This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click and/or make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Gifted products will be noted as such.
This is officially the guide that you send to your girlfriend when she says she’s planning a weekend getaway to Philadelphia; an update to an older blog post. I have lived outside of Philadelphia my whole 28 years of life and have spent the last 6 months in downtown Philly, just outside of Rittenhouse. We like to pretend it’s ‘our neighborhood’ since our apartment lies just along the edge of Fitler Square and Graduate Hospital… close neighbors of Rittenhouse.
If you’re not from the area, Rittenhouse Square is a posh, high society neighborhood in the City of Brotherly Love. The prices are just a tad higher, but with it you get amazing restaurant ambiance and a pretty romantic square to walk through after dinner. On Saturday mornings, you’ll find a lovely farmer’s market around the perimeter of the square and after work all the beautifully groomed, adorable Dogs of Rittenhouse come out to play. Lights hang throughout the trees and there’s usually some guy on saxophone setting the scene. We’ve kinda fallen in love with it over the last few months. Here are my recommendations for good eats and great atmosphere around the Square:
Fast & Casual Dining
I will start off with a few of my favorite easy lunch spots, since my office also neighbors Rittenhouse. These aren’t absolutely groundbreaking, but good to know if you just need a quick bite between shopping on Walnut Street. PSA: Walnut Street shopping includes Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, Free People, Athleta, Madewell, Lululemon… the list goes on. Anyway!
HipCityVeg – 127 S. 18th Street
100% plant based. Don’t be confused by the ‘Chick’n’ references on the menu… it’s entirely vegetarian and the best chicken knockoff I’ve ever had. I’m all about the Crispy Hip City Ranch sandwich or the Golden Nuggets paired with their amazing sweet potato fries. No seating available at this time so take your fake chicken to the park.
Sweet Green – 1821 Chestnut Street
Everyone knows Sweet Green, but also everybody loves Sweet Green. It’s the Buffalo Chicken Salad or the Kale Caesar for me! The line is horrendous at lunch time so make sure to order ahead on the app and walk right in and pick it up off the shelf.
Dig Inn – 1616 Chestnut Street
Dig Inn is a new kid on the block but has already proven to be a keeper. Think any type of roasted veggie, piled in a bowl with garlic aioli on top. At least that’s my order. The interiors are also quite beautiful to behold.
El Merkury – 2104 Chestnut Street
This place found me eating a foot long churro at my desk in the middle of the work day. And I’d do it again and again. El Merkury creates the most decadent Central American street food. Do not sleep on the butternut squash taquitos, any type of papusa, and the incredible arroz con elote = cheesy rice with jalapeno and corn. Oh yea, and the gourmet churros.
Loco Pez – 700 South 20th Street
Venturing a little further into Graduate Hospital, I can vouch for Loco Pez serving up the best burritos and burrito bowls I have ever had in my life. They also have real good margaritas, mimosas, and other fun tequila cocktails for a great price. But that burrito bowl though…Outdoor seating = private greenhouses
Pizzata Pizzeria – 240 South 22nd Street
The newest pizza shop in town has already made Best Of lists across Philadelphia! We rave about it and have not been disappointed yet. Purely takeout, so plan your eating location ahead of time! Highly recommend the Salsiccia and Formaggi pies.
Taverns, Pubs, & Bar Food
The Dandelion – 124 South 18th Street
We just stopped by last Saturday for an afternoon beer and fish & chips and it was just the best. The interiors are some of my favorites but they have a hardy outdoor dining situation with separate, heated and covered booths. Looking forward to when I can sit in the dog themed bar again.
Sidecar Bar – 2201 Christian Street
Very much in Graduate Hospital and very much our favorite neighborhood bar. You can catch us there most Friday nights for happy hour. We love it so much, it’s hard to pick another place. Any of the bar snacks are delicious. We’ve ordered multiple orders of fries in one sitting. And the chicken sandwich is killer. Heated and covered outdoor seating is available.
Village Whiskey – 118 South 20th Street
I haven’t been here in a number of years, but all I remember is THE BURGER. It was amazing. They recently expanded their restaurant, which is great because the previous space only had about 8 tables. I can’t wait to go back and devour the duck fat fries again. They also have great outdoor tables that get a lot of direct sunlight during weekend brunch hours.
Best Happy Hours
El Rey – 2013 Chestnut Street
Best happy hour hands down and our tried and true girl happy hour with my work crew, RIP work happy hours. $1 tacos and $4 margaritas. They currently have adorable themed booths to sit in outside. As a Nacho Libre movie fan, the luchador theme just gets me.
Oyster House – 1516 Sansom Street
I’ve never been, but it’s on my list! $2 oysters, $5 house punch, and $2 drafts. Happy Hour is M-F, 4 to 6 and Saturdays, currently from 3-5 pm.
Butcher Bar – 2034 Chestnut Street
A true meat lovers paradise. And if pretzel monkey bread, smoked gouda mac, and roasted brussel sprouts are all on the happy hour menu… I’ll be there. I think about their cast iron skillet chocolate chip cookie often.
Harp & Crown – 1525 Sansom Street
Go for the atmosphere, stay for the basement bowling alley? I’ve only ever dined in their front garden room for a tapas style dinner, but from the looks of the HH menu, I have been grossly missing out. Almost all of their small dinner plates are available for only $5 each at happy hour. And their craft cocktails are truly divine. The gorgeous space is pretty easy on the eyes as well.
Southgate – 1801 Lombard Street
A little Korean, a little American, a little amazing happy hour. I had never had Soju before, a Korean distilled alcohol with a slightly liquorish flavor, and wow the Soju Punch is so delicious. Do not pass up the Southgate Fries (garlic & gochugaru spiced; a Korean BBQ flavoring) and the steamed buns.
Bakeries, Patisseries, & Coffee Shops
Metropolitan Bakery – 262 South 19th Street
We finally stopped into this Philly staple recently and carefully selected a treat for ourselves. Cam had a slice of chocolate cake that was out of this world and our freshly baked loaf of bread was perfect for dinner. Highly recommend a quick stop in for a sweet snack or baked breakfast.
Ultimo Coffee – 238 South 20th Street
We are lucky enough to have 2 Ultimo’s within a quick walk in either direction of our apartment. I truly think the chai latte is one of the best I’ve had. A little treat on the way back from the Rittenhouse farmer’s market. I judge all coffee shops by the quality of their almond croissants and they pass my inspection with flying colors.
Miel Patisserie – 204 South 17th Street
A french patisserie to wow your taste buds…. every shade and flavor of macarons and the most delicious layered French cakes I’ve ever had. Try the citron! Drop in for a cappuccino and a slice of cake and feel like you have magically been transported to Paris. Oui oui!
Dining Experiences – Brunch & Dinner
Parc – 227 South 18th Street
One of the most famously Rittenhouse restaurants and likely most talked about hot spot in the city. Breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner… it doesn’t matter, just make sure you have a reservation and don’t miss out on eating at Parc. I highly recommend the Romarin St. Germain cocktail, escargots starter, moules frites entree, and the country chicken club for lunch. Private conditioned booths line Rittenhouse Square for outdoor eating along with their usual Paris style bistro tables. Get that people watching table!
Bar Bombon – 133 South 18th Street
Old San Juan meets Rittenhouse Square. All dishes are made with plant-based ingredients, so vegan all the way! I am a sucker for buffalo cauliflower and their tacos do not disappoint. This is the perfect spot for a refreshing summer margarita or caipirinha! They also just added adorable themed booths outside for your dining pleasure!
The Love – 130 South 18th Street
Have not been, extremely intrigued to try! From the same restauranteur that has brought many Philadelphia staples, one of the newest on the list is The Love. I am so intrigued to try the southern style hush puppies and the pulled brisket! Yum.
Giuseppe & Sons – 1523 Sansom Street
I was just informed of the ‘best Italian food’ in the city by a sweet follower and now I am dying to try it! Unfortunately they have been closed for most of the pandemic, but the interiors and the cocktails are to die for. Can’t wait until they are open again!
BYOB Restaurants
Ambrosia Ristorante – 231 South 24th Street
Will report back after this Saturday when I head there with the girls to sit in their incredible outdoor dining booths. A little chardonnay and a lot of delicious pasta, can you go wrong?
Pumpkin – 1713 South Street
Another spot on our neighborhood to-do list with a constantly rotating menu of sustainably sourced ingredients! I am seriously pining after their blueberry goat cheesecake desert!
This barely scratches the surface of the culinary genius that is Philadelphia! Save this list to Pinterest and send it to a friend for your next trip to the City of Brotherly Love. We have not been disappointed yet and it gets harder and harder to say no to a night out with the weather turning so beautifully! Bon Appetit!
xoxo,
jojo
Share to Pinterest
