University City Philadelphia Restaurants
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Louie Louie Bistro Bar
Price: Expensive•American•4.6(1,866)Located in University City, Louie Louie is an American bistro with a French inspired menu offering seasonal, ingredient-inspired dishes based on a classical combination of flavors. House-made pastries and an extensive beverage program highlighting wines by the glass and bottle as well as seasonal specialty cocktails and craft beers add to the dining experience. The décor pays homage to Art Nouveau and European cafes with a touch of the 1970s. Traditional wood tones, reclaimed subway tiles, tried and true black and white marble stones as flooring and wainscoting and blue and buttery leathers, fabrics and patterns bring color and graphic identities to the space. The Lounge offers custom lux seating, perfect for gathering with friends for cocktails and snacks. Outdoor seating reminiscent of French cafes is the ideal spot for dining and people watching.White Dog Cafe - University City
Price: Moderate•Contemporary American•4.6(5,557)An iconic restaurant in University City since 1983, White Dog Cafe is a leader in using environmentally sustainable, organic, and local foods from farms within 50 miles. Known for warm hospitality, and inspiring award-winning food, the White Dog's historic three brownstones offer charming and whimsical dog décor and artwork in its many unique dining spaces and outdoor dining on the sidewalk.
LaScala's Fire-University City
Price: Moderate•Italian•4.5(185)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, 2023Irie Entree
Price: Expensive•Jamaican•4.4(293)"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!"
Outdoor dining in Philadelphia County
See what locals rave about in University City Philadelphia
- SStacyVIPPhiladelphia County •3 reviews5.0Dined 1 day agoFour of us had made reservations for tables of 4-8 following a museum tour. When some of the tour goers decided not to come to lunch after all, the staff were incredibly accommodating. We appreciated the flexibility of both the hosts and the wait staff. As someone with a hearing loss, I do wish the restaurant wasn't quite so noisy, but the wonderful food and the outstanding service go a long way toward making the dining experience a good one.More infoParcPrice: Expensive• French• Rittenhouse Square•4.8
- SSusanneKey West / Florida Keys •10 reviews5.0Dined 4 days agoVery good brunch (large piece of light and delicious quiche, others had Louie breakfast with truffle scrambled eggs, croissant, bacon, potatoes, and small salad), ample and decently prepared ced. Nice modernist atmosphere, attentive service.More infoLouie Louie Bistro BarPrice: Expensive• American• University City•4.6
- JJOHNVIPCoastal Georgia •19 reviews5.0Dined 5 days agoGreat place for lunch and dinner on the UPenn campus.More infoWhite Dog Cafe - University CityPrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• University City•4.6
- CCPhiladelphia County •1 review4.0Dined on Mar 23, 2025Excellent pizza. The service is great. I’ll be coming back soon.More infoLaScala's Fire-University CityPrice: Moderate• Italian• University City•4.5
- 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.
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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 Booker's Restaurant and Bar
The best vegetarian restaurants in University City Philadelphia are White Dog Cafe - University City, Louie Louie Bistro Bar and LaScala's Fire-University City
The restaurants with the best service in University City Philadelphia are Booker's Restaurant and Bar, The Board and Brew Philadelphia and Bistro Perrier at Walnut Hill College
The restaurants with the best ambiance in University City Philadelphia are Booker's Restaurant and Bar, Bistro Perrier at Walnut Hill College and Louie Louie Bistro Bar
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- 32nd St. and Lancaster Ave. Philadelphia Armory
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