Spasso Italian Grill has been a neighborhood favorite for 12 years, specializing in homemade pasta, fresh daily seafood and tender veal all served at reasonable prices. Our relaxed atmosphere, personalized service & great food are sure to make you a regular. Our lounge is full service & also features tables for dining, happy hour is available in the lounge from 5:30 to 7:30 weekdays.
"Spasso is a great neighborhood place serving up genuine Italian food in Olde City. The neighborhood is going a bit downhill, but Spasso still maintains its charm. We had the bruschetta, which was nice and crispy. The shrimp fettuccine was perfectly al dente, but the sauce was a little cloying. The portions for the veal porcini were huge, and my friend thoroughly enjoyed the dish."
Dined on 5/15/2013
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem
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"The food is always good and never a disappointment no matter how many times we go. Unfortunately, our service was not!! Most if the staff are friendly and attentive but not tonight. She seemed like she didn't want to be bothered. We were never told the additions to menu and it just seemed line we were a burden to her. This will not discourage us from returning again. We will ask for a different server if she is it or still there for that matter!!!"
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: good for groups, vibrant bar scene, great for outdoor dining, notable wine list, kid-friendly, scenic view, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Parking is a breeze with lots on both sides of the restaurant and Across the street. Meeting a party of 12 and enjoyed the convenience of having a Relaxing drink outdoors while waiting for other guests to arrive. Everyone loved their meals, the appetizers and dinner portions were much larger than expected And the service was excellent. The pasta dishes were all homemade, the seafood was very fresh and tasty and we All agreed that it was a pleasant and enjoyable experience and will Definitely return again. The Zouppa De Pesce over pasta was more than enough for two. Even though we were stuffed we decided to order the dessert sampler and profiteroles and enjoyed it as much as the meal too!"
Dined on 5/09/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, late-night find, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, special occasion, kid-friendly
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"This is one of our favorite restaurants when we visit our son in town. Food is consistently good and service is friendly and accommodating. One down side is the front dining room can be noisy when it is full and not much space between tables. Ask for a side booth or the back room if it is open. Just a side note we also enjoy their restaurant in Media, Pa. Same menu and quality."
Dined on 04/28/2013
2006
Special Features: kid-friendly, neighborhood gem
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"We are new to Philadelphia and had asked for a recommendation for a good Italian restaurant. 2 people suggested Spasso. However, our experience was poor. The food was below average and the service just so,so. I ordered fish which was VERY dry. My husband pasta was overcooked and swimming in cream sauce. I was very disappointed and will not return and will not recommend this restaurant."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2007
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"We arrived promptly at 11:30am for lunch and the restaurant was empty and extremely cold. Eventhough the waitress closed the entry doors the the temperture remains quite chilly. The food was a bit pricey, for what we had ordered, and my date complained about the waitress lack of focus towards her needs. Although my previous dinning experience was pleasurable; this visit was so disappointing that I seriously doubt ever returning."
Dined on 04/25/2013
2007
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"went here for my birthday this past weekend and everyone loved absolutely everything we ordered. The grilled calamari was amazing! Had the crème brulee for dessert, was delicious and big enough for two! The noise level was pretty high. I didn't mind it, but others may if they are looking a romantic setting. Only downside was the service was extremely slow."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2006
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem
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"Always GREAT! Never disappointed... my friends and guest ONLY want to visit Spasso's when we get together for a dinner night out. Consistent food, great staff and wonderful service! My favorite in Philly and on the East Coast!"
Dined on 04/19/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, scenic view, great for lunch, hot spot
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"Has to be one of the best restaurants in Philadelphia. I have been to all the best reviewed ones and Spasso beats them all."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2009
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"Our experience at Spassso was overall fair. While the food was good, the service was only passable: we had a hard time finding the host to seat us, waited a while for anyone to serve us, and our server spoke so softly we couldn't hear anything she was saying. It's clearly much better set up for large groups."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2008
Special Features: good for groups
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"I had been there before and thought it a great treat for my husband's 40th and it was an absolute hit! As a first timer, he wanted to try everything but he focused on the grilled calamari and escargot for appetizers. Both were the best he'd ever had and for a main dish he selected veal. This veal beat a place he's been going to for 20 years! He posted his great experience on facebook and has his family planning a big event. His birthday dinner was a great success!
As a an added benefit the service was fast and fabulous!"
Dined on 03/30/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"A few problems jumped out as soon as we were seating:
1. The online menu from Yelp (which is how we found Spasso) is completely inaccurate. We were looking for new Italian fare, but Spasso serves the same old stuff with a little modification here and there.
2. The menu says "Our chef will make an ATTEMPT to create any item not on the menu". So, we asked for the stuff from the online menu (see 1) and our waiter told us no.
3. They have a full bar and told us we could order any drink we wanted, but when we tried to order they kept telling us they didn't know how to make it. I ended up having to write the recipe down for them. If you have a full bar, you should have bartenders.
Not worth the money."
Dined on 03/30/2013
2010
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"This was a great find for a large (11) group. The food was delicious from the appetizer platters to the homemade pasta. Very accommodating and attentive staff."
Dined on 03/11/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups
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"We were in town for the flower show and were staying a block away....Glad we dined here...food was wonderful from our salads to dessert. Dinners came out piping hot!!! Glad we had an early reservation...as the evening went on the place was hopping...Our waitress was great!!! Would definitely dine here again!!!! The restaurant is in Old City, a wonderful area to walk after eating....love Old City!!"
Dined on 03/02/2013
2005
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"I ordered veal saltimbocca and my wife ordered veal carciofi. First, my wife got the wrong veal dish. When her ordered dinner arrived, we both found the veal scallops over cooked and tough. The best the waiter offered was that he was sorry. The restaurant wasn't crowded so the kitchen wasn't overwhelmed. Because we were in town for the Flower Show, we went to the city location because of the great dinner we had at the Media location.
Not the same food quality at all. Won't go back."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2008
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"Our second visit to Spasso was just as good as the first. You just can't beat this place for the price, quality, or quantity. We're going again on our next visit into Philadelphia."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2009
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"I used to be a regular but had not been to Spasso in about 5 years & was delighted to find everything about the place at the same high standard I remembered."
Dined on 03/01/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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"We enjoyed the food a lot. The food was very hot when it served. I highly recommend the restuarant. The waiters were very personal and knowlegable of the menu."
Dined on 02/28/2013
2012
Special Features: special occasion
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"We ate here on Valentine's Day. It wasn't very crowded, which was nice. I wasn't impressed with the ambiance. The room we were in was huge and empty and generic. No very romantic. I think we were seated in an overflow room. We ordered the Shrimp Fradiavolo and Veal Saltimboca with Garlic Pasta. The Shrimp Fradiavolo was described as being in a white wine sauce with tomatos - it was more like shrimp spaghetti and it wasn't that great, especially for the price. The Veal Saltimboca with pasta was excellent though. Overall, our experience was mediocre. I have no interest in going back when I've been to so many other great restaurants in Philly."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2011
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"Had a business dinner at Spasso's. I was surprised that we had a reservation at 7:00 on a Tuesday, but the restaurant was empty. However, it did fill up later in the evening. The ambiance was just right; not too formal and not too casual. We started with the antipasto/calamari appetizer, which was wonderful. Fried calamari not overly breaded - excellent. The wine list was very italian and different. Chose an italian cabernet which was so outstanding, the three of us had two bottles! For dinner, I had the penne pasta, which was very good, but not the best ever. However, my customers loved their dishes; seafood linguini and the sea bass. They raved all dinner long. Desserts were also outstanding."
Dined on 02/12/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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"Great service. Food was amazing. I had the crab ravioli. My husband had seafood Pescatore. The peppers they bring you with the bread are a wonderful treat. Creme Brulee and coffee to finish, we shared the dessert and it was generous enough to satisfy both of us.
It was our second time there, both times we went before a show at the nearby Tin Angel. We were in and out in an hour, not rushed but also were not left waiting. Highly recommended."
Dined on 02/09/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"The food was very good, enjoying the crab ravioli most of all. We were disappointed that they ran out of scallops by 7:00 but the dish was replaced by shrimp. We enjoyed our booth table both there were also tables available and other rooms where larger groups could meet. Overall an enjoyable evening and worth coming back next time I'm in the Philly area."
Dined on 02/09/2013
2010
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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"Food was great and at very fair prices. Service was attentive and excellent. Wine list was interesting and priced fairly. The noise level in the restaurant on a crowded Sat night was a challenge. Having conversation at the table was difficult. Some restauranteurs think this noise creates an exciting buzz of activity at their place that attracts customers. But I find it to be a negative in terms of repeating my visit in the future."
Dined on 02/02/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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"Service was extremely slow. The server was initially attentive but then that failed after the appetizer course. The food was extremely mediocre. Penne pasta course seemed like boxed pasta with tomato sauce poured on it. Hanger steak requested as medium came out well done. Tiramisu lacked flavor. And dinner took 3 hours."
Dined on 02/01/2013
2010
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"Everything was great until the end, had to wait about 45 for the check. Seemed like their wasn't enough waiters, but it was a full house. Food was awesome, service during the meal was great. Definitely recommended for someone to try out, it's a must on restaurant week."
Dined on 01/31/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, notable wine list
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"Excellent very authentic Italian- every course tasted like Nonnas!! Calamari & creme brulee best i ever had n im a foodie!! Veal & crab meal to die for aweaome sauce!"
Dined on 01/30/2013
2008
Special Features: good for groups, romantic
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"We had a party if six, our table was ready when we arrived, but we were still able to have a drink at the bar before sitting down at the table, which was nice, not rushed at all. Everyone enjoyed their entrees, the only thing that two if us did not enjoy was the mussel red appetizer, nice amount, but sauce was very watery. Best of all was the desert!!!!! I would definetley return to this restaurant:)))"
Dined on 01/25/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, kid-friendly
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"I went with a group of 8 friends for restaurant week 2013. Everyone was so happy with all four courses! The staff really fit the atmosphere. I can't wait to go back on a date, the side booths seemed really romantic."
Dined on 01/21/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"We were seated on time, the food was terrific and the service was great. The only dislike I had was my pomengrate martini. Tasted like a sweet tart candy. I would not order another one. Everything else was perfect for our group dinner. Waiter was especially nice and gave me the Tartufo dessert eventhough it was not on the Restaurant week menu."
Dined on 01/23/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups
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"We went for Restaurant Week and were pleasantly surprised that we could pick from the entire menu. The food was fabulous.....from appetizer right to dessert. The waiter seemed a little distant and preoccupied....at times we thought we were boring him with our questions. The aisles are very narrow which makes it difficult for the wait staff or customers to pass by. I still rated this outstanding because the food was just wonderful."
Dined on 01/20/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Spasso Italian Grill - Philadelphia