La Viola Bistro

4.6

436 Reviews

$30 and under

Italian

Make a booking

2 people

30 Nov 2024

19:00

Booked 7 times today

Neighbourhood gem
Charming
Good for special occasions

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 am–3:00 pm Dinner Daily 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
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
Patio/Outdoor Dining

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 436 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

4.7Food
4.9Service
4.3Ambience
4.7Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

La Viola Bistro shines with its "great food and service," offering a classic Philadelphia dining experience. Ideal for BYOB enthusiasts, it delights with "fantastic" dishes and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. While cash-only, its reasonable pricing compensates. Perfect for pre-theater dining, it's a repeat favorite for locals and visitors alike.

436 Reviews

C
Caroline
New York City
9 reviews
vip
4.0
9 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
The food was very tasty, but it lacked vegetables which is a sign of a balanced meal and a good restaurant. The service was fine ( they refused to replace one of the sides though that contained gluten). The whole cash only was very antiquated, but thankfully there was an ATM machine inside the restaurant (super weird). Also, we noticed this requirement completely by accident by reading a very fine print at the bottom of the menu. Luckily we had a debit card available. The place is pretty old and could use a renovation, but this is subjective and some people may like it. In Summary great tasting food in an outdated setting.
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v
victoria
Philadelphia
121 reviews
vip
5.0
121 reviews
Dined on 18 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We love LaViola Bistro and La Viola Ovest. The food is consistently wonderful as are the servers. True neighborhood gems. BYOB makes the value incredible.
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k
kenny
New York City
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 16 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent and very friendly staff! Great service and great food. We went for dinner before a show at the Kimmel Center and we were served promptly. It was our first time at La Viola and look forward to returning!
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T
Tobi
Philadelphia
29 reviews
vip
5.0
29 reviews
Dined on 9 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food was delicious! Hostess & wait staff were lovely & the restaurant was a perfect choice prior to show tickets.
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K
Karen
Philadelphia
19 reviews
vip
5.0
19 reviews
Dined on 2 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Very nice place; seating was in very close quarters, though.
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R
Robert
Philadelphia
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on 26 October 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Food was fantastic … cash only policy was weird and unexpected, especially since sister store takes credit card. Inconvenience is an understatement due to high cost ATM at the host stand to “help” those without cash.
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A
Amy
Philadelphia
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on 19 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
The food is amazing. I will try Ovest next, which is the restaurant across the street.
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L
Lucy
Philadelphia
11 reviews
vip
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on 17 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I highly recommend. The seafood risotto was excellent. The management and staff were welcoming and attentive. I have been to many bistros. La Viola is the first in which i felt such a warm, upbeat vibe. i look forward to coming back
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F
Fred
Philadelphia
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on 12 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
La Viola Bistro is consistently good food and service.
Is this helpful?
R
Randy
Jackson Hole
14 reviews
5.0
14 reviews
Dined on 12 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Noisy when it gets full but we love their food. Young waitresses could use tips on serving etiquette but we’re attentive and pleasant
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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 436 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people

30 Nov 2024

19:00

Booked 7 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 am–3:00 pm Dinner Daily 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
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
Patio/Outdoor Dining

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

Potato Gnocchi

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