Paloma Mexican Haute Cuisine

See all 57 Reviews ›

Address:
763 S 8th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147

Neighborhood:
South Philly

Getting there ›
Cuisine:
Contemporary Mexican

Price: $31 to $50

More Details ›

Paloma Mexican Haute Cuisine Details

Dining Style: Fine Dining
Website: http://www.palomafinedining.com
Phone: (215) 928-9500
Hours of Operation: Tues-Thurs: 5:00pm - 9:00pm. Fri-Sat 5:00pm to 10:00pm. Closed Sun and Mon except for private parties. In addition to its regular menu, Paloma now offers a $35 three course prix fixe menu on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. (It's like Restaurant Week every week!)
Payment Options: AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Cuisine: Contemporary Mexican, French
Executive Chef: Adán Saavedra
Dress Code: Casual Dress
Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
Additional Details: BYO Liquor, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Personal wines welcome

Getting there

Cross Street: Fulton Street
Public Transit: The southbound 47 bus stops right across the street, at 8th and Catharine/Fulton.
Parking: Street Parking
Parking Details: There is a free public lot on the north side of Christian Street between 7th and 8th. Some on-street parking is time-limited; the 700 block of Catharine has 4-hour parking on the north side. Parts of 8th are unrestricted. In a pinch, you can park on South Street and either walk down or hop in a cab.

A word from Paloma Mexican Haute Cuisine

This highly-acclaimed fine dining BYOB restaurant will forever change the way you think of Mexican food. Paloma serves superb French-Mexican cuisine. There are no nachos, burritos or sauces covered in melted cheese.

Chef-owner Adán Saavedra combines Mexican ingredients with French… cooking techniques to produce dishes that are refined, elegant, beautiful and full of flavor without the heat of spice. We will gladly accommodate those who prefer more chile heat!

Desserts are unique and wholly house-made, including special items for more adventurous diners, such as an incendiary mango-habanero sorbet. Vegetarian and gluten-free options abound. If you have dietary restrictions, let us know in advance and we'll accommodate them.

Come see why Paloma has been called "Le Bec Mex," why Chef Saavedra was a 2011 semifinalist for a James Beard Foundation award, and why the 2013 Zagat Guide ranked Paloma in the top ten restaurants in the region for food!Continued

Foodspotting photos

See all photos >

Awards voted by OpenTable diners

Diners' Choice WinnerBest Overall
Diners' Choice WinnerBest Food
Diners' Choice WinnerFit for Foodies

Paloma Mexican Haute Cuisine - Best Restaurants in South Philly

Diner Reviews

"As always, Paloma is the perfect restaurant for a delightful evening of dining. The staff is the best in the City and very knowledgable. Barb makes the best desserts anywhere...my husband rarely has desserts except at Paloma. He loves the sorbets! Can't wait to returnto this gracious BYOB."
Dined on 7/26/2014
"Haute Mexican with an emphasis on "haute". The best food have had in a long time and at a very reasonable price."
Dined on 7/22/2014
"I LOVE Mexican food, so I was going to try Paloma's at some point. A friend of mine who is quite the gourmet told me it was the best meal she'd ever had so I took a party of 5 there. It did NOT disappoint! Everyone raved about the delicious food, which is haute Mexican and so no Margaritas, pico de gallo, or guacamole. Inventive combinations of fresh ingredients and served beautifully. We will all be back."
Dined on 7/22/2014
"Went to dinner with a friend on a Tuesday night. Maybe 4 tables occupied. Arrived at 6:30. Took until 7:45 for an appetizer to arrive which was good. Then the waiter informed my guest that the entrée she had ordered was not available. Really. We didn't finish dinner until 9:15. Way to long for a simple dinner. Probably would not go back. On top of that the temperature in the restaurant was about 60. Really really cold."
Dined on 7/22/2014
"I love this little place. Great food, decent prices, and a personal touch. Thanks!"
Dined on 7/19/2014
"We had a wonderful dinner at Paloma recently. The dishes were superbly prepared and presented. We particularly enjoyed the mushroom flan appetizer and the special soup (cool with a tiny bit of "heat"). My blueberry/vanilla sorbet was memorable. The prix fixe menu during the week is a great value, especially with BYO. Parking is a bit of a hassle but the waiter kindly directed my friend to a parking spot in the area."
Dined on 7/17/2014
"Friends and I were celebrating a birthday. I made reservations for 7:00. That night a storm rolled through, leaving traffic conditions a nightmare. I called to see if reservations could be pushed back 30 mins. The hostess was not please, put me on hold to "check with the chef", came back two minutes later and said it was OK but I better call if we would be later. Fine. That is OK. When we got there, we were literally the ONLY table in the restaurant. The hostess was not pleasant. She was full of attitude and yelled at my friend when she picked up a rose from a vase in the center of the table to smell it. The food was great...but again the service was sub par. Hostess was miserable and our waiter was super awkward."
Dined on 7/15/2014
"Paloma is one of Philadelphia's finest restaurants. Its name says it all: Paloma Haute Cuisine. This is not "Mexican"; this is elegantly presented, superbly prepared very fine food of such high quality that most Mexican's probably never tasted anything with this much class!"
Dined on 6/27/2014
"Great upscale Mexican cuisine. Presentations are wonderful and the flavors are interesting and appealing to the palate. Do not expect tacos and enchiladas. Byob a plus! Will definitely continue to return"
Dined on 6/27/2014
"Terrific food, service and setting. We loved it and can't wait to go back. Everything was perfect!"
Dined on 6/18/2014
"The food is unique! The flavors were new and delicious...and plated beautifully! Our server knew every detail of every dish and was more than pleased to oblige. The owner was also warm and kind; making sure were happy and also shared a few culinary secrets. I cannot wait to go back to try some of the other dishes on the menu. I had a special; paku (fish) in a puff pastry on an amazingly tasty bed of mashes potatoes along with this delicious sauce that I cannot put into words. Simply delicious!"
Dined on 6/13/2014
"Went there recently on a week night for a birthday celebration. Everyone loved every bite, including the 3 1/2 year old. I had the prix fixe menu, which included an apply, entree and dessert - a greet deal. And the desserts...all house-made and include wonderful cakes, sorbets & ice cream. Traditional flavors and some exotic for the adventurous: my son got a sorbet that had a very spicy taste, maybe jalapeño strawberry? He loved it! As always, it was a wonderful meal: friendly, professional staff and wonderful, sophisticated food in a lovely setting. And our hostess, also an owner, could not have been nicer to my silly grandson - extra points!"
Dined on 6/12/2014
"This was our first experience at La Paloma, and it was absolutely lovely! The food was outstanding (and beautiful!), the service was great (everyone was so friendly and kind!), and the ambiance was very romantic. We had a wonderful date night and both enjoyed our meals - they were delicious from the appetizers to the desserts!! The gelato was especially impressive. The main courses were also both stunning; the sauces were gorgeous and the steak and fish were prepared perfectly. I would absolutely recommend this location, especially for a romantic dinner or a small group event. Love La Paloma!"
Dined on 6/11/2014
"The food is superb, and the presentations are works of art. Paloma offers 3 course Prix Fixe dinners ($35.00) Tuesdays thru Thursdays. For food of this quality, $35.00 is a steal. A la carte dining is available as well. Paloma is a B.Y.O.B. restaurant. The restaurant is owned by a middle aged husband and wife. The husband is usually back in the kitchen, and the wife runs the front of the house. She is lovely, charming, and delightful. From the way she describes the menu items, it is very apparent that she loves good food. Paloma is DEFINITELY a neighborhood gem. Run, don't walk there."
Dined on 6/11/2014
"We were so looking forward to dining at Paloma for our 25th anniversary dinner. The reviews were all fantastic. When we arrived for our 7:30PM reservation, the restaurant smelled like must, as though there was a leak. We saw our waitress once to greet us & once to take the order. That was it. The service was horrible all night long. At the end of the evening, a woman came over, told us that she was an owner, finally apologized for the 1st time for the poor service as they were short-staffed, & asked if we wanted to order one of her desserts. Why didn't they tell us that up front & apologize up front? Our 2 hour parking was over & we declined. Unfortunately, there isn't enough space to write a complete review as there was more. What a shame."
Dined on 6/7/2014
"This restaurant never fails to delight. The food is lovely, not at all what Imexpected. It is sophisticated, generally light, and beautifully presented, and none of the heavy cheese that one usually associates wih this cuisine. The dining room is spacious, comfortable and bright. The hostess/owner is charming and informative. Our dinners were all declared winners, and we shared a few desserts, which are not to be missed. They are all made in-house, the sorbets are unbelievable and come in amazing flavors. This is a must-do restaurant and will on my "frequently visited" list."
Dined on 5/31/2014
"Loved everything about Paloma. We will be back! The good was amazing. Very creative and flavorful"
Dined on 5/29/2014
"Just a really special experience. But heads up that Open Table does not notify the diner that the restaurant does not serve alcohol"
Dined on 5/17/2014
"Is such a wonderful dining destination! You feel like a most welcome guest and the food is great. This is dessert heaven, made in house and divine! Love it here!"
Dined on 5/17/2014
"OMG. This was surprise! The most creative and best tasting food we have had at a restaurant all year, regardless of price. The chef's blend of Mexican spices with sophisticated modern French cooking techniques produced a fresh and delightful dining experience. We want to return to try some of the dishes we were not able to sample. The chef's wife, who also prepares some of the desserts, described the cooking techniques used in the preparation of many items on the menu which heightened the dining experience. Try this place before it gets the publicity it deserves and getting a reservation becomes impossible."
Dined on 5/17/2014
"this was the second time i dined here, the food is presented in a beautiful artistic manner. The taste this time was improved from last time, but still is just not as good as it needs to be. I had the cesar salad appetizer which was excellent, and then had the shrimp appetizer for my entree, equally good. My friends had two of the fish dishes, and while they were ok, neither was great. the 4th of us had the duck breast and that too was just ok. I would recommend this as a nice restaurant to come to, but with the understanding that the food will not totally wow you other than in looks. "
Dined on 5/9/2014
"The food was delightful but we couldn't understand why all of the customers were seated next to each other in a corner of the restaurant. The noise became very distracting at times. We surmised they were short of wait staff."
Dined on 4/25/2014
"If you are looking for burritos and tex-mex, this is not the place. It is the place for an innovative chef that uses the tastes, ingredients, and flavors of highlands Mexican cuisine to create original dishes using high-quality meats and seafood. Relatively formal dining room and table set up. Mushroom flan and shrimp pastry appetizers were fabulous. BYOB and they mix a good margarita if you bring the tequila. Hard to park but worth venturing down to Christian St to try. "
Dined on 4/22/2014
"All 3 of us including 18 year old son had food we enjoyed, easy conversational environment, and fun discussion with Barbara. When she says her Mango-Habanero sorbet is very hot, believe her. It was magnificent."
Dined on 4/17/2014
"Amazing food as always. Incredible soups. Every time we go we find new delights. No other restaurant we know tickles and satisfies our palates with the flavors and combinations we find here. And we so appreciate being able to enjoy conversation with friends and with Barb without strain! "
Dined on 4/17/2014
"I am working my way through the menu and I have loved everything I have tried so far. The Caesar salad is terrific; the corn chowder is marvelous; the crab cake, the bronzino, the duck, the veal chop are all great. The desserts are delicious. I can't wait to return."
Dined on 4/17/2014
"The food is imaginative and well prepared, the atmosphere is good. It's always a pleasure."
Dined on 4/12/2014
"Excellent as always. Brought friends who haven't been to Paloma's since it was on Castor Ave and they really enjoyed returning to a favorite restaurant."
Dined on 4/12/2014
"What a fantastic place to dine, absolutely love it. Very welcoming, wonderful service and desserts are fantastic. And, it's a BYOB!"
Dined on 4/5/2014
"As always and I really do mean always the food and service exceed any expectations. We were joined by friends who had never been before and they loved it, they dine all over the city and have great palates. Thanks again!"
Dined on 3/29/2014
"My parents and I continue to go to Paloma a few times a year. The food is always superb and the service is fantastic. We absolutely love it. The corn chowder and crab appetizers are excellent. I had the veal special and it was fantastic! I always enjoy their very spicy sorbets which are incredible. I would highly recommend this restaurant to everyone."
Dined on 3/28/2014
"What a great meal. The food was wonderful and the presentation very appealing. I would like to point out the highlights but everything was a highlight. The Mushroom Flan and the shrimp appetizers were yummy. The Bronzino was the best I have ever had.The duck was lean and perfect. The pastry chef gave us a great description of all of the desserts and it was hard to choose just one for each of us. We both chose the sorbets and then we had 6 different flavors. We also took home a slice of the creamy delicious White Chocolate Cheesecake. It was my birthday and the sorbets were delivered with a personalized birthday wish on the plate. We look forward to returning again SOON with our friends."
Dined on 3/26/2014
"I took my wife out for dinner to this place that we had not been to since it moved from the Northeast. The BYOB policy gave me a chance to bring a special red wine, which I would not have ordered at normal restaurant markups. The corn chowder was fantastic. I usually stay away from duck because, although I like the gaminess, I don't like all the fat in the skin. But the menu described it as boneless and skinless, so I tried it. It was lean, flavorful and the serrano ham wrapping gave it a nice intensity. The deserts were generous. The chocolate and orange cake was fresh, large and had just the right balance of flavors. I had it a la mode with one of their unique gelati flavors."
Dined on 3/22/2014
"My 2nd visit here. I could not give up my poached shrimp appetizer because that is a must to have. But tried a fish this time and again I loved my dinner. This guy can really cook. And try the sorbet's they are delicious."
Dined on 3/22/2014
"More French than Mexican, Paloma puts out a very good, refined selection of dishes. The waitress suggested that the chef excels in soups and sauces and we found that to be true. The soup of the day was flavorful and very interesting (in a good way!) And my husband thinks the crab cake was the best he's ever had. Desert with "mexican" chocolate was the perfect end to the meal. Sadly, the place was so quiet as to be almost dead, which means either the location is a bit too far off the beaten track or people just haven't discovered how good Haute Mexican can be. We were glad to have discovered the place!"
Dined on 3/21/2014
"The food, ,service and ambiance was exquisite. We will definitely be back!"
Dined on 3/19/2014
"Paloma is a wonderful restaurant. The caesar salad is unusual and of course delicious. The veal chop was also terrific. I am working my way through this menu. Let's not forget the extensive list of gelato flavors. Our plan is to return as often as we can. It has become one of our favorite restaurants."
Dined on 3/18/2014
"It's hard to know whether to start with Barb's amazing desserts or everything else. We do save this for special times because we know we won't be able to resist dessert, whether it's a magnificent cake, like the newly-tweaked "coffee cake" of her grandmother's or the amazing sorbets and gelatos with flavors found nowhere else. Certain other favorites, like the corn chowder or the mushroom flan demand revisiting, but then - crab cake? duck? anything else? Always exquisite."
Dined on 3/8/2014
"This is the second time we've dined here when visiting Philadelphia. Just as great a meal the second time. We had the unique mushroom flan as an appetizer. The barramundi entree was also fantastic.The desserts were out of this world. Service was also great. Don't forget it's a BYOB."
Dined on 3/7/2014
"I don't see this as Mexican restaurant; I see it more as an OUTSTANDING South American restaurant. The soups started us off on a high note (I will return just for the soups!) and the entrees didn't disappoint. The duck and the branzino were beautifully prepared, tender juicy delicious and extremely flavorful. We eat out six to seven nights a week and this place caught me by surprise because I hadn't read about it. Outstanding! ... and then the deserts. The deserts are special and I was sorry I could only have one. We shared a chocolate brownie that had complex flavors that blended beautifully. Great meal and I would recommend this restaurant to everyone."
Dined on 3/6/2014

More reviews ›

Reserve at Paloma Mexican Haute Cuisine

Paloma Mexican Haute Cuisine Details

Getting there

Related Links

Featured Cities

Popular

OpenTable