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  • Caffe Valentino - Philadelphia

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Reserve at Caffe Valentino - Philadelphia

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Caffe Valentino - Philadelphia
Caffe Valentino - Philadelphia

Caffe Valentino - Philadelphia Details

  • Dining Style: Casual Dining
  • Website: http://www.caffevalentino.com
  • Phone: (215) 336-3033
  • Hours of Operation: Lunch: Monday - Friday: 11:30am - 5:00pm;
    Dinner: Sunday: 4:00pm - 9:00pm,
    Monday - Thursday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm,
    Friday - Saturday: 5:00pm - 11:00pm
  • Payment Options: AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Dress Code: Casual Dress
  • Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
  • Additional Details: Banquet/Private Rooms, BYO Liquor, Cafe, Non-Smoking Area, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access
  • Catering: Catering options are available.

Getting there

  • Cross Street: Wharton St. & Moyamensing Ave.
  • Public Transit: Septa 57 drops off at the front door of our restaurant.
  • Parking: Street Parking
  • Parking Details: Plenty of free street parking available surrounding the restaurant and on Moyamensing Avenue.
A word from Caffe Valentino - Philadelphia
Beautiful Italian BYOB, and a staple for the last 7 years in the Pennsport area of South Philadelphia. Traditional cuisine and fresh pasta dishes are what make this little known gem so special. Formerly part of a trio of restaurants, Caffe Valentino now stands and shines alone after its new… expansion: Caffe Valentino seats 45 downstairs in its rustic first floor dining room and a maximum of 100 guests in its elegant second floor dining room with full, open kitchen. If you haven't dined at Caffe Valentino before, it is a definite "must try" for your next dinner out or family gathering. Great for large groups as well as romantic dining.

Chi mangia bene, vive bene!

Who eats well, lives well! Continued
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Awards voted by OpenTable diners
  • Diners' Choice WinnerBest Service
  • Diners' Choice WinnerItalian
  • Diners' Choice WinnerNeighborhood Gem
Diner Reviews
  • "My wife and I love Valentino's.......been there 5-6 times. Especially in warm weather. They open the big windows and have tables on the sidewalk. Service has always been just right. And there's no problem parking right on Moyamensing Avenue. But, go there for the food. The kitchen knows how to cook. I always see a short, older lady working back there, and she seems to be the master of the kitchen. They also have a wood-burning pizza oven, recently installed. Great pizza. This restaurant could be at home in the city of Rome. But, they're BYOB as well. Bring a nice bottle of Italian red or white. Get the Tira Misu, an espresso, and sit back and enjoy the end of dinner at Valentino's! You'll be back."
    Dined on 7/26/2014
  • "In the heart of South Philly, Caffe Valentino stands out as one of finest Italian restaurants. Food is outstanding and service is impeccable. Just like eating with family."
    Dined on 7/9/2014
  • "Another exceptional meal at Caffe Valentino. The Bronzino is superb amongst all the other specials to try. Service as always top shelf."
    Dined on 6/29/2014
  • "I think I just ordered the wrong thing. The best thing I ever had there was a pizza. The food as a rule is mediocre. The Saturday night grilled special was really bad. If I go there again it will be for the pizza."
    Dined on 6/28/2014
  • "My boyfriend and I dined at Caffe Valentino for the first time, for our third Anniversary. It was such a wonderful experience. The food was absolutely devine, and the service was so generous and helpful. We definitely will be returning in the future."
    Dined on 6/25/2014
  • "The charm of this byob restaurant is nothing compared to the friendly service and the delicious food. We sat at an open window table and was greeted by the owners. I ordered the Beets with goat cheese, arugula & walnuts with a strawberry vinaigrette that was refreshing and flavorful. My man ordered the caesar and enjoyed it as well (he wished it had anchovies). Entrees were the chicken alla valentino which looked and tasted delicious, while I had the special - Shrimp in a light sauce with papperdelle noodles. The pasta was cooked perfectly and melted in my mouth. Dessert was the homemade chocolate mousse. This is true mousse - thick, chocolately and airy. The whole experience was outstanding. We will be coming back soon."
    Dined on 6/6/2014
  • "We have become a regular more or less to Caffe Valentino. Returning to South Philly is coming home for me. Returning to Caffe Valentino is similar to returning to family. Always warmly greeted. Then the feast begins. Don't bother to read the menu. Just listen to the daily specials....and they are superb. Just bring your favorite wine, sit back and relax and let the wait staff take over. Heather is top shelf. "
    Dined on 6/1/2014
  • "Caffe Valentino is reliably excellent time after time. Nino guarantees a fine meal with great service."
    Dined on 5/30/2014
  • "Simply a superb restaurant in the heart of South Philly. If its not on the menu....ask for it. They will accomodate you. Sam the waiter is top shelf!"
    Dined on 5/5/2014
  • "Better than ever. Food, service, excellent as always. Never disappoints."
    Dined on 5/3/2014
  • "Everyone is friendly and welcoming. Definitely a neighborhood gem. This is not your typical Italian (BYOB) bistro. It is better than that. Sure they have pasta but Italian food is not just pasta. They know how to make food with flavor from their fresh green salads to the sea bass filet-ed table-side, everything was a joy to eat and share. If you are especially fortunate, you will get to meet Cosimos, the owner. Every ounce Italian, happy, kind, cares for his customers and passionate about his food... and can not talk unless he is moving his hands. Such a pleasure to be in the same room with him. :) You are missing out if you have never tried Caffe Valentino."
    Dined on 4/10/2014
  • "The restaurant is clean and appealing upon entry. There was not a lot of traffic in the restaurant so our conversations did not require yelling. All the food we were presented looked and tasted fantastic---so much so our conversations became muted once the food arrived. The menu is not expansive so you are not inundated with choices. The luxury of BYOB brings an additional positive to atmosphere. The staff was attentive, helpful and courteous. Overall, a great experience and will definitely look to return for a romantic evening with my lady in the near future."
    Dined on 3/30/2014
  • "Everything about this restaurant was top notch. The moment we walked in the door we were greeted by the owner, we were seated promptly and provided excellent service throughout the meal. The food could not have been any better and easily rivals any Italian restaurant in the city."
    Dined on 3/22/2014
  • "Just a can't go wrong dining experience .... great atmosphere, great food and great service. The staff is exceptional and the owner and is wife are great. Love this place !!!"
    Dined on 3/15/2014
  • "Great place to eat alone or with friends. Always greeted warmly and the pizza's are outstanding. Pasta dishes delicious...especially the seafood & linguini! Their Burrata is to die for! This is a great place to eat alone or with a group of friends. They always accommodate no matter what the situation. This is a gem in the heart of South Philly!"
    Dined on 3/8/2014
  • "We have eaten at Caffe Valentino a number of times and the food has always been excellent. At our most recent visit, the staff was friendly and welcoming and the pace of the meal was very well timed. We went during Center City restaurant week and were so happy we skipped that scene for a comparably priced but much more enjoyable meal in South Philly!"
    Dined on 1/18/2014
  • "although i liked the ambiance and service was very good, i was disappointed in the food. My beet salad was smothered in dressing, which was not very good. My entree (chicken cutlet) was just ok. I think they could use a new chef."
    Dined on 1/6/2014
  • "I can't say if the experience will be the same on a normal day. The atmosphere on the first floor was nice, but we were seated upstairs in a large open room near the kitchen. There was a large facade where the cooking was done which dominated the room. The atmosphere did not work for me. There was a limited menu for NYE; we shared a good but extremely small antipasto for two, then had two excellent but very small lobster ravioli each, the main course was an excellent rack of lamb and I had an average veal with Prosciutto and finished with a very good Tiramisu. Overall the food was average, small portions, very loud (NYE maybe), but the two servers were excellent, very sharp and very friendly. I probably would not go there again however."
    Dined on 12/31/2013
  • "In Valentino's you can get live opera and brick oven pizza in the same place. How often does that happen? The staff is fantastic (opera singer included). The food is divine. The prices are unbelievable -- given the menu and quality. It's worth repeat trips and we do repeat -- every chance we get. When in Philly, make Valentino's a must!!"
    Dined on 12/28/2013
  • "Wonderful pizzas and exceptional white mussels and appetizer of mozzarella stuffed with ricotta on greens. Special thanks to Cosimo for being the kind of host who makes a visit special."
    Dined on 12/22/2013
  • "We had been to CV on a couple of occassions the past 3 yrs. The owners are cordial and welcoming. The food was very good. The ambiance of the small downstairs DR is nice. We've never been upstairs. Not sure how large it is. We hadn't been to CV in awhile & after our most recent visit this past Sat. night, we remember why now. We had a 7:15 reservation & were seated promptly. The soup appetizer arrived fine, but there was a loooong wait for our entrees. It was about 8:45 when we were finally served and we were starved! The DR is small and not sure how busy they were upstairs, but this was the 2nd time that we experienced an unacceptable wait for food. Maybe they need a kitchen up there. Sorry, but we don't plan on going back again."
    Dined on 12/7/2013
  • "The food was so good , went for lunch and went back for dinner !"
    Dined on 10/21/2013
  • "Another great dinner with friends our favorite place to meet"
    Dined on 10/17/2013
  • "The two times I have been to this restaurant, the food was always of high quality. Our waiters were good and they explained all the specials and food items on the menu very well. The downstairs area was a little cramped upon our second visit due to big parties. My only complaint is the guitar player. It is quite tacky to go around to each table asking for money on a plate while you are eating. I think a tip jar should be put at the front of the restaurant and patrons of the restaurant should not feel forced to contribute. That was quite awkward. Good BYOB restaurant."
    Dined on 10/5/2013
  • "Sounds questionable, but really... it wasn't bad. Wasn't too exp, but wasn't cheap. Wasn't delicious, but was tasty. Menu was fine, but not interesting. Service was competent, but not flawless. And setting was pleasant but not cozy."
    Dined on 9/22/2013
  • "My girlfriends and I have only few restaurants to which we will never say "no." Valentino is always a YES! This is truly a neighborhood gem that not only stands out, but stands above - way above! The service is extremely professional and the food is excellent. And it is a BYOB. Great of a date with significant other if you like a classy restaurant."
    Dined on 9/21/2013
  • "As soon as you walk in you feel as though you're walking into your Italian grandmother's house for Sunday dinner. Their service was great and food delicious! I would highly recommend this place to anyone!"
    Dined on 9/6/2013
  • "Authentic Italian fare, service, ambiance. The food was delicious and simply prepared. Nice choices on the menu, and Specials. Clean place. BYOB. Easy parking on the street. Very reasonably priced. We go out to dinner every Saturday night, and this one's a keeper!"
    Dined on 8/10/2013
  • "This is not our first trip to Caffe Valentino. We had a dinner meeting there. The three meals were excellent as was the service...and a BYOB to boot. Can't be beaten!"
    Dined on 7/23/2013
  • "My family loves caffe Valentino. We have been there a number of times and never had a bad experience. Food and service always excellent. My son had his wedding rehearsal dinner there a few years back."
    Dined on 6/29/2013
  • "Food was good,great service,did not appreciate the guitar player. would go back again only because it's a BYOB and plenty of off street parking available.food"
    Dined on 4/20/2013
  • "Terrific service. Excellent mussels. Very nice dessert selection."
    Dined on 4/17/2013
  • "love this place - love it so much i feel protective - don't want it overrun - but it really deserves to be famous. fabulous food, no issues with special requests, just wonderful. reminds me of new york restaurants. so tired of the way chefs in this city overuse vinegar. everything tastes the same. but not hear. you get the full flavor of the foods you eat. and a relaxed experience. a gracious experience. as if you're dining in a friend's home. just can't say enough about this place."
    Dined on 4/14/2013
  • "First time for dinner at this restaurant. very good... will definitely go back."
    Dined on 4/13/2013
  • "The food was good, but the service was horrible. We had a part of 6 and it took over an hour before our meal was brought out."
    Dined on 4/6/2013
  • "in a quiet neighborhood with ample free street parking. Everyone greeted us when we entered, were accommodating once we were seated and were very helpful in answering all of our questions. There were 2 large groups when we got there but it never got noisy. The eggplant soup was quite delicate and the home made fettuccine with mushrooms, cherry tomatoes and shrimp was delicious. The chocolate mousse was heavenly! Will definitely be back!"
    Dined on 3/30/2013
  • "Excellent BYO with great pasta and risotto dishes. Very laid back atmosphere."
    Dined on 3/22/2013
  • "We have been going to Cafe Valentino for a number of years. Their food is delicious and reasonably priced, the service is efficient and friendly and the ambiance is very nice. It is always reliable and so it is a great place to bring friends who have not yet dined there."
    Dined on 2/26/2013
  • "Caffe Valentino is a great romantic place to dine, the employees there are very friendly, and on point. The food is great and I love that you can see the kitchen. The place is very clean and its very romantic/up to date inside. I love this resturant and it is highly recommened. The prices are also very reasonable."
    Dined on 2/22/2013
  • "We've had two great meals at cafe Valentino. The service is great and they are very friendly."
    Dined on 2/22/2013
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Diners' Choice Awards
  • Philadelphia / New Jersey Suburbs Winners
  • Best Service
  • Italian
  • Neighborhood Gem
  • Philadelphia Winners
  • Best Service
  • Italian
  • Neighborhood Gem
Learn more ›
Plan your next party here
Caffe Valentino offers 2 beautiful spaces available for private dining. Both our first and second floor dining rooms … feature full open kitchens. We specialize in all types of events, corporate and private parties, and all other large gatherings. Continued
Great for events up to: 100
More details and contact info ›