My curated guide to restaurants worth trying throughout Philly, South Jersey & Delaware—from neighborhood gems and casual favorites to date-night spots, brunch, special occasions, and places worth the drive. 🍴✨
Map
Sections
11
❤️ Date Night
💕 Girls' Night Out
🥂 Special Occasions
🍝 Italian
🥩 Steakhouses
🌮 Mexican & Latin
❤️ Date Night
Romantic restaurants perfect for cozy dinners, cocktails, anniversaries, and nights worth getting dressed up for.
One of my favorite spots for a romantic dinner. The atmosphere is gorgeous and it's perfect when you want to dress up a little.
Alpen Rose
Such a cozy, romantic spot for date night. I would definitely save this one for an anniversary or special dinner.
Bistro Romano
If you're looking for a really special Italian dinner, this is the place. Perfect for a date night or celebration.
Ambra Restaurant
Such a fun date-night option if you want something a little different. Great food, cocktails, and live jazz.
SOUTH Restaurant & Jazz Club
Definitely a splurge, but such a memorable experience. I would save this one for a really special date night.
Vetri Cucina
One of Philly's must-try restaurants. Perfect for a special date night if you can get a reservation!
Zahav
Such a cozy and intimate BYOB for date night. I love the idea of bringing your own wine and settling in for a great dinner.
June BYOB
One of my favorite South Jersey options for a romantic Italian dinner. It's small and cozy, so definitely make a reservation!
Zeppoli Restaurant
A great choice for a food-focused date night. This is one I'd save for when you want something really special.
Two Fish BYOB
💕 Girls' Night Out
Fun, stylish spots for cocktails, dinner, celebrations, and catching up with your favorite girls.
Such a pretty spot for girls' night! Great cocktails, dinner, and a beautiful atmosphere.
La Fête
A fun Fishtown spot for tacos, cocktails, and a night out with the girls. I love the energy here.
LMNO
Such a cool, moody spot for cocktails and small plates. Perfect for catching up with friends.
Charlie was a sinner.
A fun choice for a birthday or girls' night when you want dinner, drinks, music, and a little nightlife.
FRAME OLD CITY
One of my favorite Wilmington options for a fun night out. Great food, cocktails, and a stylish atmosphere.
Bardea Food & Drink
Such a fun choice when you want dinner to turn into a night out. The hidden entrance and moody vibe make it feel like an experience.
The Newsroom Philly
🥂 Special Occasions
Beautiful restaurants for birthdays, anniversaries, milestones, and celebrations that deserve something extra special.
This is definitely a splurge, but the views and atmosphere make it perfect for a really special celebration.
Jean-Georges Philadelphia
Such a beautiful choice for a birthday, anniversary, or special dinner. The setting inside the Hotel du Pont makes it feel extra special.
Le Cavalier
Such a unique dining experience! Perfect for a birthday or celebration when you want to do something different.
Her Place Supper Club
A great choice for a special occasion if you love tasting menus. Definitely one to plan ahead for.
Friday Saturday Sunday
Perfect for a birthday, anniversary, or night when you want to dress up and go all out.
Steak 48
A great option for a special dinner when you want steak, seafood, wine, and a nice atmosphere.
ChopHouse Grille
🍝 Italian
From cozy pasta spots to elevated Italian dining, these are the places worth making a reservation for.
This is my favorite place to eat when I'm in Philly! Such a classic Philly experience with amazing Italian-American food and that old-school atmosphere.
Ralph's Italian Restaurant
I HIGHLY recommend this South Philly gem! It's cozy, old-school, and the pasta and cocktails are so good. It's hard to get into, but definitely worth it.
Palizzi Social Club
One of my favorite Newark spots for homemade pasta and classic Italian food. Such a good choice for a family dinner or date night.
La Casa Pasta Restaurant
I recommend this if you're looking for a casual Italian dinner in Newark. Great pasta, pizza, and a laid-back atmosphere.
Taverna Rustic Italian Wilmington
I love that they will get creative with the menu and even have the chef come out to create something for you. Such a fun dining experience!
Vincente's Restaurant
Such a great spot if you're serious about pasta. Perfect for a cozy date night in the Italian Market.
Fiorella Pasta
A true old-school Philly Italian restaurant. Great choice when you're craving classic Italian comfort food.
Dante & Luigi's
Such a cute spot for Italian food and date night. I love the cozy atmosphere!
Little Nonna's
A great Newark option for pasta, pizza, and classic Italian dishes. Perfect for a casual dinner.
Taverna Newark
One of my favorite South Jersey date-night options. The food, wood-fired cooking, and atmosphere are all so good.
Hearthside
🥩 Steakhouses
Classic steakhouses and modern steak destinations for perfectly cooked cuts, cocktails, and memorable dinners.
Hands down best steak in Wilmington, DE!
Bardea Steak
I love this place for special occasions. It's a little pricey but worth it!
Prime 225
More casual than a traditional steakhouse, but a great choice if you want really good food in a relaxed atmosphere.
The Farm and Fisherman Tavern
Such a classic Philly steakhouse. I love the old-school atmosphere—perfect for a date night or special occasion.
Butcher and Singer
Definitely a Philly splurge, but such a great choice when you want an upscale steak dinner.
Barclay Prime
A great South Jersey option for steak, seafood, cocktails, and a nice night out.
The ChopHouse
A classic choice when you want a nice steak dinner, great wine, and a more upscale atmosphere.
The Capital Grille
🌮 Mexican & Latin
Tacos, margaritas, Latin-inspired dishes, and lively spots that make dinner feel like a night out.
Hands down, one of my favorite spots for Spanish food in Philly! Great for sharing plates and enjoying a night out.
Amada Philadelphia
Such a pretty spot for Latin-inspired food and cocktails. Great for date night or girls' night.
Bolo
A great Haddonfield BYOB for tacos, enchiladas, and classic Mexican favorites.
El Nopalito
One of my favorite spots for margaritas and Mexican food in Philly. Such a fun atmosphere!
El Vez
A stylish spot for modern Mexican food, cocktails, and a fun night out.
MI VIDA
🦞 Seafood
Fresh seafood, oysters, sushi, lobster, and waterfront-worthy favorites for seafood lovers.
Such a beautiful spot for seafood, oysters, cocktails, and a more upscale dinner.
Vernick Fish
A cozy BYOB that's perfect for a seafood-focused dinner. Great for a date night!
Little Fish BYOB
One of my favorite East Passyunk options for creative, seasonal seafood.
River Twice
Such a pretty Rittenhouse spot for seafood and cocktails. Great when you want something a little more upscale.
Little Water
A Philly classic for oysters and seafood. Great for a fun dinner or happy hour with friends.
Oyster House
🍣 Asian
From sushi and ramen to Thai, Chinese, and Japanese favorites - great spots for casual meals and special nights out.
One of Philly's must-try restaurants! The Thai food is incredible and it's such a beautiful spot for dinner.
Kalaya
A Philly classic for sushi and Japanese food. Definitely a splurge, but such a memorable experience.
Morimoto
One for the sushi lovers! I love that you can do a more casual izakaya dinner or go for the intimate omakase experience.
Royal Sushi & Izakaya
A great choice if you're looking for a really special sushi experience. Perfect for a date night or celebration.
HIROKI
My pick when I'm craving a cozy bowl of ramen. Casual, comforting, and so good!
Terakawa Ramen
🫒 Mediterranean & Greek
Fresh, flavorful Mediterranean and Greek favorites—from mezze and grilled seafood to cozy neighborhood gems.
A great choice for Greek food and seafood. I especially love this one before or after a show in Center City.
Estia Restaurant
A cozy neighborhood Greek restaurant with classic dishes and a relaxed atmosphere.
Zorba's Tavern
Such a great spot for Mediterranean food, grilled meats, and mezze. Perfect for sharing!
Paprica Grill
One of Philly's most iconic restaurants. Definitely one to try if you haven't been!
Zahav
A fun Midtown Village spot for pizza, pasta, small plates, and cocktails. Great for date night or girls' night.
Barbuzzo
One of the prettiest restaurants in Fishtown! Great Lebanese food, cocktails, and such a beautiful atmosphere.
Suraya Restaurant
🥐 Brunch
The best spots for leisurely brunches, coffee dates, mimosas, and weekend meals with friends.
One of Philly's prettiest brunch destinations, with a garden setting, seasonal dishes, and a great atmosphere for girls' brunch.
Talula's Garden
A Philly brunch classic. Come hungry—the portions are huge!
Sabrina's Cafe
Such a pretty option for brunch with friends. Great food, cocktails, and a beautiful atmosphere.
Pithari
A cute, casual spot for breakfast, brunch, and coffee when you want something easy and relaxed.
Lydia's Cafe
Such a beautiful brunch destination! I love that you can eat, shop, and walk around the gardens all in one trip.
Terrain at Styer's
🇫🇷 French
Charming French bistros and elevated dining spots for croissants, cocktails, classic dishes, and romantic dinners.
Definitely a special-occasion restaurant. Perfect if you want an intimate tasting-menu experience.
Provenance
Such a great date-night spot! Beautiful French food, cocktails, and a cozy atmosphere.
Forsythia
A really intimate French BYOB that's perfect for a romantic dinner or special occasion.
Bibou
One of my favorite Philly spots for the atmosphere alone. Sit outside, enjoy the view of Rittenhouse, and pretend you're in Paris!
Parc
Such a cute spot for brunch or a casual daytime meal. I love the French-Lebanese combination.
