La Viola Bistro

4.6

459 Reviews

$30 and under

Italian

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 16, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 3 times today

Neighborhood gem
Good for special occasions
Good for groups

For PARTIES OF 10+, please call 215 735 8630 to make a reservation. To place an order, call us at 215-735-8630.

To have your table reserved please call us at 215 735 8630. Walk-ins are welcome!

La Viola Bistro is open for both lunch and dinner during the week and dinner on weekends. A fine-dining establishment, it specializes in Italian fare. Some items on the menu at La Viola - East include pasta such as bowtie pasta with shrimp, along with a linguini pasta dish with veal. In addition to pasta, La Viola serves a variety of seafood and grilled steak entrées.

No alcohol is served at La Viola - East, but you are welcome to bring your own bottle of wine or champagne to accompany your meal. Offering a casual but chic dining space, its décor includes wood furnishings and chandelier lighting.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Italian, Mediterranean, Seafood
Hours of operation
Lunch Daily 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Daily 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(215) 735-8630
Website
http://laviolaphiladelphia.com/
Payment options
Cash Only
Dress code
Casual Dress
Private party facilities
Interested in celebrating your special event at La Viola? Call us at 215 735 8630

Location
253 S 16th St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Neighborhood
Rittenhouse Square
Parking details
Latimer St & S 15th St is the closest parking lot, 2 min walk.
Additional
BYO Wine, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout

Popular dishes

INSALATA CAESAR$11.00
Classic Caesar dressing with homemade croutons
INSALATA TRECOLORE$14.00
Radicchio, arugula and Belgian endive topped with shaved parmigiana in a rich lemon dressing
INSALATA BISTRO$10.00
Seasonal mixed green salad with balsamic vinaigrette
ZUPPA DEL GIORNO$11.00
Chef’s soup selection of the day
ANTIPASTA MISTA$15.00
Please ask your server for the Chef’s daily selection of traditional Italian delicacies
ZUPPETTA DI COZZE$15.00
Farm raised mussels in a white and garlic sauce or traditional spicy plum tomato sauce
PEPPERONI ARROSTI$14.00
Homemade sweet roasted peppers, gaeta olives and anchovies marinated with extra virgin olive oil
FUNGHI TRENTINO$14.00
Porcini, shiitake and portobello mushrooms in a garlic, basil and olive oil sauce
GRIGLIATA DI CALAMARI$15.00
Grilled calamari marinated in lemon juice, garlic and peppered extra virgin olive oil

Pasta

PENNE ALLA CARUSO$26.00
Pencil point pasta in a vodka and tomato sauce lightly creamed with peas & pancetta
FARFALLE MARINARA$29.00
Bow tie with shrimp in a pesto or pomodoro sauce
FETTUCINE AL SALMONE$31.00
Fettuccine with salmon in a pink cognac sauce
ORECCHIETTE ALLA ROMANA$28.00
Shell shaped pasta tossed with chicken, sausage & mushrooms in a white wine garlic sauce with fresh plum tomatoes
LINGUINI PIZZAIOLA$27.00
Linguini pasta with veal, olives and capers in a spicy marinara sauce
GNOCCHI AL FILETTO DI POMODORO$26.00
Homemade gnocchi with spinach and ricotta cheese in a fresh tomato basil sauce
RISOTTO AL FRUTTI DI MARE$33.00
Arborio rice with seafood in light marinara sauce
RAVIOLI ALLA VIOLA$30.00
Homemade ravioli stuffed with lobster in a pink cognac sauce

Vitello

VITELLO ALLA VIOLA$30.00
Veal medallions with fresh mushrooms, garlic and prosciutto in a rich veal sauce
VITELLO POMODORO$31.00
Breaded veal cutlet with fresh mozzarella and plum tomatoes in a rich tomato sauce
VITELLO CARCIOFFI$30.00
Veal medallions with artichokes, sundried tomatoes in a white wine sauce

Pollami

POLLO ROLLATINI$30.00
Chicken breast stuffed with smoked ham, fontina cheese & spinach in a rose sauce with mushrooms & chopped roma tomatoes
POLLO GAMBERI ALLA MARSALA$30.00
Chicken breast and shrimp in a sweet marsala wine sauce with mushrooms & chopped roma tomatoes
POLLO MARCO POLO$30.00
Chicken breast with escarole, prosciutto & mozzarella cheese in a white wine sauce

Pesce

SALMONE MANTECATO$34.00
Oven roasted salmon in a white wine, lemon & pearl onion sauce
PESCE DEL GIORNO
Chef’s special fish of the day

Bistecca

BISTECA DEL GIORNO
Chef’s special beef of the day

Dolci

Dolci$9.00

What 459 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.7Service
4.3Ambience
4.6Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

La Viola Bistro offers consistently "great food and great service," with a cozy, intimate atmosphere perfect for pre-theater dining. Known for its "excellent value" and BYOB policy, diners enjoy a "delicious" menu featuring authentic Italian dishes. Despite being cash-only, the restaurant's charm and quality make it a "favorite" in Philadelphia.

459 Reviews

a
anythingispastable
Philadelphia1 review
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Favorite place ever it’s just the best vibes and great food
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F
Fred VIP
Philadelphia68 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 22, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Wonderful dinner in a lovely restaurant Veal with crab meat and asparagus in a white wine and garlic sauce made by special request and Veal with prosciutto and cheese in sherry sauce were both delicious. Attentive service. Close to Kimmel Center so a short walk to the concert. We will be back.
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j
jessica
New York City6 reviews
4.0
Dined on February 16, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
We had a party of 16. The waiter was outstanding. Brought our bread constantly, the food was delicious, and served hot and in a timely manner. The only thing was the folding chairs were uncomfortable in that space. I’d love to see a better set up. But the food and service made up for the lack of comfort in the chairs and table set up. And that’s most important when dining , especially with a large group. The waiter was fantastic. Fantastic food. We will be back !!
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T
Tricia
Atlantic City1 review
5.0
Dined on February 14, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Amazing dinner at LaViola Bistro! Great service and delicious food! Can’t wait to return! So wonderful to find this special treasure in the heart of Center City! Love the BYOB option too!
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M
Michael VIP
Philadelphia76 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 8, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always a great dinner at La Viola Bistro. BYOB and Amazing Pasta Specials!
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S
Steven VIP
Philadelphia165 reviews
5.0
Dined on January 29, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This was the SECOND time in two weeks we went with friends. This Albanian run restaurant is one of our FAVs. It's BYOB so your $$ go into the food not alcohol. I've been recommending them for DECADES. Great professional friendly service and wonderful Pork Chop for lunch
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A
Aron VIP
Philadelphia53 reviews
5.0
Dined on January 27, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Great food and great service. The Restaurant Week menu had many good choices at a very reasonable place. We go to La Viola often for pre-theater dinner and are never disappointed.
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L
Loretta
Philadelphia8 reviews
3.0
Dined on January 24, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 2
I typically love this restaurant, but this time, it was disappointing. It was restaurant week, so there was a fixed menu. My reservation was for a table against the wall to celebrate a birthday. There was no acknowledgment of a birthday wish. We got the worst table in the center of the room with the cold air blowing on us every three minutes.
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S
Steven VIP
Philadelphia165 reviews
5.0
Dined on January 24, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We go art least twice (sometimes3 times) to La Viola during restaurant week. The bestfood and great price and the staff is wonderful
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R
Ronald
Philadelphia1 review
2.0
Dined on January 23, 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 1
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
We went during restaraunt week. The waistaff was pleasant. Appetizers were very good. However my guest ordered the pork chop which was overcooked to the point of being inedible. Will not be going back.
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FAQs

La Viola Bistro offers delivery in partnership with Postmates and Uber Eats. La Viola Bistro also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (215) 735-8630.

La Viola Bistro is rated 4.6 stars by 459 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 16, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 3 times today

Order delivery or takeout

253 S 16th St, Philadelphia, PA 19102

Additional information

Neighborhood
Rittenhouse Square
Hours of operation
Lunch Daily 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Daily 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Italian, Mediterranean, Seafood
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Latimer St & S 15th St is the closest parking lot, 2 min walk.
Payment options
Cash Only
Additional
BYO Wine, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout

Website
http://laviolaphiladelphia.com/
Phone number
(215) 735-8630
Private party facilities
Interested in celebrating your special event at La Viola? Call us at 215 735 8630

La Viola Bistro

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Spinach Ravioli

Penne Alfredo

Gnocchi Alfredo

Prima

INSALATA CAESAR$11.00

INSALATA TRECOLORE$14.00

INSALATA BISTRO$10.00

ZUPPA DEL GIORNO$11.00

ANTIPASTA MISTA$15.00

ZUPPETTA DI COZZE$15.00

PEPPERONI ARROSTI$14.00

FUNGHI TRENTINO$14.00

GRIGLIATA DI CALAMARI$15.00

Pasta

PENNE ALLA CARUSO$26.00

FARFALLE MARINARA$29.00

FETTUCINE AL SALMONE$31.00

ORECCHIETTE ALLA ROMANA$28.00

LINGUINI PIZZAIOLA$27.00

GNOCCHI AL FILETTO DI POMODORO$26.00

RISOTTO AL FRUTTI DI MARE$33.00

RAVIOLI ALLA VIOLA$30.00

Vitello

VITELLO ALLA VIOLA$30.00

VITELLO POMODORO$31.00

VITELLO CARCIOFFI$30.00

Pollami

POLLO ROLLATINI$30.00

POLLO GAMBERI ALLA MARSALA$30.00

POLLO MARCO POLO$30.00

Pesce

SALMONE MANTECATO$34.00

PESCE DEL GIORNO

Bistecca

BISTECA DEL GIORNO

Dolci

Dolci$9.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

Does La Viola Bistro offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is La Viola Bistro restaurant rated?

Is La Viola Bistro currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information