How is Rose Tattoo Cafe restaurant rated?

Name: Rose Tattoo Cafe
Address: 1847 Callowhill Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States, 19130
Telephone: (215) 569-8939
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.4

Rose Tattoo Cafe

4.4

1565 Reviews

$30 and under

American

Top Tags:

Rose Tattoo Cafe, a favorite American Bistro housed in an over 100 year Victorian building in the historic Art Museum area is a family run business & has been serving the area since 1989. From the romantic ambiance on the balcony surrounded by plants & flowers to the lively bar with its original pressed-tin ceiling, the eclectic menu is memorable & perfect for romantic diners, drinks & appetizers after a long workday as well as business meetings. We have won Best Romantic Restaurant for the past 3 years. Great for lunch, dinner, lite fare & groups.

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
American
Hours of operation
Lunch: Wednesday - Friday: 11:30am to 3:00pm Light Fare: Tuesday : 4:00 pm - 10:00 pm Wednesday - Friday: 3:00 pm - 10:00 pm Saturday: 4:00 pm - 10:00 pm Dinner: Tuesday - Friday: 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm Saturday: 4:00pm - 10:00 pm;
Phone number
(215) 569-8939
Website
http://www.rosetattoocafe.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Private party facilities
We offer private area for 20 to 60 guests.
Private party contact
Helene: (215) 947-0117

Location
1847 Callowhill Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Neighborhood
Center City
Cross street
19th & Callowhill Streets
Parking details
Parking lot across the street (pay at kiosk inside lot). Meter parking (quarters until 6:30 pm) and kiosk parking on callowhill st (until 8:00 pm)
Additional
Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Full Bar, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,565 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.4

4.4 based on all time ratings

4.4Food
4.4Service
4.4Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

Sort by

p
prefernotto
Philadelphia
35 reviews
vip
1.0
35 reviews
Dined on July 31, 2019
overall1food1service1ambience1
We arrived for our reservation to find the restaurant closed. No one called or emailed to notify us. No one has contacted us since with an explanation or apology.
KH
KieshaH
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 27, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
Loved thee atmosphere. Would recommend as a romantic spot. We will be returning as it it one of our favorite spots!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
13 reviews
1.0
13 reviews
Dined on July 20, 2019
overall1food1service2ambience1
This USED to be my favorite place but not anymore. Got there at 8:30p. We were obviously rushed because we had to put our full order in. What restaurant does that?! But I’m thinking that the wait staff wanted to leave by 10pm. Either way, that’s never happened before when I went in the past. Okay so we got the filet egg rolls. The rolls desperately needed salt. Then we got the tortellini with smoked chicken. Some of the chicken was cold. Maybe it was frozen and all of it didn’t thaw out in the cooking process. The tortellini was supposed to be four cheese but it tasted like no cheese. And this dish too desperately needed salt too. We also got the salmon. Now that was really good so no complaints there. I raved to my boyfriend about how this was my favorite restaurant and I was soooo embarrassed! We flew all the way from Florida (where I now live) and it was such a disappointment. Won’t be going back. Oh and they didn’t even have liquor. BYO temporarily?! Did they lose their liquor license or something?! Not the same place it once was years ago. No longer my favorite place :(
MG
MarianneG
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on July 19, 2019
overall4food5service3ambience3
Once the new liquor license is renewed The Rose Tattoo will be what it always was - a wonderful neighborhood place with beautiful bars and outstanding food. The menu nor quality of the food did not change but unfortunately because there was temporarily no liquor license there were no beautiful bottles lining the bar and it looked really empty. Plus they were down two servers and so our service was unusually slow.
TA
TerryA
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 18, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
The Rose Tattoo is the perfect place to take out of town guests the food was delicious and so was the ambience.
JB
JoannB
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on July 16, 2019
overall4food5service4ambience4
Was not aware that there are new owners and a byob, would have either brought a bottle or picked another place to eat. A little under staffed at the moment due to the turnover. Still love to eat at rose tattoo.
KW
KimW
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 9, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
Even with no liquor license at the time the food was amazing and I highly recommend.
SV
SteveV
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on July 6, 2019
overall4food5service4ambience5
Great food. It's currently a BYO which was not listed on the website. Otherwise a very cool place.
DL
DouglasL
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 27, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
The Rose Tattoo Cafe is a delight. The food is consistently delicious and the service is excellent.
FQ
FeliciaQ
Philadelphia
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on June 18, 2019
overall2food2service3ambience2
We were told by phone, 45 minutes before our reservation time, that the restaurant was suddenly a BYOB. I should have taken this as a sign to change the plans. (I actually should have taken the fact that the place hasn't changed since the early 1990's as a sign, but that's on me.) So, I go to Whole Foods like a champ and buy a bottle of wine. Then, I am at the bar waiting for my friend when the couple behind me orders DRINKS. Yes, and they were not told that they couldn't have them. WTF. Friend arrives just in time to distract me. Flatbread was fine. It was flat. It was bread. My shrimp pasta tasted like nothing broth. It tasted like nothing, in broth. Rose Tattoo was something back in the day. It needs to be left there.
j
judy
Baltimore
17 reviews
4.0
17 reviews
Dined on June 14, 2019
overall4food4service4ambience4
This is a very attractive cafe! The service and food were fine, and when we arrived there were not many people there. The seating in the room where we sat was adjacent to the bar, however, and for a while the loud talking right next to us was distracting. Our primary problem was that we had not been notified that there was no bar service, only BYOB. Since we were celebrating an anniversary, this was annoying. The waiter did bring us a complimentary half-glass of white wine, saying we should have been called. We might try it again, though!
JG
JudithG
Washington DC
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on June 8, 2019
overall4food4service5ambience5
Call before you go. They are waiting for a new liquor license so for now it’s byob.
AL
AnitaL
Philadelphia
11 reviews
3.0
11 reviews
Dined on June 8, 2019
overall3food4service3ambience3
Haven’t been for decades. Still cute but tired. Tables worn. Arrive slow. Food was good. Halibut lamb rubs and flatbread all very good!
TF
TyraFerg
Philadelphia
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on June 6, 2019
overall4food5service4ambience4
I GOOGLE...A PLACE TO GO FOR A FIRST DATE...IT WAS THE FIRST ONE TO POP UP...AND WE HAD TO BRING OUR ON BOTTLE WHICH WAS NOT A PROBLEM AND THE FOOD AND SERVICES WAS AWESOME AND IT WAS A GREAT PLACE TO GET TO KNOW SOMEONE ON A FIRST DATE
MA
MaryAnne
Philadelphia
15 reviews
5.0
15 reviews
Dined on June 5, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
If I could give more stars I would. Great staff and atmosphere and the food was fantastic!
I
Ilene
Philadelphia
22 reviews
vip
5.0
22 reviews
Dined on May 31, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
Still fabulous
SF
SheilaF
Philadelphia
9 reviews
4.0
9 reviews
Dined on May 31, 2019
overall4food4service5ambience4
Had the scallops and they were cooked to perfection. Wish the lemon sauce had a bit more consistency but overall was very good.
B
Bill2
Philadelphia
20 reviews
vip
4.0
20 reviews
Dined on May 15, 2019
overall4food4service4ambience4
I last visited the Rose Tattoo on my birthday last year. When making my most recent reservation, I learned that the restaurant was now under new ownership. I still kept my reservation, and was so pleasantly gratified to experience excellent service and the same, if not higher, quality of food. The soft shell crabs were delicious. The prices were quite reasonable. I look forward to a return visit.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 8, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
Had a great dinner last night. Food was fantastic and our server ,Will, did a marvelous job. Highly recommend to anybody in the area
M
Momofsamiam
Philadelphia
21 reviews
vip
3.0
21 reviews
Dined on May 4, 2019
overall3food3service4ambience4
We were underwhelmed with the quality of 3 of our 4 entrees- just meh/ and 1 of our 3 appetizers - meh again. The prices are ridiculous for the quality of food. Service was attentive and the place is very pretty .
TM
TMMACK
Philadelphia
33 reviews
5.0
33 reviews
Dined on May 4, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
Always one of our favorite places in Philadelphia to go for dinner. We know our expectations will be met. The atmosphere is wonderful especially upstairs in the garden room. The bar is very nice too. And service is always great. Close to the Art Museums. Easy Lyft or Uber ride to other locations in the city. We highly recommend it.
RC
ReneeC
New York Area
12 reviews
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on May 3, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
A gem and unexpected. Wonderful food and great friendly service.
HM
HopefulMJ
Philadelphia
29 reviews
5.0
29 reviews
Dined on May 1, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
Just a lovely sweet spot in walking distance from the Barnes Institute in Philadelphia, PA. It's small and intimate with dark wood and a welcoming vibe. I like the pasta, the chicken sandwiches and the homemade soups. Our servers have always been nice. Oh, they make a great Bloody Mary, too!
R
Reviewer1
New York Area
123 reviews
vip
4.0
123 reviews
Dined on April 30, 2019
overall4food4service5ambience4
Dined with a friend visiting from Peru. All three courses were very good. Service was welcoming and efficient.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 23, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
The server was wonderful, made us feel very comfortable and welcomed.
s
supru
Philadelphia
138 reviews
vip
3.0
138 reviews
Dined on April 19, 2019
overall3food3service3ambience5
Hadn't been here in Avery long time and went for dinner on Dining Out for Life night. Food was ok with very ample portions sizes but nothing to rave about. Our male waiter wasn't the most pleasant person and it felt like he really didn't want to be there, but the female server was super nice. We decided to get small plates to share: Beet salad, Mexican flatbread special, mussels with pappardelle. All were just average. There are so many good restaurants in Philly; won't be back again.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 18, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful space, food (lamb chops prepared as requested) and service.
EM
EMC2
Philadelphia
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on April 13, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
The Rose Tattoo has been my favorite Philadelphia restaurant for more than 20 years. It's always a great experience. The food selections are diverse and uniquely prepared. I have taken many people of all ages, sex and backgrounds and never had a negative experience or complaint. Our latest visit was no different.
F
Freddikins
Philadelphia
99 reviews
vip
4.0
99 reviews
Dined on April 12, 2019
overall4food4service4ambience4
Always find the right spot in Rose Tattoo for quiet conversation -- and our server's attentive checking on us after we've decided to try one of the evening's specials. Keep up the consistency!
GC
GabriellaC
Unspecified
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 6, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience4
Service was excellent. All meals and appetizers were great. Only complaint was it was a little to warm for my liking. Air conditioning could have been on.
SG
SashimiGiggles
Philadelphia
14 reviews
vip
5.0
14 reviews
Dined on April 3, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food was delicious. Drinks perfection! One of my favorite restaurants in Philly.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
2 reviews
vip
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on March 30, 2019
overall3food2service2ambience4
I have been to the Rose Tattoo many times, but this was the first time in over a year. The server must have been having a bad day because she would not smile no matter how hard I tried. At 7:30 on a Saturday, they were put of the Salmon and Jambalaya. I ordered the steak special and it was cooked perfectly ( med-rare), but it was very tough and tasted old. My girlfriend order the scallops, that were excellent. The thing that really through me for a loop was the drinks. I love getting a martini here but this one tasted watered down. My girlfriend has a Malibu Bay breeze and it was tasteless. This was my first bad experience at the Tattoo and it will take me a while to get over it.
M
Mary
Tampa
26 reviews
vip
5.0
26 reviews
Dined on March 30, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
Good atmosphere and food.
BC
BethanyC
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 29, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
We were in town for a conference and picked Rose Tattoo for its menu (egalitarians and Keto followers in group). The food was fantastic and we really liked the atmosphere. The look seemed very New Orleans, but the restaurant was quiet, although busy, so we could all talk easily.
BK
BarbaraK
Philadelphia
113 reviews
vip
4.0
113 reviews
Dined on March 28, 2019
overall4food5service5ambience4
Had a wonderful meal here on a weekday evening this past week. We had not been here for many years, mainly because it was too noisy on the weekends. The food was outstanding and the menu offered many choices - something for everyone! Service was especially caring. Because it was a weekday evening, the noise level was extremely low. Our only quibble was that the wine list was overpriced - particularly the red wines, with the least expensive bottle being $55.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
26 reviews
vip
3.0
26 reviews
Dined on March 27, 2019
overall3food3service3ambience4
This is a funky, charming, relaxed spot. The food is fine -- nothing great, but perfectly OK. It's the setting that is the attraction. I had a special appetizer -- lemon chicken soup -- which was quite good, and the crab cakes entree -- which was adequate (no lump crabmeat, but little filler and well seasoned). The entree prices are a few dollars higher than they should be. In short, not worth a detour, but if you're in the neighborhood, stop by.
BO
BillO
Philadelphia
23 reviews
vip
4.0
23 reviews
Dined on March 26, 2019
overall4food5service5ambience4
We enjoyed a lovely evening, our meals were delicious, our compliments to the chef! Service was spot on. Highly recommend.
UW
UWS44
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 23, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience5
Been around forever, but stays fresh and special. One of the best places in the city.
JR
JohnR
Philadelphia
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on March 22, 2019
overall5food5service5ambience4
Very good food. Good ambiance. Oh, and great deserts!
M
Moi1
Philadelphia
46 reviews
vip
4.0
46 reviews
Dined on March 22, 2019
overall4food3service5ambience5
Splendid service and great cocktails and wines. The goat cheese and beet salad had nice greens and breaded goat cheese rounds, although the sliced beets seemed like they could have been out of a can. The 3 ravioli mushroom appetizer had me wondering where the mushrooms were, but the tomato and cheese sauce was fine. The lamb chop appetizer deserves to get on the entree selection!

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Rose Tattoo Cafe is rated 4.4 stars by 1565 OpenTable diners.