10 Italian Places In Pennsylvania That Are Local Mainstays
Pennsylvania’s Italian food scene is a rich tapestry of family traditions, time-honored recipes, and authentic flavors lovingly passed down through the years.
I’ve spent countless meals—and miles—seeking out the best spots where marinara simmers for hours, filling the air with its intoxicating aroma, and handmade pasta isn’t just a dish but a cherished ritual.
From the cozy trattorias of Pittsburgh to the bustling red-sauce institutions of Philadelphia, these beloved establishments have become more than just places to eat. They’re community cornerstones where birthdays, anniversaries, and spontaneous “just because” dinners have unfolded, creating memories as enduring and comforting as the meals themselves.
1. Rossi’s Ristorante: Home of Mammoth Italian Portions
My fork struggled to tackle the meatball at Rossi’s – literally the size of a softball! This Archbald institution has been feeding hungry Pennsylvanians for generations with portions that guarantee tomorrow’s lunch.
Family photos line the wood-paneled walls, telling the story of the Rossi clan who started with nothing but grandmother’s recipes and big dreams. The chicken parmesan extends beyond the plate’s edges, while the lasagna stands tall enough to cast a shadow.
Last Tuesday, I watched a first-timer’s eyes widen as his server arrived with a mountain of spaghetti. “You’ll need this,” she winked, handing him an extra container for the inevitable leftovers that have become part of the Rossi’s experience.
2. The Union Grill: Legal Eagles’ Italian Haven
Perched atop that famous Washington, PA hill since 1967, The Union Grill isn’t fancy – and that’s precisely its charm. I’ve rubbed elbows with judges still in their robes, hurriedly savoring plates of linguine between court sessions.
Locals affectionately call it the “Down and Under,” a nickname that puzzled me until a regular explained it’s because you go down the hill and under the restaurant to park. Their red sauce recipe hasn’t changed in five decades, still simmered slowly with basil from the owner’s garden.
The worn leather booths have witnessed countless plea deals and celebration dinners. County lawyers claim more cases have been settled over their eggplant parmesan than in actual courtrooms – a testament to how deeply this unpretentious Italian-American spot is woven into the community fabric.
3. Vincent’s Pizza Park: Pittsburgh’s Legendary Pie Palace
“No box? How am I supposed to carry this?” I asked in confusion my first time at Vincent’s. The server just laughed, sliding my massive, oil-dripping “Vinnie Pie” onto a piece of cardboard. “That’s how we’ve done it since 1952!”
This Forest Hills institution serves pizza that defies conventional geometry – a thick, doughy crust that somehow remains crisp under rivers of cheese that cascade over the edges. The original Vincent, a Pittsburgh character of legendary proportions, created these mammoth pies that require two hands and serious commitment.
Steel workers and CEOs stand in the same line, trading stories while waiting for their number to be called. When my Pittsburgh friends visit me in Philadelphia, they still tease that our city’s pizza is just a snack compared to a proper Vinnie Pie.
4. Gusto Ristorante Italiano: Where Italy Meets Pennsylvania
The moment I walked into Gusto in Feasterville-Trevose, the aroma of simmering tomato sauce transported me straight to Naples. Owner Giancarlo greets regulars by name, remembering their favorite dishes with uncanny precision.
Their pasta is rolled fresh each morning – none of that boxed stuff here! Every ingredient, from the olive oil to the aged cheeses, is imported directly from small Italian producers who’ve supplied the restaurant for decades.
The handmade gnocchi practically melts on your tongue, while their veal saltimbocca makes even Italian grandmothers nod in approval. After fifteen years serving the community, Gusto remains Pennsylvania’s gold standard for authentic regional Italian cuisine.
5. Nonna Rosa: Lancaster County’s Fresh Pasta Paradise
Hidden among Amish farms, Nonna Rosa in Akron sparked my pasta epiphany. “Wait, pasta isn’t supposed to be yellow?” I remarked, watching the chef roll out sheets of silky, egg-rich dough to the amusement of my dinner companions.
Though only established in 2019, this family-run gem quickly earned its place in Lancaster County’s heart. The matriarch – the real Nonna Rosa – still inspects every meatball before it leaves the kitchen, ensuring each meets her exacting standards.
During my last visit, I peeked through the kitchen doorway to see three generations working side by side, kneading dough and stirring sauces from recipes no one has ever written down. The restaurant feels simultaneously brand new and centuries old – a testament to traditions that have found fertile ground in Pennsylvania soil.
6. Lombardo’s: Lancaster’s Multi-Generation Italian Revival
My grandparents had their first date at Lombardo’s in the 1960s, so I was skeptical when I heard about its hipster makeover. Could a piano bar really belong in this downtown Lancaster institution?
Miraculously, the latest generation of Lombardos has threaded that impossible needle – honoring tradition while breathing new life into the space. The original terrazzo floors remain, now complemented by modern lighting that illuminates multiple dining rooms spread across several floors.
Their reinvented chicken saltimbocca made me a believer – familiar enough to comfort long-time patrons yet creative enough to attract food enthusiasts from Philadelphia and beyond. I recently spotted my 85-year-old neighbor happily sipping an espresso martini at the piano bar, proof that Lombardo’s evolution has managed to bring generations together rather than drive them apart.
7. LUCA: Farm-To-Table Italian in a Former Grocery
“That’s not a pizza oven – it’s a spaceship!” my son exclaimed, pointing at LUCA’s massive wood-fired hearth. The gleaming copper-clad Neapolitan oven dominates this transformed neighborhood grocery store in Lancaster, where local farmers’ bounty meets Italian technique.
Chef Taylor Mason doesn’t just name-drop farms on the menu – he actually spends mornings harvesting alongside his suppliers. The resulting dishes showcase Pennsylvania’s agricultural riches through an Italian lens that feels both innovative and timeless.
My family fights over the last slice of their charred sourdough bread, still warm from that magnificent hearth. Food critics rave about LUCA, but what impresses me most is seeing farmers eating at the bar, proudly pointing out dishes featuring their produce – a true farm-to-table relationship that goes beyond marketing buzzwords.
8. Caruso’s: The Pizza Chain That Feels Like Family
Every town needs a Caruso’s – that reliable Italian spot where the cashier knows your order before you speak. Since 1982, this independently-owned chain has been the backdrop for post-game celebrations and Friday night family dinners across Lancaster County.
The Neffsville location holds a special place in my heart. After my daughter’s dance recitals, we’d crowd into a booth, her still in costume, ordering the same stromboli that’s been on the menu for four decades. The dough rises slowly overnight, creating that distinctive chew that’s been imitated but never duplicated.
Nothing fancy here – just consistently good Italian-American comfort food served by staff who’ve watched children grow into adults who bring their own kids. When I moved away briefly, I missed Caruso’s more than any fine dining establishment.
9. Macaroni’s: Northeast Philly’s Sustainable Italian Gem
“We don’t do frozen anything,” Frank, Macaroni’s mustachioed owner, once told me with a finger wag when I asked about their seafood delivery schedule. This Northeast Philly cornerstone marries old-world Italian hospitality with modern sustainability practices that would make any environmentalist swoon.
Crystal chandeliers hang above tables where three-hour Sunday dinners unfold like scenes from a Scorsese film. The seasonal menu changes based on what local purveyors bring to their door each morning – I’ve watched Frank reject an entire fish delivery because it didn’t meet his exacting standards.
Their homemade limoncello, served in frosty glasses as a complimentary digestif, has sealed countless business deals and marriage proposals. Decades after opening, Macaroni’s remains the neighborhood’s living room – where everyone eventually gathers to celebrate life’s moments, big and small.
10. Fenicci’s of Hershey: Sweet History Since 1935
Chocolate isn’t Hershey’s only famous flavor – Fenicci’s marinara sauce has been simmering since 1935! Standing in the shadow of the chocolate factory, this historic restaurant survived Prohibition, world wars, and countless food trends while never compromising on its Italian soul.
The walls tell stories through black-and-white photos of local celebrities and chocolate magnates who’ve broken bread here. Their famous upside-down pizza (cheese on the bottom, sauce on top) remains a quirky local tradition that sparks heated debates among pizza purists.
My family’s tradition is ordering “DeAngelis” spaghetti – named after the original owner and still made according to his handwritten recipe. When the current owner spotted me photographing my meal during a recent visit, he shared that Milton Hershey himself once sat at my very table, cementing my connection to this delicious piece of Pennsylvania history.