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Best Restaurants for Spicy Food in University City

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123 restaurants available nearby

A photo of White Dog Cafe - University City restaurant
1. White Dog Cafe - University City
4.6
Exceptional(5525)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary American • University City
Booked 71 times today
An iconic restaurant in University City since 1983, White Dog Cafe is a leader in using environmentally sustainable, organic, and local foods from farms within 50 miles. Known for warm hospitality, and inspiring award-winning food, the White Dog's historic three brownstones offer charming and whimsical dog décor and artwork in its many unique dining spaces and outdoor dining on the sidewalk.
A photo of LaScala's Fire-University City restaurant
2. LaScala's Fire-University City
4.6
Exceptional(184)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • University City
Booked 13 times today
LaScala's Fire at University City is located at 32nd & Chestnut on the Drexel University Campus. (This is not our Old City location.)* NOW WITH A FULL BAROpen Table's Diner's Choice 2022, 2023
A photo of Mawn restaurant
3. Mawn
5.0
Exceptional(32)
Price: Very Expensive
• Cambodian • Bella Vista
Booked 7 times today
Mawn is a noodle house with “no rules,” and the first restaurant for Chef Phila Lorn and his wife Rachel, who bring with them close to 20 years of experience in Philly’s restaurant scene. Phila, pronounced “Pee La,” broken English for Philadelphia, is a first-generation Cambodian-American chef. The first in his family to be born here, his parents and siblings came to Philadelphia as refugees in 1985 after surviving the war in Cambodia.Mawn, which means “chicken” in Khmer, the Cambodian language, represents more than one thing. To Phila, chicken was at every meal growing up, and to his parents, chicken represented peacetime. During the war and genocide of the Cambodian people, there was mostly only what was found in nature to eat, including rice and salt. If there was chicken, it meant no war. At the end of that dark time, recipes were lost, and culture was wiped out, but through survival, a new authenticity was born.
A photo of Craftsman Row Saloon restaurant
4. Craftsman Row Saloon
4.4
Awesome(1223)
Price: Moderate
• American • Old City
Booked 41 times today
We are famously known to provide holiday pop-ups with all the festivities and delights and are currently showcasing our Blooming Garden Pop Up. This season we are even more super-sized and decked out than ever and ready to provide the ultimate flavors and ambiance as the warmer weather is ready to move in. Visit us for a lovely day in our Garden and experience a visual and palate-stimulating sensory experience.Our year round Iconic Burgers, Milkshakes and other Sandwiches such as our Doritos Mozzarella Sticks, French Toast Burger and Donut Fried Chicken sandwich are always on the menu as we continuously change it up seasonally. Every moment can be magical time to share experiences with family and friends so check back for our other seasonal pop ups. Proudly featured on Good Morning America, The Travel Channel's Food Paradise, Fox29, 6ABC, Opentable’s Holiday lists and more!
A photo of Mercato restaurant
5. Mercato
4.6
Exceptional(1975)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Center City
Booked 19 times today
Mercato BYOB is a festive and modern Italian eatery that lets you bring your own drinks. A simple and to the point menu focuses on quality over quantity and features items like ricotta raviolo and a spicy crab bucatini with squid ink pasta.The artisan cheeses and house-cured meats at Mercato BYOB are perfect for sharing and are paired with sauces and condiments like agrodolce and pickled white grapes. A whole grilled artichoke appetizer will undoubtedly turn you into the vegetable's biggest fan. Heavier dishes, like the Grilled Hanger Steak with yukon gold potato wedge, are equally impressive. Mercato BYOB opens at 4 p.m. The restaurant has a four course tasting menu that is ideal for groups. Conveniently located to all the theatres, shopping and convention center. Outdoor seating available when weather permits.
A photo of Ocean Prime - Philadelphia restaurant
6. Ocean Prime - Philadelphia
4.7
Exceptional(6170)
Price: Very Expensive
• Seafood • Center City
Booked 59 times today
Located in Philadelphia's Center City, Ocean Prime is a nationally acclaimed, dynamic seafood & steakhouse from the award-winning Cameron Mitchell Restaurants. Ocean Prime delivers an elevated experience with exceptional ambiance, a chef-curated menu, signature handcrafted cocktails, Wine Spectator honored wine list and genuine hospitality. Reservations are recommended. Ocean Prime strives to provide an elegant, fine dining atmosphere. Our associates’ priority is to ensure your experience is memorable. Admittance to Ocean Prime is at the discretion of management who reserves the right to refuse service to patrons who are inappropriately dressed in the following:Revealing clothing or exposed undergarments Clothing with offensive language, graphics or an excessive marijuana odor We are happy to host larger groups. A 20% gratuity will be applied to parties of six or more. Parties of eight or more will be contractually held to a minimum spend and are required to provide a deposit.
A photo of Buddakan - Philadelphia restaurant
7. Buddakan - Philadelphia
4.8
Exceptional(11465)
Price: Expensive
• Asian • Old City
Booked 107 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 Talula’s Garden restaurant
8. Talula’s Garden
4.9
Exceptional(13367)
Price: Very Expensive
• American • Washington Square
Booked 138 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 Oyster House Philadelphia restaurant
9. Oyster House Philadelphia
4.8
Exceptional(200)
Price: Very Expensive
• Seafood • Center City
Booked 56 times today
Philadelphia’s premier destination for seafood lovers since 1976. With a menu that is as traditional as it is innovative, this family-owned business run by third-generation restaurateur Sam Mink has been a community cornerstone for almost 50 years. Cherished by Philly locals and visitors alike for its decadent lobster rolls, signature crab cakes and crispy fried oysters, Oyster House continues to honor the region’s culinary roots while constantly cooking up tasty, new favorites. Oyster House’s robust seafood menu curated by executive chef Joe Campoli, promises high quality cuisine along with an excellent dining experience. Enjoy a seat at Philadelphia’s most famed oyster bar while enjoying a show by Philly’s most legendary oyster shuckers. The weekday Happy Hour is always abuzz with a lively mix of coworkers and friends.
A photo of Spice Finch restaurant
10. Spice Finch
4.8
Exceptional(1279)
Price: Expensive
• Mediterranean • Center City
Booked 16 times today
Named after the bird that populates nearly every port along the ancient maritime spice routes, Spice Finch pays homage to a passerine that does not sing, yet is known to vocalize or chirp in recognition of good eats. We are inspired by the distinctive flavors of the nations bordering the Mediterranean Sea, and heavily influenced by the cultures and culinary traditions of Morocco and Greece. Our menu is a bold, seasonally accurate menu featuring an array of small plates, vegetables, grilled meats and fish. Follow us on Instagram @SpiceFinchPhilly

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • KathleenVIP
    Philadelphia County •33 reviews
    4.0
    Dined 6 days ago
    The staff, gen mgr Cheryl and our waiter went out of their way to make us comfortable and happy. The food was very good, especially the flat breads and the black cod dumplings.
    More info
    DaVinci & YuPrice: Expensive• Italian• South Philly
    •
    4.2
  • ThomasNVIP
    New Jersey •24 reviews
    4.0
    Dined 6 days ago
    Excellent food…wonderful server..nice drinks from the bar. We ordered 5 entrees to share plus rice and lo mein..all come Ala carte..all very good.,only thing I would change is they have 6 inch plates..really should be a little bigger.
    More info
    EMeiPrice: Moderate• Sichuan• Chinatown
    •
    4.6
  • JohnR
    Philadelphia County •5 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 7 days ago
    This restaurant ticks all the boxes of Mediterranean cuisine with inquisitive pairings standard dishes and fantastic service with great intervals of each course. Would highly recommend.
    More info
    Spice FinchPrice: Expensive• Mediterranean• Center City
    •
    4.8
  • OpenTable Diner
    New York City •5 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Mar 5, 2025
    Everything about this restaurant is excellent! The food is wonderful, the atmosphere relaxing and the staff are friendly and helpful. Would definitely recommend return on next trip to Philly.
    More info
    Sura Indian BistroPrice: Moderate• Contemporary Indian• Center City
    •
    4.7
  • SusanVIP
    Philadelphia County •34 reviews
    4.0
    Dined on Mar 2, 2025
    I have eaten at Veda 3 times. The food is consistent and i like the ambiance, location and think it's priced correctly. Last night the service was poor. By the fourth time I asked for our check I was irritated. It wasn't even crowded. We had to request rice and a yogurt dish that we ordered 2x after everything else came out . Just sloppy on their part.
    More info
    Veda - Modern Indian BistroPrice: Expensive• Indian• Center City
    •
    4.7

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