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Best Hot Spot Restaurants in University City

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20 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

A photo of The Love restaurant
1. The Love
4.8
Exceptional(7850)
Price: Expensive
• American • Rittenhouse Square
Booked 193 times today
Aimee Olexy and Stephen Starr's The Love is a bi-level sanctuary features 150 seats, split between the main dining room, sidewalk seating, and an upper-level loft. The restaurant is a spirited and carefree neighborhood café celebrating everyday American cuisine. The menu is crafted around what’s truly seasonal and local, while the beverage program reflects the best of the region. This creative energy is matched by a front-of-house service staff passionate about providing homey hospitality morning, noon and night.
A photo of Barclay Prime restaurant
2. Barclay Prime
4.8
Exceptional(5595)
Price: Very Expensive
• Steakhouse • Rittenhouse Square
Booked 80 times today
Barclay Prime is a luxury boutique steakhouse serving a traditional yet modern menu in a comfortable & contemporary setting.
A photo of Talula’s Garden restaurant
3. Talula’s Garden
4.9
Exceptional(13602)
Price: Very Expensive
• American • Washington Square
Booked 159 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 Saloon Restaurant restaurant
4. Saloon Restaurant
4.9
Exceptional(2727)
Price: Very Expensive
• Italian • South Philly
Booked 57 times today
Saloon Restaurant is a hot spot because of its authentic, high-quality Italian cuisine and welcoming ambiance. Customers rave about the 'outstanding' service, 'amazing' food, and 'beautiful surroundings.' The 'unique and interesting' setting, which includes two dining rooms and a vintage bar, adds to the appeal. The restaurant's consistent quality and excellent value also make it a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
A photo of a.kitchen restaurant
5. a.kitchen
4.7
Exceptional(2215)
Price: Expensive
• French American • Center City
Booked 31 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.
A photo of Mona restaurant
6. Mona
4.4
Awesome(174)
Price: Expensive
• Mediterranean • Center City
Booked 65 times today
Mona is Center City Philadelphia’s go-to destination for modern Mediterranean dining with a Greek soul. Located in the heart of Midtown Village, this vibrant restaurant by Craft Concepts Group brings Aegean charm to the city with whitewashed walls, olive trees, and floral accents that transport you to the coast. The open, airy layout flows between lively communal tables and cozy corners, offering the perfect setting for everything from date nights to group celebrations.Enjoy a menu full of beautifully crafted shareable plates, signature cocktails, and bold Mediterranean flavors—all served in an upscale yet welcoming atmosphere. Whether you're stopping by for happy hour or lingering late into the evening, Mona delivers a dining experience that feels like a quick escape—no passport required.Dress Code:
To maintain our upscale atmosphere, we kindly ask guests to refrain from wearing hats, hoodies, or steel toe boots. Thank you for your understanding.
A photo of Buddakan - Philadelphia restaurant
7. Buddakan - Philadelphia
4.8
Exceptional(11529)
Price: Expensive
• Asian • Old City
Booked 118 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 Estia - Philadelphia restaurant
8. Estia - Philadelphia
4.8
Exceptional(8977)
Price: Very Expensive
• Greek • Center City
Booked 42 times today
The stunning restaurant, which is first of its kind in Philadelphia, will transport guests to the Greek Islands with an atmosphere reminiscent of an inviting Mediterranean home & a menu of authentic specialties, simply prepared, that represent the best of Greek cuisine. The restaurant specializes in whole grilled fish which are flown in from the Greek Islands, the shores of Morocco, Tunisia, & Portugal. Guests are able to choose from Estia’s expansive display & watch chefs cook their fish to perfection over a charcoal grill in the sparkling open kitchen.
A photo of Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse - Philadelphia restaurant
9. Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse - Philadelphia
4.7
Exceptional(9653)
Price: Very Expensive
• Steakhouse • Center City
Booked 51 times today
Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse embodies the rich tradition of the classic American steakhouse, serving USDA Prime Beef, fresh seafood and premium wines from our award-winning wine selection.
A photo of Fogo de Chao - Philadelphia restaurant
10. Fogo de Chao - Philadelphia
4.5
Awesome(5322)
Price: Moderate
• Brazilian • Center City
Booked 82 times today
Fogo de Chao in Philadelphia is a Brazilian steakhouse that has gained an international reputation for its unique dining experience, where guests can enjoy high-quality cuts of meat roasted over an open flame. Reviewers rave about the food, service, and ambience, with phrases like 'great food and service', 'excellent food and service', and 'great place to eat' frequently used. It's also mentioned as a great place for groups and celebrations, further solidifying its status as a popular, lively spot.
‘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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