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    The Love

    4.4 (1.3k reviews)
    Open 11:30 am - 2:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

    The Love Photos

    Business Info

    THE LOVE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Romantic

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    Recommended Reviews - The Love

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    Reviews With Photos - The Love

    Burrata Toast
    Lauren D.

    We were on the search for good lunch spot before heading to the airport. Stumbled across The Love, and immediately fell in "Love" with the space. We ordered the fried green tomatoes (super good crunch), short rib burger, and burrata toast. Everything was delicious! Would go back again and again.

    Drop biscuits
    Aparna B.

    Had a lovely last minute brunch here on Saturday before we spent a day in the city before our flight home. We found a last minute reservation and walked quickly there. It's situated right near rittenhouse square so it's a bustling and great area. The spring festival was happening is it was PACKED! We were seated by a window and immediately given water. We ordered some lattes that took quite a while to arrive - we learned they have one coffee machine so things were backed up! Our serve apologized profusely and they gave us a sweet treat on the house at the end of our meal. I ordered the frittata which was delicious and my husband to the omelette . We also got the drop biscuits with strawberry rhubarb jam and omg am good! Our brunch was great and the interior was modern but felt homey and we had the best service and the manager also came to see things were going. I would definitely recommend this place and hope to come back next time I'm in town!

    Brit B.

    The Yelp rating hold up! The his place was great! Out of towner here visiting for the weekend. Turned to Yelp to find a good place and this didn't disappoint. The restaurant has 2 levels and there is an elevator to the second floor. We were seated at a window which was quite nice. We were able to watch the city streets and architecture while enjoying our meal. The service was top notch, they were incredibly fast and attentive. All of the food was fantastic. If I lived around the area this would be a staple for a nice night out!

    All the brunch things
    Lauren B.

    The best of the best. We usually do dinner for special occasions but mixed it up for brunch. It was amazing! It was just as crowded as dinner. The blueberry scones were wonderful love the lemon curd. Cocktails fabulous. Shrimp and grits amazing. My husband got the short rib burger so yummy. The potato looked perfect. Every dish that came it looked magazine perfect. The service is so great they are so on top of everything clearing the table, filling water, wiping crumbs and checking in. The one downer is the bathrooms. Why only two ? There is a cringy line for men and women waiting snaking around tables. Idk why it is like that but they need to fix that. Otherwise perfection.

    Menu
    Victoria S.

    I had a lovely dinner at The Love on a Thursday evening! The cocktails were just ok. But the branzino and cucumber salad were very good. The service here is outstanding. We had a beautiful evening and were seated immediately. I'll def be back for an intimate dining experience.

    Frittatas and shrimp and grits
    Matt H.

    Great experience! We came in for brunch on a busy Saturday afternoon and were quickly seated. I must also say that this was after some back-and-forth with the restaurant where they were extremely accommodating surrounding our reservation. We had the fried green tomatoes to start, which were great and then had the shrimp and grits and frittata as our main entrées. Honestly, everything was wonderful and I have zero complaints about anything that we had. Additionally, we had the heartbreaker drink, which was phenomenal. Being that it was an incredibly busy Saturday afternoon they ran this place very well. We weren't left waiting though every table was full and our server was friendly. Overall, I would definitely recommend the love to anyone in the area looking for a great meal.

    audie m.

    The Love is a great place in center city with a very friendly staff. The ambiance lives up to the name and it feels like a welcoming brunch place. I ordered the shrimp and grits as well as the lemon ricotta pancakes. Both were stellar and elegantly prepared. I'd go back just for the pancakes

    Interior
    Joseph S.

    While it's 'only' been open 9 years now, Stephen Starr's, The Love, is a 'landmark' restaurant just off Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia. Its ambiance, service and most of all its food, make it a very special place. I was dining alone this evening, so I could 'only' order 2 mains - which, of course, I could not finish and had to take home. The first and foremost, Lovebird. It's easy to fall in love with this bird - it's unquestionably one of the best fried chickens in the city. It comes with two large pieces - a very large breast, and a large thigh. I started with the breast - lean, tender, juicy white meat that's so flavorful with a thin buttermilk fried coating. I was thinking, you don't find really juicy breasts....but The Love brines its chicken which significantly helps chicken retains its juiciness. Before I continue, with my chicken dish, I have to stop to let you know my second dish was the Ricotta Ravioli. I asked for both dishes at the same time as I like pasta with my 'meat' - in this case chicken. I went back and forth between the two dishes as they complimented each other so well. To complete the 'chicken part' - the chicken comes with a delicious dish of buttery corn grits. The grits were outstanding! Lightly salted and very creamy, I enjoyed it with a bite of the chicken. I would like to mention the chicken comes with a sauce which I found to be too spicy. No worries! I asked for honey - which is what I typically eat with my fried chicken. They brought a dish and I dipped every piece in! Okay, last, but not least, the chicken also comes with collard greens, which isn't a favorite of mine but tasted fine. Now for the Ricotta Raviolis - the dish was exceptional. The pasta was tender and full of the softest, creamiest ricotta! It was smothered in a one of the most exotic sauces which completely balances out the creamy cheese! It's a combination of several mushrooms that have been sautéed in this maple bourbon reduction, served with Parmesan cheese and sautéed spinach. It was a memorable dish that I will return to have. I rarely rate 5 stars - but these 2 dishes could have easily stood on their own, as each were great plates. But together, they were epic!

    Crispy Bronzino
    Deirdre C.

    We made reservations to celebrate our anniversary. I had no idea that right before we left the house we'd also be there that night to celebrate our engagement! Was ready to park in a garage I'm familiar with but there was street parking so we got lucky with that! The minute we walked in the restaurant (first time there for both of us) we loved the vibe! It was dark but not too dark, great music playing, friendly staff and wonderful drinks! We started with the beet salad and the hush puppies. I had the shrimp and scallop Spaghetti (but I asked if the spaghetti could be swapped out for smaller pasta, which they did) and Mark had the crispy Bronzino. I cannot wait to go back! Oh and the drinks were great too but I cannot remember what we enjoyed.

    Hush puppies
    Ashley L.

    Went here for dinner on Thursday and it is by far one of the best restaurants in the city! Had the hush puppies to start and the pepper dusting on top mixed with the salty butter is to die for. The shrimp was some of the best I've had - and we ended the night with the Key lime soufflé!

    Posh Brunch
    Ashley J.

    Love The Love Came here to gab over brunch with a girlfriend on Saturday. We made a reservation the day before and glad we did because it was poppin. We had a nice corner booth inside and felt like we had our own space. GET THE BISCUITS they were worth it. The jam was yummy (just wish it came with butter too!) Drinks were great and portions generous. No complaints. Would gladly come again when I'm in town.

    Chanel L.

    I was in town and decided to dine here. As we approached, there were outdoor side walk seating under heated lamps for the cool October night weather. We were greeted at the door and directed to the hostess. The hostess took our number and asked kindly that we give her a few minutes to get us seated. Entering the restaurant there is very mellow vibe with dimmed lighting. The bar area was rather small and under very low light. Lighting was so low that a photo was not easily taken without bright flash that would take away from the vibe that was already set. On this Friday night it was packed but comfortably not over crowded. However, seating is fairly close to the next table. Within a couple minutes we were seated with our waitress promptly greeting us at the table. We had a choice of tap or bottled water. We held off ordering spirit drinks to allow time to look over the menu. We first ordered rolls that came with chive butter. Then our meals short rib rigatoni and seared salmon crunch topped with a verdi salso accompanied with squash and broccoli veggie mix. We added the cucumber and tomato salad as well. Once our meals were in we then ordered our spirit drinks. A Broken Arrow (Margarita) and Sangria. Both drinks were great. The rolls came out and were exceptionally tasty. The chive butter was the perfect match. The meals came in a timely manner and were pleased and satisfied with every bite we took of our meals to include the cucumber salad. The waitress and othet staff were very attentive and quick to clean our table of used china and utensils as well as refilling our water as needed. This by far was a great choice of dining and if in the area I will visit again.

    Ming L.

    After doing a good amount of research to find the perfect spot to celebrate my anniversary with my girlfriend, I decided to surprise her with a dinner at The Love, and the restaurant did not disappoint in the slightest. They went above and beyond to make our evening nothing short of magical. The food, the service, and the atmosphere were all exceptional. I reached out to the restaurant ahead of time to see if we could be seated upstairs since it's quieter and more intimate, and they not only honored the request, but gave us one of the best tables in the entire restaurant, right by the window. Overall Ratings Atmosphere - 5/5 Service - 5/5 Food - 5/5 Parking - Street Parking Atmosphere - This restaurant is easily one of my favorites in Center City Philadelphia. Everything, from the decor, to the carefully curated details, to the cozy feeling you get riding the elevator up to the second floor, creates an atmosphere that feels warm, romantic, and thoughtfully designed. It truly sets the tone for a special night out. Service - The service was nothing short of phenomenal. As mentioned, I messaged ahead of time requesting a quiet table upstairs, and they responded kindly, assuring me they would do their best. When my girlfriend called to let them know we'd be a few minutes late, the hostesses were incredibly polite and understanding. The moment we arrived, the hostess greeted us with, "You have one of the best tables upstairs," and both of us looked at each other in surprise, it was the perfect start to the evening. Our waitress, Danielle, was attentive, friendly, and genuinely welcoming. One of the managers even came by to check on us, adding another layer of hospitality. The food runners were professional and well-mannered. Every single person working that night contributed to making the experience feel elevated and memorable. What We Ordered - There's really no need to rate each item individually, everything was outstanding. The flavors, presentation, and execution of each dish were extraordinary. I had one minor issue with my drinking glass being chipped, but it was handled immediately and professionally. -(Drink) Old Fashion -(Drink) Half Baked -Line-Caught Tuna Crudo -Crispy Branzino -Blackened Pork Chop -Ginger-Miso Slow Cooked Collard Greens Final Thoughts - My girlfriend and I loved this place so much that we're already talking about making it our annual anniversary tradition. We were blown away from the moment we walked in to the moment we stepped out. The staff is incredibly professional, the food is phenomenal, and the entire experience felt truly special. The Love lived up to its name... and then some.

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    Delicious fried chicken and good service. Will definitely be back tomorrow afternoon try more in the future.

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    Page 1 of 34

    The Love Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Love

    How warm are the outdoor seating pods? Are they open all year round?

    Yes! I was comfortable

    Hi what is the dress code for lunch and dinner The menu looks great thanks again for sending it?

    There is no strict dress code. It is a cute place. Most are dressed casually nice. Nice jeans, sundress, clean shoes/sneakers or a nice sandal. Casual comfortable and cute

    Would it be a good place for a group of 9 for Saturday lunch?

    I've done group dinners @ the love and everyone involved enjoyed, however, I cannot speak directly to dinner.

    Casual dress? Are shorts okay for brunch?

    Yes shorts are okay. Casual chic.

    Do they serve wine by the glass?

    Yes they do! http://qfp827gvlb1l8k62iqyb7udj-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/34/2018/06/LOVE_beverage-062918.pdf

    Is there a happy hour?

    Yes.

    Would this be a good place for a group of 8-10 to meet for pre-dinner drinks on a Saturday? Does the bar area accommodate that many people?

    The bar is pretty small - it holds maybe 15 people total. I was there on a Tuesday night and it was mostly people having a drink while they waited for their table, but it was still crowded the whole time we had dinner. That said, the drinks were ace.

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    Village Whiskey

    Village Whiskey

    3.9
    (1.7k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    I went to Village whiskey with a friend of mine for her birthday. Everything was great the server…read morevery sweet girl, that did everything to make our experience wonderful. The highlight of our day was sitting at the bar afterwards with Stephanie, she was funny engaging, and really knew how to make an excellent cocktail. She made it very easy to socialize with the other guest at the bar. Such a great time. I can't tell you what an asset Stephanie is to that company.We were expecting to go eat and then maybe go someplace else for a drink, but after our experience with all of the workers as well as I mentioned, Stephanie. We just had to stay. I highly recommend foods and staff are amazing. You gotta go. I also wanted to add that the ambience was very warm and welcoming.

    I had reservations for this place and my party was the first to arrive for dinner. The place was…read moreempty, and I had 1 extra person in my party. The wait staff informed me that there was NO ROOM for us in the EMPTY seating area, so we were seated next door in the bar area. If you can tell me why there was no room in an empty restaurant for a party who arrived ON TIME, please someone let me know. At any rate the bar area was fun and lively but a bit narrow to navigate. Since it was happy hour, we ordered all of the $6 Snacks and some $8 snack items. OOOK, here we go: Hot chicken slider( you only get 1 folks) very good and had the right amount of toppings 5/5 Pulled pork slider: Very flavorful, juicy, and tender: 5/5 Caesar salad: 5/5 Deviled eggs. Good, but too salty Fried pickles: Good, but too salty Chicken & Andouille Gumbo: This was excellent. The braised chicken thighs were seasoned well and very tender. The pickled red onions really elevated this dish. 5/5 The grilled salmon had a great char and crunch. It was not dry nor over cooked. 5/5 The burger was delicious just as a burger should be and the famous duck fat fries were very crunchy. 5/5 for both Happy hour is really the time to go, but make sure they honor your reservation. Til we eat again....

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    Village Whiskey
    Duck Fat Fries and Smash Burger
    Duck Fat Fries and Smash Burger
    Village Whiskey

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    Huda

    Huda

    4.5
    (248 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    After hearing so much about HUDA, my 13-year-old son and I had to give it a try and it absolutely…read morelived up to the hype! The Milk Bun Smashburger was incredible. The burger was perfectly smashed with those crispy edges, the cheese was melty, the caramelized onions were packed with flavor, and that soft, buttery milk bun tied everything together perfectly. Every bite was messy in the best way possible. The fries were just as impressive, they were hot, crispy, perfectly seasoned, and impossible to stop eating. We found ourselves reaching back into the basket over and over. What really stood out was the customer service. Every employee we interacted with was friendly, welcoming, and genuinely seemed happy we were there. It's refreshing to find a place where the food is outstanding and the service matches it. Then came the surprise of the day... the cinnamon roll. We bought one to take with us and didn't eat it until about an hour later. Somehow, it was still one of the freshest, gooey-est cinnamon rolls we've ever had. Every single bite tasted like the soft, warm center of a cinnamon roll. Honestly... it was even better than Cinnabon. That's not something I say lightly! If you're in Philadelphia, HUDA is absolutely worth the stop. Great food, fantastic people, and a cinnamon roll I'll be thinking about long after this trip. My son and I are already talking about coming back the next time we're in town.

    Holy Sandwich! This place was a nice little dinner break while on a work trip, fresh food, good…read morelittle seating area and the staff were helpful in narrowing down what I ordered. Looking forward to my next trip to philly to try another Huda masterpiece!

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    MAITAKE MUSHROOM
    MAITAKE MUSHROOM
    Inside

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    Inside
    Butcher Bar

    Butcher Bar

    3.9
    (845 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Went here to watch the game and I must say it's a vibe here. Our bartender was nice and helped me…read morepick a sweet cocktail. I got the You're My Boy Blue and my friend got the Fiddle Head from the tap. We were away from the TV that was playing the game we wanted to watch- the Owner (I think was the owner) was very nice and switched the game on the TV close to us. Very thoughtful and accommodating staff! I didn't grab any food since I had another reservation after but whatever they were cooking in the kitchen smelled so good that I was tempted to order something.

    Last night was my 40th birthday and our original dinner spot didn't have room for us in the end…read more The weather was nice so lots of people were out around Rittenhouse Square, and we felt SOL for dinner plans. On a whim, I called Butcher Bar and told them I know it's last minute on a Saturday night, but could they accommodate 9 people. They told me if we were there in 30 minutes they could make it work, so we rushed over. We sat at the bar for drinks as they cleaned up a table. They overheard us talking about how The Trough would be nice (feeds 8 for $300, but was more than enough for us 9), and said if we wanted that they could get it started as the table was prepared. We said yes, and were sat a few minutes later with drinks in hand. Jenna (Gema? She had grape earrings) was a fantastic server and just so kind and attentive. She kept the drinks flowing and The Trough arrived sooner than I expected and was everything I wanted for dinner and more. I can't thank Butcher Bar enough for saving the night for my 40th and just providing a fantastic experience. We'll be back, and we promise to give more notice next time! :)

    Photos
    Great place for brunch. Pre-set menu &bottomless brunch option but for everyone in the your party. wish the menuhad more vegetarian options!
    Great place for brunch. Pre-set menu &bottomless brunch option but for everyone in the your party. wish the menuhad more vegetarian options!
    Eggplant Meatball Parmesan Sandwich
    Eggplant Meatball Parmesan Sandwich
    Ready to eat

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    Ready to eat
    The Dandelion

    The Dandelion

    4.2
    (3.2k reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$$

    Recently visited with a large group for lunch. We had a severe sesame and nut allergy with us…read more While he packs his own food to be safe, our server Gabby took the time to check on each dish he ordered, even taking care to prevent cross contamination. Her attentiveness was so appreciated so we could all enjoy a meal together, a rare occurrence! The food was great and the vibe was very cool.

    Visited The Dandelion during a beautiful day in Philadelphia and decided to take advantage of the…read moreoutdoor seating, which was a great choice. A quick note for first-time visitors: the restaurant has multiple entrances, and I initially arrived at the back door. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful in directing me to the correct entrance. The space has a unique atmosphere. The indoor dining area felt quite dark, but the restaurant appears to have multiple levels, including an upstairs dining area and a bar, which adds to its charm. I started with a cocktail and really enjoyed it. It was fruity, well-balanced, and had just the right amount of alcohol without being overpowering. Based on recommendations, I ordered the burger. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to the hype for me. It could have been cooked better, and overall I wasn't particularly impressed with it. What stood out most was the service. My server was attentive, friendly, and checked in regularly without being intrusive. Overall, The Dandelion offers a pleasant atmosphere, excellent service, and great cocktails. While the burger wasn't a standout for me, I'd be willing to return and try other menu items.

    Photos
    Dog themed room
    Dog themed room
    Fish & Chips
    Fish & Chips
    Grilled Salmon

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    Grilled Salmon
    Cleavers

    Cleavers

    4.1
    (1.8k reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$

    I honestly can't say enough good things about Cleavers…read more I accidentally left my bag here--with everything in it, including my ID--and we had a flight out the next day. I didn't even realize it right away, but somehow the team tracked me down at my hotel (!!). I was able to come back a couple hours later and everything was exactly as I left it. A huge thank you to Zktlko (I hope I'm spelling that right) who went out of his way to make sure I got it back. That level of care is rare and meant so much in a stressful moment. And on top of that--the food is incredible. We had the hoagies, and they were hands down the best cheesesteaks we tried in the city. Amazing people, amazing food. Grateful we stopped here.

    I stopped by with my husband and his mother for a late lunch. We ordered the classic Philly…read morecheesesteak with an order of fries. My MIL ordered a caprese salad. We also got a few of their packaged drinks. The guy taking our order was very nice and there was plenty of seating and it seemed like there was additional seating upstairs, but we didn't have to head up there. The bathroom was nice and clean. As for the food, the Philly cheesesteak was massive, but tasted just okay. It seemed quite heavy on the bread. I think my husband maybe ordered wrong as he should've gotten the cheese whiz or maybe gotten the one with peppers. We've definitely had better cheesesteaks. The waffle fries were fries: tasty and delicious. My MIL's caprese salad was interesting. It was atop a bed of greens which was unexpected. It was also $15 which seemed a little extravagant for what it was. Overall, it was a decent meal and tasty. I'd hit it up for lunch of you're in a pinch and you'd definitely have leftovers for later as well.

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    Menu
    Menu
    The Cleaver
    The Cleaver
    Cleavers

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    The Love - newamerican - Updated July 2026

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