“If he can’t fight, I’ll bet he can cook”
“If he can’t fight, I’ll bet he can cook.”
Apollo Creed’s trash talk about Rocky’s Italian roots might’ve had a little truth to it—because in Rocky Balboa, we see the champ running his own Italian restaurant. But here’s the deal: Adrian’s Restaurant isn’t just a fictional spot from the movies. It’s real… well, kind of.
Let’s break it down—where it is, what it’s actually called, and why it’s a Philly staple in its own right.
Where is Adrian’s Restaurant in Rocky Balboa?
Adrian’s Restaurant, as seen in Rocky Balboa, Creed, and Creed II, is actually Victor Café, a historic Italian eatery in South Philadelphia. You’ll find it at the corner of Dickinson and 13th Streets, nestled in a quiet residential area.
Victor Café isn’t just any Italian restaurant—it’s been around since 1918 and is famous for its operatic tradition. The DiStefano family, who owns the café, are huge opera fans, and their collection of opera recordings, photos, and memorabilia line the restaurant’s walls.
When the Rocky Balboa production team was scouting for locations in 2005, Sylvester Stallone was drawn to Victor Café’s old-school, intimate vibe. He liked it so much that they decided to incorporate more of its authentic opera décor into the fictional Adrian’s Restaurant than originally planned.
Is Adrian’s Restaurant Real?
Yes and no. The actual Adrian’s Restaurant from Rocky Balboa doesn’t exist under that name, but the place itself is very real—it’s Victor Café. The restaurant still looks very much like it did in the movie, minus all the boxing-themed décor added for filming.
And if you’re wondering, is Adrian’s Restaurant in Philadelphia still open?—the answer is yes. Victor Café is still serving up classic Italian dishes, just like it has for over a century.
The Backstory: Why Rocky Owns a Restaurant
The idea of Rocky Balboa running a restaurant wasn’t just some random addition to the movie—it was inspired by real-life boxing legend Jack Dempsey.
Dempsey, a former world heavyweight champion, opened Jack Dempsey’s Restaurant in Manhattan during the 1930s. Much like Rocky does in Rocky Balboa, Dempsey was known to personally greet guests, sign autographs, and share stories from his boxing days. His restaurant even had a small cameo in The Godfather (1972), appearing in the background as Michael Corleone waits outside for that “special meeting” with Sollozzo and McCluskey.
This is also why Rocky wears a navy blue “DEMPSEY” sweatshirt under his wine-colored sport coat while working at Adrian’s—it’s a tribute to the boxing icon.
Filming Rocky Balboa at Victor Café
In January 2006, Victor Café was transformed into Adrian’s Restaurant. The production team updated both the façade and the interior, making it look like a cozy South Philly boxing-themed Italian spot.
Inside the restaurant, the film crew placed framed photos of Adrian Balboa on the walls, alongside images of Rocky’s boxing career highlights. But what’s cool is that Victor Café’s actual opera-themed photos and decorations remained in the background, blending the restaurant’s real history with the fictional world of Rocky.
One of the key scenes in Rocky Balboa shows Rocky shopping for ingredients at Philly’s Italian Market, the same place where he trained in Rocky and Rocky II. The movie doesn’t directly say it, but we can assume that Rocky and Adrian opened the restaurant together before she passed—fitting, since Adrian’s spaghetti was apparently that good.
Visiting the Real Adrian’s Restaurant in Philly
If you’re a Rocky fan visiting Philly, Victor Café is a must-see. You can step inside and feel like you’re in the movie, though you won’t find boxing memorabilia hanging on the walls.
A quick travel tip: If you visit, take a walk around the block. As you face the front entrance, head left and turn the corner—you’ll spot the back of the restaurant, which was also used in Rocky Balboa. It’s also outside this restaurant that Rocky’s inspirational “sunshine and rainbows” speech was given to his son.
Whether you’re stopping by for dinner or just snapping some pics, Victor Café lets you experience a real piece of Rocky history while enjoying some classic Italian food. Just don’t expect Rocky himself to be there signing autographs—though, if you’re lucky, you might just hear some live opera while you eat. Check out Victor Cafe’s page about its connection with Rocky.
