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Grilled octopus, Littleneck clams, chorizo, black olives, and chickpeas on a round white dish on a wood table with a bottle of wine in the back.
Lark.
Neal Santos

17 Philly Restaurants That Promise a Romantic Night Out

Moody lighting, classy cocktails, and prix fixe menus for that special-occasion dinner on your calendar

by Eater Staff and Dayna Evans Updated
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Lark.
| Neal Santos
by Eater Staff and Dayna Evans Updated

Whether it’s for date night, a job promotion, a birthday celebration, or really any other event worth breaking out the Champagne for, Philly has no shortage of restaurants where you can have a romantic dinner. When your neighborhood watering hole doesn’t feel quite special enough — no shade to Citywides, but sometimes you just need a nice wine list — there are more than enough low-lit, intimate, and moody destinations to visit for a special dinner on the town. The tuxedo is definitely optional at all of the following spots, but hey, that could be fun, right?

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Jansen

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If you’re in the Northwest, there’s no better romantic restaurant than Jansen in Mt. Airy. Situated on cobblestoned Germantown Avenue, chef David Jansen’s namesake occupies a historic 18th-century house with the original fireplace and a beautiful outdoor patio. Enjoy a fine-dining menu that includes a seasonally changing menu of oysters Rockefeller, elk osso bucco, and stuffed acorn squash. The wine list is impressive, too.

7402 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19119
(267) 335-5041
(267) 335-5041

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Lark

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On the rooftop of the Ironworks building across the river from Manayunk, Nick Elmi’s Lark is a lovely space for date night, with art deco chandeliers, velvet banquettes, and a gorgeous view. The coastal Mediterranean menu is as special as the environment: Dishes like braised chilled leeks and blue crab and pink peppercorn strozzapreti are crafted with care, perfect alongside a stellar list of cocktails and wine.

Ironworks at Pencoyd Landing, 611 Righters Ferry Rd, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
(484) 434-8766
(484) 434-8766

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Sor Ynez

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Fresh and filling are the two words that come to mind when talking about Sor Ynez, American Street’s destination Mexican restaurant. The menu — from executive chef Alex Tellez — is balanced to accommodate both meat-eating and vegan guests, with an eye towards sustainability in dishes like alt-pastor cauliflower and watermelon ceviche. Agave spirit-focused cocktails bring everything together in the gorgeous, pastel-colored space featuring art from the likes of Philly native Miguel Antonio Horn. You can reserve online.

1800 N American St, Philadelphia, PA 19122
(215) 309-2582
(215) 309-2582

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Kensington Quarters

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In Fishtown, Kensington Quarters is the destination to take your pescatarian partner for a luxurious (and constantly changing) menu of delicately plated crudos, an array of oysters, and other special dishes sourced right from the sea. The dining room is beautiful and the bar is also a special place to post up. You can make reservations online.

1310 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
(267) 314-5086
(267) 314-5086

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R&D Cocktail Bar

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Fabulous cocktails themed around the season — the winter menu includes a Hot Oaxacan Penicillin with Reposado tequila, mezcal, ginger, and honey — complement the warm interior of R&D Cocktail Bar in Fishtown. Dimly lit and a little retro, it’s an excellent choice particularly for a weeknight date, when you can make a light meal out of small snacks or go big with a double smash burger.

1206 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125

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South

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Nothing says romance quite like live jazz, which is why any intimate occasion calls for a night out at South Jazz Kitchen on Broad Street. The restaurant pairs delicious, warming soul food — like shrimp and grits or vegan jambalaya — and a classy dining experience with great music; purchase tickets for specific shows to guarantee a table reservation.

600 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 600-0220
(215) 600-0220

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Jean-Georges Philadelphia

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At Jean-Georges atop the Four Seasons Hotel, diners get unforgettable views of the whole city from the 59th floor and a six-course menu — from egg toast caviar to soy-glazed short ribs — that focuses on sustainability and seasonal ingredients from around Pennsylvania, designed by chef de cuisine Cornelia Sühr and chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. You can make reservations online.

1 N 19th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 419-5057
(215) 419-5057

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The Wayward

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A raw bar, a generous happy hour, and well-made cocktails with an emphasis on gin are all on the menu at the Wayward, the restaurant on the ground floor of the Canopy Hilton. The elegant art deco design is complemented by attentive servers and an overall cozy vibe.

1170 Ludlow St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 258-9430
(215) 258-9430

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Vernick Food & Drink

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Every Philadelphian has to go on at least one date at Vernick Food & Drink on Walnut. Get a seasonal sampling of Greg Vernick’s fine-dining specialties, such as swordfish a la plancha and pork milanese, alongside an excellent wine selection, which you can also take home from the Vernick Wine Shop next door. Try your luck for a seat at the first-come-first-served bar or chef’s table, where you can still access the full menu, or make a reservation on Tock, where you could also opt for a tasting menu.

2031 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(267) 639-6644
(267) 639-6644

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Fork

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A stalwart of Philly’s farm-to-table dining scene, Fork on Market is always bound to make a night special. A lovely atmosphere in Old City makes menu highlights like farm beans, striped bass, and coconut custard for dessert taste extra sweet. You can make reservations online.

306 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 625-9425
(215) 625-9425

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Friday Saturday Sunday

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Friday Saturday Sunday, the fine-dining restaurant helmed by Chad and Hanna Williams on South 21st Street, practically invented special occasion dinners. Within the bright, cozy space, the tasting menu is constantly evolving (think barbecue veal cheek and crudo with yuzu, sunchoke, and bone marrow gelée) and the cocktails are cheekily named and lovely to boot. You can make reservations for the online.

261 S 21st St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 546-4232
(215) 546-4232

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Le Caveau

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Drink a few glasses of wine with a charcuterie plate at Chloe Grigri’s French-inspired wine bar, Le Caveau, upstairs from her Good King Tavern restaurant on South Seventh Street. The music is excellent, the wine thoughtfully curated, and the dim lighting makes the spot a great place to sit and chat with a loved one.

614 S 7th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 625-3700
(215) 625-3700

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Southwark Restaurant

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Southwark restaurant in Queen Village is Chris D’Ambro and Marina De Oliveira’s tribute to romantic dining, with candlelit tables, a cozy old-school bar, and dishes like lamb terrine and fluke crudo. You can make reservations online. (If you’re looking for an even more intimate experience, you can try to reserve a table in the kitchen at Southwark’s nearby modern Italian sibling, Ambra.)

701 S 4th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(267) 930-8538
(267) 930-8538

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Royal Sushi & Izakaya

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James Beard award-nominated chef Jesse Ito’s Queen Village destination is a two-in-one deal. In the front, you’ll find a hip izakaya with skewers, sushi, and Japanese beer, but Ito’s coveted omakase experience, which helped launch the omakase mini-renaissance the city is currently enjoying, is an intimate affair — just eight seats — where chefs lavish you with impeccable seasonal seafood perfect for appreciating in hushed tones with a fellow enthusiast.

780 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(267) 909-9002
(267) 909-9002

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River Twice

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Eating at the bar is always a pro move (it’s just cooler), especially true at River Twice in Passyunk Square. Amanda and Randy Rucker’s fashionable restaurant prioritizes tasting menus throughout (including a cheaper version on Mondays), but the chef’s counter offers an extended experience during which Randy and his team walk diners through the process of menu development with small, detailed dishes like raw surf clam or dry-aged duck with rutabaga. Reservations for both the counter and the rest of the restaurant are available on Resy.

1601 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
(267) 457-3698
(267) 457-3698

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Gabriella's Vietnam

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In the former Saté Kampar space in East Passyunk, chef Thanh Nguyen serves Vietnamese street food of the highest order, much of which is great for sharing. The bánh bèo quảng nam — open-faced dumplings served in small decorative bowls — are unreal, and the large format dishes, from the half-chicken platter to Vietnamese fried winter flounder, will not let you down. Make reservations online, and pick out drinks together in advance: This charming neighborhood restaurant is BYOB.

1837 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
(272) 888-3298
(272) 888-3298

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Irwin's

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Sicilian small plates and natural wine are on the table at Irwin’s, the South Philly restaurant on the top floor of Bok Bar with Michael Vincent Ferreri as head chef. The scene is lively, the drinks are inspired, and the swordfish is big enough to share. What’s not to love? You can make reservations online.

800 Mifflin St, Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 693-6206
(215) 693-6206

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Jansen

7402 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19119

If you’re in the Northwest, there’s no better romantic restaurant than Jansen in Mt. Airy. Situated on cobblestoned Germantown Avenue, chef David Jansen’s namesake occupies a historic 18th-century house with the original fireplace and a beautiful outdoor patio. Enjoy a fine-dining menu that includes a seasonally changing menu of oysters Rockefeller, elk osso bucco, and stuffed acorn squash. The wine list is impressive, too.

7402 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19119
(267) 335-5041
(267) 335-5041

Lark

Ironworks at Pencoyd Landing, 611 Righters Ferry Rd, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004

On the rooftop of the Ironworks building across the river from Manayunk, Nick Elmi’s Lark is a lovely space for date night, with art deco chandeliers, velvet banquettes, and a gorgeous view. The coastal Mediterranean menu is as special as the environment: Dishes like braised chilled leeks and blue crab and pink peppercorn strozzapreti are crafted with care, perfect alongside a stellar list of cocktails and wine.

Ironworks at Pencoyd Landing, 611 Righters Ferry Rd, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
(484) 434-8766
(484) 434-8766

Sor Ynez

1800 N American St, Philadelphia, PA 19122

Fresh and filling are the two words that come to mind when talking about Sor Ynez, American Street’s destination Mexican restaurant. The menu — from executive chef Alex Tellez — is balanced to accommodate both meat-eating and vegan guests, with an eye towards sustainability in dishes like alt-pastor cauliflower and watermelon ceviche. Agave spirit-focused cocktails bring everything together in the gorgeous, pastel-colored space featuring art from the likes of Philly native Miguel Antonio Horn. You can reserve online.

1800 N American St, Philadelphia, PA 19122
(215) 309-2582
(215) 309-2582

Kensington Quarters

1310 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125

In Fishtown, Kensington Quarters is the destination to take your pescatarian partner for a luxurious (and constantly changing) menu of delicately plated crudos, an array of oysters, and other special dishes sourced right from the sea. The dining room is beautiful and the bar is also a special place to post up. You can make reservations online.

1310 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
(267) 314-5086
(267) 314-5086

R&D Cocktail Bar

1206 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125

Fabulous cocktails themed around the season — the winter menu includes a Hot Oaxacan Penicillin with Reposado tequila, mezcal, ginger, and honey — complement the warm interior of R&D Cocktail Bar in Fishtown. Dimly lit and a little retro, it’s an excellent choice particularly for a weeknight date, when you can make a light meal out of small snacks or go big with a double smash burger.

1206 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125

South

600 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19130

Nothing says romance quite like live jazz, which is why any intimate occasion calls for a night out at South Jazz Kitchen on Broad Street. The restaurant pairs delicious, warming soul food — like shrimp and grits or vegan jambalaya — and a classy dining experience with great music; purchase tickets for specific shows to guarantee a table reservation.

600 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 600-0220
(215) 600-0220

Jean-Georges Philadelphia

1 N 19th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

At Jean-Georges atop the Four Seasons Hotel, diners get unforgettable views of the whole city from the 59th floor and a six-course menu — from egg toast caviar to soy-glazed short ribs — that focuses on sustainability and seasonal ingredients from around Pennsylvania, designed by chef de cuisine Cornelia Sühr and chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. You can make reservations online.

1 N 19th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 419-5057
(215) 419-5057

The Wayward

1170 Ludlow St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

A raw bar, a generous happy hour, and well-made cocktails with an emphasis on gin are all on the menu at the Wayward, the restaurant on the ground floor of the Canopy Hilton. The elegant art deco design is complemented by attentive servers and an overall cozy vibe.

1170 Ludlow St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 258-9430
(215) 258-9430

Vernick Food & Drink

2031 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Every Philadelphian has to go on at least one date at Vernick Food & Drink on Walnut. Get a seasonal sampling of Greg Vernick’s fine-dining specialties, such as swordfish a la plancha and pork milanese, alongside an excellent wine selection, which you can also take home from the Vernick Wine Shop next door. Try your luck for a seat at the first-come-first-served bar or chef’s table, where you can still access the full menu, or make a reservation on Tock, where you could also opt for a tasting menu.

2031 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(267) 639-6644
(267) 639-6644

Fork

306 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106

A stalwart of Philly’s farm-to-table dining scene, Fork on Market is always bound to make a night special. A lovely atmosphere in Old City makes menu highlights like farm beans, striped bass, and coconut custard for dessert taste extra sweet. You can make reservations online.

306 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 625-9425
(215) 625-9425

Friday Saturday Sunday

261 S 21st St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Friday Saturday Sunday, the fine-dining restaurant helmed by Chad and Hanna Williams on South 21st Street, practically invented special occasion dinners. Within the bright, cozy space, the tasting menu is constantly evolving (think barbecue veal cheek and crudo with yuzu, sunchoke, and bone marrow gelée) and the cocktails are cheekily named and lovely to boot. You can make reservations for the online.

261 S 21st St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 546-4232
(215) 546-4232

Le Caveau

614 S 7th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Drink a few glasses of wine with a charcuterie plate at Chloe Grigri’s French-inspired wine bar, Le Caveau, upstairs from her Good King Tavern restaurant on South Seventh Street. The music is excellent, the wine thoughtfully curated, and the dim lighting makes the spot a great place to sit and chat with a loved one.

614 S 7th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 625-3700
(215) 625-3700

Southwark Restaurant

701 S 4th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Southwark restaurant in Queen Village is Chris D’Ambro and Marina De Oliveira’s tribute to romantic dining, with candlelit tables, a cozy old-school bar, and dishes like lamb terrine and fluke crudo. You can make reservations online. (If you’re looking for an even more intimate experience, you can try to reserve a table in the kitchen at Southwark’s nearby modern Italian sibling, Ambra.)

701 S 4th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(267) 930-8538
(267) 930-8538

Royal Sushi & Izakaya

780 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

James Beard award-nominated chef Jesse Ito’s Queen Village destination is a two-in-one deal. In the front, you’ll find a hip izakaya with skewers, sushi, and Japanese beer, but Ito’s coveted omakase experience, which helped launch the omakase mini-renaissance the city is currently enjoying, is an intimate affair — just eight seats — where chefs lavish you with impeccable seasonal seafood perfect for appreciating in hushed tones with a fellow enthusiast.

780 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(267) 909-9002
(267) 909-9002

River Twice

1601 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148

Eating at the bar is always a pro move (it’s just cooler), especially true at River Twice in Passyunk Square. Amanda and Randy Rucker’s fashionable restaurant prioritizes tasting menus throughout (including a cheaper version on Mondays), but the chef’s counter offers an extended experience during which Randy and his team walk diners through the process of menu development with small, detailed dishes like raw surf clam or dry-aged duck with rutabaga. Reservations for both the counter and the rest of the restaurant are available on Resy.

1601 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
(267) 457-3698
(267) 457-3698

Related Maps

Gabriella's Vietnam

1837 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148

In the former Saté Kampar space in East Passyunk, chef Thanh Nguyen serves Vietnamese street food of the highest order, much of which is great for sharing. The bánh bèo quảng nam — open-faced dumplings served in small decorative bowls — are unreal, and the large format dishes, from the half-chicken platter to Vietnamese fried winter flounder, will not let you down. Make reservations online, and pick out drinks together in advance: This charming neighborhood restaurant is BYOB.

1837 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
(272) 888-3298
(272) 888-3298

Irwin's

800 Mifflin St, Philadelphia, PA 19148

Sicilian small plates and natural wine are on the table at Irwin’s, the South Philly restaurant on the top floor of Bok Bar with Michael Vincent Ferreri as head chef. The scene is lively, the drinks are inspired, and the swordfish is big enough to share. What’s not to love? You can make reservations online.

800 Mifflin St, Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 693-6206
(215) 693-6206

Related Maps