Adrian's Restaurant (Victor Cafe), Philadelphia

Set in a quiet residential neighborhood near the intersection of Dickinson and 13th Streets in Philadelphia is the charming Italian eatery, depicted in Rocky Balboa as Adrian’s Restaurant. In reality, the place is called Victor Cafe. As you stand facing the front, walk to the left and around the corner, and then down a few steps to see the back of the restaurant featured in the movie.

Contrary to its cinematographic counterpart (Adrian’s Restaurant, according to its signage and menu, was set up in 1995), the prototype venue operates since 1918. Inside, the restaurant appears just as intimate as it does in the film, save the boxing themed walls, which in real life are decorated with the impressive collection of operatic recordings, photographs and other music and opera memorabilia.

Chosen by the Rocky Balboa production in 2005, Victor Cafe had both its façade and interior specifically outfitted to appear as Rocky Balboa’s property. Named after his wife Adrian, the restaurant had pictures of her hung on the walls, alongside photos of Rocky’s boxing career highlights as well as some real-life fixtures from Victor Cafe. Victor's owner Greg DiStefano said Stallone liked the vibe of the place so much that he decided to incorporate more of the Cafe’s décor into Rocky’s fictional restaurant than was planned originally.

The concept for Rocky's owning a restaurant was based on real-life boxing legend, Jack Dempsey, who opened a restaurant in Manhattan, New York in the 1930s. It is also due to this connection that Rocky is seen wearing a navy blue shirt with the large white DEMPSEY print across the chest beneath his wine-colored sport coat when he works at Adrian’s.