You Want Italian? Villa Di Roma.

As Italian as it Gets

While Philadelphia’s Italian market may be more properly named the multicultural market these days, it is still home to one of the best Italian restaurants in the city. Villa DiRoma is old school Italian, done like it should be done in the Italian Market. The experience at Villa Di Roma is a unique one because dining there is all about the awesome food. The restaurant is relatively plain, no frills needed here. The waitresses (yes the wait staff is entirely female) are just as Italian as the cuisine and will remind you of your Aunt Maria with a frequent, “What can I get for you hon?” The menu is simple and consists mostly of pasta, chicken, and veal done however you like it. They offer classic dishes such as spaghetti and meatballs, but also make a list of unique saucy platters that are like nothing you’ve ever tried before.

Dish Recommendations

If you come to Villa di Roma, you better start with the shrimp scampi appetizer. Eight jumbo shrimp swimming in a sea of buttery, lemony, slightly spicy scampi sauce that will drive you wild. The wait staff already knows to keep the bread coming so you can soak up all the sinful sauce. As far as entrees go, the Veal Sicilian is one of the most amazing dishes I have ever tasted in my life. I can’t tell you exactly what’s in it (keeping with the no nonsense theme, there are no descriptions on the menu) but I’ll try my best. Thinly cut veal in a buttery light brown sauce flavored with capers, olives, and peppers. Trust me, you will not be disappointed. Trust me. Another incredible entrée is the Chicken Bella Buca, a large portion of chicken lightly egg breaded topped with ham, cheese, and spinach. These are some of my favorites, but everything here is done perfectly and made with the best ingredients.

Chicken Bella Buca

Chicken Sicilian

Deserved Recognition

Villa Di Roma was recently featured on Food Network’s "Food Feuds" as a contender for the best meatballs. They were matched up against Ralph’s, another favorite Italian restaurant in the market. Who won? Villa Di Roma, of course. So if you want to go Italian in Philly, go to the best spot in the market. Dining at Villa Di Roma is like visiting your relatives for Sunday dinner, you won’t leave hungry or unsatisfied. There are always leftovers, and that’s a good thing.

Villa Di Roma

936 S. 9^th street

Philadelphia, PA 19147

215-592-1295

Now you know.