Philly Date Night Spots You Haven’t Seen on Everyone’s Instagram
How many times have you seen that same cave-like hallway covered in antique-looking picture frames appear on someone’s Instagram story? Probably a lot, and by now you might even know that that hallway leads into the dining room of Giuseppe & Sons, a staple Italian date night spot. Giuseppe & Sons is good—don’t get me wrong, I gave it an 8.6 on Beli—but if you’re looking for something more unique, here are some suggestions.
First, we have Osteria, an Italian restaurant that is not underground by any means, but is less known by the Penn food scene. If you are a fan of a good free bread service, this will be a great spot for you. Osteria makes their pastas fresh in house and changes their menu frequently to feature seasonal ingredients. They have indoor dining and a beautiful outdoor garden space perfect for a spring date night, or just a night out with a group of friends.
First, we have Osteria, an Italian restaurant that is not underground by any means, but is less known by the Penn food scene. If you are a fan of a good free bread service, this will be a great spot for you. Osteria makes their pastas fresh in house and changes their menu frequently to feature seasonal ingredients. They have indoor dining and a beautiful outdoor garden space perfect for a spring date night, or just a night out with a group of friends.
*Photo Credit: Nicole Guglielmo
Another spot with a great outdoor setup is Talula’s Garden, which serves farm-to-table American cuisine. They are known for their extensive cheese selection, so if you are a lover of all things cheese (like me), this is the spot for your next date night. Each dish features the freshest ingredients in unique combinations, from their beet, orange, and whipped ricotta salad to their fresh-baked cheesy cornbread. The desserts are also not to be missed at Talula’s Garden!
*Photo Credit: Danya Henninger (phillydesign)
Next up is Kalaya, a trendy Thai spot in Fishtown. Kalaya is a place where you will want to share, and is perfect for both date nights and a large group of friends. Kalaya recently relocated to Fishtown, and has expanded their menu and drink selection since moving. The food is not too spicy for Thai food, so if you don’t pride yourself on your spice tolerance, you are safe here. However, the food is vibrant and flavorful. Standout dishes range from gui chai (a crispy garlic chive rice cake appetizer) to gaeng som (sour curry with poached barramundi fish, pineapple, tamarind, and jasmine rice).
*Photo Credit: Kalaya
Finally, we have Double Knot. There is definitely word on the street at Penn about Double Knot, but I had to include it because their downstairs dining room is perfectly dim and intimate for a date night. Double Knot is known as a sushi restaurant, but they also have plenty of delicious non-sushi options. The edamame dumplings, tuna rice cracker, toro scallion roll, and brussels sprouts are all must-try for your next visit.
*Photo Credit: Double Knot
This spring, go try at least one of these spots with your significant other or even your best friend. As much as we can get busy at Penn and struggle to find time to eat out, take one night to yourself at the end of the semester and go enjoy a delicious meal!