Ralphs Italian Restaurant

This place deserves a higher rating because I thought it was absolutely fantastic. I am still dreaming about the veal saltimbocca and can't wait to go again. We went for my boyfriend's birthday with his mom and we got the caprese salad and meatballs to start. Both were delicious. For our main, we split the Veal Saltimbocca between three of us and also got sides of gnocchi and ravioli. Everything was excellent, and the two apps, two sides, and one main was a perfect portion to split between three. The service was friendly and prompt and it's so cool that this is the oldest Italian restaurant in the USA! It's an adorable space and just feels so cool to be there. You can tell the servers are happy to be there too. Cannot cannot wait to return.

The food was okay. I got a vodka sauce with panchetta and added chicken to it. The pasta, sauce, and panchetta were good but the chicken had a weird off flavor. I'm not sure how to describe it other than it tasted burnt and maybe really old. I know I'm not the only one who thought it tasted weird because I had 3 other friends try my chicken and they all agreed. I also got a buratta and red peppers appetizer. It was decent but not super amazing. Fair warning with this place though they seem to share mixing containers with shellfish even with dishes without shellfish. My friend had allergy to shellfish and he got a reaction from eating a spaghetti with garlic and oil and the side of gnocchi. It was a mild case but I would beware for those who are more severe. Ambiance wise the restaurant is very loud. I probably wouldn't come here again if I come back to Philly.

Excellent dinner at one of the oldest Italian restaurants in Philadelphia!! Ralph's served up INCREDIBLE dishes a few weeks ago and I'm already ready to go back! 1. Spinach Gnocchi in a creamy garlic sauce with crumbled Italian sausage and sundried tomatoes/peppers. Definitely not for the faint of heart as this had a pretty robust flavor/if you don't like a lot of garlic! 2. Cavatelli allá vodka 3. The biggest chicken parm ever with a side of gnocchi vodka?!? You could actually make a meal out of their "sides" menu lol4. Veal chop w mushrooms5. Caesar salad that i actually could've had as my meal and been happy6. Their "best of Philly" meatballs w ricotta- WOWOOWI loved the ambiance and the restaurant vibes, exactly what u want for a big Italian dinner w friends. Extremely reasonably priced for the portions/wine.

Cozy neighborhood Italian restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. I recommend making a reservation because it is slammed every night.Awesome wine list! We started with the meatballs - they were a bit dry and too dense for our liking but the sauce they come in is phenomenal. We tried an array of items but our favorite was the chicken parm and the Gorgonzola pasta! The service is a bit slow but we didn't mind! The servers were very friendly. It is a little pricey but it's to be expected in the city.Would absolutely recommend!

Place looks the same as in 1900 which gives it charmLarge list of wines, homemade cheese and pasta, and desserts

I had heard about Ralph's for a few years now, about how good it is, and it was established in 1900, and after all of these years, I finally got the chance to visit. It's a quaint restaurant that has seating both upstairs and downstairs, a very nice family restaurant not too fancy, but it gives a nice relaxed feeling. We were seated upstairs and luckily towards the back which didn't have a crowded feeling, though it was almost fully packed for a Saturday 5:30pm reservation. We had the Burrata with Roasted Red Peppers and Calabrian Chilis in a Sun Dried Tomato Pesto, topped with a Balsamic Glaze and some bread for an amazing appetizer. For the main course I ordered a Black Lobster Ravioli,I believe this was a special and not on the regular menu, but the sauce was amazing,I could have licked the plate it was that good. We also had a drink, and they definitely had a proper pour. Will absolutely go back, looking forward to trying the rest of the menu.

Ralph's South Philly, oldest Italian restaurant in the United States. Located in the heart of the city, this Italian restaurant offers a delightful culinary experience that captures the essence of Italy. From traditional pasta dishes to mouth-watering desserts, every bite is filled with authentic flavors and fresh ingredients. The cozy ambiance and friendly staff add to the overall charm of the place. Whether you're craving a classic spaghetti carbonara or a decadent tiramisu for dessert, this restaurant is sure to satisfy your Italian food cravings. This Philadelphia restaurant is a must-visit for all Italian cuisine enthusiasts!Service: 5 stars our waiter was Jimmy and he was excellent. He provided great recommendations and was very attentive. Chef came out to check on us which was so sweet. Ambiance: 4/5 stars.we sat on the first floor it was a little tight. We should have requested 2nd floor. Love the old pictures throughout the restaurant. Food: Overall 4/5 stars.Mussels in red - very fresh and nice portion. These were sneaky good the mussel sauce had a mild spicy kick.Rating: 5/5 stars.Meatballs: Dollop of ricotta "Best Of Philly" these meatballs were seriously the best. The fresh ricotta was a nice touch. Rating: 5/5 stars.Bruschetta - Chopped tomatoes, red onion, mozzarella, basil, extra virgin olive oil, and balsamic vinegar.Rating: 4/5 stars Tomatoes And Mozzarella Salad: the balsamic glaze was to die for. This salad was extremely salty.Rating 3/5 stars.Mediterranean Salad: Shrimp, crabmeat, tomatoes, black olives, romaine.Rating 5/5 stars.Gnocchi Alla Vodka: Blush sauce with pancetta.Rating: 4/5 stars Eggplant Parmigiana: Egg battered and baked with mozzarella cheese and marinara sauce.Rating: 4/5 stars.Linguini Pescatore: Shrimp, clams, mussels, and crabmeat in a white garlic wine sauce.Seafood was very fresh, sauce was very light. Delicious.Rating: 4/5 stars Veal Saltimbocca: Mozzarella cheese, prosciutto, spinach, mushrooms, marsala wine. This was my least favorite. It didn't taste right with the Marsala sauce it should have been a white wine garlic sauce.Rating: 2/5 stars.Lobster Ravioli (special) very fresh sauce was light and airy.Rating: 5/5 starsHighly recommend the espresso martini I added cream to mine it was a little strong. For desserts tiramisu and cannoli cake were to die for. The cake was dense yet airy if that makes any sense.Dessert rating: 5/5 stars seriously the best.

Intimate setting in little Italy (parking is always within a couple blocks if you look, but if you aren't a good parallel parker I suggest a ride-share or public transport to get there). Hands down the best traditional Italian food in Philly. Service is always on point. Black lobster ravioli was the best I've ever had, but I'm pretty sure it is on their specials menu. They also have a great deal on four glasses of wine my partner and I usually opt for. This is a great place for special occasions, parties (they offer buffet options for large groups), or date night. Thanks Ralphs & staff!

LOVED this spot!!! The oldest italian restaurant in America is a must visit location. The friendliest people ever! Place was busy which is always a good sign. Great vintage feel. Mark was great, very knowledgeable and made some great recommendations. I ordered the clams casino as an appetizer, it was super delicious and hearty. The Gnocchi blush were pillows of goodness with a perfect sauce. I ordered the cannoli cake was decadent and fluffy and delicious. However...the tiramisu was a 10 out of 10! Best tiramisu i have ever had in my life. We met the manager and the chef at the end of our meal and they were also warm and friendly! This was one of the greatest italian meals I have had! Definately on my list to revisit!

I reviewed my review and the Pandemic made me grumpy! I made comments after a delivery order that wasn't all that, and maybe that isn't quite fair in a restaurant like Ralph's that is serving Italian, never one of the great delivery cuisines. A friend took me to dinner there to celebrate our friendship (or something like that, I don't know the reason). We had a lovely time. Service was warm and attentive. Everything was relatively bland and inoffensive but tasty. We enjoyed ourselves. This is red sauce Italian, no more no less. Not even "revisionist" or "with a wink" like at Carbone in NYC. But that is worth at least 4 stars. Without looking, I can't remember how I related Saloon (a similar but more comfortable and more expensive resto), and whether Saloon is five stars or not, it is one step above Ralphs.