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Best Hot Spot Restaurants in University City

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23 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Buddakan - Philadelphia restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(11297)
Price: Expensive
• Asian • Old City
Booked 109 times today
Stephen Starr’s Buddakan is a spectacular restaurant featuring exotic flavors of modern Asian cuisine with creativity and drama. Bon Appetit notes, "The mostly white space is striking, with a lit-from-within communal table in the middle of the room, a waterfall & a ten-foot, candle-bedecked Buddha. The religious icon watches over hip customers indulging in pan-Asian cuisine that far surpasses the fare usually found at hot spots like this." Newsweek reports, "Design also serves as a signifier for cuisine. You walk into Buddakan, one of the hottest new restaurants in Philadelphia, past a shimmering waterfall & Japanese river stones & you say to yourself, 'ginger-miso everything' even before you see the magnificent 10-foot Buddha dominating the dining room." Named one of “America's Top 50 Restaurants" by Travel & Leisure and 'Top Restaurant for Fun' by Gourmet, Buddakan has become one of the country's most talked about restaurants.
A photo of Parc restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(17323)
Price: Expensive
• French • Rittenhouse Square
Booked 322 times today
Stephen Starr's stylish addition to Rittenhouse Square pays tribute to French cafe culture, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week, ideal for a quick bite or a leisurely meal. Parc recalls the chic brasseries of Paris, serving classic French fare in a charming space. Red leather banquettes topped with frosted glass provide a sense of intimacy. Details such as well-worn wooden chairs, vintage framed paintings and photos and antique brass fixtures transport guests across the Atlantic. French doors spill onto a sidewalk terrace covered by a dark red awning perfect for dining "en plein air."
A photo of The Love restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(7221)
Price: Expensive
• American • Rittenhouse Square
Booked 137 times today
Aimee Olexy and Stephen Starr's The Love is a bi-level sanctuary features 150 seats, split between the main dining room, sidewalk seating, and an upper-level loft. The restaurant is a spirited and carefree neighborhood café celebrating everyday American cuisine. The menu is crafted around what’s truly seasonal and local, while the beverage program reflects the best of the region. This creative energy is matched by a front-of-house service staff passionate about providing homey hospitality morning, noon and night.
A photo of Barclay Prime restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(5391)
Price: Very Expensive
• Steakhouse • Rittenhouse Square
Booked 92 times today
Barclay Prime is a luxury boutique steakhouse serving a traditional yet modern menu in a comfortable & contemporary setting.
A photo of Craftsman Row Saloon restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(1071)
Price: Moderate
• American • Old City
Booked 99 times today
Craftsman Row Saloon is a hot spot due to its festive atmosphere and delicious food, as highlighted in the reviews. Customers love the seasonal changes, creative presentations, and the excellent service. The restaurant has also been featured on The Travel Channel's Food Paradise and more, making it a must-visit place. One review said, 'Simple comfort foods done well, with some fun twists. The decorations make it such a fun atmosphere and hot spot it visit.'
A photo of Talula’s Garden restaurant
4.9
Exceptional(13166)
Price: Very Expensive
• American • Washington Square
Booked 128 times today
Behind the wrought iron gate, past the herbaceous patio and through the atrium is Talula's Garden, the warm and elegant Washington Square eatery from Aimee Olexy and Starr Restaurants. The modern menu, prepared with carefully-sourced ingredients and a light European touch, changes with the seasons. The artful cuisine, hospitable staff, sustainable spirits, and a focus on cheese make the dining experience here incredibly memorable.
A photo of El Vez restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(7008)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican / Southwestern • Center City
Booked 98 times today
A contemporary Mexican restaurant, El Vez offers many unique items such as mahi mahi tacos, ahi tuna tostadas, carne asada and pasilla braised pork pozole. Enjoy their made-to-order guacamole & margaritas with fresh-squeezed juices. Top off your meal with "The El Vez," a flourless chocolate cake, peanut butter mousse and carmelized bananas.
A photo of Saloon Restaurant restaurant
4.9
Exceptional(2538)
Price: Very Expensive
• Italian • South Philly
Booked 51 times today
Saloon Restaurant is a hot spot because of its authentic, high-quality Italian cuisine and welcoming ambiance. Customers rave about the 'outstanding' service, 'amazing' food, and 'beautiful surroundings.' The 'unique and interesting' setting, which includes two dining rooms and a vintage bar, adds to the appeal. The restaurant's consistent quality and excellent value also make it a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
A photo of Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse - Philadelphia restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(9414)
Price: Very Expensive
• Steakhouse • Center City
Booked 59 times today
Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse embodies the rich tradition of the classic American steakhouse, serving USDA Prime Beef, fresh seafood and premium wines from our award-winning wine selection.
A photo of Morimoto restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(6751)
Price: Very Expensive
• Japanese • Center City
Booked 67 times today
Morimoto is serving contemporary Japanese cuisine. Chef Masaharu Morimoto of Iron Chef prepares traditional dishes with a modern flair.
‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Tannis
    Philadelphia County •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    We enjoyed our time here. It definitely the time to make a reservation!! We each had 2 of the specialty cocktails & they were delicious! Got the nutcracker old fashioned, fireside chat, snowglobe spritz and an Ornament globe. We got the fried pickles as an appetizer to share which were good. lightly coated to go with the spicy aioli! for our entrees, we got the lasagna burger (which sounds crazy but definitely taste like it) and the parisian sandwich which was fried chicken with a brie&cranberry aioli, gruyere cheese, apples on a croissant bun! their menu states that 20% gratuity is automatically added and then they charge a credit card processing fee as well.
    More info
    Craftsman Row SaloonPrice: Moderate• American• Old City
    4.6
  • Maria
    Philadelphia County •10 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    Our server Brandon made our experience exceptional. He provided us with food and drink recommendations and did not steer us wrong. Two of us at our table immensely enjoyed the Romarin specialty cocktail. Four of us shared three hors d’ouevres - the charcuterie, the mushroom tart and the crispy artichokes along with the beet salad. The serving sizes of each were perfect for the 4 of us to share. Our water glasses were continually refilled and the service was excellent. Two at our table had the Saturday special - poultry feuillete - an elevated chicken pot pie with mushrooms and black truffle oil. I sampled the special and the sauce was superb! I ordered the Moules Frites and another had the veal escalope. We all thoroughly enjoyed our food, the atmosphere and didn’t feel rushed. The interior of the restaurant was decorated for the holidays and it was a warm, welcoming environment. We completed our meal by sharing the moelleux au chocolat - a warm chocolate cake with hazelnuts and praline sorbet…delicious! I would highly recommend this restaurant for the quality of the food and the inviting atmosphere.
    More info
    ParcPrice: Expensive• French• Rittenhouse Square
    4.8
  • Karen
    Philadelphia County •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    This was my first experience at Barclay Prime. It was my son's birthday and I wanted to take him to a special place. This was very special. Both my son and I really enjoyed our experience here. The food was phenomenal, the quality and the way it was prepared were amazing. The selections were plentiful without being overwhelming and the staff were very welcoming. I felt it was well worth the money.
    More info
    Barclay PrimePrice: Very Expensive• Steakhouse• Rittenhouse Square
    4.8
  • Fredvip
    Philadelphia County •8 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    Food was incredible! Edamame dumplings were delicate, delicious - really an incredible flavor. The sea bass and black cod were both show stoppers. Amazing!
    More info
    Buddakan - PhiladelphiaPrice: Expensive• Asian• Old City
    4.7
  • Chuck
    Philadelphia County •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    Wow! I walked past this resto so many times, and, from the outside, it looked average. However, as soon as you walk in the front door, you know that you are some place special. The ambience is great, but, more importantly, the food was exquisite. Yes, it was expensive, but the experience was worth every penny. To start, we ordered rolls with chive butter, and, for an entrée, had pumpkin ravioli with walnuts, apples, onions, and ricotta cheese--yum! The food was so good that we decided to order dessert, an apple tartan which was equally delicious. On top of that, our server was excellent, very helpful, and friendly. You have to try this place at least once!
    More info
    The LovePrice: Expensive• American• Rittenhouse Square
    4.8
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