Trendy / Hip Restaurants

Lolita offers a friendly, casual atmosphere and sophisticated yet tasty Mexican cuisine. Try such dishes as the Puerco, a grilled spice rubbed pork chop with smoked bacon potatoes, rajas, sautéed spinach, and guajillo salsa or one of their scrumptious desserts like the Jericalla Con Calabaza, a pumpkin crème brûlée with canela clove, and pumpkin seed brittle. They also offer seasonal margaritas, but one margarita is featured year round-- the Tradicional, lemon-lime fresh squeezed margarita mix with a salted rim. Don’t miss out on some of these delectable dishes—try Lolita’s today!

With a corner spot in a high-end neighborhood, this bistro's art-free decor allows patrons to focus on the food. Amidst big windows and white walls--one with a row of shelves holding glass vases of monochromatic flowers, loyal neighborhood residents dine on appetizers like homemade ravioli stuffed with potato and pecorino with fried sage. Entrees include fig-and-walnut-stuffed quail, bouillabaisse like shellfish stew and ruby-red herby lamb chops. At Melograno, simplicity is key. Enjoy Italian inspired dishes at this quaint eater, popular for intimate dinners and romantic get-togethers.

Brought to you by the owners of Azie and Flavor, Teikoku is an experience to be enjoyed, savored and repeated. Serving contemporary Asian cuisine in a setting reminiscent of a Japanese temple, this Japanese and Thai fusion restaurant is worth the short drive to Newton Square. Teikoku offers lunch or dinner, a sophisticated lounge, an impressive wine list and a sleek sushi bar. Guests are served family-style in the restaurant’s divinely detailed dining room, designed by Jesse Gardener, who also designed Cuba Libre.

Tucked away on a not-so-traveled North Broad Street block lies Osteria, a glowing creation by the renowned Philadelphia Chef Marc Vetri. Service fit for kings and an ambience that spares not an ounce of luxury only begin to describe this experience. Dishes are rooted in the rolling hills of Tuscany, and guests may select from a non-traditional array of homemade Italian items, from crispy pizzas and pastas to meat and poultry dishes. An open kitchen greets patrons as they arrive while a full bar lined with a collection of wine corks beckons in the rear. Portions are small, but bursting …

Enjoy a cold cocktail—and seasonally, a warm fire—while watching the sunset over the Delaware River. In the summer, sit on the patio, and watch the calming river while munching candied walnuts atop a crisp Marguerita Salad. Please a selective palate with an atmosphere that offers choice: dress up, dress down; eat light, eat full; dine fancy or relax in an over-stuffed chair in the plush, yet relaxing, lounge. Satisfy mom’s flavor for flounder, a cousin’s craving for crabcakes, and still get your monthly mignon. Try the Yardley Inn, where classy contemporary is really choice.

Braised meats cook slowly while seductive aromas – saffron, cinnamon, and ginger – waft into the air, causing diners’ mouths to water with anticipation. A smattering of mostly local, casually dressed guests are spread evenly among the neatly outfitted tables. Such is the atmosphere at Figs, a cozy Fairmount stronghold since 2001 opened by Executive Chef/Owner Mustapha Rouissiya. The dining area of this pumpkin-colored Moroccan restaurant offers the perfect space for the blend of tasty Mediterranean-inspired dishes and energetic crowd that frequents the restaurant. Make sure to bring cash, since credit cards are not accepted at this trendy neighborhood bistro.

Showcasing the bounty of locally grown produce and organic ingredients, celebrity chef Eric Ripert has dished up yet another success with 10 Art. His mission is simple: to offer the best of contemporary American cuisine. His menu is exemplary: Ripert’s elegantly fine-tuned technique balances the complexity and heartiness of many of his most notable dishes. The Steamed Mussels are served in a chorizo and white wine broth, while the Pork and Beans highlights braised pork belly in a summer bean ragout. Understated and masterful, the Bouillabaisse has market fish and shellfish in a saffron and tomato broth.

One of the hippest and hottest places in Philadelphia isn’t exactly a nightclub, but more of a traditional restaurant with a twist. At Dolce, traditional table service and real Italian food are flipped with a very chic, modern, and dimly lit ambiance. When paired together, it’s an Old-World meets New-World match made in heaven. Each dish, crafted by Italian chef Alfonso Valentino, is made with the freshest Italian ingredients and an attention to detail. They also offer options for private parties inside their banquet facilities. Grab a drink and some friends next time you want Italian food, because at Dolce, …

David Rockwell has developed a stunning décor by which to savor Nectar’s innovative French Asian cuisine served nightly. Two distinct levels of dining space highlight more traditional Asian architectural elements like rich wood tones and bamboo with contemporary touches like exaggerated wall art and elegant light fixtures. Also juxtaposing the traditional with the contemporary is the thoughtful menu: The Wok Soft Shelled Crab, the Wok Jasmine Tea Smoked Duck, and the Chicken Red Curry entice visitors with their vibrant flavors and intricate preparation. Sushi and sashimi are also well represented on the menu.

GiGi caters to the palates of the world by offering a menu that highlights specialties from Italy, Thailand, and Spain--to name a few. European sidewalk café-style seating and a private outdoor terrace encourage a social experience that carries over into the main dining room, as well. Boasting unique tapas selections to be shared among friends and an impressive array of signature cocktails, GiGi welcomes visitors to stay and mingle. Pass dishes like the Rare Seared Tuna Tequitos and the Jerk Chicken Skewers around the table and marvel at how fast they go.

Resting unassumingly on a hill amid the Society Hill Towers, Zahav has given traditional Israeli street food a makeover. Celebrated Chef Michael Solomonov has gone to great lengths to transport the multiethnic flavors of his homeland to Philadelphia. He calls the food “Modern Israeli,” and each small plate is equal parts passion, execution, and rustic goodness. The open kitchen gives a professional demeanor to the 100-seat room, while the smell of roasting lamb and warm glow of the hearth offer a homey contrast. Zahav is Hebrew for “Gold,” and its chefs are alchemists, transforming and elevating simple flavors and ingredients …

Although located in the quaint, suburban town center of Media, Azie restaurant is hardly rural. This study in globalization brings a very urban vibe to this “small town.” Executive Chef Takao Iinuma and Chef de Cuisine Kazuyuki Mitsui, both formerly of Morimoto, present Japanese inspired cuisine with a refined blend of flavors from cultures around the world. Using top-notch ingredients and traditional Japanese cooking philosophies, Azie showcases fusion cuisine. Dishes like Rock Shrimp Tempura sit side-by-side with Salmon and Yellow Tail Ceviche, Whitefish Carpaccio and Pan Roasted Halibut. French Champagnes and Italian reds are available, but you can share the …

Chef Dave Clouser’s impressive resume, including such notable restaurants as Susanna Foo, The Inn at Montcharin and Nectar, has given him the essential tools to open his Bryn Mawr restaurant, Sola. Serving a familiar American cuisine with a distinctive European flair, Sola attempts to redefine the typical bistro. This 50-seat restaurant offers diners a warm intimate environment with fresh seasonal ingredients and an ever evolving weekly prix fixe menu. Since its inception in 2006, Sola has remained a BYOB restaurant and promises to stay that way.

Inspired by the architecture and ambiance of the royal courts of India, the Palace at the Ben, located on the bottom floor of the Ben Franklin building, is a study in sophistication. Indian haute cuisine is enhanced by an ornately decorated dining room and a vast selection of cocktails, unique wines and genuine Indian beers. Palace at the Ben invites guests to enjoy unique libations while seated in one of the restaurant's luxurious lounges. The Palace at the Ben uses only the freshest ingredients and the leanest cuts of meat. Authentic dishes like Biryani, Seekh Kabab, Chicken Korma and Lamb …

Located next to the Hotel Palomar Philadelphia, Square 1682 is a vibrant and exciting new restaurant that brings new life to Center City. Loosely named after Rittenhouse Square, located just a few blocks away, the restaurant provides unique New American cuisine as well as some of the most original and abundant Happy Hours in the city. Technically a “hotel restaurant,” Square 1682 is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even brunch on Sundays, while still maintaining a vibrant nightlife and countless amenities that are not usually offered by hotel restaurants. When diners pass through the revolving doors into the sleek …

Located inside the large Pennsylvania Convention Center, the Field House is an upscale sports bar with a modern and contemporary twist. Known for their Events Calendar of live music and ever-updated Sport Schedule, The Field House offers a full bar of options to choose from while one can watch the game on one of their 50 large plasma televisions, gracing the walls of their exceptional and extremely spacious interior. Their menu, featuring a combination of American pub dishes and snacks, has traditional favorites like nachos and French fries, but kicks it up a notch with fine dining inspired dishes like …

Looking for an authentic Irish pub in Philadelphia? Search no further than Fergies on Sansom Street. Open until 2:00am nightly, this neighborhood tavern presents live music and a great selection of food and drinks. Fergies serves a variety of classic bar appetizers like nachos and wings along with custom burgers, tasty entrees, salads, and comfort food-style sandwiches. This pub often hosts events like their annual St. Patrick’s Day, Half Way to St. Patrick’s Day, and Halloween celebrations. The bar’s wooden flooring, brick exterior, and signature Celtic motif throughout pays homage to the enduring traditions of the Irish.

Located in Philadelphia’s Olde City, TRUST event center is a cutting edge venue that doubles as an art gallery. The event space is unique and serves as a great back drop for any party, wedding, corporate event, or luncheon. This one of a kind location is nestled in with some of Philadelphia’s beloved colonial attractions. TRUST blends the old world with the new by showcasing its historic roots on the outside, with current emerging artwork adorning its interior walls. This building is as architecturally beautiful as it is sound. The building’s grandeur is further enhanced by the inlaid hard wood …

Philadelphia’s Richmond Hall is among the city’s most elegant locations to host an event available for weddings, parties, banquets, and more. Originally a church, Richmond Hall is complete with hard wood floors, cathedral ceilings, and an iron balcony. The stylish space within the hall where all of these events take place, known as the crystal room, holds multiple extravagant crystal chandeliers that light up the space. Richmond Hall offers event planning and catering services with an extensive Italian-inspired menu, and prides itself on being a company that provides affordable elegance.

If you’re searching for an elegant, romantic, intimate, and exquisite venue for a wedding, birthday, banquet, or any other type of celebration, look no further than Philadelphia’s Cescaphe Ballroom. Its built in hardwood flooring provides a great dance floor and the ballroom can be transformed into any theme the client desires. Historically a movie theater, the building was renovated and hosted its first event in 2004. Since then, this extravagant venue has become renowned for its signature opulence, professionalism, and unparalleled attention to detail. The Cescaphe Ballroom also features a lounge area that serves as a great area for cocktails …