Spasso Italian Grill

I took my 70+ year old parents on a trip to Philly in November 2023 to make some special memories together. We saw some great historic sites, and loved our time in the city. Eating an early dinner at Spasso will remain among the highlights of our trip. The service was great and the cozy ambiance set us up for a meal to remember. We enjoyed the baked pasta, the Spasso pasta, and the most delicious ravioli I've ever had IN MY LIFE!! We also snacked on a tasty bruschetta and the bread & oil brought to our table. Watching the staff graciously attend to our and other tables, and seeing groups enjoy their dining experiences only confirmed that we were in the best place for our special dinner.

Came here on a Tuesday and was surprised to learn about the $50 special on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. You get to choose any Appetizer, Entree & Dessert& get a complimentary bottle of house wine. My sister and I weren't drinking, so they let us take the bottle of wine home. I had the meatballs to start, followed by the gnocchi gorgonzola and finished off with a tiramisu. The portion sizes were great, given that we got it on a special deal. I even had leftovers to bring home. The food didn't really blow me away though. Would I come back to try other items on the menu? Only if the Tuesday/Wednesday menu is still available.

*IMPORTANT NOTE* The three-course dinner special on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for $40 per person is currently not offered. According to our server, it will not be available again until February 2024. I would recommend calling ahead and asking before you go.

We were excited to try this place since they used to have a $45? menu special which included an appetizer, entrée, desserts, and a bottle of wine for each two person dining in. However, they got rid of this special in the Philadelphia location - you can still find them on certain days in the Media location. The waiter said the special probably won't be back until February of 2024. We ended up getting 2 fried calamari to shared for the four of us and we each ordered our own entree. The portion sizes were pretty generous. I love the complimentary bread and veggie squash dip they serve in the beginning. The bread was really soft on the inside and crispy on the edges, reminded me of a sourdough bread. I got the seafood risotto which was only available on Wednesday. It was delicious and I enjoyed the big juicy shrimps! While this place is definitely not my favorite Italian place in Philly, it did every thing right and was delicious. The staffs were okay, nothing memorable nor did they go above and beyond that add to the dining experience.

Amazing food! We were told all Italian spots in Philly were great but after eating here I don't need to go exploring! The bread and roasted vegetables were delicious too! Excellent and attentive service. They have delicious desserts too but if you want something light (and have room for dessert) Franklin's Ice Cream is right around the corner.

I loved the interior, the dark wood combined with the glow of the hanging lamps makes for a very cozy vibe, even during the middle of the day when I came, I'm sure it's even more so at night. The service was excellent with the waitress checking in on us frequently and providing us with a nice description of various menu items. The gnocchi bolognese was excellent and you could easily tell that the sauce was freshly made, making for an excellent complement to the gnocchi, with shredded Parmesan melting on top everything just worked! The shrimp linguini was creamy and light, but still packed flavor in each bite, with the shrimp soaking up all the sauce as well. The grilled calamari was alright, the texture was a tad bit rubbery, but the taste was there, however next time I think I'll get the fried calamari. Overall a nice spot for Italian food!

Good food and ambiance but service was lacking on the server side. The person that seated my friend and I were lovely -- felt like we were talking to our aunt. The server, not so much. She could not recommend a dessert when asked between 2, which one was better. Then when we asked for a bit of time since she couldn't recommend one, it took her 30-45mins to come back and that was only because she was flagged and it was the same way with getting the check. It was honestly the tone, she was so condescending in the the way she spoke. It started when we saw the Tuesday special being $45 instead of the $35 we saw online. When my friend and I asked, she goes no, it hasn't been $35 for years now. We're like oh, ok. Maybe we saw it wrong because that's what we saw on the website. She just kept on talking about how it's not $35 and that the website does not say that as if we were lying to get a deal. Then, when we were lacking knowledge on what a house wine but instead of being nicely educated it almost felt like she was trying to hint we were dumb. The was she spoke was not appreciated. There was many better ways to speak. Fortunately, the food was good and my friend and I enjoyed it. We didn't do the deal and instead we got salad (when we asked how big the salad and if it could be shared as an appetizer she did not know and it was normal for 1person), chicken cutlet and creme brulee and all of it was so good. We cleaned all of the plates. I'm not sure if I will be back though. I feel like there are better ones out there with a complete happy experience.

My partner and I went for happy hour. The Fusilli Lunghi was good, but the Penne Spasso was amazing. It was the perfect portion for us and we really appreciated the bread and caponata to soak up the sauce! The real standout, however, was service. Our bartender (I think her name was Lauren) made honest recommendations about what was good instead of just trying to upsell us. We will definitely be coming back because of that. Thanks for a great pre-show dinner, Spasso!

My friend and I came for the 3 course dining experience on a Tuesday, which came with an appetizer, entree, dessert, and a bottle of wine. The amount of food was definitely well worth the experience. For the appetizers, we got the fried calamari and bruschetta toast. Those were ok but nothing stand out. For the entree, we ordered the short rib pappardelle and carbonara; both were delicious. The short rib was super tender. For dessert, we got the tiramisu which I also really liked. It was a very cozy and family-friendly environment, and an overall nice experience.

I honestly thought this was a solid establishment. The food was very tasty and the service was exceptional. Very grateful to Lisa for her attentiveness and great detail to making sure that we had a great experience. The restaurant itself was okay. Decor wasn't anything mind blowing but the space is bigger than it looks when you walk inside. I believe they can host private parties, which is great to know. I would definitely recommend for anyone looking for a good Italian cuisine experience. Also, definitely can't go wrong with any of their pastas, freshly made with great flavor!

Very tasty food, great service Andy a nice waterfront view! I recommend this place if you find yourself in Old City Philly! Very authentic.

This was the perfect spot for an easy weeknight dinner. I arrived right around 5pm and had the patio to myself. Staff was really friendly and pleasant, and my server was attentive but also gave me a lot of privacy. My food was ready crazy fast, which made me wonder if it was pre prepared - but it was hot and tasty so no complaints! I had absolutely no problems with this meal. One note though is that you will hear highway noise out on the patio; it's not terrible and didn't bother me, but it isn't quiet out there.

Amazing!! This was a Tuesday girls day for me and a good friend of mine and I'm glad she chose this spot. I heard good things but that didn't compare to the joy and excitement I experienced dining in. We started off with the warm bread and wine while we sifted through options! The Pinot Grigio (pictured) was smooth and the noise level was calm, everyone around us were enjoying themselves. The Dinner Madness (3-Course Dinner & Complimentary Bottle of Wine) was truly worth it! It was worth it for sure and truly added to the experience! Beginning with the Walnut & Goat Cheese Salad & Fried Calamari (cooked just right) were great! Our entrees were filling and tasted so good. We shared a few things for tasting and neither one of us were disappointed. Oh! And the staff was one to remember. Everyone was helpful, knowledgeable and the amount of team work seen throughout my visit was heartwarming.

Friendly staff and I had the pappardelle porcini. They do this dish well and it is one the ones to order. Possibly the rock shrimp w pesto sauce. I had the coffee and creamer was provided. No sugar was available so I just did without it. No mocktails either and the regular drinks didn't spark an interest for me. The environment is a homely, warm feeling that makes you feel like you want to stay there and eat. I feel like the dishes can be hit or miss depending on what you order as my first time ordering something non-pasta at the Media location was like eh for me but the pasta tends to be well done here.

Wow! Amazing and delicious Italian food, generous portions, and our waitress Lori was an absolute delight! Friendly, helpful, and just the best. Because of Lori we will be back (and the awesome food helps!).

Had a nice time here! Delicious homemade pasta! Service was fast. There is a very extensive menu and options for everyone! The restaurant is part bar on one side and the other side has traditional chairs and tables. We ordered the linguine carbonara and gnocchi Gorgonzola. Both were very good and filling. I will be back to try their other pasta and main dishes!

I was pretty underwhelmed by Spassos. The food wasn't bad but it wasn't impressive either- pretty mid. My pasta dish didn't stay hot and without the heat, did not maintain its flavor. I'd go somewhere else for Italian in Philly.

Three of us had a great dining experience here tonight. If you are here touring Old City, Spasso's is a little off the normal walking area. It's down on Front Street across from Penn's bLanding. It's worth going a little out of your way! Get the grilled calamari as a starter. It's fabulous. I had a perfectly seasoned and char grilled NY strip steak served with grilled veggies. My dining partners had gnocchi with asparagus (very tasty) and grilled jumbo shrimp skewer. Only gripe was there were only four shrimp on the skewer and they weren't that 'jumbo'. Deserts were tiramisu and crème brûlée. Both very good. Here's a great tip, Tuesday and Thursday are prix fix nights where you get an appy, entree and dessert for $45. If that isn't a good enough enticement, you also get a bottle of house wine for every two dinners you buy. We'll definitely be back.

Came here last night with a group of 6 friends. We were sat in their beautiful dining room area. Tables were large enough to seat us all comfortably. It had a very nice Italian feel to it. I ordered from the restaurant week menu which was $40 for appetizer, entree and dessert. I sadly forgot my dessert on the table and walked out. All the food that came out was bursting with flavor. I got the four cheese spinach raviolis which had wild mushroom stuffed inside. The cheese sauce on the raviolis was excellent to be saved with the bread . Nothing went to waste last night. Servers were also kind and knowledgeable of the menu. We will definitely back for a romantic evening out!!!

Went here for valentine's day and it was an amazing experience! All the food items were delicious, the prices were fair. Our server was sweet and attentive. Nearly 3 course meal for two for under $110

Food was okay but expensive. We spent $45 (before tax and tip) on the restaurant week menu. It tasted good and the serving sizes were pretty big. The ambiance of the restaurant was perfect for a date night or dinner with a small group of friends, just what we were looking for. The warm lighting makes it feel cozy, and it was busy enough to feel friendly and inviting but not too crowded. The servers were very friendly, and attentive but not overbearing. Overall, the food was nothing crazy but this place is perfect if you're looking for a nice restaurant to enjoy with a few friends.

We spontaneously stopped by Spasso for an early dinner for four. Since we came around 5 we were able to get in without a reservation. It happened to be restaurant week and the entire menu was included in their deal which I thought was great! We didn't participate since we didn't need dessert. Our food was delicious, in particular I'd recommend the crabmeat ravioli in pesto sauce. I also had an espresso martini, which came in a martini glass and a bit extra in a shaker too. Bread was included with our meals. Everything came out quickly, service was great.

I came here with some friends to enjoy their $45 3 course meal (plus a complimentary bottle for every 2 specials ordered). It's a really good deal. We ordered the complimentary white wine bottle and they chilled it at the table. Overall, the food was okay. I expected a lot more Italian flavor. The best part of the food was the cheesecake dessert and marinara sauce on the chicken parm. The Caesar salad lacked flavor. The service was great. Overall, I will likely return to try their happy hour but I'm not sure if I'll find anything really tasty.

My friends and I (3 of us altogether), made a reservation day of and enjoyed a 7:00 reservation on a Saturday night. Restaurant is huge! Casual fancy, nice spot for family dinner or date night, too. We started off with calamari (eh, a little chewy) and mussels (white sauce was delicious! Mussels were a good size). Server also brought out bread -- not really "enough" for the 3 of us and bread was cold -- but neither here nor there. I LOVED a bite of my friend's carbonara and the chicken cutlet was amazing on the chicken parm. Although many rave reviews about the short rib pappardelle, I wasn't super impressed -- felt one note, meat had a touch of an acidic flavor to it. I ate most of it but I probably would try something else next time! Dessert sampler was amazing (imo) -- favorites: cheesecake (so fresh), cannoli (so good but no chocolate chips :( ) -- tiramisu and chocolate mousse also on the plate -- tiramisu was good! Very light, not too coffee-ee. Great serving size for sharing. Service was pretty good. Our server had pretty great timing with dishes and drinks and wasn't too engaged but also not disengaged from us either. He was overall helpful and pleasant.

Food was delicious I got the stuffed pork chop and man this was on point. The service from our server was very helpful and gave awesome suggestions. The location is nice right by the river which we walked to after our meal.

Dined in here yesterday. Conveniently located and good ambience. Ordered Caesar salad with chicken (good portion, presentation and tasty), and tiramisu (good quality and flavor). The staff here is excellent. A bit pricey but overall a good experience. However, would have preferred more menu options (usually Italian places have a large selection of food items to offer).

We came to Spasso Italian Grill based on a recommendation from the service staff at the hotel we stayed at. The food was fine. The waiter was good. Wife and her friend had a pasta dish and it was acceptable. I had the lasagne. It's made with crepes in lieu of noodles. This didn't really satisfy me. It ended up tasting like a bowl of cheese with a little sauce and meat. I will give the waiter credit - he kind of indirectly warned us before we ordered it. If you forget about the lasagne, the rest of the meal was average.

WORST restaurant experience ever - we came for dinner and the restaurant was almost empty. our server was inattentive and seemed to be in a bad mood from the beginning. we ordered meatballs marinara, fried calamari, linguine ponza, shrimp fradiavolo, and creme brulee. the meatballs and calamari were just okay. the two pastas were salty and the noodles weren't fully cooked. we let our server know but he said that's how it's supposed to be cooked at this restaurant. i asked to have mine heated up longer if possible, and he took it then just packed it up in a togo container and threw it on our table. food was already disappointing but SERVICE WAS A 0/5. i will never be back.

Went to Spasso during restaurant week. What's unique about Spasso during restaurant week is that their whole menu is available (split into 3 courses) and not just a few items from a select 3 course menu. The server, who was fantastic, explained how the restaurant week menu worked and then took our drink orders. My wife and I both ordered wine from a nice selection of reds by the glass. Although in hindsight we should have just gotten a bottle. In addition to bringing us our wine they brought out some bread and butter. The bread was good, soft in the middle and crunchy on the outside. However, I'm not a fan of the cold wrapped butter packets because you can never get it to spread on the soft bread. She came back later to take our appetizer order. For the appetizer my wife ordered the meatballs in marinara and I ordered the Caesar salad. My wife really enjoyed her meatballs but I thought my Caesar salad was good, but nothing special. For out main course my wife ordered the Zuppa Di Pesce and I ordered the Linguine Puttanesca. Unfortunately we both felt the main courses were good, but not as good as we were hoping for based on the yelp reviews. The pasta itself was tasty, but was a little too thick for me. I'm used to thinner strands of linguine. The Zuppa came with lots of seafood and she enjoyed the fish pieces found in the bowl, but felt the octopus and calamari were chewy, which she felt was off putting. I tried the octopus and also found it to be chewy. My Puttanesca was good, but not great, with the only issue being the size of the pasta, as I mentioned earlier. For dessert, my wife got the Tlramisu, which she loved, and I got the chocolate mousse cake, which was great. I also had a nice black walnut Manhattan which was delicious. Overall a nice dinning experience with pleasant staff and good quality food, but the few issues I had with the food brought down my rating.

Honestly a big let down. The service was fine nothing special. We were excited to try this place because of the high reviews but it was not good. We got served 4 tiny slices of bread and a random plate of vegetables before our meals. We ordered: linguine clams, side of roasted vegetables, new york strip steak, and side of roasted potatoes. The pasta was not good, cold, too thick, not very tasty. Sides were cold. However, the steak was good. We feel this place was nothing special and wished we had tried somewhere else.

Although I live very close to Spasso I hadn't been there in years. I finally had a chance to visit on a recent Saturday night. Even though it's a large restaurant the place was packed. My friend and I were seated in a back room. Our server, Lisa, was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. She provided excellent service throughout our meal. She sold us on the specials, which were a Stuffed Pork Chop and a Seafood Pappardelle. Unfortunately, the pork chop had sold out so I ordered the Short Rib Pappardelle. To start with we shared the meatballs. The meatballs came out shortly after the bread service. The bread was good, but nothing special. I can't say the same about the meatballs. They were special. So flavorful and juicy. Possibly the best meatballs I've had in a restaurant. It did take a long time for our entrees to arrive, which was no surprise considering the crowd. Once I dug in to my Short Rib Pappardelle I forgot about the pork chop I initially wanted. It was the perfect combination of tender meat, tasty sauce and pasta. I tried the seafood Pappardelle as well and although it's a completely different taste than the short rib it was equally delicious. It had lobster and crab meat and broccoli all mixed together with the pasta in a sauce that made us want to lick the plate at the end. We were too stuffed to try the dessert. I also ordered a drink from the cocktail menu that was a fruity version of a Moscow mule. I forget the name of it, but it was a well mixed drink and I was happy with my choice. I can't believe I haven't been to Spasso more often since I've lived a short walk away for over a decade. I will not make that mistake moving forward. My meal at Spasso was a five star experience, at a reasonable price, and I can't wait to go back!

Went to Spasso's for their 3 course dinner for $40.00 (only on Tuesdays and Wednesdays). I can't believe I've been passing this place for years and haven't tried them out. The service...meh. You can tell the hostess wasn't feeling it that day and she couldn't hide her irritation to save a life. But I digress. The food...yes! Their options are endlesssssssss and I whole heartedly believe everything on that menu is likely good. The happy hour wasn't to die for but what cha gonna do? Drink! All in all the food was spectacular, dessert was lit, drinks weren't cheap but good, and the service was eh. I'll be back for the food thouugh!

This is a must place to dine at! Everyone is so friendly from the hostess to the server to their helpers. The food is to die for. The bread is so fresh! My wife loved her Penne Spasso and my Rigatoni w/Meatballs (4 meatballs!) was delicious. I could not eat it all and I grew up as a member of the "clean plate club!" BTW-The prices are very reasonable. Our two dinners including iced tea and a glass of wine, with tax, was only $65. Even though there is lots of seating plus a banquet size room, I suggest making a reservation. .

My boyfriend picked this restaurant for us to go to for restaurant eeek last week. I couldn't believe that I have never been there before! I had the escargot to start, gnocchi with asparagus for my entrée and crème brûlée for dessert. I did take leftovers of my dinner home. My boyfriend enjoyed the polenta with porcini mushrooms to start, clams in white sauce for dinner and tiramisu for dessert. All of our food was very good and the service was great. I'm glad I was able to dine there and try til he wonderful food!

I came late night with my mom for a nice dinner out. The ambiance was very nice, and the food was good. I got a lasagna for myself, and mum got a seafood pasta. Both were good, not the best italian I've had but decent, and big just as you'd expect. We managed to kill it, so it wasn't the biggest plate of food you'd ever seen. We took a little walk around Front street and the water front after too. Though all that was great, the service was shit. There were barely anyone in the restaurant, maybe like 3 other tables. A server from across the way told us to just sit at a table of our choice, and then when we sat, another server asked us to swap tables so we wouldn't be in the way of service (we chose a table in the the middle of the restaurant). We then got moved to a table in the corner next to a column, didn't get water til like 10 minutes later (no water refills either), and was told we don't get bread because we didn't order any appetizers. So yea, turned into a not so nice out for me and mum.

Hiiiighly recommend this place. The service is great and fast. The food is delightful! I especially am a big fan of the pappardelle porcini with chicken.

It's the standard for Italian food. There are fancier Italian restaurants in the City but when you decide that you don't feel like cooking but don't want to spend a fortune on eating out you can't do better than Spasso's'. I can vouch for most of the menu. Recently I decided it was a "no cooking night" & felt like seafood. While my husband & son enjoyed pasta, I ordered Mussels from the appetizers for my dinner. They were outstanding. With the great warm crusty bread & vegetable antipasto starter I was stuffed. Give it a try.

Visited this place with my friend for their tuesday/wednesday night special and what an amazing experience. From our waitress to the food everything was fantastic. The $40 meal/person is a great deal. And the food was delicious! We both took home leftovers. The restaurant is beautiful with exposed brick and I feel like a good amount of space between tables, it doesnt feel too crowded. Our waitress c not have been better! She was very interactive with us and helped us decide on our entrées and just really made the experience that much better!

Nice place tables are a-bit small for my liking lol but over great place one of my favorite for date night !

Delicious food and fantastic service! We greatly enjoyed our visit here and will come back for sure!

I've been here many times over the past few years. I must say, I've not had a bad meal, service or overall dining experience. The staff have always been accommodating and pleasant. Spasso has nice selection of traditional Italian dishes. I always find it hard to choose what I want because the nice variety. Today I chose the veal saltimbocca. The veal was very tender and tasty. The dish came with an assortment of grilled vegetables, and delicious roasted potatoes. I loved it!! Spasso has a fairly large inside dining area, a separate bar area, and very nice outdoor dining area, with views of Penns Landing and the Ben Franklin bridge. Give Spasso a visit. I hope you enjoy your visit as much as I've always had.

Spasso Grill was a pleasant surprise for our last dinner in Philadelphia. It is probably just enough off the tourist beaten path. However, for an early Sunday dinner, it was doing a respectable business. We started out with the grilled calamari. It was fresh, but just a touch dry. We shared both the Zuppa di Pesce and Gnocchi Bolognese with beef. Both were good (and generously portioned). However, the Gnocchi was the clear winner. The pasta is well made. We had four glasses of wine. The Nero d'Avola was the best and a good complement to the Gnocchi Bolognese. Our server was friendly, chatty, and knowledgeable about the food and the wine pairing. However, we did have to remind him a couple of times about our lactose allergy when he was making recommendations, so we had to police the meal a little more than we are accustomed. The restaurant itself is a little rough around the edges, but it was very clean. I think of it is a place to go after a hard day that allows you to be comfortable and to be yourself. Now for the value. We ate very well (we skipped lunch, so we were hungry) with a shared starter and two massive main courses along with four glasses of wine for a grand total of $125 including tax and tip! This was definitely a bargain for what we got considering the quality of the food and wine. If this restaurant was in our neighborhood, we would return.

Woke of the best. The pasta is all home made. The server was the best. Veal parmigiana was crisp and fresh. Can't wait to come back

First time here and loved it! Food and drinks were very good. The service was great and the ambiance was very warm and relaxed.

worst experience of any restaurant I've gone to. very disappointed, Fir true Italian experience stay with South Philly, they know how to treat you.

Such a cute place. Our meals came out quickly and the waiting staff was great. The gnocchi were delicious and they have gluten free pasta available!

A couple months ago, we gave this place a shot for their Tuesday/Wednesday dinner deal: 2 full-course meals and a bottle of wine for $35 per person. All good, totally worth it. We returned last night for the same deal, realizing at the last minute that the price had increased to $45 per person. Big difference. Unfortunately, the deal and the restaurant are no longer worth it to us. Food was passable - nothing great, nothing inedible. The bottle of wine they gave us was . . . bad. Tasted like $5-a-bottle swill. The cherry on top was dessert: the tartufo was not included in this supposedly amazing "deal." We can get a much better value at neighborhood BYOBs that are charging $30 for chicken parm. The bill ended up being around a $100. I'd rather go for a more elevated experience and bring my own bottle of nice wine. Cheers, Spasso. It was fun while it lasted.

Actually wasn't sure. But the food was really good! My test fir Italian places are the roasted peppers. If they're canned I'm out. These were obviously roasted in house, sweet and delicate with a bit of olive oil. All the apps (grilled calamari, bruschetta, antipasto) Entrees were great too

Spassos is always a good choice! The food has been consistent throughout the pandemic. I've been a few times and also had takeout. We went for Restaurant Week. It's a good choice because you pick from the regular menu excluding the specials. The portions are also the same. I started with the mussels in red sauce. The mussels were perfectly cooked. To be honest I really get the mussels for the delicious broth! Hubby had the fried calamari. Also cooked perfectly. Our friends had a salad which was enough to share and clams in broth. The entrees were a good size. Only one of us finished the whole entree lol The rest of us left with a doggie bag. Two of us had the short rib ragu. It is soooo good. It comes with pappardelle pasta that pairs well with the hearty ragu. The beef is shredded and very tender. The chicken parm was huge. It had just the right amount of breading. The chicken was moist and tender. The veal was also large and very good. It was served with potatoes and vegetables. The Chianti was good at a good price. The espresso was also good. Desserts were good. The crème brûlée was creamy and rich but the sugar shell was a little soggy. It was served with a lot of confectioners sugar on top which I could've done without. The chocolate mouse cake was delicious but a very small piece. The cheese cake was good but standard. Maybe it would be better to go with the Italian desserts.

This is the best pasta spot ever!!! I dined here with a group of friends during the week. We did the special where you get an app, entree, and a dessert along with a bottle of wine for every 2 people who do the special. We all sampled various dishes. Every dish I had along with the bread and olive oil mixture was awesome! The service was awesome and the waiter was pretty friendly. It gets pretty loud in the inside but I did't mind. After a few bottles, I guess everyone get loud! LOL! Overall, we all enjoyed our meals and vowed to make it a regular outing. When I'm back in the area, I'm coming straight to Spasso's. Thumbs up- I definitely recommend this restaurant!