7 romantic restaurants in Philadelphia for the best date night

Philadelphia may not be the first place you think of for a romantic date night. The city is absolutely full of historic landmarks, like the Liberty Bell, the Independence National Historic Park, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. In a city with so much history, tourists flock here in drives, which has only helped to elevate the dining scene, including the options for romantic restaurants.

Thankfully for those who are looking to create a date night to remember, there are many romantic restaurants in Philadelphia that can be enjoyed when you're on the hunt for a romantic evening. Philadelphia is a huge city, and there are exciting and special places to dine both in Center City and outside of the usual tourist areas.

From New York strip steak and a well-crafted seasonal menu using local ingredients to French, Italian, American, and Mexican cuisine, the romantic restaurants in Philadelphia are always ready to impress.

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Friday Saturday Sunday

The eight-course tasting menu at Friday Saturday Sunday is incredible, and it is what brings most people in to eat here. You will also be able to enjoy a la carte dining that comes complete with offerings like a cheese plate starter or a New York strip steak.

Our recommendation

Be sure that you get a reservation at this romantic restaurant and consider the eight-course tasting menu for your meal. There is something really special about being served the chef's recommendations at any meal, and you will enjoy some of the most amazing food on offer in the city when you choose this option. Plus, you will get wine pairings with each course (for an added fee), which offers great value and an improved dining experience compared to a la carte eating.

Location

261 South 21st Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Price level

$$

Lark

Lark offers you the right blend of romantic ambiance and really delicious dining that you have probably been looking for. This location features Schuylkill River views, and you will love the excellent and prompt service here. The food is coastal Mediterranean, but there are lots of local favorites on the menu as well. The starters are excellent, which makes this a great place for those who like to sit and snack and chat before the main meal. Plus, a starter is a great way to prolong your date if things seem to be going well.

Another perk of this location is the full bar, which makes creative cocktails that are truly inspired. You will be able to try something new when you choose Lark for your Philadelphia date night, whether it's from the food menu or the drinks menu.

Our recommendation

As mentioned above, you will want to give at least one of their creative cocktails a try, but you should also order the scallops or the salmon that comes with delicious sauteed green grapes. This is a great place to plan your next date night for so many reasons, and you will make lasting memories here as you enjoy amazing food.

Location

611 Righters Ferry Rd, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004

Price level

$$

Sor Ynez

While Mexican food might not sound like everyone's favorite idea for their next date night, this is not common or run-of-the-mill Mexican cuisine. The truly sensational and fusion-based options here are so good that you will wonder why anyone ever said that Mexican food isn't top-tier cuisine. There are so many reasons to love this location, and the fact that all of the meals at Sor Ynez are made with sustainable ingredients is a key factor.

This also ups the deliciousness since you are getting what is essentially a farm-to-table dining experience when you sit down here. You can enjoy cocktails, a wine list, and some really excellent specials to keep things interesting. Don't be afraid to ask questions about the menu as well, and the helpful staff will provide background and suggestions for each dish.

Our recommendation

The agave-based cocktails are excellent, and you should consider asking for suggestions about which specials are the best ones to try. You will get a lot of food here per order, so be prepared to arrive hungry and ready to savor your food. This is one of the restaurants in Philadelphia where you can enjoy fancy dining while also feeling at home as if you're dining surrounded by your best friends in a cozy location.

Location

1800 N. American Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122

Price level

$$

Bistro Romano

For classic Italian food that is served in a traditional setting, complete with white tablecloths and candlelight, this is the right place to visit. They have all kinds of Italian dishes that you would normally have to go to Italy to enjoy, and the wine list is enviable and really thorough. Be sure to ask about specials and consider advice about which wines to pair with each part of your meal.

This is one of the most traditionally romantic restaurants on this list, but sometimes that is just exactly what you are looking for. Bistro Romano is located in a nice part of the city for ambiance and sightseeing, so you can enjoy other activities in the area before or after your meal. This location also offers a piano bar seating area which is unique and can create some lasting memories as well.

Our recommendation

Sitting by the piano requires calling ahead, so be sure that you call to reserve a seat in this part of the restaurant if this is key to your plans. You will love the service here in any of the other locations as well, but there is something really special about sitting near the piano player and making requests while you dine. Be sure to take advantage of the excellent wine list here as well since they offer some vintages you won't find elsewhere in the city.

Location

120 Lombard St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Price level

$$$

Clementine's Stable Cafe

For those looking to pair dinner with a show, you can head to this location by the Met Opera House for a tasty and cozy dining experience that will set you up for an evening of entertainment. There is a lot of fusion food on the menu here, as well as some French classics. You can count on a traditionally romantic dining room experience at Clementine's with soft and comfortable chairs and private tables. Enjoy fine wines, good cocktails, and filling food when you head here.

Plan to stay a while when you make your reservation at this spot because the intention of the kitchen is for you to savor your meal. Trying to hurry things along will just make the experience less fun, and you will miss out on some of the ambiance of the location. If you have show tickets, be sure that you don't reserve a table time that is too close to the start of your show.

Our recommendation

All of the pasta dishes on the menu here are really good, but there are also some great comfort food options, like short ribs, that you can enjoy. Make the most of the wine list and the creative cocktails that are included in the menu. There is so much to love about dining here, and there is something for everyone on the menu at this fun spot.

Location

631 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19123

Price level

$$

Le Caveau

This charming and intimate wine bar and eatery is walk-in only, but it is worth waiting for a table if you want to enjoy delicious tapas, some lovely wines, and a comprehensive French cuisine menu. This little spot is darkly lit, intimate, and hushed, making for a cozy and wonderful meal for those looking for a little romance. Because this location is not huge, you'll get customized service with attentive waitstaff who take your every need seriously and make sure that you have everything you ask for within moments.

The tapas and starters are creative and incredibly good at Le Caveau, and the wine list is beyond compare. Feel free to ask about tasting the wines that you want to pick first since you will have so many to choose from that it might be hard to pick just one bottle for the evening. The staff are well-versed in the menu as well and can help you to make the right choices for pairings with your food selections.

Our recommendation

This spot can be a great place to linger, chat, and just enjoy starters and cheese plate options while you sip wine. There is a full dining menu, but many people head here to snack and sip instead. This can also be a great closer for the night after you have had another meal elsewhere but are not quite ready to head back to your hotel.

Location

614 S 7th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Price level

$$

Butcher and Singer

We end our list of restaurants for a romantic night in Philadelphia with probably the most expensive location. But, when it comes to romance, sometimes you get what you pay for. A dining room full of ambiance, with warm tones, high ceilings, and an overall coziness that you might not expect from a steak restaurant. Delicious food is the cornerstone of any romantic dinner, and Butcher and Singer definitely has you covered on this score. Elegance is the watchword here, and you should be prepared for some of the best cuts of meat you've ever had.

Our recommendation

This is probably not the best date night spot if your partner is a vegetarian or vegan, but meat eaters will love everything about this place. The most expensive thing on the menu is the 50 oz Tomahawk ribeye, which is absolutely huge, so it may not be the best way to indulge on date night. Go with the 32 oz porterhouse for two, which is the ideal shareable main course to up the romance.

Location

1500 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19102

Price level

$$$$

Conclusion

There is no one correct way to plan a date night in Philadelphia. You can easily opt to skip the romantic restaurants option and instead enjoy some wonderful street food while wandering the city. You can also close out the night with a drink and an amazing city skyline view by visiting one of Philly's best rooftop bars that are scattered across the city. Date night can mean something different to everyone, and there is no shame in creating the evening experience of your dreams, not someone else's.

Planning a romantic evening in Philadelphia is easy because there are so many really lovely romantic restaurants in the city. You can head to Philadelphia to enjoy access to art, history, and cultural experiences, but you will also be able to get a romantic meal to impress even the pickiest of dates.