Bella Vista-Southwark - Philadelphia, PA Area Guide

The original Protestant Italian immigrants from Sicily settled the Bella Vista-Southwark area during the colonial period and set the Italian cultural foundation of the neighborhood. The major influx of Italian immigrants did not occur until the end of the 19th century during the Great Migration.

Visitors who want an in-depth look at the neighborhood’s history should spend a day at Fleisher Art Memorial, one of the area's landmarks with close ties to the immigrant history. Known as the nations’ oldest tuition free art school, the Memorial proudly stays true to its mission that’s painted on the outside of the building, “World Come and Learn Art.”

For one weekend each May, Bella Vista shuts down all street traffic to host the neighborhood’s annual 9th Street Italian Market Festival. Visitors need to bring an appetite to this multi-block food festival, as local restaurants spill out onto the sidewalks serving up house specialties at reduced prices.

One cannot talk about the food scene in the Bella Vista-Southwark neighborhood without bringing up South Philadelphia's 9th Street Italian Market. Locals and tourists flock to the open-air market every day to sample authentic Italian specialties while enjoying an old world feel. The market houses several shops, cafes, restaurants, and bakeries and remains Philadelphia's unofficial hub of Italian culture and history.

Paesano's is a great place to take out-of-town visitors for Italian sandwiches and side dishes. One of the Italian Market's many gems, Paesano's serves up savory, hot heaping sandwiches with a no-nonsense attitude showcased by the bare-bone eating area. The menu seems overwhelming only for the simple fact that everything sounds too good to be true. The roast pork sandwich is a crowd favorite. Philadelphia's second favorite sandwich, after the cheesesteak, consists of thick slices of juicy pork under melted, sharp provolone, all topped with garlicky broccoli rabe for an added crunch.

It's a short walk from Paesano's to Pho 75, nestled on the corner of 11th and Washington Avenue., Attached to Philadelphia's largest Vietnamese shopping areas, Pho75 offers a steaming bowl of the traditional Vietnamese noodle soup. The unassuming restaurant is nothing to look at, but offers amazing bowls filled with thinly sliced meats, rice noodles, sprouts, and herbs all drowning in a heavenly broth. Diners get to choose a meat for the soup. Adventure seekers even have the option of adding tripe. The quick, friendly service and generous bowls of pho make this restaurant one of Philadelphia's most affordable places to go for good Vietnamese food.

Sabrina's Cafe is located near the Italian Market and offers a charming, corner-bakery feel complete with an outdoor seating area. Do yourself a favor after moving to Bella Vista-Southwark and head to Sabrina's Cafe for Sunday brunch -- one taste of the stuffed challah French toast and you'll make it a weekly habit.

Residents of Bella Vista-Southwark tend to migrate towards Center City to experience its booming nightlife, but there are still plenty of charming bars and taverns in the neighborhood. One must-visit is the Brauhaus Schmitz -- a gorgeous beer hall and amazing restaurant.

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority's north-south subway line is minutes from the Bella Vista-Southwark neighborhood, allowing residents easy access to cheap, public transportation that travels throughout the city.

There are also two bus lines, the 47 and the 23, for people who don't like traveling underground. The two lines cut straight through the neighborhood with conveniently placed stops at every other street corner. The tidy streets make it difficult to find parking spots, but the neighborhood's centralized location provides for extremely pedestrian and bike friendly layout. A 15-minute walk or a 5-minute bike ride is all it takes to get to the heart of Center City.

Flagging down a cab is an easy task for people posted on a corner of either South Street or Washington Avenue, two of Bella Vista-Southwark’s major corridors. Uber also provides rideshare service in the neighborhood. Washington Avenue gives drivers easy access to major Philly highways like I-95 or I-676, with quick access to Philadelphia International Airport.

The closest green space to the Bella Vista-Southwark neighborhood is Bardascino Park. The small brick laden plot of land brings together the diverse community with a full scale bocce ball court where older Italian locals show off their skills. The park is free and open to the public but is not large enough to let a dog off the leash for some exercise. The park also holds concerts during the summer to help promote local musicians.

For a more traditional park experience, Palumbo Playground and Recreation Center has something for everyone. This fully loaded, city block sized park comes equipped with a large playground, basketball courts, a baseball diamond, a grassy sports field and an indoor recreational facility. The basketball courts are well maintained with easy access to bathrooms and water fountains. The park stays busy, attracting families with small children as well as teens and adults looking for the next pick up basketball game. Even with all of the activities happening all at once, Palumbo Playground remains a quiet urban oasis, and provides a great place to take an afternoon stroll, get some fresh air or break a sweat.

The cost of living in the Bella Vista-Southwark neighborhood is 11.6 percent higher than the city average. Traveling by subway costs no more than $2 to get to Center City. The same distance has a maximum fare of $2.25 via public bus. The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,550. The price of a pint of beer at a local pub runs between $3-$6 and the average gas price is 8 percent higher than the national average.

The Italian Market and its shops encompass most of the prime real estate in the neighborhood. Fante's Kitchen Shop has all the tools a chef needs for his next culinary creation. In true Italian Market fashion the staff is always friendly and eager to help customers find the perfect kitchen gadget or decide on one of the many fresh ground coffee selections.

Anastacia's Antiques sets its self apart from various chain stores in the Bella Vista-Southwark area. This bizarrely fun antique shop has everything from furniture and hardware to lighting and even a real skeleton. Unlike some antique stores, the staff let people wander around the store without keeping a watchful eye. Items are fairly priced and the shop is a nice change of pace from the majority of surrounding stores.

The Italian Market serves the locals' grocery needs, where fresh produce is priced much cheaper than big name grocers in the area. The market allows nearby residents to live a European lifestyle where locals make daily trips to the open-air market and leave with a basket full of fresh produce, bread, meats, and dairy products.

The Bella Vista-Southwark neighborhood is also home to Hung Vuong Supermarket. The expansive Asian market, located in the Wing Phat Plaza, offers specialty items not typically found at a local grocer. The market sells unique items such as medicinal remedies from the Far East, a huge assortment of teas, affordably priced produce and a nice selection of fresh fish on ice.