Authentic Italian flavors, from pasta to pistachio gelato, in the heart of Philadelphia.
Gran Caffe L'Aquila is a beloved Italian restaurant and cafe in Philadelphia, offering a cozy, two-story dining experience with warm service and unique decor. We serve delicious pasta dishes, seafood, and tender gnocchi, alongside expertly crafted coffee and delectable gelato. Perfect for lunch, dinner, or a sweet treat, we provide a welcoming atmosphere for casual meals and group events. Our commitment to authentic Italian cuisine and reasonable pricing makes us a go-to spot for locals and visitors alike.
Enjoy authentic pasta, seafood, and meat dishes in a cozy, two-story setting with attentive service.
Savor homemade gelato in flavors like pistachio and vanilla, plus other sweet treats and coffee.
Sip expertly crafted Italian coffee, wine, and other beverages to complement your meal.
Host gatherings with professional service for large parties, including bill splitting and quick service.
Relax at outdoor tables during warmer weather for a pleasant dining experience.
I had the coffee, Pecorino Verticale (which I unfortunately forgot to take a picture of but was presented beautifully), Cacio Pepe, and Stracciatello gelato – I loved the whole meal, and I can’t wait to come back and try more of what’s offered on the menu The service and the ambience are great here, and the location is good We sat at a table on the second floor and loved the aesthetics of the decor They have a couple of tables outside, which looked nice for when it’s warm out
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.
If I could give more than 5 stars, I would happily do! They professionally arranged a table for 26 people (even though our initial booking was for 15), served us nothing but great Italian dishes pretty quick, and figured out how to split bills with no hassle!! Their teamwork was impressive!! 👌👌👌
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