Birra

Went mid-​week for some drinks with friends. Amazing beer list with 50+ options. Food was incredible, Paul, the head chef is the man. His philosophy in cooking is a unique one and he does it well.

The food here is good, service is great! I would def go back and eat again as I have multiple times. But I always have the bad luck of being there when the person who I’m told is the head chef is there. He’s very disruptive to my Dining experience! I was there this past weekend and he just kept whistling it was so irritating and not the first time that has happened. He’s always yelling or talking about inappropriate things way to loudly. I need to figure out the days he’s not working

I was really looking forward to trying out Birra tonight since I heard such great things about their craft pizza. Unfortunately, my dining experience wasn’t what I expected… Nonetheless though, the food was truly good.
Pros:
– Amazing choices of funky pizzas. My friend and I order the Truffle White Pie pizza — absolutely phenomenal! They place a sunny side up egg in the middle of the pie and it was heavenly… I want an egg on all my pizzas now
– Versatile beer selection
– Friendly staff
Cons:
– I felt more as though I was at a sports bar than at a restaurant… The bar itself takes up what seems like half the first floor. The group of people sitting at the bar behind me were extremely loud and using an excessive amount of profanity in their conversation. One of the drinking patrons was just standing in the foot traffic area right behind me, which caused people to push up against me when walking behind my seat. At one point, I felt one of the waitresses’ drink trays right on top of my head!
– Noise level gets really loud and it becomes a bit hard to hear people sitting across the table
– Sweet & Spicy Calamari was lacking in expectations… I doubt I would order it again
I definitely would come back again in the future to try it out when it’s less crowded!

This place is literally my new obsession. We found this place because I was dropping off something at a store a block up. It has AMAZING food. Lovely atmosphere.
On my first visit, my wife and I had an absolutely LOVELY server named Angelica. She said everything with a smile – she was really warm and welcoming. It was like being at home.
The food is the best I think I’ve ever had… The portions are shareable size. We had the soup special (beef barley with a horseradish cream sauce on top — I was dreaming about it the next day so I tried making my own, but it didn’t come close!), a nice cheese board, and the buffalo chicken pizza. The pizza is thin crust and has perfect flavor. Not too salty. The buffalo chicken is VERY spicy though, be warned! It is a bit tight inside, but well worth it. It also has a great beer selection!
Our second visit we brought my in-​laws and aunt in-​law. We had to wait a few minutes for a table (on a Wednesday) as they don’t take reservations but it wasn’t too bad. The waitress and hostess this time weren’t too friendly this time, but Angelica was there and was still just as friendly (as was the bartender). We had sweet and spicy calamari, a house salad, the cheese board, a margarita pizza, and the gabagool pizza (it was amazing).
Amazing, amazing! Just go eat there! Stop wasting your time. Eat all the pizza.

Birra is seriously the BOMB! This is more than just a neighborhood pizza joint on East Passyunk. The pizzas here are definitely a must with their fun and unique topping options. They have a 12 inch crust which is aged for 2 days and easily feeds 2. While some places have nothing but pizza on the menu, here you can enjoy a nice dinner too. I’ve been here dining in the middle of the week as late at 9pm and it’s always packed with people laughing, talking, filling up the bar, drinking beer and eating pizza.
There are only about 10 – 12 tables so snag one if you can. Personally I like eating at the bar here, pizzas come out of the brick oven lighting fast and the quirky manager Angie behind the bar has a delightfully quirky personality. They have your typical favorites like Mussels or Meatballs… try an Italian favorite with a twist and order the Arancini Trio– risotto balls stuffed with prosciutto, lobster, or roasted vegetables. I absolutely loved the Seared Octopus and am eyeing the Lemon Oregano Chicken for next time.
Looking for something you’ve never had before? Try the Birra Buns are made with pizza dough and filled with pork belly and cabbage slaw with chili lime aioli. The salad or panini’s will fill you up and then of course there is pasta. The Lobster Cavatelli features homemade lobster infused pasta! The Braised Shortrib Ravioli will melt in your mouth and the Jerked Chicken Penne has a little cajun kick. Don’t forget the dessert here because the Bread Pudding will actually make you wish you ordered dessert first!
I must save the best for last… PIZZA. If you like it classic, order the Margherita. If you like it spicy, try the Buffalo Chicken. The Truffle Pizza here is loaded with pieces of black truffle and mushrooms. If you’re a meat lover, go for the Three Little Pigs with porchetta, spict gabagool and pancetta! Ever had Spaghetti and Meatball Pizza? They got it. Mac and Cheese Pizza? Oh yeah. Cheeseburger Pizza too. The salty sweetness of the Pear & Gruyère will surprise you and the Roasted Duck Pizza is not to be missed either. All you others can rejoice because they have a create-​your-​own pizza option with toppings like truffle„ fresh mozzarella, anchovies, brisket, taleggio, homemade ricotta, mussels, dry aged ground beef, roasted peppers, etc.
Pair your meal with anything from their extensive beer list and I can ensure you this will be one of the best meals you’ve had.

First time
when we walked in the door the owner was authentically friendly. The wait staff Olivia was very helpful pleasant and attentive. As well as the bartender and other severs. The mussels where plentiful and great sauce. Enough to share.
The red sauce was like no other great taste fresh tomatoes. The mozzarella is the real deal.
The mushroom pizza with truffle oil very unique like no other very good. Also the Buffalo chicken like no other especially with the celery on top.
Nice bar. Plenty of IPA beer. Also try the bread pudding. Great place, nice people, good price!
Our new favorite pizza place !

This pizzeria is two blocks from my house if you want some good artisan pizza like duck petrified this is the place to go just skip the jerk chicken penne you’ll thank me for it.

Delicious pizza and a big beer list! This is a great spot for a casual dinner with friends. The mac and cheese pizza was a special I was there and we tried. We also had the mushroom pizza and the garlic. Everything I tasted was very good. I also recommend the fried calamari appetizer. I have been here twice and service has always been very friendly. There is outside seating when the weather is nice and I recommend that.

We specifically came here for Birra’s mac ‘n cheese pizza and we were not disappointed. A pizza has six slices of greatness… and we killed it. I really recommend you trying this if you’re a lover of mac ‘n cheese and wanted to try something different. The crust is a bit thin and gets hard if you don’t eat it right away, but I guess that’s less carbs for you to consume if you’re trying to cut back??? Anyway, go to Birra and order this! $ 14 for a pie I believe.

Birra is a great neighborhood pizza spot. It has an intimate feel and the pizzas are cooked to order. Everything one would want from a local pizza spot. They emphasize the beer selection and carry a great selection. As one would guess, pizza and cocktails do not mix so well, so having $ 12 drinks is an interesting move.
Having friends from the West Coast, they were seeking a good pizza like only NYC, Philly, or Chicago can do. Birra more than delivers on that goal. We shared a pizza with pancetta, fresh mozzarella and red sauce. Our pizza and the many others being cooked keep the place warm thanks to their giant pizza oven amidst a cozy size shop. It was a bit noisy for conversation, so perhaps an outdoor table is a better call if it’s warm out. Overall, a great pizza, above average noise, and good service.
When you go, I suggest a make your own pizza with at least the house-​made mozzarella and red sauce.

Really good pizza. Lots of unique options to try (like a hamburger pie) but even the basics are unique and delicious.
For 6 people we got 3 pies and a Caesar salad. The salad was ok– kinda whatever so I would skip it next time and try something else.
The first pizza was the Margherita. I had been watching them make the pizzas while we waited for a table (the pizza ovens are right there when you walk in so it is very cool to watch) and was eagerly waiting to try this one which was very popular. It is loaded with lots of fresh mozzarella and has tomato sauce and tomatoes. This pie was superb. Absolutely delicious.
The second pie was the Mac and Cheese which I had read about it on every «must try» list for philly. I was slightly disappointed. The pizza is good but was missy something creamy or saucy. I wish I would have asked for hot sauce. I think it would be better with like a creamy ricotta or some sort of sauce to wet the ingredients a big. It wasn’t bad it just wasn’t as amazing as I was expecting. Definitely try it to understand the hype but it wasn’t our favorite of the bunch.
The third was the Spaghetti and Meatballs. My family devoured this. The spaghetti was nicely cooked and the sauce was delicious. Everyone loved this and the Margherita.
The crust is crispy and a little bit like cardboard but still a great pizza place compared to the rest of philly.
This is a small restaurant with a bar and not great for big groups. They are opening another part with more room so that could change. But, we went with 6 people so it was hard for them to find a spot and we had to wait. It was worth it for the pizza though!
We’ve already talked about going back again to try some of the ones we missed!

I figured I’d write an update considering I’m here every week and the service/​quality of food is still consistently good.
They are finally going to add an upstairs with extra seating, as the place can get super crowded (especially in the colder months when the outdoor seating won’t be there anymore). Can’t wait to see what the upstairs will bring!
After knocking off a few more pizzas off my Birra bucket list, I can say my favorites are still the Roasted Duck pizza with pesto (be forewarned: it’s greasy but DAMN good) and the Pear Arugula pizza with prosciutto, which is hands down the best in my opinion– the perfect ratio of cheese, pear, and prosciutto with a nice heap of dressed arugula– it’s bitter, sweet, savory, crunchy, and soft all at once– super tasty.
I’ve realized I’m not crazy about the Americano pizzas, which seem to be everyone’s favorites. Not that they’re bad– they’re just too heavy and laden with cheese and toppings for my liking. I do want to try the Southern BBQ one though– that sounds enticing.
Overall, by the end of the meal I still find myself chowing down on the crusts cause it’s just that good. Will definitely continue to be a repeat customer!

Pizzas were amazing. Very thin and crispy and lots of variety.
The cocktails looked really good also although we didn’t have one. The service is good and the waitresses recommended drinks.
The only issue we had was we were a group of 5, and one pizza was quite delayed after the others had arrived. However they were worth the wait!

Solid pizza and pasta when I went. I recommend this place but I don’t know the other spots in E. Passyunk too well.

SOLID ITALIAN FOOD WITH GOOD BEER SELECTION.
Food: Food here is very good. If you like pizza, you will like this place. They also serve good food here that is not pizza. They have an extensive beer selection for a place that is not a bar specializing in having lots of different beer.
Service: The service was very friendly with a young and polite staff.
Ambiance: The restaurant is clean and well kept with big windows that allow for open feeling.
Definitely a good place to go and spend some time with friends. Would go again if in area.

Simply amazing! Kudos to the chef! My husband and I ventured to Birra Friday night and we were blown away. Upon arrival to the restaurant, we were greeted by the chef who is very friendly and definitely knows what he is doing!
We started off with the Braised Shortrib Ravioli and it was very tasty. When you think of ravioli you think of a heavy dish that that’s going to leave you feeling very stuffed. This was the opposite of that. The ravioli (which came in three pieces) was very light tasting with a side of house made riccota and tomato ragu. It left us wanting more.
For our main dish we ordered the Truffle Pizza which was amazing! The pizza crust was not too thick and was crispy. The taleggio and mozzarella cheeses were so good and the local mushrooms had great texture and were quite tasty. The best part of the pizza was the fried egg in the middle (I wish we had ordered two runny eggs!)
For dessert, the chef brought out for us the bread pudding which was DELICIOUS! I normally don’t like overly sweet desserts but this bread pudding was perfect. The bread pudding had ice cream, whip cream, and some sort of a whiskey sauce on it.
We also had the limoncello (my first time) which was pretty tasty! We will be returning to this restaurant but next time with friends!

Great dinner last night. We were able to score some outside seating for dinner. There was a good beer selection last night. The pear and goat cheese salad was delicious. My favorite still remains the mushroom truffle pizza but this time we removed the fried egg and added hot peppers and arugula. Pizza is a little on the pricy side for what you get but their pizzas are unique and not like your typical corner pizza shop. Service was good.

Sat outside on a beautiful day! The service was good, the food was great! I had the mussels, good, but could use a little more of a kick for my taste. To be fair, I tend to eat on the spicier side, so it was probably perfect for most people. Also had the meatballs, wow, so good and the portion was perfect for sharing. Then, the reason I was lured to this place, the carbonara pizza! Let me first say that I am a fan of things topped with an egg, but when it comes to pizza, I was like «No way, this can’t be good, right?» They sure did prove me wrong, that egg on top was the perfect touch, I highly recommend! I didn’t get to have the full experience (no beers), but I plan on returning!

Birra is located in a section of the city that is literally bustling with humanity and food options. A walk through the Passyunk Bermuda Triangle that is ‘Yunk, Broad and Washington, on a weather perfect Sunday afternoon in April, reminded me of my time in Europe at the weekend markets.
I met a friend who lived in the area at his place with the intention of getting lunch. He asked me where I wanted to go, I asked what’s good in the area. He put a pot of coffee on and told me to find a comfortable chair because listing good restaurant options can take awhile around here.
One of his first suggestions was Birra and this was probably for the best because the notion of pizza and beer on this wonderful day just seemed like the right thing to do.
Speaking of beer. I almost made a colossal mistake here, by wondering to myself if they even had beer. I studied foreign language in college and while I didn’t specifically take Italian, I should have immediately known it meant beer. To be frank, we should all know how to say beer in every language including and not limited to American Sign Language.
So once again I’m using a lot of words to say something simple so I’ll get to business.
I was surprised how quickly we got a table on a bustling Sunday afternoon but it was post brunch and I’m not even sure Birra offers any kind of traditional brunch (I did see a fried egg pizza though). Pizza and beer is as fine a brunch for me though, even if it was closer to Linner (Lunch/​Dinner).
The atmosphere was beautiful as was its staff, inside and out. The service was quick and efficient. I felt neither bothered or ignored.
I chose some kind of coffee porter from their nitro which was wonderful even though it’s not really the season for it. I just don’t like the seasonal summery ales and saisons around this time.
I felt like their specialty pizzas were a little too pricey and there was always an element I didn’t like, so their build a pizza option was great. It starts at $ 6 for a plain cheese and you can add toppings at about $ 3 a piece.
I chose a regular cheese with Italian sausage topping.
The pie came out fairly quickly. It was the perfect size. Enough to eat maybe ¾ and take a few slices home for leftovers. It was definitely my kind of pie. Thin and crispy with good, greasy cheese on top. It had a brick oven feel without being brick oven. In other words it wasn’t burnt. Ha!
I wasn’t as happy with the sausage. It was good but they put a few scattered thick pieces on top so that each slice maybe had 1 bite of sausage to it. I think I’d prefer it sliced thinner and spread out more evenly. There are other toppings that looked good for future visits though.
Overall, Birra should be considered a prime option, even in this area of high restaurant competition. Definitely a nice little spot to satisfy your primal beer and pizza cravings. You can’t see, but I looked up how to ASL Beer and I’m doing it right now.

I went to Birra several years ago and shared a few different pizzas with friends. I don’t remember what we ordered but I remember liking everything except for a pizza we ordered with sardines. I remember it being way too salty; though I can’t elaborate anymore because it was probably 3 years ago. My memory is fading at 31 :-/​This could have been a personal preference, rather than poor execution by the Birra chefs though; so I will end by saying I had a lovely meal that night.
I returned to Birra with Christina V. the other night. We had 30 minutes to kill before our dinner reservations down the street. It was very crowded and they didn’t have any bar seats available but the hostess said there was an open table. I told the her we would only be ordering a drink and she said it was no problem. Our server was just as pleasant and accommodating.
They have about 10 unique micro brews on tap as well as a bottle list. I ordered the Liaison Saison from Saint Benjamin Brewing Company and it was delightful. It had just enough hint of lavender without going overboard. It was a perfect Saison to start the night, and seemed pretty strong because I got a small buzz from just one.
Birra isn’t a very large place, so I wouldn’t suggest it for more than a party of 4 – 6 people. It is a great spot for a casual date or dinner with friends/​family.