Loading...
-
$$$$ | Rittenhouse Square |
Smoke, coal, fire, and ash create a through line for the menu at a.kitchen, on the ground floor of the AKA Hotel. Attired in blond wood and Carrara marble, it looks like a spa in the Italian Alps, and its Rittenhouse address guarantees a scene, but the recent involvement of High Street Hospitality (Fork, High Street on Market) has transformed it into a "serious restaurant" with an ace sommelier and a steak tartare that cannot be missed.
135 S. 18th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103, USA
Known For
- Seasonal small plates
- Fresh oysters
- Sleek interior
-
$$$$ | Old City |
Happy sounds are always emanating from eaters at this comfortable, elegant eatery, one of Old City’s most respected and longest-running dinner destinations. The kitchen is known for its innovative pastas and breads, in-house fermentation, and the celebration of local meats and produce.
306 Market St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19106, USA
Known For
- Creative new American food
- Excellent service
- Elegant dining room
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekdays, Credit cards accepted
-
$$$$ | Old City |
This sunny younger sibling of perennial favorite Fork is half clubhouse for Old City neighbors, half food-tourist magnet. Grain-brained High Street will take you from cortados (an espresso drink) and kouign-amann (a French pastry) in the morning to beet-cured salmon sandwiches in the afternoon to creative alt-flour pastas—spelt pappardelle, anyone?—at night.
308 Market St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19106, USA
Known For
- All-day service
- Creative breads
- Innovative pastas
-
$$$$ | Rittenhouse Square |
Jonathan Cichon has proven himself to be a worthy successor to this luxe establishment and one who forges his own way with graceful dishes using seasonal, prestige ingredients. He is bigger on elegance and shorter on whimsy than his predecessors, with dishes like lobster crepes, and chicken liver and foie gras mousse with watermelon glaze. Combined with a 500-plus-label cellar of high-end bottles and a gorgeous dining room overlooking Rittenhouse Square, a meal here is guaranteed to be one of your most memorable. There's also the $75 blowout Sunday brunch—a tremendous value, believe it or not.
210 W. Rittenhouse Sq., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103, USA
Known For
- All-day dining options
- Sunday brunch
- Expansive wine list
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Reservations essential
-
$$$$ | East Passyunk |
Reservations at Laurel are typically a tough get, given its cozy 22-seat dining room and chef-owner’s Nicholas Elmi’s sterling reputation. But dinner at this intimate, candlelit hideaway is worth the effort for fans of the Top Chef season 11 winner’s elegant, intelligent French-American food, presented in six- or nine-course tasting formats five nights a week. In the Valley, Elmi’s attached wine bar and cocktail lounge, offers small plates and a place to hang before or after a Laurel reservation.
1617 E. Passyunk Ave., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19148, USA
Known For
- Elegant French-American cuisine
- Tasting menus
- Romantic atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch, Reservations essential
-
Recommended Fodor’s Video
-
-
$$$$ | Rittenhouse Square |
Brass rails, silvered mirrors, claret-hued banquettes, and oak wainscoting reclaimed from now-shuttered Parisian restaurants, imbue patina—while small touches like newspapers on wooden poles, create extra realism—in the meticulous stage set placed on Philadelphia's most desirable corner by restaurateur Stephen Starr. Similarly, standard menu items (roasted chicken, trout amandine) hold their own, but the little things—desserts and salads, fresh-baked goods (including house-made macaroons), and excellent onion soup—stand out. Ask for an indoor-outdoor table overlooking the park: you'll get generous views and the pleasant din of the 150 diners behind you without the deafening buzz that is the restaurant's one true downside.
227 S. 18th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103, USA
Known For
- Onion soup
- Seafood tower
- Outdoor dining
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
-
$$$$ | Center City East |
Aimee Olexy's Talula's Table in Kennett Square was an unlikely phenomenon; the little country market had a months-long backlog of reservations for its lone farmhouse table. Olexy's urban extension of that runaway success is a sprawling, high-ceilinged space decorated with Alice Waters quotations printed on the walls, a charming outdoor courtyard with a garden that glows under twinkly lights, and an elegant seasonal menu. The knowledgeable servers do a great job explaining interesting cheese boards with names like "Not Your Granny's" and "Seasonal Stash."
210 W. Washington Sq., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19106, USA
Known For
- Farm-to-table cuisine
- Charming courtyard
- Cheese boards
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.-Sat.
-
$$$$ | Rittenhouse Square |
South Jersey native, and James Beard-award winning chef, Greg Vernick spent the bulk of his career opening restaurants around the world for Jean-Georges Vongerichten. When he and his wife, Julie, wanted to do their own place, they came back to the Delaware Valley and made waves with their bustling (but intimate) modern American restaurant whose ever-changing menu features delicious things on toast (avocado, foie gras, Maryland crab), Asian influences, and large-format proteins (whole chicken or rack of lamb) cooked in a wood-burning oven. Expect it all rendered in thoughtful, joyful expressions, and served by a vivacious staff.
2031 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103, USA
Known For
- Thoughtful toasts like pumpkin, apple and brown butter or sea scallop and black truffle butter
- Roasted meats
- Raw bar
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch
-
$$$$ | Rittenhouse Square |
A bit of scrolled ironwork greets diners, followed by a swank bar pulsating with Cuban music that lets everyone know this is a happening place; find a seat here because you may wait awhile, even with a reservation. The service is a bit chaotic, but the mojitos are refreshing and the menu contains a few genuine dishes, such as lechon asado (crispy roasted pork) and a wide selection of ceviche, all prepared by star chef Douglas Rodriguez. The decor is evocative of pre-Castro Havana, with dim lighting, mod seating, and larger-than-life images of tobacco fields projected onto the walls.
1623 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103, USA
Known For
- Pre-Castro Havana decor
- Lechon asado (crispy roasted pork)
- Refreshing mojitos
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch, Credit cards accepted
-
$$$$ | Society Hill |
Copious portions of regional Italian cuisine are served in the brick-walled dining room of this early-18th-century granary. Don't miss the acclaimed Caesar salad prepared table-side by the genial owner, who thoroughly enjoys animated conversations with his guests. Tuesday-night lobster specials make the trip to the Society Hill area more than worthwhile.
120 Lombard St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19147, USA
Known For
- Hearty Italian cuisine
- Romantic dining room
- Weekly lobster special
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch, Credit cards accepted
-
-
$$$$ | Bella Vista |
The cheery atmosphere inside this long, narrow bistro exudes warmth and attention to detail, from the flea-market knickknacks picked out by chef Peter Woolsey and his Burgundian wife, Peggy, to the ceramic pitchers of house wine delivered to your table. Woolsey studied at the Cordon Bleu, fell in love with French food culture (and Peggy), and came back to his native Philadelphia to share the experience with his city; regulars swear by the mustard-braised rabbit with housemade pasta; pork cheeks braised in Malbec; and the exemplary desserts that speak to Woolsey's extensive training as a pastry chef.
623 S. 6th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19147, USA
Known For
- Romantic atmosphere
- Classic French bistro menu
- Authentic ingredients
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekdays, Credit cards accepted
-
$$$$ | Old City |
This Stephen Starr restaurant is presided over by a 10-foot-tall gilded Buddha who seems to approve of the fusion food that pairs Pan-Asian ingredients with various cooking styles. The truffled edamame dumplings and tuna tartare spring rolls are tasty, but much of the appeal is in the theatrical decor and people-watching, also prevalent at Buddakan's outposts in New York and Atlantic City. A long "community table" provides an opportunity to dine with anyone else who snags this center-stage space. Be prepared for a loud and lively atmosphere.
325 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19106, USA
Known For
- Creative Pan-Asian cooking
- Eye-catching decor
- Lively scene
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekends, Credit cards accepted
-
$$$$ | Center City West |
One of restaurateur Stephen Starr's many ventures is housed in an old wood-paneled and marbled brokerage (from which it borrows its name). Here the dishes are traditional rather than fancy (wedge salad, filet Oscar), portions are hefty, and the sides classic (green beans amandine, creamed spinach). A pair of showstopper chandeliers, a New Yorker–style mural depicting tony pooches clad in pencil skirts and smoking robes, and leather banquettes skew closely to the restaurant's avowed 1940s supper club aesthetic. The juicy, dripping burger is the word at lunch.
1500 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19102, USA
Known For
- Juicy steaks
- Weekday lunch options
- Baked Alaska
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekends, Credit cards accepted
-
$$$$ | Center City East |
It's only fair to question whether Capital Grille is a restaurant or an art gallery. When you first enter the Philadelphia dining room of this high-end national chain, you'll find walls covered with exquisitely framed paintings and pedestals bearing bronze statues. Steaks and chops for the power crowd come in two sizes: large and larger. A baby lobster (about a pound) makes an excellent appetizer along with the requisite green salad and shrimp cocktail. The wine cellar is ample and fairly priced for a selection of excellent bottles.
1338 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107, USA
Known For
- High-end steaks and chops
- Business crowd
- Power lunch
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekends, Credit cards accepted
-
$$$$ | Old City |
People who have been to Havana swear this place is a dead ringer; in any event, it's lovely, with balconies and fancy streetlights, and even a leaded-glass window on the interior. An entire drinks menu is devoted to rum from everywhere in the Caribbean and Central and South America, including Cuba Libre's own brand, and of course, the mojitos are excellent. The appetizers, like Cienfuegos-style beef empanadas and malanga fritters, are authentic. Rice and black beans are served with classic entrées like vaca frita and ropa vieja.
10 S. 2nd St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19106, USA
Known For
- Cuban cuisine
- Mojitos
- Salsa dancing
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
-
-
$$$$ | Penn's Landing |
Peter Woolsey, whose tenured Bella Vista bistro, La Minette, is beloved by Francophiles, bet big on an out-of-the-way Penn’s Landing sequel named for his wife, Peggy. Housed in a former water pumping station, the digs are catnip for engineering and architecture nerds; rivet-studded I-beams crisscross the ceiling like a catwalk, and soaring arched windows overlook the brontosaurus hoof—like supports of the Ben Franklin Bridge. The menu hits a wide swath of comfort-food notes—New England clam chowder, pot roast, chicken and dumplings—with occasional Gallic flourishes. A spacious outdoor courtyard with a bar is in use for most of the year. The restaurant shares an address with the headquarters and main performance space of the FringeArts organization.
140 N. Christopher Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19106, USA
Known For
- Waterfront views
- Impressive architecture
- Theatrical touches
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.-Sat.
-
$$$$ | East Passyunk |
Sublime charcuterie, ethereal pastas, and interesting wines by the glass are just a few of the details that make Le Virtù one of the best Italian restaurants in town. The sun-washed space began with a fierce dedication to the underappreciated region of Abruzzo, where the owners run culinary tours; that focus has been sharpened under the direction of talented chef Damon Menapace. Keep an eye out for Le Virtù’s events, which range from rare wine tastings to performances by visiting Abruzzese musicians. The quaint outdoor patio is one of the neighborhood's most charming alfresco options.
1927 E. Passyunk Ave., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19148, USA
Known For
- Rare Abruzzese cuisine
- Excellent pastas
- Charming atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
-
$$$$ | Center City East |
Stunning (and expensive) dishes created by celebrity chef Masaharu Morimoto (of the Food Network's Iron Chef) are served in an elegant, slightly futuristic setting. White plastic tables and benches glow beneath multicolored lights; the ceiling is undulating bamboo. Omakase (tasting menus), which run $125 to $200, are worth the expense, as is the sushi, sliced with skill and care by Morimoto’s best chefs. Creative à la carte dishes include toro (tuna belly) tartare with caviar and wasabi; and tempura with Gorgonzola sauce. Reservations are recommended.
723 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19106, USA
Known For
- Sushi
- Japanese fine dining
- Sleek atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekends, Credit cards accepted
-
$$$$ | Fairmount |
After changing hands a number of times, Osteria is now under the careful direction of chef Jeff Michaud. The menu has everything from amazing brick-oven pizzas (try the Lombarda, with sausage and a soft-cooked egg) to delicate pastas tossed in creamy sauces to a 32-ounce rib-eye steak for two. The neighborhood-making North Broad Street setting with red concrete floors, rustic wooden tables, and soaring ceilings blends loft and countryside, industry and art.
640 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19130, USA
Known For
- House-made pastas
- Wood-fired pizza
- 300-bottle Italian wine list
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch, Credit cards accepted
-
$$$$ | Old City |
The name refers to a lovely mural rather than a window view from this lively spot inside the Penn's View Hotel. The restaurant has the largest wine cruvinet (storage system) in the country. Besides more than 120 wines by the glass, there's a huge selection of well-chosen bottles. You can sip them in Il Bar or in the main dining room. The food is authentic Italian—simple and hearty. The ambience is either noisy or animated, depending on your tolerance level.
14 N. Front St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19106, USA
Known For
- Italian cuisine
- Relaxed atmosphere
- Wide wine selection
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Sun., Credit cards accepted