Gran Caffe L’Aquila

Reviews

• Michelle P.

  star star star star star 23 July 2026

  I had to look at my last review and wonder why it was not a 5-star experience. Many meals and my own maturity later, I'm giving Gran Caffe L'Aquila the rightful ratings boost it deserves.
  
  I love sitting upstairs. It's a pleasant, cozy place to dine with plenty of natural light.
  
  They have plenty of fantastic Italian dishes but my favorites are the savory gelato and pasta combos. I love the Carbonara and the agnolotti al tartufo. Truly unique and equally delicious.
  
  Service is always charming and professional. I love ordering Italian wines I don't know much about and relying on their accurate descriptions.
  
  Their gelato brings out the closeted dessert appreciate in me. Today's pick was tiramisu and caffe. They hit the spot without being overly filling.
  
  Gran Caffe has become one of my Philly favorites and a place I'd proudly recommend for anyone in Philly looking for a great Italian meal.

• Jasmine W.

  star star star star_border star_border 18 July 2026

  I came with friends during restaurant week and was a bit...underwhelmed. I think it may have just been a restaurant week thing though and not a "the food is not great here" thing because other tables so weren't participating in restaurant week seemed to have much better selections!
  
  I started with the oysters, which were fine -- fresh, but nothing to write home about. Same with the meatballs -- nothing out of the ordinary. For the third and main course, I got the Pappardelle Al Ragu Aquilano, and the noodles were excellent and perfectly al dente. Nothing special about the sauce or other parts of the dish, unfortunately. The gelato was good, but also didn't seem to live up to the hype -- this was by far the best part of the meal though.
  
  I'll likely be back to order from the regular menu and to try other items. Restaurant week selections were just super subpar and portions were tiny. Didn't feel like it was worth the $35 per head. Service felt super rushed even though the server was nice  -- we had reservations at 530 and a couple of us arrived before and had more time wIth the menu before our last friend did, and even though we asked for more time for her (she wasn't late), the waitress insisted on taking our orders then. Weird. Overall, pretty underwhelming and nothing spectacular. I'd give it another shot ordering other items, maybe.

• Christine P.

  star star star star star_border 13 July 2026

  Definitely not an Olive Garden!
  
  My friend and I were in the mood for Italian food and this restaurant did not disappoint! They are known for their award-winning gelato and it is a must-have here!
  
  I ordered their carbonara. It comes with a scoop of their bacon gelato and it works! It was deliciously savory with a bit of sweet. My only complaint is that the portion is surprisingly small for the price ($16.90).
  
  I also ordered their mango peach gelato for dessert and it was refreshingly tasty.
  
  You can order from the full menu at the bar area or just stop by for gelato on the first floor of the restaurant. Note: Don't forget to make a reservation prior if you are looking for regular dinner seating! It is also pretty pricey.

• Manisha S.

  star star star star star 5 July 2026

  I adore this restaurant! While visiting philly, my friend introduced me to this cute place and I fell in love!
  
  They have two floors of seating one downstairs and the other Upstairs. I would recommend trying their savory gelato dishes! This place is known for gelatos and they are quite yummy.  
  
  The coffee I told the waiter what style of Coffee I preferred so he had the Bautista make me a special kind. For the savory gelato dishes I had the bacon dish and it was quite wonderful. Love cute atmosphere and the staff is extremely nice and helpful!

• Scott L.

  star star star star star 1 July 2026

  I carefully researched Italian in Philadelphia and on all accounts I made a good choice.
  
  The place is essentially cafe style and feels Italian with the tiled floors, the family friendly atmosphere, casual yet somehow formal in a very authentic modern Italian way.  Service is efficient with friendliness but a distance.  
  
  The menu feels like it could be from a tourist area in Rome - large and with enough pricey items and enough items under $15 for lunch.
  
  I felt pretty strong going in on the authenticity of the food and I wasn't disappointed.  The Pappara delle with ragù, $17, was both heavenly and hearty.    Ribbons of fresh pasta, tender and firm with the kiss of red sauce a balanced marriage.  Pieces of meat graced those ribbons with enough fat and flavor.    That dish would be on my list of last meals for sure.  
  
  I had to get the cheesecake, served warm and came with a scoop of fiore di latte gelato.  "Is that ok ?"  My smart server asked with care.  Of course that's ok!   The cheesecake had a chocolate crumb crust and the gelato was a lovely cream.  
  
  The food is spot on here.   I told my friend about it who's husband is Italian.  Turns out they have their Italian language classes there meeting on Saturday's.
  
  The space is more functional than romantic, but this place could still work as a casual date.  
  
  Go here for real Italian.  You won't be disappointed.  Save room for dessert!
  
  Bellissimo !!