University City Philadelphia Restaurants
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See what locals rave about in University City Philadelphia
- MMariaVIPPhiladelphia County •55 reviews5.0Dined 1 day agoAlways the perfect spot for a reunion with friends! Parc’s food, service and professional staff met all our expectations today: from the seafood appetizers to the the trout amandine, comforting roasted chicken, delicious mussels, and chicken paillard, everyone enjoyed their lunch. Our server, Tiffany, was wonderful.More infoParcPrice: Expensive• French• Rittenhouse Square•4.8
- JJamesPhiladelphia County •40 reviews5.0Dined 1 day agoOutstanding food. Great, fresh taste and nice presentation. Service was prompt and attentive. Server was welcoming and informative. Thank you, Lillian. It was a wonderful family evening.More infoWhite Dog Cafe - University CityPrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• University City•4.7
- LLindaVIPPhiladelphia County •19 reviews5.0Dined 6 days agoFirst time dining here. Lovely setting, but a bit noisy. Our sever was perfection - attentive and efficient but not intrusive. We were chatting a lot so it took us a while to order. Restaurant was busy but she could not have been more patient. This was a random choice for lunch but we’ll definitely be back.More infoLouie Louie Bistro BarPrice: Moderate• French American• University City•4.6
- CCourtneyVIPGreater Boston •6 reviews5.0Dined on Dec 8, 2024We were a party of 8 for brunch and had a table in our own area (surrounded by games!). Food was great; something for everyone.More infoThe Board and Brew PhiladelphiaPrice: Moderate• American• University City•3.7
- CChrissyVirginia •1 review4.0Dined on Dec 6, 2024We were seated immediately upon arrival. Our waitress came over within 2 minutes of us sitting down (hadn’t had a chance to select drinks or food) and brought water. We don’t see her again for another 10 or so minutes. After ordering, we waited another 10 minutes for my drink and had to request my husbands drink again. The lavender martini was delicious but tasted heavy on the orange with little lavender to taste. We ordered wood fired pizzas (sausage/pepperoni and the short rib). They were both tasty but each slide of the short rib pizza had about 1 bite of short rib…was heavy on the mushroom and onion. I suggested the chef spread the love of the short rib more throughout the pizza. We did list that we were celebrating our birthdays but there was no recognition of it (not even a Happy Birthday upon arrival)…not sure what the point was of listing this. Overall, the experience was ok but for $70, wouldn’t say it was entirely worth it.More infoLaScala's Fire-University CityPrice: Moderate• Italian• University City•4.5
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Discover Trending Restaurants in Philadelphia
Find the best trendy Restaurants in University City Philadelphia on OpenTable. See all best list of trendy Restaurants open nearby and reserve an open table.
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Maybe you got engaged on the steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art or just picked up the keys to your first rowhouse. It could be that your kid is (finally) toilet trained, or that your noisy neighbor moved away. Sometimes, simply surviving another Tuesday can be an occasion to celebrate over a restaurant meal. It doesn’t have to be fancy. What makes an occasion special isn’t an arbitrary date on the calendar—it’s the decision to celebrate. Luckily, Philadelphia bursts with places where the food and atmosphere lend themselves to living it up. Grab dinner and a jazz show at a swinging North Broad Street faithful. Opt for a quieter night at a critically acclaimed, plant-based gem in Midtown Village. Or splurge on a swanky steakhouse that presides over a corner of Rittenhouse Park. Whether you’re after an intimate spot for an anniversary date or a convivial atmosphere for a boisterous reunion, Philadelphia has you covered with these 12 celebration-worthy restaurants.
The Best Places to Grab a Drink in Philadelphia
Philadelphia’s bar scene pulses with the same eclectic energy that defines its restaurants. In every neighborhood, you’ll find spots that reflect the people who live, work, and drink there. Some embrace the city’s signature blue collar ethos while others offer glamorous settings—and even higher-end spirits. Many are attached to restaurant kitchens that turn out the kind of top-notch food that put Philadelphia on the culinary map. The city’s drinking dens have you covered, whether your tastes skew classic or trendy, whiskey or vodka, domestic or imported. Grab a friend—plus a barstool—and explore this town by way of its best watering holes.
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Conversations begin on Bumble but they get even deeper IRL. When it’s time to move from direct messaging to direct eye contact, find a table for two. And to make it super easy, OpenTable and Bumble are teaming up to help you find the best date spots in your city. Find a restaurant that fits your style, whether you want drinks on a patio or a special four-course meal, OpenTable can help you choose the cuisine, seating area, and even book unique experiences with nearby restaurants. Download the Bumble app to find your match, and check the list below to find your table.
10 Top Burger Picks in Philadelphia and New Jersey
The genesis of the beef-on-bun combo known as the hamburger might be forever shrouded in mystery — there are at least six different people that claim to be responsible for its invention — but regardless of who came up with the burger, its appeal is undeniable. Throughout Philadelphia and New Jersey, burger options abound, from pared-down smashburgers topped with a simple combo of lettuce, tomato and onion, to patties finished with bacon and eggs designed for brunch-time enjoyment. Up and down the New Jersey coastline and into Philadelphia, these are the spots serving can’t-miss burgers.
Discover University City
Located near the heart of the area’s biggest academic centers, the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University, the West Philadelphia neighborhood of University City combines the sophistication of an academic urban center with the fun, carefree spirit of a college town, and its diverse food scene reflects this. From Philly-style pizza slices and colorful, fragrant sprinkle-and-frosting rich gourmet donuts to legendary Philly cheesesteaks laden with peppers, grilled onions, and mushrooms on genuine Amoroso rolls and one-of-a-kind upscale vegan street food, University City is also a foodie’s dream. Not to be outdone in the fine dining department, University City is also home to Michelin-starred cafes and destination restaurants.
Frequently asked questions
The best reviewed restaurant in University City Philadelphia is What the Fork?
The best vegetarian restaurants in University City Philadelphia are White Dog Cafe - University City, Louie Louie Bistro Bar and Irie Entree
The restaurants with the best service in University City Philadelphia are What the Fork?, Copabanana and Louie Louie Bistro Bar
The restaurants with the best ambiance in University City Philadelphia are White Dog Cafe - University City, Bistro Perrier at Walnut Hill College and Louie Louie Bistro Bar
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- Cornerstone Bed & Breakfast
- Franklin Field
- Hajoca Corporation Headquarters and Showroom
- 30th Street Station
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- Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
- University Avenue Bridge
- The Button Sculpture
- St. Agatha - St. James Church
- Institute of Contemporary Art
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