Best Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in University City

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSeafoodMexicanJapaneseGerman

Regions

CamdenPhiladelphiaWestern Suburbs

Neighborhoods

Center CityCherry HillConshohockenEast FallsFishtownFolsom

Top Rated

CharmingGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunchGreat for fine wines

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

James Beard Award

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

25 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

1. Talula’s Garden

4.9

Exceptional(13551)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• American • Washington Square

Booked 153 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.

2. a.kitchen

4.8

Exceptional(2202)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• French American • Center City

Booked 21 times today

a.kitchen, situated in Hotel AKA Rittenhouse Square, is a French-inspired American restaurant led by Executive Chef Eli Collins. The bistro-style menu offers everything from small plates to more traditional lunch and dinner options. Known for its innovative wine list, a.kitchen is a top destination for natural and terroir-driven wines from regions around the world. Reservations are available for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner.Adjacent to a.kitchen, a.bar offers a cocktail-focused experience along with a menu of snacks, burgers, salads, and seasonal dishes. Guests of Hotel AKA Rittenhouse Square can also enjoy in-suite dining for a more private experience.

3. Moshulu

4.5

Awesome(8781)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Penn's Landing

Booked 94 times today

Moshulu is one of the most unique dining experiences in Philadelphia aboard a ship. Dine indoors in our newly remodeled dining rooms or outdoors in the open-air or covered decks. Our menu features modern American fare including the freshest seafood, steaks, and sushi. Paired with seasonal craft cocktails, canned beer, and an extensive wine list. Reservations are recommended and available for indoor tables and outdoor dining under the covered tent. We look forward to seeing you!

A photo of Positano Coast by Aldo Lamberti restaurant

4. Positano Coast by Aldo Lamberti

4.6

Exceptional(4043)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Old City

Booked 35 times today

Enjoy the beauty of the Amalfi Coast in Italy right in Old City while dining at Positano Coast by Aldo Lamberti. Whether stopping in for brunch, lunch, dinner or happy hour, you'll love the seeing Philadelphia from our 2nd story view point. Known primarily for our fresh fish and seafood, we welcome our guests to savor a menu full of delicious selections, including some favorite dishes such as our spicy fried calamari, zucchini crabcake, tagliatelle bolognese and our pork chop milanese.Weekend Brunch is available Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 am to 2:30pm. Enjoy our belgian waffles, avocado toast or brunch burger and pair them with our mimosa & sangria specials! Join us for happy hour Tuesday-Friday, between 4pm and 6pm.Outdoor Dining is available on both of our patios, and during warmer weather on our sidewalk cafe!

5. Irie Entree

4.2

Awesome(300)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Jamaican • University City

Booked 13 times today

"Jamaica is not just the home of Reggae icon Bob Marley and a place where everything is IRIE. Jamaica is also known for having one of the most flavorful cuisines in the world. Our upscale-casual eatery and bar offers a truly authentic combination of the best that Jamaica has to offer through our music, culture - and of course, our amazing food. Our aim is to excite taste buds, create great vibe and leave our customers always wanting a repeat of their experience!"

6. La Viola - West

4.4

Awesome(892)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Rittenhouse Square

Booked 3 times today

Warm Weather, Cool Cuisine: Join Us for Outdoor Dining!La Viola West is now OPEN and operating at normal business hours. To have your table reserved please call us at 215 735 8631. Walk-ins are welcome!La Viola - West offers an authentic Italian dining experience. An excellent place for date night, it has decor that includes wood furnishings, crisp linens, and soft, romantic lighting. The menu at La Viola - West includes a variety of pasta along with grilled and roasted meats such as veal, chicken, and fresh fish.An array of desserts, hot coffees, and sodas are available to order with your meal at La Viola - West. However, no alcohol is served, although you are welcome to bring your own bottle with you. Offering catering services and designated event space, the restaurant hosts special parties and celebrations upon request.

A photo of Iron Hill - Center City restaurant

7. Iron Hill - Center City

4.3

Awesome(1250)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Center City

Booked 25 times today

Welcome to Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, where you'll find fine handcrafted beers, creative yet informal cuisine, and friendly, attentive service in a casual, upscale atmosphere. We're passionate about producing distinctive, full-flavored handcrafted beers, accompanied by fresh–from–scratch New American cuisine in a comfortable, casual atmosphere. Our goal has always been to provide food and beer that is inspired, consistently crafted and presented by a knowledgeable and courteous service staff.

A photo of Marathon - 19th & Spruce restaurant

8. Marathon - 19th & Spruce

4.6

Exceptional(830)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Rittenhouse Square

Booked 7 times today

Marathon has served the neighborhoods of Philadelphia for over 25 years as a family-run restaurant group. We serve well-made American classics, and strive to source the freshest food locally available to us, including from our own Marathon Farm in Brewerytown, Philadelphia. Our favorite farm to table items include our grass-fed Cheesesteak, free-range Turkey Plate, and fluffy Omelettes made with cage-free eggs.We love food, but more importantly we create the food that people love to eat. We set out each day to provide our guests with a complete feel-good dining experience in a casual setting. We offer warm and personal hospitality rooted in a real concern for our guests' experience and we believe that everyone should be able to afford delicious food. We bring people together through food, personal connections and artistic spaces.

9. Mixto

4.6

Exceptional(2356)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Cuban • Center City

Booked 18 times today

Mixto is a two-story natural wood and exposed brick building located on the east side of downtown Philadelphia on the historic Antique Row. We have been opened for ten consecutive years. Our vision has been to bring an array of flavors of the Cuban, Latin American and Caribbean cuisine to the Center City area. We are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with bar service and an extensive wine and cocktail selection.Mixto offers outdoor dining with a South Beach Miami ambiance during the spring, summer & fall when the weather permits.

10. Adoro

4.8

Exceptional(222)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Queen Village

Booked 26 times today

Adoro Restaurant is a cozy BYOB Italian eatery in the heart of Philadelphia, offering authentic, handcrafted dishes at reasonable prices. Enjoy a warm, inviting atmosphere where fresh ingredients and traditional recipes come together for a memorable dining experience. Perfect for a romantic dinner, family meal, or casual night out. Walk-ins welcome!

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

J
Jason
Baltimore / Maryland •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
It was absolutely amazing and made my special occasion feel fantastic
More info
MoshuluPrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• Penn's Landing
•
4.5
D
DonnaVIP
Philadelphia County •58 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Frances was very attentive and everything was delicious
More info
Talula’s GardenPrice: Very Expensive• American• Washington Square
•
4.9
J
John
London •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Excellent food, interesting wines and cocktails, a wonderful setting for a late lunch on a beautiful Spring day. The service was friendly and helpful. Loved the music.
More info
a.kitchenPrice: Expensive• French American• Center City
•
4.8
M
Monava
Philadelphia County •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Everything was great. The Soft shell crab sandwich, zucchini card cake, bacon cheese burger were all perfect. The service was excellent. The ambiance was beautiful. The only issue was they forgot it was my mother’s birthday.
More info
Positano Coast by Aldo LambertiPrice: Moderate• Italian• Old City
•
4.6
A
Annabelle
Philadelphia County •3 reviews
4.0
Dined on May 10, 2025
Irie was great! Went with my family for dinner around 5 PM. Place wasn’t too crowded, we had beautiful natural light, fun but not too loud music. Food was delicious and our server was super chill and able to answer my family’s questions about the menu. Would be down to go back when they have live music for a fun happy hour!
More info
Irie EntreePrice: Expensive• Jamaican• University City
•
4.2

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