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Best Romantic Restaurants in University City

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177 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

A photo of Parc restaurant
1. Parc
4.8
Exceptional(17783)
Price: Expensive
• French • Rittenhouse Square
Booked 282 times today
Stephen Starr's stylish addition to Rittenhouse Square pays tribute to French cafe culture, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week, ideal for a quick bite or a leisurely meal. Parc recalls the chic brasseries of Paris, serving classic French fare in a charming space. Red leather banquettes topped with frosted glass provide a sense of intimacy. Details such as well-worn wooden chairs, vintage framed paintings and photos and antique brass fixtures transport guests across the Atlantic. French doors spill onto a sidewalk terrace covered by a dark red awning perfect for dining "en plein air."
A photo of Mawn restaurant
2. Mawn
5.0
Exceptional(71)
Price: Very Expensive
• Cambodian • Bella Vista
Booked 2 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 Barclay Prime restaurant
3. Barclay Prime
4.8
Exceptional(5530)
Price: Very Expensive
• Steakhouse • Rittenhouse Square
Booked 83 times today
Barclay Prime is a luxury boutique steakhouse serving a traditional yet modern menu in a comfortable & contemporary setting.
A photo of The Dandelion restaurant
4. The Dandelion
4.7
Exceptional(8240)
Price: Moderate
• Gastro Pub • Center City
Booked 140 times today
London's culinary revolution comes to Philadelphia with this unique gastro-pub. Cozy rooms and intimate bars create a storied, Old World aura, while updated seasonal takes on British food make up the menu. In keeping with tradition, our casks and tap craft beers are always rotating and classic family-style roasts are served on Sundays.
A photo of Fiorella Philadelphia restaurant
5. Fiorella Philadelphia
4.8
Exceptional(227)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Bella Vista
Booked 99 times today
The Fiorella you see today is still the intimate space you know & love! Chef Marc Vetri and his team bring decades of talent & experience to this special space, creating a truly memorable dining experience. Pasta is the main event at Fiorella, with rotating antipasti and desserts rounding out the menu.A la carte seating is available both in our indoor dining room and outdoor patio, year round.Indoor seating is predominantly at our chef's counter, with a few high-top tables outlining the space. Table vs. counter reservations are seated on a first-come, first-served basis.Patio seating is shaded from sun in summer and insulated with heaters in winter. Due to the nature of outdoor reservations, Fiorella may have to cancel outdoor service for severe weather.Looking to dine with a larger group or want to try a different taste of Fiorella? Join us upstairs for our Pasta Club chef's selection!From the whole Fiorella Team, thank you for your continual love and support!
A photo of Butcher & Singer restaurant
6. Butcher & Singer
4.9
Exceptional(8979)
Price: Very Expensive
• Steak • Center City
Booked 78 times today
Butcher & Singer is an ideal place for a romantic date, as per the reviews. It offers an intimate and sophisticated dining experience with a classic luxury menu. The ambiance is described as perfect for a romantic date night, with its leather booths, dark wood paneling, and low lighting. The service is also top-notch and adds to the overall romantic experience.
A photo of Continental Midtown restaurant
7. Continental Midtown
4.6
Exceptional(2784)
Price: Moderate
• American • Center City
Booked 107 times today
Three full stories of fun await you at the Continental Mid-town. Whether you’re relaxing in the lounge, swinging in a basket chair on the jet-set mezzanine or taking in the night along the airy rooftop patio, it’s a total reprieve from the expected. The mouth-watering menu features bold and eclectic flavors, from signature jumbo lump crab pad thai and Szechuan shoestring fries to playful spins like cheesesteak eggrolls and French onion soup dumplings. Expertly mixed pop and retro cocktails ensure there’s something for everyone to sip on, no matter the occasion.
A photo of Vernick Fish restaurant
8. Vernick Fish
4.8
Exceptional(2336)
Price: Moderate
• Seafood • Center City
Booked 68 times today
Vernick Fish presents Philadelphia’s own, Chef Greg Vernick’s exploration beyond the boundaries of a seafood restaurant. His ingredient-driven cooking style, paired with a love for global flavors, results in an inventive menu of fish and shellfish dishes, and a range of vegetable preparations. Taking a detailed, seasonal, and sustainable approach with small and large plate offerings, the kitchen brings new life to the favorite hallmarks of American oyster bar fare and raw bar. Complementing the experience are well-crafted cocktails, and a focused wine list of seafood-friendly white and sparkling offerings, as well as light, fresh reds.
A photo of Little Water restaurant
9. Little Water
4.7
Exceptional(226)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary American • Center City
Booked 61 times today
Located in the historic neighborhood of Rittenhouse Square, Little Water is the latest restaurant from husband-and-wife team, Chef Randy Rucker and Amanda Rucker. Inspired by the Ruckers' experiences living along the Gulf Coast, New England, and Mid-Atlantic regions, Little Water is a contemporary coastal restaurant that celebrates the ecological diversity of life by the sea.The sister restaurant to the acclaimed East Passyunk Avenue gem, River Twice—which has been recognized by The Philadelphia Inquirer and The New York Times, and has earned Chef Randy’s Philadelphia Magazine’s “Best Chef” and, most recently, a James Beard Award nomination in 2024 for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic—Little Water continues the Ruckers' dedication to sustainability and local sourcing. With an a la carte menu inspired by the dynamic ecosystem of tranquil marshes, expansive bays, and secluded coves, Little Water captures the coastal spirit in a warm and lively atmosphere.
A photo of Ocean Prime - Philadelphia restaurant
10. Ocean Prime - Philadelphia
4.7
Exceptional(6199)
Price: Very Expensive
• Seafood • Center City
Booked 45 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.
‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

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