Positano Coast by Aldo Lamberti — Restaurant in Philadelphia

From the moment we stepped into Positano Coast by Aldo Lamberti, we felt transported—whitewashed walls, blue accents, and a coastal breeze vibe that channels the dreamy charm of Positano with a distinct Greek flair. It’s a perfect spot for a romantic dinner, a celebration, or a classy night out with friends.

The evening began with several Hariot’s Ghosts, a standout: the cocktail that blends smoky mezcal with bright citrus and herbal notes. It was complex, refreshing, and balanced—a bold and elegant start that paired surprisingly well with seafood. Their cocktail menu as a whole is inventive and refined, with options that reflect both coastal influences and modern mixology.

For appetizers, Our table shared the Fritto Misto and Spicy Fried Calamari—both crisp, golden, and fresh. The Fritto Misto had an artful mix of shrimp, calamari, and seasonal vegetables, lightly battered and fried to perfection, with a zesty dipping sauce that added just the right acidity. The Spicy Fried Calamari brought the heat in the best way—perfectly tender and tossed in a house chili blend that wakes up the palate.

The Scamorza, a grilled smoked mozzarella dish, was rich, melty, and slightly charred—simple but packed with flavor. The Caesar salad was anything but ordinary—anchovy-forward in a good way, with crisp romaine and just the right amount of creamy, garlicky dressing and shaved Parm.

For the main course, the Roasted Lamb Chops were absolutely unforgettable—juicy, deeply flavorful, and expertly cooked to a medium-rare perfection. They came crusted with fresh herbs and accompanied by seasonal vegetables that complemented the dish without overpowering it. The meat was tender with a smoky char that added depth to every bite—easily one of the best lamb dishes I've had in Philadelphia.

We also enjoyed the Grigliata, a generous mixed grill of seafood and meats, and the Pan-Seared Branzino—delicate, buttery, and beautifully plated. The Scallops were seared to a caramelized finish, silky inside, and served with just enough garnish to let their natural sweetness shine.

Desserts were as strong as the starters. The Sorbet and Gelato were refreshing and clean, ideal after a rich meal, while the Torta Nocciola was a decadent hazelnut dream—rich, nutty, and just the right level of sweetness to linger with your last sip of wine or espresso.

Service was top-notch from start to finish—knowledgeable, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. Our server helped guide the flow of the meal perfectly, timing each course and offering thoughtful wine and cocktail suggestions throughout.

Positano Coast by Aldo Lamberti isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a Mediterranean escape in the heart of the city. Already planning...

My wife and I just had our wedding reception at Positano Coast last evening and I felt the need to immediately jump on here and share our incredible experience. Every member of the staff, from planning with Carolina, to the front of house, to the incredible bartenders and service staff was as great as we could have imagined. And the food. Every 15 minutes today family or friends of ours are texting and saying “AND THE FOOD WOW”. Here is the rundown of the process and what we did if you are considering. First went and met with management to discuss and reserve dates, etc. Had this planned for summer last year. When we realized we couldn’t last July, we picked this June. So we held off on communication just randomly checking in that we were both monitoring. Carolina and group very responsive. Leading up to the time had a few simple discussions around how many people, what type of food service, etc. We had just under 100 people and chose buffet food service. My concerns from previous experiences at weddings, etc were that with it being in a restaurant, would we have that wedding dance party celebration experience, and would the food be made too early and under warmers and develop those crusts and films that buffet foods can have. We chose Chix parm, Beef tenderloin, and salmon for entrees and vodka cream and pesto sauces for the pasta. I couldn’t believe how fresh everything was and they made it in smaller batches and kept it coming out fresh continuously. So it was all as if it came straight from kitchen to your plate. Incredible food, zero complaints. We had both the Meridiana and Sopra rooms for seating. We had more tables in the Meridiana room to leave more open space in the Sopra room where we had the DJ and all the dancing. We had more than adequate space to party and the private bar service in the room was quick with pros behind the bar. We played music and danced just like you would at any other large wedding venue. They also let us come in a few hours early to decorate tables / put out centerpieces. 5 star food, 5 star service, 5 star atmosphere. This all on top of the great location with Marriott Old City across the street and Hilton Penn’s Landing just behind it. So you can have all your guests within a 3-5 minute walk, which they appreciated. Finally, the Merchant Exchange building across the street is excellent for classy wedding photos. So you can go from church, leave time in between and take pics there, then have reception at Positano Coast, and right across the street to your hotel when it’s all over. Wouldn’t change a thing and couldn’t recommend...

Great seafood, generous portions, and a welcoming vibe – just a bit off on timing

We visited Positano Coast after catching a show at the Arden Theatre, and one thoughtful touch stood out right away: they offer a 10% discount if you show your Arden ticket stub, such a nice incentive for theatergoers looking to continue the evening with a good meal.

The food was excellent across the board, especially the seafood dishes, which were clearly made with very fresh ingredients. As someone who requires gluten-free options, I felt well taken care of the staff was knowledgeable and careful about what I could and couldn’t have. That kind of attentiveness is always appreciated and helped me enjoy the night more fully.

We started with appetizers, and everyone at the table had high praise for them. A particular highlight was the fried spicy calamari, my husband and kids raved about it. I couldn’t try it myself due to gluten, but it was clearly the star starter. The portion was very generous and perfect for sharing honestly, more than enough for several people to enjoy.

When it came to entrées, the portion sizes again impressed us. The lamb chops, ordered by my husband and one of our sons, were perfectly cooked and incredibly tender. I had the salmon, which was flavorful and well-prepared, though it could have been warmer, a detail I suspect was due to some timing issues in the kitchen.

That leads to the few small service hiccups: our appetizers didn’t arrive all at once, so some of us were eating while others waited. A side dish also came out quite late, almost as we were finishing our mains, which interrupted the flow of the meal.

The atmosphere is stylish yet relaxed, with a lovely view of the city. It’s also very family-friendly, and the staff was welcoming to our kids, making it a great choice for both family dinners and adult nights out.

We capped the evening with a dessert, the cheesecake, ordered by my son. It was beautifully presented with delicious sauce accompaniments and perfectly creamy. He and my husband shared it and raved about every bite. A sweet ending to a very enjoyable meal.

In summary: Fantastic seafood, gluten-free friendly, and generous portions in a stylish setting. Just a few service timing issues, but still very much...