By Sarah Conner By Sarah Conner | December 14, 2024 | Food & Drink, Feature, Guide, Guides,
From world-class French to Japanese cuisine, securing a reservation at one of these coveted dining destinations is no easy feat.
Alpen Rose
This intimate Washington Square steakhouse elevates the classic meat and potatoes meal: Think bone marrow toast with rich beef cheek, red wine and herbs on crusty bread or a 38-ounce tomahawk ribeye. Plus, the leather booths and swanky interiors are the perfect spot for a glass of Cabernet. 116 S. 13th St., alpenrosephl.com
Fiorella
When the Fiorellas, a beloved Italian sausage-making family in Philly, and Marc Vetri came together, this pasta bar was born. The location has been restored as a nod to Luigi Fiorella’s original storefront from 1892 to create an intimate dining experience. The menu has a variety of antipasti, pasta and desserts, including stuffed dates with apples and gorgonzola, tonnarelli cacio e pepe and pumpkin cheesecake trifle with gingerbread sponge. 817 Christian St., fiorellaphilly.com
Friday Saturday Sunday
Spend an evening at chef Chad Williams’s Friday Saturday Sunday, where leather chairs, soft candlelight and exclusive plates await. Those lucky enough to score a seat at this tasting menu-only restaurant should prepare to be dazzled by creative takes on age-old classics: Enjoy sweetbreads with mushroom, plantains and vin blanc or revel in the fish served with salsa verde and coconut. A night in this intimate chic setting is always one of exploration, inspiration and surprise. Set your alarms—reservations open on the first of the month at 10 a.m. 261 S. 21st St., fridaysaturdaysunday.com
Her Place Supper Club
Sunday is the day of rest for all but those trying to score a reservation at this intimate, 24-seat restaurant. However, if you miss the 6 p.m. every other Sunday release, Her Place also posts daily openings on their Instagram. Let the weekly pix fixe menu motivate you to stalk their socials, featuring bites like beef tartare with sunchoke and chanterelle or duck triangoli topped with saba and sage. 1740 Sansom St., herplacephilly.com
Laser Wolf
Although a Saturday night table at Laser Wolf is the holy grail of reservations, the fight is truly worth every heavenly morsel of executive chef Andrew Henshaw’s plates. Begin with the salatim, featuring hummus, pita, babaganoush and other Israeli classics, before indulging in the Ribeye Shishlik with a side of shawarma-spiced cauliflower or the bbq short rib and Romanian beef kebab for two. Sips like the Morning Dew— bourbon, meletti saffron and lemon complete the experience. 1301 N. Howard St., laserwolfphilly.com
Mawn
Not your average noodle house, Mawn is an indisputable favorite among Philadelphians—with good reason. Mouthwatering Cambodian bites from chef Phila Lorn and his wife Rachel dot the menu, like steamed clams somlaw macchu and wagyu katiew with braised oxtail bone marrow broth, pickled jalapeño, chili jam and oyster sauce. If you can’t make it by for lunch, which is your best bet for a table, reservations open every 30 days. 764 S. 9th St., mawnphilly.com
Royal Sushi & Izakaya
With only two seatings each night, getting a spot at this eight-stool omakase sushi bar is challenging. The 17-piece tasting is perfectly hand-selected by Izakaya’s chef/owner, Jesse Ito, who brings the finest fish to Philly. Bites dressed with caviar, oysters and even gold leaf are sure to delight, while the 16 nigirizushi and one temaki on the menu complete the ultimate sushi experience. 780 S. Second St., royalsushiandizakaya.com
Vetri Cucina
The elegant interiors and natural wood details at Vetri whisk guests to the rustic Italian countryside. Try sophisticated flavors from the multi-course forchetta menu, like roasted hen with prosciutto, foie gras pistachio and maitake mushrooms. We suggest booking the private dining room for your party—with first-class service, a separate dedicated kitchen, sommelier service and a customized menu catered toward your dietary needs and preferences, you’ll think you’ve died and gone to Italy. 1312 Spruce St., vetricucina.com
Zahav
Enjoy a refreshing Lemonanna—a Middle Eastern mint lemonade—while you wait for your table at Zahav. James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Solomonov began his culinary career in a bakery in Israel and now churns out the restaurant’s signature Laffa bread, lamb kebab and more. Be sure to book a table 8 weeks in advance for this heavenly dining experience. 237 St. James Place, zahavrestaurant.com
Photography by: Courtesy of Schulson Collective; Steve Legato