Washington Square West Restaurants

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.

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.

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 …

For old and young alike, Ted’s Montana Grill is an enticing foray into how the West was fed. The restaurant, partly owned by media magnate Ted Turner, takes its cues from classic American fare and traditional frontier cuisine. Bison is featured prominently on the menu and promises to make every meal at this Center City eatery an event to remember. Surrounded by cozy wooden booths, and with a spacious dining room and bar to enjoy, diners can indulge their homespun appetites in an ideal rustic setting.

Nestled into its charming Midtown Village locale, Olivier Desaintmartin’s second Philadelphia feat, Zinc, is the essence of class meets comfort. In a city filled with attempts at the French bistro, Desaintmartin sets this 11th street gem above the rest by offering unfussy bistro classics and an exclusively French wine selection. Zinc offers diners the rare chance to feel right at home with a dining room décor that features exposed brick, dark polished wood, bistro chalkboards and authentic Parisian paintings. Complete with a knowledgeable and friendly staff, Zinc’s quaint, romantic appeal is reminiscent of a true bistro a vins one might …

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 …

Valanni fuels night-time revelry with its clever cocktails, scrumptious snacks and lively atmosphere. The menu is an elegant hybrid of Mediterranean and Latin influences,with traditional Spanish-style dishes like Seafood Paella sharing space with more fusion flavors like the Sesame and Pepita Crusted Yellowfin Tuna and the Honey glazed Duck Breast. The stylish dining room blends a rugged industrialism with a polished cosmopolitanism, juxtaposing exposed brick walls and an expansive bar with leather banquettes, modernist accents, and soft, glowing, amber lights. The allure of flavorful beverages like the Mango Mojito and Watermelon-Rita (a muddled watermelon margarita) make happy hours and late …

Celebrating women’s femininity and strength, Bindi is named after the stunning red powder Indian women dab on their foreheads. The two women behind the success of Bindi are Chef Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran – the two forces behind more than one hit in the Center City neighborhood. Chef Turney amps up regional Indian cuisine by using local and seasonal ingredients to create dishes that are as pleasing in flavor and aesthetic. Dishes like the Prawn and Pumpkin Curry, the Chana Masala Chicken, and the Pork Loin Vindaloo are served in traditional kadai copper pots, and offer a unique opportunity …

Mixto Restaurant infuses the cuisines of Latin America and the Caribbean, providing an explosive Latin culinary experience. A part of Antique Row Center, the restaurant has brick and wrought-iron wooden decor, and a spicy Latino soundtrack. The incredibly diverse menu offers numerous selections from Mexico, South America, and distant Spain. Start with an appetizer such as the tangy Shrimp Ceviche in lemon sauce, or go straight to the delectable entrees, where the Pollo Champignon—chicken in a rich mushroom sauce with a cheesy baked potato cube—is one of many mouth-watering choices. Private rooms, a Latin-inspired wine list, and a loaded dessert …

From the butter yellow walls to the bustling energy of its open kitchen, Mercato embraces diners with an uncommon warmth rarely found in restaurants of this size. Generous portions abound while menu items are a refreshingly eclectic marriage between new American cuisine and creative Italian fare. Executive Chef, Mackenzie Hilton succeeds at combining seasonal ingredients with innovative techniques to create a distinctively unconventional meal for adventurous diners. This BYOB is a standout favorite among Philadelphia's discerning residents and, for those without reservations, even weeknights promise a considerable but worthwhile wait.

Only a few strides removed from the Forrest Theater in the gentrified neighborhood of Wash West, the Caribou Café corrals a hip mix of city crawlers, theater goers, local and national personalities, and plain old Philly folk. The festive décor in this vibrant slice of France frames the intoxicating upbeat insouciance that replicates the spirit and verve of the real-deal French café. The moderately priced menu focuses on regional everyday French standbys while simultaneously providing a gastronomic tour of France. Diverse delights from Alsace to Provence tempt the palate – all interpreted delectably by Maitre Cuisinier de France, Olivier Desaintmartin.

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!

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.

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.

In the city where freedom rings, you're free to rock at the Hard Rock Cafe Philadelphia! Located in the historic Reading terminal train station, this popular downtown nightspot is just blocks away from the birthplace of America: Independence Hall. Take in the sights, shop nearby at the largest urban enclosed mall, then celebrate your independence and this great nation where rock 'n' roll was born - at the Hard Rock Cafe Philadelphia.

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.

Sit in cozy avocado-colored booths or in the pleather swivel chairs of yesteryear, with a background of cherry wood, framing stacked stone brick walls reminiscent of the Brady Bunch. Enjoy a tasty soda pop or order a “cool” cocktail such as Proud Mary, Hound Dog, or Cloud Nine. Choose from comfort foods like Baked Mac and Cheese, Thanksgiving Dinner, Meatloaf, or a Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie. Have smaller fare such as Tomato Soup with grilled cheese or a Tuna Melt on rye. Step back in time to the 1970s, near Independence Mall, where the history of the 1770s abounds. Book over …

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.

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.

Nationally renowned for dry aged steaks, fresh seafood, and fine wines, The Capital Grille has the feel of an old-fashioned club with a serene and elegant ambience. From classic chops to large North Atlantic lobsters, the menu also includes mouthwatering appetizers and an extensive wine list.