Love the food there! Parmagana pizza (prosciutto spinach) and steamed mussels with Alfredo sauce and white wine! Audience is ok, sometimes very loud but OK in general! Love the live music in the evening!!!
(5)
Anonymous P.
I just love this intimate family owned restaurant. The brushetta and calamari and shrimp diablo, seafood salad, any salad, pizza ..everything I have ever tried here was amazing. My favourite place in the northeast philadelphia. Also, the desserts are phenomenal. Especially the canolli, or sherbet in a peach or a lemon shell. They serve a beautiful assortment of gelato. The outdoor seating is beautiful as you are surrounded by a growing blooming grapevine. There is a lovely bocci area for children. In the cooler evenings and months there are outdoor heaters. Wish they would pave the back parking lot.
(5)
Erin M.
Do NOT order seafood here. Stick to the pasta dishes. I ordered a special: Orata with grilled vegetables and polenta which tasted like charcoal. The fish was cooked whole and cleaned table side. It was bland and overdone. The fish bones were extremely large. I could barely eat it. I ordered the tomato caprese and it had no seasoning whatsoever. The antipasti had two small slices of meat. The plate was filled with iceberg lettuce and had a heaping spoonful of tuna salad on the top. Tuna salad on antipasto? My brother got mussels with linguine and it had a nice chunk of grit. I was very disappointed this time. I've been here before and it was always good. I didn't have the heart to make a stink. I don't think it would be mattered anyway.
(1)
Ryan D.
I have been here a hand full of times. Every time was a great experience. I have had the steak here and dif kinds of pizza with no complaints at all. I love that they have Palm beer on tap!!! One of my favorite beers that I never find on tap!! They have mediocre musicians that play. One time it was annoying to be sitting close to the piano through the whole meal but other times the musicians are good to have in the background. If it is a nice day or night in the summer/spring give this place a try and sit outside on their patio!
(4)
Ed D.
Never had bad food at this place. I love the pizza, it's worth the trip. I would recommend this spot to anyone. They have plenty to choose from on the menu.
(5)
Chris S.
When you pull into the parking lot, the place appears to be kind of shall but once inside you realize that is actually pretty big inside. They have 2 inside areas as well as an outside deck area. We had the fried calamari as well as the brucsetta and both were great and the main courses were enormous. I would definitely go back and would definitely recommend it to others.
(4)
Joe B.
Great lively place on Friday night. Brick oven pizza is great, scallops with caper sauce was good but scallops were too small. Lamb and chicken skewers also good but could have been great if they were not a bit over cooked. Still one of the best lunch buffet deals around, the dinner experience was good overall. Looking forward to trying again.
(4)
Rachael A.
Epic fail. Tried to stay in the neighborhood for a date night, and figured we'd give this place a try. Started off with the calamari. It tasted like cardboard. I literally had to take it out of my mouth because I could not swallow it. We ordered the chicken parm and veal parm for our entrees, figuring that these would be pretty tough to mess up. We were wrong. They both tasted like they had been in the freezer for weeks, and the gravy (sauce) tasted like Ragu. Needless to say, we will not be returning.
(1)
Stephanie L.
Didn't expect much from a northeast restaurant but the food is good here. Came here with a party of 7. Rack of lamb, steak, chicken Marsala, and the mussels with garlic sauce!
(4)
T. Z.
I am a regular here and I have never really had an issue up until last night. Sure the service isn't always great though the food makes up for that. We had a check of $50 some dollars and left $10 for tip. The server follows us out to the car and asks "hey, did you leave me a tip?" when it clearly shows on the receipt that we did so we were like uh yeah we left you $10 and he just says "oh" and walks away...never said thank you, nothing. It was creepy that he followed us out and I felt violated and insulted. This was extremely unprofessional!! You cannot follow people out even if they don't tip you a dime! I'm livid & not really sure if I ever want to return and tell everyone I know to never go there ever again!!!
(1)
Ilmdho1017 I.
Love the food here!! Great service too!
(4)
Mike M.
Worst service ever. We were seated quickly as the place was empty. We were handed menus by the hostess and then no one ever came back. After waiting 20 minutes and still no service we cut our loses and left.
(1)
Dan F.
Atmosphere and attitude of the servers is different every time I come. But the Italian food and especially the pizza is by far the best you can get in the area. Deserts are wonderful too.
(5)
Josh S.
Blah blah blah "Russian" hang out... This place is now Italian owned. If that matters to some people. Quality in my opinion has been consistent for several years now. My family and I come here pretty often and never had a bad meal. Service did slip for about a year or two but times change and employees come and go. Right now Michelangelo's is a good night out and good food can be expected. Outdoor seating,bar,live music or indoor seating in a relaxed atmosphere. Can't go wrong anyway you choose. If it's too Russian or Italian for you perhaps you should eat elsewhere.
(4)
Isabella C.
It's ok in the summer when you are sited outsid. In the winter though the inside Interior is not appealing. Food is ok
(3)
KT T.
This place is great for dates, family dinners, small and larger gatherings. The food is good, the staff know their stuff and the atmosphere is delightful. Its tough in the NE find that trifecta of restruant awesomeness- but cafe michaelanglo pulls it off rather well! Also their wine list is very reasonable, mixed drinks as well. You can't go wrong here!
(4)
Suzanne S.
Since I haven't reviewed this place in a few years (2010?? WOW-times flies), I think its time to give an updated review of my experience last night. I came here with my family and we sat on the patio near the bar but not directly outside. This is a beautiful place to have a spring luncheon or summer dinner and the outside area really makes this place special with their bocce court and garden seating. I started out with a French Martini, which was fabulous as always. For appetizers we had: Shrimp and Octopus salad-drizzled in olive oil and lemon which was pretty good Mussels in garlic sauce- Good, not the best I have ever had, but solid. Pasta Fagoli Soup-okay Main: Mahi-Mahi in puttanesca sauce over linguine-my husband liked it Mushroom and Spinach Ravioli in blush sauce-DELICIOUS. The service from Farouk is always top-notch and the food is never disappoints. Before having a baby we'd come her at at least once a week and I think I 'm ready to start that tradition up again now that my son is able to sit down for more than an hour.
(4)
Mama O.
Such a Cute place!! Never ordered a dish I didn't like. I like coming here for drinks with the girls OR dinner with the family - including my 2 kids. Love the ambiance. Only complaint - as much as I love the little outdoor patio area we have usually had to move due to a nasty stink of cigars by some men out there. Not the restaurants fault I just can't take that smell while I'm trying to eat. But to each his own. It's a free country & it seems to be the bocce ball crowd which I find a charming addition as well. We've had the same waitress the last 2 times. She was very thorough & pleasant. Wish I could remember her name. I'd recommend giving this place a shot if you haven't experienced it yet :)
(4)
Lori S.
While the food here IS really good, this is the 3rd time in a row that the service has been poor. The outdoor seating and live music keeps me coming back but then every time it's time to order or even find a server, I remember why this place is never on my go-to list. It's like they don't want my money. Hosts, servers, bartenders - they all seem completely annoyed to be here.
(3)
L.M. Z.
They say you take for granted what you love. I can't believe I haven't reviewed the Cafe sooner. We eat here at least 2-3 times a month. Get their pizza, Caesar salad, add grilled chicken to that, order any pasta dish or just come here for their lunch buffet. You will love it. If you're really lucky, Farook will be your server. He's the definition of customer service. If not, service has always been good. Enjoy!
(4)
John D.
Open late every day. Owners are very friendly. I'll try the outdoor Bocce ball one day. Thanks!
(5)
Robert S.
Food is very tasty. I have had the pasta, chicken cesaer and calmari which have all been great. They menu is a little overpriced in my opinion but its really tastey. Great atmosphere with plenty of space inside and out.
(3)
Jenn Y.
We arrived for dinner at 7 pm, with our 2 children. Our waiter was attentive with our initial drink order. Once drinks were on the table, we waited 20 minutes for him to come back. It was not busy. We order 2 appetizers and our entrees. Our children ordered adult meals, so this waiter was racking up the bill. Then he came back to tell us that they were out of one of the apps, on New Year's Eve?? Ok, so we ordered an antipasto. That came out and was covered in balsamic dressing, it was not edible. The busser removed our dishes with the server standing there and the server never asked us why we didn't eat our one appetizer. Our meals came, drinks were never refilled. I would have ordered another glass of wine if he would have asked. We had to ask 3 times for water for us because we needed a drink. My meal was ok, at best. The children did like their meals and my husband was not happy with his burnt pork-chop. We have ordered carryout from here several times and the food is always good. We will never dine in again. The service was horrible and it appeared the server wrote us off because we had children. We spent a good amount of money, drinks, apps, no kid meals. Oh well, lesson learned. Carryout only.
(2)
Aleksandra L.
They have some good food and amazing pizza!!! but last 3-4 times I was there it was like impossible to place an order b/c all waiters were MIA.
(3)
anne r.
Best food anywhere! The staff is friendly and accommodating and the atmosphere is very nice. Great service and great food. I have been eating at this restaurant for at least the past 10 years and I have never had a bad meal. It is consistently delicious. I eat there at least once a week and I am always pleased with the quality of the food and the wait staff. The owner is a true gentleman who is always eager to please his customers. I highly recommend this restaurant!!
(5)
Lisa M.
i always drive by this place so i decided to give them a try & its not bad at all Great place good food,the service was ok not over priced quite location def will give them a visit back
(4)
Christopher M.
I made a reservation using OpenTable and when I showed up with my party I was told they were closing because they had special hours for the day. However, they didn't have anything posted on their website and didn't block OpenTable reservations. Best part, they acted like it was my fault and didn't offer an apology.
(1)
Catie T.
I'm sure to try this place out
(2)
Chris S.
This place was pretty average. Lunch crowd was nonexistent. The house salad was basic (not terribly unusual). The chicken piccata was fair in taste, but underwhelming overall - not a significant portion. I've had much better. The service was pretty good though.
(2)
Zanna H.
Sooooo... I end up here periodically because other people in my group feel the food is worth it. I will heartily say no. I ordered the alla vodka yesterday and it was lacking seasoning. Also it made me sick. Feeling like an old maid we went for a late lunch/early dinner. Being the only meal I consumed yesterday their can be no other culprit. I have spent 90% of the evening yesterday and the morning today being painfully uncomfortable and running to the bathroom. The last few hours have been me chasing pepto-bismol with ginger ale. I know this is way too much TMI. But when you can audibly hear your gut groan and double over I feel others should have a heads up. I might understand if I had gotten the food from their lunch buffet but we ordered from the menu. So there it is, I will avoid this place in the future at all costs. They get one star for remodeling and updating their decor both inside and outside.
(1)
sue g.
Should have known when the place had empty tables and we still had to wait for a seat there would be a problem. Ordered dinner and was told immediately the pizza may take time because they are backed up. Ok, so we knew that. I got my pre-dinner salad and asked for bread and was told there is none they have to make more. Well when a bit later another table gets bread, again I was told they are making it. Finally got bread after my salad was done. And the wait continues. Almost 1 hr we got dinner and a pizza. I got chicken piccata, two small pieces of chicken in a watery sauce, not bad, not great. For all that wait, I got cold mashed potatoes and lukewarm vegetables. I asked for hot vegetables, waiter offered to replace entire meal, I told him just the vegetables. He came back and told me they were out of mashed potatoes. So he brought me pasta. And to top it off, someone was smoking a cigar, and nothing was done until a customer complained. I felt bad for the waiter as he had no control over the meal however we never even got an apology from the manager, who was busy having dinner with friends who I heard the waiter tell they were getting a discount. Won't go back anytime soon.
(1)
Elena D.
The food is italian :) the crowd is Italian an Russian ;) Great music at night. Fun staff and good drinks! Casual------but us euros we like to get decked out so expect hot ladies :) Lunch is a bit different and they usually have a good buffet. They have an outside with heat lamps and a bocci ball court!
(5)
Maureen M.
Been here quite a few times b/c the little one likes to sit outside and eat her pizza. The pizza and Caesar salad are good. But that's about it. Their pasta dishes are loaded with sauce and lack flavor, crab cakes were very bland, desserts are so so. Skip it unless you want pizza and salad.
(3)
Sean C.
Most recently we hit CM on a saturday afternoon for lunch. The place was pretty quiet as usual in the afternoon. Ordered up a couple of Margherita pizzas.....some of the best you can get anywhere in NE Phila and surrounding suburbs. 8 or 10 visits now under our belt and I still could not tell you about anything else on the menu....The service and decor are fine (nothing to rave or complain about). The pizza is the real star here. I cannot anyone not being impressed.
(5)
Irish L.
I love this place and yes as someone said below it is mostly a Russian area, they do know how to cook Italian duh! I order the vodka sauce most times when I go and it is by far the best I've had!! I've also had he pizza, and their traditional red sauce. The egg plant app is delishious!! This is by far one of my go to places for a quality Italian meal!
(5)
Mikey M.
Cafe michaelangelos is good italian food for good prices. They have plenty of parking in a private lot and they are very friendly and helpful. When inside they have a regular dining room then they have a open dining room with big windows and twinkle lights all over with big screen tvs which is real nice in the spring. There is a full out door patio that is great but that can get annoying with the bugs in the spring and summer. There menu has lots of great stuff on it so its worth to try this place if your in the area.
(4)
D. G.
Cafe Michelangelo is a great little Italian place that is often overlooked. Some tasty pizza comes out of that brick oven, and their other pasta and entrees are delicious and pretty fairly priced - one of my favorites is the ravioli con salvia (cheese ravioli in a sage butter sauce). They serve great dessert as well. The restaurant rarely seems to be too crowded, so it's generally a nice and relaxing atmosphere in which to eat. They even have outdoor seating on a patio out back, right next to a bocce court - a cool, unique touch. Cafe Michelangelo is definitely a worthwhile choice if you're looking for an Italian meal from a place a little more intimate and authentic than one of the bigger chains.
(4)
Timothy S.
Great food and staff, it's definitely one of my favorite places to throw a few back and to watch some sports. The Russian crowd everybody here is referring to is no big deal, they're all friendly and haven't ever bothered me. T.Scott
(5)
Valerie K.
I think we need to change "italian" to "russian" when it comes to describing this popular "russian" hangout in Northeast Philly... Back in the day, I must've spent at least 2-3 days a week there, without being embarassed to admit it, which is by far NOT the same as it is today... In fact, nothing is the same anymore, expect for maybe some of the patrons. The food has gotten worse... The service has gotten worse... The drinks have gotten a WHOLE LOT of worse... If it wasn't for their availability of outside seating (which is lacking in the greater Northeast), I'd probably give it a whopping one star but, the outside seating does add something to the lacking appeal of the place. In fact, the outside seating does often make it the place to go for the coffee and the cakes, which still managed to remain good...
(2)
Igor L.
Though Cafe Michelangelo can draw quite a crowd of Soviet twenty-somethings, which at times can be irritants, it remains one of the of few spots in the North-East with out-door dining. Not that big a plus in my book but still something to consider.(especially now during spring) Furthermore, the out-door dining experience is not marred by car exhaust, as it often is in Center City; which is a defiant perk. In fact, the Brick oven pizza they serve makes the place smell like an traditional Italian place should. This is not to say, however, the place is ideal out-door dining. The place still needs lots of work on its veranda, work which seems to be advancing at a painfully slow pace. And the lame music and crowds can kill an evening. As for the food, the previous two Yelpers had it right; it's a spread traditional Italian fair that is quite good but not exceptional. The portions are quite hardy and worth what you pay. My suggestions: try the calamari in garlic sauce (a scampi sauce) as an appetizer. And defiantly don't pass up the A+ Desserts. (But if you are frugal, hightail it the Net Cost Market a block away to purchase the same Bindi desserts at a fraction of the cost in the freezer section) P.S. Take heed of Zanna's warning about the traffic Bustleton & Byberry
(3)
Kim H.
This is one of my absolute favorite places in the Northeast. It's my little hidden treasure. I've never gotten bad food here--it is always delicious and not overpriced! The service can be a little iffy but if you get a good server, take their name and stick to them. The vodka sauce here is TO DIE FOR. I get it every time. The outdoor seating is super cute at night time. Its always a good choice for a casual night out.
(4)
Marty D.
This place is just creepy. The decor is cold and impersonal and the wait staff far from professional. When not otherwise occupied, they stood and stared at us. Our server brought our food and then disappeared. The brick oven pizza was a joke. True, it's a brick oven but I'm pretty sure it's gas fired, so what's so special about that. We were not asked if we liked our food or offered drink refills. We had to ask the bar tender to take our check because of the missing server. Never again, not this place.
(1)
Stephanie S.
I'm surprised nobody's showing any love for Cafe Michelangelo. Yes, it's filled with twenty-something Russians, and tis true that it can be difficult to get to with the traffic and all. BUT I LOVE their patio, which remains open and HEATED during the winter. How awesome is that? =-) I also enjoy their veal parm. It's a good place to go on a date.
(4)
Jon L.
A traditional little Italian joint, the food drives this place on Bustleton Avenue. Because it's out in the far Northeast, it never really gets noticed from the big reviewers, but I would nominate both Michelangelo's gourmet pizzas and their incredible gelati as some of the best in the region. The atmosphere is okay. They try to be more of a date place than a family place, but last time I was in there, they had a guy playing keyboards with some hokey sounding pre-programmed backing tracks -- it sort of brought down the Old Italy feel of the place. Still, from appetizers to desserts, there's nothing on the menu I wouldn't recommend.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner, Late Night Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
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.
Ovsick H.
Love the food there! Parmagana pizza (prosciutto spinach) and steamed mussels with Alfredo sauce and white wine! Audience is ok, sometimes very loud but OK in general! Love the live music in the evening!!!
(5)Anonymous P.
I just love this intimate family owned restaurant. The brushetta and calamari and shrimp diablo, seafood salad, any salad, pizza ..everything I have ever tried here was amazing. My favourite place in the northeast philadelphia. Also, the desserts are phenomenal. Especially the canolli, or sherbet in a peach or a lemon shell. They serve a beautiful assortment of gelato. The outdoor seating is beautiful as you are surrounded by a growing blooming grapevine. There is a lovely bocci area for children. In the cooler evenings and months there are outdoor heaters. Wish they would pave the back parking lot.
(5)Erin M.
Do NOT order seafood here. Stick to the pasta dishes. I ordered a special: Orata with grilled vegetables and polenta which tasted like charcoal. The fish was cooked whole and cleaned table side. It was bland and overdone. The fish bones were extremely large. I could barely eat it. I ordered the tomato caprese and it had no seasoning whatsoever. The antipasti had two small slices of meat. The plate was filled with iceberg lettuce and had a heaping spoonful of tuna salad on the top. Tuna salad on antipasto? My brother got mussels with linguine and it had a nice chunk of grit. I was very disappointed this time. I've been here before and it was always good. I didn't have the heart to make a stink. I don't think it would be mattered anyway.
(1)Ryan D.
I have been here a hand full of times. Every time was a great experience. I have had the steak here and dif kinds of pizza with no complaints at all. I love that they have Palm beer on tap!!! One of my favorite beers that I never find on tap!! They have mediocre musicians that play. One time it was annoying to be sitting close to the piano through the whole meal but other times the musicians are good to have in the background. If it is a nice day or night in the summer/spring give this place a try and sit outside on their patio!
(4)Ed D.
Never had bad food at this place. I love the pizza, it's worth the trip. I would recommend this spot to anyone. They have plenty to choose from on the menu.
(5)Chris S.
When you pull into the parking lot, the place appears to be kind of shall but once inside you realize that is actually pretty big inside. They have 2 inside areas as well as an outside deck area. We had the fried calamari as well as the brucsetta and both were great and the main courses were enormous. I would definitely go back and would definitely recommend it to others.
(4)Joe B.
Great lively place on Friday night. Brick oven pizza is great, scallops with caper sauce was good but scallops were too small. Lamb and chicken skewers also good but could have been great if they were not a bit over cooked. Still one of the best lunch buffet deals around, the dinner experience was good overall. Looking forward to trying again.
(4)Rachael A.
Epic fail. Tried to stay in the neighborhood for a date night, and figured we'd give this place a try. Started off with the calamari. It tasted like cardboard. I literally had to take it out of my mouth because I could not swallow it. We ordered the chicken parm and veal parm for our entrees, figuring that these would be pretty tough to mess up. We were wrong. They both tasted like they had been in the freezer for weeks, and the gravy (sauce) tasted like Ragu. Needless to say, we will not be returning.
(1)Stephanie L.
Didn't expect much from a northeast restaurant but the food is good here. Came here with a party of 7. Rack of lamb, steak, chicken Marsala, and the mussels with garlic sauce!
(4)T. Z.
I am a regular here and I have never really had an issue up until last night. Sure the service isn't always great though the food makes up for that. We had a check of $50 some dollars and left $10 for tip. The server follows us out to the car and asks "hey, did you leave me a tip?" when it clearly shows on the receipt that we did so we were like uh yeah we left you $10 and he just says "oh" and walks away...never said thank you, nothing. It was creepy that he followed us out and I felt violated and insulted. This was extremely unprofessional!! You cannot follow people out even if they don't tip you a dime! I'm livid & not really sure if I ever want to return and tell everyone I know to never go there ever again!!!
(1)Ilmdho1017 I.
Love the food here!! Great service too!
(4)Mike M.
Worst service ever. We were seated quickly as the place was empty. We were handed menus by the hostess and then no one ever came back. After waiting 20 minutes and still no service we cut our loses and left.
(1)Dan F.
Atmosphere and attitude of the servers is different every time I come. But the Italian food and especially the pizza is by far the best you can get in the area. Deserts are wonderful too.
(5)Josh S.
Blah blah blah "Russian" hang out... This place is now Italian owned. If that matters to some people. Quality in my opinion has been consistent for several years now. My family and I come here pretty often and never had a bad meal. Service did slip for about a year or two but times change and employees come and go. Right now Michelangelo's is a good night out and good food can be expected. Outdoor seating,bar,live music or indoor seating in a relaxed atmosphere. Can't go wrong anyway you choose. If it's too Russian or Italian for you perhaps you should eat elsewhere.
(4)Isabella C.
It's ok in the summer when you are sited outsid. In the winter though the inside Interior is not appealing. Food is ok
(3)KT T.
This place is great for dates, family dinners, small and larger gatherings. The food is good, the staff know their stuff and the atmosphere is delightful. Its tough in the NE find that trifecta of restruant awesomeness- but cafe michaelanglo pulls it off rather well! Also their wine list is very reasonable, mixed drinks as well. You can't go wrong here!
(4)Suzanne S.
Since I haven't reviewed this place in a few years (2010?? WOW-times flies), I think its time to give an updated review of my experience last night. I came here with my family and we sat on the patio near the bar but not directly outside. This is a beautiful place to have a spring luncheon or summer dinner and the outside area really makes this place special with their bocce court and garden seating. I started out with a French Martini, which was fabulous as always. For appetizers we had: Shrimp and Octopus salad-drizzled in olive oil and lemon which was pretty good Mussels in garlic sauce- Good, not the best I have ever had, but solid. Pasta Fagoli Soup-okay Main: Mahi-Mahi in puttanesca sauce over linguine-my husband liked it Mushroom and Spinach Ravioli in blush sauce-DELICIOUS. The service from Farouk is always top-notch and the food is never disappoints. Before having a baby we'd come her at at least once a week and I think I 'm ready to start that tradition up again now that my son is able to sit down for more than an hour.
(4)Mama O.
Such a Cute place!! Never ordered a dish I didn't like. I like coming here for drinks with the girls OR dinner with the family - including my 2 kids. Love the ambiance. Only complaint - as much as I love the little outdoor patio area we have usually had to move due to a nasty stink of cigars by some men out there. Not the restaurants fault I just can't take that smell while I'm trying to eat. But to each his own. It's a free country & it seems to be the bocce ball crowd which I find a charming addition as well. We've had the same waitress the last 2 times. She was very thorough & pleasant. Wish I could remember her name. I'd recommend giving this place a shot if you haven't experienced it yet :)
(4)Lori S.
While the food here IS really good, this is the 3rd time in a row that the service has been poor. The outdoor seating and live music keeps me coming back but then every time it's time to order or even find a server, I remember why this place is never on my go-to list. It's like they don't want my money. Hosts, servers, bartenders - they all seem completely annoyed to be here.
(3)L.M. Z.
They say you take for granted what you love. I can't believe I haven't reviewed the Cafe sooner. We eat here at least 2-3 times a month. Get their pizza, Caesar salad, add grilled chicken to that, order any pasta dish or just come here for their lunch buffet. You will love it. If you're really lucky, Farook will be your server. He's the definition of customer service. If not, service has always been good. Enjoy!
(4)John D.
Open late every day. Owners are very friendly. I'll try the outdoor Bocce ball one day. Thanks!
(5)Robert S.
Food is very tasty. I have had the pasta, chicken cesaer and calmari which have all been great. They menu is a little overpriced in my opinion but its really tastey. Great atmosphere with plenty of space inside and out.
(3)Jenn Y.
We arrived for dinner at 7 pm, with our 2 children. Our waiter was attentive with our initial drink order. Once drinks were on the table, we waited 20 minutes for him to come back. It was not busy. We order 2 appetizers and our entrees. Our children ordered adult meals, so this waiter was racking up the bill. Then he came back to tell us that they were out of one of the apps, on New Year's Eve?? Ok, so we ordered an antipasto. That came out and was covered in balsamic dressing, it was not edible. The busser removed our dishes with the server standing there and the server never asked us why we didn't eat our one appetizer. Our meals came, drinks were never refilled. I would have ordered another glass of wine if he would have asked. We had to ask 3 times for water for us because we needed a drink. My meal was ok, at best. The children did like their meals and my husband was not happy with his burnt pork-chop. We have ordered carryout from here several times and the food is always good. We will never dine in again. The service was horrible and it appeared the server wrote us off because we had children. We spent a good amount of money, drinks, apps, no kid meals. Oh well, lesson learned. Carryout only.
(2)Aleksandra L.
They have some good food and amazing pizza!!! but last 3-4 times I was there it was like impossible to place an order b/c all waiters were MIA.
(3)anne r.
Best food anywhere! The staff is friendly and accommodating and the atmosphere is very nice. Great service and great food. I have been eating at this restaurant for at least the past 10 years and I have never had a bad meal. It is consistently delicious. I eat there at least once a week and I am always pleased with the quality of the food and the wait staff. The owner is a true gentleman who is always eager to please his customers. I highly recommend this restaurant!!
(5)Lisa M.
i always drive by this place so i decided to give them a try & its not bad at all Great place good food,the service was ok not over priced quite location def will give them a visit back
(4)Christopher M.
I made a reservation using OpenTable and when I showed up with my party I was told they were closing because they had special hours for the day. However, they didn't have anything posted on their website and didn't block OpenTable reservations. Best part, they acted like it was my fault and didn't offer an apology.
(1)Catie T.
I'm sure to try this place out
(2)Chris S.
This place was pretty average. Lunch crowd was nonexistent. The house salad was basic (not terribly unusual). The chicken piccata was fair in taste, but underwhelming overall - not a significant portion. I've had much better. The service was pretty good though.
(2)Zanna H.
Sooooo... I end up here periodically because other people in my group feel the food is worth it. I will heartily say no. I ordered the alla vodka yesterday and it was lacking seasoning. Also it made me sick. Feeling like an old maid we went for a late lunch/early dinner. Being the only meal I consumed yesterday their can be no other culprit. I have spent 90% of the evening yesterday and the morning today being painfully uncomfortable and running to the bathroom. The last few hours have been me chasing pepto-bismol with ginger ale. I know this is way too much TMI. But when you can audibly hear your gut groan and double over I feel others should have a heads up. I might understand if I had gotten the food from their lunch buffet but we ordered from the menu. So there it is, I will avoid this place in the future at all costs. They get one star for remodeling and updating their decor both inside and outside.
(1)sue g.
Should have known when the place had empty tables and we still had to wait for a seat there would be a problem. Ordered dinner and was told immediately the pizza may take time because they are backed up. Ok, so we knew that. I got my pre-dinner salad and asked for bread and was told there is none they have to make more. Well when a bit later another table gets bread, again I was told they are making it. Finally got bread after my salad was done. And the wait continues. Almost 1 hr we got dinner and a pizza. I got chicken piccata, two small pieces of chicken in a watery sauce, not bad, not great. For all that wait, I got cold mashed potatoes and lukewarm vegetables. I asked for hot vegetables, waiter offered to replace entire meal, I told him just the vegetables. He came back and told me they were out of mashed potatoes. So he brought me pasta. And to top it off, someone was smoking a cigar, and nothing was done until a customer complained. I felt bad for the waiter as he had no control over the meal however we never even got an apology from the manager, who was busy having dinner with friends who I heard the waiter tell they were getting a discount. Won't go back anytime soon.
(1)Elena D.
The food is italian :) the crowd is Italian an Russian ;) Great music at night. Fun staff and good drinks! Casual------but us euros we like to get decked out so expect hot ladies :) Lunch is a bit different and they usually have a good buffet. They have an outside with heat lamps and a bocci ball court!
(5)Maureen M.
Been here quite a few times b/c the little one likes to sit outside and eat her pizza. The pizza and Caesar salad are good. But that's about it. Their pasta dishes are loaded with sauce and lack flavor, crab cakes were very bland, desserts are so so. Skip it unless you want pizza and salad.
(3)Sean C.
Most recently we hit CM on a saturday afternoon for lunch. The place was pretty quiet as usual in the afternoon. Ordered up a couple of Margherita pizzas.....some of the best you can get anywhere in NE Phila and surrounding suburbs. 8 or 10 visits now under our belt and I still could not tell you about anything else on the menu....The service and decor are fine (nothing to rave or complain about). The pizza is the real star here. I cannot anyone not being impressed.
(5)Irish L.
I love this place and yes as someone said below it is mostly a Russian area, they do know how to cook Italian duh! I order the vodka sauce most times when I go and it is by far the best I've had!! I've also had he pizza, and their traditional red sauce. The egg plant app is delishious!! This is by far one of my go to places for a quality Italian meal!
(5)Mikey M.
Cafe michaelangelos is good italian food for good prices. They have plenty of parking in a private lot and they are very friendly and helpful. When inside they have a regular dining room then they have a open dining room with big windows and twinkle lights all over with big screen tvs which is real nice in the spring. There is a full out door patio that is great but that can get annoying with the bugs in the spring and summer. There menu has lots of great stuff on it so its worth to try this place if your in the area.
(4)D. G.
Cafe Michelangelo is a great little Italian place that is often overlooked. Some tasty pizza comes out of that brick oven, and their other pasta and entrees are delicious and pretty fairly priced - one of my favorites is the ravioli con salvia (cheese ravioli in a sage butter sauce). They serve great dessert as well. The restaurant rarely seems to be too crowded, so it's generally a nice and relaxing atmosphere in which to eat. They even have outdoor seating on a patio out back, right next to a bocce court - a cool, unique touch. Cafe Michelangelo is definitely a worthwhile choice if you're looking for an Italian meal from a place a little more intimate and authentic than one of the bigger chains.
(4)Timothy S.
Great food and staff, it's definitely one of my favorite places to throw a few back and to watch some sports. The Russian crowd everybody here is referring to is no big deal, they're all friendly and haven't ever bothered me. T.Scott
(5)Valerie K.
I think we need to change "italian" to "russian" when it comes to describing this popular "russian" hangout in Northeast Philly... Back in the day, I must've spent at least 2-3 days a week there, without being embarassed to admit it, which is by far NOT the same as it is today... In fact, nothing is the same anymore, expect for maybe some of the patrons. The food has gotten worse... The service has gotten worse... The drinks have gotten a WHOLE LOT of worse... If it wasn't for their availability of outside seating (which is lacking in the greater Northeast), I'd probably give it a whopping one star but, the outside seating does add something to the lacking appeal of the place. In fact, the outside seating does often make it the place to go for the coffee and the cakes, which still managed to remain good...
(2)Igor L.
Though Cafe Michelangelo can draw quite a crowd of Soviet twenty-somethings, which at times can be irritants, it remains one of the of few spots in the North-East with out-door dining. Not that big a plus in my book but still something to consider.(especially now during spring) Furthermore, the out-door dining experience is not marred by car exhaust, as it often is in Center City; which is a defiant perk. In fact, the Brick oven pizza they serve makes the place smell like an traditional Italian place should. This is not to say, however, the place is ideal out-door dining. The place still needs lots of work on its veranda, work which seems to be advancing at a painfully slow pace. And the lame music and crowds can kill an evening. As for the food, the previous two Yelpers had it right; it's a spread traditional Italian fair that is quite good but not exceptional. The portions are quite hardy and worth what you pay. My suggestions: try the calamari in garlic sauce (a scampi sauce) as an appetizer. And defiantly don't pass up the A+ Desserts. (But if you are frugal, hightail it the Net Cost Market a block away to purchase the same Bindi desserts at a fraction of the cost in the freezer section) P.S. Take heed of Zanna's warning about the traffic Bustleton & Byberry
(3)Kim H.
This is one of my absolute favorite places in the Northeast. It's my little hidden treasure. I've never gotten bad food here--it is always delicious and not overpriced! The service can be a little iffy but if you get a good server, take their name and stick to them. The vodka sauce here is TO DIE FOR. I get it every time. The outdoor seating is super cute at night time. Its always a good choice for a casual night out.
(4)Marty D.
This place is just creepy. The decor is cold and impersonal and the wait staff far from professional. When not otherwise occupied, they stood and stared at us. Our server brought our food and then disappeared. The brick oven pizza was a joke. True, it's a brick oven but I'm pretty sure it's gas fired, so what's so special about that. We were not asked if we liked our food or offered drink refills. We had to ask the bar tender to take our check because of the missing server. Never again, not this place.
(1)Stephanie S.
I'm surprised nobody's showing any love for Cafe Michelangelo. Yes, it's filled with twenty-something Russians, and tis true that it can be difficult to get to with the traffic and all. BUT I LOVE their patio, which remains open and HEATED during the winter. How awesome is that? =-) I also enjoy their veal parm. It's a good place to go on a date.
(4)Jon L.
A traditional little Italian joint, the food drives this place on Bustleton Avenue. Because it's out in the far Northeast, it never really gets noticed from the big reviewers, but I would nominate both Michelangelo's gourmet pizzas and their incredible gelati as some of the best in the region. The atmosphere is okay. They try to be more of a date place than a family place, but last time I was in there, they had a guy playing keyboards with some hokey sounding pre-programmed backing tracks -- it sort of brought down the Old Italy feel of the place. Still, from appetizers to desserts, there's nothing on the menu I wouldn't recommend.
(4)