Looking for cheap quiet restaurant near Center City, Philadelphia
February 7, 2023 8:45 PM Subscribe
I'm looking for *quiet* restaurants not too far from center city Philadelphia (Chinatown is definitely fine) for a meetup.
Quiet is important because we have people who have trouble hearing conversation if there's more than a little background noise.
Also, not very expensive is important-- ideally, it should be possible to get a meal for $20, and there should be decent vegetarian options.
Any thoughts?
It needs to be someplace that's open on a Thursday evening. This also means that if it's only noisy on weekends, that isn't a problem.
This would probably be 10 or 20 people rather than a huge group.
https://ask.metafilter.com/317215/Looking-for-cheap-quiet-meetup-place-in-Philadelphia
I've asked this before, but I assume that some places have closed and others have opened. Also, it's sad to see that my idea of cheap is now $20/meal rather than $10.
It needs to be someplace that's open on a Thursday evening. This also means that if it's only noisy on weekends, that isn't a problem.
This would probably be 10 or 20 people rather than a huge group.
https://ask.metafilter.com/317215/Looking-for-cheap-quiet-meetup-place-in-Philadelphia
I've asked this before, but I assume that some places have closed and others have opened. Also, it's sad to see that my idea of cheap is now $20/meal rather than $10.
ETA: sorry, just saw you said Thurs evening. Still, if you're able to meet before 6, things probably will be quieter.
posted by bearette at 2:34 AM on February 8, 2023
posted by bearette at 2:34 AM on February 8, 2023
Response by poster: We'd be meeting at 6 to 9, later if possible. At least Thursday isn't busiest day.
posted by Nancy Lebovitz at 3:13 AM on February 8, 2023
posted by Nancy Lebovitz at 3:13 AM on February 8, 2023
Chatayee Thai ticks a lot of your boxes, I met my sister in law there for early dinner about a year ago. It’s pretty open, though, so there may be noise.
Is your group large enough and reliable enough to ask after a separate room with a limited menu?
posted by childofTethys at 4:30 AM on February 8, 2023
Is your group large enough and reliable enough to ask after a separate room with a limited menu?
posted by childofTethys at 4:30 AM on February 8, 2023
Su Xing is another vegetarian Chinese restaurant in Center City that is quiet. It's on Sansom and like 16th. They have a back area that could accommodate a party of that size, so likely even quieter than sitting in the front dining area.
posted by rhymedirective at 10:09 AM on February 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by rhymedirective at 10:09 AM on February 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
This is my perspective as someone who is slightly deaf... Hate to be a downer, but can't imagine any gathering with 10 or 20 people, no matter the setting, would be anything but noisy because part of the noise problem... would probably be your own group.
I hate ANY gathering unless it's just four or less people. Beyond that, you get a group of people where side conversations happens and then it just adds to the background noise of a typical restaurant.
By the way, I work in Center City and any restaurant in mind that might tick the boxes you want would not personally work for me no matter what - if I had to have dinner with that large of a group.
posted by HeyAllie at 1:18 PM on February 8, 2023
I hate ANY gathering unless it's just four or less people. Beyond that, you get a group of people where side conversations happens and then it just adds to the background noise of a typical restaurant.
By the way, I work in Center City and any restaurant in mind that might tick the boxes you want would not personally work for me no matter what - if I had to have dinner with that large of a group.
posted by HeyAllie at 1:18 PM on February 8, 2023
McGillan's is loud but does have an upstairs room or two you might be able to use. Same with Fergie's and Good Dog. No elevator for any of those.
posted by sepviva at 1:52 PM on February 8, 2023
posted by sepviva at 1:52 PM on February 8, 2023
This thread is closed to new comments.
What time of day are you going? If you go at off-times (early dinner, mid-afternoon, etc), things should be quieter. Lots of restaurants in Chinatown fit the bill price-wise and will be relatively quiet during non peak times.
posted by bearette at 2:32 AM on February 8, 2023 [1 favorite]