Classic Cornetto
$3.90Freshly baked classic Italian croissant with a crisp, buttery exterior and soft layered interior.
Freshly baked classic Italian croissant with a crisp, buttery exterior and soft layered interior.
Flaky Italian croissant stuffed with a warm savory egg and crispy pancetta omelet.
Warm freshly baked Italian croissant generously filled with rich hazelnut Nutella cream.
Freshly baked croissant filled with creamy fior di latte mozzarella and savory Prosciutto di Parma.
Freshly baked Italian cinnamon spiral bun topped with a light sweet glaze.
Golden-fried Sicilian rice balls filled with savory veal and pork ragù, sweet peas, melted mozzarella, and slow-simmered tomato sauce.
Crispy semolina-crusted tender calamari, wild shrimp, and sweet zucchini served with fresh lemon wedges.
Flash-fried Roman-style artichokes crisp on the outside and tender within, served with fresh squeezed lemon.
Tender layered Italian eggplant baked with fresh ricotta, fior di latte mozzarella, basil, and San Marzano tomato sauce.
Mascarpone-infused Italian crab cake served with a crisp cucumber salad and red pepper accent.
Tender grilled Puglian octopus finished with extra virgin olive oil and a bright lemon citrus accent.
Fresh mussels steamed with garlic, San Marzano tomatoes, and a kick of Calabrian pepperoncino.
Selection of traditional regional cheeses featuring Caciocavallo, Scamorza, and aged Pecorino paired with multiflower Abruzzo honey and black fig jam.
Artisanal tasting board featuring Prosciutto di Parma, Ventricina Abruzzese, Mortadella Bologna IGP, and Bresaola with crostini and olives.
Premium 24-month dry-aged Prosciutto di Parma served with marinated olives and toasted crostini.
Creamy imported Puglian Burrata served with your choice of Caprese, eggplant caponata, or tomato and Prosciutto di Parma.
Crisp baby greens tossed with ripe pear slices, seedless grapes, dried cherries, toasted pine nuts, creamy caprino goat cheese, and shallot vinaigrette.
Fresh kale and crisp romaine lettuce tossed in rich creamy Parmigiano dressing with house-baked focaccia croutons.
Tender endive, crisp arugula, and radicchio lightly tossed in a vibrant lemon extra virgin olive oil vinaigrette.
Chilled seafood salad of shrimp, tender calamari, scungilli, and sea scallops dressed in lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil.
Iconic Abruzzese vegetable and legume soup cooked with pancetta, aromatic herbs, and hand-cut pasta.
Wide handmade ribbon pasta served in a slow-cooked ragù of pork, veal, lamb, and chicken pulled tenderly off the bone.
Homemade petite ravioli stuffed with veal, pork, and herbs, finished in a silky butter, sage, and white truffle sauce.
Handmade potato and ricotta gnocchi tossed in a velvety Fontina cheese cream sauce with wild mushrooms.
Hand-rolled water and flour fusilli pasta tossed in slow-braised veal, pork, and lamb tomato ragù topped with aged Capretto cheese shavings.
Large hollow rigatoni tubes sautéed with sweet yellow datterino tomatoes, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and shaved Parmigiano.
Traditional Abruzzese guitar-cut pasta tossed with guanciale Italian bacon, tomato, onion, and Pecorino Romano.
Tender veal medallions layered with Prosciutto di Parma and fresh sage, sautéed in white wine sauce and served with rosemary potatoes and asparagus.
Veal rolled and stuffed with Italian cheeses and herbs, braised for 6 hours in rich tomato sugo and served over tagliatelle pasta.
Free-range half chicken crisp-roasted under a heavy terracotta brick, served with rosemary roasted potatoes and seasoned vegetables.
Fresh Mediterranean seabass pan-roasted with extra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon, served with shaved fennel and rosemary potatoes.
Fire-grilled Scottish salmon with an aromatic herb crust cooked on a cedar plank, served with roasted potatoes and green beans.
Abundant seafood stew of clams, mussels, calamari, salmon, and monkfish simmered in tomato broth with tagliolini pasta.
Oven-roasted potato wedges seasoned with fresh rosemary and sea salt.
Crisp thin-cut French fries tossed with shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano and truffle oil.
Tender wild broccoli rabe sautéed with garlic and extra virgin olive oil.
Tender spears of fresh asparagus charred on the fire grill with olive oil.
Spicy green long hot peppers sautéed in garlic and generous extra virgin olive oil.
Award-winning artisanal gelato made with pure Bronte pistachios imported from Mount Etna in Sicily by Champion Stefano Biasini.
Crispy Sicilian pastry shell filled with fresh sheep's milk ricotta and candied orange peel.
Traditional Venetian dessert made with espresso-soaked ladyfingers and velvety mascarpone crema.
Smooth cooked cream custard infused with L'Aquila espresso, dark chocolate, and a delicate touch of Sambuca.
Double shot of house-roasted espresso shaken vigorously over ice until thick, frothy, and ice-cold.
Rich espresso layered with equal parts steamed milk and dense creamy milk foam.
Authentic 100% Italian soda crafted in Turin using natural mineral spring water and natural flavorings.
Sparkling organic lemonade made from cold-pressed Sicilian lemons and pulp.
Located on Chestnut Street in Center City Philadelphia, Gran Caffe L'Aquila offers an extraordinary bi-level Italian dining and culinary experience. Conceived as a grand Italian coffee bar, trattoria, gelato laboratory, and retail salumeria, this vibrant destination immerses guests into the genuine sights, aromas, and flavors of Italy.
Stepping inside Gran Caffe L'Aquila feels like being whisked away to a bustling piazza in Rome or Milan. The street level features a buzzing espresso bar and an award-winning gelato counter presided over by Gelato World Champion Stefano Biasini. Upstairs, the dining room provides an intimate, warm setting perfect for romantic dinners, family gatherings, or casual business lunches surrounded by authentic Italian design accents.
The culinary program highlights authentic regional Italian classics alongside house-roasted coffees and world-renowned gelato creations:
Offering generous portion sizes and top-tier imported ingredients, Gran Caffe L'Aquila strikes a well-balanced price-to-value ratio. Morning baked pastries and espresso drinks range between $3.50 and $7, while pasta primi and seafood or meat secondi range from $19 to $38, allowing diners to enjoy either a quick bite or a luxurious multi-course meal.
Reservations are strongly recommended for weekend dinners and peak brunch hours. Vegetarian diners can enjoy options like yellow tomato paccheri, gnocchi, and fresh salads, while gluten-free options are available across grilled seafood, seasonal antipasti, and dairy-free sorbettos.
124 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
31 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
1625 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
1800 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
126 S 16th St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
1525 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
The gelato is crafted by World Gelato Champion Stefano Biasini using authentic Italian techniques and premium ingredients, such as Bronte pistachios imported directly from Mount Etna in Sicily.
Yes, Gran Caffe L'Aquila offers various vegetarian pasta dishes like Paccheri Con Datterini Gialli and Gnocchi Alla Bava, as well as gluten-free seafood like fire-grilled Branzino and fresh insalata options.
Absolutely. The ground level features a retail store and coffee counter selling 12oz bags of house-roasted artisanal coffee beans, imported Italian chocolates, and authentic sweets.
The Pappardelle Al Ragù Aquilano is highly recommended; it features broad handmade ribbon pasta in a slow-braised meat ragù made from pork, veal, lamb, and chicken.
While the downstairs coffee bar and gelato counter welcome walk-ins, reservations are recommended for table service in the second-floor dining room during peak lunch and dinner hours.
Non-Affiliation & Fair Use Disclaimer
MenuRates is an independent restaurant menu archive and price directory. We are not officially affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Gran Caffe L'Aquila or any of its subsidiaries. All registered trademarks, logos, brand names, and menu item names remain the sole property of their respective owners and are displayed here under Fair Use guidelines for informational purposes only. For menu corrections or takedown requests, please visit our Disclaimer or Contact Page.
Compare dish price across other restaurants