Mezza Luna

This restaurant has been renamed "Bella Luna," and it has moved down the block to the corner of 8th and Christian Streets. Currently, it's BYOB, but they're supposed to have a liquor license soon. We had dinner here, and the food was wonderful. My husband had the gnocchi, and I had the fettucini special with mushrooms, shrimp and artichokes in a cream sauce. Both were to die for! The decor was bright and welcoming, surpassed only by the attentive service provided by the friendly staff. We will definitely be returning to this place. Next time, we'll try the Caesar salad, which is still prepared tableside here. Pros: Handmade pasta, excellent sauces more

BELLA LUNA formely known as Mezza Luna is now under ownership of the chef... PIETRO!!! This homestyle family restaurant has definetley taken a step up. The new location is defineltly alot bigger than the previous one and is now strictly a BYOB!!! The ceasar salad was prepared tableside by a lovely gentleman named Max....it was to die for!!! The branzino was also cooked to perfection and filleted tableside, and as if things couldn't get any better Pietro offered us both a complimentary glass of wine because my husband left the bottle in the car!!! Just when I thought I couldn't handle another bite, we were presented with a lovely tray of italian homemade desserts. My husband and I shared the tirumisu....the best I've ever had. If your looking for a great restaurant for a first date, rehearsal dinner, or just to bring the family out BELLA LUNA IS THE PLACE FOR YOU!!! Pros: Best Food and Service Ever!!! more

Starting August 11 2009 Mezza Luna Philly will have a NEW LOCATION at the corner of 8th and Christian Streets, Only 1 block south of our current home. Come join us for new atmosphere, exciting new menu choices and great down-home personal service at 901 S 8th St.!! more

From the moment you enter until you leave you are treated to special attention and fantastic Italian food. Our party of five from out of town thoroughly enjoyed the lentil soup, salad, mussels, and entrees from lamb chops to sea bass and pollo parmagiana. Save room for the delicious dessert crepes with wonderfully flavored fruit compote. We will make Mezza Luna a required stop whenever we are in the city. Pros: Wonderful staff and owners. more

What a great experience!!!! I had the gnocchi in gorgonzola sauce, although it was very heavy, it was delicious!!! My date had the veal and it too was outstanding! The night was capped off by a great performance by Max while he made us homemade bananas foster and crepes alaska!!! it didn't disappoint! We can't wait to go back again!! Pros: great food and great experience! more

Wow this place is the absolute best Italian in South Philly and a better value than almost all other Italian Center City restaurants. We went there after researching Philly restaurants online. It was so good we went back 4 times for dinner in 15 days. The owners (Canio and Pietro) make you feel right at home. Wait staff extremely professional and timely. The food is off-the-charts good. I mean REALLY fabulous.Try the gnocchi best I've ever had. Veal was outstanding. Branzino was SPECTACULAR. Will be sure to go back again and again whenever we're in Philly. Pros: outstanding food, great service, wonderful atmosphere, great owners Cons: none more

The only thing I can say about Mezza Luna is that it's the best restaurant in South Philly by far.It's famous for it's gnocchi and rightfully so because they are the finest in the city.But there are so many other things that should be mentioned as well.First the Branzino.I've had it all over town and still they do it the best here.Secondly,the Rack of Lamb.I thought the best I had was at La Famiglia until I had it here.The flavor is exceptional.Gnocchi is not the only pasta they do best.Try the Pappardelle with porcini and white truffles it's nothing short of amazing.All the pasta is hand made right in the restaurant.Veal Chop stuffed with Fontina and Prosciutto is extraordinary.It's huge,flavorful(surprisingly so for veal),and will leave you stuffed and satisfied.Langostino-the best in the city by far.A real gem in South Philly and should be included in your "must do" list. Pros: Everything Cons: None more

Mezza Luna is the perfect place for anyone looking to have dinner, whether your eating with friends or enjoying an evening with a loved one this is the place to be. When you first walk in the owner greets you and the staff make you feel like your at home. The whole time i was there i felt like our table was the most important and they make everyone feel that way. The food is UNFORGETABLE! The gnocchi just melts in your mouth- the rack of lamb is the best i have ever tasted and the wine on their list is worth every penny you spend. To end the evening with perfection they offer you an after dinner drink of homemade limoncello. I absolutely love dining here; this place is a must stop when your in Philly! Pros: ambience, service, food Cons: none more

There is nothing this restaurant doesn't do well.The best Gnocchi EVER.Rack of Lamb is off the charts,it just melts in your mouth.Branzino and langostino might be the best in the city.All the pasta dishes are PERFECT.Pappardelle with porcini mushrooms and white truffles in cream sauce is PURE HEAVEN.Even the homemade bread is outstanding.I have to limit myself when I eat it or I won't have room for anything else.A huge plus is that even though they have a great wine list they will still let you BYOB.Desserts are very good,the creme brulee and tiramisu are first-rate.The first time I ate here was over 3 years ago and I have never stopped coming back.I have NEVER had a bad experience.This place is just the best! Pros: Pasta Seafood, Lamb Veal, Everything Cons: NONE more

I arrived here with a party of 8 and really didn't know what to expect even though i heard good things about this place.We started out with the Antipasto,let me tell you it was fabulous.Then we had Calamari and it was the best i ever had and i've eaten it everywhere! I knew this place was known for the gnocchi so i decided to order them and it was just off the charts it was so good.This perfect dinner was accompanied by an outstanding Amarone and dessert didn't disappoint.Ask for the homemade(!)limoncello,a real treat.The creme brulee and tiramisu were heavenly.This little restaurant has just won a new fan. Pros: Gnocchi, Calamari, Dessert more

I have lived in South Philly since I was born and I can tell you that everyone here knows that Mezza Luna is the best restaurant in the area.Other restaurants specialize in one or two areas but what sets Mezza Luna apart is that EVERYTHING here is top quality.Whether you have pasta,fish,veal,lamb,beef etc. etc. does not matter because here it's all great.If you are visiting South Philly for the first time(or whether it's your hundreth) this place should be on your must stop list. more

Finally got to eat here after driving by a million times.I feel like an absolute idiot for not trying it sooner.I've eaten gnocchi all over Italy and let me tell you,this is the best gnocchi i've ever tried--period.Worth mentioning is the bread which they make by hand right in the restaurant.It is probably the best bread in the whole city it's that good.The rack of lamb was just phenomenal and my date had the veal and that was just as good!I plan on becoming a regular,this place is too good to be true! Pros: Gnocchi, Everything, Bread more

The food here is truly outstanding---the gnocchi are the best in the city hands down,branzino is as good or better than any in the city including restaurants that specialize in it,rack of lamb is top-notch as is the veal.Wine list is excellent with a great variety of vintages.Desserts are a real treat as they are all homemade the real highlight being the tiramisu.I would recommend this restaurant to everyone---the gnocchi alone are worth repeated visits!HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Pros: Food , Service, Atmosphere more

The food and service speaks for itself. This is the best dining experience I have ever had in my life. The owner greets everyone and comes around to make sure everything is ok. The chef makes rounds also to make sure everyone loves the food. How can you not love this place. Its simple decadence will bring me back again and again. I am forever in love with Mezza Luna!! By Far this is the best italian restaurant in Philly. Pros: friendly service, awesome food, romantic atmosphere more

I rate a restaurant in the overall experience. The food was very tasty and presented nicely. I don't care if it was from N,S,E or W. Italy as long as it was enjoyable and it was a big hit. The service was good but could be more attentive as too much attention was given to the regulars. The Liquor slightly pricey, that's ok but need larger glasses. We were greeted warmly, seated promptly and the drink order was taken quickly. Overall a very nice experience and would definitely recommend. more