Little Nonna's Reviews

We went restaurant week basically because everywhere else we wanted to go was booked. The menu looked ok but nothing that got me overly excited. For the first course i had the arancini and my daughter had the meatballs. I don’t care for mushrooms or truffle oil and the arancini had both and i said to her well you’ll wind up eating mine too. Not a chance they were unbelievably delicious! We had agreed to share before hand, so sorry about that set up lol. Her meatballs were two huge sized and stuffed with cheese on top of a creamy soft polenta . Very good and no way she could eat it all. The table also was served some toast points with buratta and olives. I ordered the lemon chicken with artichokes and roasted peppers and the other entree was the pan fried gnocchi with vegetables. They were both delicious but the chicken blew us away and we finished the whole plate. The grilled half lemon really livened it up. The chicken was cooked to perfection. The gnocchi were very light and tender in a Marsala type sauce i think, an excellent gnocchi dish. We were very full at this point so were took our desserts home after trying one bite of each, the tiramisu and apple crumble were both nice adaptations of each. This is why we do restaurant week to try places we’ve never been too and see if we like them, glad we couldn’t get reservations at another place now! I would definitely return again and recommend it to everyone.

Little Nonna’s was a nice after concert dinner venue, just a few blocks from the Kimmel. We began our dinner with a bottle of Nebbiolo chosen from the short list of premium red wines. It was good. We started with an appetizer of risotto balls and they were scrumptious. My partner next had the special beet appetizer while I had the shaved salad. Hers was excellent! Mine was ordinary. Her entree was the Sunday Gravy while I had the scallops. Both were very good and some of hers came home as it was a generous portion. We finished with the Panna Cotta and it was delicious. We felt a bit rushed, in and out in just over an hour. All in all it was a nice meal but not one of our favorites.

I had pork chop Parmesan with polenta and my friend had chicken parmigiana with spaghetti. Both were incredible. The staff was super friendly and provided great service. Highly recommend

Decided to come on a Sunday evening without reservations. It was very busy, and we were quoted a 30 minute wait time, which seemed reasonable. We went to a bar down the street to grab a glass of wine while we waited. They texted us when the table was ready, which ended up being about 40 minutes. We got seated at the back high top with direct view into the open kitchen, which we thought was cool. We had several glasses of wine, and shared the arancini for an appetizer. They were delicious! My friend got the tonnarelli and I got the Sunday Gravy. Both had ample portions and neither of us was able to finish. The ambiance was really cool, and the server was very friendly and attentive. I would recommend making reservations if you know you want to come here.

Let me preface this review by stating that we were enticed to try it based upon 1) reviews 2) Philadelphia Restaurant Week promotion 3) hoping to have a real Italian dining experience. And you would think that a restaurant that is participating in that promotion would be trying to put their best foot forward so diners would want to return! Not in this case! The Straciatelli, which is supposed to be a ricotta stuffed mozzarella, was instead,a bowl of salty, tasteless soupy goup! We ordered the ‘Rigatoni with Sunday Gravy’ which was a huge disappointment since it not only tasted like boxed pasta in an acidic tomato sauce, but there was NO meat! “Where’s the meat?”, we asked! We registered our complaint with the server and 10 minutes later the manager came out to inform us that that ‘Sunday Gravy’ on the ‘Restaurant Week’ menu was not the same as the one on the ‘Regular Menu’! Hmm! Not the way to entice us to return! We asked for at least a meatball. Well they sent out two meatballs, which to our Italian palates, were very odd tasting. When the bill came, we were charged an additional $13.00 for them!!! Pistachio Cannolis were good as was the wine pairing. However, I don’t think we’ll be going back there any time soon!

Excellent service &outstanding food. Enjoyed a wonderful ( although warm)dinner with my daughter in the garden area. Loved the atmosphere. Lemon Campanelle, tiramisu , a special peach salad , all excellent!! Our server was experienced & knowledgeable of the menu!!( pretty red head with glasses) Looking forward to another visit

After a long day of sightseeing, we stopped in for dinner and were pleasantly surprised. A bit small, but great service. A nice simple menu, that hits the spot if your hungry. Pro tip: order the garlic bread.... probably should order 2.

Dinner was great. Little Nonna’s lived up to the reviews. We sat on the patio. I recommend sitting on the patio. The food was super. The meatballs are amazing and the gnocchi was so good. We had the citrus olive oil cake for dessert. We had great service as well.

Amazing little restaurant for Italian in century city! Very small so definitely make a reservation. Plates are great for sharing so you can try a couple things. The antipasta appetizer was great. The lobster pasta dish was amazing with homemade pasta and lobster tail and chunks of meat. Don’t forget to get the cannolis for dessert!

Loved this quaint spot in Philly. Small yet inviting. Not much room for large groups. Loved the bread/burrata/olives appetizer and the classic spaghetti and Nonna’s meatballs. Great family place!

Spectacular, very good food and great cost benefit, wine and excellent and well served. Very quick service, cordial and well welcoming

The place is pretty small and was quite full when we were there but we could not have asked for better service. The food was uniformly excellent. While most portions were just about right, the Sunday gravy was huge and delicious.

Giving overall experience a 3 but food a 4.Made reservations at least week in advance with only time available was 5:pm.Were seated upon entering at a tiny wooden table with barely enough room for water and wine.Atmosphere was cold,nothing quaint italian about it.Service was hurried but recommended dishes were excellent. They do a huge to go business and it's done out in open where the bagging takes place and it's kind of annoying watching a guy preparing orders with delivery guys coming and going picking up orders.Sunday gravy and alla vodka were excellent as well as arancini app.Again would give food a 4 but wouldn't hurry back for that 3hr italian we're going to be here a while dinner.

This place is great. When sitting with a drink and a great app of grilled bread, buffalo mozzarella and olives, I watched as the kitchen produced plate after plate of spaghetti and meatballs. We ordered it and the macaroni dish with vodka sauce. Both were very tasty. The spaghetti was definitely a hearty portion. Enjoyed a wonderful tiramisu for dessert. It was just a tad sweet( European sweet) which was delightful.

Two dinners ordered for delivery, one did not arrive, and the other--chicken parm--arrived raw in the middle. $12 in delivery fees PLUS TIP?! And forget about bread-- that costs $3. Total joke, ruined our night of treating ourselves.

Called on Sat and no reservations available till very late!But was told to come at 5 when they open and maybe they could sit us.we were there and they said they could as long as we finished by 6. NO PROBLEM! two of us had the spaghetti and meatballs and that was very tasty. meatballs were great. sauce etc.had Tiramisu dessert and while it didn’t look like Tiramisu it was also delicious.service was fine.small place and it was packed! we had a table near the door and when both doors opened a cold breeze came in but? temp was below 30 outside.people were constantly coming in or calling and being told no tables available till like 1030pm.we were lucky! we got in! Again food was excellent. bigger place would have been nice but? next time will make reservations days ahead.

Small quaint Italian restaurant. Not BYOB. The prices were reasonable for a Downtown Philadelphia restaurant. The food was very good and the service was very friendly and helpful! We enjoyed that they seemed to know when we needed something but also allowed us to enjoy our time without feeling rushed through dinner. This place has a cute outdoor courtyard area and would be great for a date night or a night with friends. If you pictured an Italian large family all eating dinner, then this would be that place. If you are looking for a quiet evening and feeling secluded... not your place :) Here is the food we recommend: Antipasta: WILD MUSHROOM ARANCINI (a must) - we will be ordering this EVERYTIME we go Antipasta: Galic Bread (grilled) -- we enjoyed the smoky taste RIGATONI ALLA VODKA - spicy and flavorful. great portion size. definitely worth ordering again PAN SEARED GNOCCHI - homemade gnocci with a rich flavor, and great choice of veges mixed in. Enjoy!

Went here for Philly Restaurant Week and it was great! They offer inside and outside seating although both areas are on the smaller side. I sat outside and it felt like I was in Italy. Since it was restaurant week I tried many dishes. The meatballs came out first and the sauce was definitely worth while, it was thick and had great flavor. Then was the rigatoni, it was on the saltier side but still tasted great. Last, I have to point out their tiramisu!! I normally do not like tiramisu but let me tell you theirs was amazing! I definitely will come back for it. All of the other dishes were great and tasted authentic. Overall I gave it a 4, their service could have been better. Their great food and amazing ambience made up for it.

This place reminded me of my grandparents Sunday pasta dinner. From the dishes to the “meat bowl” to the homemade past - it was delicious. We had the Sunday gravy and the vodka rigatoni as well as the mushroom stanching. And the rose sangria. Be ready to be defeated because the pasta is heavy but the meatball and sausage tastes like you’re at home. Definitely recommend and better to make reservation.

I took my team here for dinner one night. We were only in town for a few days and I saw the reviews on Trip Advisor were really good. Well I echo that and more. We had the Gigi's meat and cheese appetizer. Probably the best app I ever had. Bread had a smokiness to it and the salami and cheese were amazing. We all had the Sunday Gravy and it was top shelf. Wait staff was super nice and very knowledgeable. We left wobbling out of there.

One word - amazing. Had the rigatoni ala vodka, friend had a chicken dish. Fun little roasted garlic cloves for spreading on bread. Homemade pasta, cooked al dente. Great service.

Had a nice meal prior to seeing a show. Spaghetti and meatballs were excellent and portion large enough to share. Unfortunately server/service was barely OK. Some people just aren't meant to be waiters.

We were looking for a preconcert restaurant and reserved. This place is small and tight but the food is good, and plentiful. Service was Good but the atmosphere was a little chaotiic.

Small and intimate Italian restaurant down side street in downtown area popular with professional types. Limited menu but authentixc offerings. Wine prices were expensive for what was on offer.

Sunday Gravy as stated on the menu is excellent, probably the best I've had out. Salads are nothing to brag about especially Uncle Sal's salad which consisted of mostly onions and very small pieces of salami and cheeses. They give you one lousy cherry tomato. I would definitely go back, but would shy away from the salad offerings.

We were happy to see they had sufficient outside seating. They are following the recommended guidelines.They have extended the outside seating to the street. All staff wore their masks at all times. Tables are the recommended 6' apart. My friend had the Braised Short Rib Radiatore which was a large portion and she enjoyed the meal. I had the Chicken "Al Mattone" which was also a good sized portion with potatoes & broccoli which was light- a tad bit salty for my taste but good. We ordered a peach blueberry oat crumb pastry for dessert to share which was excellent. I also order a full meal of bread, pasta and the swordfish entree to take home to my husband. He said it was good and portioned well. The wait staff was helpful with any questions we had or request. I am aware that we are all still trying to figure out how to facilitate outdoor safe dining in the midst of the Coronavirus. Philadelphia has some excellent Italian restaurant, overall this restaurant falls in the category of good. I would go again with friends.

We chose this restaurant because we could walk from our hotel. It was a cozy spot with just a few tables. We didn’t have a reservation but were seated immediately, maybe because we arrived right at opening time. Monty was a great server and was willing to engage in conversation with us tourists. The food we had was quite good, but the portions were very large. Had we known this, we probably would have ordered an appetizer and an entree to share. It was reasonably priced, also. We certainly don’t regret going but just hated to waste the food we couldn’t eat and didn’t have a way to reheat it.

I went with a fairly new friend. We could hear each other, it is an intimate lovely, friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Staff were knowledgeable helpful considerate and kind. The food was wonderful. I’ve just booked my farewell dinner with family here and will be coming back with my husband for an evening we can imagine ourselves in Italy with a perfect wine list to boost our spirits. Enjoy

Glad that I booked this restaurant (highly recommend doing so in advance). Ordered the basic fair while I was here of Spaghetti and Meatballs with a glass of wine (not feeling to adventurous as I was running the marathon the next day). The sauce was good-seemed to have the cinnamon in it that a lot of places leave out. The meatballs-best I have ever had; They were huge and filled with a small amount of cheese. Nice ambiance for date night, dark lighting and small space. Parking may be a bit of problem as it looked like it was streetside parking only. I walked from City Center-very doable unless you are not feeling well. Missed my second reservation (sorry Little Nonna's) because I overslept after the race. Will definitely be back here on my next visit to Philly.

We’ve visited Little Nonna’s several time. They have good consistency food. Their Sunday Gravy is very good. Nonni’s Spaghetti and Meatballs is large enough for two. We love the ambiance of the patio. It’s quieter than the main dining room and cosier with fairy lights.

Our group chose three different entrees and all were delicious. The staff was friendly and attentive. The entrees were reasonably priced. We'll definitely go back!

We had dinner here one night based on googling good places to go and weren’t disappointed! The restaurant was packed, great atmosphere, service and food was delicious. Highly recommend the spaghetti and meatballs!

Stopped in here on a recent Monday night during a stay in Center City. We had no reservation but were seated immediately. There was a decent crowd, in spite of the later time (7:30 ish)… Staff is great, our server was perfect throughout the meal. The Italian lemonade drink was excellent, save time/money and get a carafe!! For starters we ordered: eggplant parm (one of the highlights of the night), garlic bread (roasted garlic head for spread was wonderful) and the Caesar salad (an awesome version). Off to a great start. Entrees were: spaghetti and meatballs (a must order here and for good reason) and the short rib pasta (unexpected delight- pasta is to die for). Our experience was superb! Will return…. Prices are reasonable for Center City.

Happened upon this restaurant without any prior knowledge and I am smitten. The curbside seating, delicious food and above average service are impressive. From the moment you enter, it is apparent that customer service is important!! Everything was well prepared and served quickly. It’s rare when you visit a restaurant but want to immediately go back the following day...that’s what I want to do! Go back tonight because yesterday was not enough. Well prepared dishes with quality ingredients. The menu is large enough to accommodate varying request and preferences.

I agree with a previous reader..make a reservation several days ahead of time. LN is a small personable well run restaurant with character and energy. there is an energy if not excitement in this restaurant. We were seated in the covered courtyard and it had a nice open outdoor dining feel. Service was friendly and attentive. Food was excellent... my daughter had the spaghetti with 2 giant meatballs. This was not your typical SM. The meatballs were wonderfully rich and the seasoning had me wanting more. The bucatini and bronzino were also excellent. Portions were more than we could possibly eat. We were totally satisfied. When in Philly again this would be a return restaurant for us..

AN EXCEPTIONAL AND ECLECTIC MENU. ITALIAN COOKING, DIFFERENT THAN WHAT YOU WOULD EXPECT. Large portions, huge sandwiches, excellent wine menu. Staff is courteous and helpful. The comments shown by others with respect to limited menu is true but it should not stop anyone from finding something to eat.

Italian comfort food served up in one of two intimate (read small) spaces; one indoors, the other a year round patio space. There’s no large bar here & they have a limited selection of liquors and cocktail choices as an FYI. Their Italian Lemonade is a winner - a refreshing mix of vodka, house made lemonade & thyme syrup. Very affable and welcoming staff made this dinner even more delightful. The food is fairly straightforward and will be a good choice for those looking for a salad and simple pasta. My biggest note? The pasta portions are huge. Easily a 1/2 pound on your plate. A couple could easily split one order and be sated. A party of 4-6 could split one order as a mid course. So take into account your hunger level before ordering, you may want to forgo appetizers entirely. Our party of four shared one beet salad, an antipasto platter, an order of garlic bread, 4 pasta entrees ( the campanelle verde could have used a bit more flavor - the hazelnut pesto lacked punch) 5 drinks and one dessert of hazelnut cannolis. With tax and tip it came to $60 per person.

Wanted to eat here for dinner but settled for 1:30 lunch because that was the only spot open for reservation. So glad we did! We took our time and relaxed while we ate and noticed the restaurant was constantly full. Sat in the window and enjoyed the cozy decor and friendly & attentative staff. We ordered the spaghetti and meatballs for $18. Tremendous in flavor and portion size. The best we ever had. Was not hungry the rest of the day. Will be back!

We went to this restaurant because one of the locals had recommended it. And we thank her for it. It’s a small little cozy place!!! But amazing food! We order bread and some meatballs with cheese in them as appetizer. Then we each ordered a platter. I really recommend this place to eat.

Not until I received the tab wih am automatic 20% gratuity for a party of 5 did I realize why the service was poor. Detached, unfriendly, slow...but why bother if you know youve got the customers on the hook for 20% tip? And the food. Not on a level like anything my nonna would ever serve her family. Saw this on Yelp and looked at menu, which is very limited. Based on the limited menu I was going to pass and look for a different place for dinner but someone in our group had a personal reference for it so we decided to give it a try. Wine and cocktail selection is very limited and I would tell you to pass on the Negroni cocktail it is just not good. We had a good table wine though. The Cacio e Pepe bucatini was not good, and got worse the morw I ate, so I left more than half. Way over seasoned with pepper and bitter from parsnip. Parsnip? Domt call your place Little Nonna and then get hipster with some off base ingredient like parsnip. The two in our group who had salad said yeah it's a salad you can't really screw it up. One guy liked his meal the other one said it was pretty average This really isn't a good restaurant and it's not good Italian food. Our meals came out in less than 10 minutes so I'm not sure that anything is prepared to order except obviously for cooking pasta before plating. The pasta in my dinner was al dente, nice job on that but doenst make up for how far this hit off the mark. Our server wouldnt last a night im a real restaurant

We had amazing gnocchi and i had really great branzino. The place is on the small side so be sure to make a reservation. Unfortunately, they only had one brand of vodka which i never heard of and it wasn't too great.

We went to Little Nonna's on a very rainy evening. Seating is limited, so we would suggest reservations. We had the Tonnarelli Nero (shrimp and pasta) and the Steak Alla Griglia. Both were very good. Someone who is not open to eating a variety of foods might be a little dismayed to see the black pasta (squid ink) in Tonnarelli Nero. I really liked the flavor of it. Service was a little slow, but not unreasonable considering they were very full. Prices were a little high, considering you had to pay for garlic bread and unlike many Italian restaurants, there was no side salad or vegetable with either entre, but the servings were generous. A can of beer (the only kind they had) was $8. We took the hazelnut cannoli back to our hotel for later. It was probably the best cannoli we've ever had.

We shared an Antipesto and each had a pasta dish. Both pasta dishes were served steamy hot and the pasta was al dente. My pasta was a dish with squid ink pasta and shrimp and my husband’s was linguine with clams. No bread was included which seemed odd. Wine was on the pricey side.

We went here on a Monday night, which is there ever popular crabs and spaghetti day. I didn't order this, but the group I was with did and complimented how great the dish was. The ambiance and location of the restaurant within the city is excellent, and the staff was friendly, helpful, and upbeat. I highly recommend this spot for an authentic Italian experience within the heart of Philadelphia.

We ate there last night from their restaurant week menu - every dish was outstanding. The shaved salad elevated something regular into a treat of flavor and texture. The burrata and olives were excellent too. The swordfish kebab was cooked perfectly and the sauce with raisins, nuts, and herbs was balanced to perfection. Friendly and prompt service, and though not cheap - well worth it.

Meatballs were AMAZING and service was fantastic. Other meals at the table were also over the top delicious. Small cozy place.

This place fills quick and for good reason! The garlic bread we started with was delicious but could have been a bit more toasted. The roasted garlic head served on the side was a nice touch though. We ordered the bucatini and the Sunday gravy for dinner. Reasonable portions, not over the top. Definitely felt the comfort food vibe and homey environment.

It was over three years since we tried this Italian restaurant. The dinner was delivered, but it would have been a plus if the delivery person had gotten lost. The plates of pasta were nearly, if not entirely, unedible, so much so that we ate very little of our order. The first course should have been forgotten, and I can't recall what it was. I doubt that we will try this restaurant again.

Some of the finish, fresh Italian cooking in Philadelphia. I love this place and never leave disappointing.

My wife and I went here for dinner and we ate inside. You can order from either a paper or QR code menu. The tables were small and close together. In addtion because there is a large pedestal in the middle of the table, there is no good place to put your feet. I had the Campenelle Nero, which is squid ink pasta with seared shrimp, capers, fennell sofffrito, and olive oil breadcrumbs. The portion was right sized and tasty, but a little on the salty side which was because of the ingredients. We wanted to order salads but there were none on the menu. The menu is also rather limited. The food was served promptly. My wife had the Sunday gravy, but she had to ask for cheese, which she thought was unheard of in an Italian restaurant, and it took a while for the cheese to come. The Sunday gravy is a large portion.

Yeah the place lived up to its stellar rep. There will always be a few haters out there, and some people with a bad experience for idiosyncratic reasons. But this is great Italian cuisine at a good price for the quality and quantity. Quaint atmosphere too!

We dined here upon the advise of friends ! What a wonderful experience... My husband and I shared the arancini ( amazing) and Caesar salad ( polenta croutons —- brilliant). He had the Sunday Gravy which was delicious. - the meatballs have fontina inside and are as decadent as they sound. I selected the sautéed gnocchi which was equally delicious. Panna cotta for desert. Small space with Edison light bulb strands above - it was drizzling when we arrived so we chose to sit inside instead of the courtyard. We will be back.

With one date night away from the kids on our trip from Florida, it was really hard to pick a restaurant. We picked Little Nonna’s and it was an amazing decision! Every detail was perfect: the atmosphere, the service, the food, and the drinks. Our server, Sean, was so helpful, friendly, and attentive. Our table was bussed and our drinks refilled constantly. The dinner was spectacular and probably the best Italian-America cuisine I’ve had around the country. Save room for the tiramisu, you will not regret it!

Cosy restaurant. Extremely well served dishes. We order the almondegas and parmegiana chicken .. tasty...

First thing: the service. That rare case when I had no complaints/comments at all: everybody is very attentive and friendly. We were not sure about the wine selection, so asked our waiter for a recommendation, and the recommended options was amazing and not too pricy. My friends and myself are very much into the Italian cuisine, and the menu did not disappoint us: we tried meatballs, swordfish, and a couple of salads, everything tasted nice and fresh, and the serving was amazing. Be prepared to wait in line if you do not make a reservation in advance because the place is rather popular.

If you LOVE AUTHENTIC Italian food this is the place in South Philly! The menu is not real extensive but EVERYTHING on there is what you want when you go for classic Italian food. From the salads to the Famous meatballs to the unbelievably PERFECT gnocchi's, rigatoni's, homemade sausage and desserts it was ideal in everyway. Our server ,RACHEL, was a GEM! Knowledgeable, professional , courteous and the PERFECT attitude for her job. If you get her you are extremely fortunate and in for a truly delightful evening. Thank you SO much Nonna's and Rachel for making our 30th Anniversary dinner so memorable!!

This is top-notch Italian comfort food served in very generous portions. We loved it - and it sincerely reminded my Italian American wife of her Sunday meals in her great aunt’s house as a kid. Relatively small menu but something about that was authentic and comforting (read: less pressure to choose after a long day) in itself. We will definitely be back!

My coworkers took me here for lunch. It's such as cozy little place. The staff were very friendly and attentive. I was surprised by how big the portions were! I got a roast prk sandwich with broccoli rabe. It was delicious. The bread was so crispy. I don't know what kind of spread they put on it, but it was so good! It came with a mountain of shoestring french fries with rosemary. That was $14. I would definitely come here again, and it's a great place to take people to lunch. I also did not feel rushed at all.

Nonna's is an Italian America red sauce pasta house. Set your expectations for that and you will probably enjoy your time there. The signature pasta dishes are good and ample. Venturing thought the menu items beyond pasta can be problematic. The Sal's salad was tasty even with considerably less of the components mentioned on the menu. The option for a loaf of garlic bread for $5 rather than the individual service for $2 is really just 4 pieces of bread with a small head of roasted garlic. My Aperol Spritzer was served in a big glass filled to the top with ice which made the drink taste like a 7 up. A Brock Robb was so overwhelmed with garlic it could not be eaten, The venue is smaller than my Nonna's dining room, which was small. The service from our waitress was efficient by a bit stiff and less than warm and friendly. The young man running the food was quite busy and doing a good portion of the work in food service, A vegan friend was told that Nonna's would provide vegan options. Of the two times suggested only one was acceptable and that was meager and poorly done and not eaten. With an understanding of what Little Nonna's is you will most likely enjoy your visit.

After a long but great day of touring Philly with our grandchildren, this establishment turned out to be the perfect choice. The food, wine, service and vibe were fantastic. The price was very reasonable. Plus, they made our tweenagers feel as wanted there as the couples enjoying a romantic evening. PS. We sat inside which was perfect for us but the outside booths looked great for families as well.

My fiancé got the spaghetti and meatballs and I got the rigatoni with vodka sauce. Meatballs were massive in the spaghetti. Portion sizes are large. Highly recommend the garlic bread which was absolutely fantastic.

I dined at Little Nonna's on the evening of 1/10. The location is very close to Broad Street on Locust Street (1234 Locust). The location is very easy to access by foot, subway, or car. The ambiance is very dark in the evening with only subtle lights on the walls or kitchen and candles at each table. The restaurant is very intimate with seating for probably <50 people. It was lively at 9pm with all tables occupied. Because the space is small, it can be a little on the loud side. The menu is easy to navigate and the options are not overwhelming to where you feel the need to go back / forth over choices. I ordered spaghetti and meatballs as this seems to be their house specialty + a Coke to drink. One thing to note is that the Coke comes in a can and costs $3.50. The food arrived in <10 mins. There were two large veal, pork, and beef meatballs filled with fontina cheese. The spaghetti was piled high. The house sauce is very nice,with tomato flavor and not dressed up with too many spices. There are no sides with this dish and I found it very filling. Philadelphia has a great Italian food scene and I would recommend a visit to Little Nonna's quaint location at 1234 Locust Street.

we went there for my birthday, we sat in courtyard it was very pleasant. the place is small so best to go there early. we had 6pm reservations and it was not at all crowed. the waitress was very pleasant the food came out pretty quickly. the garlic bread is awesome with roasted garlic you can spread on the bread. we ordered the house special salad for the day it was amazing! i ordered spaghetti and meatballs was awesome it was warm could have been hot but was very good the meatballs melted in your mouth. other dish was sausage broccoli rabe and with rigatoni tossed in a kind of vodka sauce it was bomb! highly recommend this place enjoy!

Soooo good. We ordered olives, garlic bread, spaghetti & meatballs, and rigatoni alla vodka. The garlic bread is grilled with the cloves on the side in the grilled head. Cute, but not easy to eat IMO. The meatballs were outrageously good and the rigatoni was amazing. The sauce was delicious and the dish came with a great sausage. Cute location, good service. Recommend!

We ate at Little Nonna's on March 1, 2019 and really enjoyed it. The only negative is that they do not have a bar area to have a drink if you arrive early and need to wait. However, there is an excellent restaurant / bar 2 doors away and you can be called on your cell when your table is ready. Despite not having a bar, they do have alcoholic beverages and make an interesting Negroni. Ok, to the important stuff - the food. We started with the Arancini and Gigi's Antipasto. Both were excellent. The pasta is divine. Nothing else can be said of it. Divine. I had the Sunday Gravy which had so much delicious and flavorful meat that it made it harder to enjoy the pasta (but I did). Spaghetti & Meatballs - other reviews sing the praises and we agree. Rigatoni Alla Vodka - delicious. It was funny, but a couple of the rigatoni noodles were not cut so it is odd to see 6" rigatoni - further proof of them being homemade. Just an awesome meal. Four of us with 1 drink each spent $154 before tax and tip. A super value for the high quality.

This being my first time at Little Nonna's I was dining solo on a Wednesday evening so I had to try the Meat / Veal / Pork meatball appetizer to get a feel for the basic tastes here at Nomma's. Let's face it, if they can't do a meatball right we're in trouble. These were two large fontina stuffed meatballs served on polenta with a san marzano tomato gravy. Very good albeit too large in size for my taste. This seems to be the norm for the size of the meatballs. For my main course I chose the Rigatoni Alla Vodka. The house made Italian sausage was excellent and the over all dish was very balanced...not too spicy, just right. One complaint...there was supposed to be crispy prosciutto which was completely missing and that would have made for a great garnish. Overall it was still very good. No free bread was served which would have added to the meal. Garlic bread was on the menu as a side....this is rather cheap on their part in my opinion. The service was very attentive and if you go ask to be seated in the back "outdoor" covered patio. The main dining room is just a little too "cozy" ... I mean cramped. The patio was nice and open which offered a much more relaxed feel. My meal was very good.

Was looking forward to doing takeout from Little Nonas. However: One of the worst tasting tomato sauces I've ever tasted. Medicinal or cleaning fluid-like taste. I could bot be sure. Caesar salad greens okay, but dressing bland and without Parmesan flavor. Chicken parm equally tasteless. Little cheese. Eggplant parm was flat and over baked. Little cheese taste as well. This is owned by a pizza place.

Old school Italian done right. Great food and friendly service. Another nice spot from Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran.

Fabulous food with a loud and exciting atmosphere. Everyone was moving fast and efficiently. It was our first visit and we definitely want to eat here again.

Finding Little Noona's was a wonderful surprise. Located in central Philadelphia, it has a charming bistro atmosphere and wonderful food. We were so enthralled we went there two nights running! My favorite was the huge tasty plate of spaghetti and meatballs -- I couldn't finish it! I wish they would move to DC!

Nice tiny restaurant. The food was excellent. I loved the fusilli with pesto. The fish was excellent too. One issue only: there was a huge dog at one of the tables in the restaurant. My son panicked since he is allergic to dogs and wanted to make sure that he does come into contact with the dog since the owner decided to go to the washroom with the dog and had to pass through the narrow passage in between the tables! Overall the food was great but of course on the pricier side

We ate here with our son and his partner during a long weekend in PHL to celebrate his new home in downtown PHL. We ate in one of the pods which was lovely - spacious and comfortable, The menu has a varied amount of choices and we all had a different pasta dishes. My husband had short rib raddiatore and I had the gnocchi. They were delicious as were the appetisers. We had garlic bread and WILD MUSHROOM ARANCINi which was amazing. Apparently the meatballs are wonderful too. The house wines are also very good. We thoroughly enjoyed this restaurant which our son had promised was his favourite in PHL, Hope to go back very soon.

Huge portions, great flavor and atmosphere. very relaxing dinner with friends. Had the spaghetti and meatballs which were huge. Other folks had the Sunday sauce which they said was excellent. Nice selection of wines and beers. Highly recommended.

I think the Spaghetti and Meatballs were very good (all 4 of us ordered the same entrée). Garlic Bread was nice done. Just wish there were some simple items like Chicken Parm (sandwich is offered on lunch menu).

The food, service, and quickness of the food being ready were all factors in my 5 star review. If you enjoy an amazing Sunday gravy, the freshest tasting pesto on my eggplant parmigiana, and a delicious cup of tiramisu, you need to check this place out. Right around the corner from the theaters on Broad street.

After reading all the reviews and seeing Little Nonna’s ranking I knew my bride would want to go. I love Italian and was very excited to go. First off, it is NOT BYOB and secondly there are three different businesses with the same address! TWO are restaurants! You would think a logical person someone would do something about this! We walked up and down the street looking and were late for our resv. We had the Caesar salad, the bread with mozzarella and olives for apps. I love Caesar salad and everything about it - however this version fell far short of expectations. The fresh mozZ and olives were great. For main course I had the rigatoni a la vodka which was good but not great. I was surprised that it was not fresh rigatoni and also surprised that there was not any caviar on top since most of the time when I have had the a la vodka sauce it has a small spoonful of black caviar - it would have helped this dish too! My wife had the squid ink pasta with seafood which was excellent. From what I could see that others were ordering everything looked great. Our waiter was efficient but not great. All in all I would go back. It was a little on the loud side but I would not hesitate to recommend it as a ‘date’ location. Not sure who chose the music or station they were playing but it seemed to be more for the kitchen and wait staff then what is appropriate for a restaurant of this quality.

Mediocre. We had the truffle arancini which were over salted and under truffled. Then I had the squid cavatelli which were also way salty and garlicky. My wife had the gnocchi which were ok albeit salty. The carafe wine seemed old or not properly stored as it was acidic. The cesar salad had polenta croutons, a nice idea yet way too spicy. (We had announced a black pepper allergy). Service was slow and not helpful.

Very nice atmosphere, but was disappointed in the limited menu. The service was excellent and the croutons in the Caesar salad were incredible. The servings are large and we were able to share an appetizer and an entree. Made reservations through Open Table and indicated it was for a birthday, but that didn't translate to the restaurant. No acknowledgment of birthday - disappointing.

Visited this place while visiting Philly during the summer. Was amazed by the quality of food and service we received. I would strongly recommend to family and friends.

Close to the Doubletree. Had to sit "outside" which was really a covered space between two buildings with strings of lights and heaters. I thought it was more open and inviting than the tiny inside part. The food is authentic and tasty, most of us had the Sunday Gravy - it was excellent and only $24 - really enough for 2 (or at least a second meal you can bring home with you). Knowledgeable, courteous, and efficient staff. Food came quickly. Had dessert - the tiramisou was great. If you have sphagetti and meat balls, they are the size of a baseball.

I am not a huge fan of Italian food. I know, crazy. It's hard for me to really like an Italian restaurant and give it rave reviews. All I can say is, the service was friendly and helpful, the atmosphere was great, and the food tasted good. I tried the charred octopus as an appetizer. Although the meat was really good, I found the char to be repulsive. I'm really not sure if that's something people really like?? For my main course I enjoyed the spaghetti and meatballs. All of which had great flavor. I would also recommend the Italian lemonade. I really thought that was a tasty cocktail.

Make reservations! Good food though limited menu. We are on heated / covered porch which was nice. Big servings. Everyone of us had to go bags. Desserts are a must! Eggplant was the best I’ve ever eaten.

I was staying downtown and made a reservation here because it was near the hotel and had great reviews. So glad I did! This is a very small place that stayed full all evening on the Saturday night I dined there. Great service and wonderful menu and specials - I ordered a special antipasto which was superb and included buffalo mozzarella, olives, peppers, crostini. Excellent Montepulciano by the glass! My main was a special, lobster tail and pasta noodles - excellent portion size and wonderful presentation and flavor. The cannoli with chocolate for desert with a limoncello was sublime. A wonderful, intimate evening with a wonderful meal and great service! Great entertainment area too, for before or after theater or bar hopping.

Little Nonna's is a classic Italian restaurant in the heart of Philly. There are no more than 15 tables or so and it feels comfy and homey. The food is absolutely delicious! Nonna's sauce is smooth and flavorful with no acidity or sweetness. It's one of the best tomato sauces I have had in restaurant. The menu is limited, but everything we had was absolutely delicious. We started off with the antipasta special. Between us we had the spaghetti and meatballs, an alla vodka dish, a gnocchi and mushroom dish, and the Sunday Gravy. The meatballs here have a little ball of cheese ( I believe it is fontina) in the middle which gives them a really unique and delicious taste. For dessert, the tiramisu is unlike any other I've had. It comes in a bowl and was the best I've had. Great place!

We went to Little Nonna's before a concert at The Meriam. It was delicious - a wonderful appetizer of warm bread and melted cheese, free of charge, followed by a yummy dinner and dessert. Service was quick and efficient and it was a short walk to the theater!

The food was excellent. I recommend the spaghetti and meatballs. It’s reasonably priced and the waiter was good. The only comment I have is the space is really tight. I was almost touching elbows with the woman at the next table.

My wife and I went to Little Nonna's with my sister and her boyfriend (we are all 60+) last Saturday. I had spent an hour or so looking for a restaurant near the Met with a fairly traditional menu (American or Italian) that wasn't too expensive. Landed here, and we were very happy. Fairly small interior; entrees are very reasonable priced (wine is overpriced, but always is in the city) and the ones we had were both delicious. Specifically, I had the spaghetti and meatballs, which featured 2 huge cheese infused pork/beef meatballs, with spaghetti (I chose fusilli, I think). It was great. My other 3 dining companions were thrilled with their choice of "Sunday Gravy," clearly a specialty, with braised short ribs, meatball, sausage and broccoli rabe over pasta. Large portion, all delicious! Also, our server was very good- thanks, Melissa!

Meatballs and Charred Broccoli Caesar. Wonderful flavor, very original Caeser. Great Service, nice environment! Highly recommend!!

Had dinner in this cozy place early on a Saturday evening. The meatballs were incredible - huge with cheesy centers. The garlic bread was very garlicky- could have eaten an entire basket myself! Pasta was perfectly cooked. My only complaint - the Caesar salad advertised it was made with brussel sprouts but I got broccoli instead - a slight disappointment. It was a little difficult to see the place on the street but certainly worth the extra effort!

Everything exceeding our expectations - the arancini appetizer was perfectly crispy on the outside and flavorful on the inside. My "Sunday Gravy" entree was a generous portion of properly cooked with fusilli with tender meatballs and slightly spicy sausage on the side, in a meaty hearty sauce. Excellent tiramisu for dessert. Service was friendly and efficient - highly recommend!

This is a great little spot we ate in the courtyard the food was amazing very tasty and generous portions we will definitely be back again next time around

That’s my cuisine and believe me they are delivering the real thing! Those meals are really the same as made by the best grandmothers in Italy! Top!

Little Nonna’s is a great place for couples to dine. The pasta is delicious and fresh but the best part of Nonna’s is the meatball! I always order an extra side to take home. They are the best and worth the trip to Center City.

I chose this place for dinner based on the reviews and that it was on more than one Best Italian Restaurants in Philly lists. I was there during restaurant week and they had a three-course offering for $35 specially for that week. It included thick slices of toasted bread with heavenly whipped riccotta for the table. There was four choices for the first course, four for the second and three desserts. I went with the meatballs (which apparently they are well-know for — they use beef, veal and pork), pasta with short rib bits, and tiramisu. The meatballs was two handball-sized balls on a bed of polenta and covered with red sauce. Excellent! Moist, flavorful and stuffed with some cheese. And I only ate one so as not to stuff myself before the rest of the meal, and took the second one home. The pasta had a rich short rib sauce with some small pieces of veggies. My only disappointment was that he pieces of short rib were very small. The tiramisu was also excellent, served in a cup and topped with a dense ball of cream. I took half the pasta home so I got two meals out of this. Everything had a great scratch-made taste. The service was fine. I would not hesitate to return. There is a parking lot across the street.

If you are in the neighborhood, don't pass up a meal here. Check out the menu online .. How could you not stop here? Lunch is just as good, but the atmosphere is better outside at night. A+++!! Wine list is perfect!

My husband and I decided to try this lovely Italian Restaurant while we were visiting the Christmas Village. We shared the mushroom arrincini balls and the meatballs which were over polenta. Both were absolutely delicious. I ordered the gnocchi with the wild mushrooms and my husband ordered the rigatoni with sausage in a vodka sauce. We shared these as well. Both were wonderful. Unfortunately dessert was out of the question because we were so full. Next time we will have to try the dessert as I heard you shouldn't leave without having it. We will definitely be back to try other menu items.

Although we hadn't specifically decided to dine at Little Nonna's during Restaurant Week, I am wondering if another week would have provided us a better experience. The food was good, but truly, how much could we enjoy it when our cocktails and THREE courses all were served in less than 50 minutes? We barely had time to breathe between dishes. That was so disappointing because we had heard so many good things. We won't go back.

Visited with friends recently. I had fish and lemon cheesecake (which was fabulous!). The venue was small but we were quickly seated and served. Worthwhile stop!

This food was some of the best home-style Italian we've ever had. Probably the best, actually--flat out. We shared a Caesar Salad, but quickly wished we had each ordered our own because it was incredibly good. Not sure what was in those croutons (not really croutons), but they were magic. My husband had the Sunday Gravy and had the spaghetti and meatballs. OMG. That sauce! The meatballs were incredibly flavorful with some sort of cheese inside. You might not think a grown man can make a meal of spaghetti and meatballs, but think again. I couldn't finish it, but I tried really hard. The place is small and packed, but that just adds character. Dark lighting and candlelight. We will be back next time we're in Philly. Don't miss it!

Great location not far from Rittenhouse Square. Nice classic Italian food. Romantic atmosphere. A good time was had by all. I didn’t try them but the meatballs were the biggest hit.

So good highly recommend can’t wait to go back. Loved the ambiance as well. Must try the Sunday gravy🍝

Started with the Wild Mushroom Arancini - fantastic!! Pan seared gnocchi - great flavor. Bucatini - good, not great. I will try something else next time. We sat inside, which was nice. Not too loud, we could hold a conversation. These ladies own a number of other restaurants in the neighborhood, hope to check those out soon.

My wife and I enjoyed a lovely dinner here on New Year's Eve. It was our first time here, but it certainly won't be our last. We had reservations and we were seated almost immediately upon arrival. The whole waitstaff were very friendly and efficient. As soon as we finished one course, our plates were cleared and the next course was brought out. The food was phenomenal. Our expectations were exceeded by far. The price was steep ($75 per person for NYE) but the wonderful service and delicious dinner made it worth it for us. We're definitely looking forward to going back to Little Nonna's in the future!

My husband and I had a wonderful dinner at Little Nonna's last Saturday. We both had a different pasta and both cooked perfectly and very,very tasty, I had Cacio e Pepe and and my husband had gnocchi. The service was efficient and pleasant. Very tiny restaurant that accomdates each dinner very well. A MUSt to return to...perfect location for the Patco users!

We thoroughly enjoyed the meal here with another couple. We sat on the patio which was delightful! The garlic bread and ceasar salad was delicious, especially the polenta croutons. Our meals of seared gnocci, vodka and sausage pasta, and pasta with 3 meats were all delicious. The pasta was homemade and the gnocci was very light. We shared a chocolate cannoli and it was the perfect sweet to end the meal.

My husband and teenage son had a lovely dinner here. A very cozy quaint Italian restaurant . We were asked if we had reservations, we did not. The hostess said they had seating available outside in the garden. I was concerned but it was delightful. It was like a greenhouse with cute lighting. The wait staff was attentive. Food was quickly prepared. Portion sizes huge. My husband and I shared, I was glad. I would highly recommend this place to any visitor to the city. It has a neighborhood feel. Thanks for a great meal.

Did a lot of research for an Italian in Philadelphia, this was my choice. I tend to ignore bad reviews on trip advisor, on the whole as they, on the whole, are about a personal experience. It’s rare to find consistency in bad reviewers when a restaurant has 4 plus stars. As I say the Sunday gravy is sublime. I looked around and the food was being devoured by all the various clientele. Enough said there! Why the four stars you wonder? Well I have travelled three thousand miles and really looked forward to the Little Nonnas experience. I had requested a corner table on my booking and gave details that this was part of a trip for my sons 18th birthday. I was placed in the middle of the restaurant and literally our two person table was two inches from a table of five complete morons! One spent the next hour loving the sound of his own voice, while the others that tried to get a word in on the conversation, spent their time explaining about their current “juice” journeys, job promotions, and how much they were earning. Oh and how well their daily gym sessions were helping maintain a great looking arse! Basically everything you detest in people that have no clue about the real world, were sat next to us. Before you think I’m being a tree hugger .... let me explain I had just walked a couple miles to this restaurant and I must have passed fifty homeless people. All in various difficult situations in their lives. Then to have to be so close to such loud, obviously full of s@@@, lucky to be born into the right family, gobshite individuals, when I asked to be placed elsewhere ...... was ...... unpleasant! Lastly just felt like the staff wanted us to eat and get out ASAP. Don’t expect much staff happiness! There isn’t any. The food on the other hand is what saves this restaurant, some of the best I’ve ever had! Well done. In future please look at the booking and maybe give a couple more inches between tables. Your restaurant, your call. You get to work there every day, I get to eat all over the world.

We happened upon this restaurant and with good reviews, gave it a try. Really, not the best. Not the worst. The garlic bread(5.00 extra for 4 pieces) was initially burnt. We asked for a new order, kind of strange the waitress would serve burnt bread. We had to remind her to bring our wine carafe. The gnocchi had a distinct smoked taste and though my spaghetti and meatballs included large portions, the meatballs were somewhat dry and pasta had minimal sauce. Very romantic setting, would be great for date night. $$150. for 4 with wine.

You will not go wrong here and if they ask to stick you in the corner, take it. We wanted to eat outside and they asked if we minded siting in the corner and we said no we didn't mind. They took through this small narrow alley which ended up transporting us to a small courtyard in Tuscany or so it seemed. Great food, great service, great place.

Small restaurant, too many tables cramped into a small area. Emphasis seems to be on getting many people in and out, rather than on a pleasant diner experience. Foods was ok, nothing special. If anything it was lacking in presentation. We had arrived at the pre-booked time and were left standing inside the door waiting for our table to become available, the hostess said " it shouldn't be long but could be a while " . No effort made to make the wait less uncomfortable. An uncomfortable standing wait ensued. The food was just ok, and while the waitress was friendly and polite, the check was brought before the main course was finished and without being asked if we wanted desserts. Not overly expensive but by no means value for money. Would not go there again.

The Sunday gravy is great. But the spaghetti and meatballs were so filling. The meatballs are huge, soft and filled with cheese inside; so tasty!

I believe this here place is an absolute testament to the difference of Philly Italian and Austin Italian. I have no idea how either would fair against actual Italian Italian, since it's been decades since I was in Rome. However, I can easily state.. portion size is redonkulus. So if you want to strap on a feed bag, this would be your type of place. The restaurant itself is small, cozy, intimate and a little busy, busy.. busy. Since I was eating dinner with my now, very mature FBI Agent niece and her new squeeze, I was hoping for a leisurely meal and conversation to catch up since it had been 15yrs since seeing her. Our waiter completely picked up on that when he was being very attentive to us and I mentioned we would probably be having a few drinks then dinner, desert etc. He genuinely said to me, "Enjoy your evening, let me know how I can help". Perfect. Started off with a lovely sangria and appetizers of Garlic Bread ($5) and a Charcuterie Board ($20ish) on the specials board. All the meats, bread and cheese were on point, nothing out of the ordinary and prepared well. Another Sangria and to a point I made earlier jokingly, I mentioned I would have 10 more after being asked if they were okay, the waiter suggested I get a little carafe which would be two more and save me a couple of bucks. I really love when waiters/bartenders offer this an an option. I always make sure to add the savings to their tip. Dinner was ordered, I opted for the Sunday Gravy ($24) and the Suzi got the Nonni's Spagetti and Meatball ($19). As FBI Niece said it's a Philly tradition, so I ordered it. So what is Sunday Gravy? Well its a slowly braised beef shortrib, B+V+P meatball, hot fennel sausage & broccoli rabe in a 4 hour Sanarzano marinara. They serve you the Sunday Gravy over the evenings macaroni & meats on the side, Nonna style. Suzie's Spag arrived and here is where we just looked at each other and laughed. These two dishes alone were enough for all four of us at the table. A bowl of Fusilli Pasta, lightly covered with sauce alongside an oval plate packed with a small fist sized meatball, a thick short rib and loads of sausage buried under a pint of sauce it seemed. Suzie's Spag was an equally impressive sized dish with a pound of pasta, orange sized meatballs and pint of sauce. It was simply overwhelming. The tastes were all there, maybe a tad sweet to what I am used to, could of been the sangria I was accompanying with my dish.. Everything was well cooked, short rib meat fell off of bone, fennel sausage was bright and spiced. The red sauce was holding it all together, not really adding to the choir of tastes available. We finished up our meal, well actually I managed to perhaps get through half my plate as did Suzi, we wanted a sweet bite and Tiramisu ($8) was ordered up to split. Crisp and soft textures were matched well with the espresso soaked lady fingers and pizzelle crumble. Marsala Zabaglione offered up a deep sweetness to the whole dish. A tad unconventional from the norm, at least mine, but very tasty and a nice end to the evening. Chef Turney has done well here in the "I couldn't eat another bite, not even a wafer thin mint?" vain. When I am in town again, I believe I would steer towards the fish dish of Brozino or even the Gnocchi to check out his more subtle flavors over quantity of a massive plate o food.

Really enjoyed the homemade spaghetti and meatballs, generous portions and we couldn’t stop eating it. The swordfish was Smokey and tasty. Definitely order the garlic bread with roasted garlic to go with anything you have for dinner. That and a carafe of wine was $80. Great value. Arina was friendly and prompt. We’ll be back.

In town for a show and found Little Nonna's. What a great restaurant! Our server was Zee; she was fabulous and checked on us throughout the meal. Our entrees were spaghetti and meatballs and eggplant parm, which is an appetizer but Zee added spaghetti to make it a full dinner. Great choices! The meals were served very quickly and the portions were large. Be sure to make reservations as the dining room fills up quickly! We'll definitely return!

We’ve eaten before at Little Nonna's. Our meals have been excellent and the wine reasonably priced. Tickets to the orchestra motivated us to have another meal here and we weren’t disappointed. Salads, entrees and desserts - I enjoyed eggplant parmigiana and a generous shaved salad. The gravy at Little Nonna’s is perfection. Our service was above average and we walked to the concert just a few blocks away. This is real Italian and I recommend it.

Very quaint restaurant. Portions are huge. Neither I or my wife came close to finishing the main course. Not very authentic Italian , perhaps Americanized Italian. Good but not mind blowing. Service was efficient, but not friendly.

Fantastic. Quaint atmosphere and good service. Cost to quality ratio was exceptionally good. Don't sit at the back table next to the passageway to the adjoining restaurant that they own. Crosstraffic by staff let's the outside weather inside.

We went the same date and time last year(the day after Thanksgiving for dinner) This was a much different vibe this year. Last year I did not care for it, but my daughter and her best friend loved their “Sunday Gravy “. She was extremely satisfied once again as was my husband with this dish. Very large portion. Myself and my other daughter got chicken parmigiana. Mine was EXTREMELY well done, crispy is being kind. I only ate about two bites. The penne pasta that came on the side was actually cold. They did replace that with a new hot serving. The chicken had no gravy on it, so mine was thin and dry. My daughter’s was thicker and a bit better but she wasn’t fond of the way it was prepared. The garlic bread was very good, Cesar salad was ok. Service was good, our waiter could have used a smile. I would not return unless I was to get that one dish my daughter got, but menu is very limited.

Lovely restaurant, decent prices. Food is delicious. Great service. Good size portions. Highly recommend.

Visited Little Nonna's on 12/19/19, just to part take on their FEAST OF SEVEN FISHES, their annual 6 day long special menu (regular menu available as well). The olive & smoke salmon crostone, the fried cod, the grilled octopus, the shrimp scampi with the baccala mash were all incredible, and we finished with their lemon cheesecake. We have travel the world, and visited many excellent restaurants, but Philly delivered the goods, truly amazing. An unforgettable experience, worth the trip from Virginia just to taste this menu, top on everything, amazing food, excellent service and great atmosphere, and all delivered at a very reasonable price, A+, the only recommendation, is to request less ice, if ordering the Sangria caraffe, which is delicious!.We will be back.

Wow! Just WOW! Simple, but rich (yet not heavy) and flavorful Italian. The garlic shrimp was a winner. I mean, even the grilled bread was incredible. Good house wines by the carafe make the whole night worth while. Everything we tried, from the broccoli rabbe, to the linguini and clams was incredible. Perfectly blistered tomatoes, sauteed in saffron, and just.....just incredible. Stop what you're doing and make a reservation right now. We went and lucked out with a two spot at the bar, but, if you want to go with 4 or more people, you'll probably be shut out without a reservation ahead of time.

We were in Philadelphia as part of celebrating my wife's birthday, and called ahead to see of they could fit us in and were told we could be accommodated. We rushed to find the restaurant, but encountered problems with parking. We called the restaurant and told them we would be a liitle late, due to the parking problrm (which was minutes away from the restaurant). On checking in with the hostess we were told that we had exceeded the window and could not be seated. Now imagine if you had been born in Philadelphia, and looked to celebrate a birthday after about 50 years since your birth. Imagine being turned away, with no notification of a time slot being exceeded, especially after calling ahead to notify them of the parking situation. So thanks, Little Nonna's, for a total lack of flexibility or empathy. I'll be sure to regale friends, family, and even strangers with this tale of woe!

Love this spot! You must try the garlic break. It comes with a fully roasted garlic bulb and the breads comes from Sarcones Bakery. You really can’t go wrong everything is delicious. The pasty and gravy is huge and fabulous. My go to is the chicken parm that comes with Buratta cheese. They don’t have a full bar but you can get a glass of wine. Also a great patio in the back!

Little Nonna’s was a recommendation. It was so good I went twice on the same trip. Had the spicy Italian sausage rigatoni. It was perfect. Past cooked properly and the sausage and sauce was amazing. Finished off with my favourite tiramisu which was equally amazing. The service matched the standard of the food. Best pasta I’ve had and even better than what I’ve had in Italy. My new favourite.

Great place for a romantic lunch. Lots of food, be prepared to share or take home a container for dinner. The pasta was perfectly cooked.. sauce was yummy too. Planning to go back again. Staff was extremely hospitable. New favorite.

You'll think you're in Sicily or Naples, it's that good. We only got to visit once (time limit to our Philly visit) but if we lived nearby, we'd be there monthly!

Lovely, warm restaurant We went for dinner when in Philadelphia on recommendation from friends. We enjoyed an appetizer of fried calamari, fish and veggies. For the entree we shared veal parmigiana which was a huge veal chop served with a side of spaghetti. Spaghetti and meatballs seemed to be a favorite. For dessert we shared a “swirl” a s pop of the delicious basil water ice and a s pop of ricotta gelato. Service was great!

I was on my own for dinner and picked this place because they had a bar at which I could sit. Everything was charming and not too noisy. The pear salad could have had a few more pears, but the frutti de mare was nice and crunchy and the gnocchi were excellent.

Had a wonderful meal here. Restaurant has an intimate atmosphere. Server was friendly and food was excellent. Found the dessert choices unusual but yummy!

Absolutely wonderful restaurant. Food was incredible and service was great. Great for families and for couples. Would definitely go again

My fiancé and I had dinner there last night and the food was great! Service was excellent. We ate outside and it was very warm. Garlic bread was just ok but the Sunday special with the gnocchi (an up charge) was great. Nice portions. Fiancé had chicken Parmesan which was very good. We shared their version of Cesar salad was delicious.

To start our waitress was outstanding. We told her that we had a concert to attend and before we knew it our order was on our table. We all agreed with the previous positive reviews about the spaghetti and meatballs and garlic bread, we even had leftovers. We would definitely return to Little Nonna’s on our next visit to Philly.

If you are looking for a cozy Italian restaurant where everything tastes like home cooking, this is the place for you. Make a reservation - this is a small and popular place. we had the special antipasto plate and every bite was fresh and different. There were some white beans with a lemony marinade, a selection of sliced meats, some burrata, roasted peppers and some kind of citrusy relish - every thing was perfect and combined really well with each other. For dinner, we had the spagetti and meatballs and the Sunday gravy. The meatballs were phenomenal, the pasta sure tasted homemade and I can see why they sell out of the sauce. We are so glad we found this place and we are sure to return next time we visit Philly.

Small intimate restaurant in Center City Philadelphia. Try the eggplant and antipasta appetizers. The garlic bread is amazing! Try Sunday Gravy (stuffed meatball, short ribs and sausage along with pasta of the day. Sauce (or gravy) is delicious. Rigatoni with vodka sauce and sausage is amazing also!

We wanted to love Little Nonna's and booked a table in the outdoor garden. It's really not an outdoor garden. It appears to be the "back alley" of the restaurant closed off completely. As the evening wore on - with just OK food for one of us and a great eggplant parm for the other - mice started to appear and got braver every minute as they scooted around from the "alley." I get it. Mice are in alleys. But this wasn't the best of dining experiences. In fact, we started talking about it with the table next to us. The service was great though. We just won't be going back. Between the mice and the crying baby next to us (I get that, too. It's billed as a "neighborhood" place) and the not so great meal for one of us, we'll be going elsewhere next time. HIGH NOTE: Loved the carafe of wine on the menu. A real savings when bottles start at $58.

The ambiance, service, and salad dressing was great. Unfortunately, it ended there. Caesar salad would have been lovely but the chef decided it needed red cabbage and broccolini. Still, I can accept that. But when the main dish arrived, the spaghetti was overcooked and the sauce was tasteless and pasty-thick. The meatballs seemed okay at first, but I stopped eating when I started finding things I could not identify in the sauce and the meatballs. If I were to read a review like this, I would think it was exaggerated or fictitious, but this is true. I didn't think anyone could mess up spaghetti. My husband got the same dish so I cannot speak for any meal other than the spaghetti. We were so disappointed, we wish we didn't have to pay for it. We probably should have given the place a chance to make it right, but I can't walk out of a restaurant without paying and I didn't want to wait for another meal that might possibly be just as bad.

Took my daughters there before we saw a play. Was in walking distance from the Miriam Theatre. Quaint small place. Very Cute! Excellent Service. Small Menu but perfect execution!!! I had the pan seared nocchi and it melted in your mouth. I can't wait to go back. Prices were very good. I highly recommend.

Four different meals, all very good! Attentive service! Pear and gorgonzola salad was spectacular! Brick oven chicken with root veggies and Sunday Gravy to die for! Will be back!

Had reservations for dinner while in Philadelphia for a day. Greeted and seated promptly. No eating indoors due to COVID, but there was outdoor seating near the street and also outdoor/patio seating, which we opted for, and was around back. Waitress and waitstaff were were friendly and did a nice job. I had the Nonna’s spaghetti & meatballs and my friend had the pan seared gnocchi. Both were delicious and we ended up switching plates so we could share. The spaghetti was al dente and the sauce was smooth and delicious. The gnocchi was pillowy soft. Eating the gnocchi, I noticed that every component on the plate complimented each other extremely well. For dessert I had the hazelnut cannoli. The hazelnut cannoli cream was very good, but I found the cannoli shells were quite hard. Our only other complaint was the abundance of flies in this patio area. I know we were outside, but there did not appear like anything was being done to control the issue. Had to constantly swat flies away from food, drinks and each other. Overall though, based on service & food, it was a good experience

Three of us dined here on a Wednesday evening. Our server did an excellent describing different menu items, answering questions, and offering suggestions. We ordered the tomato panzarella, which I highly recommend, seared bronzino, Sunday gravy (a not to miss menu item) and seared gnocchi (house made pasta that melted in my mouth). The swirl (peach and ricotta sorbet) and cannolis topped off the meal nicely. They serve La Colombe coffee, which is excellent. Each selection was very well prepared. Service was attentive without being intrusive, and we will definitely return here.

Great little Italian place. Everything was cooked well and with interesting combinations of flavors. There are the traditional "red sauce" Italian dishes, but also more creative dishes. The meatballs, gnocchi were awesome. Very friendly for kids as well. Don't sleep on the grilled bread, there are worse ways to spend 3 bucks. Friendly service. Good prices.

Excellent service and good from Little Nonnas. We were there in restaurant week so a promotion in the menu meant some very lovely food at a slightly discounted rate. Cocktail was very good too. Massive portions - think this was commented on in a previous review- we were not in a position to have the leftovers boxed (no where to store) but this was offered. Food was tasty and generous, service was excellent. If you find yourself on Locust - book and give it a go!

We were in town for one night. Little Nonna's was very close to the venue we were going to and had great reviews. OMG -- we support every 5 star review! We split the Sunday Gravy and had the Arancini appetizer recommended Monte -- a really good server! The sauce is amazing. The meatballs are incredible. Everything else was simply wonderful. Just go. If you like Italian food, this restaurant serves some of the best.

On the recommendation of our hotel, we booked a table several weeks in advance of our trip. We had email confirmation, but on arrival they said there was no booking. I showed them the email chain! We were given a table initially in the ‘conservatory’ which wasn’t what we ‘d have chosen. Shortly afterwards we were moved inside! The staff were good and the food was excellent. Portions were large too! I had the squid ink pasta with shrimp and it was delicious.

Little Nonna’s is a nice little spot in center city Philly. Food is very good and wont break the bank, but the service was too rushed. We did not get any time to reset between portions. Would go again, but would ask for a slower pace.

Food is prepared well!! great choices on the menu the wine is affordable in a great neighborhood- a lot of fun bars in the area con- it's really small- get a reservation also, they don't have a bar- so if you want to get there early and have a drink- it ain't happening!! lol but there are tons of bars close by enjoyed my dinner- if I travel to Philadelphia again, I will definitely revisit

What a wonderful Italian meal we had!! Huge portions of food! The garlic bread appetizer was good with the garlic. There were 3 of us and we had the spaghetti (2 huge meatballs), the tufoli rigate, and the wild mushroom bucatini. All 3 dishes were incredible!! The server was very friendly and our meals came out of the kitchen quickly even though they were quite busy. I would recommend reservations.

After hearing glowing reviews about Little Nonna's, I was excited to try out this Italian eatery in Philly. However, my experience turned out to be a major letdown. From the garlic bread to the pasta dishes, there were several aspects of the meal that fell short of expectations. We kicked off our meal with the garlic bread, which was served with a roasted garlic clove on the side. The roasted garlic was flavorful and delicious, but the bread itself was a major disappointment. It was soft and lacked the crispy texture that you would expect from freshly baked garlic bread. It seemed like the bread was pre-made and then reheated, leaving it with a disappointing texture. For my main course, I opted for the pasta with vodka sauce. While the sauce was rich and flavorful, the pasta itself was overcooked. My friend ordered the black squid ink pasta with shrimp, hoping for a unique and flavorful dish. However, she was left disappointed. The shrimp were scarce, making it difficult for her to enjoy the dish fully. Additionally, the flavor of the pasta dish did not Overall, our dining experience at Little Nonna's was a letdown. From the disappointing garlic bread to the lackluster pasta dishes, there were several aspects live up to expectations, leaving her underwhelmed.of the meal that did not meet our expectations. If you're looking for an amazing Italian dining experience in Philly, it seems like we're still on the search for the perfect spot. In conclusion, Little Nonna's failed to impress with its lackluster dishes and disappointing dining experience. If you're in the mood for delicious Italian fare, it might be best to look elsewhere until they improve their offerings.

Dined here recently with friends and had a wonderful experience start to finish! This charming little restaurant in the gayborhood has been on my list for awhile, and I'm so happy I finally made it! We started with two appetizers, the antipasto platter (burrata cheese, salami, olives, etc.) and the broccoli rabe over white beans...both were delicious, especially with the grilled bread order we placed. Entrees included two spaghetti with meatballs, and one order of rigatoni alla vodka. The portions are very large!! All pasta were cooked perfectly and I have to say the meatballs were just fantastic! I also liked the addition of sausage with the rigatoni...that was an unexpected treat! We also had the carafe of wine which hit the spot. Service was polite, professional, and quick! The restaurant is small so be sure to book a table in advance. Definitely will be back for more amazing food!

Stopped by for an early dinner just after 5pm and found the place almost full already. I was seated in an outdoor patio with a nice atmosphere! I chose the Restaurant week menu, three courses for $35: wild mushroom arancini, lemon chicken and cannoli, with water and a glass of wine, the check came to $55+gratuity. The food was delicious and plentiful: I could not finish the cannoli despite them being very tasty! A few minor issues: the appetizers (cheese and olives) and starter arrived at the table at the same time. It would have been better if one had a chance to taste the appetizer first! I was seated in a narrow alley next to the utility cupboard, but then I did walk in without a reservation. Also, the waiter never came back with my change.

I'm rating this restaurant poor because...while the food was tasty the scallops entree contained THREE scallops on a bed of greens and was priced at $25! The waitress clearly saw that who was ordering this particular dish was not a small person and should have mentioned the portion size but didn't. Went elsewhere for dessert and coffee because the restaurant didn't serve either dessert or coffee. Bye!

I enjoyed an amazing platter of spaghetti and meatballs whilst on a business trip in November. I had a trying day and really wanted some comfort food. A colleague and I received a recommendation for Little Nonna's, so we took it. We sat on the closed in, well heated porch in a cute corner booth. The lighting was dim but it fit the vibe. Our waitress was friendly and welcoming. We shared a carafe of a house red I believe. It wasn't a memorable wine but it did go well with the spaghetti. The meatballs were so big, so delicious, so comforting. They really hit the spot. I tried to savor every bite but the portion was truly heaping. I will absolutely dine here again on my next visit.

Great traditional red sauce just like momma used to make ! We sat outside on the patio felt like sitting in a backyard in Brooklyn or more appropriate south philly ! Everything was delicious. Can’t go back. Only reason not a 5 was because the server brought our entrees while we were still eating our apps the deliciousness of everything made up for the unenthusiastic service.

Make reservations. Small place with big taste. We sat right in front of the kitchen and watched how fast and good they cooked. We really had a nice time and would go back.

One of the best Italian restaurants, quality food at a reasonable price. Make sure what you order because the portions are large.

Had dinner there with a friend. The food was OK. After dinner, asked the waiter for a cappuccino only to be informed that they didn't have any. An Italian restaurant without cappuccino? Are you kidding me? When I asked him why not, he replied that they didn't have space for a cappuccino machine. Yeah, right. That's like a Japanese restaurant without sake. I would have added another star, if Little Nonna's had had cappuccino. It's that important.

You better be hungry!! Wonderful Italian dishes. Fantastic Italian wine. Started with the burrata and olives..! Wow!! Could have stopped there and still given 5 stars. The meatballs are amazing! My husband had the rigatoni with vodka sauce. Delicious!! Very small, quaint, and intimate.

We are from out of town so it was our 1st time here. 1st, get a reservation, it was a Sunday night and people WO reservations did have to wait quite a while. Get a reservation easy on Open Table. My wife got the spaghetti & Meatballs and the meatballs alone are a meal! I ordered the Sunday Gravy and could barely finish it. Both meals were good. Anything else you want is ale carte, even salads and bread. We did get some garlic bread. I saw a lot of questions concerning BYOB but they have alcohol and serve it at your table. No draft beer, all beers come in a can! No real bar either so don't be early, thinking u can grab a drink...Fast paced but quality service too....

Well done, definitely a beautiful small nice restaurant in Philadelphia Downtown. Really delicious pastas, perfect ambient, and great service. Go for it.

This is not a high end Italian restaurant, it is inexpensive, and focuses primarily on pastas and house made sauces. It is not large. We dined on a Sunday, and had the Sunday gravy, which was a red sauce pasta with meatballs, sausages and short ribs, which we loved. If you like basic comfort food, good qualities, reasonable prices, this is a great find.

I had a business dinner here recently and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We sat in the courtyard and had, what turned out to be a wonderful evening together. Didn't get as much business done as I would have liked because the environment was so conducive to friendly banter about friends, family and food. I'll bring family and friends here sometime! I am Italian and really enjoy a good meal and get grumpy with imposters. Little Nonna's is the real deal!

Desperate to find dinner without a lot of planning we used trip advisor and snagged a table in this small restaurant. Everyone raved about their meal. Generous portions that we couldn’t finish. Reasonably priced wine list and very affordable I went the simple route and had spaghetti and meatballs to die for. Hope to drop in again soon!

I came here with friends who wanted to try this. While the menu was limited, I had a hard time choosing, everything looked so good. My meal was a little cheesier than I could handle so I had to abandon my meal halfway through. Maybe share the entree?

Dark and cozy. So dark you may have trouble reading the menu. Great service (Monty) and food at fair prices. We split the Caesar salad with amazing polenta croutons. My wife had the spaghetti and meatballs (with a fontina cheese center), I had the Sunday Gravy dinner. There were enough leftovers for another meal. If you are in center city this place is definitely worth a visit.

We ate at this restaurant while visiting Philadelphia. We chose it based on the excellent reviews & close proximity to the hotel. Got a reservation for patio. It appeared to be better than inside since it was very dark inside when we entered. We were seated against wall where the bench seat was high up & not comfortable for eating. My husband switched, but I didn't like that we weren't at same level for conversation. The tables were very close to each other. I ordered the vodka rigatoni based on recommendation from server as one of his favorites & the women seated next to me. It was much too rich for me & I didn't care for the sausage. My husband 's chicken parm was not that great. He didn't care for cheese topping. We split salad that was good but small for $16. Bread was extra. It was a very disappointing dining experience.