Gran Caffe L'Aquila
Italian restaurant · Rittenhouse
1716 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Highlights
Award-winning gelato, authentic Italian dishes, coffee & market
Award-winning gelato, authentic Italian dishes, coffee & market
"This multifaceted Italian coffee shop, wine bar, restaurant, and gelateria in Center City has made a serious name for itself through its exemplary gelato. Courtesy of co-owner and award-winning gelatiere Stefano Biasini, Gran Caffe L’Aquila turns out sweet, savory, and alcohol-spiked flavors that many have deemed the best in town in Italian classics like bacio, stracciatella and amaretto. Try the gelato flight with several bite-size spoonfuls served in a row. Fans can also treat themselves from afar: The online store ships gelato pints nationwide." - Annemarie Dooling
"This beloved Italian restaurant wasn’t going to miss out on having their own variation of the spritz. Here, they serve the “Calabrian Spritz” — an inventive mix of rosemary and strawberry-infused Aperol, Calabrian bergamot, blueberry, Jefferson Amaro, prosecco, and Calabrian chili bitters." - Ernest Owens
"Arguably one of the most iconic tiramisus in the region, this classic dessert is topped with fresh fruit and can be paired with espresso or cappuccino to amplify an already unforgettable confection." - Ernest Owens
"Gran Caffe L’Aquila is an Italian spot in Rittenhouse that's open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but the real reason to come here is for the gelato. They have endless flavor options, and each spoonful has the perfect ratio of creaminess, richness, and mix ins. If you can’t think of which flavor to go for, just know that the salted caramel will haunt your memories for weeks and will drive you to make some excuse for stopping by (like there’s a “g” in your cat’s name and one in gelato, so it must be fate)." - candis mclean, alison kessler
"When you want somewhere where you can drink discounted wine and eats lots of carbs to soak it all up, head to Gran Caffe L'Aquila. It’s a place big enough to work perfectly whether you’re with a few friends at a table out front or just want to get some food by yourself at the bar. The menu of half-priced appetizers includes truffled parmigiano fries, arancini, and baked melanzana parmigiana. " - candis mclean
