Philadelphia’s Italian Market runs along South 9th Street in the Bella Vista area, with outdoor produce stalls and shops selling meat, seafood, cheese, pasta and other foods. Italian businesses share the street with Mexican and other international food shops, so a stroll can take you well beyond Italian specialties. Look beneath the awnings, browse the curbside stands and stop for coffee or a bite at a café or restaurant. The market also appears in the films Rocky and Rocky II.
A market shaped by immigration
South 9th Street’s market began to take shape in the late 19th century, when Italian immigrant Antonio Palumbo opened a boarding house for fellow immigrants. Shops grew around the neighborhood to serve its residents. Italian and Jewish vendors were among the early businesses, and the market developed into a long-running open-air shopping street.
Today, the market is part of Bella Vista and stretches along several blocks of South 9th Street, between Fitzwater and Wharton streets. Its awning-covered sidewalks and curbside stalls sit alongside groceries, butcher shops, fishmongers, cheese shops, bakeries, cafés and restaurants. Many businesses have remained family-owned across generations.
What to look for along 9th Street
The market is a place to shop for ingredients as well as to eat. Outdoor stands sell fresh fruit and vegetables, while shops carry meat, seafood, cheeses, pasta and imported goods. Herbs and spices are another reason to browse, and the street’s bakeries and cafés make it easy to pause between shops.
Italian food is part of the market’s identity, but it is not the only cuisine represented. Mexican, Vietnamese, Korean, Laotian and Middle Eastern food businesses sit alongside Italian shops and restaurants. Browse at your own pace and choose a stop based on what catches your eye, whether that is a prepared meal, a coffee or ingredients to take home.
The market on screen and in the neighborhood
The street became familiar to film audiences through Rocky and Rocky II, which feature the market. Its storefronts and outdoor stalls are also part of everyday neighborhood life, with shoppers coming for fresh food and supplies.
For more context on the area, visit the Italian Market Visitor Center and Gift Shop at 919 S 9th St. The center’s managers can give a free lesson on the history of the market and surrounding neighborhood. If you are visiting during a festival, you may also find live entertainment and local specialties.
Preguntas frecuentes
Where is the Italian Market in Philadelphia?
It runs along South 9th Street in South Philadelphia’s Bella Vista area, between Fitzwater and Wharton streets.
What can you buy at the Italian Market?
Stalls and shops sell produce, meat, seafood, cheese, pasta, herbs, spices and imported goods. You can also find prepared food, cafés and restaurants.
Is the Italian Market only Italian?
No. Italian businesses share the market with Mexican, Vietnamese, Korean, Laotian and Middle Eastern food shops and restaurants.
How long should I plan for a visit?
A quick walk down the street and back can be fast, but browsing shops or stopping for food takes longer. Allow 30 to 60 minutes for a short visit.
