University City Philadelphia Restaurants
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White Dog Cafe - University City
Price: Expensive•American•4.6(5,576)A varied menu with seasonal & local ingredients served in a stylish room with dog-lover decor.Bistro Perrier at Walnut Hill College
Price: Moderate•French•4.5(632)His world-famous restaurant, Le Bec-Fin, was one of the most renowned restaurants for over 40 years. Now, Georges Perrier is the inspiration behind Bistro Perrier, a classic French bistro at Walnut Hill College. Set inside a charming European courtyard, Bistro Perrier showcases traditional French fare and tableside service, led by Executive Chef Todd Braley.
Located right in the heart of University City with free parking.
Irie Entree
Price: Expensive•Jamaican•4.3(299)"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!"LaScala's Fire-University City
Price: Moderate•Italian•4.6(188)LaScala's Fire at University City is located at 32nd & Chestnut on the Drexel University Campus.
(This is not our Old City location.)
* NOW WITH A FULL BAR
Open Table's Diner's Choice 2022, 2023
Outdoor dining in Philadelphia County
See what locals rave about in University City Philadelphia
- AAnneVIPNew York City •4 reviews5.0Dined 1 day agoTerrific service and delicious food! Always a great choice for celebratory meal!More infoParcPrice: Expensive• French• Rittenhouse Square•4.8
- JJasonOklahoma City •4 reviews5.0Dined 1 day agoGreat service, food, and atmosphere! Perfect place close to campus.More infoWhite Dog Cafe - University CityPrice: Expensive• American• University City•4.6
- SSharriaVIPPhiladelphia County •40 reviews5.0Dined 5 days agoGreat food, great service, and the 70s bistro style rocks!More infoLouie Louie Bistro BarPrice: Expensive• American• University City•4.6
- SStephanieVIPChicago / Illinois •7 reviews4.0Dined 7 days agoThanks for a lovely meal at LaScala's Fire. Great food. Great service.More infoLaScala's Fire-University CityPrice: Moderate• Italian• University City•4.6
- AAngelaNew York City •3 reviews5.0Dined on Jan 25, 2025Ry is the best server! Food is great. Noise level a little highMore infoThe Board and Brew PhiladelphiaPrice: Moderate• American• University City•4.4
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Maybe you got engaged on the steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art or just picked up the keys to your first rowhouse. It could be that your kid is (finally) toilet trained, or that your noisy neighbor moved away. Sometimes, simply surviving another Tuesday can be an occasion to celebrate over a restaurant meal. It doesn’t have to be fancy. What makes an occasion special isn’t an arbitrary date on the calendar—it’s the decision to celebrate. Luckily, Philadelphia bursts with places where the food and atmosphere lend themselves to living it up. Grab dinner and a jazz show at a swinging North Broad Street faithful. Opt for a quieter night at a critically acclaimed, plant-based gem in Midtown Village. Or splurge on a swanky steakhouse that presides over a corner of Rittenhouse Park. Whether you’re after an intimate spot for an anniversary date or a convivial atmosphere for a boisterous reunion, Philadelphia has you covered with these 12 celebration-worthy restaurants.
The Best Places to Grab a Drink in Philadelphia
Philadelphia’s bar scene pulses with the same eclectic energy that defines its restaurants. In every neighborhood, you’ll find spots that reflect the people who live, work, and drink there. Some embrace the city’s signature blue collar ethos while others offer glamorous settings—and even higher-end spirits. Many are attached to restaurant kitchens that turn out the kind of top-notch food that put Philadelphia on the culinary map. The city’s drinking dens have you covered, whether your tastes skew classic or trendy, whiskey or vodka, domestic or imported. Grab a friend—plus a barstool—and explore this town by way of its best watering holes.
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The genesis of the beef-on-bun combo known as the hamburger might be forever shrouded in mystery — there are at least six different people that claim to be responsible for its invention — but regardless of who came up with the burger, its appeal is undeniable. Throughout Philadelphia and New Jersey, burger options abound, from pared-down smashburgers topped with a simple combo of lettuce, tomato and onion, to patties finished with bacon and eggs designed for brunch-time enjoyment. Up and down the New Jersey coastline and into Philadelphia, these are the spots serving can’t-miss burgers.
Discover University City
Located near the heart of the area’s biggest academic centers, the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University, the West Philadelphia neighborhood of University City combines the sophistication of an academic urban center with the fun, carefree spirit of a college town, and its diverse food scene reflects this. From Philly-style pizza slices and colorful, fragrant sprinkle-and-frosting rich gourmet donuts to legendary Philly cheesesteaks laden with peppers, grilled onions, and mushrooms on genuine Amoroso rolls and one-of-a-kind upscale vegan street food, University City is also a foodie’s dream. Not to be outdone in the fine dining department, University City is also home to Michelin-starred cafes and destination restaurants.
Frequently asked questions
The best reviewed restaurant in University City Philadelphia is The Board and Brew Philadelphia
The best vegetarian restaurants in University City Philadelphia are White Dog Cafe - University City, Louie Louie Bistro Bar and Bistro Perrier at Walnut Hill College
The restaurants with the best service in University City Philadelphia are The Board and Brew Philadelphia, Booker's Restaurant and Bar and LaScala's Fire-University City
The restaurants with the best ambiance in University City Philadelphia are The Board and Brew Philadelphia, Booker's Restaurant and Bar and Bistro Perrier at Walnut Hill College
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- Pennsylvania Railroad Office Building
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- Hajoca Corporation Headquarters and Showroom
- Sansom Row
- Schuylkill Arsenal Railroad Bridge
- Hilton Inn At Penn
- The Powelton
- Centennial National Bank
- Institute of Contemporary Art
- Arthur Ross Gallery
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
- Cira Centre
- Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
- St. Anthony Hall House
- 36th Street Station
- Chestnut Street Bridge
- Frederick A. Poth Houses
- University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology Anthropology
- 30th Street Station