Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Philadelphia County

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Philadelphia County? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Cafe Fresco - Center City

4.9

4.9 (725)

$30 and under

Fusion / Eclectic

Harrisburg

About the restaurant

A pioneer of Harrisburg dining, Café Fresco Center City opened its doors in 2005. Located in the heart of Restaurant Row, the Feng Shui inspired ambiance offers comfortable and intimate dining spaces that pulse with an energy and excitement. From the moment you step inside, you become part of the Café Fresco experience. Whether you are joining us for an urban, café lunch or the upscale, metropolitan dining experience of our dinner service, our skilled, professional staff will strive to accommodate your every need. Our goal is to provide you with a metropolitan retreat nestled in the heart of a smaller city that will exceed every expectation – an experience that can only be provided by Café Fresco.

Top review

Kevin

Dined on Aug 17, 2024

Tyler is the best bartender in town. He does a lot of specialty cocktails.

Philadelphia Distilling

4.9

4.9 (270)

$31 to $50

American

Fishtown

About the restaurant

At Philadelphia Distilling, our distilling team combines craftsmanship, science and skill to create a unique portfolio of premium spirits that rely on the agricultural integrity of authentically sourced grains and botanicals and the finest heritage equipment.

Hand-hammered copper pot stills from the fifth-generation Forsyth family and wooden fermentation vessels from Hall-Woodford, an iconic Philadelphia-based family business, are key points of difference for us—both in their construction value as well as the integrity of the spirits they help us to produce. We continue our batch-by-batch process, creating spirits that celebrate big, bold flavor.

Top review

cherlyl

Dined on Aug 4, 2024

We went on the tour with Val who was knowledgeable and made tasting so much fun. We got to try new gins and vodka. Food and service was excellent. Recommend going with a group of friends.

Tuna Bar

4.9

4.9 (925)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Old City

About the restaurant

IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ BELOW PRIOR TO BOOKING
Outdoor reservations are weather permitting and must be specified upon booking the reservation. Specific table requests are considered but not guaranteed.

Tuna Bar is a Japanese Raw Bar and Grill concept created by Owner and Chef Kenneth Sze. Located in Old City Philadelphia, Tuna Bar boasts a relaxing, upscale atmosphere serving fresh and locally sourced ingredients. The diverse menu offers traditional and specialty sushi rolls, raw oysters, scallops, hand-selected fish, and shareable entrees. Tuna Bar offers a fully stocked bar of wine, sake, and spirits. There are no outside food and beverages allowed. There is a $40 dessert/cake fee for guests that wish to bring in a dessert/cake for their special occasion.

Top review

KerrieH

Dined on Aug 29, 2024

Tuna Bar was amazing. We tried so many different things and even had dessert. My drink was delicious too! Highly recommend. Don’t think you can go wrong with anything on them menu. Can’t wait to go back.

La Llorona Cantina Mexicana

4.9

4.9 (182)

$30 and under

Mexican

South Philly

About the restaurant

We look forward to having you dine with us and enjoy a memorable time filled with authentic Mexican Cuisine and finely crafted Cocktails. Brunch is served Saturdays & Sundays 11am to 3pm. Happy Hour : Tuesday - Friday 4pm to 7pm

Top review

OpenTable Dinervip

Dined on Aug 27, 2024

This place is the definition of a neighborhood gem! The atmosphere inside is warm and welcoming and festive as is the staff. The drink menu is so fun and the food menu is not overwhelming. It has all the right key choices for Mexican food and then some unique specials. There is outdoor seating but we chose inside. We had the chicken and the asada burritos and my boyfriend couldn't stop raving about them the rest of the nignt! We got the guacamole as appetizer. It had a nice little kick to it and was so fresh and delicious! Run don't walk to this spot!

Discover more

Experience

Poblano Heaven

Breaker Brewing Company

4.8

4.8 (481)

$30 and under

Brewery

Wilkes-Barre

About the restaurant

Welcome and thank you for your interest in Breaker Brewing Company. We are a Micro Brewery & Brew Pub in Northeast PA’s coal region that brews, serves and delivers handcrafted beer to local bars and pubs. Our small batch craft brews are dedicated to the hard-working people who have been and still are examples of our rich heritage.

Top review

Dawn

Dined on Aug 24, 2024

We loved Breaker Brew Co!! We sat outside and brought my daughter and her boyfriend’s dog, Arlo. There were five of us, and we all loved our meals and appetizers. The beer was amazing. The outside atmosphere was beautiful and quant. We will be back!! Also, the staff was very kind and attentive to our table. Arlo had a great time, too.

Discover more

Experience

Mozzarella Making Experience

The Melting Pot - Bethlehem

4.7

4.7 (2558)

$31 to $50

Fondue

Bethlehem

About the restaurant

The Melting Pot offers an extraordinary dining experience that you won't find at any other restaurant. Here, you'll discover all the ingredients to a perfect evening, including a relaxed atmosphere, private tables, attentive service, fine wines & cocktails, as well as fabulous four-course fondue dinners. No matter what the occasion, from a romantic date to a get together with friends, meetings, or large groups, The Melting Pot always provides fun & lasting memories. Make reservations today & come dip into something different.

Top review

Steve

Dined 1 day ago

I mean...I know it's about the experience, but the price you pay to eat at this place - and cook your own food - is crazy, in my mind. The food is tasty...the experience is cool...but there is zero value here. Duck, tune, steak, etc. should be cooked a certain way to be truly enjoyed. Boiling is not really an option, in my mind. I didn't even bother cooking the tuna. The duck and steak, 30 seconds. The only thing I was concerned about was the chiken...everything else, I attempt to at least preserve the potential of the protein.

Con Murphy's Irish Pub

4.7

4.7 (441)

$30 and under

American

Center City

About the restaurant

Con Murphy's is an authentic cozy Irish Pub in the heart of Center City. Just a stones throw from Philly's best museums, hotels & attractions. Serving perhaps the best pint of Guinness in the city, along with other craft beers and signature cocktails, a classy yet comfortable pub awaits you. With an outdoor patio right on The Ben Franklin Parkway there's no better place for people watching & taking in a nice sunset.

Con Murphy's has created a menu to please all palates from the traditional Shepherds Pie (made with Lamb) & Fish'n'Chips & the local favorite Philly Cheesesteak.

Top review

Doug

Dined on Aug 19, 2024

Great table and good food - very reasonably priced!

SouthGate

4.7

4.7 (413)

$30 and under

Contemporary Korean

Rittenhouse Square

About the restaurant

Located on the edge of Rittenhouse Square and Graduate Hospital neighborhoods of Philadelphia, SouthGate is a twist on the traditional gastropub. Elevating food and drink in a modern but in an approachable way, the menu and the décor of Southgate are heavily influenced by both our Korean roots as well as modern American culture, preferring to be interesting and friendly rather than trendy.

The menu consists of a wide range of options, including several vegetarian meals. Popular dishes include Korean fried chicken, bulgogi burger, dumplings and buns, and assorted banchan. In addition to the delectable cuisine, Southgate offers an extensive drink menu that includes cocktails, wine, spirits and an extensive craft beer list.

Top review

Molly

Dined on Aug 24, 2024

What a gem! I pleasant find with wonderful food. Highly recommend

McCall Collective Brewing

4.7

4.7 (661)

$30 and under

American

Allentown

About the restaurant

Welcome to McCall Collective Brewing

Proud to be 100% Family Owned and Operated - Allentown's First Fully Female Owned Brewery

We are a Bar Service based Brewpub offering a wide vary of handcrafted beers made on premise, PA wine and spirits and traditional pub fare. Come and check out our brand new taproom featuring family friendly dining, outdoor seating and plenty of TV’s to catch all the biggest sporting events.

Top review

Henryvip

Dined on Aug 19, 2024

We love this spot! The best beers, cocktails, food. Wonderful staff who always attend to our needs!

Wolf Brewing Co

4.7

4.7 (193)

$30 and under

Brewery

Mechanicsburg

About the restaurant

Wolf Brewing Company's vision is to produce artfully crafted, small batch creations with distinctive elements. Wolf Brewing Co. has earned 129 awards from all 50 states with 56 different beers. In the 2021 statewide Breweries in PA Readers’ Choice Awards, Wolf Brewing Co. was awarded 3rd Place in the Best Beer Garden category, 2nd Place in the Best Taproom category, 3rd Place in the Best New Brewery category and 3rd Place in the Best Food category. Our distinctive food menu utilizes the finest and freshest local ingredients - inspired by the changing seasons and driven by the imaginations of our culinary team. Our dishes and sauces are made from scratch - and most of our meats, cheeses and produce are sourced from local farms. All of our beers that are brewed on-site are unfiltered and gluten reduced to less than 20 PPM (parts per million).

Top review

Nevin

Dined on Aug 24, 2024

Have seen this restaurant many times driving by, but had never been. Enjoyed my visit, will definitely ho again

Explore Diners' Choice best of Philadelphia County

Explore more Diners' Choice lists