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    South

    4.2 (832 reviews)
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    Updated over 3 months ago

    South Photos

    SOUTH ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Intimate
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    Classy

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    Recommended Reviews - South

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    Reviews With Photos

    Crab cakes
    Teyah S.

    I was in town visiting my good friend and she made reservations for dinner and jazz on Saturday evening. What a beautiful experience from beginning to end! The service. The food. The jazz. All amazing! I'll just let the pics do the talking but when I'm in Philly again I'll definitely be back!

    Jamie D.

    Just wow! Took my bestfriend to Philly for the weekend and he is a soul food person so wanted to try. Really appreciated the fast service, really welcoming staff, ambiance wasn't overly fancy but very elegant. I love that the decor embodied black history. Food was excellent. The only thing I wish was the added shrimp to the deviled eggs had seasoning but did not stop me from giving this place a 10/10. When in Philly, go to South!!

    Jazz Show
    Jazmin B.

    Food, great. Service, awesome. Atmosphere, SPECTACTULAR. I was visiting Philly from VA and while planning my trip I saw an ad for a show at a jazz club. South is so much more than that. Whichever way you put it; restaurant or jazz club its one of the best in both genres.

    SOUTH-ern Fried Chicken TG
    Shaleah T.

    From the moment I stepped onto the sidewalk at South Jazz Kitchen, I knew I was somewhere sacred. The greeting at the door was prompt, warm, and intentional. The kind of welcome that reminds you hospitality is still an art. The ambiance is chic, upscale, and intentional without ever feeling stiff. It is not too loud, allowing laughter and conversations to breathe naturally. They thoughtfully left space for guests without reservations, which shows they value people, not just bookings. Everyone was dressed beautifully, and the staff matched that same elevated professionalism. Clean. Polished. Intentional. Our server, Ashley, was exceptional. Knowledgeable. Present. Confident. She didn't just take orders. She guided an experience. The space is wheelchair accessible, and the outdoor courtyard is stunning. Photo worthy. Elegant. It instantly transported me to New Orleans. The aesthetic, the warmth, the spirit. It felt like Mama nem's table on a Sunday after church. Cousins laughing. Plates heavy. Love flowing. Culture present in every detail. Even the private event space is breathtaking. Weddings. Baby showers. Political donor events. Receptions. Community celebrations. I saw vision the moment I looked inside. And now... let's talk about the food. I had the smoked jerk turkey wings, slow cooked to perfection and served with Creole beans and rice and collard greens with smoked turkey. Let me be clear. This was not just food. This was memory. The seasoning was deep, layered, and soulful. The meat was tender, falling off the bone with ease. I fought the urge to bite the bones themselves just to stay in that moment a little longer. The mac and cheese deserves its own standing ovation. Made with a blend of four cheeses and baked into a rich, creamy cheese joy with perfection, it was rich, indulgent, and comforting in every bite. This is not a side. This is an experience. The freshly baked skillet cornbread, served with Steen's cane syrup and honey butter, was warm, soft, and balanced between sweet and savory. It was the kind of cornbread you slow down for. The kind you remember. My Nina mocktail was refreshing, sweet, and layered. Every sip revealed something new. A drink meant to be savored, not rushed. My husband ordered the buttermilk fried chicken, drizzled with hot honey and served alongside collards with smoked turkey and sweet potato gratin. I stole a wing, of course. Moist. Flavorful. Perfectly crisp. The kind of bite that makes you close your eyes and say "mmmm" without realizing it. This is not just a restaurant. It is culture. It is comfort. It is community. Meeting the general manager felt like reconnecting with family you didn't know you missed. From the first hello at the door to the final goodbye, I felt seen, welcomed, and valued. Even the bathrooms and hallways are selfie worthy. Every detail is intentional. This is where you bring your spouse. Your girls. Your sorors. Your frat brothers. Your business partners. Your family. Your whole community. We drove six hours to experience South Jazz Kitchen, and I would do it again next week without hesitation. I am sending everyone I know. And when they say "Shaleah sent me"... just know that's me, y'all. That's me. Yelp Elites, RUN. Amazing food. Amazing culture. Amazing establishment.

    Band
    Amber K.

    I had the most amazing time at south. We made reservations for the room with the live music and it was 30 per person but I do believe that fluctuates depending on who's playing. The band was fantastic and I really loved the Christmas vibes for the holidays. If you come I would definitely say make reservations for this because it elevated my experience so much. The food was absolutely amazing. We ordered the corn bread skillet to share with 4 people and it was the best corn bread I've ever had. It was perfectly moist and sweet. The fried chicken was also delicious and crispy. It came with collard greens and sweet potatoes. The sweet potatoes were perfectly seasoned and I liked the crumble on top. The biscuit was also good, I'm just not a huge fan of biscuit. We also ordered the catfish which was also fantastic. The crust was crispy and I thought it was a tiny bit salty but otherwise wonderfully seasoned. The shrimp and rice was also deliciously paired with it. Lastly we ended with the pineapple bread pudding and crème brûlée which was good but nothing special. Overall super pleased with all of the food and will definitely be returning to try everything on the menu!

    Kari H.

    Dined at South for Valentine's Day and everything was absolutely phenomenal. Street parking was plentiful outside. The restaurant and jazz bar are connected, but the jazz area is through the restaurant and in a separate space. The jazz bar was cozy and musicians were phenomenal. There was even a proposal this evening. All of the food was delightful and seasoned well - but standouts were the skillet cornbread, Mac and cheese, and catfish. I've been wanting to come check this place out for a while and it did not disappoint. It's a great spot for date night.

    Honey Butter Skillet Cornbread TG
    Jazzy J.

    What can I say? The reviews did not lie one bit. When I go out for dinner, this is the type of service I expect. From the all walk-in I was warmly greeted by gentleman in a fly suit, who assisted me with the hostess. Then we were lead to our seats where we ate at the Chefs counter and watching them work was nothing short of amazing. The speed and detail to which they plated was a sight to see. The main chef was in his zone hunny! Didn't break a move or sweat and moved with liquidity. We ordered our drinks; Southern Nobility and the Hibiscus margarita then of course the cornbread which tasted like a cloud. The ambiance was inviting and chill that we didn't even realize our food didn't come until the manager came to apologize for the delay. He then sent an additional appetizer to our table for the inconvenience (deviled eggs) which were delish! Now to the food: I don't eat pork or red meat so the fact that the everything had turkey e.g the collard greens, the jambalaya, was a solidified A++++ in my book. The jambalaya reminded me of when my grandmother used to make her red rice (which I will call her to get the recipe for) so it was welcoming feeling of nostalgia. The Jumbo lump crab cakes were LUMPING okay?! The collard pesto rice delish as I have never had collard pesto before. The Oysters: outstanding. The Mac n cheese, come on now! Now dessert is normally skipped but since this was southern hospitality I had to try that pineapple bread pudding! It was like a symphony in my mouth my. The ice cream was velvety smooth and not sweet. Everything was just grand. I had a good time here, the service, the food, the ambiance, the vibe and you can still hear the jazz show. This is a 10/10 for me that I will always recommend. If it's on your list, GO! You will not be disappointed. Oh and dress the part, I didn't see anyone get turned away BUT everyone so far adhered to the dress code.

    Fried Chicken soooo good but definitely a lot
    Amihan A.

    One of my absolute favorite places to go eat in Philly. The ambiance, service, food and drinks are always top tier. This is the place you take an out of person town visiting you in Philly. South has a jazz performance where you can eat and listen to live music. You have to book a reservation in advance though so don't expect to walk in and grab a spot. I went with my family during Christmas and they even did a Christmas number which was amazing. Food - Mac and cheese and corn bread as appetizers. Then the fried chicken and/or fish entree (usually the sea bass) and you can thank me later. There's no words to describe how flavorful and delicious the mac and cheese and corn bread is. My boyfriend jokes he could eat those two as appetizers and be completely fine. The fried chicken has hot honey drizzled on it and the sea bass is cooked so delicately the meat comes right off with a fork. Drinks - Honestly, any of their drinks are delicious. I've tried mostly all of them at this point and they don't disappoint. If you're looking for a place that's a bit more elevated and has delicious food, you're looking at the right spot. Just don't forget to book a reservation in advanced because South is VERY popular and can get really busy!

    Lamb chops
    Brittany G.

    South was an amazing experience. The jazz aspect was amazing. Nasir Dickerson was AMAZING! Such a talented performer and his band and additional talent were all amazing. Now to the food. My gf ordered the Harissa lamb chops and they were perfectly cooked, and the spice level was perfect! I ordered the crab cakes and they were so fresh! The honey butter cornbread was EVERYTHING the reviews said it was omg! I will certainly return to try a different artist and menu items. My only thing was they wrapped my food up, but didn't put my sauce for the crab cakes in my bag. I definitely needed it.

    Fried chicken, turkey greens, sweet potatoes soufflé .
    Linda W.

    Ambiance was nice and appropriate for a jazz club. Comfortable and inviting. The food was very good and the portions were great. It took a little while for our food but it was worth it. The hibiscus margarita was refreshing. The staff was professional and friendly. I would recommend to others and hope to come back to see other jazz musicians.

    Allyson M.

    OMG this place is amazing. Just walking in the door you are embraced by the atmosphere that is just indescribable. There appears to be so many places you can seat and enjoy your dining experience. The staff is the best!! Rico was amazing and made awesome suggestions, however, I truly believe you can't go wrong with anything on this menu. The food was AMAZING!! The performance was spectacular and the vibes were so awesome!! I can't wait to go back again and again and again.... I loved everything about this place and

    Brown Sugar Pineapple Bread Pudding
    Nicole O.

    We had an amazing time at South Jazz kitchen! Having been born and raised in the South, the restaurant really felt like a little piece of home. South is housed in a very large space, with a dining area, kitchen, and bar on one side of the restaurant, and the jazz club with dining tables on the other. We ended up getting tickets for the jazz show. When we arrived, we were kindly greeted and then seated promptly. Keep in mind that they do have a dress code, which I appreciate for this type of establishment. We ordered the skillet cornbread, short rib, catfish, and pineapple bread pudding. We also ordered the deviled eggs, but that item never came out. Luckily, it wasn't on our bill either. Aside from that small oversight, our waiter was friendly and attentive. The food was phenomenal! I really enjoyed the short rib, which came with mashed potatoes and spinach. The catfish was good but a bit bland, and the accompany shrimp was a little too salty for my liking. The stars of the show for me were the skillet cornbread and the bread pudding. The honey butter on the cornbread took it up a level, and I've never had pineapple bread pudding, but it was so delicious it had me looking for the recipe! Aside from the food, the jazz show was great and entertaining. All in all, I truly enjoyed my experience here, and I will absolutely be coming back.

    Table fyi for events parties of one may have to share their table!
    Shawna P.

    Run don't walk! Oh the food Delicious! The service from the front door to my exit professional and friendly. The vibe of the restaurant mature and delightful! I attended an Alison Williams performance with my dinner and loved every minute of it!! The grown and sexy were in the building! And my Billie Holiday drink was so good I'm still thinking about it!!

    SOUTH-ern Fried Chicken TG

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    3 months ago

    Amazing! Will be back! Money well spent! Food is impeccable! We really enjoyed everything!

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    Page 1 of 21

    Ask the Community - South

    Do they offer takeout?

    Yes

    What is the dress requirement?

    Casual, but no hoodies.

    Is their an age requirement to sit in jazz show?

    Under 18 must be accompanied by parent/adult over 21.

    Are any of the meats Halal?

    No, we are not a halal restaurant, but we do not use any pork products in any of our food.

    Are reservations a must to dine here?

    Yes

    Is it byob?

    No it's not

    Is there any dancing?

    It's not set up as a dancing venue but if you're seated in the jazz area I'm sure you could get up and dance.

    Do you have to be vaccinated?

    You must be fully vaxxed and bring your vaccination card per city mandate.

    Gluten free menu?

    We do offer gluten free options. Please ask your server to guide you through the menu.

    If you sit in the jazz area, is it loud to the point where you can't talk to the person you're with?

    If you're sitting close to the front, it can be fairly loud. However, they do have seating still in the jazz area that's seated further back and you would be able to hear the person you're with.

    Are they open for indoor dining?

    yes, they are.

    Do they have Saturday brunch?

    No. They don't open until 4:00pm on Saturday.

    Do I have to be over 21 to enter?

    No just 21 to drink

    Is this place wheelchair accessible?

    Yes. They comply with ADA regulations

    When does the live band perform?

    Hey Paul, They have a live band almost every night! The schedule should be listed on the website.

    Does South have rawbar?

    I have not seen one at all.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - South

    I had a good time here, the service, the food, the ambiance, the vibe and you can still hear the jazz show.

    Mentioned in 35 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Time - Chocolate Pot de Creme

    Time

    3.8(691 reviews)
    1.0 miAvenue of the Arts South
    $$

    My sister is local to the area and insisted that our trip to visit her included an evening at Time…read more We arrived on Monday night around 9:30-10 pm. Everyone we interacted with was absolutely wonderful and pleasant, ranging from the team members to our fellow patrons. I had a gin and Sprite to drink and I ordered the burger for some grub. The drink was standard but on the strong side. I enjoyed the burger very much and found the fries to be hot and crispy, just as a good shoestring fry should be. Of course, we enjoyed the live music that swirled around the bar that evening. The band was great and upbeat. I would definitely return!

    I've been to TIME multiple times over the last month alone and have always loved the food, music,…read moreatmosphere, and service, which is exactly why I chose to bring friends visiting from out of town here on a Friday night. Unfortunately, this was by far the worst experience I've had. We had a 7 PM reservation and arrived at 7:15 PM. I acknowledge that we were late and apologized to the host. However, we arrived within the stated grace period. When we checked in, the hostess explained that because we arrived later within the grace period, our 90-minute seating window would still end based on the original reservation time. We acknowledged that and had absolutely no issue with it. What made the experience uncomfortable was how aggressively we were reminded about the time throughout the entire meal. We were reminded at least 5-6 separate times how much time we had left. Comments like "just so you know you have 25 minutes left" and "our next party is coming in 5-10 minutes" made it feel like staff was actively trying to rush us out before our reservation time had even ended. Mind you, we already understood the policy. One reminder would have been enough. Instead, it completely changed the energy of the evening and made us feel unwelcome and pressured to leave. We had originally planned to stay through our reservation and then move to the bar for the live music afterward, but after being repeatedly rushed, we decided to leave entirely and spend the rest of the night elsewhere. The most disappointing part was the interaction with the manager, Eric. Rather than listening or showing any understanding, he immediately became defensive and aggressive. He repeatedly insisted we were "15-20 minutes late," which was simply not true -- we arrived during the stated grace period. The issue was never the policy itself. It was the way we were treated throughout the night. It's unfortunate because this has genuinely been one of my favorite spots in Philly, and I've recommended it to multiple people. But this experience left a really bad impression, especially when bringing guests from out of town.

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    Live band

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    Fried Chicken Sandwich w/ Bacon

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    Rex at the Royal - Fab bloody Mary's! Get it with the jalapeño infused vodka.

    Rex at the Royal

    4.2(627 reviews)
    1.5 miRittenhouse Square, Graduate Hospital
    $$$

    Birthday dinner for yours truly and I found Rex by googling "cozy restaurants in Philly". I wanted…read morea sophisticated and intimate atmosphere and that's exactly what I got. As my girls arrived to celebrate with me, I loved the oooohs and aaahs from them. The live jazz was the cherry on top. I think the band was called Buddy Boy and there was no cover charge. AMAZING!! We sat in a deep, plush booth in the dining room. Definitely took some major wriggling to get in and out from the center where I sat but they're upholstered beautifully with candle lit marble tables. Service was pretty good, certainly attentive and she was able to corral one of my more picky guest. But the food for all of us, really hit the mark. We had two with the Fried Chicken Dinner which came with greens, Mac and cheese and a small piece of cornbread. One had the ribs that were fall off the bone tender and she raved about the sauce. And I had the grilled oyster appetizer (sorry I missed the pic) and the Frogmore Stew. It was delicious. Flavorful broth, mussels, shrimp, crab, fish, potatoes and corn. Oh and two slices of crispy bread. So good yall. A good time was had. I highly recommend.

    Very classy place. The peach cobbler my friend had looked really good but I was overwhelmed eating…read moreother food. The waiter we had suggested I try the mocktail I had. When I heard the ingredients compared to the menu ones, I personally agreed. He really could read my vibe from just looking at me. I did like what they had on the menu, but for me, I do like vanilla and honey like type things more. I would choose this over a chocolate one even though I like chocolate too. I would be open to coming back here even on my own. 1000-2000 South used to be much more residential and just off the radar but it seems to have gentrified with 100-1000 South gentrifying too. 100-1000 South has lost that artsy vibe that you still can see in Tattooed Moms and arguably, even Condom Kingdom for just still being there from the beginning lol. If there is going to be anything to replace that more gritty vibe, Rex at the Royal is definitely a wonderful transition to get in to.

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