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10 romantic restaurants in Philadelphia for every kind of date

A photo of Red logo
by Caroline Coral
Updated January 31, 2023

Whether you want to woo your Valentine with fussy French food or share a plate of fried chicken at a gastropub, Philadelphia’s most romantic restaurants can vastly improve Cupid’s aim this February.

For some, sparks will fly over vegan snacks and zippy cocktails at a dimly lit Center City bar. At an Italian institution in East Passyunk, live opera performances draw couples who prefer more epic celebrations. Others may opt for a nostalgic evening at a retro steakhouse just over the Ben Franklin Bridge.

Treat yourself and your date to a swoon-worthy meal. Read on for a guide to Philadelphia’s 10 top date-night restaurants.

A photo of Charlie was a sinner. restaurant
4.7
4.7 (2416)
$31 to $50
Tapas / Small Plates
Center City
About the restaurant

Dim lights? Check. Flickering candles? Check. Tiny tables underneath which you will unavoidably brush knees with your date? Check. When it comes to a venue for early-in-the game romance, it’s tough to do better than this velvet-clad haven. Luckily, the plant-based snacks and bold cocktails are just as dreamy as the atmosphere. Order the Mediterranean board, designed for two, for treats including cave-aged vegan cheese, pine nut ricotta, marinated mushrooms, olives, and grapes.


Top review
RobertaV
Dined 4 days ago
Excellent and would definitely love to eat there again!
A photo of SouthGate restaurant
4.9
4.9 (374)
$30 and under
Contemporary Korean
Rittenhouse Square
About the restaurant

Named for one of the ancient gates of the Fortress Wall of Seoul, this cozy Korean American gastropub is a treasured spot for getting to know your date. A selection of fruit-infused sojus offers couples a chance to sample everything from the easy-to-sip plum and strawberry flavors to a bolder, housemade chile version. With bar snacks such as Korean fried chicken and gochugaru kimchi fries to larger plates including bossam (lettuce wraps with braised pork belly), SouthGate’s menu is made to share with your potential SO.


Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined 3 days ago
The soju was so good! Honestly everything was good. I ordered Beef Bibimbap
A photo of Parc restaurant
4.8
4.8 (16061)
$31 to $50
French
Rittenhouse Square
About the restaurant

With Rittenhouse Square views and a timeless brasserie menu, there’s a reason Parc is perpetually packed with couples enjoying a piece of Paris in Philadelphia. Whether you’re here for a long-awaited third date or a spontaneous weeknight rendezvous, it’s best to kick off a meal with a bottle of bubbly and seafood plateau. Don’t miss out on dessert—the pastry team here is world-class.


Top review
MartinF
Dined 1 day ago
Love restaurant but had Mussels which were unexciting. Broth was blah needs more umph! Otherwise thoroughly enjoyed dining experience.
A photo of The Victor Cafe - Philadelphia restaurant
4.9
4.9 (4355)
$30 and under
Italian
South Philly
About the restaurant

Forget dinner and a movie—date nights at Victor Cafe come with live opera performances, tailor-made for celebratory meals. Servers at this longtime South Philadelphia favorite, which has been in business since 1918, set down plates of veal saltimbocca and chicken piccata before bursting into Verdi and Puccini every 15 minutes throughout the evening.


Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined today
Travelled from the UK for my Dad’s birthday. The food and the service exceeded all expectations. Accommodated us well and the opera was outstanding.
A photo of Steak 38 Cherry Hill restaurant
4.7
4.7 (795)
$50 and over
Steakhouse
Cherry Hill
About the restaurant

Those looking for an unabashedly old-school night out will be thrilled to discover this steakhouse gem in nearby South Jersey, just over the the Ben Franklin Bridge. Seasoned servers shake up frosty martinis while the kitchen turns out pitch-perfect takes that raise the bar on any romantic occasion such as oysters Rockefeller, shrimp cocktail, and prime rib.


Top review
CarolS
Dined 7 days ago
Staff were friendly and attentive. Food was delicious. Atmosphere was pleasant and festive. Only issue, would like a small salad included with entree, especially considering the dinner prices. Overall, would recommend and would return. Happy Holidays!
A photo of Amada PHL restaurant
4.7
4.7 (8354)
$31 to $50
Spanish
Old City
About the restaurant

After more than 15 years in business, Iron Chef Jose Garces’s Amada remains a stand-out spot for group gatherings. As a beloved Anadalusian tapas restaurant, its inventive small plates, including bacon-wrapped dates with almonds and cabrales (a Spanish blue cheese), ham croquettes, and charcuterie, are easy to love—and share. If you grab some friends and make your way here on a Sunday, there are half-priced bottles of wine and a special selection of discounted snacks to catch up over.


Top review
AnneV
Dined on Jan 2, 2023
We did the 9 course tasting for $65 and a 1L carafe of wine for $25 - really great value for such a highly rated restaurant. Most of the tapas were excellent. The dessert was a dry roll - That was the only really disappointing part that was quite out of line with the rest of the meal. Beautiful classy interior and on-point wait staff.
A photo of Morimoto restaurant
4.7
4.7 (6467)
$50 and over
Japanese
Center City
About the restaurant

Funky, futuristic decor sets the scene for an ocean-inspired odyssey at one of the most sought-after sushi experiences in town. On a more casual night out, order from Morimoto’s a la carte menu to suit your mood and appetite. But to really make a splash—or mark a special milestone—go all out with the omakase selection. The chef’s tasting option is a tour of the whole menu, including hot and cold dishes such as seasonal oysters with ponzu pearls, spicy tuna crispy rice, and wagyu dumplings.


Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined today
Great for birthdays . The wagyu beef was amazing,,so was the Morimoto ramen soup and the sushi platter
A photo of SOUTH Restaurant & Jazz Club restaurant
4.6
4.6 (2193)
$31 to $50
Contemporary Southern
Center City
About the restaurant

Philadelphia’s premier destination for live jazz and Southern-inspired eats makes for a lively date night. South welcomes a roster of local and national artists to perform in its warm dining room—with only 75 seats, it’s intimate for a venue of its kind. The kitchen turns out thoughtful riffs on classics to make any evening sing including hot honey-drizzled fried chicken, shrimp over locally milled grits, and vegetarian gumbo.


Top review
MarjorieSvip
Dined on Mar 17, 2023
The food was outstanding, every single thing the group order was delicious. The atmosphere and service was exceptional!
A photo of Fork - Philadelphia restaurant
4.7
4.7 (4801)
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
Old City
About the restaurant

Fork has been Philadelphia’s big-deal date-night spot since opening in 1997. It’s no surprise that this chandelier-clad institution is a popular backdrop to proposals and other relationship milestones you want to etch into your memory. The menu—a Mid-Atlantic-accented lineup that includes oysters with rosé-peppercorn mignonette and dry-aged, bone-in steak served with bone marrow, roasted garlic, potato pave, and chimichurri—provides flavorful ways to celebrate. Add spot-on service and you’ve got a venue well-suited for popping the big question.


Top review
PhillipHvip
Dined on Jan 1, 2023
Excellent choice for an evening meal!
A photo of Laurel restaurant
4.7
4.7 (1247)
$50 and over
French
East Passyunk Avenue
About the restaurant

Laurel’s inventive six-course menu alone makes the restaurant ideal for an extra-special romantic dinner. But an evening here is downright impressive for many reasons, including an intimate dining room, tufted dining chairs, and the star chef factor—the French American spot is steered by Top Chef winner Nicholas Elmi. The menu changes often because chefs here work closely with farmers; expect ornate, proposal-worthy dishes such as tea-brined quail with caramelized onion, Carolina rice, date, and truffle and tuna with sunchoke, shiitake mushrooms, and trout roe.


Top review
OpenTable Dinervip
Dined on Apr 14, 2023
Incredible from arrival til finish! Both Chefs are extremely talented Plating was beautiful Server was very knowledgeable of menu and wine Delicious food wine list is superb Interesting and perfect combinations: celery salad was EXCELLENT Beef tartare is divine Bartender def knows how to make a perfect drink Staff and service impeccable I will most certainly be back!
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