5 splurge rooms in Philadelphia, editor-picked. tasting menus and the full big-night-out treatment in Philadelphia. All Philadelphia food.
Zahav ★ 4.9
old-city · 237 Saint James Place, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Zahav in Philadelphia is Michael Solomonov's modern Israeli room near Society Hill, James Beard's Outstanding Restaurant in America 2019 and the city's most-booked tasting menu.
Tip: Book 30 days out on Resy at 10am Eastern. The Mesibah feast lands at the family table.
Vetri Cucina ★ 4.8
center-city · 1312 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Vetri Cucina in Philadelphia is Marc Vetri's 1998 Spruce Street townhouse tasting menu, a Michelin-recognised Italian room with the spinach gnocchi that defined the city.
Tip: Book 60 days out on the venue's own site. The eight-seat counter is the room's quiet best seat.
Royal Sushi & Izakaya ★ 4.8
queen-village · 780-782 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Royal Sushi & Izakaya in Philadelphia is the eight-seat Queen Village omakase counter behind the front-room izakaya, ranked among North America's 50 Best Restaurants 2025.
Tip: The omakase books out 30 days at midnight on Resy. The izakaya front room takes walk-ups most weeknights.
Vernick Food & Drink ★ 4.7
center-city · 2031 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Vernick Food & Drink in Philadelphia is Greg Vernick's James Beard Best Chef Mid-Atlantic 2017 Rittenhouse bi-level brownstone, with the avocado toast that defined the room.
Tip: The chef's counter on the second floor watches the open kitchen. Book it specifically when reserving.
Ambra ★ 4.7
queen-village · 705 S 4th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Ambra in Philadelphia is Chris D'Ambro and Marina de Oliveira's 16-seat Italian tasting menu on South 4th in Queen Village, the city's most personal multi-course room.
Tip: Book at exactly 30 days out at 10am on the venue's site. Saturday seatings fill in the first 90 seconds.