Looking for mid-range place for dinner. near Center City in Philadelphia
February 22, 2023 10:03 AM Subscribe
My mother and I are going to Philadelphia for the weekend and are looking for midrange to upscale-ish places for dinner for three on Friday and Saturday night.
Because I'm very good at procrastinating, I've tried making reservations at a couple of places (e.g. Zahav) but there's not a table in sight. Pretty much any cuisine is ok, and I'm not overly concerned about price. I would like it to be fairly close to Center City because my mother has some mobility issues, but a five-minute cab ride away would be perfectly fine. The last question of this nature appears to be from 2018, and I've also seen this question, but if I missed something feel free to link it. Thank you!
Because I'm very good at procrastinating, I've tried making reservations at a couple of places (e.g. Zahav) but there's not a table in sight. Pretty much any cuisine is ok, and I'm not overly concerned about price. I would like it to be fairly close to Center City because my mother has some mobility issues, but a five-minute cab ride away would be perfectly fine. The last question of this nature appears to be from 2018, and I've also seen this question, but if I missed something feel free to link it. Thank you!
What kind of food? I have had good experiences at Barbuzzo (Mediterranean), Mixto (Mexican), Sampan (pan-Asian). A vegan coworker used to swear by Vedge.
posted by basalganglia at 10:15 AM on February 22, 2023
posted by basalganglia at 10:15 AM on February 22, 2023
Spice Finch is a good alternative to Zahav, looks like they have some availability over the weekend. Amma's South Indian cuisine is great. (Not sure if they take reservations.) Tria Rittenhouse is really nice for cheese plates and some sandwiches, although I can't recall if they have a couple steps up to the indoor tables (outdoor tables are a good option).
posted by kserra at 10:17 AM on February 22, 2023
posted by kserra at 10:17 AM on February 22, 2023
Oyster House on Sansom has great food, it's one of our favorite places and it's all on the first floor. There's also The Dandelion, although it's two story (stairs)
posted by Geameade at 10:22 AM on February 22, 2023
posted by Geameade at 10:22 AM on February 22, 2023
Response by poster: Oh, I should specify -- my mom is totally fine with a few stairs, but will have some trouble walking more than a couple of city blocks. I appreciate the mention of stairs, though!
posted by holborne at 10:23 AM on February 22, 2023
posted by holborne at 10:23 AM on February 22, 2023
Parc is a lovely French restaurant that sits right next to Rittenhouse Park (and has outdoor seating with heaters too to overlook the Park)- this is in the heart of center city
I've heard from meat-eaters and vegans alike that Vedge (mentioned above) is amazing, but haven't been myself- it's also located right in center city
Suraya is a beautiful Lebanese restaurant with amazing food, but it's in Fishtown (close to, but not center city) and may require reservations way ahead of time
posted by bearette at 10:31 AM on February 22, 2023 [2 favorites]
I've heard from meat-eaters and vegans alike that Vedge (mentioned above) is amazing, but haven't been myself- it's also located right in center city
Suraya is a beautiful Lebanese restaurant with amazing food, but it's in Fishtown (close to, but not center city) and may require reservations way ahead of time
posted by bearette at 10:31 AM on February 22, 2023 [2 favorites]
Amma's is absolutely delicious with an incredibly high standard of cookery, but the atmosphere can be a little utilitarian/work lunch. Seconding Spice Finch, tho, as a place for a nice dinner.
A few more suggestions of relatively easy places to get a reservation that I've eaten at in Center City Philly and where I'd take my mom or mother-in-law:
Olde Bar at Bookbinder's
a kitchen and bar
Fork
(As a side note, Center City is a pretty big range. It's usually defined as the stretch between the Delaware and the Schuykill and between the Vine Street Expressway and South Street. If you're looking to stay in a specific area within that, giving an intersection or a rough neighborhood might help)
posted by joyceanmachine at 10:35 AM on February 22, 2023 [1 favorite]
A few more suggestions of relatively easy places to get a reservation that I've eaten at in Center City Philly and where I'd take my mom or mother-in-law:
(As a side note, Center City is a pretty big range. It's usually defined as the stretch between the Delaware and the Schuykill and between the Vine Street Expressway and South Street. If you're looking to stay in a specific area within that, giving an intersection or a rough neighborhood might help)
posted by joyceanmachine at 10:35 AM on February 22, 2023 [1 favorite]
For the best Mexican, Italian, and SE Asian food, South Philly is the place to be. Many of these places are more homey than upscale, and South Philly is adjacent to center city, but thought I'd mention.
Btw, what part of center city will you be in? What is considered center city is quite large.
Chinatown, which is part of center city, is a gem with great food, but not really upscale.
posted by bearette at 10:36 AM on February 22, 2023
Btw, what part of center city will you be in? What is considered center city is quite large.
Chinatown, which is part of center city, is a gem with great food, but not really upscale.
posted by bearette at 10:36 AM on February 22, 2023
Double Knot has the best value (Happy Hour) and really good food and drinks if you're looking for more of a NYC rocking atmosphere
posted by sandmanwv at 10:47 AM on February 22, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by sandmanwv at 10:47 AM on February 22, 2023 [1 favorite]
I love Oloroso (Spanish tapas and paella) on Walnut between 11th and 12th. Definitely has the fancy-ish vibe, and it's a pretty big place so I've had luck getting last minute reservations there.
I also love Buddakan (modern Chinese) on Chestnut and 4th. Not sure what it will be like to get a table there.
Tria Cafe is slightly more casual than the others, but has a lovely unpretentious wine bar vibe. They have two locations, one on Sansom and 18th, and another on Spruce and 12th (I've been to this location but not the Sansom location). You should have no trouble getting a table there.
I also second Spice Finch and Parc.
Enjoy!
posted by CiaoMela at 10:58 AM on February 22, 2023
I also love Buddakan (modern Chinese) on Chestnut and 4th. Not sure what it will be like to get a table there.
Tria Cafe is slightly more casual than the others, but has a lovely unpretentious wine bar vibe. They have two locations, one on Sansom and 18th, and another on Spruce and 12th (I've been to this location but not the Sansom location). You should have no trouble getting a table there.
I also second Spice Finch and Parc.
Enjoy!
posted by CiaoMela at 10:58 AM on February 22, 2023
Response by poster: We'll be staying at the Bellvue Hotel, near Rittenhouse Square.
posted by holborne at 10:59 AM on February 22, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by holborne at 10:59 AM on February 22, 2023 [1 favorite]
Talulah's Garden near Washington Square is my go-to for Philadelphia restaurants. Would be about a 10 minute drive over.
posted by pumpkinlatte at 11:46 AM on February 22, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by pumpkinlatte at 11:46 AM on February 22, 2023 [1 favorite]
Mod note: Title updated per OP's request.
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 12:02 PM on February 22, 2023
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 12:02 PM on February 22, 2023
The Bellevue is not exactly next to Rittenhouse Square, but is very near City Hall and the Academy of Music. Rittenhouse Square is on 18th St and Walnut or Locust St. The Bellevue is on Broad St. (14th St. if it had a number, so 4 blocks from Broad)
A few dining suggestions:
Barbuzzo is at 13th and Sansom Sts, about 2 blocks from the Bellevue. The food is Mediterranean and very good, but be aware that part of the charm of this restaurant is that seating is quite cozy. I would not call it upscale, but Philly's restaurants seem less formal than a decade ago, and among the suits and dresses will be nice jeans and sweaters. It seems like there's just less formality everywhere.
Not sure just how upscale you are looking for, but there's a wonderfully delicious and expensive Italian restaurant at Broad Street and Fairmount Ave called Cicala at the Divine Lorraine, maybe a 10 minute taxi ride or less. It will be difficult to have dinner and drinks for less than $150 pp, and with wine it could be much more. I was taken there for a special birthday recently and I was glad I didn't have to pay the bill, but I loved the experience. Every dish was made in-house, perfectly cooked and beautifully presented. Even here, I wore a nice dress and lots of other diners wore jeans, albeit expensive jeans. (Our waiter, who my son knows, told us he'd waited on Jalen Hurts a couple of weeks before.) This was certainly the most spacious, luxurious, and quiet atmosphere.
The Sansom St. Oyster house is fabulous for fresh seafood - it's a couple of blocks in the other direction on Sansom St., between 15th and 16th. It is not exactly "upscale" but stylish and elegant with marble counters and wainscoting, above which dozens of unique oyster plates collected by the owner's family are displayed. The food cannot be beat. They have a good bar, and two employees who constantly open oysters and clams to order. Happy hour is popular - it features oysters at a substantial discount. It might seem a little noisy, but then I usually think modern restaurants are noisier than I would like. They're open for lunch, too.
Estia is upscale Greek, at the corner of Broad and Locust Streets, a block from your hotel. Also excellent. Quieter, too.
I second Parc. It is absolutely wonderful and has views directly out on Rittenhouse Square. It's at 18th and Locust St, so 4 blocks from Broad. It is elegant but easy, with it's concept that of a Parisian cafe. It's extremely popular and many patrons eat there frequently, so it can also be hard to get a reservation. The floors and bathrooms are elegantly tiled, the lighting fixtures appear weathered and antique. It's open for lunch and is quite busy for both lunch and dinner. Their mussels, French onion soup, and warm shrimp salad are unbelievably popular and satisfying.
These will probably all be tough tables to reserve this late, and they mostly do reservations by Resy or Open table. But, if there is no availability please call the restaurants directly; I can often get a reservation by telephone when the app says nothing is available.
Have a wonderful weekend in Philly!!
posted by citygirl at 2:46 PM on February 22, 2023 [3 favorites]
A few dining suggestions:
Barbuzzo is at 13th and Sansom Sts, about 2 blocks from the Bellevue. The food is Mediterranean and very good, but be aware that part of the charm of this restaurant is that seating is quite cozy. I would not call it upscale, but Philly's restaurants seem less formal than a decade ago, and among the suits and dresses will be nice jeans and sweaters. It seems like there's just less formality everywhere.
Not sure just how upscale you are looking for, but there's a wonderfully delicious and expensive Italian restaurant at Broad Street and Fairmount Ave called Cicala at the Divine Lorraine, maybe a 10 minute taxi ride or less. It will be difficult to have dinner and drinks for less than $150 pp, and with wine it could be much more. I was taken there for a special birthday recently and I was glad I didn't have to pay the bill, but I loved the experience. Every dish was made in-house, perfectly cooked and beautifully presented. Even here, I wore a nice dress and lots of other diners wore jeans, albeit expensive jeans. (Our waiter, who my son knows, told us he'd waited on Jalen Hurts a couple of weeks before.) This was certainly the most spacious, luxurious, and quiet atmosphere.
The Sansom St. Oyster house is fabulous for fresh seafood - it's a couple of blocks in the other direction on Sansom St., between 15th and 16th. It is not exactly "upscale" but stylish and elegant with marble counters and wainscoting, above which dozens of unique oyster plates collected by the owner's family are displayed. The food cannot be beat. They have a good bar, and two employees who constantly open oysters and clams to order. Happy hour is popular - it features oysters at a substantial discount. It might seem a little noisy, but then I usually think modern restaurants are noisier than I would like. They're open for lunch, too.
Estia is upscale Greek, at the corner of Broad and Locust Streets, a block from your hotel. Also excellent. Quieter, too.
I second Parc. It is absolutely wonderful and has views directly out on Rittenhouse Square. It's at 18th and Locust St, so 4 blocks from Broad. It is elegant but easy, with it's concept that of a Parisian cafe. It's extremely popular and many patrons eat there frequently, so it can also be hard to get a reservation. The floors and bathrooms are elegantly tiled, the lighting fixtures appear weathered and antique. It's open for lunch and is quite busy for both lunch and dinner. Their mussels, French onion soup, and warm shrimp salad are unbelievably popular and satisfying.
These will probably all be tough tables to reserve this late, and they mostly do reservations by Resy or Open table. But, if there is no availability please call the restaurants directly; I can often get a reservation by telephone when the app says nothing is available.
Have a wonderful weekend in Philly!!
posted by citygirl at 2:46 PM on February 22, 2023 [3 favorites]
I’m a big fan of Pumpkin.
posted by msladygrey at 4:53 PM on February 22, 2023
posted by msladygrey at 4:53 PM on February 22, 2023
Thirding Parc on Rittenhouse Square. One of my absolute favorites in Philly - their onion soup and steak frites are excellent. If you go, you will be surprised to know that it was actually a dry cleaners once in its day!
posted by dancinglamb at 8:37 PM on February 22, 2023
posted by dancinglamb at 8:37 PM on February 22, 2023
Response by poster: So we wound up going to Oyster House, which was fabulous and a big hit with the entire party (my niece and her mom joined us). I’ve made notes for the next time I go back, and I’ll try some of the others. Thanks to everyone who responded!
posted by holborne at 5:58 PM on February 26, 2023
posted by holborne at 5:58 PM on February 26, 2023
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