Center City Restaurants

Five Guys Burgers and Fries has been taking the country by storm ever since they opened their first location in Arlington, VA in 1986. In just nine years, this burger chain has grown from five locations in the D.C. Metropolitan area to over 625 locations in over forty states and 4 Canadian provinces, not to mention the 200 restaurants opening in 2010. The menu is simple: hamburgers, little hamburgers, and hot dogs, all available with bacon and cheese and a list of free condiments (there’s also grilled cheese and veggie burgers for vegetarians). Fries are available in regular and Cajun …

For a sweet taste of Philadelphia, Swiss Haus Bakery bakes decadent and quality cakes, pastries, and cookies using premium ingredients and traditional European recipes. This Certified Kosher bakery is ideal for grabbing a cupcake on the go, or a cake for a birthday—they even offer options for catering and wedding cakes. It also offers a little bit of Philly history, since this bakery was opened in 1923 and changed owners in 2007. With sweet treats like margiolane, tiramisu, cannolis, cream puffs or strawberry shortcakes, Swiss Haus is sure to ease your sugar cravings in no time.

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 …

Rittenhouse Square is home to the Parisian oasis, Parc Brasserie. Capturing the true essence of sophisticated café cuisine, Parc presents guests with a comfortingly satisfying menu of French classics. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served up with a fitting degree of care, and flavor, as Parc maintains the Starr Restaurants’ high standards for quality and service. From the Onion Soup to the Beef Bourguignon, the bliss is in the bite. Linger over a comforting café au lait on the patio or enjoy a leisurely sip of wine at the zinc bar at Parc Brasserie – that Parisian holiday is only …

Are you ready for a venue wherein classic meets contemporary? If so, check out Philadelphia’s Table 31, a new restaurant by chef and restaurateur Chris Scarduzio. Table 31 boasts quite the inventive Italian-inspired menu as Chef Scarduzio pays homage to his rich heritage with playful spins on traditional steak, seafood, and pasta dishes. This modern venue is located inside Philadelphia’s Comcast Center on JFK Boulevard and contains a bar, lounge, main dining room, outdoor seating, and private dining. With an intimate ambiance and trendy décor, Table 31 provides a new age Italian kitchen experience for its patrons and has fast …

Located in Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square, Tria Wine Bar and Café serves a large variety of specialty wines, beers, and cheeses-- many of which are hand crafted. Not sure how to navigate the restaurant’s extensive wine list, knowledgeable staff is always available to help. Tria’s menu is stocked full of inventive contemporary flavors and ingredients. Their fresh take on classics like paninis, snacks, and bruschetta is by very definition refreshing. Tria even hosts a happy hour several nights a week where guests can sample 2 wines, 2 beers, and an artisan cheese. This casual and relaxed Philadelphia favorite even features “Sunday …

A modern yet traditional take on Northern and Central Italian cuisine, Philadelphia presents Portofino, a landmark restaurant in the city established nearly 37 years ago. Located in Philly’s famous theater district, this venue is renowned for its delicious food, elegant and relaxed ambiance, and generous portions for affordable prices. They also promise to “get you to your show on time” as this is among the best places to dine prior to attending a performance. Portofino is also available to host special events, so try planning your next celebration with them! Portofino’s menu features homemade dishes spanning everything from steak and …

Escape to the Greek Isles without leaving Philadelphia when you visit Kanella. This authentic Greek kitchen serves up some of the freshest, most honest Mediterranean cuisine Philadelphia has to offer. Kanella offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner and features some traditional specialty items such as Shaksouka, Mousaka, and hummus. Their décor is rustic with accents of the blue and white thus genuinely paying homage to the Greek flag. The restaurant even offers a Cypriot Meze on Sunday evenings. Come sail away to Greece as you drop anchor at Kanella on Spruce Street.

Refreshingly contemporary, and wickedly chic, R2L has re-imagined classic American cuisine and décor for the better. The restaurant’s dining space showcases the minimalist elements and lines of iconic art deco and midcentury modern design, while featuring decidedly modern details in the form of animal print upholstery and abstract art fixtures. Similarly, R2L’s menu reflects an appreciation for simplicity and quality that is balanced by a flair for the dramatic. Chef Daniel Stern marries the rustic with the refined, ensuring that every dish is as memorable as it is satisfying.

The home-syle cooking of Ms. Tootsie's include enormous portions of fried chicken and turkey chops with sides of buttery cabbage, collard greens and six-cheese mac. Wrought-iron candelabras give the dining room an artful elegance, along with the neo-soul music, creating a warmth and welcoming feel.

White tablecloths, off-white walls with original art and subtle opera fills the space. The hospitable owner spends most of his time patrolling the dining room and kissing regular customers on their way in and out. The chef occasionally peeks his head out of the closet-size kitchen to ee who the owner is schmoozing. Classic Italian: carpaccio, Caesar salad, mussels in plum tomato sauce, pappardelle alla porcini, grilled chicken in a balsamic vinegar sauce.

Located in the heart of Philadelphia’s thriving Chinatown district, Rangoon Burmese Restaurant throws open Burma’s culinary borders to showcase a cuisine that is as rich and diverse as the country’s culture itself. The restaurant’s extensive menu offers the unique opportunity to savor authentic Burmese fare with a range of traditionally prepared meat, seafood, and vegetarian dishes featuring savory sauces and unique spice combinations. Rangoon also features the varied gastronomic influences of Burma’s geographic neighbors with tasty Indian curries, classic Chinese dishes, and a touch of Thai.

The breathtaking view of the Swann Memorial Fountain is one of the many amenities enjoyed when dining in the Swann Lounge in the Four Seasons Hotel. Serving afternoon tea becomes a social event and feast of finger sandwiches, scones, and chocolate-dipped strawberries. The central fireplace and warm woods make a perfect backdrop for the Continental fare which features classic onion soup gratinee and roasted pork chops.

Nestled in the center of majestic brownstones, contemporary cafes, and the natural beauty of Rittenhouse Square lies Twenty Manning. The modern dining room, outdoor café, and spacious bar gives a location for every diner’s taste. A bevy of seafood creations like spicy calamari, sushi dishes and oysters work for starters, however, the entrees get more into the Asian-fusion mix, offering roasted duck and seared Szechuan salmon.

Situated above the busy Avenue of the Arts, XIX Nineteen features a gorgeous view of the sparkling skyline with floor to ceiling windows. Covered in original frescoes, the century-old rotunda has a massive pearl chandelier above the giant mosaic-encrusted round raw bar which gives the space a traditional feel. Diners can experience oysters from a variety of the best East Coast locales or a traditional selection of shrimp cocktail.

UPDATE: This restaurant is no longer in business! Elegance and class grace this upscale eatery, as apparent from the striking architectural space as the fashionable guests that fill it. At the table, seafood reigns king, and Chef Alfred Portale is a master at transforming each fish into a stunning, if not sometimes eclectic masterpiece. With a raw bar, winning wine list, and seasonal menu that celebrates the bounty of the oceans around the globe, there is not much else the Striped Bass could do to offer a more chic, elegant, and delectable dinging experience.

Still the flagship of Walnut Street's Restaurant Row, Le Bec-Fin oozes elegance and sophistication, welcoming Philadelphians as well as legions of visitors from around the globe. Crystal chandeliers suspended from 20-foot high ceilings shed grace upon an urbane space framed in muted beige, micro-suede walls. Elegance reigns. Black-garbed servers proud to carry on a cultivated, renowned tradition are attentive and ubiquitous. Cuisine at Le Bec-Fin remains the touchstone for gauging the city's culinary vibrancy. Peppering an exquisite, classic French menu are the Chef's latest creations each underscoring his gastronomic savvy as well as the eatery's global pantry.

Forget crisp, white tablecloths and predictable three-course meals. Life is too short to be spent adhering to dining norms, and no one understands this concept better than legendary Philadelphia restaurateur Stephen Starr. His Old City gem, Tangerine, throws tradition out the window, aggressively pursuing a more creative culinary angle. While the menu is filled with traditional Mediterranean dishes, Executive Chef Todd Fuller’s preparations offer a unique take on classic favorites, keeping customers coming back for more. From grilled octopus salad to Merguez kabobs, fresh flavors and worldly spices abound at this trendy local favorite.