Gran Caffe L'Aquila
9 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/PhiladelphiaEats, r/philadelphia11 comments cited below
What people say, in short
Gran Caffe L'Aquila draws recommendations for Italian meals as well as gelato. Two diners praise its authenticity, and another calls the sandwiches good and affordable. One diner particularly enjoys the paccheri datterini, while others suggest it for dates or a meal with children. Views on the food differ: one diner prefers to stick to gelato after disappointing meals, and another reports overcooked pasta.
Address
Gran Caffe L'Aquila, 1716 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
At a glance
- Price
- Budget
- Signature dishes
- Gelato, Paccheri datterini, Prosciutto
- Best for
- Dates, Family, Budget
- Opinions divided
- Yes
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
- Recommendsu/wojout in r/PhiladelphiaEats · Feb 2026taste
Legit gelato.
- Recommendsu/Regalrefuse in r/philadelphia · Nov 2026ambience
Private Romeo and Juliet table can be reserved; great Italian food and better gelato.
- Recommendsu/TNT3149_ in r/philadelphia · Dec 2024taste
Amazing authentic food with pleasant gelato and perfect prosciutto.
- Recommendsu/roma258 in r/philadelphia · Dec 2024
Under the radar but so good and authentic.
- Recommendsu/KraznyVeshov in r/philadelphia · Nov 2026
Calls it fantastic and recalls enjoying an early date there.
- Recommendsu/Sweaty_Level_7442 in r/PhiladelphiaEats · Apr 2025
Suggests Gran Caffe L'Aquila for Italian, noting it is a block away.
- Recommendsu/FewMarsupial7100 in r/PhiladelphiaEats · Jan 2024taste
Loved the bruschetta, caponata and drinks, and orders the paccheri datterini every time.
- Recommendsu/trifflinmonk in r/PhiladelphiaEats · Jan 2024value
Says the sandwiches are really good and affordable.
Show all 11 cited comments
- Caveatu/courageous_liquid in r/PhiladelphiaEats · Jan 2024taste
Says pasta was overcooked and the amatriciana used wrong pork.
- Mixedu/Pretty_Damn_Odd in r/philadelphia · Nov 2026taste
Kept wanting to like it but never found the food good; gelato is the safer choice.
- Recommendsu/PhillyPanda in r/philadelphia · Apr 2024ambience
Commenter lists it among kid-friendly suggestions, noting outdoor booths.
Also on
Gran Caffe L'Aquila is on another map too, with what people said about it there.
More maps in Philadelphia, United States
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Freshness
Details last checked 10 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.