By Julia Bischoff By Julia Bischoff | August 19, 2022 | Culture Guide
Where To Eat
237 S 18th St., barclayprime.com
A true one-of-a-kind, Barclay Prime has been a resident of Rittenhouse Square for 15 years with a dedicated staff to provide the area with sophistication from the atmosphere to the dishes. With stunning menu options like the Barclay Prime Cheesesteak and soft spring lamb, it is no surprise as to why the boutique steakhouse has stayed a favorite for over a decade.
210 W Rittenhouse Square, lacroixrestaurant.com
Sophisticated and classy, Lacroix is a hub of excellence and elevated dining in the Rittenhouse neighborhood. With the finest cuts and simple, yet decadent recipes, executive chef Eric Leveillee is sure to dazzle your taste buds all day from breakfast to dinner. The dinner menu sparkles with standout options like the wagyu beef while lunch has bites like savory ratatouille or fresh oysters.
130 S 18th St., theloverestaurant.com
Aimee Olexy and Stephen Starr are certainly not strangers to the restaurant industry, The Love being one of the many feathers in their hats. Located in Rittenhouse, the favorite sidewalk eatery features a sophisticated yet rustic atmosphere with white brick walls and plush booth seating. Cheers with a glass from their specialized beverage program inspired by vineyards, breweries and cideries in the region before diving into bites like creamy corn and truffle fettuccine, or the heavenly buttermilk fried chicken with buttery corn grits, comeback sauce and collard greens.
227 S 18th St., parc-restaurant.com
This bistro brings a little bit of France right to Rittenhouse Square with a vast selection of wines, cocktails and cuisine. A reliable source for dawn to dusk service, guests can start their day with a cafe au lait, stop in for a midday bite of fresh cuts on a baguette or round out the day with Steak au Poivre.
128 S 19th St., zamaphilly.com
Since 2009, chef Zama has been supplying a taste of Japan’s culture with delectable sushi, rolls and dishes—their a la carte choices change almost daily to guarantee the fish is fresh. From their chic interior to exquisite presentation, the sushi staple is dedicated to excellence by ensuring each customer leaves with the tastiest experience.
Where To Stay
1715 Rittenhouse Square, 1715onrittenhouse.com
Behind the iconic red door entryway is rich history, find top of the line accommodations and 20 custom designed, breathtaking rooms. Guests especially rave about the speakeasy-esque vibe of The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Company cocktail bar tucked away within the lounge. The boutique hotel sits right on the Square, making it the perfect home-base for exploring the world class dining, shopping and cultural experiences of the area.
210 W. Rittenhouse Square, rittenhousehotel.com
At the heart of Rittenhouse Square and luxury since 1989 sits The Rittenhouse hotel. The grand destination has a slew of accommodations to provide everything guests could possibly want from premier dining to a floral boutique and gift shop and relaxing spa.
Where To Relax
1611 Walnut St. 3rd Floor, bodyrest.com
Let your tension drift away at Body Restoration Spa as they ease sore muscles and return your skin to its prime. The spa has been servicing the community since 2002 with treatments like cupping therapy and face-sculpting Gua Sha. They even offer snacks for guests to nibble on as they await their appointments, which is just an additional reason people keep coming back to the calming energy owner Cara Solomon provides.
255 S 17th St., lereverittenhousespa.com
Escape the bustle of the city to the serene and private Le Reve spa. With an abundance of packages to choose from, we recommend the New You special, which includes a detox, vitamin-C facial, full body massage and more. This spa also has its own salt room where guests can cleanse all of the toxins from their body while sipping champagne.
1601 Walnut St., rescuespa.com
Rescue Spa offers the area just as its name suggests—a rescue from the preoccupations of everyday life. The comfortable and welcoming ambience only makes their luxurious treatments, like the Fix-it-all Facial, the LED Body Treatment and more. Sip on herbal tea before you are guided to one of Rescue Spa’s ten treatment rooms where stresses will melt away.
Where To Shop
1811 Chestnut St., joanshepp.com
Trusted by Philly shoppers since 1971, this boutique curates the best designer looks from brands like Moschino and Golden Goose, alongside trunk show events. Stop by their location on Chestnut Street to catch a glimpse of the colorful and intricate window displays that show off the latest picks from mother-daughter duo Joan and Ellen Shepp.
19th and Samson St., sophycurson.com
Sophy Curson has weathered the changes of Rittenhouse Square in its almost 100 year history there since the store first opened in 1929. While the clothes sold within its walls have changed greatly in style, shape and more, one thing has remained consistent at this family-run store—elegant pieces galore.
For Pre-Dinner Drinks
210 W Rittenhouse Square, rittenhousehotel.com
Nestled inside the glorious Rittenhouse hotel, this bar continues to be a gathering place for Philly natives and visitors alike. Their robust menu accommodates for every different taste from sparkling champagnes, hearty whiskies and their own classy cocktails named after books like Alice in Wonderland. Plus, swanky, live jazz music further elevates the ambiance every Friday and Saturday night.
1737 Walnut St. NE Corner, akitchenandbar.com
A.kitchen+bar’s outstanding selection of wine, spirits and cocktails have wowed locals and collected countless honors, such as an Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator. Aside from their spectacular wine program, the restaurant also breathes new life into classics like the Manhattan and Negroni while serving up fun, fresh sips like Flowerboys Only.
205 S 18th St., rouge98.com
Known for its gorgeous ambiance and spectacular outdoor seating, this bistro transports guests to the streets of Paris with every sip and bite. Enjoy one of their bright and tasty cocktails like the Rittenhouse, a combination of triple sec pama, citrus vodka and cranberry juice—named for the area that has been their home for almost 25 years.
Where To Hit The Town:
2006 Chestnut St., 1tpl.com
This craft cocktail lounge offers guests a classy night out on the town with a robust menu of creative drinks and fine selection of liquors, including 432 different whiskies. Guests can lounge for hours on plush furniture surrounded by art for a cozy evening of cocktails and mingling.
Cultural Experiences
1726 Locust St., curtis.edu
The prestigious Curtis Institute of Music has been home to a small class of talented musicians for almost a century, and regularly offers performances where visitors can listen in on the talent of the future.
1528 Walnut St. Suite 301, pcmsconcerts.org
With over 50 concerts a year from a variety of artists, there is a sound that resonates with everyone at the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society. Concerts range from gorgeous, quartet band melodies to striking violin solos and everything in between. The society has been promoting the Rittenhouse musical community since 1986, and from there it has held 1,700 concerts, commissioned over 60 new works and supported countless outreach programs.
2008-2010 Delancy Pl., rosenbach.org
An accumulated 400,000 rare books, manuscripts, art objects and more live inside the walls of the Rosenbach, making it any book or history lover’s dream. Visitors can explore the garden, teaming with flowers and native plants, while skimming through historical documents or uncovering the intrigues of the estate formerly home to the Rosenbach brothers.
Hidden Gem
John F. Collins Park
1707 Chestnut St., centercityphila.org
Designed by John Collins and funded by philanthropist Dorothy Haas in the 1970s, this beautiful park is an oasis in the busy, crowded city. Find it nestled between two stores sprawled from Ranstead Street to Chestnut Street. Trees and vines reach up towards the sky between rusty red brick and gray concrete, making it feel like a whimsical secret guardian. Benches are scattered beneath the greenery and a bubbling fountain serves as a background for the visitors that wander in to relax.
Photography by: R. Kennedy for GPTMC/Visit Philly
