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The Love

4.4 (1.3k reviews)
Closed • 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

The Love New American Restaurant Photos

Business Info

THE LOVE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Trendy
Intimate
Romantic

Recommended Reviews - The Love

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Reviews With Photos

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!

Berry crumble with lavender ice cream
Krista B.

My daughter and I attended an event in Philly and ate at this amazing corner restaurant. Service was spectacular and food was unique, lots of attention to detail, and so tasty. Hope to return some day!

Salmon Sticky Rice Bowl
Summer B.

I love the LOVE! I dined here for lunch. The servers are attentive and QUICK. So if your pressed for time they will get you in and out. It's best to have a reservation if possible but even if you don't they are accommodating. Comfy seating and decor. The menu has a nice variety of options and I've dined here several different times and not once have I had anything that I didn't enjoy. This time I had the salmon sticky rice bowl over a bed assorted veggies like bok choy, shitake, daikon and broccoli in a ponzu sauce and literally the first bite was WOW. As soon as I bit into it instantly my palate woke up to the dancing flavors of this well orchestrated dish!! The acidity and sweet notes played beautifully together! The salmon is soooo tender and just melts on your tongue. There was just enough rice too without it being too much. Nice amount of sauce to bathe the veggies in. Everything about this dish was PERFECT. If I were home I probably would have licked the bowl it was so delicious.

Sangria
Jen T.

Cute place with awesome service and pretty good food. Some items are really delicious while others are just good. The really delicious items we had included the beet salad (the herbed yogurt on the bottom was sooo good), the burger (so juicy, perfect bun, my husband was in heaven), and the fig and the lemon cocktail, which was tart and refreshing and everything you want in a cocktail. As for the rest, the sangria tasted watered down. The cornbread was crisp and salty with delicious butter. The Nashville Hot Chicken had a wonderful sauce but was a bit dry. Overall, very nice experience for lunch! Would recommend either getting there early or making a reservation because it does get very busy!

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.

burger
Cindy W.

The Love exceeded my expectations! We had a 2pm reservation which is right before they close before dinner service. Service was still fantastic, we didn't feel rushed at all, and the food came out super quickly. Mentioning that we'd be sharing the tuna crudo, they split it up on two plates for us which was super thoughtful. The crudo was definitely the highlight of the meal, the kimchi sauce works so well with the fish. Butternut squash risotto was also delicious with the truffle parm on top! Will definitely be returning, it's a great spot to have brunch with the girls.

Menu
Joy P.

Another stellar meal at The Love! I went for a late-ish lunch. The wait for a table was brief (under 5 minutes). I had the homemade ricotta ravioli and all I can say is run, do not walk or meander to grab this phenomenal dish while it's on the menu. The pillowy raviolis were filled to perfection and the ricotta was a perfect texture and delicately seasoned. The real co-stars are the mushroom sauce, maple gastrique and breadcrumbs. Each alone is fantastic, together they are a symphony of earthiness, sweetness and crunch. Add the pasta with a perfect bite and the creaminess of the filling, and holy cow! I'm not a pasta fan, but I could eat this dish on the regular. Enjoy!

Mushroom soup and beet salad
Gerald N.

Came on a weekend brunch with a reservation. Service was friendly and it does fill up so reservations are recommended. It is laid back and casual atmosphere. 1. Mushroom soup - Creamy but not overly thick. Loads of flavor and a sizable portion with croutons. 2. Beet salad - Creative and a good mix with fruit and nuts. Very good and would get it again. Overall, a great spot for a light or not so light brunch and would love to come back again!

Post card received after bill
Christone M.

" we have nothing but thyme in the world " The post card touched my mental space. Overall great restaurant, very attentive server . Food was delicious. Also they gave out a little tasty treat. lol I asked the server if they sale bigger ones. #thefatboyinme

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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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K'Far Cafe - Blackberry Mascarpone Toast

K'Far Cafe

4.4(751 reviews)
0.1 mi•Rittenhouse Square, Penn Center
•$$

Due to unfortunate travel circumstances, we ended up stuck overnight in Philadelphia without any of…read moreour belongings. We were determined to make the most of it and found this coffee place the next morning on yelp and we're so happy we did! Instantly brightened what was a terrible situation. Please open a K'Far in Austin, TX!! Pistachio sticky bun - Absolutely delicious! Egg and cheese Jerusalem bagel - Delicious! Crispy, flavorful, slightly spicy. Yemenite iced coffee - So good! Like a spiced Vietnamese coffee. Sachlav - Loved! Like a cappuccino but with less milk. It wasn't as sweet which was a nice contrast to the sticky bun. We got in as a walk in without a wait on a Sunday morning. The server was nice as well. Definitely recommend if you're in the area!

Came to K'Far for a quick lunch - it was a random weekday so luckily there was no line! I opted to…read moreeat on the lovely little patio. I got a chai latte with oat milk and a Shakshuka (which, they told me is not a traditional Shakshuka but rather reimagined as a pasty). It was delicious! The chai latte had great depth and spice flavors, and the Shakshuka pastry was a great mix of flaky puff pastry and strong tomato and egg flavors. Just knocking off one star because for a $5.75 latte, they only filled the glass halfway up. I also got one of their famous pistachio sticky bun to take to go!

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K'Far Cafe - Inside the cute cafe

Inside the cute cafe

K'Far Cafe - Yemenite iced latte, chocolate rugelach, potato boreka

Yemenite iced latte, chocolate rugelach, potato boreka

K'Far Cafe - Take out counter

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Take out counter

Cafe Square One

Cafe Square One

4.5(66 reviews)
0.5 mi
•$$

This is my first yelp review, but I absolutely loved this place! The food, coffee, and smoothies…read morewere amazing, the staff was friendly, and they played such good music and had such a cozy environment with a wall of paintings of pop culture and meme characters! Overall the experience was amazing and I would love to come back. If you are in Philly and looking for a great cozy place with great food for breakfast or lunch. I would strongly recommend café square one

While in Philadelphia for work, my office ordered lunch through Seamless, and I'm so glad we chose…read moreCafé Square One! This was my first time actually trying it and it definitely lived up to the hype of the Yelp reviews. My wrap had chicken, hummus, lettuce, and feta, and it was so delicious. My chicken was very good, very tender and seasoned well. It also had a great creamy hummus to tie all the other ingredients together. The feta added just enough saltiness to balance out the rest of the flavors. All of the ingredients were very fresh, and my wrap was extremely soft, yet still maintained its form completely as I ate. I also ordered a Nutella hot chocolate. It was delicious! It was my fist time having a Nutella hot Chocolate. I usually just get a normal hot chocolate. The pita chips served as an additional side item with this sandwich and proved to be quite enjoyable. The pita chips had a good crunch and were able to pair with the wrap very well. I ended up eating all of the pita chips! It was a great lunch and I enjoyed my wrap! I would likely order from Café Square One again in the future, especially, if that wrap is still on their menu!

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Cafe Square One
Cafe Square One
Cafe Square One

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Urban Farmer Philadelphia

Urban Farmer Philadelphia

3.9(845 reviews)
0.5 mi•Logan Square, Penn Center, Art Museum District
•$$$

My wife and I reserved a table for 9 on Easter Sunday. We attended my Nieces Wedding last night at…read morethe Crystal Tea Room and I recommended Urban Farmer to my siblings. Ratings were high on Yelp so I was sure we'd have a great brunch experience. Boy did they deliver. We shared an order of monkey bread which came with icing on the side. Big JGI's with everyone. I ordered eggs Benedict (pictured). Everyone else raved about their meals. Service was friendly and helpful. I'll definitely be back when in center city.

Atmosphere: Urban Farmer is conveniently located inside The…read moreLogan Philadelphia, Curio Collection by Hilton, making it an easy and comfortable spot for breakfast if you're staying at the hotel. The space feels rustic yet warm. Service: We arrived right when they opened in the morning, and we got personalized 1:1 service. The staff was welcoming, happy to answer our questions, and offer recommendations. Food: Over a few days, I sampled both their sweet and savory options: 1. The strawberry French toast is topped with roasted strawberries, cream cheese icing, and sliced almonds. It was super filling with generous portions and just the right balance of sweetness. 2. The crab omelet with grilled onions, local mushrooms, and béarnaise sauce. A unique combination that oddly worked really well together. 3. The classic two-egg breakfast with crispy potatoes and a biscuit. Simple and a great traditional option. Overall, Urban Farmer is a great place to grab breakfast in Philly, whether you're visiting or local.

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Urban Farmer Philadelphia - Baked Mac n' Cheese

Baked Mac n' Cheese

Urban Farmer Philadelphia
Urban Farmer Philadelphia

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City Tap House

City Tap House

3.8(628 reviews)
0.4 mi•Penn Center, Logan Square, Art Museum District
•$$

Dear reader, We went…read moreto City Tap in Philly with a large group just for drinks and had a thoroughly good time. The $10 martinis on Friday were an excellent deal and definitely one of the highlights of the evening. A well-priced martini always sets a promising tone, and these did exactly that. The bartenders were helpful and kept things moving impressively well, even with a group our size, which was much appreciated. The space itself is huge and very clean, with plenty of tables and seating, so it was easy for everyone to spread out, settle in, and enjoy themselves without feeling packed in. A major point in its favour is the setup for watching sports. They have a massive wall of TV screens, plus more TVs throughout the space, which made it very easy to keep up with multiple games at once. No awkward craning for a view, no fighting for the one good seat, just a very solid setup for a group outing. Overall, it was a fun experience and very much in line with the good times we have had at other City Tap locations in DC. A lively, well-run spot for drinks and groups, and one we would happily return to.

Visiting Philly, we really wanted to go small business, micro brewery, but City Tap was one of the…read moreonly locations where I could find a gluten-free menu & they offered a lot of local brews on draft options- so we settled in. We ordered the ten-spice wings- and a gluten-free pizza- both were hearty, delicious, well-flavored devourable. The flight price on the menu says $14 for a local flight, but this has changed- it's priced per beer- viewable on Untapped App- so a flight is more like $18-20, because of the increased price- I opted for a pint, but the bartender was super friendly about allowing a few sip samples before deciding. The place had a great ambiance- the bar had sports tvs playing, the side tables had very happy hour chat vibe, and the back tables had a more intimate feeling. Overall, would recommend- it was a nice experience.

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City Tap House
City Tap House - Tuna poke bowl

Tuna poke bowl

City Tap House

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Skyhigh - Fried chicken and wild rice

Skyhigh

4.1(397 reviews)
0.3 mi•Penn Center, Logan Square

My girlfriend wanted to come here to watch the sunset for her birthday, and it turned out to be a…read moregreat choice. Since it was the weekend, we had to wait in the lobby downstairs for about 15-20 minutes. Luckily, we made it up just in time to catch the sunset and take some amazing photos. We were also fortunate enough to find seats at the bar, but if you want guaranteed seating, it's definitely better to make a reservation in the main seating area. Overall Ratings Atmosphere - 5/5 Service - 5/5 Food - 5/5 Parking - Valet / Nearby Parking Atmosphere - The view is absolutely the star of the show. Watching the sunset over the city from this height creates an unforgettable experience, especially for a special occasion. The space itself feels upscale and lively without being overwhelming. Service - The service was excellent. Our bartender, Michael, made sure we were well taken care of throughout our visit. He was attentive, friendly, and added to the overall experience. My girlfriend especially appreciated the complimentary olives, which was a nice touch. What We Ordered - Old Fashioned (Very well balanced and smooth) Cucumber Martini (Refreshing and perfectly crafted) Final Thoughts - This was the perfect spot to celebrate a birthday. Between the stunning views, great drinks, and attentive service, it made for a memorable evening. I would definitely come back and recommend it to anyone looking for a great lounge experience in Philadelphia.

Overall food is mid but honestly you're there for the views. The elevator itself is an experience…read moretoo so pay attention. Dress code is on the website. Food (7/10) - Mediocre food for a four seasons place. Found two thick bones in my sea bass and a thick branch that you can't chew in the veggies. Pasta was decent but nothing to rave about. Popular trout sushi is overrated - ratio of crispy rice and trout isn't right. Service (10/10) - top notch! Ambiance (10/10) - Romantic, relaxed. Beautiful 360 skyline view all around Philadelphia. We got there before sunset and got to enjoy all colors of the sky. Hope you get the window tables but it's not guaranteed.

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Skyhigh - Dining room

Dining room

Skyhigh - Mushroom shrimp risotto, grilled octopus, and black truffle and fontina pizza - amazing!

Mushroom shrimp risotto, grilled octopus, and black truffle and fontina pizza - amazing!

Skyhigh - Espresso Martini 60ft in the air

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Espresso Martini 60ft in the air

The Love - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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