The restaurant is tiny, cramped, and you will sit pretty close to others. I love the intimate, neighborhood joint aspect. The service was great, the food was phenomenal. Wonderful pastas and sauces, delicious appetizers and sides. Definitely some of the best Italian food I've ever had. Added to my list of must-eats when in Philly. Whole wheat and gluten free pasta options.
(5)
Chris A.
I had a Saturday night reservation. My date and I ate outside. I had the Tagliatelle Alfredo and a side of meatballs. The food was good, but just "good", not "terrific", which it really should have been, considering the price. My date seemed to really like her Eggplant Parmigiana, so that's something. The service wasn't terrible, but it was a tad slow and the server seemed a little... short/disinterested? There was a sense that they wanted us out of there so they could bring the next people in. It didn't help that the seating was a bit cramped. There was nothing overly good or bad about my experience. I just felt that for the price and the hype, I should have gotten more.
(3)
L K.
I have to agree with the other low-star reviewers... this is not what the people raving say it is. It sounds like another case of the Mainline overrating itself so it can feel like there is actually a viable "food scene" on 30. Much to my sincere dismay, no overrated review can make the food taste better. We live under 3 miles away, so we tried it based on these Yelpers' fish tales. I even drank a lot of wine, which normally makes me LOVE the food because I am buzzed... didn't help. My husband wasn't as pleased with his spaghetti bolognese, as I was with my eggplant dish (Penne alla Siciliana), but I would still prefer an entree at Giuseppe's or La Porta (both in Newtown Sq.) to this. Giuseppe's or La Porta are definitely decent for the 'burbs, but we have to go to High Note in S. Philly to get good Italian. I realize this is not the same Fellini as the other Fellini Cafes in Newtown Square and Media, but this place is at least on par with those tastewise (if not a bit inferior) and they aren't worth a return trip either. Don't mean to hate on this place, but the reviews really built up expectations for a huge letdown. Would rather the reviews be understated than way overrated, as they are.
(2)
Theresa B.
This is my absolute favorite italian place around! I've been coming here for years and have never been disappointed. Be prepared to wait for a table if you come on the weekend, but it's worth the wait and so is the tight fit inside!
(5)
Nick D.
Stop reading and go! Frankie's rocks - really busy/exciting BYOB dining room with counter seating available, too. Reservations help, but the staff is super friendly despite how busy the place can be. The food is excellent - classic Italian dishes with great portions. The orders take a little while, but it was nice to not feel rushed. Also, get a cannoli - don't argue with me! Do it! We also lucked out last night: it happened to be the restaurant's 9-year anniversary, so the staff was giving out free champagne and sheet cake to just about everyone - so cool!
(5)
Christine C.
Haven't eaten here in awhile and was pleasantly surprised. Party of 5 and everything was very good. It was the BEST eggplant parm I have had in a long time. Really nicely done! Just had the leftovers tonight and it was great as a leftover also. We had grilled calamari and calimari Diablo and both were very good. My daughter really liked her seafood pasta special. The fish special (bronzino) was nicely prepared and the seasonal veggies were also very good. Bruschetta was very good. And my daughters really liked the ravioli in blush sauce. Really like this restaurant. It would get 5 stars if it had homemade pasta . Some is homemade but I think some is not. His gravy is really really good. And the cannoli are excellent. Love it!
(4)
Pinky T.
NOTE: A reservation does not mean you won't wait 20 minutes or more on a Saturday night, which was annoying as there is really no place to wait. Once we finally were seated, we had a nice dinner. Great traditional Italian food, hearty pasta and sauce, fresh shrimp, attentive staff. It is fun to watch them work. Fabulous bread. And they gave us a free order of (very good) bruschetta to make up for the delay, which was very thoughtful. Very closely packed, to give it the real south Philly feel. BYOB, which keeps the bill reasonable. We took a LOT home with us -- enough for a full lunch for everyone on Sunday!
(4)
Krista H.
Great food and a surprise operatic serenade! We had our son with us - who at the time was 7mons old. The staff accommodated us nicely considering he was asleep in his carseat. We hope to go back again without out little guy who is now walking and wont sit for more than 20mins.
(4)
Jenna M.
I really wanted to love this place based on the other reviews but was sadly disappointed when I left. My biggest gripe being how do you NOT salt pasta water when cooking pasta. Every pasta dish was extremely over cooked and tasteless. They said they can't salt the water or over season things because of people with high blood pressure! Um...what??!! My gnocci's were mush in my mouth. They said ricotta gnocci's are supposed to taste like that. I make them homemade...no they don't. That being said, the stuffed chicken was excellent and so was the eggplant appetizer along with the meatball and sausage appetizer. All of which were seasoned perfectly with salt and tons of garlic (so by their standards, if you have high blood pressure don't get it) I wouldn't have minded the cramped eating area and tiny tables if I were in love with my food.
(2)
Jake A.
How can you expect much when you walk in and it looks like a close congested tightly-packed pizza take out place? Boy, was I mistaken! Now there was a bit of a wait but that is to be expected when you come to such a location. The wait staff are experienced but I wish they knew how to keep us from being impatient. I was here with a friend and we were so eager to go dive in. When we finally got seated, we couldn't wait. We knew we were going for the pasta and the veal but we were not prepared for what was to ensue. I tried a bit of both and let me just say that The flavors of the pasta and the veal takes one to a whole different level of experience. I don't know what they're adding to enhance the flavors but it was not overbearing. In fact I think it was just right so that you get the best of both worlds. The only downside to the experience was the wait to get seated. Now I know that's not something they can fix easily but I think it's an area they can try to minimize by a bit of reorganization. Or is that just me being too picky and a tad bit impatient?
(4)
Mell S.
Went there with a couple of coworkers on a business trip. The food was really good, I had the veal parma and it was delicious. The veal was perfectly cooked and the pasta was really good. My friend forgot his hat there and they kept it, we stopped by the next day and it was in perfect condition. Also, there's parking really closely by. The only reason I don't put a 5 stars is because of the slow service. The servers were nice and thoughtful, but they just don't have enough of them.
(4)
N. L.
Overcrowded, overpriced, under staffed. Wait is way too long especially if with kids. The taste is good but to me not worth putting up with the downside.
(2)
Lawana A.
We arrived here based on a recommendation from yelp reviews. Small casual place. All tables were taken so the owner who welcomed us at door asked if we would like to sit at the bar. No liquor license but you can bring your own wine. Rustic bread. I had #39 with Italian ham, peas and Alfredo sauce with pasta. Hubby had spaghetti with marina, olives and capers and son had spaghetti with homemade meatballs. All were delicious. While waiting for our dinner we were surprised with an Italian opera singer who was terrific. Service was attentive. We shared a chocolate gelato garnished with a pizelle. Yum! A wonderful dining experience.
(5)
Sean B.
Great food on a quiet Sunday afternoon. So, good we got take out for dinner. The service treats you like friend.
(5)
E A.
I called one week ahead to reserve one of Fellini's minuscular booths as we were coming for a special occasion. They did tell me ahead of time that they might not be able to get me a booth, but imagine my ire when we walked in behind a party of 4 , (5 minutes before our reservation time) and they sat them at the only open booth? Sigh. It was my husbands' birthday and HE has wanted to eat here for a while. Picture an area the size of your living room. Then put about 25-30 tables in, seat 4 people at each table, and imagine they are all telling you about their grandchildren............at the top of their voices. The best thing about this restaurant is their bread. And that it is a BYOB. Don't expect a quick dinner. On a Thursday night we had slow...............but pleasant service. The day old bread salad (that's how it is supposed to be made) was very well seasoned and good. The beet salad with a creamy dressing had a very generous portion and was also good. My husband had a special of the day, my son a different pasta dish,.also good. But they really loused up on the Pesto gnocchi. It was jello soft, overcooked. We had waited so long for our entree's that there was no way we were sending it back. The creamy pesto sauce was flowing with garlic and was the only reason we actually ate this dish. It wasn't worth taking home the leftovers for this. I will not be returning to this off the chart decibel level room.
(2)
Stephen S.
This is a true Italian restaurant. I found this place on Yelp when I was staying at the Embassy Suites a mile away. Everything is made to order and true Italian cuisine. Frankie the owner was there very nice gentleman. I went on Wednesday night and it was opera night hey gentlemen with singing live opera songs. One thing to remember this place is BYOB. Don't forget to order a cannoli for dessert.
(4)
Polly B.
We love everything about Frankie's Fellini Cafe and go there both for special occasions and when we are tired and don't feel like cooking. The food is always perfectly prepared, the bread will make you glad you are alive, the portions are huge (leftovers for dinner the next night=yum), the atmosphere is what you would expect to find In a tiny neighborhood in Italy: crowded and often a bit noisy but so friendly. Save room for the desserts and espresso -including decaf- which are delicious. They will fill your cannoli to order. One night of the week there is live opera - I think it is Wednesday now but ask when you call for a reservation. Expect to wait a bit even with a reservation and even on a weeknight, when many places are slow, because once you get there and are enjoying your dinner, you will want to linger. BYOB, and no corkage fee, which is a nice nod to their customers. My favorite menu items include the linguini with clams and a white wine sauce as well as the grilled salmon. My husband always orders a pasta alla Norma because he loves eggplant and I don't, so we never have it at home. They will also adjust toppings to accommodate our daughter, who is vegan. She is a big fan of the grilled vegetable platter. The tiramisu, if you have room for it, is like swallowing ambrosia. Go there! You will be so glad you did!
(5)
Steve B.
Stopped her for dinner on a Monday. Nice small restaurant. Service was quick and efficient. They had some things on the menu I would like to try in the future. I had an eggplant parm that was good and a house salad that was excellent. A little on the high side for a neighborhood restaurant, $23 for the salad and eggplant.
(4)
Mike D.
Where do I start? This is me and my wife's favorite place for Italian. The restaurant is very small but I feel that it adds to the feel of the small cafe in Italy. If you do not like crowds I would not recommend this place. This is the only place that we will go and tolerate a crowd. We have been here at least a dozen Times and our waitresses have been lea and Victoria, both of which have been awesome. They always take care of us and we do the same for them. Next, the food is great. From the pastas to the sauce and the baseball sized meatballs. We always get the sweet and hot peppers for our appetizer. Goes great with oil and bread. My favorite entree is the grilled veal chop with potatoes. My wife gets the gnocchi with their Rosa sauce. I could sit here all day and go through all of the great things we have had there. For dessert we always get the cannolis either for there or to go depending on how full we are. They say they have the best on the mail line and well, I have to agree. To wrap this up I highly recommend this restaurant to everyone and I will continue to go there for a long while.
(5)
Nimesh S.
My wife & I came here for dinner and loved it. It has the cozy feeling of a small cafe in Italy. We are vegetarian and we absolutely loved the bread salad - it's a meal itself. Can't wait to go back and try their pizza during the winter.
(5)
Jack L.
We went here for a birthday celebration on a Saturday night. It was very busy and we were a party of 8. (4 couples) Our server was very polite and professional and the food was outstanding. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for great Italian food or fresh baked pizza. I would suggest going during the week as it was very noisy and hard to hear each other speak as the place is very small, but again the food was awesome and the desserts were fabulous. I would have given it 5 STARS if it wasnt for the noise.
(4)
Lauren R.
What a wonderful mom & pop Italian BYOB! The service was good--maybe a little off--but the owners are so nice and definitely work hard to take care of their regulars. On a Sunday night, the place was constantly crowded. Like other small local restaurants, the tables are pretty crowded together, so more of a family vibe than a romantic atmosphere. I ordered the house salad and the ravioli with the pomodoro sauce. The house salad was typical--it was really big, which is nice (and probably spurred me to take home more of my pasta as leftovers than I otherwise would have). The ravioli was very good! It was certainly a generous portion. But what stood out to me was the sauce. It definitely tasted homemade (you could tell there wasn't a ton of added sugar). I would go back and order any of the pasta dishes in that sauce!
(4)
Mark O.
Terrific authentic Italian. The first place I've been to around the area that could actually compete in Italy. Not a hug place. Service was excellent. Byob. Not super fancy. The meal took a long time to arrive. But that wasn't really a negative or unexpected. They appear to be cooking everything fresh with care. Just bring a bottle of wine and have a good conversation. Every single person working there was polite and engaging. Food was outstanding. The meatball side was worth trying just to taste a real meatball. Took a lot of food home with us and the bill was about $50 for two with two apps and two mains.
(5)
Kenny B.
I can't think of anything bad to say! It's that good. Everything we've had has been delishous and the people are great. You must get the buratta as a app! The pastas are so much better than everywhere i've been before. The only thing i would like to see change is the wait but if you call ahead you should be ok. I cant wait to go back.
(5)
Kai P.
Our table had the Involtini Fellini, Ravioli con Salsicce, and a tuna steak special. Pasta was excellent (main and sides), but best was the veal and tuna, grilled to perfection and spiced sparingly enough that the flavor of the meat shone through. Wait staff friendly and attentive, though spread a bit thin. Can't wait to return.
(4)
Valerie S.
Truthfully I didn't expect a whole lot walking into this place... It is very small and seemed more like a pizza place where you would mostly stop by for takeout. But I was wrong! Was lucky to be treated to a wonderful lunch here by my boss for the holidays. The service was great! The food was phenomenal!!! Perfectly cooked, wonderful pastas, delicious sauces and salads. Hope to go back again one day soon!
(5)
Erin C.
I am confused about the abundance of super high ratings here. "Best italian on the main line...", frequently occurs in many of the other reviews. Our meal was quite mediocre. My husband LOVES pizza and didn't even eat half of it because it was so soggy and wet in the middle that he couldn't pick up a slice. My pasta dish was ok, but I didn't feel the need to bring the uneaten half home. I could hardly taste the anchovies and olives that were somewhere in my sauce. Best italian of the main line? We will keep searching.
(2)
Abbey S.
Tried Fellini's last night after craving old-school Italian. Multiple vegan options on the menu (yay!). The place was packed, but the hostess worked REALLY hard to get everyone a seat on Saturday night. We had an amazing portobella bruschetta appetizer and delicious sweet and hot peppers to start. The bread is perfect dipped in olive oil and red pepper flakes. We both ended up getting pomodoro sauce over two different noodles. The sauce was basic, perfectly garlicky and delicious. Even though it was crazy busy, the wait staff remembered to omit the cheese for us, which I really appreciated. Definitely will be going back here frequently
(4)
Susan P.
The best!!! I had the veal and it was very tender. The sauce was perfect. The pasta angel hair was made perfectly and the sauce/gravy was all real Italian homemade. Our waitress was very efficient and great personality plus very knowledgable. I can't wait to go back for another delicious meal
(5)
Karen P.
I don't understand why there are so many 4 star reviews. This place is average at best. The last time I was here, I vowed that I would never come back. SIx months later, I wind up here on a Wednesday night with the worst opera singer I have ever heard. He ruined Andrea Bocelli's Time to Say Goodbye. I had to play it in the car to get his voice back in my head!. And to top it off, my pasta was mush. How the hell can an Italian restaurant not cook pasta al dente? Now I can say, never again. Should I end up here again, it's shame on me!
(1)
Scott L.
this place is freaking awesome. honestly, i thought i would never experience better italian food than in my mommom's kitchen growing up. this place (sorry mommom) - is better. it's SO GOOD. i've never had a bad thing on the menu. some things to definitely try - the frutti di mar pasta. the shrimp fra diavolo pasta (and app), and by far, the BEST THING ON THE MENU - the sausage/peppers/meatballs antipasta. it's seriously the best dish i've ever had in a restaurant, EVER. if i was on that show "the best thing i ever ate" - this would be it, hands down. my mouth is watering just thinking about it. also, don't scimp on dessert. bring a canoli home if you have to, also the best canoli i have ever had. i think if you get a canoli at the restaurant though - 2 come in an order and it's about the same price, and they do it all up with chocolate sauce and powdered sugar..mmmmm the place is usually packed, but they'll usually seat you right away. frankie greets everyone at the door and he's the man. all the waitresses/runners are all real nice and always pretty efficient, even when the place is busy. i'm pretty sure it's all family though so give them a little break. sometimes its only a few people for the entire restaurant, and they work their butts off. i guarantee this place will not dissapoint. please give it a shot and take away business from the other stupid BYOB italian place next door (LAME) - oh and yeah that reminds me, this is BYOB if you haven't guessed, which is always nice. love you fellinis!
(5)
Brian M.
Ok I think I've finally figured out how to dine at Fellini's Cafe in Berwyn. By-pass the regular menu entrees and always go with one of the specials. The specials never seem to disappoint! As always the service is a perfect mix of friendly and professional. And the bread is great.
(4)
Wamis S.
Love this place! Amazing Italian food, very cozy setting and a great value. Gets very busy so I would highly recommend making reservations.
(5)
Erin A.
Very good, authentic Italian food and the feel of the place isn't that of a chain restaurant.
(5)
Joanna W.
Came here on a Friday night and had made a reservation. We still had to wait 30 minutes. That's how good this place is. The food was amazing from the balsamic dressing with a sweet-tangy twist to the Mediterranean sea bass special, and finally, the triple chocolate cake with the most perfect, light-as-air, but rich-as-cream frosting. MMmmMM. Pros: Huge menu, delicious homemade meals, and incredibly knowledgeable and dedicated wait staff. Cons: barely room for anyone to move, long wait.
(4)
Irene J.
i love visiting fellini's with friends! it's loud, crowded, but ever so delicious! often times other parties are seated at your table, creating a very cozy, intimate space. the staff are as accommodating as possible--they once sat our party of 20 within 15 minutes! the food is always fantastic--i've never had anything i didn't like. i especially enjoy their pasta dishes with mussels. fellini's is definitely a main line favorite and have yet to see someone leave the restaurant not smiling!
(5)
Tony R.
I've enjoyed take out from here several times and each time the service has been excellent as was the food.
(4)
Matt K.
On this night I ordered the special veal chop. Not on the menu. The most expensive item on the menu was 19.95. The veal chop was 38.95. Not disclosed beforehand. Sure, I could have asked, but they could have told me also. Money isn't the issue here. Deception is. I politely discussed this with the owner who wouldn't back down, but of course I should have expected that. The food was decent, not the best on the Main Line, but ok enough. The veal was cooked nicely, but the accompanying peppers and mushrooms had little to add to the dish. The caesar-like salad was so different it intrigued me. They put a meatball on top and lots of grated parmesan. It was filling and good, but a little heavy on the vinegar in the salad dressing. I contemplated a 1 rating because I was very unhappy with the shock of the bill, but that probably isn't fair for what was perhaps a simple misunderstanding. But customers appreciate it when a restaurant is more forthright.
(3)
Tim D.
Just ate there last night. The food was excellent but the experience was horrible. Arrived for our 7:30 pm reservation. Did not have a hostess to check in. Had to elbow our way to the counter. Still no one cared to check us in. Must have been 15-20 people waiting for tables, some in the unheated "hall of shame". Finally we spoke with an employee who said we would have to wait at LEAST 25 minutes for a table, for which we had a reservation! Sorry, but this is NOT the correct way to run a business. Some may say "Oh, its just Frankies". I say that Frankie could give a s*** about the customer.
(3)
B E.
This is the BEST and ONLY Fellini's in the area (the other one's have no relationship with this one). Here you get the "real deal" from Frankie, Victoria and everyone else. The pizza is the BEST on the main line---really---love the old-fashioned mozzarella with "extra" cheese. Their salmon with the freshest veggies is a dream, as are the pasta dishes. Service is excellent---they give complimentary plates of brushetta at dinner---and no corkage fee (it is a BYOB). Go and enjoy---we come 30 mins by car for the food and for Frankie himself (a gem). But watch out for the busy times like Fri. and Sat. eves (we avoid crowds as we like to go early and enjoy life/food).
Random Monday night. Place is packed. This is a good sign. In a small (and I mean small) strip, you will find Frankie's. Inside, you will probably find Frankie working behind the bar, which is where I sat. I was immediately greeted by a friendly waitress who told me about the specials and promptly delivered some freshly baked loaf bread and oil. Frankie offered up a few slices of cheese he was cutting and munching on himself. I went with the short rib on linguini, which was very good. The waitress had talked me into when she said, "The short ribs cook down and make their own gravy." It was as good as described. I went through half a loaf sopping up the juices. What a great place. Atmosphere. Good food. Great service. What more could you want?
(4)
Andrew V.
Fantastic home made traditional Italian food! You cannot go wrong with anything on the menu. I would be here for days if I had to recommend specific dishes. However I will tell you that they are byob so bring the wine and get ready to be friendly with your neighbors. If you like quiet and personal space this is not for you. But if you like friendly people and don't mind meeting new friends then go eat there!
(5)
Peter M.
Eggplant parm was to die for, some of the best I have ever had. Staff was friendly and welcoming to a traveler such as myself while filled with locals.
(4)
Jenna G.
Sooooo good. Chicken parm is to die for! Bruschetta is amazing!!! The tomato and mozzarella salad is usually really good but the last time I ordered it to go the tomatoes were super hard. Not ripe at all :-( . It's usually Good though.
(4)
Paul B.
Quit debating with yourself and just go. If Italian sounds good start the car and drive toward Berwyn now. Oh, and bring some good wine.
(5)
Jac T.
My family is obsessed with this place and we have a variety of taste pallets. The bread is from Brooklyn (yum) and the Caesar salad is amazing. It's BYOB, small but not too loud. You have to get the gnocchi with pesto sauce. Apparently the meatballs in the Sunday sauce are the best ever (I'm a vegetarian). Another popular dish in my family is the tuna special. Frank is very nice and the service is great!
(5)
Franco B.
Not sure why this gets such good ratings. They give you lots but the quality of the food is not worth the prices they charge.
(3)
Nope M.
The food is delicious. The portions are big. The service is good. The restaurant is way too cramped, especially if you have a large party. If you don't like that, get take out. It's worth it.
(5)
Nelly H.
Gourmet take-out... for dinner at home or potluck! When I don't feel like cooking, this is my "go to" place. Food is fresh and flavorful. It's great to have the option for gourmet Italian take-out. I have also used them when in a pinch for bringing a dish to a potluck dinner (i.e. work night). A tray of Bruschetta is always a big hit!
(4)
Kate K.
Great service and huge menu options. Portions are generous. Plenty of bread for dipping at the table. There are a few tables outside too. I had the Sicilian grilled tuna steak served over linguini. Light chunky tomato sauce with capers and black olives. I could only eat half. BYOB- gotta love that. Definitely worth a trip.
(4)
Chris D.
Was planning on writing this review from my hotel room last night after returning from dinner at Fellini but I fell into a dazed food coma and never even cracked open the laptop cover ... It's places like this that are the reason I started using Yelp. I have a tendency to parachute into strange cities on biz trips for short periods of time and finding non-hotel food, booze & espresso options is always at the top of the list. So far Yelp has led me to great places in many many cities and it's always great to find good local places where one does not feel out of place eating solo. Didn't really like the food options recommended by the hotel front desk so I fired up Yelp. Fellini was just a few miles away ... Arrived around 7ish on a Monday night and the place was *packed* but later learned that it was a couple of larger groups and Mondays are not normally that busy. Ate at the bar packed with regulars. Met the owner who was very friendly. After he found out I was a biz traveler staying in a hotel he passed me some takeout menus to leave at the front desk! Started with a ginormous Cesar salad that spanned an entire dinner plate and then had a plate of penne in olive oil with garlic, sausage, broccoli and sun dried tomatoes. Found out later that some older regulars at the bar had been sharing a BYOB wine bottle and taking bets on my chances of finishing both large plates. I managed to surprise them (and myself) by cleaning both plates. Took a few minutes to settle myself and ended the night with an excellent double espresso and a take-home canoli. Everything was just excellent. Drove myself back to the hotel and basically fell into a food coma. My trip out here might last a full week and if it does I'll certainly be back another night.
(4)
Mary Beth H.
Whenever I ask my husband where he wants to go out to eat for Italian food on the Main LIne, he says Frankie's Fellini Cafe. The food is great. It's a BYOB so no large bill for wine or drinks and the prices are reasonable. We live in Bryn Mawr but still take the time to drive to Berwyn for this gem. It is good to go early to avoid crowds and this is not for quiet ambience.Still Frankie always welcomes us and his pastas and fish are top notch! If you want quiet and romantic, this is probably not the place for you. If you are hungry you will come again and again like we do. Take home a couple of Canoli and if you have room after eating your main course try Frankie's special ice cream dish.
(4)
Miguel G.
Had a very busy day this past Saturday, ended up in this place for the eveningcap. It's a byob so make sure if you're of age to bring something, preferably wine from Italy to go with the theme. It's located in a very unassuming building right off the side of lancaster. Actually thinking about, Berywn in general just has that old quaint feel to it. The place has it's own lot to park that it shares with a pizza shop as well as a dedicated traffic light, which is always a plus but seems a bit excessive for just two to three businesses. Good: On to the dining experience, my girlfriend and I walked in to this place without a reservation at around 5. We were very lucky (this eventually became a problem later on) to have gotten seats because the place got super packed while we were dining. If one is so inclined, they also have outdoor seating for the warmer days. Okay now really on to the food, we started off with the arugula parmigiana salad. Enough for two!!! Wonderful!! Okay, the salad was simple, fresh, and deliciouso. The bread that was complimentary tasted complimentary, it was allllright. The olive oil on the table did taste good however. Be prepared to feel cozy by the way, the tables are about a foot from each other, can one say fire hazard? Be prepared to make new friends, also if one is hefty it might be difficult to maneuver around the establishment. Wow, this review is so in-cohesive, o well. Continuing on with the food, (man this is dragging out) the main entrees we ordered were, linguini alle cozze and tagliatelle Fellini. The fellini was so fresh, the fresh herbs were heavenly. My girlfriend was extremely pleased with the amount of food she received, something like 30 mussels on her plate plus the rest of the dish. The main reason this place gets a four is because of the cannolis. I have been to some of the best places on the North End of Bosoton as well as some of the best cannoli places in the Bronx as well. This place has better cream than any place that I have ever been to. It however is not the best all purpose cannoli because the bread was to hard for my liking and was not as fresh as the cream. Bad: I felt bad for the waitress. This place is family owned by a mom and daughter dynamic duo from South Philly, love the old school Italian South Philly accents by the way. The problem is that the daughter is the only designated server in the whole place, the rest of the staff were bussers, And they were terrible, most of them were just standing around not doing anything, while the waitress was running all over the place. We finished are meal and it took about a twenty minutes for us to get the check and have it paid off.
(4)
Marie W.
Cute atmosphere and great food! I really liked the pizza crust as well as the amount of cheese they put on it. And the serving size was generous, definitely enough for 2 people. We also enjoyed the insalata preziosa salad, yum! We'd definitely go back if we were in the area again.
(4)
Brian W.
We're blessed with three excellent Italian choices within a couple blocks in Berwyn. Frankie's is the oldest and still the best. Dine in or take out, lunch or dinner, I've never had anything from Frankie's that wasn't perfect and delicious. If there is a downside, it's that the location is very small, the seating is tight, and it can get extremely crowded (with predicable results on wait times for a table). I can understand some people being put off by the crowds. I'll just note that even with many excellent choices a short stroll away (often with immediate seating), there's usually a crowd of locals waiting for a table at Frankie's. That should tell you something.
(5)
Elvin R.
Im not a pasta dude but this people know what they are doing. Really good authentic food.
(4)
Shawn R.
Good pasta and a byob. Has takeout so that is a plus. Don't be discouraged from the lousy parking.
(4)
John D.
I recently moved to the area and have been to Fellini Cafe twice. Delicious, authentic Italian food, warm mom & pop atmosphere and great music playing! Go here! The Spaghetti Alla Norma and Sunday Sauce are especially good. The menu has an extensive list of numbered items. Can't wait to try more of them! Get the Cannoli for dessert - amazing. This place gets crowded, so make sure to make a reservation. And its BYOB!
(5)
Charlotte G.
Delicious food. Service took a long time, as the place was packed. Definitely worth the wait though, it was great.
(4)
Nancy C.
Bar none one of my favorite restaurants everrr! I love Frankie and I love the staff at this small cramped eatery off Rte 30 in Berwyn. Always have a great meal and its very authentic Italian. Make reservations as theirs place is small and you have to wait a while to get a table - sometimes even if you do have a res. But worth the wait in my opinion. Great salads and meatballs and all is always fresh and you have leftovers to take home!
(5)
Daniel B.
Even a free glass cuz the guy felt bad I was from out of town and didn't bring my own. In Philly they've these "state stores" that you can only buy alcohol at, not any liquor store or supermarket. Had the veal chops wow!!! And my friend had chicken cacciatore which was out of this world, both served with amazing bell peppers, grilled vegetables and potatoes. The service And people here are really genuine as well.
(5)
debbie k.
I went to this restaurant with a friend and my mother about two weeks ago. First time there but had good reviews on yelp. After dinner, we all agreed we would never go back. Two of us ordered the special which was a veal chop. I ordered veal parmigan which was just average. The place is very cramped and prices are simply too high for this atmosphere and food was nothing special. The real shocker came when the check came out. They charged close to 40 for the veal chop! The bill was over $120 and this is a byob. I thought at first there was a mistake and then my friend said it was right. We all walked out in shock. I said something to the owner about their specials and why we weren't told about the price before ordering. Her reply was you didn't ask. She then asked me if I bought veal chops at the market because they're expensive. Just ridiculous exchange...would never go back or recommend this place to coworkers or friends. Very tempted to give one star based on food and entire experience.
(2)
Siying C.
Food is classic Italian fare - Spaghetti Carbonara was especially good - and the service is excellent.
(5)
K R.
Food: 4 stars Service: 1 star The staff here is gruff. Our party of four ladies was barked at from beginning to end - nothing about the interaction was calm or gentle. Our waitress had a penchant for slamming plates on the table. She also made a comment about the weight of one lady in our party. And she took our order without pen and paper, and forgot what my sister wanted. Impressive! Our appetizer came out with our food. And we were rushed along to accommodate the patrons waiting in the tiny hallway. So a party of four that ordered two courses was in and out in 45 minutes. The staff should treat customers as if there is no one waiting for a table. Pace the meal. Don't hover. Take the extra second to avoid dropping the plates onto the table. Simple stuff.
(2)
Daniel C.
Had lunch here with 2 guys that work with me. The free bruschetta was among the best I've ever had. The other 2 guys both got a panini, which they both said was very good. I got ravioli which was quite good, in a very tasty tomato sauce. Service was very good. A tasty bread was served as well. I will be back!
(4)
Holly W.
This surprising little gem of a place tucked away in a tiny strip mall on Lancaster Ave. has some of the best bread, pastas and salads I have ever had. Inside it is very cute, the man who owns it or runs it (not sure, he is always there though) is a real sweetheart and all the staff is friendly and nice. Their bread is the absolute best, very crispy outside and soft inside; I've actually stopped in there late afternoon and bought a loaf to take home for a special dinner (they charged $6). I work close by and have gone here for lunch a couple of times and always been delighted with the food - they have the best ravioli, amazing salads (looove the goat cheese one) and great gnocchi too. But here I will review the dinner I had last night. I wish I had a camera to take a picture of the grilled vegetable platter we ordered as an appetizer - so pretty and colorful and beautifully arranged - sweet red peppers, asparagus, zucchini, eggplant and tomatoes grilled to perfection so they were soft yet still firm. I ate so much of that with bread dipped in olive oil that I took most of my entree home! Their menu is huge - I think almost any pasta dish incarnation you can dream up will be on it. It's very hard to decide and just sitting there sipping wine for a bit and watching the food come out of the kitchen didn't help, absolutely everything looked scrumptious! Last night I had the "Tagliatelle ai Funghi Porcini" which was pasta with porcini mushrooms, garlic, cream and onions. Oh my, if you like a deep mushroom taste try this, so good and the sauce was not thick or too heavy either. My dining partner had the chicken cacciatore which I tasted and though I would not order it, it was still very good made with boneless chicken breast with some yummy salty olives in the sauce. We split a slice of chocolate mousse cake for dessert and it was completely delicious, deep dark chocolate cake that was not sweet with a luscious rich chocolate mousse in between the layers and a lighter chocolate butter cream icing outside. I teasingly asked the owner if he baked it and he said it was from Sweet Jazmines (a local bakery, which I now need to check out!). It's BYOB so take a nice wine, the food deserves it. The only negative is how small this place is. With the exception of a few tables in private alcoves, it's mostly European type seating with lots of tables squished very close together so you are practically sharing a table with those around you. Lunch it's very quiet there but at night it is hard to get a table, so call for a reservation. This place is no where near my house but I would go out of my way to go back. Maybe I should give it a four because of the seating but that doesn't really bother me so it's a five, just really excellent food and service.
(5)
Susan S.
I never get tired of Frankie's Fellini Cafe. The food is excellent and the staff are very friendly. The prices are reasonable (specials higher). Save room for desert! The restaurant is small and it gets very crowded so try to arrive early.
The food here is pretty good for the suburbs, and the service is even better, which makes me more than happy to stay in the neighborhood and not venture into the city via the Schuylkill Hellway. The calamari fra diavola has a wonderful spicy bite, and the panzanella salad is perfectly crisp and seasoned. The pastas are all good, not astounding but really quite decent, although I do admit to a weakness for the lasagna al forno, which has a delicious blend of bolognese and bechamel sauces. The paninis are a great lunch option; try the fellini, which has provolone, prosciutto, and peppers. The meat entrees are usually good and while they might not be as spectacular as those found in the South Philly BYOBs, they will satisfy an emergency Italian food craving, for sure. I am a fan of the chicken cacciatore; the sauce has just the right amount of spiciness without overwhelming the other flavors. The service here is great and the manager is very friendly and helpful, which is great for indecisive souls like me. Honestly, if you live in the area and want a good meal, I would definitely recommend this place. You get good food and service and save on gas, which means that you can get dessert. :-)
(4)
V D.
well first of all the place is the size of my bedroom.. After eating here I want to know what all the great reviews were all about.. The only thing good about this place was the wine I brought with me. The service was horrible they were taking the food away before I was even finished I guess to open a table up for someone else being its so small. I got chicken parm... Or should I call it EGG parm cuz it tasted like eggs.. The sauce was horrible seemed like they added a bag of flower to make it so thick. Salad well I'm not gonna even go there but lets just say I had dirt that was better then this. The price is horrible for the food they service.. STAY CLEAR
(1)
Alison S.
Having lived on the Main Line for years, Fellini's has always been a main-stay restaurant for me. Despite being Italian and loving to cook, sometimes you just want delicious food with no work, and this is the place. Always fresh, always delicious and have never been disappointed here. The calamari is my favorite, one of the rare places that doesn't bread and deep fry it to death, but instead served in a delicious Arrabiata sauce. Usually crowded on weekends, but worth it. The parking isn't great, but there is a bigger lot out back and you can go up a little bit and park by one of the churches too.
(5)
Aaron W.
Great service, fantastic four cheese ravioli, plan on returning next time I'm in the area.
(5)
Robert Z.
Love this place, go as often as possible. Have hosted several birthday parties here and always have a great time. The food is awesome and the bread is amazing. The only "caution" is the specials are generally more expensive than the regular menu, so to not be surprised, ask the price of the specials! ! !
(5)
Mary Jo S.
We are visiting from Denver and I have to agree with most of the locals, this is a 5 star restaurant. I review for the whole package and let's start with the wrapping; the outside of the building has a beautiful mural of families from the 1800's in their Sunday best painted on the wall. Once inside you are welcomed, seated, and treated to impeccable service and although we had one main server everyone made sure our needs were met. This really is a BYOB place, even though Fellini serves wine by the glass if needed. Our waitress set everyone up with wine glasses and opened our wine for us and we poured. As the wine was being served that heavenly bread arrived at our table, still warm from the oven. And it continued to arrive until we could eat no more. It was so hard to choose from all the dishes and I just about decided on something when our server came over with the specials and just raved about broccoli rabe ravioli with homemade sausage, so broccoli rabe ravioli is was. It was delicious, as well as the chicken a la Sophia Loren and the ravioli Pomodoro. And for the bow on top of the package.....desert. We were trying to decide on one desert to share when our adorable server suggested a custom sampler of the deserts we had been discussing. As the picture shows, it was wonderful and exactly what we wanted. I am sure in this area of PA, there are tons of small Italian family restaurants that are great but as the line outside the door indicated, Fellini Cafe must be a step above.
(5)
Joe B.
I've been going here for close to four years now and it's been great every time, no idea why I haven't written a review yet. This is the best Italian restaurant in the area hands down, nothing holds a candle to it. The food is excellent, portions are big, and the staff is very friendly. Always listen to the specials they are offering, all of the ones I've had have been awesome. During the fall/winter months a veal osso bucco special is offered, go and get it, you won't regret it; it's better than the ones I've had when studying abroad in Italy. When you are in/near Berwyn and thinking Italian, Frankie's Fellini should be the first thing that comes to mind.
(5)
Anthony P.
great food at great prices. very large menue. the specials are to die for. i had the rib special it was delicious . the dessert are also very good, i love the choclate cake. great family place or great place to take a date. A++++++
(5)
Tanya G.
Have a cannoli - or 2. They are unbelievably wonderful. But before you get to dessert, try some of the great Italian dishes like spaghetti carbonara or sauteed chicken breast with eggplant. The antipasti is great for 2. Get to Frankie's early because it gets packed - and I mean packed - later on. A good place to grab a bite in Berwyn.
(4)
Linda S.
I must write the review over and over so people realize that this restaurant is dangerous for parking due to them taking over sidewalk - with either Christmas Tree that still stands. the food is average, it is a byo and you are crammed in a small room - they have taken over a small 3 store area - one pizza, one chinese, and fellini's. to get to either of the other restaurants you have to go behind cars that possibly could back up - I do not recommend this restaurant - i complained to township and have constantly posted hoping they would see it. They would have much better reviews on here if they were considerate of the parking and not the money
(2)
K M.
Frankie's place is probably the best place for Italian food done to perfection on the Main Line. Even though the name of the place is Fellini Cafe, it is not part of a chain, as stated by a previous reviewer although the name may have originally been associated. Frankie's food is nothing like the other places (which I have tried). I have probably have been there over 20 times and honestly have not had a bad meal. It's BYOB and we usually bring a red and white wine so we can choose based upon what the evening specials are. One of our off menu favorites is the roasted pork chop with broccoli rabe and roasted potatoes. The Veal Milanese with hot and sweet peppers never disappoints. Classic standbys of gnocchi and spaghetti with bolognese sauce work well every time; the meatballs are the third best I have ever had (my wife makes the best, my mother-in-law, the second best). The fish dishes are delicious and someone in the group always orders the mussels with red sauce, which is a definite pleaser. After a very satisfying dinner, be sure to enjoy one of the excellent desserts. The cannoli are hand filled when you place your order (so no getting soggy during the day) and Frankie's pizelle-ice cream sandwich with home-made gelati (three types, the pistachio is incredible) with fresh made caramel sauce (Frankie makes it himself when you order) has you licking the plate clean. Aside from the great food, the service is always personal and Frankie comes out to greet everyone - all feel like regulars and the wait staff are quick to respond to special requests. The place is tight - very much European in its nature (if you don't like people, don't come) - but everyone is friendly and ready to let you know how much they like what they are eating (my wife is always asking about something new that someone else has ordered). Unfortunately, we've had to move far enough away that getting over is a very very long drive, but whenever we are in town, we always stop in for a bite to eat.
(5)
Richard P.
I've been here a few times when in the area. Great Italian food and always great service. Frankie's Fellini Cafe is simply the best! Good for family events, dates, and small gatherings.
(5)
Gina D.
Frankie's is intimate - just like some of the "authentic" italian restaurants in South Philly. You can't beat the selection of entrees and the specials are out of this world. Their desert with icecream and pizelles is the most amazing thing you can eat. It's always crowded on a weekend and small enough that you have to make friends with your neighbor, but that just lends to its charm. We live around the corner so we bring a couple of bottles of wine and limp ourselves home in a nice food/wine coma. The service is as friendly as it gets and the prices are reasonable (especially since you're bringing your own booze).
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Layla N.
The restaurant is tiny, cramped, and you will sit pretty close to others. I love the intimate, neighborhood joint aspect. The service was great, the food was phenomenal. Wonderful pastas and sauces, delicious appetizers and sides. Definitely some of the best Italian food I've ever had. Added to my list of must-eats when in Philly. Whole wheat and gluten free pasta options.
(5)Chris A.
I had a Saturday night reservation. My date and I ate outside. I had the Tagliatelle Alfredo and a side of meatballs. The food was good, but just "good", not "terrific", which it really should have been, considering the price. My date seemed to really like her Eggplant Parmigiana, so that's something. The service wasn't terrible, but it was a tad slow and the server seemed a little... short/disinterested? There was a sense that they wanted us out of there so they could bring the next people in. It didn't help that the seating was a bit cramped. There was nothing overly good or bad about my experience. I just felt that for the price and the hype, I should have gotten more.
(3)L K.
I have to agree with the other low-star reviewers... this is not what the people raving say it is. It sounds like another case of the Mainline overrating itself so it can feel like there is actually a viable "food scene" on 30. Much to my sincere dismay, no overrated review can make the food taste better. We live under 3 miles away, so we tried it based on these Yelpers' fish tales. I even drank a lot of wine, which normally makes me LOVE the food because I am buzzed... didn't help. My husband wasn't as pleased with his spaghetti bolognese, as I was with my eggplant dish (Penne alla Siciliana), but I would still prefer an entree at Giuseppe's or La Porta (both in Newtown Sq.) to this. Giuseppe's or La Porta are definitely decent for the 'burbs, but we have to go to High Note in S. Philly to get good Italian. I realize this is not the same Fellini as the other Fellini Cafes in Newtown Square and Media, but this place is at least on par with those tastewise (if not a bit inferior) and they aren't worth a return trip either. Don't mean to hate on this place, but the reviews really built up expectations for a huge letdown. Would rather the reviews be understated than way overrated, as they are.
(2)Theresa B.
This is my absolute favorite italian place around! I've been coming here for years and have never been disappointed. Be prepared to wait for a table if you come on the weekend, but it's worth the wait and so is the tight fit inside!
(5)Nick D.
Stop reading and go! Frankie's rocks - really busy/exciting BYOB dining room with counter seating available, too. Reservations help, but the staff is super friendly despite how busy the place can be. The food is excellent - classic Italian dishes with great portions. The orders take a little while, but it was nice to not feel rushed. Also, get a cannoli - don't argue with me! Do it! We also lucked out last night: it happened to be the restaurant's 9-year anniversary, so the staff was giving out free champagne and sheet cake to just about everyone - so cool!
(5)Christine C.
Haven't eaten here in awhile and was pleasantly surprised. Party of 5 and everything was very good. It was the BEST eggplant parm I have had in a long time. Really nicely done! Just had the leftovers tonight and it was great as a leftover also. We had grilled calamari and calimari Diablo and both were very good. My daughter really liked her seafood pasta special. The fish special (bronzino) was nicely prepared and the seasonal veggies were also very good. Bruschetta was very good. And my daughters really liked the ravioli in blush sauce. Really like this restaurant. It would get 5 stars if it had homemade pasta . Some is homemade but I think some is not. His gravy is really really good. And the cannoli are excellent. Love it!
(4)Pinky T.
NOTE: A reservation does not mean you won't wait 20 minutes or more on a Saturday night, which was annoying as there is really no place to wait. Once we finally were seated, we had a nice dinner. Great traditional Italian food, hearty pasta and sauce, fresh shrimp, attentive staff. It is fun to watch them work. Fabulous bread. And they gave us a free order of (very good) bruschetta to make up for the delay, which was very thoughtful. Very closely packed, to give it the real south Philly feel. BYOB, which keeps the bill reasonable. We took a LOT home with us -- enough for a full lunch for everyone on Sunday!
(4)Krista H.
Great food and a surprise operatic serenade! We had our son with us - who at the time was 7mons old. The staff accommodated us nicely considering he was asleep in his carseat. We hope to go back again without out little guy who is now walking and wont sit for more than 20mins.
(4)Jenna M.
I really wanted to love this place based on the other reviews but was sadly disappointed when I left. My biggest gripe being how do you NOT salt pasta water when cooking pasta. Every pasta dish was extremely over cooked and tasteless. They said they can't salt the water or over season things because of people with high blood pressure! Um...what??!! My gnocci's were mush in my mouth. They said ricotta gnocci's are supposed to taste like that. I make them homemade...no they don't. That being said, the stuffed chicken was excellent and so was the eggplant appetizer along with the meatball and sausage appetizer. All of which were seasoned perfectly with salt and tons of garlic (so by their standards, if you have high blood pressure don't get it) I wouldn't have minded the cramped eating area and tiny tables if I were in love with my food.
(2)Jake A.
How can you expect much when you walk in and it looks like a close congested tightly-packed pizza take out place? Boy, was I mistaken! Now there was a bit of a wait but that is to be expected when you come to such a location. The wait staff are experienced but I wish they knew how to keep us from being impatient. I was here with a friend and we were so eager to go dive in. When we finally got seated, we couldn't wait. We knew we were going for the pasta and the veal but we were not prepared for what was to ensue. I tried a bit of both and let me just say that The flavors of the pasta and the veal takes one to a whole different level of experience. I don't know what they're adding to enhance the flavors but it was not overbearing. In fact I think it was just right so that you get the best of both worlds. The only downside to the experience was the wait to get seated. Now I know that's not something they can fix easily but I think it's an area they can try to minimize by a bit of reorganization. Or is that just me being too picky and a tad bit impatient?
(4)Mell S.
Went there with a couple of coworkers on a business trip. The food was really good, I had the veal parma and it was delicious. The veal was perfectly cooked and the pasta was really good. My friend forgot his hat there and they kept it, we stopped by the next day and it was in perfect condition. Also, there's parking really closely by. The only reason I don't put a 5 stars is because of the slow service. The servers were nice and thoughtful, but they just don't have enough of them.
(4)N. L.
Overcrowded, overpriced, under staffed. Wait is way too long especially if with kids. The taste is good but to me not worth putting up with the downside.
(2)Lawana A.
We arrived here based on a recommendation from yelp reviews. Small casual place. All tables were taken so the owner who welcomed us at door asked if we would like to sit at the bar. No liquor license but you can bring your own wine. Rustic bread. I had #39 with Italian ham, peas and Alfredo sauce with pasta. Hubby had spaghetti with marina, olives and capers and son had spaghetti with homemade meatballs. All were delicious. While waiting for our dinner we were surprised with an Italian opera singer who was terrific. Service was attentive. We shared a chocolate gelato garnished with a pizelle. Yum! A wonderful dining experience.
(5)Sean B.
Great food on a quiet Sunday afternoon. So, good we got take out for dinner. The service treats you like friend.
(5)E A.
I called one week ahead to reserve one of Fellini's minuscular booths as we were coming for a special occasion. They did tell me ahead of time that they might not be able to get me a booth, but imagine my ire when we walked in behind a party of 4 , (5 minutes before our reservation time) and they sat them at the only open booth? Sigh. It was my husbands' birthday and HE has wanted to eat here for a while. Picture an area the size of your living room. Then put about 25-30 tables in, seat 4 people at each table, and imagine they are all telling you about their grandchildren............at the top of their voices. The best thing about this restaurant is their bread. And that it is a BYOB. Don't expect a quick dinner. On a Thursday night we had slow...............but pleasant service. The day old bread salad (that's how it is supposed to be made) was very well seasoned and good. The beet salad with a creamy dressing had a very generous portion and was also good. My husband had a special of the day, my son a different pasta dish,.also good. But they really loused up on the Pesto gnocchi. It was jello soft, overcooked. We had waited so long for our entree's that there was no way we were sending it back. The creamy pesto sauce was flowing with garlic and was the only reason we actually ate this dish. It wasn't worth taking home the leftovers for this. I will not be returning to this off the chart decibel level room.
(2)Stephen S.
This is a true Italian restaurant. I found this place on Yelp when I was staying at the Embassy Suites a mile away. Everything is made to order and true Italian cuisine. Frankie the owner was there very nice gentleman. I went on Wednesday night and it was opera night hey gentlemen with singing live opera songs. One thing to remember this place is BYOB. Don't forget to order a cannoli for dessert.
(4)Polly B.
We love everything about Frankie's Fellini Cafe and go there both for special occasions and when we are tired and don't feel like cooking. The food is always perfectly prepared, the bread will make you glad you are alive, the portions are huge (leftovers for dinner the next night=yum), the atmosphere is what you would expect to find In a tiny neighborhood in Italy: crowded and often a bit noisy but so friendly. Save room for the desserts and espresso -including decaf- which are delicious. They will fill your cannoli to order. One night of the week there is live opera - I think it is Wednesday now but ask when you call for a reservation. Expect to wait a bit even with a reservation and even on a weeknight, when many places are slow, because once you get there and are enjoying your dinner, you will want to linger. BYOB, and no corkage fee, which is a nice nod to their customers. My favorite menu items include the linguini with clams and a white wine sauce as well as the grilled salmon. My husband always orders a pasta alla Norma because he loves eggplant and I don't, so we never have it at home. They will also adjust toppings to accommodate our daughter, who is vegan. She is a big fan of the grilled vegetable platter. The tiramisu, if you have room for it, is like swallowing ambrosia. Go there! You will be so glad you did!
(5)Steve B.
Stopped her for dinner on a Monday. Nice small restaurant. Service was quick and efficient. They had some things on the menu I would like to try in the future. I had an eggplant parm that was good and a house salad that was excellent. A little on the high side for a neighborhood restaurant, $23 for the salad and eggplant.
(4)Mike D.
Where do I start? This is me and my wife's favorite place for Italian. The restaurant is very small but I feel that it adds to the feel of the small cafe in Italy. If you do not like crowds I would not recommend this place. This is the only place that we will go and tolerate a crowd. We have been here at least a dozen Times and our waitresses have been lea and Victoria, both of which have been awesome. They always take care of us and we do the same for them. Next, the food is great. From the pastas to the sauce and the baseball sized meatballs. We always get the sweet and hot peppers for our appetizer. Goes great with oil and bread. My favorite entree is the grilled veal chop with potatoes. My wife gets the gnocchi with their Rosa sauce. I could sit here all day and go through all of the great things we have had there. For dessert we always get the cannolis either for there or to go depending on how full we are. They say they have the best on the mail line and well, I have to agree. To wrap this up I highly recommend this restaurant to everyone and I will continue to go there for a long while.
(5)Nimesh S.
My wife & I came here for dinner and loved it. It has the cozy feeling of a small cafe in Italy. We are vegetarian and we absolutely loved the bread salad - it's a meal itself. Can't wait to go back and try their pizza during the winter.
(5)Jack L.
We went here for a birthday celebration on a Saturday night. It was very busy and we were a party of 8. (4 couples) Our server was very polite and professional and the food was outstanding. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for great Italian food or fresh baked pizza. I would suggest going during the week as it was very noisy and hard to hear each other speak as the place is very small, but again the food was awesome and the desserts were fabulous. I would have given it 5 STARS if it wasnt for the noise.
(4)Lauren R.
What a wonderful mom & pop Italian BYOB! The service was good--maybe a little off--but the owners are so nice and definitely work hard to take care of their regulars. On a Sunday night, the place was constantly crowded. Like other small local restaurants, the tables are pretty crowded together, so more of a family vibe than a romantic atmosphere. I ordered the house salad and the ravioli with the pomodoro sauce. The house salad was typical--it was really big, which is nice (and probably spurred me to take home more of my pasta as leftovers than I otherwise would have). The ravioli was very good! It was certainly a generous portion. But what stood out to me was the sauce. It definitely tasted homemade (you could tell there wasn't a ton of added sugar). I would go back and order any of the pasta dishes in that sauce!
(4)Mark O.
Terrific authentic Italian. The first place I've been to around the area that could actually compete in Italy. Not a hug place. Service was excellent. Byob. Not super fancy. The meal took a long time to arrive. But that wasn't really a negative or unexpected. They appear to be cooking everything fresh with care. Just bring a bottle of wine and have a good conversation. Every single person working there was polite and engaging. Food was outstanding. The meatball side was worth trying just to taste a real meatball. Took a lot of food home with us and the bill was about $50 for two with two apps and two mains.
(5)Kenny B.
I can't think of anything bad to say! It's that good. Everything we've had has been delishous and the people are great. You must get the buratta as a app! The pastas are so much better than everywhere i've been before. The only thing i would like to see change is the wait but if you call ahead you should be ok. I cant wait to go back.
(5)Kai P.
Our table had the Involtini Fellini, Ravioli con Salsicce, and a tuna steak special. Pasta was excellent (main and sides), but best was the veal and tuna, grilled to perfection and spiced sparingly enough that the flavor of the meat shone through. Wait staff friendly and attentive, though spread a bit thin. Can't wait to return.
(4)Valerie S.
Truthfully I didn't expect a whole lot walking into this place... It is very small and seemed more like a pizza place where you would mostly stop by for takeout. But I was wrong! Was lucky to be treated to a wonderful lunch here by my boss for the holidays. The service was great! The food was phenomenal!!! Perfectly cooked, wonderful pastas, delicious sauces and salads. Hope to go back again one day soon!
(5)Erin C.
I am confused about the abundance of super high ratings here. "Best italian on the main line...", frequently occurs in many of the other reviews. Our meal was quite mediocre. My husband LOVES pizza and didn't even eat half of it because it was so soggy and wet in the middle that he couldn't pick up a slice. My pasta dish was ok, but I didn't feel the need to bring the uneaten half home. I could hardly taste the anchovies and olives that were somewhere in my sauce. Best italian of the main line? We will keep searching.
(2)Abbey S.
Tried Fellini's last night after craving old-school Italian. Multiple vegan options on the menu (yay!). The place was packed, but the hostess worked REALLY hard to get everyone a seat on Saturday night. We had an amazing portobella bruschetta appetizer and delicious sweet and hot peppers to start. The bread is perfect dipped in olive oil and red pepper flakes. We both ended up getting pomodoro sauce over two different noodles. The sauce was basic, perfectly garlicky and delicious. Even though it was crazy busy, the wait staff remembered to omit the cheese for us, which I really appreciated. Definitely will be going back here frequently
(4)Susan P.
The best!!! I had the veal and it was very tender. The sauce was perfect. The pasta angel hair was made perfectly and the sauce/gravy was all real Italian homemade. Our waitress was very efficient and great personality plus very knowledgable. I can't wait to go back for another delicious meal
(5)Karen P.
I don't understand why there are so many 4 star reviews. This place is average at best. The last time I was here, I vowed that I would never come back. SIx months later, I wind up here on a Wednesday night with the worst opera singer I have ever heard. He ruined Andrea Bocelli's Time to Say Goodbye. I had to play it in the car to get his voice back in my head!. And to top it off, my pasta was mush. How the hell can an Italian restaurant not cook pasta al dente? Now I can say, never again. Should I end up here again, it's shame on me!
(1)Scott L.
this place is freaking awesome. honestly, i thought i would never experience better italian food than in my mommom's kitchen growing up. this place (sorry mommom) - is better. it's SO GOOD. i've never had a bad thing on the menu. some things to definitely try - the frutti di mar pasta. the shrimp fra diavolo pasta (and app), and by far, the BEST THING ON THE MENU - the sausage/peppers/meatballs antipasta. it's seriously the best dish i've ever had in a restaurant, EVER. if i was on that show "the best thing i ever ate" - this would be it, hands down. my mouth is watering just thinking about it. also, don't scimp on dessert. bring a canoli home if you have to, also the best canoli i have ever had. i think if you get a canoli at the restaurant though - 2 come in an order and it's about the same price, and they do it all up with chocolate sauce and powdered sugar..mmmmm the place is usually packed, but they'll usually seat you right away. frankie greets everyone at the door and he's the man. all the waitresses/runners are all real nice and always pretty efficient, even when the place is busy. i'm pretty sure it's all family though so give them a little break. sometimes its only a few people for the entire restaurant, and they work their butts off. i guarantee this place will not dissapoint. please give it a shot and take away business from the other stupid BYOB italian place next door (LAME) - oh and yeah that reminds me, this is BYOB if you haven't guessed, which is always nice. love you fellinis!
(5)Brian M.
Ok I think I've finally figured out how to dine at Fellini's Cafe in Berwyn. By-pass the regular menu entrees and always go with one of the specials. The specials never seem to disappoint! As always the service is a perfect mix of friendly and professional. And the bread is great.
(4)Wamis S.
Love this place! Amazing Italian food, very cozy setting and a great value. Gets very busy so I would highly recommend making reservations.
(5)Erin A.
Very good, authentic Italian food and the feel of the place isn't that of a chain restaurant.
(5)Joanna W.
Came here on a Friday night and had made a reservation. We still had to wait 30 minutes. That's how good this place is. The food was amazing from the balsamic dressing with a sweet-tangy twist to the Mediterranean sea bass special, and finally, the triple chocolate cake with the most perfect, light-as-air, but rich-as-cream frosting. MMmmMM. Pros: Huge menu, delicious homemade meals, and incredibly knowledgeable and dedicated wait staff. Cons: barely room for anyone to move, long wait.
(4)Irene J.
i love visiting fellini's with friends! it's loud, crowded, but ever so delicious! often times other parties are seated at your table, creating a very cozy, intimate space. the staff are as accommodating as possible--they once sat our party of 20 within 15 minutes! the food is always fantastic--i've never had anything i didn't like. i especially enjoy their pasta dishes with mussels. fellini's is definitely a main line favorite and have yet to see someone leave the restaurant not smiling!
(5)Tony R.
I've enjoyed take out from here several times and each time the service has been excellent as was the food.
(4)Matt K.
On this night I ordered the special veal chop. Not on the menu. The most expensive item on the menu was 19.95. The veal chop was 38.95. Not disclosed beforehand. Sure, I could have asked, but they could have told me also. Money isn't the issue here. Deception is. I politely discussed this with the owner who wouldn't back down, but of course I should have expected that. The food was decent, not the best on the Main Line, but ok enough. The veal was cooked nicely, but the accompanying peppers and mushrooms had little to add to the dish. The caesar-like salad was so different it intrigued me. They put a meatball on top and lots of grated parmesan. It was filling and good, but a little heavy on the vinegar in the salad dressing. I contemplated a 1 rating because I was very unhappy with the shock of the bill, but that probably isn't fair for what was perhaps a simple misunderstanding. But customers appreciate it when a restaurant is more forthright.
(3)Tim D.
Just ate there last night. The food was excellent but the experience was horrible. Arrived for our 7:30 pm reservation. Did not have a hostess to check in. Had to elbow our way to the counter. Still no one cared to check us in. Must have been 15-20 people waiting for tables, some in the unheated "hall of shame". Finally we spoke with an employee who said we would have to wait at LEAST 25 minutes for a table, for which we had a reservation! Sorry, but this is NOT the correct way to run a business. Some may say "Oh, its just Frankies". I say that Frankie could give a s*** about the customer.
(3)B E.
This is the BEST and ONLY Fellini's in the area (the other one's have no relationship with this one). Here you get the "real deal" from Frankie, Victoria and everyone else. The pizza is the BEST on the main line---really---love the old-fashioned mozzarella with "extra" cheese. Their salmon with the freshest veggies is a dream, as are the pasta dishes. Service is excellent---they give complimentary plates of brushetta at dinner---and no corkage fee (it is a BYOB). Go and enjoy---we come 30 mins by car for the food and for Frankie himself (a gem). But watch out for the busy times like Fri. and Sat. eves (we avoid crowds as we like to go early and enjoy life/food).
(5)Nick D.
This is the best of all the Fellini's in the area, by far. For those familiar with it, this is the same guy who was behind the short lived Fellini's in Havertown (Township Line shopping center). Just about everything here is good. The pastas, veal, chicken, everything. Even the bread is fantastic (I usually have to ask for more). I have had a good amount of things there, but I always end up choosing something from the back page; chicken or veal. Most are stuffed with a combination of prosciutto, cheese, spinach, etc. The sauces that accompany those dishes are awesome, savory and delicious. My tip is to get the side of pasta and have it dressed with whatever sauce comes with the entrée. Can't go wrong. This is a really awesome place. It's very cramped so always crowded, but for good reason.
(5)Travis H.
Random Monday night. Place is packed. This is a good sign. In a small (and I mean small) strip, you will find Frankie's. Inside, you will probably find Frankie working behind the bar, which is where I sat. I was immediately greeted by a friendly waitress who told me about the specials and promptly delivered some freshly baked loaf bread and oil. Frankie offered up a few slices of cheese he was cutting and munching on himself. I went with the short rib on linguini, which was very good. The waitress had talked me into when she said, "The short ribs cook down and make their own gravy." It was as good as described. I went through half a loaf sopping up the juices. What a great place. Atmosphere. Good food. Great service. What more could you want?
(4)Andrew V.
Fantastic home made traditional Italian food! You cannot go wrong with anything on the menu. I would be here for days if I had to recommend specific dishes. However I will tell you that they are byob so bring the wine and get ready to be friendly with your neighbors. If you like quiet and personal space this is not for you. But if you like friendly people and don't mind meeting new friends then go eat there!
(5)Peter M.
Eggplant parm was to die for, some of the best I have ever had. Staff was friendly and welcoming to a traveler such as myself while filled with locals.
(4)Jenna G.
Sooooo good. Chicken parm is to die for! Bruschetta is amazing!!! The tomato and mozzarella salad is usually really good but the last time I ordered it to go the tomatoes were super hard. Not ripe at all :-( . It's usually Good though.
(4)Paul B.
Quit debating with yourself and just go. If Italian sounds good start the car and drive toward Berwyn now. Oh, and bring some good wine.
(5)Jac T.
My family is obsessed with this place and we have a variety of taste pallets. The bread is from Brooklyn (yum) and the Caesar salad is amazing. It's BYOB, small but not too loud. You have to get the gnocchi with pesto sauce. Apparently the meatballs in the Sunday sauce are the best ever (I'm a vegetarian). Another popular dish in my family is the tuna special. Frank is very nice and the service is great!
(5)Franco B.
Not sure why this gets such good ratings. They give you lots but the quality of the food is not worth the prices they charge.
(3)Nope M.
The food is delicious. The portions are big. The service is good. The restaurant is way too cramped, especially if you have a large party. If you don't like that, get take out. It's worth it.
(5)Nelly H.
Gourmet take-out... for dinner at home or potluck! When I don't feel like cooking, this is my "go to" place. Food is fresh and flavorful. It's great to have the option for gourmet Italian take-out. I have also used them when in a pinch for bringing a dish to a potluck dinner (i.e. work night). A tray of Bruschetta is always a big hit!
(4)Kate K.
Great service and huge menu options. Portions are generous. Plenty of bread for dipping at the table. There are a few tables outside too. I had the Sicilian grilled tuna steak served over linguini. Light chunky tomato sauce with capers and black olives. I could only eat half. BYOB- gotta love that. Definitely worth a trip.
(4)Chris D.
Was planning on writing this review from my hotel room last night after returning from dinner at Fellini but I fell into a dazed food coma and never even cracked open the laptop cover ... It's places like this that are the reason I started using Yelp. I have a tendency to parachute into strange cities on biz trips for short periods of time and finding non-hotel food, booze & espresso options is always at the top of the list. So far Yelp has led me to great places in many many cities and it's always great to find good local places where one does not feel out of place eating solo. Didn't really like the food options recommended by the hotel front desk so I fired up Yelp. Fellini was just a few miles away ... Arrived around 7ish on a Monday night and the place was *packed* but later learned that it was a couple of larger groups and Mondays are not normally that busy. Ate at the bar packed with regulars. Met the owner who was very friendly. After he found out I was a biz traveler staying in a hotel he passed me some takeout menus to leave at the front desk! Started with a ginormous Cesar salad that spanned an entire dinner plate and then had a plate of penne in olive oil with garlic, sausage, broccoli and sun dried tomatoes. Found out later that some older regulars at the bar had been sharing a BYOB wine bottle and taking bets on my chances of finishing both large plates. I managed to surprise them (and myself) by cleaning both plates. Took a few minutes to settle myself and ended the night with an excellent double espresso and a take-home canoli. Everything was just excellent. Drove myself back to the hotel and basically fell into a food coma. My trip out here might last a full week and if it does I'll certainly be back another night.
(4)Mary Beth H.
Whenever I ask my husband where he wants to go out to eat for Italian food on the Main LIne, he says Frankie's Fellini Cafe. The food is great. It's a BYOB so no large bill for wine or drinks and the prices are reasonable. We live in Bryn Mawr but still take the time to drive to Berwyn for this gem. It is good to go early to avoid crowds and this is not for quiet ambience.Still Frankie always welcomes us and his pastas and fish are top notch! If you want quiet and romantic, this is probably not the place for you. If you are hungry you will come again and again like we do. Take home a couple of Canoli and if you have room after eating your main course try Frankie's special ice cream dish.
(4)Miguel G.
Had a very busy day this past Saturday, ended up in this place for the eveningcap. It's a byob so make sure if you're of age to bring something, preferably wine from Italy to go with the theme. It's located in a very unassuming building right off the side of lancaster. Actually thinking about, Berywn in general just has that old quaint feel to it. The place has it's own lot to park that it shares with a pizza shop as well as a dedicated traffic light, which is always a plus but seems a bit excessive for just two to three businesses. Good: On to the dining experience, my girlfriend and I walked in to this place without a reservation at around 5. We were very lucky (this eventually became a problem later on) to have gotten seats because the place got super packed while we were dining. If one is so inclined, they also have outdoor seating for the warmer days. Okay now really on to the food, we started off with the arugula parmigiana salad. Enough for two!!! Wonderful!! Okay, the salad was simple, fresh, and deliciouso. The bread that was complimentary tasted complimentary, it was allllright. The olive oil on the table did taste good however. Be prepared to feel cozy by the way, the tables are about a foot from each other, can one say fire hazard? Be prepared to make new friends, also if one is hefty it might be difficult to maneuver around the establishment. Wow, this review is so in-cohesive, o well. Continuing on with the food, (man this is dragging out) the main entrees we ordered were, linguini alle cozze and tagliatelle Fellini. The fellini was so fresh, the fresh herbs were heavenly. My girlfriend was extremely pleased with the amount of food she received, something like 30 mussels on her plate plus the rest of the dish. The main reason this place gets a four is because of the cannolis. I have been to some of the best places on the North End of Bosoton as well as some of the best cannoli places in the Bronx as well. This place has better cream than any place that I have ever been to. It however is not the best all purpose cannoli because the bread was to hard for my liking and was not as fresh as the cream. Bad: I felt bad for the waitress. This place is family owned by a mom and daughter dynamic duo from South Philly, love the old school Italian South Philly accents by the way. The problem is that the daughter is the only designated server in the whole place, the rest of the staff were bussers, And they were terrible, most of them were just standing around not doing anything, while the waitress was running all over the place. We finished are meal and it took about a twenty minutes for us to get the check and have it paid off.
(4)Marie W.
Cute atmosphere and great food! I really liked the pizza crust as well as the amount of cheese they put on it. And the serving size was generous, definitely enough for 2 people. We also enjoyed the insalata preziosa salad, yum! We'd definitely go back if we were in the area again.
(4)Brian W.
We're blessed with three excellent Italian choices within a couple blocks in Berwyn. Frankie's is the oldest and still the best. Dine in or take out, lunch or dinner, I've never had anything from Frankie's that wasn't perfect and delicious. If there is a downside, it's that the location is very small, the seating is tight, and it can get extremely crowded (with predicable results on wait times for a table). I can understand some people being put off by the crowds. I'll just note that even with many excellent choices a short stroll away (often with immediate seating), there's usually a crowd of locals waiting for a table at Frankie's. That should tell you something.
(5)Elvin R.
Im not a pasta dude but this people know what they are doing. Really good authentic food.
(4)Shawn R.
Good pasta and a byob. Has takeout so that is a plus. Don't be discouraged from the lousy parking.
(4)John D.
I recently moved to the area and have been to Fellini Cafe twice. Delicious, authentic Italian food, warm mom & pop atmosphere and great music playing! Go here! The Spaghetti Alla Norma and Sunday Sauce are especially good. The menu has an extensive list of numbered items. Can't wait to try more of them! Get the Cannoli for dessert - amazing. This place gets crowded, so make sure to make a reservation. And its BYOB!
(5)Charlotte G.
Delicious food. Service took a long time, as the place was packed. Definitely worth the wait though, it was great.
(4)Nancy C.
Bar none one of my favorite restaurants everrr! I love Frankie and I love the staff at this small cramped eatery off Rte 30 in Berwyn. Always have a great meal and its very authentic Italian. Make reservations as theirs place is small and you have to wait a while to get a table - sometimes even if you do have a res. But worth the wait in my opinion. Great salads and meatballs and all is always fresh and you have leftovers to take home!
(5)Daniel B.
Even a free glass cuz the guy felt bad I was from out of town and didn't bring my own. In Philly they've these "state stores" that you can only buy alcohol at, not any liquor store or supermarket. Had the veal chops wow!!! And my friend had chicken cacciatore which was out of this world, both served with amazing bell peppers, grilled vegetables and potatoes. The service And people here are really genuine as well.
(5)debbie k.
I went to this restaurant with a friend and my mother about two weeks ago. First time there but had good reviews on yelp. After dinner, we all agreed we would never go back. Two of us ordered the special which was a veal chop. I ordered veal parmigan which was just average. The place is very cramped and prices are simply too high for this atmosphere and food was nothing special. The real shocker came when the check came out. They charged close to 40 for the veal chop! The bill was over $120 and this is a byob. I thought at first there was a mistake and then my friend said it was right. We all walked out in shock. I said something to the owner about their specials and why we weren't told about the price before ordering. Her reply was you didn't ask. She then asked me if I bought veal chops at the market because they're expensive. Just ridiculous exchange...would never go back or recommend this place to coworkers or friends. Very tempted to give one star based on food and entire experience.
(2)Siying C.
Food is classic Italian fare - Spaghetti Carbonara was especially good - and the service is excellent.
(5)K R.
Food: 4 stars Service: 1 star The staff here is gruff. Our party of four ladies was barked at from beginning to end - nothing about the interaction was calm or gentle. Our waitress had a penchant for slamming plates on the table. She also made a comment about the weight of one lady in our party. And she took our order without pen and paper, and forgot what my sister wanted. Impressive! Our appetizer came out with our food. And we were rushed along to accommodate the patrons waiting in the tiny hallway. So a party of four that ordered two courses was in and out in 45 minutes. The staff should treat customers as if there is no one waiting for a table. Pace the meal. Don't hover. Take the extra second to avoid dropping the plates onto the table. Simple stuff.
(2)Daniel C.
Had lunch here with 2 guys that work with me. The free bruschetta was among the best I've ever had. The other 2 guys both got a panini, which they both said was very good. I got ravioli which was quite good, in a very tasty tomato sauce. Service was very good. A tasty bread was served as well. I will be back!
(4)Holly W.
This surprising little gem of a place tucked away in a tiny strip mall on Lancaster Ave. has some of the best bread, pastas and salads I have ever had. Inside it is very cute, the man who owns it or runs it (not sure, he is always there though) is a real sweetheart and all the staff is friendly and nice. Their bread is the absolute best, very crispy outside and soft inside; I've actually stopped in there late afternoon and bought a loaf to take home for a special dinner (they charged $6). I work close by and have gone here for lunch a couple of times and always been delighted with the food - they have the best ravioli, amazing salads (looove the goat cheese one) and great gnocchi too. But here I will review the dinner I had last night. I wish I had a camera to take a picture of the grilled vegetable platter we ordered as an appetizer - so pretty and colorful and beautifully arranged - sweet red peppers, asparagus, zucchini, eggplant and tomatoes grilled to perfection so they were soft yet still firm. I ate so much of that with bread dipped in olive oil that I took most of my entree home! Their menu is huge - I think almost any pasta dish incarnation you can dream up will be on it. It's very hard to decide and just sitting there sipping wine for a bit and watching the food come out of the kitchen didn't help, absolutely everything looked scrumptious! Last night I had the "Tagliatelle ai Funghi Porcini" which was pasta with porcini mushrooms, garlic, cream and onions. Oh my, if you like a deep mushroom taste try this, so good and the sauce was not thick or too heavy either. My dining partner had the chicken cacciatore which I tasted and though I would not order it, it was still very good made with boneless chicken breast with some yummy salty olives in the sauce. We split a slice of chocolate mousse cake for dessert and it was completely delicious, deep dark chocolate cake that was not sweet with a luscious rich chocolate mousse in between the layers and a lighter chocolate butter cream icing outside. I teasingly asked the owner if he baked it and he said it was from Sweet Jazmines (a local bakery, which I now need to check out!). It's BYOB so take a nice wine, the food deserves it. The only negative is how small this place is. With the exception of a few tables in private alcoves, it's mostly European type seating with lots of tables squished very close together so you are practically sharing a table with those around you. Lunch it's very quiet there but at night it is hard to get a table, so call for a reservation. This place is no where near my house but I would go out of my way to go back. Maybe I should give it a four because of the seating but that doesn't really bother me so it's a five, just really excellent food and service.
(5)Susan S.
I never get tired of Frankie's Fellini Cafe. The food is excellent and the staff are very friendly. The prices are reasonable (specials higher). Save room for desert! The restaurant is small and it gets very crowded so try to arrive early.
(5)Sarah S.
BEST Italian ever! I used to live around the corner from this place and we used to eat there at least once a week. I now live in philly where the restaurant scene is fabulous but we still miss Felinnis and make a point to go here every time we're in the burbs! Some fave dishes are: meatball and rabe app, sautéed calamari app, sausage and mushroom ravioli, shrimp fra diavlo, chicken cacciatore, every dish is fantastic and portions are generous!! Go to Felinnis!
(5)Danan R.
The food here is pretty good for the suburbs, and the service is even better, which makes me more than happy to stay in the neighborhood and not venture into the city via the Schuylkill Hellway. The calamari fra diavola has a wonderful spicy bite, and the panzanella salad is perfectly crisp and seasoned. The pastas are all good, not astounding but really quite decent, although I do admit to a weakness for the lasagna al forno, which has a delicious blend of bolognese and bechamel sauces. The paninis are a great lunch option; try the fellini, which has provolone, prosciutto, and peppers. The meat entrees are usually good and while they might not be as spectacular as those found in the South Philly BYOBs, they will satisfy an emergency Italian food craving, for sure. I am a fan of the chicken cacciatore; the sauce has just the right amount of spiciness without overwhelming the other flavors. The service here is great and the manager is very friendly and helpful, which is great for indecisive souls like me. Honestly, if you live in the area and want a good meal, I would definitely recommend this place. You get good food and service and save on gas, which means that you can get dessert. :-)
(4)V D.
well first of all the place is the size of my bedroom.. After eating here I want to know what all the great reviews were all about.. The only thing good about this place was the wine I brought with me. The service was horrible they were taking the food away before I was even finished I guess to open a table up for someone else being its so small. I got chicken parm... Or should I call it EGG parm cuz it tasted like eggs.. The sauce was horrible seemed like they added a bag of flower to make it so thick. Salad well I'm not gonna even go there but lets just say I had dirt that was better then this. The price is horrible for the food they service.. STAY CLEAR
(1)Alison S.
Having lived on the Main Line for years, Fellini's has always been a main-stay restaurant for me. Despite being Italian and loving to cook, sometimes you just want delicious food with no work, and this is the place. Always fresh, always delicious and have never been disappointed here. The calamari is my favorite, one of the rare places that doesn't bread and deep fry it to death, but instead served in a delicious Arrabiata sauce. Usually crowded on weekends, but worth it. The parking isn't great, but there is a bigger lot out back and you can go up a little bit and park by one of the churches too.
(5)Aaron W.
Great service, fantastic four cheese ravioli, plan on returning next time I'm in the area.
(5)Robert Z.
Love this place, go as often as possible. Have hosted several birthday parties here and always have a great time. The food is awesome and the bread is amazing. The only "caution" is the specials are generally more expensive than the regular menu, so to not be surprised, ask the price of the specials! ! !
(5)Mary Jo S.
We are visiting from Denver and I have to agree with most of the locals, this is a 5 star restaurant. I review for the whole package and let's start with the wrapping; the outside of the building has a beautiful mural of families from the 1800's in their Sunday best painted on the wall. Once inside you are welcomed, seated, and treated to impeccable service and although we had one main server everyone made sure our needs were met. This really is a BYOB place, even though Fellini serves wine by the glass if needed. Our waitress set everyone up with wine glasses and opened our wine for us and we poured. As the wine was being served that heavenly bread arrived at our table, still warm from the oven. And it continued to arrive until we could eat no more. It was so hard to choose from all the dishes and I just about decided on something when our server came over with the specials and just raved about broccoli rabe ravioli with homemade sausage, so broccoli rabe ravioli is was. It was delicious, as well as the chicken a la Sophia Loren and the ravioli Pomodoro. And for the bow on top of the package.....desert. We were trying to decide on one desert to share when our adorable server suggested a custom sampler of the deserts we had been discussing. As the picture shows, it was wonderful and exactly what we wanted. I am sure in this area of PA, there are tons of small Italian family restaurants that are great but as the line outside the door indicated, Fellini Cafe must be a step above.
(5)Joe B.
I've been going here for close to four years now and it's been great every time, no idea why I haven't written a review yet. This is the best Italian restaurant in the area hands down, nothing holds a candle to it. The food is excellent, portions are big, and the staff is very friendly. Always listen to the specials they are offering, all of the ones I've had have been awesome. During the fall/winter months a veal osso bucco special is offered, go and get it, you won't regret it; it's better than the ones I've had when studying abroad in Italy. When you are in/near Berwyn and thinking Italian, Frankie's Fellini should be the first thing that comes to mind.
(5)Anthony P.
great food at great prices. very large menue. the specials are to die for. i had the rib special it was delicious . the dessert are also very good, i love the choclate cake. great family place or great place to take a date. A++++++
(5)Tanya G.
Have a cannoli - or 2. They are unbelievably wonderful. But before you get to dessert, try some of the great Italian dishes like spaghetti carbonara or sauteed chicken breast with eggplant. The antipasti is great for 2. Get to Frankie's early because it gets packed - and I mean packed - later on. A good place to grab a bite in Berwyn.
(4)Linda S.
I must write the review over and over so people realize that this restaurant is dangerous for parking due to them taking over sidewalk - with either Christmas Tree that still stands. the food is average, it is a byo and you are crammed in a small room - they have taken over a small 3 store area - one pizza, one chinese, and fellini's. to get to either of the other restaurants you have to go behind cars that possibly could back up - I do not recommend this restaurant - i complained to township and have constantly posted hoping they would see it. They would have much better reviews on here if they were considerate of the parking and not the money
(2)K M.
Frankie's place is probably the best place for Italian food done to perfection on the Main Line. Even though the name of the place is Fellini Cafe, it is not part of a chain, as stated by a previous reviewer although the name may have originally been associated. Frankie's food is nothing like the other places (which I have tried). I have probably have been there over 20 times and honestly have not had a bad meal. It's BYOB and we usually bring a red and white wine so we can choose based upon what the evening specials are. One of our off menu favorites is the roasted pork chop with broccoli rabe and roasted potatoes. The Veal Milanese with hot and sweet peppers never disappoints. Classic standbys of gnocchi and spaghetti with bolognese sauce work well every time; the meatballs are the third best I have ever had (my wife makes the best, my mother-in-law, the second best). The fish dishes are delicious and someone in the group always orders the mussels with red sauce, which is a definite pleaser. After a very satisfying dinner, be sure to enjoy one of the excellent desserts. The cannoli are hand filled when you place your order (so no getting soggy during the day) and Frankie's pizelle-ice cream sandwich with home-made gelati (three types, the pistachio is incredible) with fresh made caramel sauce (Frankie makes it himself when you order) has you licking the plate clean. Aside from the great food, the service is always personal and Frankie comes out to greet everyone - all feel like regulars and the wait staff are quick to respond to special requests. The place is tight - very much European in its nature (if you don't like people, don't come) - but everyone is friendly and ready to let you know how much they like what they are eating (my wife is always asking about something new that someone else has ordered). Unfortunately, we've had to move far enough away that getting over is a very very long drive, but whenever we are in town, we always stop in for a bite to eat.
(5)Richard P.
I've been here a few times when in the area. Great Italian food and always great service. Frankie's Fellini Cafe is simply the best! Good for family events, dates, and small gatherings.
(5)Gina D.
Frankie's is intimate - just like some of the "authentic" italian restaurants in South Philly. You can't beat the selection of entrees and the specials are out of this world. Their desert with icecream and pizelles is the most amazing thing you can eat. It's always crowded on a weekend and small enough that you have to make friends with your neighbor, but that just lends to its charm. We live around the corner so we bring a couple of bottles of wine and limp ourselves home in a nice food/wine coma. The service is as friendly as it gets and the prices are reasonable (especially since you're bringing your own booze).
(5)