The Superior Staycation Restaurants of Philly

Here’s the list of the best restaurants for those staycationing at Philly’s hotels.

Wm. Mulherin’s Sons

Fishtown is already a dining destination, but Wm. Mulherin’s Sons, located at its eponymous boutique hotel, takes it to the next level. With popular Italian fare that includes tasty Neapolitan-style pizzas and expansive pasta options, it’s a casual, yet hip, dining experience.

Urban Farmer

Located inside The Logan on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, this farm-to-table restaurant is unapologetic with their generous portions of New American cuisine. Executive chef Sonny Ingui showcases a broad range of technique and taste with a menu that includes a succulent Washugyu wagyu steak, diver scallops with purple cauliflower puree, deviled eggs topped with bourbon maple bacon lardons, and more.

Jean-Georges

It’s already luxurious enough to staycation at the Four Seasons in Center City, but to also dine in the sky at the marvelous Jean-Georges is just an additional cherry on top. New chef de cuisine Colin Henderson has transformed their once ultra-stuffy menu into a smörgåsbord of creative à la carte options that includes sautéed Hudson Valley foie gras with heirloom greens, mozzarella ravioli with black truffle fondue, and peekytoe crab dumplings with Meyer lemon.

Walnut Street Cafe

Right beside the AKA University City hotel, this swanky café/bar/restaurant is known for its bountiful brunches and buzzy happy hours. With its bright interior design and decor, one doesn’t have to substitute dining with style for staycationing.

Dolce Italian

Located beside the W Philadelphia in Center City, Dolce Italian is an undoubtably fancy spot for pasta and cocktails. Here, Sunday brunches feature endless rosé and mimosas, black cod is served with crispy saffron risotto, and their rack of lamb is accompanied with cannellini beans — a culinary range for staycationers looking to be wowed.

The Wayward

With tasty seafood, inventive seasonal cocktails, and the most confectionary deserts (such as their memorable basque cheesecake) — this lively restaurant located at the Canopy by Hilton is a vibey, modern hotspot. Come here for their fresh gulf shrimp, stay to try their extensive collection of gin at the bar.

Liberté Lounge

Located inside the Sofitel in Rittenhouse, the newly-renovated Liberté Lounge is unapologetically French and Philly. New executive chef Seth Fannin is serving up the very familiar onion soup gratinée, double smash burgers, pasta verte, and the creative “Philly Croque” — a bold Parisian take on the Philly cheesesteak (made with shaved ribeye, sharp provolone, and caramelized onions).

Square 1682

Located inside of the Kimpton Hotel Palomar in Center City, this restaurant isn’t a typical spot to eat while staycationing in Philly. New executive chef Patrick Czerniak has a new seasonal New American menu that’s infused with influences from Polish, Asian, and Italian cuisine.

a.kitchen

James Beard award-winning restauranter Ellen Yin’s chic, yet elegant, restaurant that’s connected to the AKA Rittenhouse hotel is a stand-out in a highly competitive dining section of the city. From their effortless New American cuisine to their dynamic a.bar next door, this dining experience rivals other places to eat that one would have to fly out to.

Panorama

This gem at the Penn’s View Hotel on Market Street is one of the premier wine destinations in the region. From their dazzling Italian cuisine (such as their newly incorporated ‘Pranzo’ family-style Sunday suppers) to their Guinness World Record-breaking custom-built wine keeper — there’s something for everyone (already from Philly) to love here.

Lacroix Restaurant

Inside of The Rittenhouse hotel, Lacroix is a fine dining institution for staycationers and beyond. With an ever-changing tasting menu that includes skillfully prepared courses (such as their risotto of new potatoes with kaluga caviar and chive, butter roasted monkfish with cauliflower and seaweeds, and more) — it’s a culinary passport to elegance.

Red Owl Tavern

Inside of the Kimpton Hotel Monaco in Old City, this social hotspot is an ideal experience for those looking to dine like a local tourist steps away from Independence Hall. From their $22 BFD (burger, fries and draft) to their extended breakfast/brunch that goes from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, this is arguably one of the most affordable and accessible staycation restaurants in town.

The Prime Rib

Located inside Live! Casino and Hotel in the Philadelphia Stadium District, this mighty surf and turf steakhouse boasts grand seafood towers, massive tomahawk steaks, gin martinis with caviar-stuffed olives, and all of the allure that only a top-tier staycation dining spot can provide. For those staycationing there on Wednesdays, their special happy hour serves up $2 oysters, $12 steamed clams, $18 Maine lobster rolls, and $10 champagne and bellini flights.

Barclay Prime

Right next to The Franklin on Rittenhouse, this grand steakhouse is also one of the city’s finest. From their masterful cuts to their headline-grabbing (now $140) hand-cut wagyu cheesesteak — this is a restaurant for staycationers looking to splurge.

The Morris

Located at its eponymous historic hotel, The Morris is a cozy, rustic restaurant for staycationers looking for something more charming than flashy. Here, comfort cuisine is king: deviled eggs are topped with salmon roe and chives, Welsh rarebit is made with cheddar/beer fondue, golden onions, bacon crumble, rye toast, and tender rabbit pot pies include a puff pastry.