded early in the evening but it did seem to pick up later on. Very nice atmosphere with low lighting. read more

Oltremare - Whipped Ricota Toast - Seafood Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Food was great but service was not great. Waited over 20 minutes to be asked about drinks. The waiter seemed to not want to wait on us-- he greeted people who came in after us before us and frequently checked on them. Having said that- everything I had was delicious. read more

This place is a little bit off of the beaten path of your Rittenhouse staples but is a must try, especially if you are a fan of seafood. It has a romantic feel with some room for outdoor seating if you're feeling crazy and of course the service is great. I was blown away by the delicious house made sourdough. Chewy, warm, and drizzled in olive oil--I wish I would have saved some to mop up the sauce from the pasta I ordered. Overall for the food the flavor was there and good. I really enjoyed the fruitti di mare pasta. The shape of the noodles was perfect for getting plenty of the sauce with each bite. The only thing is the portion sizes are super small--but that just means you'll have room for dessert! Their tiramisu is the best I've had in a while and I love that it comes in an espresso martini glass. I plan to come back and try the remaining 4 pastas on the menu in their half sizes--wish I'd done that in the first place! read more

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Vibes: intimate, subtlety sophisticated; bring a date or a few friends Tasting notes: - Foccacia: flaky salt on the crispy exterior; slightly tangy and chewy; lightly and pleasantly oily; excellent for picking up sauces from antipasti and pasta - Carciofi e granchio: light batter on the very tender artichoke; crab meat was served lump; the creamy sauce was seafoody but not overwhelming - Polpo: excellently charred and cooked; surprised with the little crispy peas for texture contrast; loved the aioli-like sauce that offered a delightful umami flavor - Lobster cappelletti: loved the mix of claw meat with the stuffed pasta; each bite was luxuriously pillowy - Duck breast: favorite part of the dish was the chunks of confit duck leg mixed with the creamy potatoes; great sear on the skin - Swordfish: flaky, soft meat served in a lightly spicy red, almost stew-like sauce; the beans were al dente and picked up the sauce flavors well Other thoughts: - Fairly attentive service with silverware change with each course, which was plated out - Antipasti and pasta were particularly small portions. Pasta could be doubled for an up charge. - Upon check in, a coat service was offered. There was a little mixup on the way out - but we found our coats in the end Impression: a unique, elegant showcase of seafood for a solid date night! read more

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We went here for restaurant week, but ended up opting for the chefs selection menu which I would highly recommend. There was 5 of us and they accommodated our interests/likes to ensure that we got a good variety of food. You have the option to do chefs selection + (105 pp) where the chef will make items that are off the menu. It is otherwise 75$ pp for chefs menu. Cocktails are 15 per. Food: good variety, interesting seafood/italian blend. I would highly recommend the desserts, the tiramisu was amazing. Service: great service, didn't feel rushed (although they said weekend days get very busy) and they cleaned the plates and area after each meal. Ambiance: nice upstairs and downstairs. Would recommend trying and having the chefs selection menu! read more

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We tried this place since it was around the corner from our AirBnb. The food was amazing - our Monkfish and Branzino were cooked to perfection and were both super flavorful. Our waiter was very friendly and made wonderful recommendations. The decor is also lovely. Overall, we had a fabulous dining experience and we look forward to returning the next time we're in Philly. read more

Terrific meal. Transported us back to Como, Milan. Amalfi. Great food and service, amazing cocktails and decent Italian wine list. Definitely a top 10 spot. read more

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Portions were really small. Ambiance was fine. Staff was fine. Prices were way too high.

The food was excellent-mixed seafood with squid ink pasta, braised pork shank with polenta, tuna crudo, raw oysters. The bartender made several very fine wine suggestions, and the staff were all attentive. The soft lighting and spacing of the tables makes for a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere. read more

If you're coming to this restaurant for the food, I would suggest that you do takeout. Food was great, but the service made it not worth it. It took forever to get drinks and our dinner. In a very small restaurant you would expect someone to come by and check in on you. It just didn't happen. It was if we were on an island and I noticed that with the other customers as well. This was a Saturday night when you would expect energy and an inviting attitude and unfortunately, we got none of that. This restaurant has great potential and I hope the owner reads this review because this could be a really special place. But for right now, I would say DoorDash is the way to go. read more

Absolutely fantastic! I loved every bit of my experience here. Our server was very knowledgeable and accommodating. I described the type of cocktail I usually drink and he brought me exactly what I was looking for. The food was incredible! I loved every bite--especially the scallops! The music and decor were lovely. It reminded me of some of the restaurants I've been to in Barcelona and Lisbon. Highly recommend! read more

I was so excited to dine here and sad to write this review. We arrived and it took awhile for a server to greet us. When she did arrive, it all felt rushed. The Hamachi Crudo was terrible. It had a fishy smell and taste which should not be the case with a crudo serving. My guess is it was old. I hope we don't get sick. I couldn't even eat it. Our pasta dishes (Frutti di mare and gnocchi bolognese ) were really nothing special compared to what I am used to with Philadelphia/Rittenhouse dining. Cocktails were honestly weird. By the time the possibility of dessert rolled around, I didn't want to spend any more money. One more note: when you walk into the restaurant, there is a deep fishy smell. Again, Unappetizing. Save your money and time and go to another amazing Rittenhouse restaurant. read more

Sat at our table for 27 minutes with menus and wasn't approached by anyone. After the wait, we simply walked out of the restaurant. I wouldn't recommend this restaurant to anyone, and would strongly suggest you steer clear. I'd attach pictures of the food if anyone who worked there even stopped by our table to take our order. If you want to watch a restaurant circle the bowl, go here. read more

Food was great. Service was absolutely horrific. It took 45 minutes to get our drinks and our waitress was nowhere to be found. When we asked about certain food allergies she said she was "pretty sure" things were safe. Really disappointed. read more

Townsend Wentz has done it again! A terrific experience in a new restaurant. The restaurant itself is an open and inviting space. I especially liked the lamp on the bar that made it seem more like sitting at someone's kitchen counter with close friends. An incredible playlist that had me humming and tapping my foot to the music. Patrick and Simra were so friendly and helpful with suggestions and really knew the menu. It was a true pleasure to meet them! Now the really good part- the food! We decided to go with the tasting menu started with oysters and the mignonette had such a unique flavor-the pear put it over the top. Next were the scallops they were cooked perfectly. The pickled fennel and lemon puree with the scallop packed a refreshing flavor so unique. The ricotta and peach toast was delicious. Second course was a Caesar salad my husband loved this and a beet dish that was so fantastic. The pasta dishes were incredible. A crab, corn, and pea cavatelli was so good we almost licked the bowl and a squid ink with shrimp and mussels that they accommodated our aversion to calamari. We actually sent a picture to our son in Oklahoma because it was so delicious and he loves mussels! Our entrees were the Bronzino and sword fish. The bronzino was light and flaky while the sword fish savory and meaty. Both dishes were fantastic in their very different textures and flavors. Desert was a dark chocolate tiramisu and pistachio gelato and the perfect ending to a fantastic evening. Thank you to everyone at Oltremare you made our date night a wonderful night! We'll be back the hubby wants to try the pork shank he saw at the next table read more

The restaurant is beautiful but the food and service was just so so. The bathroom had trash on the floor which should've been a sign for things to come. Our server was all over the place and she kept disappearing. Now onto the food, the food is ambitious but wasn't executed well. There was a 24 minutes between appetizers course to main course. No one came to explain or even acknowledge the long wait. The table next to us sent their entrees back but I'm not sure why. The best thing we ate was their focaccia bread, it's delicious. The duck was cold once we received it and it was under seasoned. But the Dover sole was over seasoned. read more

We had a good dinner with friends last Sunday night. The server was excellent. We found the portion size on the appetizers to be ridiculously small. All very tasty but we only got a single bite each and that is generous. The main courses by comparison were a perfect size per person. read more

Our first time eating at Oltremare and we absolutely loved it! The ambiance was very warm and cozy, the servers were amazing and the food was simple and delicious. Add in some great cocktails and wine and it was a wonderful evening. Soon to be a neighborhood gem. read more

We love Oltremare. Going again tonight. Love the ambiance....Feels like Florence/Paris/Bath. Young but highly trained and professional staff so the service is wonderful. Ask for Ally. Crudos are incredible. So's the Burata Spaghetti Al Limone is a must. Dourade and Dover sole to die for. Excellent wine list well paired to the food offerings. Truly delightful. The Flannery's read more

Amazing food! The way the chef combines ingredients is very unique and makes eating there an experience. Wonderful service. The servers are very attentive and make you feel special. Beautifully decorated establishment. A wonderful place to have a beautiful dinner. read more

Really amazing food and very attentive service. Everything we had was delicious. The only thing that's a little subpar is their drinks menu. Their cocktails are not nearly sophisticated enough and they don't pair with the food at all. The wine is also seriously overpriced. They have fixed one of the previous reviewers' complaints, though, and now have a double door built to block the wind, as well as space heaters to keep warm by the front. Overall, I was really pleased! read more

Oltremare - Bronzino dinner - Seafood Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I had a good dinner at Oltremare with a friend. The ambient is so cozy and cute. The server was friendly and attentive. We had a good menu from the restaurant week. All the food came in a good timing and they were delicious. I would recommend Oltremare for relaxing cozy dinner with good drinks. read more

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This was the best Italian food I've had in Philadelphia. Service was amazing. The staff is friendly. Drinks were great. They hit a home run with every dish. Once people learn about Oltremare it will be a huge hit. Great spot for date night in a great location. I went pre and post reopening in Summer 24 and it is night and day read more

Oltremare just opened this winter and I didn't get around to visiting until this Sunday. This is a really good restaurant. Great ambience, service was very attentive. Had both seafood crudos, they serve half size pasta dishes which is really great, often I skip that course. Swordfish was cooked perfectly. They have a good selection of amari for after dinner and the waitstaff was really knowledgeable both about that and our choice of wine with the meal. I'll be back! read more

We've eaten twice at Oltremare and enjoyed it immensely. The food is sophisticated and delicious, the service friendly and knowledgeable. And the space is lovely and quiet enough for good conversation. The food compares well to Vernick, its popular down-the-street neighbor, but it has a quieter, less intense atmosphere. We'll be back. read more

Food is mediocre but fact that wine marked up between 4-5X makes this place "soon to be no more".

Do not waste your money here!!! I cook better than this lol. The apps portion were miniature, like barely could share and on a small menu they were out of two of them. The lobster pasta was so salty, my mom couldn't eat it. The branzino was 1/4 the fish, tiny. They didn't even give half a filet! The osso bucco was completely flavorless. All dishes came cold and it wasn't even crowded. Would not recommend. Sad because the location is prime! read more

Incredible food, excellent service and comfortable ambiance. Absolutely worth a visit.

I would give this place zero stars if I could. The food was decent, although portions were quite small. My major issue was the experience and service. We made a reservation for the evening in advance, but despite this, were seated right next to the door when it was below freezing outside, and it was frigid by our table. We asked to be seated elsewhere when we first got there, but were told that our table was the only one available. I kept my coat and gloves on for the duration that we were in the restaurant because of how cold it was. A quarter way through the meal, multiple tables behind us and farther from the door opened up, and we asked our waitress if we could be moved elsewhere. She said she would ask the hostess. I never observed her ask anyone, but she came back and said that the other tables were being held for other people. Less than five minutes later, the couple next to us asked to be moved to a different table for the same reason (the cold), and to our horror, the same waitress whisked them away to one of the tables further away from the door after quickly asking the hostess. Never have I felt so offended and slighted by a restaurant and it's staff. I felt as if I was discriminated against and I have no idea why. I was so angry that I walked out of the restaurant at this point. My fiance finished paying the bill and asked the waitress why this had happened and received a less than satisfactory explanation. It was enough that I was cold and uncomfortable for the entirety of the meal, but the unfair and unequal treatment was beyond humiliating and unacceptable. As I said, we came to the restaurant with a reservation and paid the same amount as everyone else there who was treated with more respect. This was supposed to be a belated Valentine's day celebration after several hard weeks at work, and we were truly excited and looking forward to it- the OltreMare staff succeeded in ruining the experience for us. I will never come back here and I discourage anyone from trying this place. read more