Best Authentic Restaurants in University City

This place is a vibe and a half. 10/10 recommend for cozy hearty food that warms your heart

If you’re looking for an unforgettable dining experience, Fiorella Pasta is the place to go. A solid 10/10, no question. The service was impeccable—attentive, warm, and perfectly timed, making us feel right at home from the moment we walked in. And the pasta? Simply divine. The ricotta gnocchi is a masterpiece—soft, pillowy, and paired with brown buttered onions. The rigatoni was classic perfection, cooked with rich flavors that left us craving more. And the cacio e pepe? Simply heavenly—creamy, peppery, and the ultimate comfort dish. Fiorella truly honors the art of pasta, and every bite reflects their passion and skill. Every bite was a testament to the care and expertise poured into their dishes—fresh, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. And don’t even get me started on their focaccia—it was exceptional! It’s clear they take pride in delivering authentic, top-tier cuisine. We had an amazing time and can’t wait to come back. Highly recommend for anyone looking to indulge in exceptional food and stellar service!

Fantastic place in Philadelphia. From app to the unbelievable gelato (gelato master chef is all you need to know) to the outstanding service, (Vincenzo is the best!) you will not be disappointed at choosing Gran Cafe. All pasta dishes are exceptional. Enjoy!! 5 star

We were greeted, seated and then treated to a lovely dining experience. We started with a couple of the specialty cocktails-Romarin and Nouveau Basilic: their pour was generous as our drinks lasted through our meals. A bonus of a basket of bread was brought to our table, such a rarity! Baguette, sourdough and what seamed a seasonal bread with cranberry and walnuts with beurre---seemed such a treat! Our waiter was attentive and made well informed dinner suggestions after asking us our preferences and we enjoyed the beef bourguignon; duck a l'orange and roasted chicken. Parc has made our top 10 list of places to eat while in Philly!

La Scala is a pizza place with lots of other choices on the menu. Our table took a non-pizza route and had a really nice meal. The fish dishes (salmon and tuna) were both lovely; the gnocchi were super, and the one person who ordered a noodle dish reported that it was very good. However, I don't think we were playing to the restaurant's strong suit, which is pizza, as evidenced by the large pizza oven visible from our table and what was ordered at the tables near us. I would have preferred not to have the large TV screens visible throughout the place, but that's a me thing. Our server was very attentive. We were very pleased with our meal, happy that we would sit at the table long after having finished eating, to continue our conversation.