Ristorante Pesto

Once the waitress calls you “hun” and you see the market price listed next to the whole branzino, you’ll know this East Passyunk spot is in the OG Italian hall of fame. Sure, we love the paintings of gondolas lining the walls, but the warm neighborhoody atmosphere is the real draw here. It’s like everyone knows each other well enough to check-in on nonna and borrow a folding chair to save a spot outside in December. The pasta is the best thing on the menu, so get an order of the garlicky cavatelli and shrimp or giant plate of linguine alla scogliera that drenches shrimp and lobster in marinara.