Where to Eat Pasta in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA - If you are in the mood for pasta while visiting Philadelphia, you have some options.  From Italian markets to specialty pasta restaurants, you can find plenty of great dishes to try in the city.


Where to Eat Pasta in Philadelphia
Photo: Fiorello Pasta

Dolce Italian in Center City

Dolce Italian features a stylish and approachable menu of authentic Italian dishes.  The menu includes breakfast, brunch, and lunch. There is a special breakfast menu for hotel guests only. Other items on the menu include housemade pasta, omelets, and pizza. They also offer specialty Italian-inspired cocktails. Whether you're looking for a casual meal or a romantic dinner, Dolce has what you need.

The dining room is adorned with a modern collection of mid-century modern furniture. In addition to its signature dishes, the restaurant offers an aperitivo hour Tues-Friday with various specials, including half priced pizzas, discounted select antipasti, and discounted select beverages. Cocktails.

Fiorello Pasta in Italian Market

If you're looking for Italian food in Philadelphia, there's no better place to go than Fiorella. It's not only located near the city's famed 9th Street Italian Market but it's also got a long history. The restaurant was once a meat market operated by the Fiorella family, one of the oldest Italian sausage makers in town. In its day, the shop could produce over a thousand pounds of sausage every day. Unfortunately, the fourth-generation proprietor, Dan Fiorella, had to close the shop after his mother died. Fortunately, he recovered and decided to move on. While the restaurant is tiny, it does a fine job of serving fresh pasta. The menu features six kinds of pasta and a couple of desserts. Some intriguing dishes include tonnarelli cacio e pepe and fried cala agnolotti in brodo.

Talula’s Garden in Rittenhouse Square

Talula's Garden is an artful dining experience in Philadelphia. Its menu reflects a light European touch with local ingredients. The restaurant features an indoor-outdoor space with a spacious patio. The restaurant offers brunch, lunch, and dinner. The menu changes depending on the season. You can choose from a wide selection of cocktails and wines. A monthly tasting menu is also available. Aside from serving great food, Talula's Garden is known for its wine. Their wine list features local and imported wine. And the bar serves a selection of ice-cold martinis. They also offer espresso drinks. The open-air space includes a large patio with a lovely garden area. The restaurant features two seating areas: the main dining room and a side room. Both of these rooms feature a high ceiling.

Cry Baby Pasta in Queen Village

Cry Baby Pasta is an Italian restaurant that serves comforting Italian fare in Queen Village. It was opened by two restaurateurs, Paul Rodriguez and Bridget Foy. The couple's previous Italian restaurant, Bridget Foy's, on South Street, burned down in October last year. While the owners are rebuilding their eatery, the duo decided to open a new, casual, neighborhood Italian restaurant. Cry Baby is a restaurant that specializes in pasta and wine. As a result, the menu is full of fresh and tasty dishes. In addition to traditional Italian pasta, the chefs offer a variety of appetizers, plates for sharing, and desserts. The bar offers Italian cocktails for those looking for a more adventurous drink. Wines on draft are also available. There are about a dozen beer options as well.

Damo Pasta Lab in Midtown Village

The DaMo Pasta Lab recently popped up on the corner of 12th and Sansom in the heart of Midtown. It's not precisely a gastropub, but that doesn't mean it lacks style. One of the restaurant's most noteworthy qualities is that it isn't afraid to be a bit louder than your average high-end burger joint. As for the waitstaff, they are affable and not overly pushy. This may be because the place isn't a smorgasbord, and you'll be able to take your sweet time in the kitchen. For the foodies amongst us, this is an ideal setting to unwind after a busy day of shopping or schlepping around town. The most notable drawback was the aforementioned lag, but that's a small price to pay for an upscale dining experience.