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Home to some of Philadelphia’s best restaurants, the Center City dining scene is diverse and happening. From high-end steakhouse chains such as Ruth’s Chris and Morton’s to elegant French cuisine at Brasserie Perrier and luscious Italian food at Osteria, Philly’s Center City restaurants offer an appealing combination of American cuisine and international fare. Center City is home to restaurant Morimoto, featuring the exquisite Japanese fusion dishes by lauded “Iron Chef” Masaharu Morimoto, as well as to the Museum Restaurant, which features a seasonal menu that rotates to complement, in region or origin, the exhibits in the Philadelphia Museum of Art. A favorite of Philadelphia locals, Bistro St. Tropez draws crowds with seasonal French bistro fare and breathtaking views of the Schuylkill River. No matter what your taste, restaurants in Center City offer a bounty of appealing dining options.
Center City Restaurants
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1623 Walnut St., Philadelphia PA 19103
Cuban, Latin American, Caribbean.
One of the foremost "Nueva Latina" chefs in the country, Douglas Rodriguez, heads up the kitchen at Alma De Cuba of Philadelphia. The restaurant features Rodriguez's takes on Cuban flavors and features a modern décor reminiscent of old Havana. Cocktails are a popular draw at Alma De Cuba, which makes one of the best mojitos in all of Philadelphia.
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2400 Market St. Suite 427, Philadelphia PA 19103
French, Provencal, American.
Perched atop the Market Place Design Center, the restaurant at Bistro St. Tropez features sweeping views of the Schuylkill River and the Philadelphia Art Museum. Bistro St. Tropez serves traditional French cuisine, prepared almost exclusively by head chef/owner Patrice Rames with only seasonal, local ingredients.
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220-224 S. Broad St., Philadelphia PA 19102
Contemporary American.
Bliss debuted several years ago on the Philadelphia restaurant scene with high anticipation, and has since lived up to the hype, winning over Philadelphia restaurant critics with its signature contemporary American and Asian fusion cuisine. The menu at Bliss leans heavily on seafood preparations, using seasonal, mid-Atlantic species whenever possible.
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1619 Walnut St., Philadelphia PA 19103
French.
Named for its proprietor, famed Philadelphia chef and restaurateur Georges Perrier, Brasserie Perrier is one Philadelphia's more highly regarded restaurants, both locally and nationally. Brasserie Perrier serves traditional and contemporary French cuisine, and features a popular bar and lounge area in addition to its considerable dining space, including seasonal outdoor dining.
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300 S. Broad St., Philadelphia PA 19102
Contemporary French.
Located in Philadelphia's Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Cadence is a French brasserie-style restaurant that features sweeping views of the Avenue of the Arts. The restaurant is also set beneath a domed glass ceiling, and is popular amongst visitors to the Kimmel Center for the performing arts as well as Philadelphia restaurant aficionados.
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1338 Chestnut St., Philadelphia PA 19107
American, Steak, Seafood.
The Philadelphia location of the Capital Grille national high-end steak house restaurant brand is located along Philadelphia's Avenue of the Arts. The Capital Grille ages its beef on site, and flies in the freshest seafood from around the world. The Capital Grille of Philadelphia also offers numerous private and group dining options.
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Sofitel Philadelphia, 120 S. 17th St., Philadelphia PA 19103
French.
Chez Colette is a French bistro-style restaurant located in Philadelphia's Sofitel Hotel. Chez Colette features a unique décor, invoking Parisian themes in addition to highlighting certain trends in European music and art of the 1920's. The cuisine at Chez Colette of Philadelphia features seasonal local ingredients whenever possible.
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1708 Lombard St., Philadelphia PA 19146
Italian.
After closing its doors in the summer of 2007 following a storied 34 year run on the Philadelphia restaurant scene, Astral Plane is back as Astral Plane Millennium, with a new look and a new culinary team serving up global fusion cuisine, such as a variety of carpaccio and the house specialty "drunken chicken." ChriStevens Astral Plane Millennium is currently a restaurant without a liquor license, so Philadelphia restaurant goers are encouraged to BYOB.
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Westin Philadelphia, 99 S. 17th St., Philadelphia PA 19103
American, Comfort Food.
This newly opened Philadelphia concept restaurant is set inside the Westin Philadelphia Hotel, and features a menu dedicated to local, sustainable, organic farmed foods. City Grange is named for the Grange movement of the mid 1850's which dedicated itself to the betterment of rural America, and City Grange aims to mirror the movement's commitment to ecologically responsible food production.
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111 S. 17th St., Philadelphia PA 19103
Italian.
Located in the historic Provident Bank Building of Philadelphia on fashionable Rittenhouse Row, Davio's of Philadelphia doubles as a high-end steakhouse and a traditional Northern Italian restaurant. Critically acclaimed for its cuisine and atmosphere, Davio's wine list has also consistently won awards with its selections of regional Italian and California vintages.
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918 S. 22nd St., Philadelphia PA 19146
Turkish, Mediterranean.
It’s a rare Philadelphia restaurant that serves a full alcohol menu (including a hard to find selection of Turkish rakis) and also has a BYOB policy. Divan Turkish Kitchen invites Philadelphia restaurant goers to experience traditional Turkish cuisine, including robust skewers of local, seasonal meats and produce. Divan Turkish Kitchen is a favorite of the Philadelphia press, consistently garnering positive reviews and accolades.
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121 S. 13th St., Philadelphia PA 19107
Mexican.
Philadelphia restaurateur extraordinaire Stephen Starr brings his latest creation to the city of brotherly love with El Vez, a unique concept restaurant themed in a wash of contemporary and retro Mexican pop culture. El Vez of Philadelphia features inventive Mexican preparations of seasonal meats and seafood, and features an extensive list of specialty cocktails and margaritas.
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1521 Spruce St., Philadelphia PA 19102
Italian, American.
Set inside a historic Philadelphia brownstone just a block from the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Ernesto's 1521 Café is a classic Italian bistro serving regional preparations from across the Italian countryside. Ernesto's 1521 Café also features a wisteria-cloaked patio for seasonal outdoor dining popular among Philadelphia theatergoers and restaurant aficionados.
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1405 Locust St., Philadelphia PA 19102
Greek, Mediterranean.
Estia imports their ingredients directly from regions of the Mediterranean, with an emphasis on seafood. Estia prepares these ingredients along with local seasonal fresh selections in a primarily Greek manner, which matches the décor of this popular and critically acclaimed Philadelphia Greek restaurant that’s centered around an open courtyard and features arched brick ceilings.
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1150 Filbert St., Philadelphia PA 19107
American.
Located inside the Reading Terminal Market in the Philadelphia Convention Center, The Field House is a brand new, high-end sports bar and grill featuring the latest in sports-watching technology. Accompanying the game-watching action is an extensive beer list and the sort of contemporary American grilled fare one might expect from a sports bar touting the description of "the next generation" of American sports bars.
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Four Seasons Hotel, One Logan Square, Philadelphia PA 19103
Continental, American.
Set inside an elegant old world dining room inside the Four Seasons Hotel of Philadelphia, the Fountain Restaurant offers views of Philadelphia's Swann Fountain. Rated as one of the top restaurants in all of Philadelphia and mentioned on several prominent national listings, Fountain Restaurant serves cutting edge contemporary American and European cuisine.
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261 S. 21st St., Philadelphia PA 19103
American.
Friday Saturday Sunday is a Philadelphia institution, and despite the moniker is open—and typically busy—seven nights a week. Friday Saturday Sunday continues to win over Philadelphia restaurant aficionados with a casual approach to fine dining, serving contemporary continental American cuisine in the main dining room along with small plates of a similar culinary style in the restaurant's "Tank Bar."
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1113 Walnut St., Philadelphia PA 19107
Italian, Seafood.
Formerly known as Pompeii, the new incarnation of this choice Philadelphia restaurant location is Joe Pesce, a American seafood and steak restaurant with an emphasis on Italian influences. Joe Pesce serves up fresh local and regional seafood pastas and entrees in addition to steaks and chops. This Philadelphia theatre district restaurant also features a posh, semi-casual cocktail lounge that is especially popular with theatergoers.
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210 W. Rittenhouse Sq., Philadelphia PA 19103
Fusion / Eclectic, French.
Globally recognized chef Jean-Marie Lacroix lends his name—and signature French and contemporary American cuisine—to Lacroix, one of Philadelphia's finest restaurants located in the Rittenhouse Hotel of historic Rittenhouse Square. Lacroix has won numerous local and national awards, and it's done so with chef Lacroix's preparations of local, seasonal ingredients, its wine list, and its elegant yet casual atmosphere.
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1523 Walnut St., Philadelphia PA 19102
French.
This Philadelphia French restaurant exudes elegance and offers Philadelphia restaurant goers a French dining experience akin to what the monarchy may have experienced prior to the revolution. Le Bec-Fin is the brainchild of French dynamo Georges Perrier, and serves dinner in four and six course options served tableside beneath silver domed-trays. Le Bec-Fin also features one of Philadelphia's more renown dessert menus.
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1201 Filbert St., Philadelphia PA 19107
Italian.
The Philadelphia location of the popular Maggiano's Little Italy national Italian restaurant chain is located in the Center City neighborhood of Philadelphia, in close proximity to numerous Philadelphia attractions, including the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the Philadelphia convention center. The Southern Italian cuisine at Maggiano's Little Italy is served family style.
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37 S. 19th St., Philadelphia PA 19103
Contemporary American.
Matyson, a BYOB, is a contemporary American restaurant popular with both Philadelphia restaurant goers and food critics for its preparations of seasonal, local organic ingredients. Matyson of Philadelphia also offers weekly tasting menus showcasing the range of regional American preparations of which the restaurant specializes.
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1 S. Broad St., Philadelphia PA 19107
Seafood, Steak, American.
Popular with visitors to downtown Philadelphia's historic attractions, and set along the prestigious Avenue of the Arts, McCormick and Schmick's Seafood – a national chain of high-end seafood restaurants – flies in over 30 varieties of seafood daily. Philadelphia restaurant goers also speak highly of the happy hour menu, and more specifically the happy hour menu prices, at McCormick and Schmick's Seafood restaurant in Philadelphia.
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1835 Arch St., Philadelphia PA 19103
Southwestern.
Opened by native Philadelphia chef Ernie Fortino, who brings significant national culinary experience to the kitchen, is the Mission Grill, an upscale, highly modern restaurant serving southwestern fusion cuisine. The Mission Grill offers numerous private and special event dining options, and the bar at the Mission Grill features one of the better tequila selections of any restaurant in Philadelphia.
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723 Chestnut St., Philadelphia PA 19102
Japanese.
Philadelphia's premier restaurateur Stephan Starr and internationally famous chef Masaharu Morimoto – an "Iron Chef" of both the original Japanese television show and the present "Iron Chef America" of the Food Network – have combined forces on Morimoto of Philadelphia. The result is a feast for the senses, with one of Philadelphia's most unique and fashionable dining rooms and lounge, as well as chef Morimoto's signature Japanese and western fusion cuisine. Morimoto of Philadelphia also features a rare selection of private label sakes.
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1411 Walnut St., Philadelphia PA 19102
Steak, Seafood, American.
Morton's, The Steakhouse, is a national brand of steakhouses that specialize in the unique presentation of their highest quality steaks, chops and seafood, brought to your table on elaborate carts by tuxedo clad waiters. The Philadelphia Morton's, The Steakhouse is a popular restaurant amongst the business crowd, featuring private "boardroom" dining rooms for larger parties, as well as with couples out for a romantic dinner for two.
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200 S. Broad St., Philadelphia PA 19102
Contemporary American, Seafood, Steak.
This elegant Philadelphia restaurant holds the distinction of having the highest elevation of any Philadelphia restaurant, located on the 19th floor of the Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue Hotel. Aside from the great views, Nineteen is a contemporary American restaurant that focuses much of the seasonal menu on local and regional American seafood.
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700 Walnut St., Philadelphia PA 19106
Seafood, Steak, American.
The concept behind the Oceanaire Seafood Room restaurant brand brings the aesthetic elegance of a 1930's ocean liner to Philadelphia, along with over 25 species of fresh seafood flown in daily from around the world based solely on market availability. The Philadelphia location of the Oceanaire Seafood Room also features a popular raw bar featuring oysters from both the east and west coasts.
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640 N. Broad St., Philadelphia PA 19130
Italian.
One of the newer restaurants on the crowded Philadelphia Italian restaurant scene, Osteria is already pulling away from the pack. Chef Mark Vetri is the man behind Osteria, where the concept is simple: elegant Italian cuisine that is prepared with the finest seasonal ingredients and served in a rustic, antique-industrial dining space with spectacular Philadelphia views.
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834 Chestnut St., Philadelphia PA 19107
Indian.
Set inside the Ben Franklin House of Philadelphia, Palace at the Ben is one of newest—and most critically acclaimed—Indian restaurants on the Philadelphia scene. Palace at the Ben features health-conscious traditional Indian curries, tandoori and other favorites, with an emphasis on seasonal, local ingredients.
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Sheraton Philadelphia City Center, 17th & Race St., Philadelphia PA 19103
Seafood, Steak.
The venerable east coast seafood chain of Phillips Seafood comes to Philadelphia's Center City. Along with the signature regional seafood dishes typical of most Phillips Seafood locations, the Philadelphia Phillips Seafood Restaurant is an expanded version of the concept, featuring a more contemporary American style.
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2 Logan Sq., Philadelphia PA 19102
American, Continental.
Public House at Logan Square is the classic American upscale, yet completely unpretentious, restaurant with a spacious bar, HDTV's for sporting events, romantic dining for couples, accommodation for large groups and classic American comfort food. Public House at Logan Square is one of Philadelphia's more popular spots for businesses lunches and happy hour.
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260 S. Broad St., Philadelphia PA 19102
Steak, Seafood.
Located on Broad St. in the heart of Philadelphia's Center City, this arm of the venerable national high-end steakhouse brand is no exception to the Ruth's Chris rule: big steaks, big drinks, big prices. This downtown Philadelphia Ruth's Chris restaurant is especially popular amongst the business crowds, as well as locals out on the town. Philadelphia restaurant goers and food critics generally agree that while things are a tad bit pricey at Ruth's Chris, the portions and the consistency are worthwhile.
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1200 Market St., Philadelphia PA 19107
Seafood, Fusion / Eclectic.
With an emphasis on preparations of exotic seafood, Sole Food of Philadelphia has become one of the city's top restaurant destinations. The bar at Sole Food of Philadelphia is known for an extensive menu of specialty cocktails, and is a popular Philadelphia happy hour destination thanks to happy hour prices and the unique bar menu.
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231 S. Broad St., Philadelphia PA 19107
Seafood, Mediterranean, Italian.
Sotto Varalli holds an ideal location on an intersection of Philadelphia's Avenue of the Arts. With floor-to-ceiling windows, Sotto features sweeping views of the bustling Avenue of the Arts district. Sotto Varalli, features a popular bar, as well as unique modern décor, including a rendering of a giant squid. The cuisine at Sotto Varalli of Philadelphia is contemporary Italian, with an emphasis on seafood and Mediterranean flavors.
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1500 Walnut St., Philadelphia PA 19102
Seafood, Steak.
Brought back from the brink of extinction by Philadelphia's premier restaurateur, Stephan Starr, Striped Bass is regaining its prior reputation as one of the finest seafood restaurants on the East Coast. Striped Bass features its original décor, with high, beamed ceilings, marble columns and an enormous rendering of a Striped Bass "leaping" over the exhibition kitchen.
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926 South St., Philadelphia PA 19147
Contemporary American.
Supper is a new-ish Philadelphia restaurant opened by the husband and wife team of Jennifer and Mitch Prensky, who bring years of combined culinary experience on the Philadelphia restaurant scene to Supper. The menu at Supper is global fusion, with an emphasis on small, sharing plates. Supper also features a popular set-menu, "Sunday Supper," available every Sunday.
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1512 Walnut St., Philadelphia PA 19102
Chinese, Fusion / Eclectic.
This Philadelphia mainstay restaurant, named for its proprietress Susanna Foo, is regarded as one of the finest Chinese restaurants in the metro Philadelphia area. Susanna Foo features contemporary Chinese flavors and is a Philadelphia destination for both intimate dinners and large banquets.
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Four Seasons Hotel, One Logan Square, Philadelphia PA 19103
Continental, American.
Set inside the Four Seasons Hotel of Philadelphia, the Swann Lounge & Café is adjacent to the Swann fountain, and serves more casual breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea in addition to an all day menu and an extensive selection of cocktails. Elegant and relaxing, the Swann Lounge & Cafe is also one of Philadelphia's premier happy hour destinations.
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1219 Filbert St., Philadelphia PA 19107
Fondue, Swiss.
This Center City, Philadelphia franchise of the popular national high-end fondue chain is well received among both larger groups and couples, partly due to its central downtown location and partly due to the "fondue experience." The Melting Pot strongly encourages a four-course approach to their unique take on the melted mélange consisting of a cheese starter, a salad, an entree from their ample menu selection and, of course, a gooey desert. Diners are encouraged to make reservations when planning to visit this Philadelphia fondue restaurant.
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200 S. Broad St., Philadelphia PA 19102
Steakhouse, Seafood, American.
The Palm Steakhouse brand has been around for over 80 years, giving it the edge of experience in the game of national premium steakhouse chains. The Palm Steakhouse of Philadelphia is located in Center City, and boasts of being a destination for Philadelphia celebrities, politicians and power brokers. This venerable steakhouse features the standard fare of USDA prime aged beef, chops and seafood, but also offers Philadelphia restaurant goers some traditional Italian menu items.
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1701 Locust St., Philadelphia PA 19103
American, Steak, Seafood.
The Philadelphia location of this classic mid-Atlantic steak house features a mid-century supper club atmosphere and menu of prime USDA beef, thick chops and fresh seafood. The Prime Rib of Philadelphia also features live music and asks that their guests obey the strictly enforced business dress code.
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1600 Arch St., Philadelphia PA 19104
Irish, American.
Set inside the new Phoenix building in Philadelphia, Tir Na Nog features traditional Irish cuisine with a contemporary American makeover. The dining room at Philadelphia's Tir Na Nog is designed around the various authentic Irish architectural elements and furniture that the restaurant's design team imported directly from Ireland to Philadelphia.
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1345 Locust St., Philadelphia PA 19107
Italian.
Upstairs from the Sotto Varalli, this version offers reasonably priced Northern Italian food, including risotto and house-made pasta, and overlooks Philadelphia's Academy of the Arts.
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1229 Spruce St., Philadelphia PA 19107
Mediterranean, Latin, Fusion.
Valanni is a hip and swanky neighborhood restaurant and lounge that serves a fusion of Mediterranean and Latin cuisine. Valanni heats up at night with expertly made cocktails in the lounge and a late night menu service. Frequently hosting live DJ's and other special events, Valanni of Philadelphia is one of the Center City neighborhood's favorite night spots.
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1312 Spruce St., Philadelphia PA 19107
Italian.
Frequently mentioned by both local and national publications as one of the top restaurants in all of Philadelphia, Vetri is the brainchild of chef Mark Vetri, who prepares contemporary Italian cuisine exclusively with local, seasonal and organic ingredients. Vetri offers an intimate dining atmosphere and features one of Philadelphia's more revered wine lists, hand picked by onsite sommelier Jeff Benjamin.
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