Little Fish BYOB is ranked among the top seafood restaurants in Philly, and although you have to venture out to Bella Vista, it is surely worth a visit. The main draw is the food here; and the menus strongly focus on fresh and seasonal seafood locally-sourced from artisan purveyors. The restaurant follows a BYOB policy, so you can pair the dishes with a glass of your preferred wine without bearing the brunt of extra charges. Food is served a la carte style from Monday to Saturday and a separate tasting menu is offered on Sundays. The Kampachi, Striped Bass and King Salmon are must-trys. Reservations are highly recommended.
The Victor Café is nothing like your usual, run-of-the-mill Italian restaurants - for one, it is over a century old, secondly, it employs waiters with voices of angels! Located on Dickinson Street, this exceedingly popular dining destination has its waiters belting out divine arias, owing to its love for classical music. This may seem a little non-traditional for some, but Victor caters to those who like a little bit of culture in their daily routines. The ambiance is relaxed yet elegant, and authentic Italian offerings such as Linguine & Clams and Veal Saltimbocca are simply delicious, to say the least. The place also boasts of a well-considered wine list that couples brilliantly with the food here. Owned and operated by a family since its establishment, The Victor Café is a treat for all senses!
An intimate Asian fusion restaurant, Sampan specializes in an innovative menu of contemporary Asian delicacies. Edamame dumplings at this Asian tapas eatery are simply divine. Do try its Bulgogi, very succulent and tasty, and so is the Korean BBQ. Popular items at Sampan include Kung Pao Shrimp, Beef Short Rib and Pork Bao Bun.
Just like its name suggests, Random Tea Room is a pretty, eclectic collection of of curious things. Be it the 40 artisanal teas from all over the world, or the cups they serve them in, or the cutesy dining area - everything at this place will make you coo with delight. Done up using wonderfully whimsical furniture and decor elements that feature vintage tea and coffee accessories, pretty trinkets and such, The Random Tea Room & Curiosity Shop also offers an equally impressive food menu dominated by homemade baked goodies such as apple muffins and scones, to name a few. Apart from that, the place also offers a beautiful collection of locally-made jewelry and retails aromatic and herbal loose teas.
You'll be enchanted by the twinkling fairy lights and artistically mismatched crockery at this charming little restaurant. Little Nonna's pays homage to Italian roots while rooting itself perfectly in Philadelphia's restaurant scene. They serve a mouth-watering blend of home-style Italian fare like Spaghetti and Meatballs, Eggplant Parmigiana, Steamed Mussels and their house-special, Sunday Gravy. Their delectable desserts are the perfect finish to a wonderful meal, with a delicious choice of favorites like the classic Tiramisu or Hazelnut Cannolis. The wonderful outdoor garden is perfect for an intimate meal with someone special, so get there early as it's first come first serves and is quite popular.
One of the most popular sushi places in Philly, Umai Umai is located on the 22nd, in Fairmount Park district. On offer here are a range of mouth-watering, vibrant sushi dishes, made using high culinary standards and the freshest local ingredients available. The cozy yet contemporary restaurant features a small dining area that's aimed to please couples and smaller groups. Usually abuzz with regular patrons, Umai Umai is known for its specialties such as Godzilla Roll, Oyster Shooters, and Traffic Light Roll, to name a few. Authentic, traditional recipes are done up with a neat, innovative twist - it's what keeps the locals and tourists pouring in. Although the prices are a tad high, the superb service and sublime sushi delights make it quite worth it.