Where are The Best Restaurants in Center City, Philadelphia?
Steak 48
Steak 48 is an exclusive steakhouse situated in the center of Philadelphia's bustling center city. Their menu boasts USDA prime steaks, ultra-premium wagyu beef, and fresh seafood flown in daily. The restaurant features a unique wine program with more than 48 wines-by-the-glass and 650 bottles available to purchase. Owned by brothers Jeff and Michael Mastro and business partner Scott Troilo, it boasts a diverse clientele. Guests can savor meals in the spacious dining room with multiple intimate corners or the more extensive mezzanine. The modern and stylish interior features bold art and an upbeat atmosphere.
Volvér
Volver, located on the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts ground floor, is celebrity chef Jose Garces' stylish American eatery offering an adventurous tasting menu. Whether you opt for a small plate experience at the bar or the seasonal guest chefs' tasting menu, you'll be treated to an elegant dining experience with sparkling wine and caviar. Chef Garces' restaurant menu draws inspiration from his global travels, featuring seasonal ingredients prepared with modern techniques that enhance their natural flavors. Vegetarian options are also available on the menu.
The Capitalist Grille
The Capitalist Grille is a premier dining destination offering American cuisine. It has become immensely popular with locals and has earned hundreds of glowing reviews. This menu offers an elevated take on classic steakhouse fare. Dry-aged and hand-cut beef is served with creative sides and irresistible desserts. They boast an impressive wine list with over 350 selections, making it the ideal spot for a special date or commemorating any milestone. For your next romantic dinner, The Capitalist Grille in Philadelphia is the place to be for an unforgettable high-class experience. Their food is top-notch, the service is flawless, and the ambiance is as sophisticated as it gets.
Vernick Food & Drink
Greg Vernick has recently returned home to Philadelphia after many years as an executive chef for renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. A Cherry Hill, NJ native, Vernick utilizes local products to create an approachable and globally inspired menu. Vernick Food & Drink, located in the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood of Philadelphia, offers homemade sodas, domestic and imported beers, and expertly crafted wines and cocktails. The restaurant is an ideal venue for special events or corporate gatherings. Start with a classic Old Fashioned or one of the more modern drinks like the Palomino cocktail, which blends tequila with grapefruit and makrut lime. Or you can choose from the wine list, which leans towards European wines.
Double Knot
Double Knot is a two-story restaurant that combines a cafe, sushi bar, and robatayaki on one floor. Opened last year, the eatery is set to become an iconic fixture in Philadelphia's dining scene. There's plenty of competition in Philadelphia's sushi scene, but chef Michael Schulson has taken it to another level with this Midtown Village outpost. He's transformed the space into a hybrid cafe/Japanese fusion restaurant, with coffee and pastries upstairs and an authentic Japanese sushi bar and robatayaki dishes below. It's an exquisitely decorated restaurant. Upstairs, enjoy cocktails (smoked table-side with floats of maple foam and spritzed with yuzu "air"), while down below, you can find sushi rolls, pork buns, and handrolls galore.
McCormick and Schmick
McCormick & Schmick is an elegant steak & seafood restaurant in Philadelphia's center. This two-level establishment features traditional white tablecloth dining in dark wood-paneled rooms with handcrafted stained glass ceilings and mosaic-tiled floors for a distinctive atmosphere. The food is above average, and the drinks are equally impressive. If you're searching for an elegant dining experience at an unbeatable price, McCormick & Schmick is your go-to spot. Here, guests can choose from fresh fish dishes, succulent steaks, or oysters in all seasons of freshness. The menu also offers a few cocktails and an extensive wine selection by the glass. Happy hour allows guests to take advantage of discounts and specials on some of their most popular items.
Butcher and Singer
Experience the romance of a bygone era at Stephen Starr's Butcher and Singer, where old-world Hollywood sparks meet exceptional steaks and chops. Low lights and dark woods create an ambiance that transports diners back to when women donned full red lips, men donned suits, and post-Prohibition liquor flowed freely. There's no shortage of steakhouses in the area, but Butcher and Singer stands out with its traditional menu and superior service. The restaurant is situated in an iconic historic location on Walnut Street and provides a relaxing yet sophisticated dining experience. Inside, the bar is cozy and welcoming, accommodating up to 12 guests. Here, small groups can come together and enjoy classic American drinks like Manhattans, gimlets, and Pink Lady cocktails in style.
Abe Fisher
At Rittenhouse Square, this high-end establishment presents an elevated take on classic Jewish cuisine in a sleek, modern setting. A team of sommelier stewardesses serves guests from above the bar area and in a large dining room with plenty of tables and booths. An award-winning cocktail complements the menu and wine list fit for royalty. The most challenging decision of the night will be deciding where to go next! For a night on the town or after dark, consider hitting one of the many pubs tucked away on the fringes. The best time to dine is late evenings when the sun sets and stars align for an epic game.
