It’s that time of year again, guys. Valentine’s Day is about two weeks away, and that means time is running out to make a reservation at a place worthy of your date. There are many aspects to being a gentleman, and one of them is the ability to show a date a lovely time. It doesn’t matter whether you’re married or dating, gay or straight – we compiled what we think are the best Valentine’s Day restaurants in Philly.
Philadelphia’s Top Valentine’s Day Restaurants
The restaurants below are some of our personal favorites. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
Cafe Gabi
Given that classic French cuisine is regarded as the gold standard in culinary circles, it’s easy to associate French food with snobbery. The case is anything but at Cafe Gabi. This French bistro, featuring Executive Chef Kenny Bush (formerly of Bistrot La Minette) at the helm, opened on north Broad Street just before the pandemic hit. Thankfully, they haven’t just survived, but thrived. Gabi offers classic French fare like coq au vin and ratatouille, but in a modern, unassuming setting reminiscent of a high-end diner. While it’s not inexpensive per se, they could certainly charge more than what they do.
You are doing yourself a disservice if you don’t get the duck breast.
Go to Cafe Gabi’s website to make a reservation or even order delivery.
Volvér
Of all the Garcés Group restaurants, Volvér is our favorite (and no, it’s not just because it’s only a few blocks from our office). Featuring a pan-Latin menu in a luxurious setting, there’s something for everyone on the curated menu. Given that it’s right in the Kimmel Center building, it allows for a true “dinner and a show” experience. With a pre-theater menu, dinner menu, and and happy hour menu, you’ll find something delectable whenever you like.
Barcelona Wine Bar
Valentine’s Day dinners are the perfect opportunity to share food, and there’s no food sharing experience quite like tapas. Eating so many different small plates in one meal gives you and your date an opportunity to talk about what you enjoyed (and what you didn’t), and this is where South Philly’s Barcelona Wine Bar comes in. Their menu is extensive and authentically Spanish, featuring classics like gambas al ajillo, albondigas, and croquetas de jamón. The vibe is upscale but accessible, featuring a softly lit dining room with a ton of woodsy accents. The service is fantastic as well.
Conclusion
We can’t guarantee availability at any of these places, but they’re all worth checking out this Valentine’s Day if you can get a reservation. If you don’t know what to wear, though, we suggest taking a look at some previous blog posts about what to wear for a Valentine’s Day dinner. If you have questions, feel free to reach out at 215-310-0219 or email info@henrydavidsen.com.
