Philadelphia

The inspiration for Le Virtù (The Virtues) comes from our experiences at the tables of family, friends, farms, and eateries all over Abruzzo. We serve the cuisine of the shepherds, farmers and fishermen of Italy’s wildest and most unspoiled region. It’s bold, honest and unpretentious. The restaurant opened in 2007 and has been featured in The Washington Post, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Magazine, Lucky Peach, The Guardian, and Elle, among other publications. We’ve also appeared in TV programs, including Marcus Samuelsson’s No Passport Required on PBS.

In style, we’re a a down-to-earth place, friendly and unfussy. That’s what best suits Abruzzo, the region that inspires us, and the South Philly neighborhood we call home. Our name derives from Le Virtù, a rich minestrone made on the 1st of May in Abruzzo’s Teramo province. Tradition demands that what’s left in the larder after the winter be combined with the newly arriving spring vegetables and legumes. The dish is served and shared among families and communities in a spirit of conviviality.

Our menu changes seasonally, but always features traditional dishes from the region. We source our ingredients from some of Abruzzo’s best producers and cooperatives and farms in the countryside surrounding Philadelphia. We butcher in-house and cure our own salumi. Our wine list includes Abruzzese varietals as well as natural, organic, and biodynamic expressions from small producers throughout Italy, particularly the southern regions. Our selection of amari and other digestivi includes house-made genziana, acqua santa, agrumi, and other Abruzzo-inspired specialties.

You’ll find us near the intersection of Broad Street and East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia’s main thoroughfare and South Philadelphia’s commercial corridor, respectively. We’re open nightly throughout the year.