From views that will leave you shook to interiors that take you far, far away, Philadelphia’s most gorgeous restaurants have surroundings that make incredible first impressions.
Curvy ceilings and cool blue lights fuel an under-the-sea atmosphere at a sleek Japanese spot. In a farmhouse-inspired favorite, vine-covered trellises are a great match for the sensational seasonal food. A former factory is now the site of a beloved craft distillery, complete with soaring ceilings and gleaming copper stills.
An extra-special meal calls for a magical setting. Read on for a guide to the 12 most beautiful restaurants in Philadelphia.
SkyHigh (Center City)
At this Four Seasons stunner, 40-foot windows surround the modern Norman Foster-designed space on all four sides—you’re so high that it’s less about the surrounding buildings and more about the sky itself. Mirror-paneled ceilings reflect the sidewalks below and on sunny days, you can see as far as New Jersey. Grab a seat at the bar, sip a martini, and snack on classic Jean-Georges bites like Wagyu cheese steak spring rolls while you take in Philadelphia from a whole new perspective.
Talula’s Garden (Washington Square)
Just as its name suggests, this farmhouse-inspired restaurant has a knockout outdoor space. Talula’s actual garden is a shady and breezy space (read: still nice in the summertime), lined with vine-covered trellises and tons of greenery. The plant-filled surroundings pair well with the menu, which highlights locally grown produce on an Italian-leaning menu. Dig into lamb Bolognese on rosemary pappardelle and dandelion and baby romaine salad—perfect for pairing with a sparkling paloma in the garden.
Barclay Prime (Rittenhouse Square)
This boutique steakhouse channels a lavish European library. The sleek and sexy dining room is filled with comfortable green banquettes, Carrera marble surfaces, six crystal chandeliers, and, yes, lots of wooden shelves lined with books that are arranged by color. Suited servers round out the classy ambiance, and diners select their own steak knives from a tray of options at this high-end Stephen Starr spot.
White Dog Cafe (University City)
White Dog Cafe is the kind of dining room that could only exist in Philadelphia. Built in a brown home on a historic ivy-lined block, the restaurant’s interiors are styled like a residence—if it was luxuriously appointed with a tasteful dog theme. Regulars are known for having their favorite room to dine in, ranging from a curvy parlor bar area to a solarium splattered with botanical wall coverings. Come for one of the city’s OG farm-to-table menus and an exceptional selection of local beers on tap.
Philadelphia Distilling (Fishtown)
Set in a converted factory, Philadelphia Distillery has industrial-chic vibes thanks to high ceilings, tons of natural light, and views of gleaming copper stills. Colonial-style furniture and reclaimed white oak floors add a vintage character. Drinks are undoubtedly the main event here, but there’s also a thoughtful food menu featuring salt and pepper wings and housemade gougères to keep you fueled as you sip your way through the spirits.
Rex at the Royal (South Street)
Rex at the Royal is housed in the Royal Theater, a local landmark that was built in 1919 and became a gathering spot for the area’s Black community. The building was renovated and reopened in 2022, conserving many of the exquisite original details like stained-glass windows and a sweeping staircase that frames the dining room. Fittingly, its menu is filled with Southern hits like crawfish pot pie and braised oxtail, a lineup that honors the Black chefs who moved to Philadelphia in the 1920s.
Morimoto (Center City)
Entering Morimoto’s dreamy dining room, which is bathed in a cool blue light with undulating lines on the walls, feels like descending underwater. A curvy wood-lined ceiling also contributes to the under-the-sea ambiance—a great match for flawless seafood from a menu by legendary chef Masaharu Morimoto. His first Philadelphia restaurant (which has been around since 2001) continues to anchor his Japanese cooking empire, featuring classics like black cod miso and tuna pizza.
Louie Louie Bistro Bar (University City)
With its striped awning and sunny sidewalk tables, Louie Louie is the ultimate Paris stand-in. Other charming spaces to choose from at this casual French star include a U-shaped bar, circular banquettes, and a lounge with velvet couches. Thoughtful design accents like delicately tiled floors and arched windows add to the vintage bistro feels. And so does the food, which includes comforting dishes like macaroni au gratin with smoked gouda and mussels in a white wine and garlic broth.
Aqimero (Center City)
Enter the lobby of the Ritz-Carlton from bustling Broad Street, and you’ll find yourself awed by Aqimero’s soaring marble columns and high ceilings. The grand 206-seat dining room takes cues from the Pantheon in Rome, but the menu is an ode to Latin America. Acclaimed chef Richard Sandoval heads up a kitchen that churns out yellow corn empanadas, ceviche, and smokey short rib al carbon.
Volver (Center City)
This Kimmel Center restaurant dazzles with drama—fitting, since it’s set in Philadelphia’s top performing arts destination. There’s a marble-topped bar, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a textile mural by local artist Conrad Booker. But center stage belongs to the open kitchen and a brightly lit plating area. Watch chef-owner Jose Garces and team craft dishes inspired by his travels, including cioppino with housemade fennel lavash and grilled hanger steak with shishito pepper escabeche.
Butcher & Singer (Center City)
If you’re paying top dollar for a steak, a beautiful dining room is essential, and Butcher & Singer hits the mark in every sense. The interiors were inspired by post-Prohibition clubhouses in New York and Los Angeles, and that look is achieved with lots of velvet tufting, leather, and wood-paneling. But the restaurant doesn’t take itself too seriously: There’s a charming mural of dogs eating steak on one wall and pops of color throughout, ensuring your steakhouse meal is anything but stuffy.
Rosalie (Wayne)
You can tell almost everything you need to know about Rosalie from its statement chairs: They’re large, velvety, and high-backed, inviting you to settle in, which sums up the vibe at this warm Italian gem. The rustic dining room makes a comfortable backdrop for seasonal dishes like gnocchi with local mushrooms and burrata-topped salads. When it warms up—i.e. Aperol spritz weather—book a table on the wide covered porch.
Maddy Sweitzer-Lammé is a Philadelphia-based freelance food, beverage, and travel writer and editor and covers the city’s restaurants for Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, Thrillist, and others.
