The Sena family tradition of culinary excellence dates back to early 1947 when Carlo “Papa” Sena began to cook in postwar Naples. The family carried this experience across the Atlantic and opened La Famiglia in 1976 in the shell of a Colonial tea warehouse. Today, La Famiglia stands as the finest Italian restaurant in Philadelphia and a major landmark on the city’s vibrant restaurant scene.
"For Mother's day and Valentine's day when it's tough to get good service at a Restaurant. These folks are the best....food is unique and from local freshness.
You won't be disappointed!"
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"You feel like you're the most important person in the room. They take care of things before you even think of asking. Everything is fresh and homemade. Business casual to formal dress is appropriate. I'll return again and again. It's a quiet intimate atmosphere. The owner is hands on with a nice sense of humor."
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: notable wine list, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Had a wonderful meal at La Famiglia last Saturday evening. Took my husband there for his birthday. The wine list is out of this world. And the food, from appetizer to entree to dessert - all were top notch. Can not wait to go back there."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"Fantastic! Great food, impeccable service. I wanted a romantic place with a great ambiance, and they most certainly delivered. Also very accommodating insofar as dietary restrictions are concerned."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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"It was delicious food with a great romantic Italian atmosphere. If you're looking for a bargain or good deal though this isn't the place. I had the pollo tricolore which came to about 25$ I think with 2 medium sized chicken breast and some vegetables. There was (I guess you would call it) complimentary bruschetta, bread and biscotti. This place is definitely quality over quantity. The service was excellent. I'm definitely going back when I have the money."
Dined on 03/29/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"La Famiglia was chosen as my dinner choice on Saturday night from the Open Table reviews. My first choice did not have availability and boy am I glad now.La Famiglia far exceeded by expectations in every way. The food, ambiance, service and price value was unbelievable and can't wait to go back.Exceptional experience in EVERY Way!"
Dined on 03/23/2013
2013
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"I visited La Famigilia many years ago and the food was even better than I remembered. There were 6 of us and we ordered both standard menu items and the specials for that day. Everyone was thrilled with their choices and thanks to a little sharing within the group we all got to sample several different items. The staff were attentative but did not hover and we never felt pressured to finish up and leave. From appetizers to the after dinner cappucino everything was amazing, I wish I could go back tomorrow."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"On our first trip to Philly, this was highly recommended and we were not disappointed. Food, service and wine list were great. even enjoyed a tour of the wine cellar. Will definitely go again if we are in town."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"The experience was wonderful if you are looking for a great place to dine look no further this is it!!!!!!!! Staff is unbelievable. I am a foodie and can't say enough about this place. The veal was fork tender with the perfect amount of sauce nothing overdone everything to perfection."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic
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"Years ago, La Famiglia was at the head of the class. But as the years have gone by, Italian restaurants have changed, exploding with creativity and La Famiglia has not. Still doing the same thing they have been doing for decades in a dining room, once elegant, but now just old. Carpaccio appetizer may have been the best I have ever had anywhere. Lone bright spot of the evening. The veal chop, by contrast, was the thickness of a veal cutlet and was accompanied by a simple brown sauce and old wilted vegetables. Disappointing. The wine list is staggering in depth and breadth. Probably the best Italian collection in the city. They have new world selections, too. Please update this legendary restaurant. It would be a shame to see it disappear."
Dined on 03/07/2013
2005
Special Features: notable wine list
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"Although my pasta dish was excellant, 2 of the 4 diners at our table, had dishes that were way over salted, to the point of having tingling lips by the end of the meal, and drinking lots of water for the rest of the night. Heavy hand with the salt in the kitchen that night. Lamb chops were very fatty. Also, at one point waiter just reached over to grab dishes, blocking out the two people having a conversation, without so much as an "excuse me", or an apology. I wouldn't expect this from a high quality restaurant."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2006
Special Features: neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"Enjoyed our first visit to La Famiglia. Loved the romantic atmosphere, the delicious food, and what an incredible wine list they have (almost a bit too intimidating). We'll be back!"
Dined on 02/26/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"Itook my wife here to celebrate Valentine's Day. Everything was perfect. The food was amazing. The wine list might be intimidating for some as it is a 5 inch thich 3 ring binder, but if you lookin the front, it is easily broken down. This is the perfect place for a Romantic Date. I was a little dissapointed that some of the customers were dressed pretty casual. I think a Jacket used to be required. Maybe not anymore. Nonetheless, It was a pretty perfect experience."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"The wine list is outstanding, but very pricey. We ordered a 2009 Fonterutoli chianti, one of the much more moderately-priced selections, for $90. I have since purchased it for $19.99, signifying a rather generous markup of 4.5x. We plan to return, however, as the entire dining experience was excellent."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2000
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"The restaurant looked beautiful, clean, new, and had a very romantic/formal aura. The wine list I saw other customers ordering from was a very large book. The service was absolutely phenomenal, every server was extremely helpful and friendly. The food was to die for and left me wishing I wasn't full so I could have more. The bill was hefty, but for top notch dining, that was expected."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"This was one of the best dining experiences I have had in the city. The atmosphere is quite and romantic with enough table space between you and your neighbors. From the moment we arrived the service was impeccable. They use a multi waiter approach but Greg our head waiter was excellent. He recommended a reasonably priced and excellent wine. He also provided great recommendations regarding the menu. The food was incredible. We dinned the true Italian way with all four courses including homemade pasta, fresh fish and veal and homemade dessert. If you want an amazing dining experience I highly recommend this place."
Dined on 02/09/2013
2004
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"We went for restaurant week & from the beginning to the end the experience was delightful. Our food from the gnocchi to the veal & steak & desert was wonderful. The veal was super tender & also the steak, the gnocchi was so light & delicious. If I had to give it a rating from 1 to 10 it would definitely be a 10. What more can I say."
Dined on 02/01/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"I loved it. We were two females using restaurant week to try new places and I felt that the atmosphere was a bit too romantic but beautiful. We were the second table seated and it took a minute for things to settle but once it did the staff was very professional. I look forward to dining at La Famiglia again."
Dined on 01/30/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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"I'm having a hard time saying anything negative about the place, because MOST of the experience here is top-notch, and the food is just absolutely spectacular. This was our third time at the resturant, and I was a little dissapointed with the service this time around. Our waiter pretty much dissapeared when our main course came, and I literally didn't see him again until he brought the check. They have a lateral support system with the wait staff, so we were attended to, but not by him. We observed him paying very close attention to several other tables, so I'm not sure what the issue was. Don't hestitate to patronize this resturant though, as I'm thinking this was a fluke experience, and the food and desert make up for it in the end anyway"
Dined on 01/26/2013
2013
Special Features: notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"There were 6 of us and everyone of us said we' d come back in a heartbeat! LOVED everything! Food was excellent, service, ambiance was nice for visiting and not super loud."
Dined on 01/25/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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"Great place for a romantic evening. Service and food were first rate. Portions appeared small but when you put it all together were perfect. We enjoyed it very much."
Dined on 01/21/2013
2010
Special Features: special occasion
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"The food is always amazing, and the service was impeccable. I love the decor of the dining room. You just can't find places like this any more, everywhere is so modern."
Dined on 01/21/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"Not only is the food outstanding but the service is as well. From the moment you step inside La Famiglia you know that you are in a 1st class restaurant; the marble floors and rich wood trim lets you know that this is a special place. But the thing that truly makes La Famiglia special is the way you are greeted by the friendly staff then treated like friends the rest of the night.
The food is incredible. We had the Veal Chop with black truffle sauce and the Filet Mignon in a port wine sauce, which were both great; nothing like you would get anywhere else in the city."
Dined on 01/19/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"The servers were knowledgeable about the drinks as well as the food. Food was excellent from appetizers to desserts. In fact, we couldn't decide on a dessert and our server brought a plate with a taste of several choices. Superb! Atmosphere was comfortable; we never felt rushed--or ignored."
Dined on 01/19/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"It had been some time since I had been to this restaurant and while I found the food to still be very good the overall experience was very disappointing. There was no hostess to greet clients of bartender to offer pre-dinner cocktials. The wait staff used to be auhtentic Italian but are now all what appeared to be other nationalities with difficult to understnad accents. service was not bad but certainly not up to the old standards of this restaurant and lastly the place needs a complete refreshing of the decor - nothing has changed in many, many years and it shows.
Overall - still good food but overall not an upscale experience to match the cost."
Dined on 01/18/2013
2006
Special Features: notable wine list
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