Victor Cafe Menu

  • Antipasta
  • Pasta
  • Pesci
  • Carni
  • Contorni
  • Beer
  • White
  • Red

Healthy Meal suggestions for Victor Cafe

  • Antipasta
  • Pasta
  • Pesci
  • Carni
  • Contorni
  • Beer
  • White
  • Red

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant blood pressure menu details.

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.

  • Dan C.

    When I heard "live opera singers serving dinner"....in South Philly, I must admit I was worried, very worried. But, upon entering Victor Cafe, one is confronted with a very friendly staff and a very cozy space with lots of charm. I will admit, the service was average and the food was slightly above average Italian, the opera singing was amazing. The servers are all trained in singing opera, like opera, opera. Throughout the dinner, they would turn down the, err, opera, and play an opera song without the lyrics, the singer would explain the song, and then begin to belt it out. This sounds like it would be a disruption, but they were so talented that they drew you in and it enhanced the dynamic at our table and our overall dining experience. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Victor Cafe.

    (4)
  • Michael K.

    I had dinner there this past weekend for the first time and all I can say is WOW! The food was your typical Italian food but the singing wait staff make it quite the experience. I would definitely go there again. In fact we are going there again this weekend to celebrate my brother's wedding anniversary. Make sure you try their mussels they are truly outstanding.

    (4)
  • Jennie C.

    Was quite intrigued by the concept of waiters breaking out in arias during service, so went with a friend one day. Cute space, not too crowded on a weeknight. Pesto was interesting...not your usual basil pesto...Ordered the vodka sauce penne, well balanced, full-flavored, al dente pasta. Friend had the seafood pasta, which was light and yummy (I'll be getting that next time!) And the arias were a nice bonus too!

    (4)
  • Erin G.

    First off, this is the neatest little building, a class act old-style kind of place that kind of makes you feel like a movie star in an old movie. Not because it's fancy, but because it's full of character. I love a place that has covered every available wall space with photos and pictures and paintings! And the tin ceiling is lovely. The food is pretty good, classic Italian dishes and a surprising number of vegetarian options, but you really go to Victor for the atmosphere - the wait staff breaking into song every few minutes. I took my parents, who were visiting from out of town, and they could truly say they'd never been to any place like it! I will say that I had to waiver on stars, though, because our waiter really wasn't good. He didn't have the specials memorized, he always seemed rushed, and in an entire dinner service he never removed the used (and discarded) glassware from the side of our table. It's a crowded space, and we really could have used the elbow space. The wait staff have so much to do - with the singing, and cuing each others music, and the night we were there, seemingly managing the place and serving as hosts/hostesses, its hard to blame them for not being more attentive. That said, the OTHER wait staff were very helpful, and eventually cleared our table, so maybe our waiter was just the worst of the crop. So it goes. Definitely a memorable place for a date or entertaining, I'd go back.

    (4)
  • John B.

    The setting and singing were good but the service was very slow. I understand the staff is part of the entertainment but it took 20 minutes to get bread after being seated and it was not refilled the entire dinner. I also feel this is not the place for small children since the singers can not be heard over a child playing at the table.

    (2)
  • Timothy P.

    My wife and I recently came to Victors for our anniversary. What a great spot! We had never been at Victor's before, but I had a good vibe from the moment I called for a reservation, and was greeted with a friendly, pleasant host who took my reservation and promised that the restaurant would do something nice for our anniversary. The restaurant itself is great- small, cozy, with a definite 'lived in' decor- you can tell this place has been here for a while. Our waiter was friendly and attentive, as was all of the wait staff that we interacted with. The waiters and waitresses would take turns singing opera, and we ended up at a table right near where they sing, which was a nice treat. The staff is also very laid back- substitutions are not greeted with a sneer, and the staff are not territorial about their tables- if one waiter notices that another table needs something, they'll overlap service to keep the customers happy. My wife and I ended up being at the restaurant for a while after most everyone else had left, and the staff seemed to genuinely enjoy each other's company- looking back at their approach to service, they really operate as a team, rather than as an 'everyone for themselves' approach so common in many restaurants. The food was great. I had the lasagna, which was definitely 'home style'- tasty, and none of the ingredients overpowered any of the others. My wife had the Pomodoro & Basilico (with chicken) pasta dish which she loved. Overall, it was a really good meal- we left the restaurant full, but not stuffed. Quick tip- definitely get the Caesar salad as an appetizer. The cheese they use really makes the salad work. Before dessert, one of the waiters sang a song to my wife and I for our anniversary, which was a really nice treat. Dessert was tiramisu- yummy and light, which made a nice ending to our meal. I'd definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for an intimate location for special occasions.

    (5)
  • Meghan D.

    Contrary to some of the other reviews for Victor Cafe, I had a great experience there and would highly recommend it! I found the food and the opera singing absolutely wonderful. I felt like we were at a dinner theatre with front row seats! The opera singing was breath taking. I could literally feel the song moving through me, it was awesome! I'm not typically an opera kind of gal, but WOW! These waiters and waitresses are SERIOUSLY talented. The food was great, classic Italian that had been slightly updated. I had the butternut squash gnocchi with prosciutto sauce which was amazing, and every other person in my party really enjoyed their meal too. Also, please note that we were a party of DeFrancesco's and Ianucci's, so we may not be "foodie" experts but we know good Italian food when we taste it! :) The one thing I do have to say about the restaurant is that our service was not phenomenal, and our waiter seemed somewhat annoyed by every trivial request we had. Although, if I had a truly talented voice like that, I'd probably be annoyed waiting tables too! Overall, it's a really fun, romantic, and unique experience!

    (4)
  • David W.

    If you plan to marry the girl... I've been to the Victor Cafe a total of 6 times. I brought my "now wife" for our first date. I'll cover the basics that most others do but in short: 1.) Food (Between 4-5 stars). 2.) Price: High but that is expected Now the verbose part of the review. The service is one of the best I've ever witnessed. As you probably know ALL of the servers are also Opera singers. About every 10 - 15 minutes 1 or 2 will break into song. During this time everyone puts their fork down and listens. There is some intimate connection that is made when you see your server up their singing their heart out. After you hear them sing you almost feel as if you have a special "Back Stage Pass" when they come to make sure you food is to your liking. To clear up some assumptions. I am a typical 31yo male American. My music tastes are Pearl Jam, Weezer, Red Hot Chili Peppers and AC/DC. This should quell any notion that I am a Puccini Aficionado or prefer my arias sung in "E". The finale of High Regards for this place is simple. I am a nervous person. Taking the most beautiful woman you've ever had a "shot" with on a date is "sweat-inducing". Attempting to make yourself look interesting through constant discussion for 1.5 hours is inevitable to fail... ... but when you have a 5 minute mandatory silence break every 15 minutes it gives you the opportunity to regroup, re-assess and attack! I've been married for 3 years and she is still impressed. :)

    (5)
  • P L.

    Overall, a great place for a meal. Decor is dated and the dining room is cramped, but the food is pretty good. Depending on the dish, the food varies between good and excellent. However, the primary reason you go to Victor Cafe for the wait staff. The singers are amazing. It's quite an experience to have your waiter belting out Pagliacci between courses.

    (4)
  • Eugene R.

    Wow! Went with friends. We had a great time. The opera sung by the waiters was fantastic. You don't need to understand it to enjoy it. The waitress told us the wine list is being revamped, but we got two really good bottles. The food is not the best Italian in south Philly, but pretty good. The vibe was almost that of a dinner party in a private home with entertainment.

    (4)
  • Steve T.

    took my wife for her birthday and i was amazed. excellent food. the singing was very charming. everyone was friendly. i would go again! could be a little bit less expensive.

    (4)
  • Sally f.

    wow. no other place like this...wordwide. my grandfather lived in philly in the 1940's when he was in the navy and used to come to this cafe. He travels back to philly on occasion just to go here! the most unique thing about it is that all of the waitresses and waitors are beautiful opera singers!!! they ring a bell every so often to get the attention of the diners and sing for them!!! its very good. they are also very friendly, as they had to listen to my grandfathers stories of a time "before they were born". fancy food. beautiful lounge upstairs...dont miss it!!

    (5)
  • global g.

    All over the world and years later.... Im still raving about this.. always hoping to run into some from PHL so I can talk about once more. For reasons of comparison let me state that when I put this in my top 5 all time dining experiences this includes on top of snowy mountains where i was driving up in a CAT; eating in the basement, partially submerged tower in the middle of the Bosporus dividing asia and europe - the one from the james bond movie, and in a tiny ole working farm in serbian country side where i petted dinner just an hour before... so seriously this place rocks.. i love the fact that the wood floors always the place to become completely still when they ring the tiny bell, which sits on the floor.. at the sound of the bell and all become still.. a voice of an angel comes out singing an aria or american standar.. simply acoustic, simplly amazing. sometimes before the singing, our staff (opera singers between gigs.. for real) would tell us the emotional story leading up to the song they were about to sing... took my breath away the food does not suffer either.. i am italian, been to italy, and live in the italian section boston... my osco bucco was dead on.. cheese on my salad shaved pefectly and my dessert incredible... the swanky (secret) lounge upstairs is incredible romatic and i swear they pump phermones in there... the owner, who, like myself enjoys the drink was great.. comped up wine and we even stayed beyond close for some special cognacs.. you feel like a movie star in this charming place which goes back to the days of Victor records... yes it comes together now.. I drank this place up with all my sense.... sh-h-h-h dont tell those who would not appreciate it, about this place.

    (4)
  • Dave J.

    This place may be a bit gimmicky, but it's definitely worth a visit. I'm not a big fan of Italian food, and this place is nothing special in terms of high quality Italian food, but there's something to be said for eating above average Italian food while listening to waiters and waitresses sing high quality opera. It's a great place to take a date or out of town visitors that want to eat some Italian food, but probably not a place to get your regular Italian fix. The price is right and the wine selection was adequate to meet our wine drinking needs. The service can be a bit lacking at times, but this is due in part to the fact that they are also singing opera.

    (4)
  • Sean G.

    It's been awhile since I've been in Philly, so a friend suggested we go here to get my fix of Italian food. Where else to do it but in South Philly! I didn't know what to expect, except when we approached the restaurant we heard some signing coming from one of the wait staff. It was nice so I was looking forward to our meal. We started out with the Roasted Pannino Portabello (a stack of fresh mozzarella, tomato, seared eggplant with fresh basil, balsamic drizzle), which was tasty tasty. The entree choice was a toss up between the Pomodoro e Basilico or Ravioli Tita Ruffo - I chose the Pomodoro (Penne pasta with tomatoes, basil, olive oil, and garlic, finished with fresh mozzarella) - good, but not great. All the while we're stuffing out faces, the wait staff breaks into songs - we heard three during our meal - which complimented the atmosphere. For desert, we ordered both a Ricotta cheese Cannoli and a Warm Valrhona Chocolate Cake. I can't compare the experience with anything else I've had in Philly, so I'd recommend the restaurant with no problem - it's charming and has a cozy neighborhood vibe.

    (3)
  • Kristine D.

    About a year ago, my fiance got locked out of the house. We live around the corner from this place and he was hungry so he went and waited for me there. When i got home to let him in, he had a take-out container of lasagna for me. I am not a huge lasagna lover, so i wasn't excited or happy to sit down and eat this meal. It was love at first bite. This was the best italian dish i had ever eaten. EVER. I gave my fiance a bite, and he agreed, and he wanted more. So I waited until he left the room and i polished off the entire container without any sense of guilt. I wanted it all. I can only give it 4 stars since I haven't gone to the restaurant for dinner, but I have been meaning to. My goal is to have dinner here before 2011.

    (4)
  • Jill T.

    Victor Cafe is a wonderful place for a romantic dinner. The servers are so talented, and also really good servers! The food is fantastic, and the entertainment is priceless. I do not recommend bringing children, however, as it can really ruin dinner for those who are intently listening to one of their wonderful sopranos belt out an aria when your child is screaming through the entire song.

    (5)
  • Meghan J.

    If there is one thing south Philadelphia knows how to do, it's Italian food. And Victor's Cafe was no exception. I wouldn't say it was the best Italian food I've had in the city but it is definitely up there on my list. The atmosphere is great and the aria's performed by the wait staff every 20 minutes or so were fantastic! I'd heard the singing was great so I already had high expectations, but they really blew me away. For dinner I had a veal dish that was tender and delicious while the rest of my party chose a pasta entree. We were all impressed. I brought my parents and brother who are not from the area and it was a cool way to show them the heart of Philadelphia. Definitely a great place to take out of town guests you'd like to impress. I will be back!

    (4)
  • Trauts N.

    I thought this was going to be a tourist trap. It most definitely was not. The food was excellent, the staff was friendly and the singing made the evening memorable.

    (5)
  • Jack S.

    This place is amazing! I've always known the place for great Italian food was in South Philly, so I knew the food would be good. I didn't know what to expect with the singing waiters, and the fact it was in the Rocky Balboa movie, but I was so pleasantly surprised and delighted. My boyfriend and I dined here for our Valentine's Day dinner (a day early), and everything from beginning to end was memorable. Nothing was ever cheesy. In fact, the last song we heard actually made me cry. I've never attended the opera, but this small taste of it was so breathtaking and romantic. The food was equally great. We shared clams casino and the antipasto platter--both delicious. The clams weren't drowning in oil, and they were perfectly cooked. I had the linguine with calamari fra diavolo--it was spicy and flavorful and tender and just the right amount. He had a filet, also cooked to perfection. The wine prices were affordable, and the cannoli was the perfect ending. As the host poured our wine, she informed us we were sitting beneath a photo of her great-grandparents wedding. All the more magical. My only negative is that the comfortable, cushy lounge upstairs was not open--but we will definitely be back. Great job! We loved it!!! Thanks so much!

    (5)
  • Maria S.

    Well I just can't say enough about this special gem. I live in Chicago but have been to the restaurant a couple of times. Last night was the best. Our server Sue had the nicest smile, the most gorgeous voice and the kindest demeanor. We were hosting our Aunt and Uncle from another country for their anniversary. The language barrier has caused us some problems in other restaurants--but not here. Everyone was kind, patient and treated my guests like VIP's. For that I am extremely grateful. Obviously the draw is for the singers, but the food is quite good too. I strongly encourage fellow yelpers to visit for a special occasion, Family events were all around us--even on a Monday night. And folks of a "certain generation" certainly appreciate the charm of the place.

    (4)
  • S P.

    Great experience. Neighborhood gem.

    (5)
  • Andrew R.

    Soooo...... My fiancee and I went here for Valentines day while they had a limited menu. This was not a problem as everything was spectacular. I had the bronzino which was the best fish dish I had in awhile and my fiancee had the zuppa di pesce (called frutti something) which was full of sea food and delicious! The bread with the pesto was amazing also. Naturally I give the food 5 stars and wasn't expecting it. Atmosphere was beyond 5 stars. Quaint Italian place really reminding us of our trip to Italy. When going I'd prepare yourself for a long 2 hour meal and don't expect the food to be rushed (typical Italian style). Go enjoy your company, relax and take it all in. On to the music well the opera singers come on every 15-20 minutes and just make this spot a must go for any Philadelphian. Most of the singers are students and hence are closer to professional singers then waitors. Can't wait to go back to this family feeling restaurant and become a regular! Enjoy and my advice is to definitely make sure you aren't expecting your typical American 1 hour meal.

    (5)
  • Mara K.

    The only thing this place has to offer is the singing wait staff. On a recent visit, it was the highlight of the night. The wait staff move like snails, and often appear confused. Getting bread, or a re-fill of water becomes a team building activity for most tables. The food is mediocre, border line tasteless. This is not authentic Italian food. It is a watered down version of the real thing. If you are simply going to see the opera singers, by all means, go. If you are looking for a great meal, it won't happen here. Don't waist your money.

    (1)
  • Jacquelin K.

    Sure, opera's cool and all if that's your thing. The hottest thing about Victor's is the jaw-droppingly posh lounge upstairs. If you have any excuse to be there, that's the place to be. I usually notice families in Victor's for some reason. I wouldn't bring kids here, but whatevs. I've never been here with opera fans [go figure], so the operatic interludes were more annoying than anything. I know, our fault. I surely enjoy the food though. Try the manicotti.

    (3)
  • Lydia H.

    This place is just so much fun! My first memory of the Victor Cafe doesn't actually stem from the experience of being there: my best friend throughout elementary school was taken there against her will by her grandparents for her birthday, and she was absolutely mortified by the fact that she received an operatic rendition of "Happy Birthday" for the whole restaurant to witness. I always laugh when I think back to her adolescent horror, and having been there now I can picture the entire thing unfold. Anyway, I digress. We were seated in a cozy little corner on Friday night for a nice family dinner. Our waiter was very pleasant, and a wonderful tenor! The service was on the slower side; however, every 20 minutes or so, the entire restaurant pauses for one of the servers to sing an aria and there is just no way you can be bothered as it's so much fun. I got the Caprese salad, which was absolutely delicious! They sear the mozzarella and it all comes out meltingly warm which I've never had before (the appetizer has always been served ice cold everywhere else I've had it). Mom and sister split the spinach salad, which they didn't love for the heavy dressing. Dad got the Antipasto, which was a scrumptious selection of cheeses, meats, olives and peppers. For entrees, I got the special: gnocchi with pesto - delicious! They have a nice selection of pasta and meat choices on the menu, and you're sure to find something you'll love. The only downside here would be parking - they do have valet (I think for $18), and then your typical South Philly parking. For those of you reading this that are unfamiliar with how we do things in South Philly, basically any open space goes, whether it be in the middle of the median, on a corner, or up on the sidewalk. We lucked out and got a free spot in a 2-hour zone which worked out perfectly. Give yourself a little extra time if you're driving.

    (4)
  • Paul C.

    Took my date here few years ago for Valentines day. Must say, I enjoyed every moment of it. I had Lamb chops which didn't smell at all...and perfectly cooked....and best part was your server would sing a Opera in between serviing the tables....guys, if you want to impress your date, then this is the place.

    (5)
  • Erin M.

    I admit it. I brought my boyfriend here because he's a HUGE Rocky fan and I found out that scenes from the last movie were filmed in this restaurant (it served as the setting for Adrian's, the restaurant Rocky owned). Initially, that was the only draw. Kinda stupid, I know, but...you don't know my boyfriend! Ha. Anyway. After actually eating here, I was absolutely thrilled that I took the chance. The food was delicious. We did this over 2 years ago, so at this point, I honestly don't remember what we ate, but I do remember that it was so good that neither of us could stop eating and we walked out of there stuffed to the gills! But my favorite part was the opera. What a great setting! The waiters/waitresses were really talented, and I found myself anxiously awaiting each time they would step up to sing! It just made the experience at the restaurant that much more fun and interesting, and it gave Matt and I something more to talk about after dinner. We keep saying we're going to go back to Victor Cafe but just haven't made it there yet. I really hope we do, and soon!

    (4)
  • Eileen Anne F.

    As Philly's off the beaten path "music lover's rendezvous", this restaurant traffics people of all ages. Impromptu serenades by aspiring opera singers, as you dine over time-honored Italian cuisine---I'd say that's a bang for your buck! The calamari FRITTI was up to par to my crispy/fluffy batter ratio scale, while still maintaining a freshness inside. But the Mediterranean bronzino is my new discovery of 2010. I'm not sure if it was the citrus sauce that highlighted the fish, or if it was the fish itself that was so refreshing, nevertheless, my entree was still a catch! My Valentine's frutti di mare was a stockpile of maritime friends...all of which were delectable and delicious. I'm so happy that this restaurant provided the forum for a memory that will last me a lifetime.

    (5)
  • Christina V.

    It's been many years, yet still sticks with me as a memorable dining experience. The checkered tablecloths, the beautiful live opera (Sung by opera students), and the Victor dog above the front door. They did not provide the best Italian food I've ever had, yet it was very good. The wine list was as extensive as a photo album, which they placed on the table. It's a classic experience that the BF and I will venture on our east coast tour this fall.

    (4)
  • CR G.

    Visiting from out of town and went here with two colleagues for my birthday dinner. We had a great time, loved the singing waiter, waitresses and bartender. They all had beautiful voices and it was fun! We shared an appetizer which was awesome! I can't remember the name, but it was crispy filled proscuitto and delicious! I had the mushroom ravioli with gorgonzola cream sauce and it was excellent too. I would definitely go back. Service was good, food was very good, and we had entertainment too!

    (5)
  • Igor V.

    If eating authentic Italian food while listening to first class opera appeals to you then you should definitely visit this place. The food was very good, the wine list was very impressive but what really makes this place stand out is that every 15 minutes everything stops and a waiter or a waitress sings an aria from one of the famous operas. They even sing on request so if you have a favorite area they will try their best to accommodate you. We had people in our party ranging from 8 to 60 and everyone was impressed with the experience at victor cafe.

    (5)
  • Sheryl B.

    Awesome food and atmosphere! Been coming here for years!

    (5)
  • Pamela V.

    I like it because I am an opera singer and there's nothing like helping out singers with a job like this. The atmosphere is great.... but the food is way overpriced and I love lasagna so I ordered it thinking it would be great.... the middle was cold :-( .... but just go for great singing and atmosphere.

    (4)
  • Katie D.

    The waiters/waitresses in Victor are wonderful! Every time I've gone here I've had the nicest waiters or waitresses, who are talented to boot. My "beef" with Victor is because 2 DAYS after we had eaten here last, I got a phonecall from management, telling me that the computer didn't add two meals to our bill. So why did they call? Well to get my credit card of course and settle the score. Uh... say what? You're calling me up 2 days later over $40 from my birthday dinner?? I guess I could think of this call as a belated Happy Birthday from Victor Cafe. Don't get me wrong, I know that we ate the meals, and for fear that they would take it out of our server's pay, I called back and gave them my credit card. But that ruined my vibe with the place. And to add insult to injury, the guy wasn't even super appreciative of the fact that I DID call back. We had had some drinks and just didn't look at the itemized bill and I guess we didn't notice, but I couldn't shake the feeling that he wasn't super apologetic because perhaps he thought that we felt we had almost gotten away with something? Oh yes, let's rack up a bill that we pay, except for $40....we showed them! Mwah HA HAaaa. We may not be "regulars", in every week, but I certainly would have bought more than $40 worth of meals over the next year alone. I highly doubt that Victor Cafe would go under because it lost $40 and I think he called me for the money on principle alone. But now the 4 of us will never go there again, on principle alone. Pssh.

    (1)
  • Jerry M.

    A good place to enjoy dinner. Staff is great and the waiter staff all sang during dinner. The Italian food is ok, but you can do better elsewhere in Phila., thus the 3 stars overall. Valet parking is a plus since parking nearby can be a challenge. Finally the wine list is good, with nice values in their reds. Not a huge selection, but something for every one.

    (3)
  • Sarah Z.

    I was looking for a nice Italian dinner for my girlfriend and myself. This was the perfect place. All of the people working there from the greeter to the servers to the bartender were incredibly friendly and helpful. We were given fresh warm bread with olive oil and butter, and a huge wine menu. We ordered a caprese salad which was served warm and absolutely delicious. Then I had mushroom ravioli in a gorgonzola sauce with tomatoes and pine nuts. It was spectacular. My girlfriend had chicken with potatoes and some other meat...It was not quite as good as my meal. For dessert we shared a chocolate lava cake with ice cream that was wonderful! The bartender was really nice and really took extra time to make the drinks special. The singing was amazing and from genre's that I wasn't expecting (one guy sang from the Pajama Game!). The only reason that I'm not giving this place five stars is that there were some obnoxious kids there. Otherwise it was perfect.

    (4)
  • Cameron W.

    The food/food value merits only a three, but the old-world ambience and opera-singing waiters easily bump it up to a four. After all, a meal in a restaurant is more than just the experience of the food itself. My entree was stereotypical white cream sauce Italian pasta with seafood. I had the clams casino appetizer, primarily because I'd never had a chance to order clams casino before. They were ok ... sort of like a baked oyster dish from New Orleans. But baked oysters are much better than at least these clams casino were. Our waiter sang opera well, but wasn't really very nice to us. Maybe because we weren't locals?

    (4)
  • Meryl G.

    My friends and I have gone to Victor's Cafe as a large group for special occasions over the years. We've always loved it and had a great experiences, but the new owner (a family member who took over) ruined our evening, was such a complete jerk, and unfortunately we'll never go back again. The evening was a surprise birthday dinner for a friend and the birthday girl arrived 45 minutes after all the others had been there. We had a hard time hearing some of the singing, which was unusual. The meal was great, the server was great. We ordered dessert which was brought to the table. The server arrived with our coffee on a tray and at that moment before putting our coffee down asked us if we would mind moving upstairs since there were people waiting for the table. We were shocked and were right in the middle of eating our dessert, but we agreed. We gathered up all our things ourselves which was awkward and made our way upstairs. Nothing was set up for us, we had to stand around and wait for other patrons to leave before we could start moving chairs and things around to make a space for ourselves. The waiter brought up our coffee and at that point it was obviously cold. If they would have handled things differently we wouldn't have been upset. Before we ordered dessert and coffee, if someone would have come over and asked us if we could move upstairs and if they had set up an area for us there wouldn't have been an issue. We asked this woman who we later found out was the owner's wife that we wanted to speak with the manager. It took forever for him to come up and she didn't bother to let us know he was busy, but would be up as soon as he had a chance. He offered us a drink on the house, but my friends felt he should have also comped the dessert and they were also annoyed how long it took him to attend to us. When we spoke to him he didn't acknowledge our concerns, never apologized and made comments about the fact that there were so many serious and horrible things going on in the world and compared to that, our issues in regard to the evening are nothing; and also, next we'll expect him to comp our meals. We were dumbfounded at his callous behavior and lack of people skills.

    (1)
  • L A.

    My grandmother used to go to Victor's in the 40s, and taking her back to reminisce was a treat. I just wish I could say the same about the food. I've been to Victor's twice now. The first time, the food was an afterthought--we were there to enjoy the decor, atmosphere, and of course the singing! It was lots of fun and I didn't think too much about the food. But the second time, the atmosphere just couldn't make up for the bad food and (unfortunately) equally bad service. I must say our waitress, though lovely, should have stuck to singing. She forgot to bring bread, never took our menus away (they sat on the table throughout the entire meal), took 10 minutes to bring our drink order, and forgot one of the drinks. I can't fault her for the slow service since that's probably the kitchen, but yeah, it was slow. As a vegetarian, I had two options: mushroom ravioli (no can do, allergic to mushrooms), or plain old penne with tomatoes, cheese, and parsley/basil. The penne was...just OK. Nobody really enjoyed their dinner all that much, and my mom actually stopped eating halfway through because her tilapia was nasty. I will say that the dessert saved the evening though. Tiramisu was good, pistacio creme brulee was excellent. Don't go here if you're just hungry--go for the experience and the atmosphere.

    (3)
  • Casey K.

    Incredible!-from the food to the music, to the cozy seating and atmosphere. The restaurant is as small as it appears on the website pictures, so its very warm and inviting once inside. Pictures of opera singers (and others?) from years past adorn the wall all around. The waitstaff was nice and accommodating, and were great singers to boot. We heard 4 of them sing over a 2 hour meal. The two of us had appetizers, drinks, entrees and dessert, all for $100-a bargain for the high quality of food and the entertainment. Besides the food being incredible, the portions were not small at all-we had trouble stuffing in those last bites and even had to take some home! Valet parking is available for $10, but we quickly found a spot about a block away on the street. Dress appeared to be casual, but some were dressed up with jackets or suits. Although a romantic place for two, they were also half filled with families that had babies or childern-neither one a negative for us. A great spot for a special occasion, guests from out of town, or just dessert. Very highly recommended!! We'll be going back soon.

    (5)
  • Anna P.

    I just love this place! I've been twice in the past 3 weeks and both times had excellent service and a great time. David and Stephen were both very good servers and crazy talented opera singers! Both my friend and I had the arugula salad and the clams with linguine in white wine sauce.... Delicious! I didn't leave a single bite on my plate of any of it.

    (5)
  • Lexie D.

    We walked in to Victor Cafe spontaneously. Originally we wanted to eat at somewhere but the place closed unexpectedly that day. Passed by Victor and I just decided to check it out since I have bookmarked the place a while ago but never had a chance to. Long story short, I had an amazing dining experience. Regardless of how much I love how all of the waiters and waitresses' angelic voice, I wish they could have had toned it down a little bit. I dont mind my conversation be interrupted once in a while but every 15 mins is a little bit too much of a distraction. The food is great, I have never seen any Philly restaurant offered whole chicken liver linguine. It was definitely the highlight of the night. I love it, I figure some wont because it can be a bit intimidating eating whole chicken livers.

    (4)
  • Aleksandra R.

    Nice place. I like the atmosphere and the drinks and food were good. I was aware that the servers would sing opera from time to time which was nice. What I wasn't aware of, was that the restaurant needed to be quiet and listen to them. I guess that made me a little uncomfortable for some unknown reason. I had two glasses of moscato d'asti, and a glass of water. For appetizer I had the calamari which was different, and tasty. For my entree, I had the salmon which was one of the specials of the day, with spinach. It was delicious. Overall a good experience. They have valet parking which is a big plus, because it can be very hard to park in that area.

    (3)
  • Chris C.

    Just ridiculously good. Forget Ralph's or any other crackerjack place. We're talking: quiet block, unassuming, beautiful decor, great space, giant lounge, good cocktails, excellent food and a waitress who just sang a song worthy of the Met...

    (5)
  • Rob Z.

    What a neat dining experience! A family owned Italian restaurant making great food, with excellent service, and outstanding operatic singing wait staff. I enjoyed chicken livers sautéed with fresh mushrooms, onions, and tomatoes, and then stirred in with linguine. It was delicious!

    (5)
  • Chris T.

    What I did not like and was not prepared for because I never heard anything about this place, is that every 5 minutes another waiter sings opera...........not a place to go if you hate opera like me so I cannot return because of that. The place is very small, but the food was great. Also, the decor is nice in that it has a lot of pictures of celebrities on the walls............AND, if you look up on a ledge, you will see a big statue of Victor, the RCA dog.

    (4)
  • S T.

    Everything was amazing! The food was delicious and all the servers voices are beautiful! We are from Georgia but will definitely be back.

    (5)
  • Frederick C.

    So one of my buds wanted to see this place due to movies being filmed here (see their website) and so we decided to walk from Reading Terminal to here. I have to say it was worth it. This review is mostly for the upstairs bar but we did not expect such a nice upscale setup. I would definitely spend more time here watching more football games with the comfy setup. Drinks were well made according to my friends (I had a beer). But the best part was I had so much to drink throughout the day that I left my credit card here and they mailed it back to me!!!! They are awesome and the 5 stars I have chosen to give is well deserved. Thanks guys!

    (5)
  • LaToya E.

    I went to Victor Cafe with a friend for her birthday dinner and was thoroughly impressed by the night. We arrived and waited in the upstairs area while they were getting out table ready. The area is set up like a lounge with beautiful candelabras, a separate bar and snacks set out to hold people over while they wait. The staff were pretty helpful keeping us updated on the status of our table and even transferring the tab from the bar to our table. Once we were seated down stairs i first noticed all of the photos of the opera singers on the walls and the beautiful ceiling in the restaurant. It would have been nice to be able to put names to the faces on the walls. Our waitress was very knowledgeable about the menu and very helpful and polite throughout dinner. The highlight of the night as many have stated is the singing. The staff here have beautiful voices and it was nice to listen to them throughout the night. It also seemed that every table was celebrating a birthday as they sang Happy Birthday just as much as other songs. Now on to the most important part, the food! I had the mussels in white sauce as an appetizer and the spinach and artichoke lasagna for dinner and I was not disappointed! Every bite of food was delicious and I slept well that night as I fell into a food coma! lol Even the bread and dipping sauce was delicious. We finished the meal off with a delicious tiramisu! I will be back on one of the many visits I plan to make to the area.

    (5)
  • Tony N.

    Victor Cafe is a real gem...make sure when you go you have a drink upstairs in the lounge because it is quite the experience...when we got there we were greeted by Rick, the owner and he was very genuine and humble and took good care of us...the calamari was some of the best I've ever had...the food was very good too...the experience was PHENOMENAL!...every 15-20 min or so one of the staff gets up and sings operatic numbers...and they are ALL incredible...a must see stop in Philly!!!...

    (5)
  • Daniel M.

    "To sing opera, one needs two things: the voice, and the passion- and above all, the passion."-Bocelli. The servers at Victor certainly have the passion. I've dined here twice and thoroughly enjoyed each occasion. While it may seem like a typical Italian South Philly restaurant on the outside, it's much more than that on the inside! Not only is the food delicious, but throughout the evening, the servers will frequently stop what they are doing and individually perform an aria to the delight of all being served. The meals are a la carte, with the exception of special holiday menus like on Valentine's Day. The salads, appetizers, and desserts are all fair game for sharing at the table. The entrees, ranging from gnocchi to fish to steak, go nicely with a glass of recommended vino. The veal parmesan that I had here was really stellar. I've gotten the creme brulee twice, and will certainly order it again!

    (5)
  • Dan S.

    I'm impressed with this restaurant, not only because of their delicious Italian food, but because of their ambiance and their staff as well. If you haven't read already, their servers are professional opera singers. They are chock full of talent that truly touches you while you're listening. I highly enjoy that they sing about every 15 minutes since it gives you time to eat and talk about how awesome their performances are. Some of them put a bit more passion into their performance, but they all have beautiful voices. As for their food, it's a solid 4 stars for me. I'm not big into the style, but they do deliver. I especially liked the Prince Igor, which is a pasta dish with salmon, asparagus, and caviar in a vodka sauce. I could get that every time I come. They also have some nice cocktails and a full wine list for you to try.

    (5)
  • Von M.

    We have been visiting this jewel since 1989 and have been consistently pleased with the food and always thrilled by the music. They have upgraded the menu in recent years to include more contemporary Italian dishes in addition to the workhorses of any South Philly Italian eatery. Standouts include the beautiful burrata with roasted peppers and tostinos. The portion was large enough to share and the burrata will entirely transform your perspective on fresh mozzarella. The Clams Casino and Caesar Salads were gobbled up by the table and proclaimed quite excellent. Our entrees included calamari in fra diavolo sauce over linguine, which had perfectly poached calamari in a well-balanced and not-too-hot sauce and shrimp scampi (our dining companion all but picked up the plate to lick it), The highlight of the evening, of course, was the opera. On a typical night, the singers would perform perhaps every 15 minutes but during our most recent visit, they sang every 10 minutes (or less). There was not a weak performance all night, and we were riveted during each. The world has too few places to visit where both your soul and stomach receive sustenance, and this is one of them. Do go even if you are not an opera fan. We have taken a long series of Rock n Roll fans there and each left as an opera fan, too.

    (5)
  • Patrick W.

    Ate here for the first time last night. Was utterly amazing.

    (5)
  • Sari G.

    Ambience. Opera. Classic South Philly. Italian food. History. What's not to love? The entertainment, the vintage decor, the photos of classic singers, the super personable and talented waitstaff. Fantastic. I have been dying to come here for years. I'm not sure what took us so long as we are only a few short blocks away from this classic. We finally made it for Valentines Day this year. We spend that day with our kiddos and go out a few days earlier which was perfect for Victor. They said that is their busiest day of the year. That and NYE. So make your reservations early if you plan on going one one of those days which seems like it would be a blast! . That and Christmastime I imagine are really fun and festive. We didn't have an issue at all on a Wednesday night with parking or a wait. It was so easy in fact. We were the first ones there with our 6:00pm reservations. That shortly changed and the first floor was jumping by the time we left. They do have valet but we were able to find spot right out front across the street. Easy. We were actually seated at the table Sly Stallone was at a few days earlier filming the new Rocky. The 6th I believe. We just missed him. The photos of opera singers had been changed to photos of famous boxers on the walls behind us for filming. Pretty neat to sit in a film scene. I guess we will have to see the movie now! We sat on the first floor right past the vintage bar. Note the (Victor) RCA dog (hint hint) and vintage record player and opera busts as you walk in. The building was home to a gramophone shop in 1918 owned by an Italian immigrant who settled here over 100 years ago and wanted to keep his love for classical music alive. First the shop, then the restaurant. His family still runs it. Read the full history on their site. Pretty neat. I love this kind of stuff. The huge draw is obviously the live opera. The waiters who are also singers take turns performing arias every 20 minutes. They ring a bell and stand at different spots around the restaurant so everyone gets a front row seat. They choose their own piece to sing. We heard selections in German, English and Italian. I did almost cry during one performance I thought was just so beautiful. You can really get caught up in it all. Ask your waiter their story. Ours told us he had no previous experience in waiting tables and was hired strictly based on his voice and was a recent Northwestern graduate. Interesting. Luckily, he was a great waiter as well as extremely talented singer. Although the opera is the special treat, the food is not to be overlooked... Delish. Classic red and white checkered table cloths and fresh bread with pesto wait for you at your table with candles. Very nice wine list too. I had a lovely chianti which brought me back to Italy. My hubby had a crisp white. My husband ordered the red pepper and burrata appetizer with crostini. Very similar to a mozzarella. Her enjoyed the soft cheese and crisp bread very much. I had them create a veggie filled dish for me and they did so, no problem and at no extra charge. Pasta with spinach, tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, pine nuts. Simple and suburb. My hubby had the gnocchi special in a cream sauce which he also enjoyed. For dessert he ordered tiramisu. He considers himself somewhat of a tiramisu snob and gave this one a thumbs up. We got one to go for our babysitters also. All and all a truly great experience. Every detail. Everyone was super nice. The decor was cozy. The food and singing, fantastic. I say it's a must especially for couples as it is insanely romantic although I really want to bring my girls back. I think they would love it.

    (5)
  • Roger C.

    I love the atmosphere that takes you back to the Italian American atmosphere in the early and mid-20th century. I love the friendliness of the singing waiters and waitresses. I love the singing concept, honestly. However, their execution makes this concept a bit cheesy, cliche, distracting, and as burden as their heavy-laden gnocchi. Calibrate your expectation before you come. If your idea of fun is having friendly waiters or waitresses politely interrupting you every 15 to 30 min from your mediocre meal and your conversations to get your FULL ATTENTION to their singing, this is your place. Not mine though, I find it to be very distracting. No matter how good the music or their singing is, the centerpiece of a restaurant should be the food and the diner's conversation, not the music. The music's role in a restaurant is to complement the centerpiece experience while not stealing the show. Obviously this place has an identity crisis of trying to be a theater and a restaurant at the same time. This is like going to a regular restaurant and I have to stop my meal and salute to every song the restaurant is playing. Why? Are they implying that their food does not deserve my full attention? Well, the food here certainly isn't worth a shout-out. Just to cheapen the whole experience, this place is a birthday cliche haven. We definitely went through six or seven rounds of Happy Birthday song before our guest of honor's turn, so the surprise element is definitely gone at that point. Don't get me wrong. I like the singing concept and it still has potentials. I think it would be better if the singing could be toned down to be more of a background music while diners enjoy their meal. My favorite part is still the old school Italian American decor. It really takes you to a time and space that is mesmerizing enough to forget your mediocre meal. That's how good the atmosphere is, if not for the distracting singing.

    (2)
  • Anthony S.

    Victor's truly is a rendez-vous for music lovers. While I enjoyed my meal here, the food isn't the reason I'll be returning--it's for the experience. The waitstaff are all opera singers, and periodically sing for the entire restaurant throughout the evening. I was incredibly impressed with how talented they all are, too! The food deserves 4 stars overall (but the singing bumps it up to 5!). To start, we had the mussels in the red sauce. They were a bit chewy, but the red sauce had very fresh herbs in it so I enjoyed dipping bread in there after we finished the mussels. We split the pesto tortellini and the fra diavolo. The pesto was great, very basil-y and garlic-y. The fra diavolo was also good, but I thought the red sauce could use a bit more flavor. The creme brulee was delicious, and was definitely the highlight of the meal.

    (5)
  • Ken D.

    If your a fan of opera and good Italian food, you'll love this place. Great place for large groups. Just be ready to listen when the bell is rang, the staff will explain the song that they are about to sing and be ready for some amazing opera singing. The drink prices are a little high but what isn't high these days. I love the history and family dedication to this place. The staff there are very professional and kind. I can't wait to go back.

    (5)
  • YouTakeItEasy U.

    New Years Eve, early dinner in South Philly what more could you ask for? How about Valet parking, they got it. Great staff and Cool decor, they got it. Amazing talented Opera singers, they got it. Great food, with out a doubt. If you never Been to Victor Cafe get there. All of the wait staff are trained Opera singers and they belt out some of the most beautiful Italian opera you will ever hear. The place is covered in black and white pictures of opera singers, with the red and white checkered table clothes, true Italian ambiance. Our waitress Lilly "from South Philly" was exceptional. She was on point for our dinner needs, and the most animated and best singer in the house. We heard 5 different wait staff sing in the hour and half dinner.Truly Amazing. Now to the Food. Italian Wedding and Lobster bisque to start, calamari and portobello mushroom stack with eggplant appetizers. Simply outstanding. Main Course- Gnocchi in a cream sauce and sage, and I had veal saltimbocca wrapped in prosciutto over risotto.The food was exquisite. Dessert- creme' brulee and cannoli, they just sealed the deal. Victor Cafe and Lilly, Thank you for and amazing dinner to bring in the New Year.

    (5)
  • Ben H.

    I made a reservation here for 20 dudes for a bachelor party in April, canceled it, then booked it again within 2 days of showing up... and they were insanely accommodating and understanding. We were by far the least classy group in the restaurant but they treated us like royalty. Oh, and the fact that this is the restaurant from "Rocky Balboa" doesn't hurt at all either. I love this place, I can't wait to go back next time I'm in Philly

    (5)
  • Marissa R.

    I had a really nice first visit to Victor Cafe with two others the a few days ago. I had heard many good things about this restaurant, and we wanted to try it for a special occasion. It sure is a unique place to visit - and great for out-of-towners and in-towners alike... one of those places that makes you stop and be thankful for living in such a wonderful history-rich city! It would've been nice if it was a BYO but we bought one of the cheaper bottles of wine for $36 - though it was nice and tasty! We ordered calamari and a bacon roast-beef type appetizer, which were both pleasant but quite salty. For the main meal - everyone enjoyed their entrees! The salmon was great - not too fishy and perfectly balanced. The veal and meal-sized salads were huge hits, too. For dessert, we split a fresh creme brûlée and had some Frangelico on the side. All said and done - we spent about $180 for a dinner for three - so make sure you're ready to drop a little penny if you do want to eat dinner here. The servers double as opera singers - the main draw of dining here! I wish I knew French or Italian (or whatever languages they were singing in) but it was still amazing to hear all of their beautiful voices entertain the guests between service rounds. Before we left, we visited the top level of Victor Cafe and found ourselves enchanted by an old speak-easy type of bar and lounge. This place is the real, authentic deal, and it's definitely worth a visit to step back into time and feel the history of South Philly.

    (4)
  • Don L.

    Went out here for a dinner for a special occasion. It was my first time and I didn't know what to expect. I started off with mussel with white wine sauce. The sauce was very tasty but the mussel itself was little too much cooked for my taste. For my main dish, I ordered Fra Diavolo Mephistopheles for my main dish and it was spicy, and I LIKED IT! We had a brussels sprouts as side dish but I thought that was little blend for me. As you may aware, all wait staff at Victor cafe are also opera singers who performed during course of our dinner, I think they were all talented so be prepared to be interrupted - not in bad way! Overall, we really liked the experience and definitely I see another visit in near future.

    (4)
  • William F.

    If anyone gives a rating of less than five stars, they did not have the correct experience. If you come to Philly, definitely come to Victor Cafe.

    (5)
  • Jason H.

    The Victor is an interesting place in South Philadelphia. The theme of the restaurant is definitely music-centric, and they have quite a lot of memorabilia on the walls, and in the restaurant. The restaurant was used as "Adrian's" in the movie "Rocky Balboa," and both the inside and outside were seen in the movie. The place has been around since the 1930's, and used to be Victor's Records. You can see a lot of this nostalgia in the upstairs dining/bar area, which is sometimes used and sometimes not. The food is solid, and while I wouldn't call it outstanding, it's still very good Italian. I'd put it on the slightly pricey side for what you get, however. The real draw of the place, however, is their dedication to opera. Many of the staff are opera singers in various stages of their career, or possibly those that are amateur devotees. About twice per hour (sometimes more, it seems) they ring a small bell and one of the staff sings a brief aria. It's entertaining, and something that's not very common, so it's a nice treat. The operatic interludes may not be for everyone, but I've always found it to be an interesting evening, and a nice change from the standard dining scene. Definitely worth a try.

    (3)
  • Jaime Z.

    Food and waitress were good. Performers were very entertaining. Cool space and lots of photos to look at. Fun for group!

    (4)
  • MaryEllen B.

    If you're in the mood to get a little veclempt, or you are trying to impress someone with your worldly appreciation of the arts, this is the place for you. Assuming you like Italian food of course. This place is an historic gem in the heart of Philly and offers unique entrees, fabulous entertainment and lots of ambiance. Don't pass on dessert! Make a reservation to secure one of the better tables for viewing the performances!

    (5)
  • Lauren B.

    It was date night for me and my husband and we wanted to check out a place that's in our new neighborhood that we haven't tried yet. Victor Cafe fit the bill just right. Super easy to make reservations through my phone and off we went all dudded up. :) I started with the pear and blue cheese salad. It was ok. I have a feeling that they dressed it then froze it. The salad was freezing cold and the dressing was almost solid. I was starving so I ate it. My husband got an appetizer of calamari and seemed to enjoy that. We also got a bottle of wine and the first sip wasn't bad but once we kept drinking it, it seemed as though it was right on the edge of going bad. It had that little burn to it, almost becoming vinegar. My husband didn't notice it as much as I did, so I just switched to Chianti (we were having Pinot Noir) and he had to finish the bottle on his own- he wasn't upset about that. I had the mushroom ravioli which was amazing! This dish literally saved the review from being 2 stars! It's that good! My husband had the tortellini with pesto and that was decent, but I definitely won that food round. We both got dessert, lemon sorbet and tiramisu. I didn't try the tiramisu because it was saturated with espresso and I wouldn't have slept, but it looked amazing and that's what my man told me. The sorbet was a perfect end to my meal, refreshing and light. This place is an experience. You're not coming for incredible food. You're coming for the amazing arias and service and music. The food is allowed to be so-so. Just know that going in, and please don't use this food as comparison for all South Philly Italian fare.

    (3)
  • Nancy S.

    I love this place. Talented staff. Fun atmosphere. I've been there twice this month alone!

    (5)
  • J M.

    I love this place mainly for the opera. These performers are very talented and love their craft. I find the restaurant very charming and the staff very accommodating. The upstairs room is beautiful and under utilized. The food is good not great but this place is about the experience , unique to victor and south philly

    (4)
  • Gina M.

    So we had some friends from England come visit and Tony, the father there loved Rocky. So we thought what better place to take them than Victor Cafe! We had reservations but apparently that meant nothing there- they didnt seat us for about 35 minutes after what our reservations were for. Horrible service right there. I wanted to leave then! But then me and my new girlfriend from England shared a calamari appetizer that had so much frigging food on it, it was crazy. It was delicious. And I got a bowl of the lobster bisque and we both ate it! It almost made me forget that i stood there for 45 minutes waiting for a damn table. We also got spinach aioli which.. jesus christ.. was so good. no words. then the singing started. all of my negative thoughts about this place went right out of the window with that one. it was incredible. beautiful voices and talent there. My filet mignon sat on top of a bed of broccoli rabe and some potatoes. The filet was delicious. the broccoli was just okay. Had a weird taste to it. But all in all, it was alright. The wait, the parking (which was a nightmare), and the broccoli kind of ruined it for me though. I'll be back, i'm sure. I just will show up 30 minutes after my reservation time.

    (3)
  • Audrey P.

    My husband and I stopped here for a drink to kill time until our dinner reservation at another restaurant in the city. The atmosphere was so wonderful that we canceled our reservation at the other restaurant and stayed to eat. Not only were they wonderful enough to seat us in without a reservation, even though the house was pretty full, but the meals, service, and entertainment were top notch! Even though we live about an hour away, we absolutely plan on making more trips to the city just for romantic evenings, delicious food, and great atmosphere. We would highly recommend this lovely experience to any and everyone!

    (5)
  • Anne S.

    What's not to love? Stellar music in a lovely, cozy setting that oozes charm. The food was good, but I was so engrossed by the singing that I hardly noticed much else. Wait staff were clearly passionate about their art, which made the experience that much more special. Next time I'll come on a weekend so I can spend time in the upstairs lounge, which looked really cool. Speakeasy-ish. One can never get enough of Victor Cafe.

    (5)
  • Rob B.

    It's probably telling to see a restaurant either when you're the only table there or when they are completely slammed with people. We went early on a super cold Wed night, 5pm, very early for a place like Victor and we were the only table, a group of 7. We were greeted at the door warmly, and the entire evening was sweet, fun, with great singing and good food--spot on service. I had an arugula salad w. walnuts and vinaigrette--large portions, and a chicken breast w. fontina cheese and maybe prosciutto?--over polenta--it was very good, again a large portion! Menu may be a bit old fashioned but everything was well prepared, fresh vegetables in the salad. Bread from a local bakery. Tiramisu for dessert could have used a little more kick of espresso, or alcohol--might have been a non-alcohol version. If you go, make sure you see the second floor lounge area, it's a mixture of design styles, but two people in our party commented that they would like to hang out there for a few hours, super cool space. Lilly, our server, and I should really say opera singer/server, offered us a Verdi aria, something about a princess who was up to no good--that rattled our water glasses! Opera from four feet away is a powerful experience. And Lilly was committed to the aria, it had a "lived in" feel, maybe she is really a princess who is up to no good? To be honest, I thought Victor Café would be cheesy, and the only cheese was in my chicken dish. A really sweet, fun evening, I'll go back!

    (4)
  • Beth R.

    This place is so cool. The ambience is cozy, with the ornate tin ceilings and warm red walls. And of course, the music. The waiters are all opera singers, and dinner is peppered by bouts of song. I have never been to the "real" opera, but having that beautiful music right next to our table was incredible. The food is fine (3 star-ish) although there is better Italian in the city. The big draw is the beautiful live music, which is what made our dinner here memorable. A great choice for a special occasion or a romantic date night.

    (4)
  • Caroline S.

    I've been to Victor Cafe quite a few times in the past few years and the service has been average. I have always visited as a 2 top so getting a table was never an issue (practically no wait time) and now that you can make reservations on OpenTable, it is a breeze. Parking is standard for South Philly so the complaints about that are kind of laughable. Waiters and waitresses have always been friendly but seem a bit flustered (I think this is because I typically go on a Saturday evening - one of their busier times). The music, though phenomenal, is very date night-esque and a bit touristy IMO. For someone who is just going out for good Italian fare, I might recommend you go elsewhere - you could end up with a migraine (been there, done that). I was unimpressed with the calamari appetizer (very chewy) however their salads are good (I personally like the arugula salad). The crespelle is also very good and makes for a nice sharing app for two. The reason for my continuous return is the meat tortellini bellini. Fantastic. And I don't even care for bacon or peas on their own but in this dish - yum. The BF however has had a few poorly done dishes. On our most visit recent, his entree was served with a side of risotto. The risotto was way undercooked. Poor guy. I haven't tried anything on their dessert menu, I have glanced at it and nothing sounded all that interesting but who knows! Overall unless you're going for the music, I'd suggest elsewhere for Italian especially with what you'd fork out in $$$ at Victor's.

    (3)
  • Angela A.

    Everyone deserves a second chance right? I was skeptical when my husband decided he wanted to go back to Victor's for his birthday dinner in July, but I figured it was his birthday and he should choose. What a difference!!! We were greeted graciously and seated immediately. Our server was as phenomenal singer as she was a server. We never had to ask for our water to be refilled this time. The food was delicious, not overly salty, seasoned just right! The music was amazing as well. The temperature of the restaurant and the food was just right. (if you couldn't tell I am particular about the temperature of my food!) I would definitely return after giving Victor's a second chance.

    (4)
  • John B.

    Ate at Victors for probably about the 30th time in the last several years. I have not been dissapointed once. NOT ONCE. I expect a restaurant to fail at least once every 10 times. Not Victors. Anyway, on this trip I had the pork chop stuffed with proscutte and cheese with marsala sauce. Excellent! They actually cook the pork chop to the tempetaure you like it. They dont just over cook it and serve you a dried out pork chop. The chop was over broccoli rabe which was also excellent. My gf had veal marsella which was also excellent. One downside is most meals come with your main plus just a vegetable or potato. No soup or salad, so ordering does bring the price up another notch. Cocktails will run you $10 a glass. I would suggest holding off ordering cocktails based on the price. The service is always great, and you will also love the entertainment of opera singers that perform about every 15 mins. I highly reccomend everyone try this restaurant. The food is excellent, and the prices are ok for quality/quanity. You wont leave hungary but very satisfied.

    (5)
  • Roger S.

    Very quaint South Philly Italian Restaurant, with live opera courtesy of the waitstaff! Great food, and their rendition of "Tonight" from West Side Story was spellbinding. I had the Prince Igor, which I liked very much, and the chocolate mousse was delicious. Only quarrel might be that wine by the glass is a dollar or two more than it should be, otherwise highly recommend!

    (4)
  • Adam S.

    My wife and two friends of ours went last Friday night for dinner. I knew the history of The Victor Cafe and the singing but other then that not much else. What a wonderful experience this was. First and Foremost, the ambiance is great. The restaurant is tight but cozy. The walls are covered with Opera singer greats from the past and present. When it came down to the service, it was top notch. Once we walked in, we were greeted with a smile and immediately taken to our table. Once at our table the service didn't end there. Our server Toffer explained the menu well and was very attentive. The man also has some pipes on him but I will get to that later! Our meal was excellent. I had the meat Tortilini with a cup of claim chowder. My wife had a vodka Penni, which she said was excellent. Our friends had the salmon special of the night, with they said was very enjoyable. In addition we had two nice bottles of wine. The highlight of the night was of course the entertainment. Every 20 minutes or so, one of the servers would ring a bell and explain a song they were about to sing. Theses guys and gals were extremely talented. What impressed me even more was they're ability to juggle all the server duties on top of they're singing acts. You can tell everybody works very well together. They truly are a well oiled machine. I must say, this was one of the best dining experiences I have ever had in Philadelphia. I'm very upset with myself that it has taken 6 years to make it out to the Victor but I'm so happy we finally did and that we have this gem in this city. If you plan on going, make sure you can dedicate the night . Plan on being there for a few hours, and enjoy the show!

    (5)
  • Gretchen E.

    Classically-trained suited servers sing opera/Broadway pieces every 15 minutes midst red&white checkered table cloths, candle-lit for well dressed diners. The walls host black&white photographs ceiling-to-floor of days gone by and former waitstaff gone to NYC Opera. This place is featured in Rocky and owned by Sylvester Stallone. The upstairs is luxuriously old and cushy; many laughs have been had in the room. A comedian performed for a private party last time I was here. ( Also the balsam bathroom candle smells amazing!) Parking is tough, but can be free if you hunt for it. Don't come here if you don't appreciate legit operatic singers. The food is perfectly acceptable, better than the average Italian restaurant. Rid yourself of epicure expectations and critical tendencies. At Victor, the music is the main dish. Enjoy it.

    (5)
  • Brian M.

    Great place for a unique date night. This place is small but cozy. The food was above average Italian. I had the gnocchi which was good but it had a very rich and heavy cream sauce that you could only eat so much of. The real draw is the experience of stopping with everyone to listen to opera sung by the servers. That alone makes it worth a trip.

    (4)
  • Shereen C.

    At Victor Cafe, the food is not great. Lacks flavour and is overpriced. Pasta is overcooked. Fish was bland and overcooked. But the food's not why you're here. You're here because every once in a while, a server will burst into song. Some performances are unimpressive (much like the food), but one singer had a wonderful, deep, operatic voice. He was fantastico! I've definitely had better Italian food, but I'm adding a star for the novelty of singing waiters.

    (3)
  • Carrie B.

    Brought my parents here when they were visiting from their small western town. It was a smash hit! I feel like it's expensive, but when you think about the fact that you're paying for the performances it's great. I would only go here for a treat for someone who needs some entertainment and can't find something like this where they are from.

    (4)
  • Rita M.

    I truly remember very little about the dishes I had at Victor Cafe. They were well-prepared, but average. I ordered a glass of white wine and some veal over pasta. The seating was pretty cramped and my SO and I were seated at a two-person table in the middle of the room. But once the waiters began singing beautiful arias, I did not really care what I was eating. It was so wonderful to hear men and women sharing their operatic talents with everyone. Completely enchanting and romantic. There were a variety of voices and one more musical-theater-type guy who sang "Imagine" for a couple's anniversary. I had a wonderful evening at Victor Cafe and really don't mind that the food is not mind-blowing. I do wish I hadn't had my back to the singers for most of the meal, but they moved around during the evening. A little overpriced, but totally worth it for the lovely music.

    (4)
  • Mallory D.

    For the entertainment and atmosphere, Victor's can't be beat. However, the food sadly is not on the same par. The first letdown here was that our party had to wait over a half hour despite having reservations. But once we were seated, our waitress was very lovely and attentive. Not to mention, she had the best voice I've ever heard in my life! The voices that come out of these servers are awe-inspiring. Every fifteen minutes or so one of the servers does a short performance, and they are all equally amazing. It seems lots of people come here to celebrate, since happy birthday was sung about seven times while I was there. Unfortunately, the food just isn't that special. I ordered cannelloni don carlo and was very underwhelmed. It was kinda mushy and flavorless. My husband ordered a chicken and polenta dish and said it was disappointing also. However,my sister ordered the filet and raved about it, and my dad ordered the caruso and was pleased as well. All in all, if you want a romantic spot to celebrate something, Victor's is a solid option. However, better Italian food exists elsewhere.

    (3)
  • Sarah W.

    Opera + great food + excellent service + post-prohibition history = 5 stars!! This restaurant is something unique. Let's start with opera. Most servers will perform at least once during your time there, so you get a great variety of performances - women, men, duos, French, Italian, etc. Our waiter, David, performed an exceptionally emotional duo performance. He was also a great waiter and seemingly great guy. He managed our girls night silliness with fun, poise and professionalism. Food was DELICIOUS! We all got pasta and we were all very happy. I got the ravioli - you can't go wrong with that. I also tasted the tortellini. Salads are big and shareable. Dessert was tasty - both were great the chocolate cake and tiramisu. Noise level was great. Other tables seemed very friendly - a nice crowd overall. This restaurant is unique and gives Philly some creative flair. Go and keep John DiStefano's post-Prohibition 1933 dream of food and music alive!

    (5)
  • DJ M.

    DiStefano's Victor Cafe brings a whole new meaning to singing for your supper! Wow, I had no clue when we walked in, but the wait staff are all opera students! The same bus girl that brought us our hot, crusty and might I add, very delicious bread, sang for us, well not just us, but I had my back turned to her and I said to the hubs, very fitting to have great opera music on a sound track while dining in an Italian restaurant. Hubs said, turn around, the girl that brought us bread is doing the singing! I was so impressed. I was beyond wowed and commented to our server that she was outstanding and what a great concept, he laughed and said, yes, we all do it, it's a lot of fun, you have to check this place out! When the singing bus girl came back to our table, I was half afraid to ask for more bread, what a star! Okay, moving on, when you first walk in there is a steep flight of stairs to the right, hello, restrooms and a very cozy lounge are up there, I found it amusing to have a phone on the wall in the restroom, but hey, this place is different, indeed. To the right of walking in is a small bar and bread station, then the restaurant really opens up with multiple dining rooms, they made great use of the space. The Victor Cafe is a long standing and famed Italian restaurant, with pictures of generations of the DiStefano's adorning the walls, along with numerous famous celebrities. The shelves hold old Victor boxes and of course the RCA pup. Onto the food, Michael had the Tortelloni Bellini which were filled with beef, veal and pork and in a cognac cream sauce with peas, tomatoes, prosciutto and parmesan cheese, he devoured this dish and lapped up all of the sauce with their wonderful bread. I was torn between the porcini mushroom stuffed raviolis in a gorganzola cream sauce with pine nuts and diced tomatoes or the chicken parmesan with linguini, so I asked my server to choose and he said his favorite was the chicken parm, so I said good enough. It was a huge portion and very delicious, I now need to return to try the mushroom ravioli dish. The place is vibrant, a whole lot of fun, great food and I almost felt like I was back in Italy! One note, refills on sodas are a full extra charge.

    (4)
  • Katy O.

    A trip to Victor's cafe should not be done on a whim as it is not your ordinary Italian restaurant. It is essentially a dinner+show type of experience. If you can't tell by now, all the waiters are opera singers and really will halt your dining experience every 15min to sing. And it's not just not just background noise, their performances demand (and deserve) your full attention. If you try to carry on your conversation through the performance, people WILL glare at you. As they should, because like I said, one does not simply go to Victor's Cafe and interrupt the waiters. Food is great, entertainment is great, decor is warm and inviting. The waiters are not just fantastic singers, but provide excellent and friendly service. Really this is a great 1st date idea, since a breakout performance of Ava Maria could be just what you need to break an awkward silence.

    (5)
  • Andrew T.

    Wow! Not sure why it took so long to stop in but boy am I glad we did! Food GREAT, Service GREAT music...GREAT!!!!!! Very reasonably priced! Can't wait to come back! Caesar Salad was done the right way----original! Grazie!

    (5)
  • Carla F.

    What a neat experience! The space is really cute. Very authentic but spacious enough. I was actually really impressed by how good the food was (I figured the place was mostly about the singing). My pasta was excellent. I got the beet/gorgonzola cheese salad and this was ok. Not terrible but nothing special. The singing is unusual at first (just bc you are not used to it) but I was amazed at how talented the servers/singers were. They picked great songs too. If you live in philly or are just visiting, definitely an experience I would recommend!

    (4)
  • Josh M.

    Excellent food at shockingly reasonable prices! Love the music too. My wife and I had heard about the famous Victor Cafe for years. When we finally made a trip into the city for a night out we had to try Victor Cafe. The reviews are true, the place is a lot of fun and the opera singing is very good. Honestly, we were expecting much higher prices, so we were very pleased at our bill that came to $60 for the two of us.

    (5)
  • Lo L.

    If you're looking for a unique dining experience, Victor's is a must! While I wasn't impressed with the food, the opera performances made up for what the mediocre pasta dishes lacked in. I must applaud the wait staff; not just for their cordial service, but for their amazing talent. We stuck around for three arias, and were blown away by the range in notes that were hit- I was convinced that my water glass was going to break. I recommend coming to Victor's to celebrate a birthday because they sing a beautiful version of the classic song.

    (4)
  • Craig L.

    I don't know if it was the checkered table cloths, the stellar opera singing, the delicious food, or the courteous staff, but this restaurant won me over. Possibly the best Italian restaurant experience as a whole. I recommend the ravioli and tiramisu!

    (5)
  • Peter D.

    Not too bad. I really enjoy the opera that is sung every fifteen minutes or so. This is a great family restaurant in the heart of the dying but still prevalent Italian community of restaurants below South Street and above Snyder Avenue. The food was relatively inexpensive considering we had a Groupon that would have usually made the meal around $55 but it came to be $25 with a very generous tip. I doubt I'd come back here without a Groupon, but it was a nice experience in one of Philly's most iconic and unique dining establishments. The specials tend to be the freshest, by the way. I ordered a Diavolo upon recommendation of several Yelp reviews, but this failed to make me enjoy my meal as much as my counterpart's order of one of the specials. Oh and PS: The wine here is very bad. Save yourself the trouble.

    (3)
  • Kristyn G.

    I can't think of anything to complain about! First of all, this is a dining EXPERIENCE. You are wined, dined, and serenaded by the staff - which is such an amazing (and unique) part of this place. The serving staff are classically trained opera singers and trust me, you won't mind putting down your fork, stopping the conversation, and letting yourself be captivated! Got there a half hour early on a Friday night for our reservation - no problem! Greeted by the hostess (who, holy cow could she sing!) and led right to our table. We had read reviews on here about the amazing opera singing which was such a cool perk. Our waitress was very friendly and checked on us throughout the night. Portions were HUGE! My husband had mussels and butternut squash gnocci with pancetta and I had a roasted beet and goat cheese salad with calamari fra diavlo as my entree. It was delicious! I was in heaven with the perfectly spiced calamari dish. For dessert, it was warmed chocolate cake with gelato from my choco-holic self and creme brulee for the hubs. Prices are so reasonable. For all of that (no alcohol ordered), we spent less than $100 (including tip!), and had enough for lunch the next day. Bravo!!

    (5)
  • Alexander L.

    Came here partially because I had to and I admit, the reason I didn't want to come here was in part due to the fact that the location kind of sucks. When it comes to setting yourself apart as a business, Victor cafe has excelled in such a way that I don't really see many if any places in philly following suite. And their live opera performances (which is performed by your waiter/waitress) is more than just a novelty. The food is also craftfully made. You would think that you would have to pay an arm and a leg for a place like this..but you'll be happy to know that it's reasonably priced. You want to impress your date with a neighborhood gem that not many seem to know about...this is the place. Cheers

    (4)
  • G C.

    Came here on a Sunday night and this place had a decent crowd. Everyone here sings, even the bartender ;) every half hour or so someone would ring a bell and a staff or two would perform an aria. Very beautiful and great atmosphere. The food was of decent portion, had the Prince Igor. It was quite creamy with penne, salmon pieces, caviar and asparagus. Had some to take home with me. Definitely an entertained dinner!

    (4)
  • P. D.

    Went there with the hopes of a special dinner for my mom who loves opera. The food was so terrible it outweighed the opera. Chicken overcooked and pasta + mussels were nothing special. The servers are talented but the ambiance is so old that it doesn't make it worth it. for some reason they cut the restaurant in half with a wall so the servers are balancing between singing to both sides. Also they didn't seat us in the white linen side of the restaurant for some reason (the place was empty on a fri night) which was disappointing because like I said I was hoping it to be a special occasion. $12 for valet (parking is a nightmare at the location) was another drawback. Go to High Note Cafe

    (1)
  • Brian J.

    Awesome incredible magical - the singers are outstanding. The food is fantastic. The ambiance is pure romance. 100% recommend it

    (5)
  • Maratino S.

    Excellent! Food was delicious! Opera singers were amazing! The mussels were sooooo good! They put homemade pesto on your table and it is to die for! Had the scallops and shrimp over linguini and it was really good. Roasted beet salad and fried calamari were amazing. I was a little surprised they don't have a kids menu or can accommodate plain raviolis for a child, but that wouldn't stop me from caoming back. We'll just leave the child at home next time. LOL Love this place!

    (5)
  • Thalie A.

    Oh yes... When my smokin, hot better half suggested we go for some opera & an Italian I did think he meant at two different venues. What a treat to have them both in one. Very nice opera sung while you dine on delicious Italian food. I had the Caprese salad, it was served warm and it was yummy. Then had the mussels in white wine sauce (typical for me) but they were a big bowl of heaven...if I could've picked up the bowl and drank the sauce I would've but I minded my p's & q's. The singing was lovely and the place is romantic. There were at least 3 couples celebrating anniversary's on the night we went. There were also several birthdays and those people had Happy Birthday sung to them by the staff. This is a cosy and atmospheric place...also, it's the place used in 1 of the Rocky movies as Adrien's Cafe (so I'm told). Will definitely made a return appearance here.

    (4)
  • Dan C.

    WOW!! Ate here on Monday 6/11. Food was very good. Service and entertainment was awesome. You must go here.

    (4)
  • Mike H.

    Solid, as usual. We go here a few times a year because my father-in-law loves the place. If you are not familiar, every ten minutes or so, a server sings a song, typically opera, but also from musicals. Very entertaining, but it does cause social awkwardness for many diners. The food is solid, but not great, save for the rigatoni bolognese that I tried for the first time. It was chunky meat sauce and very flavorful. Also had the mussels in whit wine, butter, and garlic. Very solid as an appetizer. Service is good, attentive. Atmosphere is loud, as you can imagine. A fun time for all.

    (3)
  • John G.

    I brought my parents here in August for my birthday. We spent almost 5 hours at Victor Cafe that night. We had drinks upstairs and the bartender had great stories about music in Philly and NYC. Food was really good and the performances by the servers takes this place over the top. Great for dates or family events.

    (5)
  • Flor P.

    Took my boyfriend here for his birthday dinner on a Thurs. night and loved it. We were the youngest table in the place (as you could expect), surrounded by people who seemed to recognize every aria/song performed. Even if you don't know your opera/musical theater, you can appreciate the unique experience of suspending your dinner conversation every 20 minutes to hear someone belt out a song with high emotion in close range. A very unreal, intimate experience. Food was excellent (I had calamari and veal piccata).

    (5)
  • John F.

    Mobster pasta, yes! Opera, yes! If I were a gambling man, I'd say at least one person was shot here during the hard mafia days, I can feel it eminating from the floorboards! The atmosphere is very cozy and great for a date night. Worn photos and decadent art litters the walls. You're greeted with that old building scent mixed with pasta sauce. The servers are very friendly and, they're all opera singers. That's right, every 20 minutes or so they will jangle a bell and sing an aria for you. They do it free of charge but I'm sure the restaurant is tacking it on to the food price, which is high. Regardless, the food typically takes a while to come out but it has been perfect for me every time. I especially love the Diablo pasta, it is very spicy and the seafood is cooked just right. There are 2 reasons I give this place 4 stars instead of 5. It IS expensive and I typically have to take a cab there. Yes, I could walk, but you have to go through a few sketchy spots to get to a sketchy spot... not sure if I want to do that at night and parking isn't great around there. Apart from that, I do enjoy it!

    (4)
  • Dhvani D.

    Came here for an early V-day dinner bc I had heard about the opera singing and romantic ambience and it sounded perfect! So when I arrived the ambience was warm but would not call it romantic. Very loud and tons of people everywhere. The hostesses all seemed flustered. We were seated right away with our reservation but we were started off greeted by one waiter and then 5 mins later another one because they didn't know our table was already picked up by someone..anyways, I didn't mind how crazy and loud and busy the place was bc I kinda like that home-family-big italian dinner like feel but that's just me. So our hostess was kind of irritable and that wasn't pleasant..after ordering food and drinks and waiting 15 mins we finally reminded her about a bread basket and she rolled her eyes at us...and a cold bread basket was quickly plopped on our table by another hostess. I was so excited for someone to start singing bc that part I left as a surprise for my boyfriend but I was very disappointed that the whole first hour we were there..there was only ONE performance and it was on the other side of the restaurant so we could barely hear it. As we were finishing up (around 9:30) the singing really picked up a lot, a performance almost every 5 minutes and they all sounded so beautiful and lovely I really wish our whole dinner was like that! In fact, I specifically made reservations at 8:00 assuming that would be prime time..but it was not. Like other reviewers mentioned, the food was good - nothing amazing but no complaints. Overall, this place was cool to check out, but if I were to come again I would somehow try to find out when most of the singing was going to be because that was really cool and beautiful and I would loved to hear more.

    (4)
  • T.C. J.

    South Philly is one of the coolest neighborhoods on the East Coast. The row houses, the old school Italian vibe, the complete lack of pretentiousness, and a wonderful little restaurant called Victor Cafe. Without a doubt some of the best Italian food I've ever had. Perfect portion sizes with the pasta cooked just right and the sauces full of bold flavors. I'm no expert on fine Italian dining, but I do know that all our meals were wonderful. Before we came my sister told us that the waiters and waitresses also sing opera throughout the meal. Now I know this sounds sort of corny (I thought it was absurd when she explained it to me) but Victor pulls it off without awkwardness or the sense of needing to giggle or anything like that. And WOW. These men and women have powerful voices. The dinning area is small and the tables packed close together, but not so close that you feel that you are sitting in other party's laps. But I do recommend calling ahead and making a reservation so you don't end up waiting. The bill for four of us ended up being $125 with alcohol, so not too bad for a semi-fine dining experience.

    (5)
  • Larisa S.

    We were very impressed with the decor, the food, the service and of course the singing. The local area isn't too bad and we actually saw a parking spot but we took a quick cab ride from center city. We had a romantic V-day dinner there, but would also come here with friends and family.

    (5)
  • C K.

    Delicious food, great service, and fun perk that the waitstaff all sing beautifully. Had the Victor salad which we asked for without dressing on it and dressing on the side, but then when it came, there was dressing on the side but also dressing on the salad (we didn't send back because we were with a large party and didn't want to hold anyone up) and the pasta fagioli soup which was delicious. For dinner, we had the whole fish, which was fresh and delicious, but had bones in it and a pasta dish with cream sauce which was tasty, but a bit heavy for my tastes (I don't normally order cream sauce). For dessert, the warm chocolate cake was really very good and other than my soup, the highlight of the meal. The meal did take FOREVER to come out though, which may be because we were with a large group, but I'm not sure this is the kind of place you want to just eat and hurry out of anyway. Overall, good food, fun entertainment, warm atmosphere, and fun for a date night or romantic evening out.

    (4)
  • Arseny R.

    This would be 5 stars, if they would have diversified the menu a little in the last 10 years. Simply speaking the music and ambiance are great, service is OK, it is friendly, but not very professional. Cooking could be better.

    (4)
  • Emily M.

    This place is great. I picked it based on the reviews here (wanting to inject some culture into the lives of my boyfriend and his college roomate) and found the one about the guy who likes Pearl Jam to be very helpful. First I need to talk about the service I received before we even got there. I called on a Friday night for reservations for Saturday at 600pm. The man who answered the phone said they were booked but wasn't hanging up the phone on me. He asked for my number and said he'd call back if he could move some tables around to make room for us. I didn't think I'd here back. While at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, we got a phone call asking if 530 was okay instead of 6. We took it and it ended up working better in our itinerary anyway. We had to drive around a bit for parking (I now can joke about trying to park in Philly - Golosa, too!). Once we got there the waitstaff was so quick and friendly. The wine came quick - which in my book means the place is alright - and the food came quickly as well. Our dishes were lasagna, chicken parm and a sea food special with risotto. Everyone loved their meals. Finally, the best part. How can you argue with great food and free entertainment? The waiters singing opera were amazing. I was very pleased that we were able to see and hear our own waiter up there before we left. I highly recommend this restaurant. Victor's is classy, kitschy, delicious and fun - even for guys who think the opera is for boring snobs. I would have given them four stars for the terrible parking and awkward neighborhood but the whole experience of the place was too amazing to give it any less than five. ONE TIP: Make your reservation as early as possible!

    (5)
  • Joey S.

    Victor's Cafe is quite a treat. The decor and the ambiance bring an old world feel which is quite refreshing in this era of modern is better. The food at Victor's was not bad. We had the calamari and prosciutto stuffed with crab appetizers. Both were not bad. We had linguine and clams as well as fettuccine with a cream sauce for dinner. Again, nothing to write home about. BUT... the fact that the waitstaff was able to sing Italian Opera was a thing of beauty. It is actually the main reason I would return. It is definitely a different experience and is well worth the time and money to enjoy the ambiance.

    (3)
  • Nathan S.

    This place is FANTASTIC. I have to be completely honest about my original draw to this restaurant. My mother loves Rocky Balboa, so I took to a Google search to find out where "Adrian's Restaurant" was located in the city. I scoped out the website and saw that it seemed like an inviting, South Philly Italian restaurant. We had been to Ralph's and a few others in the city but nothing really blew us away. We called at about 6PM on a Saturday night, and the two of us were able to get a 7:30 reservation-- not without a quick moment of speculation. So if you're planning on a visit, especially with anymore than two people, call ahead. The place appears very quaint from the typical South Philly street on Dickinson. Once inside, the place was thriving: the wait staff criss-crossed the restaurant, preparing tables and serving the other patrons, a mild-mannered round young man bellowing out some famous aria I couldn't identify, the owners (or management?) were answering a phone that seemingly rang every other minute. Following the performance we were promptly seated and given menus and the specials by are server Jason. If there were one complaint, it would be that the wait staff is apparently responsible for every function of the restaurant outside of the kitchen. You will see these guys clean and prep tables, serve food, sing, get nagged by customers for photos, and I counted no less than four happy birthday promenades, complete with four-part harmony. The food was fantastic. If you're ordering a salad, two can split one-- though I had no problem housing my baby arugula salad by myself. The salad was the best I have ever eaten. Perfectly aged balsamic vinegar, a nice Italian cheese that I cant remember, sliced pears, walnuts- truly a perfect match. The penne dish was tasty, adorned with tender chicken, tomatoes, parsley and mozzarella. I could see where some may be critical of this dish, however I felt it was perfectly balanced and filling. My mother had the scallops and shrimp pasta dish. The scallops were perfectly tender, not at all chewy nor over-cooked. The ambiance of this place is truly what makes it. You can really feel the "living history" the moment you set foot inside. The owners told us of the history of the property, which takes its name from its opening in 1918 as a RCA Victor record store. The place would make a great date to really impress. I plan on bringing my girlfriend to see this place. Upstairs is a cozy bar you can slip away to after your meal. All in all, a great place. I will be back.

    (5)
  • Rob W.

    This isn't a place I can go to all the time given that they sing arias throughout the night but once in awhile it's a treat. The food is old school Italian and could use an update. Definitely a place that you need to visit al least once.

    (4)
  • Douglas P.

    Came here before we moved to Philly and the place is classic.

    (5)
  • Joseph P.

    Enjoyed a late, and quick dinner at Victor Cafe on Sunday night. I ordered one of the evening's specials, Chicken Cacciatore over risotto. It was nicely seasoned and very satisfying. My friends very much enjoyed their dishes as well...cannelloni and bronzino. For dessert, we shared a spumoni ice cream that was one of the best I've had (although I must admit, I don't recall the last time I've actually had spumoni). Ambiance was terrific--an intimate setting with opera memorabilia and art work on the walls. And the singing was terrific as a group of young classically-trained artists/waiters took turns every 15 minutes or so serenading us with beautiful music.

    (4)
  • Gina C.

    My visit to Victor Cafe was very sweet. Though the primary dining room is rather narrow, my big family managed to sit comfortably. The walls are adorned with the faces of great opera past in black and white photos, and the light is soft and rosy. The servers have fantastic voices, and each aria threatened to bring tears to my eyes! I'm also of a considerably...emotional nature :). The food is mixed-- some authentic Italian and other things obviously shortcut. They bring "pesto" with the breadbasket, but it's flavorless and separated, a deep layer of oil atop gunky old basil food-processed to a fine paste. I never would have noticed its absence, as I prefer my bread with just a touch of peppered extra virgin olive oil. My pasta dish (penne with smoked salmon, peas, and asparagus in vodka sauce) was so-so, though the pasta was cooked perfectly and the sauce wasn't too overbearing. Not bad, but not great. Just average. Unremarkable. The mushroom ravioli in gorgonzola cream sauce was something I might return for but only on the coldest day. Any other time it'd be a bit too heavy! All in all, decent supper. It's really about the periodic musical interludes! Returning on a date might be fun ;).

    (3)
  • Mark H.

    I'm giving Victor Cafe 5 Stars not because it is perfect - it ain't - but because as long as you are not in a hurry, it always provides you with a great and memorable experience and, often, with excellent food as well! Why come here? The waiters, waitresses, and even the bartender are all professional opera singers or training to be one, and they are all EXCELLENT as opera singers. We come here, above all, for the performances and for the old Philly ambiance. As servers, they frequently forget a course or two or mess up orders, but they are always nice about it. Without being asked, every screw up (which happens on half our visits) is accompanied by them volunteering to make up for it, in one way or another, This keeps us coming back. We come here for the singing, not the service. The food is hit or miss. The Eggplant Parmesan I had is the best I've ever had. The pastas are consistent and excellent. The salads are superlative - Caesar, Caprese and Victor. The chicken and fish can be on the dry side, shellfish is normally quite good. Desserts are HUGE, very Italian, and delicious. But don't judge Victor Cafe by the food alone - the Victor Cafe is an experience, and a very special one! For that reason, I MUST give it 5 stars.

    (5)
  • John P.

    This is my favorite place to take out-of-town guests. The food is typical of South Philadelphia neighborhood Italian restaurants and the price is very reasonable considering the entertainment and ambiance. The place is a row house crammed with opera memorabilia and the waiters and waitresses burst into song at frequent intervals. I've brought people from Europe here and they are always impressed by charm and uniqueness of this unusual place. The staff is super friendly.

    (5)
  • Bill R.

    This place gave me the most authentic Italian feel as I have had in South Philly. We shared a salad and antipasta dish. The opera singing is what really sets this place apart. I may have a bias thanks to the Rocky picture hanging in the front window. Top notch place to bring a date. Although I will most likely have to give the High Note Cafe a shot before coming back here again.

    (3)

Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.

Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.

Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :5:00 pm - 9:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : No
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : No
    Wheelchair Accessible : No
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Romantic
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Categories

Italian Cuisine

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.

Victor Cafe

Share with your social network

Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online

Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.

© 2024 Restaurant Listings. All rights reserved.