Special Occasion Restaurants

This New York import was the tenth Palm to open nationwide and has since become a popular destination for diners including local celebrities. Located in the ornamented Bellevue Hotel building, the chic dining room walls are filled with portraits of local and national personalities. The menu consists of their infamous cheesecake, prime beef, jumbo lobsters, and authentic Italian entrees. At a restaurant that treats all guests like family, the Palm thrives on providing excellent meals at exceptional standards. Using traditional ingredients and simple recipes, this restaurant avoids culinary fads to bring its patrons an honest and satisfying dining experience.

Located in Rittenhouse Square, Tinto is a cozy restaurant, reminiscent of a rustic wine cellar. The dishes are inspired by cuisine that can be found in Basque country, the coastal and mountainous regions that surround both the Spanish and French border. Try such dishes as the Shortrib Sandwich with braised shortribs, bacon, asparagus, and celery root aioli or the Pork Belly with Berkshire pork belly, honey lacquer, and shaved apples. Whether you’re out for a quick bite or want to relax and enjoy a luxurious evening out, Tinto’s is the place.

Exuding Zen-like swank and sunny swagger, Buddakan beckons foodies and scene-seekers alike. In 1998, Buddakan added drama and daring dining to Philly's historical district in Old City. Today, this cosmopolitan small-plate emporium is a major player in the scene – a de rigeur stop for celebrities, savvy tourists, and local devotees. The glamorous digs with the iconic 10-foot high gilded Buddha statue, silky walls, soaring ceilings, glamorous décor, and flowing water wall whirls with an irrepressible kinetic vibe, an Asian-centric slate of irresistible dishes, and one of the city's hippest staff of servers.

As a revered source for some of Philadelphia’s finest Italian fare, Vetri has made a name for itself by serving up adventurous cuisine in a uniquely welcoming environment. Impeccable hospitality and well-crafted dishes combine to create an all-encompassing dining experience that ranges from rustic Italian cooking to cutting edge cuisine, and defies simple categorization. With a strong emphasis on superb wine and quality ingredients, the restaurant stands as a testament to the success of its kitchen creativity. In so many ways, from atmosphere to appetizers, Executive Chef Marc Vetri raises the level of dining to an art form.

Located in Philadelphia’s most scenic area, Water Works Restaurant is a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach. Nestled high above the Schuylkill River behind the city’s prized Museum of Art, Water Works boasts awe-inspiring views of a serene waterfall, tree-lined riverbanks, and the luminous Boathouse Row. Contemporary American with a Mediterranean flair, Water Works’ cuisine attempts to balance the restaurant’s superior atmosphere with rustic yet elegant dinner options for all ages and tastes. Growing in popularity by the day, Water Works—owned by Michael Karloutsos—has become Philadelphia’s most visually astounding dining hotspot.

As Philadelphia’s original authentic Spanish tapas bar and restaurant, Amada offers specialty food in a sultry setting. The tapas come courtesy of chef and owner Jose Garces, Philadelphia’s most ambitious new restaurateur. Feast on cured meats and cheeses as well as Spanish specialties like Tortilla Espanola, Lobster Paella, and the king of the table: a Whole Roasted Suckling Pig (which must be pre-ordered). Amada’s sexy flamenco performances are as inspiring as its food, and are surely not to be missed. With its fantastic cuisine, attentive service, and trendy ambiance, Amada is truly Old City's “loved one.”

Situated in Philadelphia’s ritziest neighborhood, Rouge takes on the persona of a Parisian café with ease and elegance. Rittenhouse Square is chichi central, and the undeniable draw of this city favorite isn’t the food – it’s the view. Whether you’re looking outside at the bustling park or inside at the attractively attired clientele, Rouge is a place to see and be seen. The menu is upscale comfort – American with a French flair – and the prices are an obvious reflection of its trendy reputation. Where image and appetites collide, Rouge guarantees a truly unique dining experience for all of …

Restaurateur Stephen Starr’s vision of the future burns bright in the University City section of Philadelphia where Pod dishes out Asian fusion cuisine in an atmosphere that is a playful cross between Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey and The Jetsons. Fresh sushi, dim sum, and full entrees are served in Pod’s sleek, high-tech dining space. The restaurant’s glossy, pure white interior, accentuated by concentric circles of blue, orange, and purple lighting and flooded with the pulse of ambient music, boldly transports patrons to a culinary destination that is truly ahead of its time.

A favorite for decades, the Chart House offers an excellent selection of steaks and seafood, as well as a waterfront location overlooking the Delaware River. The dining room offers stunning views, contemporary decor, and—for those not looking out the floor-to-ceiling windows—an exhibition kitchen. With a convenient location near the convention center and Philadelphia's historic areas, the excellent service at the Chart House promises to please. The classic menu offers classic dishes which never fail to satisfy such as Lobster Bisque, Shrimp Scampi and Filet Mignon.

Bliss is a new and exciting restaurant and bar which features a menu that reflects a world of culinary inspiration. Bliss offers contemporary American dishes like a Pan Seared Sirloin with Potato Puree Gratin and Shallot Merlot Glaze as well as Asian-inspired food, like Sweet and Sour Crispy Red Snapper and Stir-Fried Red Chili Prawns. Just a stone’s throw from the Kimmel Center, Bliss sports lots of mahogany wood, high ceilings, a cozy bar and a tranquil blue wall decoration. With its serene atmosphere and delightful menu, the restaurant welcomes guests for lunch, dinner, and late night.

With its kitschy theme park decor and its hip Latin beats, Old City’s Cuba Libre is all about the ambiance. The elaborately designed space – with its tall palms and wrought-iron balconies – was built to resemble an outdoor café in Cuba circa 1940. The restaurant’s menu combines “Nuevo Cubano” dishes alongside traditional Cuban cuisine. From the tasty mango butter spread accompanying the bread to the juicy Guava BBQ Rib entrée, this Latin feast will be an experience all its own. The endless variety of Cuban rums and a tasty selection of mojitos, Cuba Libre’s specialty drinks, won’t disappoint either!

Dining in Philadelphia has finally become both elegant and romantic since the addition of “M”, the restaurant at the Morris House Hotel. With such fine dining available both indoors and outdoors in the magnificent center city garden, “M” is a pure gem right in the heart of the historic district of downtown Philadelphia. The menu is designed by internationally trained chef David Katz, who offers daily entrees with extraordinary originality, making “M” a destination for superb dining at it’s best. M offers a modern menu of tantalizing dishes and indulgences to guests and local patrons alike.

If you’ve ever been to South Philly's predominately Italian neighborhood, you may know the charming feeling that emanates from a place immersed in such culture and authenticity. Maggiano’s Little Italy, located in Center City, recreates the enchantment of an Italian neighborhood to a tee, with a menu chock-full of hearty Italian dishes that are served in bountiful portions, an extensive wine and drink list, and friendly service from a staff straight from the motherland. Combine all of this with Old Blue Eyes and other rat-pack era musicians supplying the soundtrack, and you are guaranteed to leave floating on a cloud …

Marrakesh endows patrons with an authentic Moroccan feast, fused with a traditional Moroccan family home setting in the Society Hill District. Accented with imported rugs, vibrant-colored pillows, and sweet incense, the banquet room encompasses everything that is Moroccan decor, allowing guest to lounge in a tranquil environment at a communal table among other diners or a private table. A seven course dining experience, Marrakesh’s menu features arrangement of illustrious Moroccan dishes, which will satisfy guest’s craving for authentic Mediterranean fare. For a reasonable price, patrons can pamper their palates with Tajine of Lamb with Almonds and Honey or Couscons Grand …

Just five weeks after Ralph’s opened its doors, Teddy Roosevelt sat down for a classic Italian meal in a burgeoning South Philadelphia Italian neighborhood; that was in 1900. Today, Ralph’s still caters to a host of notable diners and delivers the same simple, homey but high quality Italian fare as always. It’s a spaghetti and meatball parlor where red tomato sauce is king, queen, and heir to the thrown. Ralph’s is the oldest family owned Italian restaurant in America. The trattoria’s no fuss consistent approach to Southern Italian cuisine and elegant but non-stuffy atmosphere have made it a favorite among …

Located on Sansom Street, which is well known for its large selection of beloved restaurants, Raw Sushi and Sake Lounge stands out from the neighboring venues. Its simple and enticing façade welcomes diners into a foyer lined with river rocks. Through thick red curtains lies the restaurant, dimly lit by white globes extended low from the ceiling. The relaxed atmosphere allows for slow eating and drinking – multiple rounds of sushi and sake are quite acceptable. The staff is congenial without being pushy, tending to food and drink necessities while giving plenty of space for long conversation and hearty laughter.

Taking the heart of Italy into their food, Tre Scalini features numerous fish and other antipasta dinners to entice their patrons. Easily located by the green overhangs that contrast the red brick wall, Tre Scalini brings Italy home to Philadelphia. Chef Franca DiRenzo creates everything from scratch in the back of her kitchen where she is constantly busy. Patrons can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with a wide variety of menu items, from pasta dishes to more American ideals with Italian flavors added. The staff are very personable and try to treat you as if you were a guest in their …

While Blue Bell Inn’s rich history shapes it to this day (Blue Bell itself was named for it), it is by no means stuck in the past. Owner/Executive Chef John Lamprecht Jr. regularly offers internationally-influenced specials (Crab Cake with Wasabi Cream) to compliment his largely classical menu. A sleek bar featuring live music and large-screen plasma televisions offers a buoyant, but refined retreat for professionals looking to unwind, and the small dining rooms’ colonial design creates an intimate atmosphere without being stuffy. Anyone looking for time-tested fine dining with modern sensibilities need look no further than Blue Bell Inn.

Roberto Café, an Italian Trattoria in the Graduate Hospital area, provides a variety of seafood and Italian classics in a comfortable, intimate atmosphere. Joining the mix of restaurants and bars along South Street, this cozy BYO offers elegant dining suitable for business trip meals, small groups, and romantic diners alike. The attentive staff, delicious food, and small, homey dining room make for a very pleasant dining experience. Italian food lovers will be pleased to find modern and creative touches added to their traditional favorite dishes, including sautéed chicken, pasta, and crabmeat.

City Tavern may offer one of the most unique dining experiences possible: one that replicates the customs and foods of 18th-century Colonial America. Located on an historic site, paying homage to the original City Tavern built in 1773, and serving a menu of 18th-century fare, this is one restaurant that will truly transport you in time.