Best Hot Spot Restaurants in Washington Square

24 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Craftsman Row Saloon restaurant

1. Craftsman Row Saloon

4.6

Exceptional(1077)

Price: Moderate

• American • Old City

Booked 83 times today

Craftsman Row Saloon is a hot spot due to its festive atmosphere and delicious food, as highlighted in the reviews. Customers love the seasonal changes, creative presentations, and the excellent service. The restaurant has also been featured on The Travel Channel's Food Paradise and more, making it a must-visit place. One review said, 'Simple comfort foods done well, with some fun twists. The decorations make it such a fun atmosphere and hot spot it visit.'

2. Talula’s Garden

4.9

Exceptional(13171)

Price: Very Expensive

• American • Washington Square

Booked 78 times today

Behind the wrought iron gate, past the herbaceous patio and through the atrium is Talula's Garden, the warm and elegant Washington Square eatery from Aimee Olexy and Starr Restaurants. The modern menu, prepared with carefully-sourced ingredients and a light European touch, changes with the seasons. The artful cuisine, hospitable staff, sustainable spirits, and a focus on cheese make the dining experience here incredibly memorable.

3. Morimoto

4.7

Exceptional(6753)

Price: Very Expensive

• Japanese • Center City

Booked 42 times today

Morimoto is serving contemporary Japanese cuisine. Chef Masaharu Morimoto of Iron Chef prepares traditional dishes with a modern flair.

4. Red Owl Tavern

4.5

Awesome(1479)

Price: Expensive

• American • Old City

Booked 23 times today

Neighborly meets sophisticated at Red Owl, a modern tavern in the heart of Old City, just across from the Liberty Bell. Among soaring windows and cozy tables, the kitchen serves up smart, stylish takes on American staples (a cheesesteak never tasted as good as ours, made with premium shaved rib-eye). When paired with craft beers and classic cocktails, it’s a clever balance of fancy and familiar, with a dash of Philly flair.We look forward to seeing you soon!

A photo of Buddakan - Philadelphia restaurant

5. Buddakan - Philadelphia

4.7

Exceptional(11299)

Price: Expensive

• Asian • Old City

Booked 81 times today

Stephen Starr’s Buddakan is a spectacular restaurant featuring exotic flavors of modern Asian cuisine with creativity and drama. Bon Appetit notes, "The mostly white space is striking, with a lit-from-within communal table in the middle of the room, a waterfall & a ten-foot, candle-bedecked Buddha. The religious icon watches over hip customers indulging in pan-Asian cuisine that far surpasses the fare usually found at hot spots like this." Newsweek reports, "Design also serves as a signifier for cuisine. You walk into Buddakan, one of the hottest new restaurants in Philadelphia, past a shimmering waterfall & Japanese river stones & you say to yourself, 'ginger-miso everything' even before you see the magnificent 10-foot Buddha dominating the dining room." Named one of “America's Top 50 Restaurants" by Travel & Leisure and 'Top Restaurant for Fun' by Gourmet, Buddakan has become one of the country's most talked about restaurants.

6. Parc

4.8

Exceptional(17337)

Price: Expensive

• French • Rittenhouse Square

Booked 234 times today

Stephen Starr's stylish addition to Rittenhouse Square pays tribute to French cafe culture, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week, ideal for a quick bite or a leisurely meal. Parc recalls the chic brasseries of Paris, serving classic French fare in a charming space. Red leather banquettes topped with frosted glass provide a sense of intimacy. Details such as well-worn wooden chairs, vintage framed paintings and photos and antique brass fixtures transport guests across the Atlantic. French doors spill onto a sidewalk terrace covered by a dark red awning perfect for dining "en plein air."

7. The Love

4.8

Exceptional(7228)

Price: Expensive

• American • Rittenhouse Square

Booked 108 times today

Aimee Olexy and Stephen Starr's The Love is a bi-level sanctuary features 150 seats, split between the main dining room, sidewalk seating, and an upper-level loft. The restaurant is a spirited and carefree neighborhood café celebrating everyday American cuisine. The menu is crafted around what’s truly seasonal and local, while the beverage program reflects the best of the region. This creative energy is matched by a front-of-house service staff passionate about providing homey hospitality morning, noon and night.

8. Saloon Restaurant

4.9

Exceptional(2540)

Price: Very Expensive

• Italian • South Philly

Booked 36 times today

Saloon Restaurant is a hot spot because of its authentic, high-quality Italian cuisine and welcoming ambiance. Customers rave about the 'outstanding' service, 'amazing' food, and 'beautiful surroundings.' The 'unique and interesting' setting, which includes two dining rooms and a vintage bar, adds to the appeal. The restaurant's consistent quality and excellent value also make it a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

9. El Vez

4.7

Exceptional(7011)

Price: Moderate

• Mexican / Southwestern • Center City

Booked 71 times today

A contemporary Mexican restaurant, El Vez offers many unique items such as mahi mahi tacos, ahi tuna tostadas, carne asada and pasilla braised pork pozole. Enjoy their made-to-order guacamole & margaritas with fresh-squeezed juices. Top off your meal with "The El Vez," a flourless chocolate cake, peanut butter mousse and carmelized bananas.

10. Barclay Prime

4.8

Exceptional(5395)

Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Rittenhouse Square

Booked 60 times today

Barclay Prime is a luxury boutique steakhouse serving a traditional yet modern menu in a comfortable & contemporary setting.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

E
Emily
Philadelphia County •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Fantastic meal - pork belly bao buns and dim sum sampler for appetizers. Shrimp pad Thai and tuna tataki for entrees. Donuts and chocolate mandarin for dessert. Waitress was so friendly and provided great service.
More info
Buddakan - PhiladelphiaPrice: Expensive• Asian• Old City
•
4.7
K
Krista
Washington, D.C. Area •11 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
The food and atmosphere was great! The service this particular time was slower than previous dining experiences there, but overall great place, especially with the Christmas decorations!
More info
Craftsman Row SaloonPrice: Moderate• American• Old City
•
4.6
E
Elizabeth
Philadelphia County •50 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
We always find Morimoto to be consistent and congenial! We love going there!
More info
MorimotoPrice: Very Expensive• Japanese• Center City
•
4.7
J
Jon
Virginia •8 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Delicious entrees. Comfortable but elegant setting. Absolutely splendid servers!
More info
Talula’s GardenPrice: Very Expensive• American• Washington Square
•
4.9
C
Caroline
Philadelphia County •10 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Excellent service, great food and atmosphere. Our server was super attentive and kind. We had a nut allergy in the group and he had been made aware through our reservation and double checked that items on the menu were safe. It was a wonderful surprise that the chocolate cake was safe - the frosting was delicious. We’ll definitely be back. Easy parking nearby in the lot on fourth st.
More info
Red Owl TavernPrice: Expensive• American• Old City
•
4.5

Best Hot Spot Restaurants in Washington Square

Price

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Award-winning

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24 restaurants available nearby

1. Craftsman Row Saloon

2. Talula’s Garden

3. Morimoto

4. Red Owl Tavern

5. Buddakan - Philadelphia

6. Parc

7. The Love

8. Saloon Restaurant

9. El Vez

10. Barclay Prime

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