The Victor Cafe Reviews

The food was delicious and the Opera was bravo! Can't wait for an excuse to go back for more. The spaghetti Rusticana was excellent and the meatball was the best I've ever had. The Italian sausage and braciole were also delicious but the meatball was my favorite.

We had a fantastic night. We couldn't fault anything. I grew up watching the Rocky films, so it was an extra special night for me.

This is a not to be missed in Philadelphia! I have wanted to eat here for some time and my husband vetoed it every time. This trip I put my fork down and it was the perfect pick. My husband loved the food, as did I and we both thoroughly enjoyed the vibe! The opera sung by the staff was professional quality and even if you don't like opera, you will love the fun and vibe. Go and enjoy yourself!!!

It was a wish that for a long time we wanted to visit Rocky's restaurant, disappointed!! being Italian and as Italian cuisine we can say 70/100 American cuisine, I expected a restaurant like in the movie, but I found myself in a room that seemed to be at the station!! It is interesting, nice the show that every half hour the staff does, but for the poor eating, I put photos of the pasta we ordered, rigatoni all'amatriciana, were cooked like polenta, presentation of plate zero, spaghetti with scampi were flavorless, has nothing to do with Italian cuisine, appetizers , fried squid , cold and lignose , the only thing I liked the sweet Catalan cream, I visited the two rooms, I liked , asked for information if there was the owner, but the waitress told me that here there is no one only the manager, I'm sorry but I see that the American style with the staff singing the audience is happy, then if the eating is what you serve!

The food is good, plentiful, served either by the plate or family style (just ask), and the Wait Staff SING! My wife and I go there at least two times per year. We are about due!

The atmosphere's okay. It's not Jean-Georges at the Ritz, to be sure, but it has a vibe that, frankly, is way out of Jean-George's reach. Photos of long-gone operatic heroes. Clippings, somewhat faded in skimpy wooden frames. Take a seat, relax; feel 30 or 40 years just drift away. Order a nice bottle of wine. The list's not huge, but it's nicely varied and priced well within the scope of this Everyman's purse. As for the food, it's okay; mostly red sauce and pasta, but such small portions . . . . if you're used to having mains that weigh about 40 pounds each. Egad! Good for dinner, lunch the next day, and dinner the next day, too. And then there's the service, brought to you by opera singers, teachers, and students. One song/aria every 20 minutes or so. The best? Nope. But okay, and they do know how to serve well. Now, with everything being just okay, how does The Victor do overall? It does what synergy is all about, where the whole greatly exceeds the sum of its parts, because the resto, and the experience it allows you to participate in, are FANTASTIC! One of the best evenings of our trip. Absolutely outstanding in nothing. Just everything.

The food was better then ever. I really enjoyed the waiters and waitresses singing Opera and Broadway Show tunes. They have a really nice vintage sitting area upstairs. We had dessert there and loved it.

This was our first visit but won't be our last. Family was in from California and we wanted to go somewhere memorable. The Victor Cafe was just the place. Many great memories were made in just such a short time. The waiters and waitresses who sang to us were simply incredible. We were not opera afficionados but still loved the selections and the explanations. My favorite part was when the wonderful opera singers became great food servers as well. The Californians were also amazed at the small corner door where all the trays of food magically appeared. We told them it was a Philly thing.

Good food, pleasant service but the real excitement is when the waiters and waitresses open up with excellent operatic voices singing the classics from operas. A fun evening!

Great atmosphere! Staff was exemplary. Acapella Opera was just fantastic. Oh yeah and the food was really good too☺

Old Italian restaurant known for its opera singing waitstaff. The food was excellent, I had the chicken livers a dish you don’t see very often on a menu. The service was delightful, friendly efficient and served with a sense of humor. We were a large group and were seated downstairs which was great but the upstairs is a little more interesting. For a restaurant with an experience the prices were reasonable. The waitstaff sang well and with enthusiasm and it definitely added to the meal.

Food was Mediocre at best, but the real disappointment was the aria's selected. They were terrible, and probably appeal to the woke crowd. Service was unattentive. I grew up in Philly and would never go here based on the food reputation, and they earned the reputation.

We were on the fence coming here for dinner because we aren't big on live music. However, this was an experience we will NEVER forget! I found the place because it was featured in the Rocky movie and my significant other is a huge rocky fan. Once I started reading about it and saw the entire waitstaff is classically trained and they sing, we decided to go for it. It's a small, unassuming place from the outside, but very nice inside. The upstairs is especially adorable. We were the first ones there with a reservation and were taken care of promptly. The waitress was kind and gave us suggestions for dinner. We had the Sweet Potato Tortelloni, the Tosca, and Spaghetti Rusticana. We also had the Burrata as an appetizer. I loved the Sweet Potato Tortelloni. It was delicious and unlike any taste I've ever had with pasta. The guys also enjoyed their dishes as well. They raved about the coffee too! We were lucky to hear 4 singers perform and each was wonderful! It was such a cool experience. We all agreed it was completely worth the price to get to experience it. We would come back if ever in the area!

Bravo! Bravo! Bravo! A dinner at The Victor Café could, in fact, be considered a life-changing event. For me, it may have been the best fine-dining experience that I have ever had. The fare, the service, and the entertainment made for an absolutely serata fantastica and one wonderful memory. It is certainly a one-of-a-kind encounter where opera meets Italian cuisine, for it was the first time that I have ever been serenaded (literally) while savoring veal saltimbocca and a glass of zesty chianti. All the servers are professional or aspiring opera singers, so plan to be regaled by a series of well-known operatic arias. You have to see it…to believe it, or even comprehend it. Dress-up or dress-down, all are welcome: boisterous extended families and shy couples. Even if you are not a fan of the opera, you AND the kids will enjoy The Victor Café experience. Wedged into the row houses of inner Philadelphia, this century-old establishment is unassuming on the outside, but flaunts a very warm and distinctive charm on the inside. In addition to dinning, The Victor Café’s second floor features a lavish bar and lounge where imbibers can enjoy an aperitif (or grappa) before and/or after their feast in a luxurious setting. Before you leave for the evening, however, you are strongly exhorted to take in some limoncello; it always finishes the meal on a sweet note. Cin cin! Parking is available curbside but can be sparse during the evening hours.

We loved our dining experience at the Victor Cafe! First--the food. The dipping oil and bread was fantastic. I always feel like I get better Italian meals at restaurants that do the bread and oil--more authentic to Italy, maybe. This place was no different. The Victor salad was a great starter (my friend got the calamari as a starter and also loved it!). I had the spaghetti rusticana and it was perfection--and also enough for 2-3 meals. Second--the atmosphere. We were a little disappointed that when we made our reservation, it was already booked inside, so we took outdoor dining. We thought that meant we'd miss the performances and we were excited about those. We were mistaken and in my opinion the outdoor performances were even better--they sing from the balcony up above you! The heaters made the outdoor dining area warm and cozy--it was an all around terrific atmosphere. Our server was helpful and accommodating, as well as an amazing singer! Overall, this was a unique and authentic dining experience--just not something you can do anywhere. We'd highly recommend to anyone visiting Philly!

I went with my family on november 2019. We make a reservation because is ussually full. The general ambience is unique. Waiters are very friendly and they sing opera every 20 minutes. Simply amazing! The food was delicious and the desserts were the best. For sure im gonna visit soon.

I must admit... I was hesitant to dine here! Away on an overnight work trip with my husband and he booked it. I told him that I did not want to stop talking every 20 mins and listen to opera! Boy, was I wrong! This place is INCREDIBLE! The waiters/opera singers are so very talented. Between their historical perspective of the arias, their gorgeous voices, and the history of the restaurant, this is a MUST in Philly! The food was delicious too! Highly recommend!

Wow wow wow what an amazing restaurant! We booked this a year ago and it was worth it. Great service and amazing food. Such an amazing experience being huge Rocky fans it was wonderful to actually experience this. Would highly recommend

Historic and eclectic while being modern and hip, this is the best place in Philadelphia to get real Italian American cuisine. Great choices an d price points with fantastic service and full service bar, its my favorite restaurant in the City of Brotherly Love-they have a valet parking system and a wonderful upstairs area full of ambiance for a wide variety of cocktails. With a good wine list and last but not least classically trained opera singer wait staff who keep you entertained all the time...its a once in a lifetime experience or in my case an every time I visit Philly experience. Can not wait to return

I came in from out of town to meet with some friends. Making the reservations online was very easy. The singing was fantastic, the food not so much. I was very disappointed. The salad was terrible with discolored, wilted lettuce ($10). The main dish I got was Chicken Piccata ($26) as did one of my guests. My guest couldn't eat hers at all. I only ate a small portion of mine but to tell you the truth, my local diner makes a much better version of it. For the price you pay for the food, I really expected to be wowed, but alas, it was not to be. On the way home, I got sick. I was sick for four days. Maybe it's just a coincidence that I got sick. The restaurant itself is charming and the waitress was very sweet. Just so you know, on their website it says valet parking in their own parking lot. Well, my car was squeezed into a spot on the street. I paid $12 (plus tip) for someone to park my car a few steps away from the restaurant. I did look at reviews for this restaurant before I made the reservations and I'm really sorry to leave a negative review, but this was my experience.

Amazing food, service and entertainment. The staff is incredibly talented and provided impeccable service. The homemade food: walnut pesto, braciole and cannoli was all wonderful! I was so moved by the beautiful melodies and would happily return to this hidden gem! The history of the cafe is interesting and well preserved.

This was the second visit to the Café -my first visit was over 25 years ago! We had a wonderfully entertaining dinner with delicious food and top notch service! The wait staff all sing opera arias while serving! Not only were they excellent singers but they were excellent servers and friendly and hospitable to boot! We had two pasta dinners and one pork; all delicious. The atmosphere is really festive and interesting. I don’t see how you can go wrong here.

We went to the resturant for a special occassion, I was disappointed that the food was not better that it was. The establishment rides on the back of Rocky publicity however the food is not very good. The opera singing is very good however. The place itself is querky and expensive. 4 people, 4 mains, 4 drinks , 1 desert. would you believe 275 dollars. The soup was cold and the pasta was poorly made chicken parm over cooked and ravoili well there was 5. Nothing special, you could have bought a 59cent bag of pasta and put prego over it and it would be 10x better and cost you 3 dollars. We had a special Birthday and for them to give you a desert will cost you 9 dollars. My overall opinion: I would not go back

As a first time visit, The Victor Cafe is a delightful experience. On 2nd and subsequent many visits over several years Victor Cafe still delights. What could be better than live serving staff (opera voice students) singing your favorite opera aria while you are enjoying excellent drinks and Italian cooking. The opera record collection is unique in the world. It is a great place. Rv

Go to The Victor Cafe! This is a complete dining experience: in a tiny South Philly neighborhood, untouched by time, reasonably priced, and absolutely scrumptious. This is "Adrienne's restaurant" from the Rocky movies, full of antique furniture, art, and memorabilia. The founder's love of music carries on, as all staff are accomplished opera singers, and they share their incredible talents with diners. The quality of service was narrowly eclipsed by the quality of the food, and we went the whole distance with appetizers, salads, entrees, a side of meatballs, and, yes, even desserts. I can't even make a suggestion for what to order, because all of us ordered something different, and we all raved about our wonderful meals. Don't miss this hidden gem! It's a total dining experience.

Really enjoyed this restaurant..we came after the yo rocky philly tour for food and to see were the rocky film was set ..food was great ,staff were really friendly and welcoming. Service was excellent. The singing was very good .we were on vacation from the UK to nyc .we decided to get a train to philadelphia for the rocky tour and to eat at victors .thankyou victors for a great night

The Victor Cafe is a real treat. Warm ambiance, excellent service, GREAT opera arias from the amazing servers, delicious food and a good wine list. It was a wonderful dining experience and we look forward to returning for an encore!

We attended The Victor Cafe for the evening of our 28th wedding anniversary - what a way to celebrate!! We knew in advance that the waitstaff performed opera throughout the Italian meal - but had no idea what a true experience this would be!! Dinner has perfectly paced to allow us multiple opportunities to enjoy the amazing voices of our waitstaff!! The food was just as good as the singing performances as well! THIS IS A MUST IF IN PHILLY!! Great service, great food and highly entertaining!

The food , drinks and the opera singers are amazing . Iris was great and my husband and I will be back . Make sure you make reservations.

Okay- I'll be honest. I came here because I love the Rocky films. So if you love the Rocky films too, you need to come here because it's brilliant. Take a photo of the painting used in the film at the back of downstairs, when you go upstairs to use the toilet, spend some extra time looking at their collection of memorabilia from the films. The other stuff- you know, the food, the ambiance, the drinks were overall very good. Food felt a little bit pricey for what you got, but we didn't mind too much because the other reason why you come (if not for Rocky) is the waiters/ waitresses who will sing for you every 20-30 minutes, they were all truly superb. Will definitely go back on future trips to Philly!

Just be clear: are you about the food, the opera or the throwback? If two or three, go for it. Just don’t insult the many great Italian restaurants in Philadelphia by confusing the fare here with theirs.

We met up with dear friends to spend a fantastic weekend in Philly! Our one friend grew up in Philly and took us around all of his childhood favorites... Victor's Cafe was a highlight! Our waitress, Elena, was super helpful AND a wonderful singer! We loved the opera singers that performed while there - so much talent! It was warm, cozy & inviting inside. The lounge upstairs was great too. Food was delicious too! Thanks for giving us such a wonderful glimpse into the Philly experience & we hope to be back!

Great ambiance and experience. The talent was incredible. The food was mostly good. The appetizers and deserts were better than the mains. The history was interesting. I am glad we went and would recommend for adults.

Amazing! Great historical vibe, excellent t food and opera! Would definitely go back. Great drinks as well. Highly recommend.

Visited The Victor with family of 9 for a special birthday. Secured outdoors covered dining as requested. Food was excellent! Tried 8 different entrees, 5 different salads. Everyone was happy with the food. Salads were well chilled and entrees arrived hot. Large portions. Says it all. And the opera singing wait staff was the icing on the cake. Do go!

This was great. It was my first time to Philadelphia and I purposely came to the city to view the Rocky statue (big Rocky fan here). The wait staff was very friendly and allowed me to takes pics since this restaurant was in a few of the Rocky movies. The inclined me to go upstairs to view an area of Rocky pics. Also got to witness wait staff perform a little of opera. I only had dessert and coffee but will have dinner the next time I'm visit.

Over: Priced and rated. God bless the Waitstaff / singers. Frankly it's just not my 'kinda place'. Memorable though as an experience.

Victor’s doesn’t change much. Waiters sing opera and play operatic music. It’s an old established local spot with the flavor of a Philadelphia that is now passing away. If you want to step back in time and have a good meal, this is the place to do it.

The food and service was excellent and the operatic waiters are wonderful. The pasta dishes were very good.

Ate here with my sister on our visit to Philadelphia. Whether you love Italian food Philly style, opera while you eat by the waiting staff who are also trained singers, or like us you’re a Rocky fan. This place is an absolute must. Friendly & attentive staff & amazing food

Fabulous service and overall experience!The spaghetti and meatballs were loved by adults and kids alike. Would return and definitely recommend to others!

Ambiance - check Food - check History - check Food Variety - check Food freshness - check Food taste - double check Waiters - check (professionals, friendly w/o intrusiveness) Neighborhood - check Entertainment - WONDERFUL, captivating and non-disruptive. Miss Yanielly Pabón, our waitress, is a God gifted opera singer.

Loved, loved, loved this neighbourhood gem. It was my husband's birthday and after reading reviews we decided we HAD to go. It was a wonderful experience all around. The opera singing waitstaff was so much fun - they are brilliant. You're not allowed to video them but we were allowed to video them singing "Happy Birthday" to my husband. What a treat. And it won't deplete your bank account. The prices were very reasonable.

Thrilled that we could go back. Sat outside but had indoor dining also. If I lived closer I would go every week. Servers are professional opera singers and sing near tableside. They always take my request for show tunes from Le Mis, West Side story etc. (I always tip). On top of that the food is some of the best in this famous food city and very reasonably priced. Romantic and great with friends, Take Grandma!!!

I moved to Philly in 1998. I was always asking locals about restaurants that were a "must" as a new local. The Victor Cafe came up more than once. It feels authentically like that classic Italian joint from even mobster movie you've ever watched. But when a waitperson quiets the room and belts out an aria, it's hard to not feel like you might have actually stepped into that mobster movie that now has it's own soundtrack.

What a delightful find this restaurant is in south Philadelphia. The food is delicious (Cantaloupe gazpacho, Tortellini, Cesar salad, Spaghetti with Bolognese, Cappucino, the wine and the cocktails - the best Cosmo, ever). The wait staff and the excellent bartender are all genuinely trained opera singers - AMAZING experience - all of it. We won't ever come back to this wonderful city without dinner at The Victor Cafe. Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Rush would love this restaurant.

A friend invited us for dinner @ The Victor Cafe. The place is charming with their live opera and singing waiters every 15 to 20 minutes. I learned that you are not to take pictures while the singing is happening. The Italian choices were endless and delicious as well. We are sweet eaters and you will never be disappointed with their cannoli desert. Afterwards I went over to the wait staff and gave my apology for being a shutter bug!

The food was fantastic any I think any thing you would order you would be quite happy with. The servers would take turns singing 1 every 20 mins. they were quite entertaining!!

Recommended to us and exceeded our expectations. Abundant high end Italian food at fair price with added joy of opera singing staff. A fun experience which is recommended highly. Large portions. considering sharing a main courses with extra appetizers.

The chicken parm here is awesome! Location was convenient and the service was impeccable. Very friendly staff! Blase Garrecht

Absolutely beautiful restaurant. We thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere, the wonderful staff and delicious menu. Now, I’ll be honest and say I was visiting this restaurant initially due to it’s connections to the more recent Rocky and Creed films, but this restaurant is fantastic even without that connection. Special thanks go to Robyn who I booked the table with and who had remembered it was also my birthday, and to Iris our server who was so lovely, friendly and efficient. Plus the lady serving behind the bar upstairs, who sadly I didn’t get her name. We were made to feel very welcome by all. The opera singing at intervals during the evening was truly special. I was shocked and blown away when my dessert was served with several of staff singing me Happy Birthday. You all made it a very special evening and thank you all so very much. I’m aiming to visit again on my next trip over from the U.K. Best wishes, Kate Booth

What an amazing dining experience rich in history and stories. The food was excellent and the Opera singing through the night was a superb bonus. The service was 1st class, very high standard Hopefully I will come back next time in Philly but if you're in the city mKe the effort to go. Plus it was in the Rocky movies which was my main reason for going and have some pictures which forms part of the stories

We found the Victor Cafe on some internet lists, saw they habe waiters who sing opera live and said this would be fun so we booked an 8PM on Opentable. We then saw it was number 2 on TA and thought this was gravy. We wound up walking around Philly all day starting at the hotel around Rittenhouse, through Center City, the Gayborhood, to Little Italy through the Italian Market, back to South Street to the Schuylkill River banks and back up to and through Rittenhouse. After all this, it was just around 5ish so we went back to Opentable and moved the res to 7. Back to the hotel to shower, change and made it to The Victor Cafe by 6:45 where they sat us. Some will recognize parts of it from the movie Creed where Rocky opens up a restaurant called Adrian's. They sat us towards the back so unfortunately not prime real estate for watching the operatic singers but you'll hear them from anywhere you sit because they use a mic. They gave us paper menus (but the option to use a QR code exists). We gave it a good look and our waiter TJ came around and introduced himself. We ordered drinks first and they came. We then put in our dinner orders - calamari for me and burrata for the missus for apps. Then she got the fish of the day (a grilled branzino with potatoes underneath) and I got the Prince Igor (a penne vodka with asparagus and salmon). We also threw in a side of polenta. If you've got a small stomach, consider 1 app for 2 and no side (we're finding our stomach capacity is shrinking faster as we're getting older). They brought some bread with a nice pesto butter dip with the apps. My calamari was nice and perfect with some marinara on the side. Her burrata was also good with a good amount of cheese, grilled red peppers and toast points. Then came the entrees - the branzino was big, maybe a 2 pounder, with some roasted baby potatoes and grilled baby tomatoes on the bottom. My penne was a big plate and saucy. You know how some Italian joints have started serving small pasta servings like they were French joints? Victor ain't that kinda place. This is why I say consider your portions. We ate all the apps and even slowed down on the bread (which wasn't anything special - just Italian bread) but found much trouble in finishing the mains and sides. Midway through my penne, the missus threw in the towel on the fish after eating one half. We thought since the hotel didn't have a microwave, what would keep better? The polenta and pasta. So I gave her my pasta and I took her fish and finished it. We ultimately packed up about a third of the penne, half the polenta and the potatoes from the fish to eat at the hotel. We added the lemon sorbet dessert which comes in a hallowed out lemon which was a nice look. Strangely enough, the couple across from us who looked like a local couple ordered exactly the same things as we did - Prince Igor, fish of the day, dessert so when in Rome....We stayed long enough to hear 4 waiters sing. They go on about 20 minutes apart. We thought the last waitress was really good (close up pic from our seat is attached). Good service so we gave a 22 percent tip plus 3 drinks, 2 apps, 2 mains, 1 side and 1 dessert, the bill came out to 158 bucks. We thought singing waiters would be fun and we were right. It wasn't touristy as many locals were here. Servings were generous, the singing waiters were great, the service was good, we would come back.

My husband and I went on a Sunday night. Wait staff was the best we had in Philly and the singing was wonderful! We both enjoyed our dinner. 1 Appetizer, 2 entrees, 2 desserts, 2 drinks from the bar , and 2 coffees was around $150 before tip for great food and a lovely evening. The Rocky memorabilia was fun to see too!

Amazing entertainment, Delightful lounge upstairs for relaxing. Very cozy candle lit. Always look forward to our next visit!

First, the young women and men who waited tables and sang opera were wonderful! The food, on the other hand, was not very good. I order spaghetti with meatball. The meatball was cold, not even tepid, under the surface. I had also ordered a very dry gin martini. It was undrinkable. They didn't even seem to try with the food and drink!

I did not expect this to be a memorable evening. I expected it to be a little cliche. It was not. Our waitress Yanellie was truly amazing and made our experience one to remember. I have food allergies and she suggested I change my order. I am so grateful I listened. Food was fabulous, and the entertainment was stellar. Yanellie gave me chills when she sang. And she worked out our musical request too. The experience all around was one that I will never forget! We cannot wait to return.

I lived in Philadelphia back in the 1980s, and the Victor Cafe was one of my favorite places. It hasn't changed a bit! We did have a little moment of panic, however, when we arrived. There was a big sign on the door announcing that patrons could not be served indoors without PROOF OF VACCINATION. I had a photo of my vaccine card on my phone, but we had to scramble to get one for my daughter. Fortunately, my husband was at home, so he was able to take a picture of it and text it to me. Waiters are required to check the vaccine cards, so don't forget to take yours along. Open Table didn't make any mention of this when I used the app to make my dinner reservation. One last point: I don't think this is a great place for kids under...say...13 years old. It's an expensive place, for one thing, and the kids sitting near our table were shifting in their seats during the performances. Very irritating and distracting when an aria begins!

what an amazing place. food is excellent, the atmosphere is wonderful, and best if all, every 15-20 minutes (I estimate), an opera (I assume) singer rings a bell, give a brief introduction of what he/she is about to sing, they are incredibly talented. (I am not cultured to this, as you can probably tell from my description, but I hope you get the idea). the entire wait staff ALL takes turn and sing, not sure how they can recruit this many amazing singers to work here. I came in the middle of something that I thought was piped in from the speaker and was shushed as I walked in. a lot of people come for their birthday, they take Happy Birthday singing to the next 5 levels. I am not from around here, so I did not realize how beautiful and spacious inside can be looking at it from the curb (I almost didn't not get out of my Uber). come, you will enjoy the food and have an amazing experience.

Even without the rotating (every 20 minutes) opera performance by one of the waiters/waitresses, the atmosphere is wonderful, cozy, and authentic. Also, our food was top notch. Had the clams casino and one of their signature dishes: the pumpkin tortelloni. Wife had shrimp and scallops with linguine in a delicious fish broth. Walnut pesto served with bread was also terrific (automatic, do not need to order). And all of this is before mentioning the opera. We are not opera fans, but the beauty and power of the waiters'/waitresses' voices were transcendent. Hard not to be emotional listening to them belt out these tunes. Quite an experience. Only thing withholding a 5 bubble rating is that the service was a bit slow on the drinks. The waiters and waitresses were super friendly, informative, and diligent. Just that the trip from the bar was a bit long (and I only had two glasses of wine). Be sure to visit the upstairs where they have a really awesome lounge with couches, a nice bar, and some Rocky memorabilia. Best to start up there with a drink before reservation, but even if you just walk through it after dinner (like we did), you should not miss it. In summary, we plan to return every time we visit Philly. It was that good and unique.

We have now been to Victors on many occasions. It never ceases to be fun. The food is good, typical Italian cooking. The feature are the arias, one delivered every 10 minutes or so by the wait-staff, all doubling in the restaurant form operatic careers. Super for entertaining visitors to Philadelphia showing a unique side to the city.

The perfect mix of great authentic Italian food and a live performance by the awesome staff. Every 20 mins you get a live performance from your wait staff and once you can decide which delicious meal you want to enjoy you won't be disappointed. The atmosphere is perfect for any reason you are out dining for the night. They bring bread (which I wish was warm) and pesto with olive oil. I ordered the fried calamari with delicious roasted peppers dipped in marinara. Entrees consisted of crab meat ravioli and the seafood linguine, both to share but I would have rather had both to myself. My great and amazing singer Brenton asked us how our food was, I has to ask "whose Italian grandmother was cooking in the basement?" YES! That's how good it was, I was convinced someone grandmother made it all by hand specifically for me. Don't skip this place, if it's open and they have room for you. Please have a seat and buckle up!

During our most recent visit to Philadelphia, my wife's sister and brother-in-law treated us to dinner at The Victor Cafe, and we enjoyed a delicious meal and a lovely experience. Although I am not an opera fan, I certainly appreciated the talent of the singers, and I marveled at their ability to change roles - from performer to server - 'without skipping a beat' and doing each excellently. In addition, we enjoyed immensely our entrees, beverages, and desserts. Highly recommended!

Went for dinner with a colleague/friend when we were in town for a conference and it was so fun! My dad had highly recommended it and I'm so glad we took his advice! The dinner was delicious! I had the mushroom ravioli which had just the right amount of garganzola, and my friend had the spicy salmon past, which was also really tasty. Salads were great as well. If I had to have one complaint, it would be that my beet salad only had like 4 cubes of beets, but it was still tasty. And the music!! So fun and they were all SO good! It really made for a memorable evening! Would highly recommend!

My family and I are HUGE Rocky fans and so that is what brought us to Victors!! The food was some of the best Italian cuisine we’ve ever had and to our surprise we did not know that the wait staff are trained opera singers and they take turns performing every 15-20 minutes during the evenings for dinner. They were AMAZING!!! We really enjoyed our evening. At the end of the night we got to meet the owners and had a great conversation. They are sooooo nice!!! We will definitely return when we visit Philly again!!

Haven't been back in awhile, since 2019, but looking forward to it. Just a great experience every time.

This is such a fun place. Even if you don’t like opera. The food is very good. And every 20 minutes one of the servers, opera singers, sings an aria. The veal saltimbocca is delicious. Mussels app is huge and very good. Bread and dipping sauce…yum. Tiramisu is lovely. What’s not to like. Not to mention the restaurant was in two of the Rocky Balboa movies.

Love the ambience of this restaurant! I celebrated my belated birthday with some friends and we had a great time. Where else can you get a show and good food at the same time?

The food was fantastic. I am always looking for an authentic Italian taste and I believe this is it. And did I mention that the waiters and waitresses are all professional opera singers and regularly entertain the customers with an aria? Overall a great restaurant.

I lived in US many, many years, traveled a lot and now I live in Prague, which has probably more restaurants than any place in the world. If I have to recommend only one restaurant that truly stands out in my mind, it will be the Victor Cafe. It is not for the food, which was always great, and we all know that you can go to a top notch restaurant and the food may not be to your liking, and it is not for the opulence which there is none, but it is for the whole experience of history that fills the walls around you with countless photographs of great conductors, singers and personalities. In addition, it was the original owner of the Victor Caff that discovered the great American singer Mario Lanza. The singing of the waiters and waitresses is on a professional level and on par with any opera production anywhere in the world and I have seen dozens. This restaurant will nourish far more than your body, so when you are done recalling all the great and expensive restaurants that you have visited in your lifetime, at least in my mind, this one always comes up as the winner.

As you noticed the title is a play on the cafe being used in Rocky movies. Here we go... Get there early so you can grab a drink upstairs in the lounge. We took this time to enjoy a bottle of Prosecco. It's an eclectic setting with vintage items, velvet furniture and candle light, it won't disappoint. Once you are seated downstairs you get a cozy feeling as seating is rather tight, not unlike a good old Italian Sunday meal with the entire family (LOL). We started off with the arugula salad, then followed up by a pair of special entrees, one of salmon and another of linguine with scallops and shrimp (both were very, very good), then finished off with some chocolate creation, delightful. Now keep in mind every 20 minutes or so you are treated to a 5 minute operatic performance by one of the servers. Each one of the wait staff is a trained opera signer (no kidding!). Even if you have no interest in opera these seemingly impromptu performance will make you go... WOW!

5 Stars is just not enough. This amazing Italian restaurant is in the heart of South Philly. It was our first time there and it did not disappoint. The website calls it "the music lovers rendezvous". Every 25 minutes one of the waiters or waitresses stops what they are doing and they sing an opera piece. They explain what the piece is about and then just sings a beautiful aria. And I did not even get to the food yet!!!! The menu is full of choices that it was difficult to pick just one. We ordered the caprese and the burrata for our appetizers. The burrata came with a side of roasted red peppers and garlic over arugula. I have had peppers before but I have never tasted anything like this. It was such a nice light plate. I finally settled on the mushroom ravioli. It was so flavorful. The gorgonzola sauce was rich and creamy. This tiramisu might be the best I ever o had. Light and fluffy with just the right amount of espresso. This is not just a restaurant you go out for dinner to. It's a beautiful memorable dining experience.

Solid but unimpressive, over-priced Italian food. Guess you're paying for the entertainment too which is nice and unique, about every 20 minutes a different waiter will sing a brief 2-3 minute aria, all classically trained and most with beautiful voices. Parking is impossible on the weekends so you'll be paying an $18 (plus tip) valet fee plus a 22% mandatory tip on the meal. And the chef won't take appetizer orders to start until you've ordered the whole meal (seriously, what's up with that, do better). Glad I went and checked it off the bucket list but don't think I need to go back again for a $50 plate of pasta even if it does come with a couple arias. If all you're looking for is a good Italian meal there are plenty of other places in the city. If you want the experience of waiters singing opera to you I guess it's worth a try once.

I went to the Victor Café because, as a fan of the Rocky saga, I couldn't help but visit the "Adrian's" restaurant and have dinner there. And I discovered a place that, regardless of the passion for Rocky, welcomed us with professionalism, quality and kindness. The atmosphere is intimate and relaxed. As soon as I arrived Greg, the owner, introduced himself to me and my family in perfect Italian and made us feel at home, introducing us to his very kind and sweet wife. We talked for a while and Rocky was the last thing we talked about. The service is excellent, everyone very competent. Without forgetting the fact that each of the waiters in the room is a fantastic opera singer and during dinner you will have the opportunity to witness formidable performances (and I say this as a musician!). Having dinner in an Italian restaurant is always difficult for an Italian, and instead we returned home with a full stomach and a happy palate! Absolutely an experience to do!

Victor's has been operating for a long time. The atmosphere is reminiscent of a Cafe in Italy. Checked table cloths, photos everywhere. All the Servers are opera trained and perform throughout the evening. The meals are good and everyone has a smile on their face.

Our reasoning originally for going was because of the Rocky thing. Some of the movies were filmed there as Victors was "Adrianne's" in the "Rocky Balboa and "Creed' movies. Oh my it was so much more than that. From the professionally trained Opera singers/waiters and waitresses who sing live for you to the incredible old home atmosphere, The Victor Cafe is a special place. My wife is an Italian and is quite picky with Italian food. As she said, this is authentic as it comes and I agree. The food was glorious and the service was impeccable. The food came out at a perfect pace and we were never rushed. And don't get me started on the deserts! We shared three of them. On a side note, when we first arrived, I had an accident as I knocked over my own water glass and gashed my thumb fairly severely. One wonderful employee became a MASH unit (Im so sorry I forget her name) and cleaned me up, bandaged me and disinfected everything as well. Our night could have went sideways, but the staff the Victor made sure it didn't. We are very thankful. We live in California and would make a trip back to Philly just for another dinner there. Thank you Victor café!

We went to Victor Cafe for dinner. They have a lovely set up on the outside to keep everybody safe. They do sing from the balcony which is really lovely. Service was friendly. The food was absolutely delicious! I highly recommend it.

Really liked the Victor Cafe. Neat old restaurant in Philadelphia. Great lounge to wait in upstairs. We had the Mussels, clams Casino and a pasta dish. The pasta was amazing. The Mussels were good. I probably could have done without the clams. But the best part of this restaurant are the singing servers. Very talented and a real nice addition to the evening.

Wonderful experience. Food was great, the operatic voices excellent, service was good and all 5 of us though the food excellent. Hadn’t been here fir years, so it was a nostalgic visit as well. Glad to see standards are still high.

Nice homey atmosphere, exceptional service, excellent menu. Throughout the evening, the wait staff takes turns singing arias from different operas. Patrons are treated like family. Can’t wait to go back.

The servers are all opera singers. They sing several times an hour. They are amazing. The food was good. I had the Veal Saltimbocca, it was very good. Service was great and the atmosphere perfect, for an Italian restaurant

Extremely disappointed in the food. The history ,ambiance and service were wonderful, the staff singing was exceptional. My dinner, sadly was a huge disappointment. I ordered shrimp and scallops pasta, everything was overcooked. My dish must have been held under a heat lamp because the pasta was dried out like cardboard. We were part of a group, so I just picked my plate apart, not to make fuss. If our sever had asked, I would have politely said something. I hate to give a bad review, times are hard and everyone is trying , but with so many great restaurants in South Philadelphia , this offering from the kitchen was awful. My husband ordered whole bronzino, it was excellent. One entre out of 5 dinners is way below average, what a shame.

We really enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. How can you pass up on a place that has live performances of opera. Make sure you go upstairs to see memoralbia from the film Rocky.

It never fails, The ambience, atmosphere, cultural experience - and the food -all just a wonderful and unique experience. All the pictures on the walls, the paintings. All so colorful, very Italian and just fantastic. The food this time struck me as almost better than i used to remember. it was amazing! I had whole-baked fish as main course. And the arias that are sung are a wonderful attraction

Excellent food and amazing, talented staff. We so very much enjoyed the operetta during dinner and would have loved to extend our stay and just sit and enjoy a glass of wine and listen to the talented staff had it not been for COVID restrictions.

This was a great experience. Due to travel issues I arrived 20mins late for my reservation and was treated very kindly by all staff. The food was good, the singing was brilliant, it was such a unique experience and a great start to my trip. On leaving I couldn't get a cab and had no WiFi, and as well as being a super welcoming host and excellent bar tender, Chelsea went above and beyond to make sure I got home safe. Someone give her a raise, she's incredible!

What an unforgettable evening, filled with emotion!!! Beyond our expectations, with waitresses who give pride of place to the Opera: brilliant. High quality meals with typical and refined Italian cuisine. Upstairs, Rocky is there next to Adriane, an emotional moment. Absolutely recommended. Patrick and Virginie of France

Really good vibe. Really good food. Friendly staff. Fast and attentive. And best of all, singing in between courses...

We loved this place! Waiters sang opera selections (and one Broadway) throughout the meal! We were thrilled we recognized each one! 😄. Food was great and we highly recommend the cheesecake!

Singing was great. Food and Bar, fantastic. Gave my brand new car to the Valet and it came back with driver side damage. Nobody knows nothing.

Myself and my girlfriend ate here while on holidays in Philly and it was one of the best dining experiences we have ever had. Between the food, the singing and the excellent waiting staff we had a fantastic and memorable evening here. I would highly recommend visiting, especially if you are a fan of the Rocky franchise, there is a cool corner of memorabilia upstairs which you can see too.

Food and atmosphere were 5 star. I gave 4 star for so so cocktail that didn’t leave me wanting another. Food had the yummiest tastes though! Bread was a lovely free starter. Victor salad and arancini were superb starters. My husband had meatloaf over veggies and said this was the best meal he ate in Philly. I had spaghetti rusticana. We would both order the same dishes again. So so yummy! And the singing … wow. Such a cool one of a kind dining/art experience. This is definitely a must visit again for me for Philly!

I don't like going to Italian restaurant abroad, but The Victor Cafe deserves a visit. I went there because it is the location of the Adriana's restaurant in Rocky. Food and drinks were good and the waiters and waitress singing opera every 20 minutes made it a unique experience.

Food was very good, but the distinguishing factor was the ambiance. Waiters and waitresses and staff sing opera spontaneously. It's very exciting and fun!

Good food, great entertainment and interesting history in this old row house. The food is good and the wait staff are all professional opera singers who periodically entertain with song. It is also the site of the restaurant in the Rocky movie.

First time at Victor’s. Knowing that scenes from Rocky(Rocky Balboa) were filmed here added to the experience. The food was great and adding in the occasional operatic selections were a bonus.

This is a fantastic restaurant with so much history in Philadelphia. The atmosphere is incredible. The wait staff sing opera every 15 or so minutes and their voices are stunning. The Italian food is so incredible. The tiramisu is a must! This is a place you can visit for any occasion or just any ordinary night out! This visit was our first one but we will absolutely be going back again.

the food is acceptable although it's not easy top compete in South Philly with other Italian restaurants. But the addition of live opera singing by emerging and talented wait staff is a splendid and unique addition. Young Mario Lanza dined there and added his voice to others. For the out-of town visitor, it's a unique and possibly even a memorable experience...

Place was nicely decorated. Valet parking was available for only $12. Service was good, not great, but didn't take away from an amazing experience. Live opera every 20 minutes was sweet. For food, I recommend the Burrata. Probably one of the best apps I have ever had. We got the Veal Chop and Sweet Potato Tortelloni for dinner and both were REALLY good. The sides for the chop were just okay, but the chop itself was juicy and flavorful.

This is a very old establishment which has always been associated with music——thus the RCA Victor connection. Victor discovered many & sent them to RCA. The waiters & waitresses each perform during the evening. We also heard 2 duets. They are music students & since unbelievably loud. It was not crowded the night we went so we saw & heard 7 opera songs. The food & wine was very good. The down side would be the loudness of the singing if you have sensative ears. They also ask that you do not talk or eat during the performance. It was also in a Rocky film & has a large colorful portrait of the fighter.

The setting of the movie creed is exceptional. The spirit is there but we are far from the pizzeria! A restaurant of very high quality. We took the mushroom risotto served in the form of dumplings and tomato sauce. It was very, very good. The principle is that throughout the meal the waiters become lyrical singers. The bell rings rt here you are transported to La Scala .. to do absolutely!

We loved every minute at the Victor Cafe. The music was wonderful and our service was great. We got some drinks upstairs before our reservation and we had to wait a while at the bar but the ambience and great staff made up for it!

What an amazing experience. Was in Philly for a few days and booked a table at the Victor Cafe - it was so good that I had to go there again the next day. The food was unbelievable, the Porcini Ravioli I had there is without a doubt the best pasta I have ever had. Staff was also great, super friendly and the service very good. Hearing them sing beautiful operas made the evening even better. All that plus seeing the Rocky - Apollo painting on the wall makes going to Victor Cafe the perfect experience. Can't recommend it enough. The 5 star rating isn't enough in this case.

Great server. Wonderful entertainment. Terrific outdoor seating. Food just so-so, which was quite a disappointment. I'd return for the opera, but knowing I'd be getting food that's not anything special. What a shame.

I thought this was just an Italian restaurant without realizing it was filmed in The Rocky movies. The resaturant was establised in 1918 and passed down for generations. There is a good collections of black and white pictures and the waiters and waitresses are great Opera singers. One of them told me they have to auditor to get a job. It is not just a restaurant with entertainment it has good food too. Do visit the upper floor for more pictures.

Fantastic dinner with my family. Went early with our two boys (10yo & 13yo). It was decorated so nice for Christmas and not too crowded early on a Monday. The staff were all great from the valets, hosts, and wait staff, all made us feel welcome to be there. The food was delicious and the opera singing was just amazing. Great night.

This is a nice restaurant that has a unique feature of having been originally involved in the music business as reflected by the many pictures on the walls, and for which the name comes from is relationship to RCA Victor. It reflects now on its original roots by featuring Waiters and waitresses that are opera singers. Every 15 minutes day interrupt the meals to sing opera songs which makes for very lively entertainment and a very unique feature that makes the experience of eating here outstanding.The food is also very good; we truly enjoyed the veal Saltimboca, the Florentine steak, and the pasta dishes were also great. Did the dessert was also very good. The wine list focuses primarily on Italian wines several of which were not particularly outstanding and I wish they had a larger list to include other options including some California and other European options. The staff was not very familiar with the wine list and perhaps a little education will go a long way. However overall the experience was outstanding and I really enjoy the meal with our friends here.

What a charming restaurant! The food was tasty and the service top-notch. What made the evening especially memorable was the waitstaff, all operatically trained and accomplished vocalists. Several times during the evening (while we awaited our order, between courses, etc) a member of the staff entered our portion of the dining room to perform an operatic selection, ranging from "The Queen of the Night" to an operatic drinking song. Definitely, a night - and a meal - to remember. I'll return in a heartbeat.

The food was good. The staff was very attentive and helpful. We really enjoyed their opera singing every 20 minutes! Worth the visit just to hear their great musical talent. We took an Uber from our downtown Philadelphia Hotel. Parking is a premium.

We went to The Victor Cafe based on recommendations about their food. What a surprise when we were seated when our waiter tells us that about every 20-30 minutes a bell would be rung and one of the waiters would sing an aria from an opera. The food was very good. We really liked the Victor Salad as a starter. The veal saltimbocca was excellent and not too salty. The eggplant rigatoni was tender and flavorful. Oh...by the way...the performances by the waiters were incredible. For a memorable dinner experience in Philly, go to The Victor Cafe.

Spectacular experience, Great dinner! Really good food. And the experience of having accomplished opera singers was unique and superb. Even the ‘Happy Birthday’ singing was outstanding. We went as a family of 5; our children 10, 14, 16 all enjoyed the experience. Don’t miss this restaurant!

This place has been on my “list” to visit. We took some family from out of town. What a great experience ! The service was great . Enjoyed all food. Portions are ample enough that you don’t really need an appetizer. My only disappointment was that the upstairs isn’t open during the week. Looks like a great place to go hang & drink a French martini ( on the menu- a must try).

You can expect an excellent food and music experience at The Victor Cafe. Each server is a trained opera singer and every 15 minutes one of them will sing. They have great wines to pair with meals and I would high recommend the Pork Chop. It was excellent and was ordered by many around us. The service was prompt and considerate. If wanting a unique dining experience in Philly, check this place out. When you consider the price, and what you get for it, you won't want to venture elsewhere. Plus, this restaurant served as "Adrian's Restaurant" in Rocky Balboa, and Creed 1&2. We were able to mix in food, wine, opera, and a movie location in one sitting!

Gosh, where to start? I wanted to give my out of town co-workers a dinner experience that was authentically Philly and The Victor Cafe was the perfect choice. It's South Philly, it's great Italian food and ambiance and it's opera! My guests were in awe of just about everything about the restaurant and the waitstaff/performers and had fantastic meals.

When I first arrived I was seated right away. But then no one even so much as approached me for 25 minutes. Other people around me who came in after me were taken care of immediately. They had two minutes left and I was going to leave. I was even looking up other Italian restaurants. But the server showed up. The manager came over and apologized profusely and the service thereafter was impeccable although one poor person kept taking plates to the wrong tables. The food was worth the wait. The calamari was cooked perfectly. The penne with salmon and asparagus was outstanding. I couldn't eat it all. I had the tiramisu for dessert. I ate all of it. The singers were quite good and not overwhelming. I would come here again without a doubt. I think my initial problem was a one-off problem.

The opera singers were such a pleasant surprise. We didn’t see that coming, but it was great. The servers are the opera singers!. Food and service was excellent. And it’s also a place where Rocky fans can find tons of things to see.

I would give ten stars if I could. This is my absolute favorite spot in South Philly!!! Where else can you dine on authentic Italian food, especially their strip steak (better than ANY steak house in CC) AND be serenaded by some of the most talented singers in the country. So nice and cozy, romantic if you will. If you are a local, please treat yourself. If you are visiting Philadelphia, this is a MUST on your to do list

Our excellent server, Aubry served us very well. Also, she has a great voice for opera. We wish here well. Loved this restaurant, also, saw it in the "Creed" movie. The dining is tops as well as service and atmosphere. Many, perhaps all of the wait staff are talented opera singers and did exhibit those talents during our meal. We loved it.

Food was out of this world, staff was incredibly talented & entertaining. Ambiance was perfect for any occasion. Brought me back to Italy even if it was just for my bday dinner. Highly recommend.

We had a wonderful family meal at the Victor Cafe. This restaurant was featured in the original Rocky movie. The restaurant is over 100 years old. We had a few drinks upstairs before dinner. The entire restaurant is decorated with many historic pictures. Our server, Iris, was excellent. She was also one of the many opera singers. My veal Saltimbocca was excellent. Definitely in my top five. I also had a side of penne pasta with their red Sauce. We also enjoyed the clams casino and many other shared appetizers for the table of 10. Many people in our group ordered the crab ravioli with two shrimp special. The waiters are all opera singers. They perform every 30 minutes. They were all very impressive. Iris was amazing!!! They offer valet parking for $15. This is a good deal because there is not a lot of street parking in this area. I highly recommend this restaurant. The food is amazing. Enjoy!!!

An old fashioned Italian restaurant full of pictures and opera memorabilia. Had delicious mussels in an excellent marinara sauce and a zesty one on the side, great for dunking! The veal parmesan had another great sauce full of flavor, not gourmet but homemade traditional cooking your grandmother would cook! But the star attraction was the talented staff who sing serious opera every 20 minutes, you will be blown away by their voices. I would recommend and return! You should go!🍅🍽🍝

Celebrated Valentine’s Day at The Victor’s Cafe, what a gem. The opera singers/ servers were excellent. Food was exceptional and It’s a wonderful Life Martini was delicious. Our waitress Yanellie was not only a great opera singer but a wonderful server. We will definitely be coming back and recommending to all our family and friends . Bravo!

Just average at best and disappointing. Amatraciana drowned in sauce and pasta from a box. Otter entrees just ok. Old school Italian restaurant that I felt was a novelty not a go to spot. Would recommend once due to opera singers but for a great meal choose other spots. It appeared servers there to sing in some cases not provide excellent service. Valet only takes cash or Zelle but that’s not posted anywhere. Valet slow, find street parking

This restaurant has become a "must-do" when people ask us what to do in Philly. We loved our meal here and were entertained by the singing. I was worried it would be too much opera, but it was perfect. The songs are short and beautifully sung. The staff does the singing and they blow you away with the quality of their voice. But it's not too much that you get tired of hearing it or feel like you're stuck in an opera for 2 hours. It's a perfect blend of wonderful food and amazing singing.

We took our daughter to Philly for the Rocky experience and The Victor Cafe delivered more than just an “Adrian’s”movie experience. This place is so much more! The menu is amazing! The food was prepared and presented perfectly. The wait staff are also opera singers and they do perform about every 20 minutes. Absolutely enjoyed the meal and entertainment! Ty for the wonderful evening!

Top-notch. In addition to excellent cuisine, a show every 20-30 minutes on the theme of Italian opera performed by the waiters. Rocky fans will appreciate the restaurant (Restaurant du film Rocky Balboa) for the paintings and the corner upstairs on the film, the super pleasant staff. We will come back

The Italian food is great. Everything is fresh and homemade. All of the wait staff are opera singers. They are either in performing arts college or have graduated and perform professionally. They ring a bell. The wait staff person explains which aria they are going to sing. Very beautiful. If you have a special request, they will do that too. You will love it there. Worth the trip.

Absolutely a fabulous place for dinner any day,but on Valentines Day it’s super special. TheItalian food was delicious and well portioned. In between courses we had the privilege of listening to some wonderful arias sung by the waiters and waitresses. Such a romantic evening. Recommended highly. Even the Mayor of Philly was there that night!!!

We were a family of four with two boys aged 12 and 14. We all absolutely loved this. This is the restaurant Rocky owns in the Rocky and Creed movies and looks just like it. The kids loved that part but also we all loved the opera singing every 20 minutes. It was a fantastic cultural experience that we were surprised how much the boys loved it. The food was fantastic. We stayed about 1.5 hours. They stretch out the process so you get to experience about 4-5 different singers. Was fun seeing our waiter sing opera. They are extremely talented.

A group of us participated in the Rocky Run and we decided to celebrate at the restaurant that was seen in 3 movies (Rocky Balboa, Creed and Creed II). This is an Italian restaurant with numerous old photos on the wall and a number of Rocky images. The food was delicious. The waitstaff were all phenomenal opera singers and entertained while we were eating. It really is quite an experience. We would definitely return.

Before I start talking about the food, I think I’d like to talk about the operas aspect to the restaurant real quick. There are two sides to this restaurant. No matter what side you sit on, you are part of the audience to the opera pieces that take place every 20 minutes. Whilst it’s not part of the stated rules that you stop eating during performances, it felt rude to do so. For that reason, the opera was more of an annoyance than anything. I think that the side of the restaurant you sit on should dictate whether you want to hear the opera or not. That way, if someone just wants to enjoy their meal, they can sit on the side where they don’t have to stop eating every 20 minutes. Anyway, I’ve said my peace with that. I had the squid to start, which was nice quite honestly. However, I wish o had stopped there. My main course contained a single meatball and two other meats which were just a mess. I can’t remember the name of the dish but it was like something you would see on Kitchen Nightmares. There was also spaghetti with the dish but I was so put off by the meat I barely touched it. The spaghetti I did eat, however, was clearly frozen. What annoyed me further is that our server who was nice to start with, didn’t comment on the amount of food I had left. A clear sign I didn’t enjoy it. Unfortunately, this has become common behaviour in every restaurant nowadays.

Nice cozy atmosphere. Good meal. All served by wait staff with loads of talent! A very different dining experience.

We had dinner at the Victor Cafe. The food was excellent, opera singers who are waiters and waitresses were fantastic, and the services were superb. We rode Lyft back and inspired our driver to go back to try it out. And he is from Philadelphia

I lived right around the corner from this iconic South Philly restaurant growing up. My personal experience is that the food is very good and the talented waitstaff is a joy to listen to. Although you may wait a little longer than expected to be seated, you won’t be disappointed. If parking and diversity of clientele is any indicator, this place is a gem. Buon appetite!

Excellent food, vegetarian friendly, fantastic singers, fabulous atmosphere!

The waitstaff are so talented. They sing opera, operetta and musical theater songs every 20 minutes or so to the entire restaurant. Then they come back and continue waiting on your table. On top of that the northern Italian food is really tasty. A must go to in Philly.

What a splendid experience - waiting staff singing arias every 20 mins . You don’t need to be an opera buff to enjoy this . For any music lover this is a magnificent night out along with fabulous food ! Not recommended for small children

We had a lovely meal with a very nice bottle of wine and song. The food was good and arrived at our table piping hot. It is a fun place to go for the musical experience; it is not "fine dining" at its best. Good but not excellent.

This was such a great night. Terrific entertainment and excellent food. Great restaurant to celebrate a birthday or anniversary. So fun

This is an amazing place! So atmospheric. Entering the cafe, I saw a portrait of Chaliapin, and I realized that everything would be on the level. The waiters were attentive, polite, and every half hour the bell rang and part of the aria was performed. I especially liked the desserts and appetizers! I will definitely come back whenever possible!!!

We were surprised by our friend with this amazing restaurant. From the calamari appetizer to the aria of Mimi from La Boheme, our meal was filled with good food and excellent entertainment. I’m coming back and celebrating friendship again in style! Thank you to the staff and chef, this is an incredible must-see spot!

We used to have restaurants with performing wait staff in KC area but that was a long time ago. It was so special to find this!

My date and I shared the clams casino. It was nice, but nothing special. We also had the chapters which was also average. For entrees we had veal saltimboca which was tasty and pasta fra Diablo which was also nice. The food here overall was good. The deal here is the unique opera singers that perform while you eat. So unique and a great experience. Would I come here again? Possibly. It’s good for a night out for something different and the food is good.

We loved this place. Charming old fashioned Italian decor, food is surprisingly good, and of course the talented waiters singing opera and show tunes the icing on the cake. Mostly Italian wine list is very good. Waiters interesting & attentive. You can’t go wrong here.

We really enjoyed our dining experience. Food was good, drinks were good, service was good, and the singing exceptional. My only complaint were the portions. Because we are not local, we couldn't take food home and the portions were too large to eat. The salad was the size of my normal full dinner salad. I couldn't finish my dinner either. Ask about off menu specials, they were very good. Would return for the show again anytime. Beautiful performance by solo singers who explain the song ahead of time. Wonderful!

What a wonderful experience! We loved the atmosphere as every 20 minutes or so one of thenwait staff sang an opera song. The food was fantastic. Baked clams for an appetizer and various pasta dishes were perfectly prepared. The cafe is nestled in a neat little neighborhood adding to its family neighborhood feel. We’ll be back🙂

We celebrated two birthdays that night a 36 year old and an 8 year old interested in music. It was a very special time and the staff accommodated with a smaller portion for the 8 year old. She had a blast. The food was delicious. Most certainly a place for a special occasion.

This place is so much fun! The food is excellent and so is the service. Then when the wait staff break out into opera songs you feel like you are at a show! It is such a experience and the talent is amazing. I highly recommend!

Really good food and even better service. Come here for authentic home made food. The staff makes you feel comfortable and has a amazing environment.

Wow! Simply wow. If you are in Philadelphia this is a must. Italian food and a waitstaff of professional classically trained vocalists singing opera. Make reservations well in advance.

An amazing place to take out of town guests with an interest in music! Our party of 4 really enjoyed the Italian cuisine here, with lots of traditional Italian dishes.From appetizers of fried calamari (perfectly cooked with delicious marinara sauce) to Veal saltimbocca to a solid wine selection, we enjoyed each dish - -in itself a very good restaurant with typical City pricing. And when the bell rang - -our guests were in awe of the wait staff's other talents! Valet parking is $12, but on-street parking is often available.

Great Food and Service, and the Opera Singers were Wonderful. Everyone has a great time. If you are going to Philadelphia, go to the Victor Cafe.

I came in with my wife and had a fantastic time. Shrimp and Scallops hit the spot just right. Had a few beers and enjoyed my evening out with the mrs.

This was a wonderful evening. Outdoor seating with more than enough social distancing between the tables. A lovely atmosphere with excellent service. All the Waitstaff are Singers, and they each take turns at the outside balcony overlooking the tables. The majority are opera singers and it is absolutely lovely. Brenton Was our server and he was not only A terrific server, but he had the most beautiful voice. I can only imagine that he’ll be singing professionally someday soon.! The food was delicious.

What an experience that all must try! The servers/singers are number one! Food and atmosphere was amazing.

Excellent experience. Opera songs by waiters and waitresses every 10 min. Very talented! Excellent wine list selection. Quaint location lots of seating great food. A+ Customer Service. Lovely

We had one of the best dining experiences of our lives tonight while visiting family in Philadephia. Where do we start? The waitress named MARISSA was incredibly charming and delightful and made us feel so special and welcome. Long with that MARISSA is so talented and as with other waiters and waitresses there will sing opera while patrons are enjoying their fabulous dinners. MARISSA sang a song from the musical The Music Man, entitled “Until it was you” and capped the night off. Treat yourself to a dinner at The Victor Cafe and enjoy authentic Italian cuisine and float on the enchanting operatic songs. There were 5 sung just during our dinner. Unique and wonderful. A very special night with family. David and Martha

While vacationing in Philly we discovered this gem via TripAdvisor and it was over the top. The food was excellent, the restaurant was beautiful (on all 3 levels) and the opera entertainment was amazing. Could go on and on about this long standing establishment but check out their website and review the History, Opera & Rocky Story at a minimum. We only wish we lived in Philly to make this a regular lunch and dinner visit.

Even without the "Rocky" connection (It's Adrian's restaurant), this is the place for Philadelphians to take visiting friends. South Philly ambiance, deeply talented singing waiters singing arias, excellent service and solid traditional Italian food.Studs Terkel, the ultimate Chicagoan, loved the Victor.

We have taken family, friends and business acquaintances here over the years and everyone has a great time! The food is excellent and every 15 minutes or so they ring a bell and one of the servers stands on a step to sing a bit of opera. This is where aspiring opera singers work to support themselves while they establish careers singing opera. We are always amazed at the caliber of talent these folks have. This is a special place. PLEASE do not talk or make noise while these talented people perform. Their performances deserve the same respect we show during theater and opera productions we pay for.

Excellent Food Coupled with Professional Opera! Terrific Italian / American food. I had bone-in pork chop. Perfectly cooked. Every 30 minutes or so an employee sings an aria worthy of the best concert hall. Amazing

Funny, I went to this spot 30 years ago and have always wanted to go back for the number of times that I have traveled to Philadelphia. The food was excellent, and the entertainment, as expected was entertaining. Some amazing voices on presentation for the waitstaff. Some amazing history of the restaurant plastered in clipped news articles and whatnot all over the walls. Looking forward to going back.

I had one of the best dinners of my life at this café! And I am a foodie! My two companions said their dinners were awesome as well! After a superb Caesar salad appetizer, I had the most amazing and delicious entrée – I have to say one of the most delicious entrees I have ever had - Dido & Aeneas “Jumbo shrimp & dry scallops in a garlic, butter, lemon and white wine broth over linguine”. My companions loved their dinner as well telling me all was absolutely delicious! One had the Burrata appetizer “With roasted red peppers and garlic crostini” and the entrée Rack of Lamb. The other had the appetizer Roasted Beet Salad “Goat cheese, toasted almonds, field greens and honey balsamic” and the entrée Pollo Tosca “seared chicken breast au jus stuffed with fontina cheese and prosciutto over creamy polenta”. Along with the superb food we had an excellent reasonably-priced red wine: 2017 Varvaglione Papale Primitivo di Manduria 2017. And the singing!!! Every 10 minutes so, one of the waiters sang a number from an opera. I was stunned at the quality and skill of the singers! I thought I was listening to singers in the Kennedy Center Opera House! Popular melodies, for example, from La bohème

The food was ok, but definitely overpriced. Ordered the fried calamari and beet salad for appetizer. Fried calamari was small portion but good. The balsamic glaze dressing on the beet salad was way too much and very overpowering...very strong!! The Linguine ai Frutti di Mare was good, but small portion for $36. The Veal Saltimbocca for $36 was ok, but sauce was very gloppy and way too much of it. As for the entertainment, it was fun, but just ok. Maybe I'm being more critical since I come from a family of singers. My opinion that the prices are reflective of why you're going there (the entertainment) and not the quality of the food. Parking very difficult, so valet is offered and they charge $15 cash.

Went there to celebrate a graduation yesterday. My local kids have been there in the past as it is a neighborhood restaurant for them.. Wow did we have a great time. The good was very good with many, many choices. Everyone was happy with whatever they ordered.The wait staff and overall ambiance couldn't be beat. If you're early, go upstairs to the bar. But what made things really special were the opera singers every ten minutes or so. We've never experienced anything like it. Can't wait to go back.