La Famiglia Ristorante

Italian restaurant · Old City

La Famiglia Ristorante

Italian restaurant · Old City

8 S Front St, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Highlights

An elegant room sets the scene for classic Italian dishes at this Old World-style restaurant.

8 S Front St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 Get directions

lafamiglia.com

Reserve

@infatuation

"Old City's La Famiglia looks like it was a Medici's second coat room. Yes, the Versace-esque theme is tacky, but it's also fun to sit near a miniature David statue and fantasize about having enough money to buy all the marble in Carrara. Everything here tastes good, from the homemade pasta to the $56 veal chop, though nothing is truly memorable. Well, except for the owner Giuseppe going from table-to-table to make jokes and the cavernous wine cellar in the basement that has its own well." - candis mclean

The 13 Best Old-School Italian Restaurants In Philly, Ranked

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@infatuation

La Famiglia Ristorante Review - Old City - Philadelphia - The Infatuation

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@eater

"For over 45 years, the Sena family has been serving Italian cuisine. For 2022, the restaurant will offer an eight-course prix-fixe Feast of Seven Fishes meal featuring salted cod salad, spaghetti and clams, fried cod and calamari, branzino filet, and more. This special menu is available now through Friday, December 30 — except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day when the restaurant will be closed. A seat at the table is $108 per person. Reservations are required; call 215-922-2803." - Carolyn Desalu

Where to Celebrate the Feast of the Seven Fishes in Philly

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Andrew Langmuir

Google

Located in Old City Philadelphia, a step into La Famiglia Ristorante feels like a step into the past. One is greeted by warm lighting and a variety of renaissance style portraits. Combined with a candlelit table and a beautiful bouquet, the atmosphere in the restaurant is truly captivating. Despite the undeniably fantastic atmosphere, the service and food were a mix. We were served with our food quite quickly, but speed was lacking in terms of us getting menus or the check. The food was also mixed. The complimentary bread and butter was great, and the free bruschetta they provided was also fantastic. The tomatoes were fresh and the bread had the perfect crisp texture. In terms of entree, we had both the Cavatelli and the Tagliolini. The cavatelli had an abundant amount of salt, and the burrata was below the quality expected from such a high tier restaurant. The dish was rather disappointing, but the tagliolini made up for it. Served with mussels, clams, calamari, and shrimp, the dish is stellar. The portions are reasonably sized, with plenty of each seafood item. The sauce was also a wonderful complement to the dish. Lastly, the tiramisu was also a great desert, with a sizable portion and beautiful display. In all, given the fantastic location of the restaurant and the great experience it provides, La Famiglia Ristorante is a wonderful option for an Italian dinner in Philadelphia.

Nina Malone

Google

Another spectacular birthday meal! Attentive service, great sommelier reco, scrumptious specials and a song at dessert. Limoncello, too! Long-time customers who will be back!

Samantha Winterburn

Google

Nice experience for a large party of 11 people. The wine selection is massive. The food was pretty good, really enjoyed the beet carpaccio and cannoli. The waiters were really nice and attentive. The atmosphere is a little cheesy with the decor. Overall a nice experience.

Dena H.

Google

Im honestly shocked by the experience we had at La Famiglia Restaurant, given that it had such great reviews. We wanted a special restaurant to celebrate my parents 30th wedding anniversary. Upon arrival, we were sat at a table, and the manager seemed very grumpy with the host and he kept pointing at us and just seemed to have an attitude. The actual servers are nice but everything seemed rushed and we had to put our entire order in at once, both appetizers and entrees. The food was okay, not the best. I ordered the pesto gnocchi and it was undercooked. The chicken dish was very salty and the veal parm was dry. The manager came to check in on us and appeared friendlier. I went to ask him if they could do a surprise for my parents for their anniversary and he said of course. After my parents declined dessert, he still brought out a cheesecake and added it to the bill (instead of doing a kind gesture). Upon inquiring about it he pointed at me and said she ordered it - which I did not. (I didn’t specify any dessert..) Honestly the manager could be more welcoming and do a better job at hospitality.

Van (Avana)

Google

Quaint and homey Italian restaurant! I tried out their Nostalgia menu this month and it is a smashing hit. You can find items under $20 per dish which is great if you’re looking for a sampler menu or a 3-course meal. You’ll also be treated to a plate of bread and some lovely butter. Their Caesar salad is phenomenal and well dressed with the best Parmesan dusting on top. Their service is quite well top notch. One thing to note is they offer sparkling, still (naturale) and regular tap water. I didn’t know and I got the still by mistake. Regardless it was delicious and freshly poured out of a new glass liter bottle. I also ordered the homemade gnocchi and veal medallions in a lemony caper sauce. The gnocchi was delicious. It’s the softest I’ve ever had and filled with a fluffy potato filling. Might I say better than Giorgio’s? You can ask for Parmesan and cracked black pepper which they serve table side with a very long pepper grinder! It was quite a show. I was getting stuffed after gnocchi so I wished I didn’t order Prosecco. The lemony veal medallions were nice, very akin to pork to be honest. But I’d recommend entrees with your pasta so you can interchange protein and carbs. I was pretty stuffed after so I didn’t grab dessert. Maybe next time!

LDJ ENTERTAINMENT

Google

Everything was excellent, the service was very professional, the food was spectacular and the best thing is the design of the restaurant. You enter at La Famiglia and it is like entering a museum.

Lois Kim

Google

The restaurant gives off a homey and Italian vibe. We went there as a triple date night with friends. The service was a little slow at first but we didn’t mind because we were busy catching up with each other. To share as a group we ordered octopus, Caesar salad, and a whole branzino! I myself ordered a pesto pasta. We were also allowed to alter our pasta dish if desired which my friend did, with no extra charge. Fresh warm bread and butter was provided and the staff also gave us complimentary bruschetta! Yum! When the whole branzino came, our waiter plated the fish out as if it was a work of art. Overall, I loved the vibe of the restaurant. The staff was very friendly and accommodating.

Mary Rosenello

Google

La Famiglia deserves its excellent reputation , which has continued since 1947. They are not resting on their laurels. The food, service and atmosphere are wonderful. I tried the watermelon salad ( from the specials) and the salmon and both were light and had multiple layers of flavor and were perfect. I hope to return soon with my family.

@infatuation

The 13 Best Old-School Italian Restaurants In Philly, Ranked

View Postcard for La Famiglia Ristorante

@infatuation

La Famiglia Ristorante Review - Old City - Philadelphia - The Infatuation

View Postcard for La Famiglia Ristorante

@eater

Where to Celebrate the Feast of the Seven Fishes in Philly

View Postcard for La Famiglia Ristorante

Andrew Langmuir

Google

Nina Malone

Google

Another spectacular birthday meal! Attentive service, great sommelier reco, scrumptious specials and a song at dessert. Limoncello, too! Long-time customers who will be back!

Samantha Winterburn

Google

Dena H.

Google

Van (Avana)

Google

LDJ ENTERTAINMENT

Google

Everything was excellent, the service was very professional, the food was spectacular and the best thing is the design of the restaurant. You enter at La Famiglia and it is like entering a museum.

Lois Kim

Google

Mary Rosenello

Google

La Famiglia Ristorante

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