Gran Caffe L'Aquila
1716 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA
Crema's Take
“This Italian-inflected Philadelphia institution excels at creating unhurried moments in a bustling city, with reviewers consistently praising the warm hospitality and distinctive, thoughtfully decorated atmosphere that somehow feels both intimate and energetic. Whether you're lingering over a meticulously pulled espresso, sharing a department dinner, or stopping in on a weekday whim, the team here demonstrates genuine care—from accommodating last-minute guests to crafting collaborative menus that make planning effortless. It's the kind of place where a chance discovery through a food app turns into a cherished regular haunt.”
What to expect
Google Reviews
Another beautiful event at Gran Café L’Aquila for our annual department dinner. For the second year in a row, their team made the planning process incredibly easy, assisting with the delicious menu, wine selections, setup, and flawless service. Everything was handled with care and professionalism. There’s nothing better than hosting an event and being able to truly enjoy it alongside everyone else.
I found this place on a whim through Postmates ..saved it bc I had just placed another order and came back to it .....I can't express the amount of appreciation I have for that decision I intended to only order desert bc like the previous night I had already placed a separate order...I ended up getting an appetizer and two desserts and cannot wait to eat my way through the whole menu! Whoever is making the food is putting their heart and soul into every plate (and that's saying something for delivery) each dish is a masterpiece by itself ...put together it's a meal like no other ....the menu is extensive and I am envisioning myself on a balmy spring day dining on their patio watching the people pass by .....I am very excited ☺️
Stopped in for lunch and it was delicious. Adding to my Philly go to's. The lunch scene for pre happy hour was as expected, a city rush with an exciting vibe. Our waiter added a special touch with helping us correct our pronunciations since we made the efforts. 😉 The food was delicious and gelato was delectable.
We stopped here for an early lunch on a whim and glad we did! They were able to easily accommodate us since it was a weekday. The hostess and the waiter were warm, welcoming and attentive. The dining space is upstairs and quite cozy. We had pasta - seafood wrapped in pasta which was delicious and different, and gnocchi which was tender with a lovely cream sauce. We had wine, coffee and dessert as well. The cost was quite reasonable for all we had. We hope to visit again!
The atmosphere and decorations here are very interesting, giving the restaurant a unique vibe. But the tables are very close to each other. We ordered the Polipo (grilled octopus leg), Salsiccia Boizanee, Tagliatelle alla Panna (with guitar string noodles), Cinghiale (meatball), and their well-known gelato (pistachio and vanilla). The Polipo was excellent—tender, well-seasoned, and perfectly cooked. Unfortunately, the meatball was the biggest disappointment, served cold and tasting like it might have been frozen. The pasta was just okay; the noodles were undercooked and too firm to enjoy. The highlight was definitely the gelato. The pistachio flavor had a strong, authentic pistachio taste, though both flavors leaned on the sweeter side. Still, it’s worth stopping by for the gelato alone. For a full meal, though, there are probably better options elsewhere.
Crema Reviews
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