Best Upscale Italian Restaurants in Old City | Upscale Italian Food

13 restaurants in Best Upscale Italian Restaurants in Old City | Upscale Italian Food

• LaScala's — Italian · rated 3/5: LaScala’s welcomes guests into a lively, polished space where the air is thick with the savory aroma of bubbling cheeses and slow-simmered red sauces. The kitchen brings together the heart of traditional Italian comfort and modern energy, serving up hand-tossed pizzas and generous plates of pasta that encourage long, laughter-filled meals. It is a neighborhood cornerstone where warm hospitality and a bustling atmosphere transform a simple dinner into a spirited celebration of flavor.
• Margherita Pizzeria — Italian. *: The air inside this sun-drenched pizzeria is thick with the scent of toasted yeast and bubbling tomato sauce, drawing guests into a space where the glowing embers of a wood-fired oven take center stage. Hand-stretched dough is transformed into charred, leopard-spotted masterpieces topped with fragrant basil and pools of melted mozzarella, offering a sensory masterclass in the art of the perfect Neapolitan slice. It is a spirited gathering place where the clink of glasses and the warmth of shared pies create an atmosphere of effortless, everyday celebration.
• Forsythia — Italian: Bathed in a warm, golden glow, this intimate sanctuary celebrates the soulful artistry of handmade pasta through an open kitchen that hums with the rhythmic energy of flour and flame. Diners tuck into vibrant, Roman-inspired plates where silky, hand-rolled noodles meet bold seasonal ingredients, creating a dining experience that feels both sophisticated and deeply comforting.
• Bloomsday Cafe — American: Bloomsday Cafe unfolds as a soulful neighborhood sanctuary where the comforting aroma of half-roasted chicken and savory steak frites fills a space designed for lingering. From the whimsical crunch of seasoned popcorn and tins of premium conservas to the refined elegance of seasonal pastas, the experience transitions effortlessly from cozy afternoons with a steaming pot of tea to vibrant evenings fueled by craft beers and botanical mocktails.
• Wood Fired Pizza by Oh Brother — Italian: The golden glow of a roaring wood-burning oven anchors this lively space, filling the air with the irresistible aroma of charred oak and bubbling mozzarella. Hand-stretched dough is transformed into blistered, artisanal pies with perfectly smoky crusts, offering a soulful dining experience where the primal magic of open flames meets a warm, communal spirit.
• Maya's Pizza & Grill — Italian: The air at Maya's Pizza & Grill is thick with the irresistible aroma of bubbling mozzarella and the savory char of an open flame, drawing guests into a space that hums with casual, high-energy warmth. Hand-stretched dough meets artisanal toppings in the glowing oven while the grill sizzles with succulent meats and seasonal vegetables, offering a soulful fusion of comfort and craft that invites long, laughter-filled meals.
• Old City Pizza & Restaurant — Italian: This inviting neighborhood haunt captures the timeless spirit of a classic pizzeria, where the air is thick with the savory perfume of toasted crusts and slow-simmered red sauce. Guests gather around rustic tables to enjoy hand-stretched pies topped with vibrant ingredients alongside hearty, soul-warming dishes that celebrate the simple joy of a well-made meal.
• Gianfranco Pizza — Italian: The air at Gianfranco Pizza is thick with the comforting aroma of toasted flour and slow-simmered tomato sauce, drawing guests into a space that feels like a warm, communal embrace. Hand-stretched dough meets the intense heat of the oven to produce pizzas with a signature leopard-spotted char, topped with vibrant ingredients that sing with freshness and tradition. It is a lively neighborhood sanctuary where the rhythmic clinking of glasses and the satisfying crunch of a perfect crust create a symphony of simple, soulful indulgence.
• Fork — American: Sunlight dances across polished surfaces in this refined urban sanctuary, where the briny scent of freshly shucked East Coast oysters and vibrant fluke crudo sets the stage for a sophisticated culinary journey. Artisanal pastas arrive in intricate, hand-folded shapes like silken fagottini and nutty spelt spaccatelli, celebrating a mastery of both coastal treasures and rich, earthy flavors. Every plate serves as a canvas of seasonal textures and bold elegance, inviting guests to linger over a dining experience that feels both timeless and refreshingly modern.
• Positano Coast by Aldo Lamberti — Italian: Step into a sun-drenched Mediterranean escape where breezy, cobalt-blue accents and an airy atmosphere evoke the effortless glamour of the Italian seaside. The kitchen celebrates the vibrant spirit of the coast through a parade of sophisticated small plates, from the smoky char of grilled octopus and golden, molten-centered arancini to the bright, citrusy notes of artichoke and lemon soup. It is a spirited sanctuary where the aroma of crisp fritto misto and the elegance of creamy burrata invite guests to linger over shared flavors and coastal dreams.
• La Famiglia Ristorante — Italian: La Famiglia Ristorante invites guests into a warm, convivial sanctuary where the vibrant colors of Mediterranean antipasti and the comforting aroma of hand-crafted pasta create an immediate sense of belonging. Diners linger over refreshing plates of octopus salad and chilled veal in velvety tuna sauce before diving into bowls of silken pappardelle tossed with smoky bacon and pungent gorgonzola. It is a place where traditional Italian soul meets refined elegance, turning every meal into a spirited celebration of shared plates and timeless flavors.
• Panorama — Italian: Bathed in an atmosphere of effortless elegance, Panorama invites diners to savor a symphony of coastal flavors, from the gentle heat of blistered shishito peppers to the briny depth of mussels fra diavolo. The evening unfolds over plates of pillowy gnocchi pomodoro and silky, hand-crafted pastas, all perfectly complemented by sommelier-selected reds that toast to a refined yet soulful dining experience.
• Lamberti Pizza & Market — Italian: Step into a bustling neighborhood sanctuary where the aroma of hand-stretched dough and simmering marinara mingles with the savory sizzle of griddled steaks. Whether you are tucking into a charred, basil-topped Margherita or a hefty, cheese-laden hoagie, the experience captures the soulful charm of a classic Italian market where every bite feels like a warm homecoming.