Located in the center of Philadelphia, a few blocks from City Hall, sits Rittenhouse Square. There's no lack of fine dining opportunities in the heart of the fifth-largest city in the United States. Luckily, buying Rittenhouse Square real estate ensures that you are as close as possible to all that Philadelphia has to offer, including excellent eats. If you’re ready to expand your culinary palate and try some of the best food in the city, here are five fine dining restaurants to check out near Rittenhouse Square.
The Dandelion
The Dandelion is reminiscent of an English pub with a menu loaded with elevated bar staples. British classics like bangers & mash and fish & chips have a permanent place on the menu, along with a few exotic items. Their tandoori chicken is served with coconut basmati rice, almond, pistachio, raisins, and cucumber cilantro yogurt, and their cider steamed mussels feature bearnaise and garlic bread.
The dessert menu sticks with the English classics, like sticky toffee pudding and treacle tarts. As you might expect from a pub, they offer a wide selection of wine, beer, and spirits. The restaurant’s decor is straight out of a Sherlock Holmes novel with brick, dark wood, and a fireplace, and the ambiance will have you craving an assortment of blended scotch and Irish whiskey. The Dandelion is not one to miss!
Lacroix
A breakfast restaurant, Lacroix has both light and hearty meals to kick-start your day. Their dining room is bright and open — the perfect place to sip coffee while you show off the city to friends visiting from out of town. Try one of Lacroix’s health-conscious options like steel-cut oats or avocado toast, along with a berry smoothie before you go for a bike ride. If you wake up craving something a bit more hearty, order the Philadelphian: a full breakfast with eggs, potatoes, toast, tomatoes, your choice of breakfast meat, and juice. Regardless of your plate, you’re sure to leave satisfied.
Barclay Prime
For an elegant night out, owners of Rittenhouse Square real estate love Barclay Prime, “a boutique steakhouse for the 21st century.” The decor is unique, but the menu is full of tried-and-true steakhouse classics. Dine in this modern restaurant under chandeliers and wooden walls of bookshelves.
The selection of steaks is beyond impressive. They have filet, ribeye, New York strip, porterhouse, and for true steak lovers, both American and Japanese wagyu. There are also gourmet entrees for those who don’t eat steak, like poached butter lobster, arctic char, rack of lamb, and so much more.
Barclay Prime’s a la carte sides don’t disappoint either, as the truffle mac and cheese, Brussel sprouts, and whipped potatoes are sure to delight. The desserts are as elegant as anything else on the menu. Try the citrus cloud, which features calamansi curd, mango sorbet, and a fresh mandarin meringue shell. If you want something sweet and familiar, you can’t go wrong with the classic deep dish cookie. Additionally, the wine list is extensive, and the cocktails are seasonal. Barclay Prime offers an elevated steakhouse experience where no detail is too small.
The selection of steaks is beyond impressive. They have filet, ribeye, New York strip, porterhouse, and for true steak lovers, both American and Japanese wagyu. There are also gourmet entrees for those who don’t eat steak, like poached butter lobster, arctic char, rack of lamb, and so much more.
Barclay Prime’s a la carte sides don’t disappoint either, as the truffle mac and cheese, Brussel sprouts, and whipped potatoes are sure to delight. The desserts are as elegant as anything else on the menu. Try the citrus cloud, which features calamansi curd, mango sorbet, and a fresh mandarin meringue shell. If you want something sweet and familiar, you can’t go wrong with the classic deep dish cookie. Additionally, the wine list is extensive, and the cocktails are seasonal. Barclay Prime offers an elevated steakhouse experience where no detail is too small.
Vernick Food & Drink
Brought to you by chef Greg Vernick, Vernick Food & Drink is one of the most highly acclaimed restaurants in the city, and many make reservations weeks in advance to secure a table. Chef Vernick has been named the best chef in the Mid-Atlantic by the James Beard Foundation, and he has created a unique and elegant fine dining menu at Vernick Food & Drink.
While the menu is small, this restaurant has perfected each dish. Vernick and his team aim for quality over quantity. The menu features “small plates” like beef tenderloin tartare toast and yellowfin tuna. They also have “large plates” like charcoal-grilled black sea bass served with mushrooms "a la grecque," fingerling potato, fennel and lavender, and mustard brined pork chop served with crispy polenta and cherry au Poivre. After dinner, finish your perfect meal with a vanilla panna cotta and an espresso martini.
The Love
With a classic American menu, The Love is great for any meal — brunch, lunch, dinner, or even a few cocktails at the bar. This popular spot’s lunch menu has light breakfast options and delicious sandwiches. Try some freshly baked, miniature lemon ginger scones or a turkey avocado melt. You may also take your tastebuds south of the Mason-Dixon line with some shrimp and grits or Nashville hot chicken.
The dinner menu at The Love features an assortment of beef, fish, and chicken. Enjoy some perfectly cooked Thai salmon or ricotta ravioli served with butternut squash sauce, brown butter vinaigrette, chive, and crushed hazelnuts for an excellent option. The menu offers a significant variety while maintaining fine dining standards and high-quality ingredients. Enjoy warm bananas foster bread pudding or a brownie skillet for dessert. The Love also provides an assortment of cocktails or wine by the glass/bottle. You’re sure to find something for everyone here.
If you’re ready to purchase a property in Philadelphia, contact us today to find your dream home within walking distance of these incredible restaurants. With deep experience in the Philadelphia area, we have the expertise and market knowledge to provide a seamless experience, whether you’re buying or selling. Get in touch at [email protected].
