Gran Caffe L'Aquila Philadelphia Italian Restaurant

4.8

2188 Reviews

$31 to $50

Italian

Make a reservation

2 people

Jan 13, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 58 times today

Experiences are available.

Good for special occasions
Great for fine wines
Neighborhood gem

For parties of 5 or larger, please contact the restaurant directly by visiting www.grancaffelaquila.com or calling 215.568.5600

Authentic Italian Restaurant, Caffe, Bar, Luxury Italian Market, & Italian Culture School. The culinary and wine program is based on all 20 regions of Italy including wine, cocktail, and beer selections crafted by award winning culinary and wine director Riccardo Longo. The experience also featuring Gelato from the Italian Gelato Champion Maestro Stefano Biasini as well as award winning coffee roasted in house. Private events including Lunch, Dinner, Apertivo, and Tasting Menus designed to each groups desires. Best of Philly Readers Choice Best Italian Restaurant Winner and Gambero Rosso rated Top Italian Restaurants in the world; Featuring an expertly trained staff and authentic environment.
2nd Floor Reservations are for Lunch & Dinner service only.
Dessert service may be provided on our first level anytime.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Italian, Seafood, Vegetarian
Hours of operation
Breakfast Daily 8:00 am–11:00 am Lunch Daily 11:00 am–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:00 am–11:00 pm
Phone number
(215) 568-5600
Website
http://www.grancaffelaquila.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Catering
Half Tray Platters available for our entire menu. Each half tray serves 4-6 guests. <br /> <br />Specialty catering orders may be requested! Visit grancaffelaquila.com or call the restaurant and ask to speak to a manager.
Private party facilities
Allow us to host your next event. Our expertly trained staff will provide a dynamic dining experience for you and your guests - Birthdays, Anniversary, Rehearsal Dinner, Family Reunion, Office Gatherings, you name it and we host it! Private sit down events available from 8-85 guests,Private stand up events available from 40 to 150 guests.

Location
1716 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103-5132
Neighborhood
Center City
Cross street
In between 17th and 18th Street on Chestnut
Parking details
Parking garages located on 17th street after Market before Chestnut,On Sansom Street between 17th & 18th.Valet Available through Sofitel Hotel.Limited metered street parking available.
Public transit
Stop for the #42, #21, and #9 located at 18th street, and 17th street. Stop for the #2 bus at 17th and Chestnut
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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Experiences

CCD Restaurant Week - A Celebration of Roma
Jan 19, 2025 - Feb 1, 2025
This week we join Center City District from Sunday January 19-Saturday February 1 in celebrating RESTAURANT WEEK. We will focus our cuisine on the authentic cuisine of Roma! For lunch enjoy 2 courses for $20, & for dinner 4 course for $40, a deal you cannot beat!! Reserve your seats now while space is available! You won't wanna miss this menu!
Week 5- Milano, Lombardia
Feb 3, 2025 - Feb 9, 2025
Join Riccardo Longo on his travels through the Italian peninsula where each week we visit a different city in Italy, & feature their local bar & wine as well as their cuisine! This week we travel to the trending & stylish Milano, Lombardia! Let your senses travel with us!
Valentines Day in Verona, Veneto Week 6- 2/10-2/16
Feb 10, 2025 - Feb 16, 2025
This week Riccardo Longo invites you along his travels to the city where the story of Romeo & Juliet started - Verona, Veneto. Taste the authentic wine, cocktails, & cuisine of this historic region - while gifting your special someone an authentic Italian experience! Highlights include Casunzei di Romeo - A hand rolled & stuffed heart shaped ravioli filled with ricotta & parmigiano, and a Brasato Amarone slow braised prime beef cooked for 4 hours! You won't want to miss this menu! Reserve now while space remains. Let your senses travel with us!!

Popular dishes

Arancini$14.50
Three Sicilian rice balls, veal & pork ragu peas, mozzarella, tomato
Carciofi Fritti$14.50
Flash fried artichokes, fresh squeezed lemon
Scamorza$13.90
Fire roasted aged mozzarella, prosciutto
Melanzana Parmigiana$15.50
Eggplant, ricotta, fior di latte mozzarella, tomato sauce
Cozze Tarantina$17.90
Mussels, tomato, garlic, pepperoncino
Fritto Misto$18.90
Semolina crusted calamari, shrimp, zucchini
Polipo$18.90
Citrus Grilled Puglian octopus
Torta Granchio$19.90
Italian crab cake infused with fresh herbs & mascarpone served with a small cucumber fresco & finished with a gastronomic roasted red pepper

Insalata e Zuppa

Virtù Abruzzese$11.90
Iconic soup of Abruzzo featuring 7 vegetables, 7 legumes, & 7 pastas with accents of pancetta & aromatic herbs
Casa$11.90
Endive, arugula, radicchio, lemon vinaigrette
Panzanella Tropeana$13.90
Greens, tomato, cucumber Tropea onion, red onion, fresh basil, crostini
Cesarina$14.50
Kale, romaine, creamy Parmigiano dressing
Pera$15.90
Baby greens, pear, grapes, dried cherries, pine nuts, goat cheese, shallot vinaigrette
Insalata di Mare$18.90
Chilled seafood salad, shrimp, calamari, scungilli, scallops

Pasta

Chitarra$19.90
Guitar pasta, tomato, Guanciale (Italian bacon), onion, pecorino
Paccheri Datterini Gialli$20.90
Jumbo rigatoni, yellow tomato, garlic, parmigiano
Gnocchi alla Bava$21.90
Hand rolled potato & ricotta, fontina cream, wild mushrooms
Tagliatelle alla Panna$22.50
Northern Italian cream sauce, speck, peas, parmigiano
Carbonara$24.50
Spaghetti tossed with pecorino romano, cheese egg, Guanciale & cracked black pepper topped with a gastronomic Italian bacon gelato
Agnolotti$25.50
Torino style Ravioli filled with veal, pork, & vegetables. Butter sage sauce topped with our gastronomic black and white truffle gelato
Pappardelle al Ragu$26.90
Ribbon pasta, slow cooked pork, veal, lamb & chicken ragu
Sugo Della Domenica$27.90
Longo family Sunday sauce, slow cooked tomato sauce, wild boar meatballs, veal braciola, sausage & lamb. Served with homemade flour & water fusilli pasta

Carne

Cinghiale$15.90
Wild boar & long hot pepper meatballs, tomato sugo
Salsiccia Bolzanese$17.90
Grilled sweet & spicy Italian sausage served with homemade sauerkraut & a spicy grain mustard gastronomic gelato
Arrosticini Biasini$21.90
Lamb-bacon skewers, gastronomic Italian long hot pepper gelato
Pollo Mattone$23.90
Free range 1/2 chicken, roasted under a terracotta brick, asparagus, potato
Braciole$29.90
Veal braciola, tagliatelle, tomato sugo
Vitello Saltimbocca$30.90
Veal, prosciutto, sage, white wine sauce, potato, asparagus

Pesce

Spaghetti Vongole$25.90
Fresh wild clams, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, parsley
Pescatrice Puttanesca$25.90
Fresh monk fish, tomato, garlic, olive, anchovy, capers, chitarra pasta
Cannelloni di Pesce$25.90
Homemade pasta tubes filled w/ fresh shrimp, crab, baranzino, scallops, ricotta, tomato-besciamella
Salmone in Placca$29.90
Fire grilled salmon, herb crust,on a cedar plank with asparagus & rosemary potatoes
Zuppa di Pesce$28.90
Clams, mussels, calamari, salmon monkfish, broth tomato, tagliolini
Branzino$33.90
Fire roasted, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, herbs, lemon, fennel

Panini

Capri$10.90
Focaccia, fior di latte mozzarella, tomato, pesto
Parma$10.90
Italian baguette, Prosciutto di Parma, Parmigiano, arugula
Bologna$10.90
Italian baguette, Mortadella, roast pepper
Abruzzo$10.90
Ventricina spicy salami, shaved pecorino on toasted casereccio bread

Verdura

Cauliflower Caponata$8.90
Rosemary Roasted Potatoes$8.90
Funghi$8.90
garlic sautéed cremini & portobello mushrooms
Fire Grilled Asparagus$8.90
Roasted Sweet Peppers$8.90
Truffled Patatine Fritte$8.90
Thin cut fries tossed with parmigiano & truffle
Sauteed Broccoli Rabe$12.50
Tambo$10.90
Garlic & oil sauteed spicy longhots

Gelato

Small$6.60
Medium$7.90
Large$9.90
Pint$12.90

Desserts

Cannolo con Ricotta di Pecora$7.50
Sicilian sheep ricotta, candied fruit
Gran Gala Creme Brulee$8.90
Gran Panna Cotta$8.90
Espresso, Italian chocolate, sambuca hint
Strawberry Zabaglione$8.90
Fresh strawberries, homemade zabaglione crema
Crostata di Frutta$8.90
Baked tart, homemade custard, seasonal berries
Tiramisu ai Frutti di Bosco$9.70
Lady fingers, wild berries, mascarpone
Tiramisu Classico$9.70
Lady fingers, espresso, mascarpone
Budino di Pane$9.70
Brioche bread pudding, nutella, dark chocolate, banana, with fior di latte gelato
Ricotta Cheese Cake$9.70
infused with amarena cherries & served warm with fior di latte gelato
Mousse al Cioccolato$9.50
infused with Italian Fragolino (wild strawberry)
Macedonia$9.50
Seasonal fruit salad

Caffe

Espresso$3.35
Espresso Doppio$4.60
Espresso Sambuca$6.90
Espresso Anisette$6.90
Cappuccino$4.29
Iced Cappuccino$4.59
Latte$4.79
Cortado$3.99
Drip Coffee$3.35
Iced Coffee$3.79
Artisanal Teas$3.99
Artisanal Italian Hot Chocolate$6.99
Cornetto Plain$3.75
Cornetto Almond$4.39
Cornetto Crema$4.39
Cornetto Nutella$4.39
Cornetto Salato$6.79
Girelle$3.99
Bomboloni$3.50

Bevande

Phony Negroni$7.50
Limonata$3.99
Aranciata$3.99
Chinotto$3.99
Aranciata Rossa$3.99
Bergotto$3.99
Fresh Squeezed OJ$5.90

What 2,188 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.8Service
4.6Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Philadelphia County
Most Booked 1000-Point Tables
Philadelphia
Great for fine wines
Philadelphia
Most Booked 1000-Point Tables

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Gran Caffe L'Aquila in Philadelphia delivers an "amazing authentic Italian" experience with "excellent handmade pasta." Guests rave about the "fantastic food and service," particularly the "amazing gelato." With a unique menu rotating through Italian regions, this lively spot is perfect for a special night out.

2,188 Reviews

E
Eric
VIP
Philadelphia
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This was my first time here and the food did not disappoint. I booked the day before so there were only high-top tables available downstairs. Upstairs they have regular height dining. It was very busy but our server, Tina, gave us a little background on the restaurant and gave us some recommendations after inquiring. The cheese courses/appetizers were very good. The mains were very flavorful, and of course the gelato was amazing. Lots of flavors to temp you. Overall I would definitely recommend you try it out.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Amazing food and service! Truly an enjoyable eating experience. The wait staff are exceptional.
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S
Sharon
Philadelphia
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Excellent service, great food. Its deceiving when you walk in.... looks like a gelato shop - but upstairs bar and restaurant are lovely. A bit crowded seating, but all went smoothly. Love the Modigliani prints on the restroom doors!
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J
Joseph
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Incredible service! We were welcomed warmly, and our food was outstanding! One particular dish on the Campobasso menu was very authentic to my own family, which brought great satisfaction! Loved the gelato and cannoli!
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A
Akash
New York City
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Very good service and ambience! Definitely come if you like cozy cafe restaurant’s.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
New York City
9 reviews
4.0
9 reviews
Dined on January 4, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
We always have a delicious meal and the servers are delightful.
1 person found this helpful
A
Abe
New York City
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 3, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food, great server, cant wait to dine there again!
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T
Tim
VIP
Las Vegas
23 reviews
5.0
23 reviews
Dined on January 2, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Delicious food and lots of great options you can't find elsewhere!
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M
Mark
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 2, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great experience. We had been planning on coming here for a few months and super glad we did. Food was delicious and the gelato was amazing. The environment was very unique and a nice setting. Also the service was incredible.
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C
Carly
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 1, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food was so authentic and the staff were so wonderful. The lentils on the menu for new years reminded me of my family. It was so special to see! We can’t wait to come back!
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FAQs

Gran Caffe L'Aquila Philadelphia Italian Restaurant offers delivery in partnership with Postmates and Uber Eats. Gran Caffe L'Aquila Philadelphia Italian Restaurant also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (215) 568-5600.

Gran Caffe L'Aquila Philadelphia Italian Restaurant is rated 4.8 stars by 2188 OpenTable diners.