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Chiarella's Ristorante Reviews List
Chiarella's Ristorante
With over 35 years in the restaurant business, Dina Chiarella DeFino and Thomas DeFino have brought the taste of the "original" Chiarella's to South Philadelphia. Come enjoy dishes from the original menu started in Wildwood,NJ by Jimmy Chiarella in 1970,along with our new menu prepared with a new age flair. Bring your favorite bottle of wine, sit in front of the fountain, and enjoy your dinner!
Thomas Defino boasts about 30 years of restaurant experience covering every facet of the industry. He assisted in making the Chiarellas dining experience an unparraled one in the Jersey Shore area. He also brings a knowledge of Philadelphians and what they love to Chiarellas. His winning smile and pleasant demeanor should be reason enough to enjoy a trip to Chiarellas.
See more Chiarella's Ristorante details
28 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4
/
5
Rating Breakdown 28 reviews
5 stars
(10)
4 stars
(9)
3 stars
(9)
2 stars
(0)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(19)
- good for groups(14)
- fit for foodies(11)
- special occasion(7)
- romantic(6)
- kid-friendly(4)
Chiarella's Ristorante Reviews List
Review 1 for Chiarella's Ristorante
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great Italian spot
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Great Italian spot in a great neighborhood"
Dined on 5/17/2013
Special Features: romantic
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Review 2 for Chiarella's Ristorante
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Nice place
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Very very noisy. Pushy waiter attempted to thrust daily specials onto us but was not attentive otherwise. Very good food."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 3 for Chiarella's Ristorante
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Will return...
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Second visit. Very pleased with chiarellas. Great food, good service."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2010
Special Features: kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 4 for Chiarella's Ristorante
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great dinner
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"6 of us had a wonderful dinner at Chiarella's Saturday night. The Sole and pasta specials were delicious, the service friendly and efficient. We were not rushed and I loved my cappacino. We will definitely return and the location is such a fun and vibrant part of Philly."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 5 for Chiarella's Ristorante
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
A wonderful experience. Great
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"A wonderful experience. Great food and it's not your old time red gravy restaurant. Food cooked to order, nothing was marinated which allowed for certain seasonings to be eliminated."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 6 for Chiarella's Ristorante
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Real Italian Food at Its Best!!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I have been to dozens of restaurants in So. Philly and Chiarella's is the best. The service we received was only topped by the food. I HIGHLY recommend dining here. I know I will be back!!!"
Dined on 04/04/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 7 for Chiarella's Ristorante
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Classic Italian cooked to
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Classic Italian cooked to perfection - from the "fra diavalo" special to the breaded steak to chicken piccata. While we enjoyed all the appetizers we ordered, the eggplant rollatini and seafood-stuffed portabello mushroom were particularly delish."
Dined on 03/30/2013
2009
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 8 for Chiarella's Ristorante
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Enjoyed our dinner and the
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Enjoyed our dinner and the staff was very friendly and family-oriented."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, scenic view
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Review 9 for Chiarella's Ristorante
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
This was probably the most
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"This was probably the most entertaining dining experience I have ever had. It's run by what seems to be a very close knit family that have no problem yelling at each other in the dining room or over tables. There was restaurant week on Passyunk going on which they were a part of. They were out of Veal for some tables but not others.. The food was good but I would like to try it again without the set menu and chaos. BYOB is a huge bonus!"
Dined on 03/02/2013
2010
Special Features: good for groups
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Review 10 for Chiarella's Ristorante
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
I did not know of this restaurant
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I did not know of this restaurant and just happened to discover it on open table. It is truly a 5 star place with delicious food, extremely attentive service with a friendly vibe. Without a doubt, there will be return trips, and the price is more than reasonable for the excellent food. I have eaten in similar types of restaurants that do not even come close to this quality."
Dined on 03/01/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 11 for Chiarella's Ristorante
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
tHE FOOD AND SERVICE WAS WONDERFUL
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
"tHE FOOD AND SERVICE WAS WONDERFUL BUT THE NOISE UPSTAIRS WAS AWFUL. wE ENJOYED OUT DINNER AND WILL PROBABLY RETURN BUT WE WILL REQUEST A TABLE DOWNSTAIRS."
Dined on 02/27/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 12 for Chiarella's Ristorante
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
It was quite loud. Room not
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"It was quite loud. Room not very pretty, kind of boring. Food was average. Watch the prices of the specials. Owners are very personable."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2006
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Review 13 for Chiarella's Ristorante
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
We are South Phila born and
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We are South Phila born and this is our current favorite restaurant. Food exceptional (eggplant parm and linguine with clam sauce best in the city) from appetizers thru dessert. Service friendly but unobstrusive. No problem if you want to alter something on the menu."
Dined on 02/17/2013
2000
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 14 for Chiarella's Ristorante
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
First time... great orrechietti.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"First time... great orrechietti. Caesar salad was good but expected homemade dressing. Cappelinni with pesto was good but needed something to cut the pesto-something like tomatoes or another vegetable. Service was good."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2011
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Chiarella's Ristorante
Based on the average of (14) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
3 out of 3 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic