10 Pennsylvania Italian Gems Locals Don’t Want To Share
Pennsylvania harbors some of the most authentic Italian eateries this side of the Atlantic. These family-owned treasures serve up generations-old recipes in cozy, unpretentious settings that locals guard jealously. I’ve spent years hunting down these culinary hideaways, and now I’m spilling the beans on the spots where you’ll find the most heavenly pasta, pizza, and tiramisu in the Keystone State.
1. Dante & Luigi’s
Tucked away in South Philadelphia since 1899, this place makes me weak in the knees every time I walk through its doors! The scent of garlic and tomato sauce hits you like a warm hug from an Italian nonna.
Their homemade gnocchi practically floats off the plate, and don’t get me started on their veal saltimbocca. The vintage décor hasn’t changed in decades; those red checkered tablecloths have witnessed more family celebrations than I can count.
2. The Grotto
Holy marinara! This basement-level sanctuary near Penn State campus has saved me from countless boring dinner nights. Students walk right past it every day without knowing the magic happening below their feet.
The owner, Marco, greets regulars by name and sometimes sends complimentary bruschetta to your table just because. Their carbonara sauce contains exactly six ingredients; I’ve begged for the recipe for years with no success.
3. The Red Rabbit
Legend has it that Pittsburgh gangsters once held secret meetings in the back room here! Now it’s my go-to spot when I want to impress out-of-town friends with something authentically ‘Burgh.
The building looks completely unassuming from outside; I walked past it three times on my first visit. Their lasagna stands about four inches tall with layers so distinct you could count them like tree rings. Pair it with their house Chianti and prepare for a food coma of epic proportions.
4. Pastorante Italian Restaurant
Blink and you’ll miss this converted Victorian house on the outskirts of Harrisburg! My carb-loving heart nearly stopped the first time I watched them making fresh pasta in the open kitchen.
The chef, Antonio, learned everything from his grandmother who immigrated from Sicily in the 1940s. Their pappardelle with wild boar ragù haunts my dreams at least once a week. The wine list is surprisingly extensive for such a small place; I’ve discovered some amazing Italian reds here that I can’t find anywhere else.
5. DiCostanza’s
Would you believe this joint hasn’t changed their menu since 1977? And thank goodness for that! The DiCostanza family guards their recipes like Fort Knox, especially their legendary red gravy that simmers for 12 hours.
The dining room feels like your Italian grandparents’ house; if your grandparents had photos of Frank Sinatra on every wall. Their eggplant parm converted me from a lifelong hater to an evangelist. Cash only, no reservations, and absolutely worth the hour-long wait on weekends.
6. Tony G’s South Philly Pub & Eatery
My taste buds do a happy dance every time I visit this unassuming corner spot! Tony G’s perfectly balances being a neighborhood watering hole AND serving some of the most mind-blowing Italian-American food in Montgomery County.
The chicken parm sandwich here is roughly the size of my head; I’ve never finished one in a single sitting. Their homemade hot pepper relish adds the perfect kick to everything. The walls are plastered with local sports memorabilia, and there’s always a game on, making it impossible not to feel like part of the family.
7. Gabriella Italian Restaurant
Seafood and Italian cuisine perform a beautiful dance at this Harrisburg gem! The first time I tasted their linguine with clams, I actually closed my eyes and momentarily forgot I was in Pennsylvania.
Gabriella’s space feels surprisingly upscale without the stuffiness: exposed brick walls meet white tablecloths in perfect harmony. The owner sources seafood daily from the Baltimore market, driving two hours round-trip for freshness. Their tiramisu contains a secret ingredient that gives it a distinctive flavor I’ve never encountered elsewhere.
8. Union Grill’s “Down and Under”
Who would expect to find authentic Italian cuisine hiding in the basement of a college town bar? The “Down and Under” section of Union Grill completely transforms at night into an Italian food lover’s paradise!
Students flock here for cheap beer upstairs while savvy locals sneak downstairs for handmade ravioli that would make any nonna proud. The chef, Dominic, changes the menu weekly based on what inspires him. My absolute favorite creation was his short rib ravioli with brown butter sage sauce; I still dream about it three years later.
9. Serafino’s
Forget fancy décor; Serafino’s puts EVERYTHING into the food! This cash-only joint in Crafton looks like it hasn’t been updated since 1962, and that’s precisely why I love it.
The portions here are absolutely ridiculous; their spaghetti and meatballs could feed a family of four. The meatballs themselves are the size of baseballs, seasoned perfectly with a hint of nutmeg. On Friday nights, the owner’s 85-year-old mother still makes her special cannoli, filling them to order so the shells stay perfectly crisp.
10. Mercurio’s
Discovering Mercurio’s was like finding the holy grail of Italian comfort food! This family-owned Shadyside spot combines two of my greatest loves; Neapolitan pizza and authentic gelato; under one gloriously aromatic roof.
Their wood-fired oven was imported piece by piece from Naples, and it turns out pizzas with that perfect char in just 90 seconds. The gelato flavors change daily; I once had a pistachio so good I nearly proposed to the gelato maker. Their cozy corner location with big windows makes it perfect for people-watching while carb-loading.
