Whether you’re going for your first date or clocking in another anniversary, any place in Philadelphia can be romantic if you’re with the right person. When your neighborhood watering hole doesn’t feel quite special anymore, there are plenty of options in Philly that offer a vibrant atmosphere that’s not too loud, a friendly customer service, and lots of options with the ability to linger a little longer if everything goes as planned.
From spots with live music to tapas spots with a spacious garden and intimate lighting, here are the top restaurants in Philly to make your first romantic impression in style.
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614 S 7th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147 thegoodkingtavern.com
Quirky, intimate restaurant serving modern, French-inspired pub food and craft cocktails!
Having a great conversation in a romantic place whether this is a first date or tenth anniversary is a great bonding experience. And there is no better place to have deep conversation and romantic laughs than at The Good King Tavern. It’s a casual spot to go with a couple of friends for a weekend night dinner and also a quiet and romantic place perfect for a mid-winter date.
Make sure you get the duck of the day, they’re crispy and topped with chickpea and chermoula that will almost make you forget you’re on a date when you go to lick your fingers. You can never go wrong with the kitchen classics such as the steak tartare with pommes frites, terrine Maison, or socca served with chickpea pancake and eggplant puree.
They also serve savory desserts especially the Ile Flottainte served with crème anglaise, caracara orange, and meringue. After your meal, head upstairs to the wine bar for a night full of chocolate mousse and natural wine. You can also grab one of their signature cocktails and enjoy your night peacefully.
120 S 13th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107 doubleknotphilly.com
Charming coffee shop featuring a secret izakaya in the basement offering delicious sushi and robatayaki meats!
Do you love live entertainment while enjoying some good food? Then you should go to Double Knot. This charming coffee shop with intimate izakaya in the basement serves great sushi and robatayaki meats. It showcases two beautifully designed floors – a sushi bar and a robatayaki downstairs as well as a cocktail lounge upstairs.
If you want to have some light talks with your date, you can head to the upstairs café for a get-to-know-you coffee. And if you want to have fun with friends, head downstairs for some drinks and a variety of Japanese scallops topped with an onion ponzu sauce. Borrowing inspiration from scrimshaw and folklore, Double Knot’s izakaya takes you from the busy commotion of brewed coffee to an intimated candle-lit experience below.
Make sure you try their pork or poultry robatayaki or even try their specialty sashimi that dinners rave about. If you’re here during happy hour, enjoy plenty of hand rolls served with wasabi and shrimp tempura, crispy spring rolls, dumplings, and a variety of sides to accompany your main meal. End your date on a high note with one of the signature wines.
217-219 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 amadarestaurant.com
Amad Contemporary spot with warm décor presenting a modern spin on tapas by Iron Chef Garces!
For over 15 years, Amada has been the go-to tapas restaurant in Philly. The gorgeous rustic-chic eatery has embraced the rich traditions of Spanish cuisine. It also doubles up as a romantic classic thanks to the dark wood, luxe curtains, wine barrel décor, and many ways to select and share incredible plates with your partner.
The portions here are small, so you can order lots of different dishes to sample with your date. Let the fanatics of sangria enjoy the modern interpretation of the Spanish tradition while you try the fresh-fried peppers with sea salt popularly known as Pimientos De Padron, the lamb meatballs (albondigas), and the platters of cured meat and cheese.
Make sure you also try some marinated red snapper and octopus with tomato, citrus, and sourdough (Crudo Del Mar). Bring your mint if you plan to try the sizzling garlic shrimps. While at it, make sure you order one of their signature drinks to enjoy the night away.
723 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 morimotorestaurant.com
Enjoy Omakase and other Japanese creations from an Iron Chef in a sleek, colorful setting!
Eat, drink, and enjoy the night away for your next date. Morimoto’s eatery is known for serving popular chefs’ exhilarating native cuisine. Inspired by both Western culinary methods and ancient Japanese traditions, Morimoto unlocks the hidden layers of unique flavors on each plate.
The restaurants accommodate all styles of dining from opulent omakase to the inventive mix-and-match a la carte meal, or even the tasting menu, tailored specifically for you. Enjoy dinner favorites such as sake Omakase that features hand-selected and signature sakes for each course of the chef’s tasting menu, cold and hot appetizers, rice and noodles, and delicious wagyu steaks. Throw in a side of fried Yukon gold potatoes or even some roasted mushrooms to complete your romantic dish.
With a fairly intimate space and an extensive wine list, you’ll be able to enjoy a good conversation with your date while you enjoy the entertainment – as well as tasty dishes!
210 W Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA 19106 talulasgarden.com
High-ender charmer that crafts seasonal American cuisine in a chic farmhouse setting!
For a romantic evening of endless dining and drinking, go to Talula’s Garden. Enjoy seasonal dishes featuring fresh, farm-to-table ingredients in a lush garden-like outdoor seating area.
After cheese and jam, eat your way through the farm-to-table menu with smoked pork belly, cheddar-chive biscuits, and a key lime soufflé. If you’re here with your date in the afternoon, enjoy the buttermilk fried chicken and waffle for brunch or scrambled farm eggs, crispy fried potatoes, and bacon.
If you love the sweet nothings, try the popular warm Banana-Rum Blondie with banana ice cream, rum caramel, and salty walnuts. Grab a side of farm-fresh scrambled or poached eggs, house-made brioche toast and butter, or even a cheesy potato gratinee.
Make sure you grab one of their signature cocktails, wine list, and craft beer to enjoy with your main meal. It will be a memorable night!
116 S 13th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107 alpenrosephl.com
Cozy restaurant with a welcoming ambiance specializing in classic steak dishes!
How about a steakhouse for a date night? This is what you get at Alpen Rose. The romance of a classic steakhouse never seems to fade away. Their dimly-lit dining room with a couple of tables offers an intimate dining experience perfect for a date night.
At this cozy steakhouse, you’ll be able to enjoy mouth-watering steaks, baked Alaskas, and lobster in a dim and sultry setting. Enjoy the grass-fed filet, pork tomahawk, beef wellington, or the ember roasted chicken. The dry-aged beef is also a great option to try. Make sure you sample the tomahawk ribeye served with roasted garlic, tallow, and pickled shallot.
Still, when perusing the menu, make sure you keep an eye on the fish and shellfish varieties. They are also some of the restaurant’s most popular dishes. And if you have some room for a dessert, you order what’s on the menu for that night. Don’t forget to order a cocktail, wine, or craft beer to end your date on a high note.
1617 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148 restaurantlaurel.com
Sample a menu of creative French and American fare in a tiny, stylish bistro with indoor and outdoor seating!
If you ever want to go to a modern spot and enjoy some French-influenced American fare, then go to Laurel restaurant. Here, Chef Nicholas Elmi prepares refined, seasonal, and local dishes with a focus on creativity and sustainability.
Take your date to the outdoor or indoor dining and order their popular six-course menu. Whether you want a roasted monkfish with fermented chanterelle mushrooms, king salmon cuts with smokehouse apple and sunchoke, or the braised lamb coppa with celery root, and pickled autumn berries, this French bistro is worth checking out with your date.
As you to know each other on a deeper level, you can sip on your favorite drinks and even some of their savory drinks. It’s totally worth it!
Trying to figure out the perfect spot to take your partner on a date can be quite a hard task. While the traditional movie and dinner date still works, you want to spice things a bit and try the restaurant this time. These restaurants in Philly are a good chance to have a good time and strengthen your relationship. So, is there a date idea in Philadelphia that you would want to try? Let us know in the comments!
