Authentic Italian Food in Bella Vista and 9th Street Italian Market
Some of the most authentic Italian restaurants in the country reside in Bella Vista, Philadelphia. It is the home of 9th Street Italian Market, which we touched on in the last blog post. The classic homemade sauces and pastas are passed down from generation to generation, nurturing the tradition and culture brought here from the chefs’ hometowns in Italy. The scenic route from the Convention Center to Bella Vista is a little over a mile, which is perfect for a fall evening. Enjoying a meal at one of the restaurants listed below will definitely be worth your while!
Fine Dining
America’s oldest Italian Restaurant, Ralph’s modest atmosphere is trumped by its traditional Italian dishes. This is definitely a spot where you could order spaghetti and meatballs without feeling the least bit boring.
This Italian-American spot features all of the Italian classics along with great seafood dishes.
This is another authentic Italian restaurant with fluffy bread and olive oil that is to die for. You can’t go wrong with any of the dishes; but their mozzarella is some of the freshest I’ve ever tasted. The desserts have also been reviewed by critics throughout Philadelphia.
Dante & Luigi’s has a very extensive classic Italian menu, from delicious Itlaiano Antipasto to cheesy Eggplant Parmesan. They offer a 5% discount when you pay with cash!
This adorable Italian spot has outdoor seating and a brunch menu. It is settled right in the hub of the Italian market; so you can explore beforehand!
Nina’s Trattoria is a farm-to-table, family-owned restaurant with delicious Italian dishes that have been passed down for generations. Keep in mind that this is cash only.
Whether you order Gnocchi, Veal Marsala, or Chicken Parmigiana, you can’t go wrong with any of these Italian dishes served in a vibrant setting full of murals of Italy.
Pizza and Subs
There are some amazing sandwich and hoagie spots in Philadelphia. However, Paseano’s has been getting rave reviews for years, and they create amazing classic subs as well as made-to-order subs. They also offer gluten free bread!
Sarcone’s Deli makes hoagies big enough for sharing; but you won’t want to. The bread is provided by Sarcone’s bakery, just down the street, and they pack their hoagies as full as they could possibly get with the freshest meats, cheeses, and vegetables.
Santucci’s authentic recipe starts with square-pan dough and ends with the sauce on top. Their original sauce is out of this world!
It doesn’t get much better than a classic cheese pizza from Lorenzo’s, and they are ranked #91 for pizzas in the country!
For a complete list of all the restaurants and cafes features in this area, click here. Be sure to explore the pastry and coffee shops within 9th Street Italian Market if you make your way to this area of the city. It’s an atmosphere full of rich history and family traditions; and the food will not fail you!