La Viola Bistro

4.6

458 Reviews

$30 and under

Italian

Make a booking

2 people

28 Feb 2025

19:00

Booked 13 times today

Neighbourhood gem
Good for special occasions
Charming

For PARTIES OF 10+, please call 215 735 8630 to make a reservation. To place an order, call us at 215-735-8630.

To have your table reserved please call us at 215 735 8630. Walk-ins are welcome!

La Viola Bistro is open for both lunch and dinner during the week and dinner on weekends. A fine-dining establishment, it specializes in Italian fare. Some items on the menu at La Viola - East include pasta such as bowtie pasta with shrimp, along with a linguini pasta dish with veal. In addition to pasta, La Viola serves a variety of seafood and grilled steak entrées.

No alcohol is served at La Viola - East, but you are welcome to bring your own bottle of wine or champagne to accompany your meal. Offering a casual but chic dining space, its décor includes wood furnishings and chandelier lighting.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Italian, Mediterranean, Seafood
Hours of Operation
Lunch Daily 11:00–15:00 Dinner Daily 16:00–22:00
Phone number
(215) 735-8630
Website
http://laviolaphiladelphia.com/
Payment Options
Cash Only
Dress code
Casual Dress
Private party facilities
Interested in celebrating your special event at La Viola? Call us at 215 735 8630

Location
253 S 16th St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Area
Rittenhouse Square
Parking details
Latimer St & S 15th St is the closest parking lot, 2 min walk.
Additional
BYO Wine, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway

Popular dishes

Insalata CaesarUS$9.00
classic caesar dressing with homemade croutons
Insalata TrecoloreUS$11.00
radicchio, arugula and belgian endive topped with shaved parmigiana in a rich lemon dressing
Insalata BistroUS$8.00
seasonal mixed green salad with balsamic vinaigrette
Zuppa Del GiornoUS$9.00
chef's soup selection of the day
Antipasta MistaUS$12.00
please ask your server for the chef's daily selection of traditional italian delicacies
Zuppetta di CozzeUS$11.00
farm raised mussels in a white wine and garlic sauce or traditional spicy plum tomato sauce
Pepperoni ArrostiUS$11.00
homemade sweet roasted peppers, gaeto olives and anchovies marinated with extra virgin olive oil
Funghi TrentinoUS$11.00
porcini, shiitake and portobello mushrooms in a garlic, basil and olive oil sauce
Grigliata di CalamariUS$12.00
grilled calamari marinated in lemon juice, garlic and peppered extra virgin olive oil

Bistecca

Bistecca del GiornoUS$0.00
chef's special beef of the day
- Market PriceUS$0.00

Pesce

Salmone MantecatoUS$22.00
oven roasted salmon in a white wine, lemon & pearl onion sauce
Pesce del GiornoUS$0.00
chef's special fish of the day
- Market PriceUS$0.00

Pasta

Penne Alla CarusoUS$22.00
pencil point pasta in a vodka and tomato sauce lightly creamed with peas & pancetta
Farfalle MarinaraUS$23.00
bow tie pasta with shrimp in a pesto or pomodoro sauce
Fettuccine Al SalmoneUS$24.00
fettuccine pasta with salmon in a pink cognac sauce
Orecchiette Alla RomanaUS$22.00
shell shaped pasta tossed with chicken, sausage & mushrooms in a white wine garlic sauce with fresh plum tomatoes
Linguini PizzaiolaUS$23.00
linguini pasta with veal, olives and capers in a spicy marinara sauce
Gnocchi Al Filetto di PomodoroUS$21.00
homemade gnocchi with spinach and ricotta cheese in a fresh tomato basil sauce
Risotto al Frutti di MareUS$25.00
arborio rice with seafood in light marinara sauce
Ravioli Alla ViolaUS$23.00
homemade ravioli stuffed with lobster in a pink cognac sauce

Vitello

Vitello Alla ViolaUS$24.00
veal medallions with fresh mushrooms, garlic and prosciutto in a rich veal sauce
Vitello PomodoroUS$25.00
breaded veal cutlet with fresh mozzarella and plum tomatoes in a rich tomato sauce
Vitello CarciofiUS$24.00
veal medallions with artichokes, sundried tomatoes in a white wine sauce

Pollami

Pollo RollatiniUS$23.00
chicken breast stuffed with smoked ham, fontina cheese & spinach in a rose sauce with mushrooms & chopped roma tomatoes
Pollo Gamberi Alla MarsalaUS$23.00
chicken breast and shrimp in a sweet marsala wine sauce with mushrooms & chopped roma tomatoes
Pollo Marco PoloUS$23.00
chicken breast topped with escarole, prosciutto & mozzarella cheese in a white wine sauce

Bevandi

DessertUS$7.00
chef's selection of delectable desserts
EspressoUS$4.00
Coffee or TeaUS$4.00
SodaUS$4.00
Mineral WaterUS$7.00

Dolci

DessertUS$7.00
chef's selection of delectable desserts

What 458 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.7Service
4.3Ambience
4.6Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

La Viola Bistro offers "amazing dinner" experiences with "great service and delicious food." Known for its BYOB policy, it's a "special treasure" in Center City with "consistently wonderful" meals. While some mention "cash-only" surprises and seating discomfort, the "fantastic food" and friendly service keep patrons returning.

458 Reviews

F
Fred
VIP
Philadelphia
68 reviews
5.0
68 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Wonderful dinner in a lovely restaurant Veal with crab meat and asparagus in a white wine and garlic sauce made by special request and Veal with prosciutto and cheese in sherry sauce were both delicious. Attentive service. Close to Kimmel Center so a short walk to the concert. We will be back.
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j
jessica
New York City
6 reviews
4.0
6 reviews
Dined on 16 February 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
We had a party of 16. The waiter was outstanding. Brought our bread constantly, the food was delicious, and served hot and in a timely manner. The only thing was the folding chairs were uncomfortable in that space. I’d love to see a better set up. But the food and service made up for the lack of comfort in the chairs and table set up. And that’s most important when dining , especially with a large group. The waiter was fantastic. Fantastic food. We will be back !!
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T
Tricia
Atlantic City
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 14 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Amazing dinner at LaViola Bistro! Great service and delicious food! Can’t wait to return! So wonderful to find this special treasure in the heart of Center City! Love the BYOB option too!
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M
Michael
VIP
Philadelphia
76 reviews
5.0
76 reviews
Dined on 8 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always a great dinner at La Viola Bistro. BYOB and Amazing Pasta Specials!
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S
Steven
VIP
Philadelphia
163 reviews
5.0
163 reviews
Dined on 29 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This was the SECOND time in two weeks we went with friends. This Albanian run restaurant is one of our FAVs. It's BYOB so your $$ go into the food not alcohol. I've been recommending them for DECADES. Great professional friendly service and wonderful Pork Chop for lunch
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A
Aron
Philadelphia
53 reviews
5.0
53 reviews
Dined on 27 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Great food and great service. The Restaurant Week menu had many good choices at a very reasonable place. We go to La Viola often for pre-theater dinner and are never disappointed.
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L
Loretta
Philadelphia
8 reviews
3.0
8 reviews
Dined on 24 January 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 2
I typically love this restaurant, but this time, it was disappointing. It was restaurant week, so there was a fixed menu. My reservation was for a table against the wall to celebrate a birthday. There was no acknowledgment of a birthday wish. We got the worst table in the center of the room with the cold air blowing on us every three minutes.
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S
Steven
VIP
Philadelphia
163 reviews
5.0
163 reviews
Dined on 24 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We go art least twice (sometimes3 times) to La Viola during restaurant week. The bestfood and great price and the staff is wonderful
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R
Ronald
Philadelphia
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on 23 January 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 1
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
We went during restaraunt week. The waistaff was pleasant. Appetizers were very good. However my guest ordered the pork chop which was overcooked to the point of being inedible. Will not be going back.
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S
Stephen
VIP
Philadelphia
9 reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on 22 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food and atmosphere were excellent. Service was excellent and friendly.
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FAQs

La Viola Bistro offers delivery in partnership with Postmates and Uber Eats. La Viola Bistro also offers takeaway which you can order by calling the restaurant at (215) 735-8630.

La Viola Bistro is rated 4.6 stars by 458 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

28 Feb 2025

19:00

Booked 13 times today

Order delivery or takeout

253 S 16th St, Philadelphia, PA 19102

Additional information

Area
Rittenhouse Square
Hours of Operation
Lunch Daily 11:00–15:00 Dinner Daily 16:00–22:00
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Italian, Mediterranean, Seafood
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Latimer St & S 15th St is the closest parking lot, 2 min walk.
Payment Options
Cash Only
Additional
BYO Wine, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway

Website
http://laviolaphiladelphia.com/
Phone number
(215) 735-8630
Private party facilities
Interested in celebrating your special event at La Viola? Call us at 215 735 8630

La Viola Bistro

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Spinach Ravioli

Penne Alfredo

Gnocchi Alfredo

Prima

Insalata CaesarUS$9.00

Insalata TrecoloreUS$11.00

Insalata BistroUS$8.00

Zuppa Del GiornoUS$9.00

Antipasta MistaUS$12.00

Zuppetta di CozzeUS$11.00

Pepperoni ArrostiUS$11.00

Funghi TrentinoUS$11.00

Grigliata di CalamariUS$12.00

Bistecca

Bistecca del GiornoUS$0.00

Pesce

Salmone MantecatoUS$22.00

Pesce del GiornoUS$0.00

Pasta

Penne Alla CarusoUS$22.00

Farfalle MarinaraUS$23.00

Fettuccine Al SalmoneUS$24.00

Orecchiette Alla RomanaUS$22.00

Linguini PizzaiolaUS$23.00

Gnocchi Al Filetto di PomodoroUS$21.00

Risotto al Frutti di MareUS$25.00

Ravioli Alla ViolaUS$23.00

Vitello

Vitello Alla ViolaUS$24.00

Vitello PomodoroUS$25.00

Vitello CarciofiUS$24.00

Pollami

Pollo RollatiniUS$23.00

Pollo Gamberi Alla MarsalaUS$23.00

Pollo Marco PoloUS$23.00

Bevandi

DessertUS$7.00

EspressoUS$4.00

Coffee or TeaUS$4.00

SodaUS$4.00

Mineral WaterUS$7.00

Dolci

DessertUS$7.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

Does La Viola Bistro offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is La Viola Bistro restaurant rated?

Is La Viola Bistro currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information