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a.kitchen

Name: a.kitchen
Address: 135 S 18th St 0, Philadelphia, PA, United States, 19103-5228
Telephone: (215) 825-7030
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.7

Visa Dining Collection

$31 to $50

French American

135 S 18th St, 0, Philadelphia, PA 19103-5228

Make a reservation

2 people

Apr 26, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 29 times today

Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

Neighborhood gem
Innovative
Great for creative cocktails

a.kitchen, situated in Hotel AKA Rittenhouse Square, is a French-inspired American restaurant led by Executive Chef Eli Collins. The bistro-style menu offers everything from small plates to more traditional lunch and dinner options. Known for its innovative wine list, a.kitchen is a top destination for natural and terroir-driven wines from regions around the world. Reservations are available for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner.

Adjacent to a.kitchen, a.bar offers a cocktail-focused experience along with a menu of snacks, burgers, salads, and seasonal dishes. Guests of Hotel AKA Rittenhouse Square can also enjoy in-suite dining for a more private experience.

Why they're an Icon

Executive chef: Chef Eli Collins

James Beard Award2023

From the OpenTable editors: James Beard Award-winning restaurateur Ellen Yin's beloved bistro remains one of the best restaurants in Philly for French small plates and outstanding wine. For more than a decade, the gougeres, chicken liver pate, and smoked duck breast have been getting cozy in a candlelit space on historic Rittenhouse Square. The wine list is not to be missed—it's a Wine Enthusiast favorite and multi-semifinalist for James Beard's outstanding wine category.

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
French American, Dining Bar, Bistro
Hours of operation
Breakfast Tue–Fri 8:00 am–11:00 am Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–3:00 pm Lunch Tue–Fri 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Mon, Sun 4:30 pm–9:00 pm Tue–Sat 4:30 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(215) 825-7030
Website
http://www.akitchenandbar.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Private party facilities
a.kitchen and a.bar are available for private functions. Contact the restaurant by emailing harry.jamison@highsthospitality.com
Delivery & takeout
Order direct

Location
135 S 18th St, 0, Philadelphia, PA 19103-5228
Award-winning
1. James Beard Award 2023
Neighborhood
Center City
Cross street
18th & Walnut St.
Parking details
Parking available in local garages. No Valet available. Central Parking System – 1616 Sansom Street Parkway Corporation – 1845 Walnut Street Central Parking System – 201 South 18th Street Priority Parking – 1710 Chancellor Street
Public transit
Bus: Route 21, 42- 18th and Walnut; Route 17- 20th & Walnut; Route 2: 16th and Walnut SEPTA Orange/ Broad Street lines: Walnut-Locust station SEPTA Blue/ Market-Frankford line: City Hall Station SEPTA Regional Rail lines: Suburban Station
Additional
Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

Vine-yl Night Vol. XIX
Apr 29, 2025 only
Vine-yl Night Vol. XIX is here! We're welcoming Chef Kevin McWilliams from Laurel located in South Philly on East Passyunk Ave. Kevin is a 2024 StarChefs Rising Star and has worked in kitchens at Kensington Quarters, River Twice, and Lacroix before settling in as Chef de Cuisine at Laurel. Chefs Eli and Kevin will be transforming the menu into one you'd find in a Parisian wine bar. Our wine program will be taken over by Tom Caruso and Sydney Adams of Pray Tell Winery. They've been totally crushing the Philly wine scene. Guest DJ set provided by Bruce Warren of WXPN radio. Bruce has been DJing for over 30+ years and will be bringing a whole case of 45s to spin. Additional music provided by our resident DJ and sometimes Wine Director, Frank Kinyon.

What 2,168 people are saying

a.kitchen reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.7Service
4.6Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

a.kitchen in Philadelphia offers a vibrant and engaging dining experience with a dynamic seasonal menu. Praised for "delicious and creative dishes," it's a favorite for its "outstanding wine list" and "exceptional service." The cozy ambiance, despite being "very noisy," is perfect for enjoying inventive meals, especially at the chef's counter.

2,168 Reviews

S
Susan VIP
Philadelphia72 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Lovely outside table with an octopus salad and a glass of Rose
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R
Ricardo VIP
Philadelphia10 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great menu. Impeccable and very polite service. Not pushy but attentive and diners are left alone just enough to dine in peace.
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J
Jeff VIP
Philadelphia10 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Good food and great service. The roast chicken was spot-on!! We will be back
Is this helpful?
A
Anthony
Chicago8 reviews
4.0
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Food was delicious, drinks were delicious, reservation on holiday Sunday was painless. Only drawback was the service was if anything TOO attentive. But I’d much rather have that than not. Definitely recommend.
Is this helpful?
B
Barry
New York City2 reviews
4.0
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
We attended an early weekend brunch so the noise level was very quiet given we were some of the first people sat. the service was excellent--friendly and efficient.
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a
alan VIP
Philadelphia42 reviews
4.0
Dined on April 13, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
Server or kitchen screwed up a simple request, salad dressing on the side. Staff offered to rectify the situation, ie, likely throw out served salad. I decided to eat what was served since dressing wasn’t overwhelming or super creamy but still, dressing on the side ain’t that hard
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OT
OpenTable Diner
New York City1 review
4.0
Dined on April 12, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Despite being on time made us wait in a separate room with no seatings available. Service is respectful, fast. Food ad highs and lows: tasteful gourgères filled with creamy cheese; grilled chicken well after the point; the poivre sauce was too dense, I loved the “1000-layer potatoes”; interpretation of Paris-Brest had too much stuff on it.
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E
Emilie VIP
San Francisco46 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 10, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We just had a great meal at a.kitchen. We focused on a sampling of appetizers which were creative and delicious. They also serve outstanding cocktails. The service was very friendly making for a highly festive experience.
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A
Aaron VIP
Cincinnati20 reviews
3.0
Dined on April 10, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 2
The food, though fresh, was exceedingly bland and basically tasteless. The prices are very high for what you get. Very noisy bar.
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A
Andy VIP
Orange County580 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 8, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
a.kitchen always provides an exceptional dining experience! From the warm welcome at the front door to the last bite of dessert, the evening could t have been better. The menu changes with the seasons, but I highly recommend the raw bar options, as well as the chicken liver mousse. The Lancaster carrots, done in a Middle Eastern style were a great vegetarian option. Of note, the extensive wine list, focusing on small, low intervention producers really enhances the cuisine. Service was friendly, attentive and knowledgable. I highly recommend a.kitchen and will definitely return anytime I’m in Philadelphia. .
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FAQs

You can order delivery directly from a.kitchen using the Order Online button.

a.kitchen is rated 4.7 stars by 2168 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Apr 26, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 29 times today

Experiences are available.

135 S 18th St, 0, Philadelphia, PA 19103-5228

Dining areas

Additional information

Award-winning
1. James Beard Award 2023
Cross street
18th & Walnut St.
Neighborhood
Center City
Hours of operation
Breakfast Tue–Fri 8:00 am–11:00 am Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–3:00 pm Lunch Tue–Fri 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Mon, Sun 4:30 pm–9:00 pm Tue–Sat 4:30 pm–10:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
French American, Dining Bar, Bistro
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Parking available in local garages. No Valet available. Central Parking System – 1616 Sansom Street Parkway Corporation – 1845 Walnut Street Central Parking System – 201 South 18th Street Priority Parking – 1710 Chancellor Street
Public transit
Bus: Route 21, 42- 18th and Walnut; Route 17- 20th & Walnut; Route 2: 16th and Walnut SEPTA Orange/ Broad Street lines: Walnut-Locust station SEPTA Blue/ Market-Frankford line: City Hall Station SEPTA Regional Rail lines: Suburban Station
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
Delivery & takeout
Order direct

Website
http://www.akitchenandbar.com/
Phone number
(215) 825-7030
Private party facilities
a.kitchen and a.bar are available for private functions. Contact the restaurant by emailing harry.jamison@highsthospitality.com

a.kitchen

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Why they're an Icon

Dining areas

Additional information

Experiences

Vine-yl Night Vol. XIX

Menu

BREAKFAST

RITTENHOUSE BREAKFAST $16.00

FRENCH OMELETTE $16.00

CORNMEAL PANCAKES $14.00

BACON, EGG + CHEESE SANDWICH$12.00

OATMEAL $12.00

YOGURT + CRANBERRY GRANOLA$7.00

HOME FRIES $6.00

What 2,168 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

Does a.kitchen offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is a.kitchen restaurant rated?

Is a.kitchen currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information