10 romantic restaurants in Philadelphia for every kind of date

Dim lights? Check. Flickering candles? Check. Tiny tables underneath which you will unavoidably brush knees with your date? Check. When it comes to a venue for early-in-the game romance, it’s tough to do better than this velvet-clad haven. Luckily, the plant-based snacks and bold cocktails are just as dreamy as the atmosphere. Order the Mediterranean board, designed for two, for treats including cave-aged vegan cheese, pine nut ricotta, marinated mushrooms, olives, and grapes.

Named for one of the ancient gates of the Fortress Wall of Seoul, this cozy Korean American gastropub is a treasured spot for getting to know your date. A selection of fruit-infused sojus offers couples a chance to sample everything from the easy-to-sip plum and strawberry flavors to a bolder, housemade chile version. With bar snacks such as Korean fried chicken and gochugaru kimchi fries to larger plates including bossam (lettuce wraps with braised pork belly), SouthGate’s menu is made to share with your potential SO.

With Rittenhouse Square views and a timeless brasserie menu, there’s a reason Parc is perpetually packed with couples enjoying a piece of Paris in Philadelphia. Whether you’re here for a long-awaited third date or a spontaneous weeknight rendezvous, it’s best to kick off a meal with a bottle of bubbly and seafood plateau. Don’t miss out on dessert—the pastry team here is world-class.

Forget dinner and a movie—date nights at Victor Cafe come with live opera performances, tailor-made for celebratory meals. Servers at this longtime South Philadelphia favorite, which has been in business since 1918, set down plates of veal saltimbocca and chicken piccata before bursting into Verdi and Puccini every 15 minutes throughout the evening.

Those looking for an unabashedly old-school night out will be thrilled to discover this steakhouse gem in nearby South Jersey, just over the the Ben Franklin Bridge. Seasoned servers shake up frosty martinis while the kitchen turns out pitch-perfect takes that raise the bar on any romantic occasion such as oysters Rockefeller, shrimp cocktail, and prime rib.

After more than 15 years in business, Iron Chef Jose Garces’s Amada remains a stand-out spot for group gatherings. As a beloved Anadalusian tapas restaurant, its inventive small plates, including bacon-wrapped dates with almonds and cabrales (a Spanish blue cheese), ham croquettes, and charcuterie, are easy to love—and share. If you grab some friends and make your way here on a Sunday, there are half-priced bottles of wine and a special selection of discounted snacks to catch up over.

Funky, futuristic decor sets the scene for an ocean-inspired odyssey at one of the most sought-after sushi experiences in town. On a more casual night out, order from Morimoto’s a la carte menu to suit your mood and appetite. But to really make a splash—or mark a special milestone—go all out with the omakase selection. The chef’s tasting option is a tour of the whole menu, including hot and cold dishes such as seasonal oysters with ponzu pearls, spicy tuna crispy rice, and wagyu dumplings.

Philadelphia’s premier destination for live jazz and Southern-inspired eats makes for a lively date night. South welcomes a roster of local and national artists to perform in its warm dining room—with only 75 seats, it’s intimate for a venue of its kind. The kitchen turns out thoughtful riffs on classics to make any evening sing including hot honey-drizzled fried chicken, shrimp over locally milled grits, and vegetarian gumbo.

Fork has been Philadelphia’s big-deal date-night spot since opening in 1997. It’s no surprise that this chandelier-clad institution is a popular backdrop to proposals and other relationship milestones you want to etch into your memory. The menu—a Mid-Atlantic-accented lineup that includes oysters with rosé-peppercorn mignonette and dry-aged, bone-in steak served with bone marrow, roasted garlic, potato pave, and chimichurri—provides flavorful ways to celebrate. Add spot-on service and you’ve got a venue well-suited for popping the big question.

Laurel’s inventive six-course menu alone makes the restaurant ideal for an extra-special romantic dinner. But an evening here is downright impressive for many reasons, including an intimate dining room, tufted dining chairs, and the star chef factor—the French American spot is steered by Top Chef winner Nicholas Elmi. The menu changes often because chefs here work closely with farmers; expect ornate, proposal-worthy dishes such as tea-brined quail with caramelized onion, Carolina rice, date, and truffle and tuna with sunchoke, shiitake mushrooms, and trout roe.