12 Great Romantic Restaurants in Philadelphia

In the last few years, no steakhouse in Philadelphia has stood out more in a city full of great steakhouses than Alpen Rose. Visiting this Micheal Schulson creation — with its chandeliers and picture- and book-lined dark wood walls— feels more like stepping into the study of a historian. Split a steak and some sides (or get your own cuts), and don’t miss one of the many cocktails on the menu — there are flavor profiles among them to appeal to any palate.

Society Hill’s Bistro Romano pairs delectable Italian food with a special historical ambiance. (That’s thanks to its location inside an 18th-century former granary.) Favorites here: the meatball, sausage and rib plate complete with macaroni della notte, which is available only on Sundays (the gravy is to die for), and the Caesar salad. Want to take it up a notch? Go for the Wine Cellar Experience, a private candlelit dinner for two (or four, if it’s a double date) with tabletop rose petals, a five-course tasting menu and limoncello.

Sometimes nothing is more romantic than feeling like you’re getting a home-cooked meal with comfort packed into every bite. That’s the essence of Elwood in Fishtown, which serves up a menu that explores dishes with ingredients found on the farms of the Pennsylvania Dutch. On the menu: whole rabbit, guinea hen and striped bass — all served family style and meant for two. Whatever you pick, it’ll be hearty and filling, so choose wisely, then sit back and relax alongside your special someone.

This Rittenhouse Square spot is no longer a hidden gem, thanks to a well-earned James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant in 2023. Owners Hana and Chad Williams have crafted an intimate upstairs dining room to serve as a backdrop for an eight-course tasting menu curated seasonally by chef Chad. (Don’t miss the optional wine pairing as well.) It goes without saying, but this spot is popular. Translation: Make a reservation well in advance.

Want both relaxed and romantic? Consider helm, a bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) spot that features an ever-changing blackboard menu highlighting the best of locally sourced ingredients. But that’s putting it simply: How these ingredients come together in every dish is a work of art from the chefs, with flavor combos that you’d struggle to find at any other spot in Philly. How do apple, fennel and squid come together on a plate? How about beets, smoked carrots and mole? You’ll only know if you go. The best part: There’s equally tough (read: excellent) decisions to be made for entrees and desserts.

This Fishtown sushi restaurant is minimal on the inside, but that’s because the real seller here is the omakase-style menu. There are six courses, beginning with zensai — two-, three- or four-ingredient bites used to wake up the taste buds — before feasting on sushi, miso soup and dessert. It’s an experience as much as it is an exploration of renowned chef Hiroki Fujiyama’s hometown of Kyoto, Japan.

Mt. Airy is already a romance hub in Philly, thanks to its cobblestone streets and greenery. Pair that with a great meal inside a historic 18th-century house, and you’ve got Jansen. The menu at this David Jansen spot features curated seafood and other dish presentations from around the world. Start with the burrata or hamachi crudo and then share the grilled branzino or keep it simple with a sirloin. You can also step it up and pre-order (72 hours in advance) an ounce of Royal Osetra caviar with creme fraiche, grated egg and capers, or a beef Wellington that gets carved tableside.

Talk about atmosphere: Lark offers unmatched natural lighting and killer views of the passing Schuylkill River. (You can even snag views of Manayunk from the rooftop terrace.) The Mediterranean-inspired menu — crafted with care by chef Nicholas Elmi — offers great shareable opportunities like beef tartare, cider-glazed scallops and pasta dishes with singular flavors (like pumpkin mezzaluna with brown butter). For dessert, get the dulce de leche soft serve and pair it with the Lark After Dark, the restaurant’s take on an espresso martini.

A hidden gem in Bella Vista, Little Fish offers an ever-changing Asian-inspired seafood menu, serving a five-course dinner Monday through Friday and two pre-fixe-only seatings on Saturdays. It only seats 16, so you’ll get an exclusive dining experience (which means you should also make a reservation). Pro tip: Bring a bottle of wine — this spot’s a BYOB.

Nothing says love like a hot bowl of noodle soup. That’s the specialty at Mawn, a Cambodian noodle house in the Italian Market. Seating is tight, but the lighting makes it seem like no one else is around. Start by sharing the prohok dip — a traditional Cambodian dip featuring chilis and a spice mix native to the Southeast Asian country along with some cabbage and cilantro. Other featured Cambodian specialties include saht koh — beef on a stick marinated with lemongrass, ginger and galangal (a root ground into a paste used in many Cambodian dishes) — and a Cambodian take on steak with the aforementioned prohok used as a chimichurri sauce.

There’s nothing quite as romantic as Spanish tapas, and one of the best places to get that on a date is Oloroso, created by renowned chef Townsend Wentz. The tapas are true to their Spanish roots and go great with a recommended wine from the bar. There are also bigger dishes to share, including paella and an expansive list of meats and cheeses to create your own charcuterie board. The interior is taken to another level by a wood-fire oven and wine cellar wall. The lighting is natural in the daytime (thanks to a big front window) and darker but more intimate at night.

Veda in Center City serves lunch, dinner and an underrated weekend brunch, but what ties it all together is its careful curation of Indian cuisine. If spice is what you like, start with the spicy corn soup at dinner and share the ragda patties with your date while you both decide on a main course that’s either grilled, biryani or a main entree. Every dish pops with flavor, and each goes great with a cocktail or wine, all while maintaining the desired class of fine dining.