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White Dog Cafe - University City

3.8 (1.7k reviews)
ModerateBars, New American
Open • 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
Updated 3 months ago

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WHITE DOG CAFE - UNIVERSITY CITY ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Outdoor seating
Good for kids
Happy hour specials

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Rana S.

Food: 3 Service: 3 Price: 3 Ambiance: 5 I was in Philly and wanted to try out some brunch place and this is what popped up for me on my trusted Yelp. Aesthetics of this place are on point. So cute! As I was walking to be seated, I passed through so many cool separate rooms. The decor can be visually overwhelming as there are a lot of decked out walls of wallpaper and gold guilder accents. Decadent is what comes to mind. I ordered a mushroom omelet and coffee. It was fine. I mean I'm not sure if I've just become accustomed to really great brunch places here in LA, but given how decadent the place was, I found the food a bit underwhelming. Don't get me wrong, it was good but not great. And, what's funny is my server asked me after noticing I didn't eat the potatoes if I liked them!

Whipped Feta
Aisha F.

We love a cute farm to table situation, the East Coast's first at that. For lunch I chose the meatloaf melt special but the stars of the show was the whipped feta and the mushroom soup. Deeeeelish! Service was excellent, even with the lunch time rush.

Impossible Patty Melt
Lisa G.

We began our long weekend in University City with lunch at the White Dog Cafe. The bright and ample space, set in three Victorian brownstones, was very comfortable, easy to converse in and the decor really embodied a sophisticated rustic charm. We began our meal with cocktails and an Artisan Cheese Plate which was accompanied by fruit, nuts, pickles, crusty bread and the most delicious strawberry and apricot spreads. The cheese selections were unique and very tasty! Definitely a must have as an appetizer or a nosh with cocktails. For our mains, we selected the Spicy Lamb Bolognese and the Impossible Patty Melt. The lamb ragu was very flavorful and the pasta was perfectly cooked. The Impossible Patty Melt was well cooked and the star of the show was the smoky onion jam and spicy pickles. This was a perfect intro to the foodie scene in and about the University City area. The staff was warm and friendly and the overall vibe makes it easy to linger long after the meal is done.

Steak with chimichurri hash and fried eggs and toast.
Grace G.

What a lovely place, brownstone converted into a great cafe, with farm to table fare. We had a great waiter Will who took care of us and gave us the history of the cafe and how it got its name. My husband had the special a steak with hash and two fried eggs in an iron skillet. He said it was a little taste of heaven. I had the strawberry cheesecake stuffed French toast with chicken apple sausage. It was a feast for the eyes as well as the mouth! Can't wait to visit again to try their other meals!

Menu
Miles A.

Stopped in to the white dog cafe here for a quick late lunch. The space is nicely decorated and has various rooms on multiple floors, and outdoor sections. The downstairs area seemed cozy with portraits of dogs. We ordered the chopped salmon salad and double cheddar burger. Both had fresh, good ingredients. Burger was cooked at temp, but just seemed lacking. Definitely a pricier though not memorable meal to me. Staff also forgot about us though as we were never checked on until we were done so maybe an off day all around.

Sy L.

The white dog cafe on Samson St is spacious. There are several rooms throughout with different decor. I don't know what brand of coffee they use but I loved the coffee. I ordered the FARMERS PLATE (Cage-Free Eggs Any Style, Green Meadow Farm Smoked Bacon, Multigrain Toast, Home Fries). I am not a fan of eggs but these eggs were cooked and seasoned exactly how I can tolerate eating them. I had to let the waiter know just how good the eggs were! This location is great to celebrate a birthday! There is also outside seating.

Tarun B.

I came here after a long day of exploring University City. We were able to find seating outside at one of the tables. Everything here is dog themed. They have dog pictures on the floor, in the bathroom, everywhere. Even the drinks were dog themed specials. The waitress came by and explained their happy hour menu. All their food is made farm to table so the quality is superb. To drink I ordered the Pawjito which is rum, elderflower liqueur, kiwi, lime, and ginger ale. It was not too sweet and had a good amount of liquor. To eat I ordered the White Dog Double Cheddar Burger which was recommended by the waitress. It came with green meadow farm smoked bacon mayo, bibb lettuce, tomatoes, grilled red onion, on brioche. For a happy hour special it was a large burger. Unfortunately it did not come with fries so I ordered parmesan fries on the side. The food was great. You can taste the fresh and local ingredients with every item. I can see why this is a popular spot with locals and university students. The food here is very good. I plan to come back here for another happy hour sometime soon to try their other options.

Verlasso Salmon
Mikka V.

My go-to place when hosting friends and family near campus! Every single dish is always great, and I appreciate their farm to fork approach with seasonable species. The dog decorations and themed rooms are a nice touch too!

Spinach & Artichoke Croquettes
Derek Ignatius Paul H.

Lots of dog art. LOTS. It's a trip. If you have cynophobia this is not a place for you. Food is all farm to table and seasonal. Ordered the tuna melt and had some of the Spinach & Artichoke Croquettes. Kiwi lemonade was very sweet.

Street view.
Jada C.

Yelp, you've done it again. I was visiting Philly for my niece's birthday and wanted to locate a restaurant for brunch that has great ratings on Yelp, took brunch reservations, and could handle this party of 4. I located a few, but this one stood out. This restaurant is very easy to locate, and on a Sunday at 11am... plenty of inexpensive street parking. We were greeted by very pleasant hostesses as well as unique and attractive decor. This place is a puppy lovers paradise w the décor. I'm not going to share too much, you have to visit!! We were greeted by the lovely Adrian, who was sweet as pie. She was very professional, timely w table visits, and got our order right the 1st time!! Collectively, we ordered the following... Nashville Hot Chicken w Waffle: Big plate, well seasoned and spicy the way we like it. Puppy Power Beverage: Soooo refreshing!! Light yet impactful flavor. Farmers Plate: Plentiful, well plated, and very tasty. Well seasoned. A la Carte Bacon: At least 6 pieces, and crisped perfectly!! A la Carte Breakfast Potatoes: Sooo good!! I loved the herby seasoning. A la Carte French Toast: This item changed my husband's life!! He literally talked about it all evening, through the wedding, and the next day on our trip back home. It was amazingly light, and the flavor was chef's kiss !! A la Carte Egg Whites: Well prepared and tasty. A la Carte Turkey Bacon: Prepared very well, great portion size. I've been talking about this place since we left. I highly recommend this place for any and everyone !! Job exquisitely done White Dog Cafe.

Deviled eggs
Keith W.

Great location in University City. A renovated brownstone. Wish I had visited the wine cellar. A nice cocktail and beer menu with a variety of choices. The deviled eggs were very good. Nice crunch at the end. A tad bit salty. I had the seafood bucatini ; which was delicious. Others had the farm beef meatloaf which was also delicious. The service was great. We were in and out in just over an hour. Our waitress Micaela, was very attentive and made for an enjoyable evening.

Caesar Salad: romaine, red endive, parmesan tuile, lemon anchovy dressing
Chi C.

I visited for Happy Hour on a Thursday, and the bar was packed with enthusiastic customers and lively conversations. The restaurant was very cozy, and it makes for a great post-work stop for food and drink. My food was good, however I felt some dishes had potential for improvement. The fries were seasoned well but tasted like it was sitting out for just a minute too long since it wasn't as hot as expected. I asked my burger to be cooked medium and it came out closer to medium rare. The deviled eggs and salad were both delicious, which made for a good closer to the meal. Happy hour dishes were easy to split with my date and still overall a great bite despite some minor quality hiccups. The service was excellent, and we received our food quickly and were checked in on frequently despite a fully packed bar when we arrived. I felt the prices were excellent for the different dishes we ordered, and overall was a good location and spot near Penn's campus for a post-work meal.

Curry Chicken Salad With Mushroom Soup
Heather R.

My oncology consult at Penn Vet went longer than I had anticipated. While my dog was having a minor procedure, I decided to walk over for some lunch. I ordered curry chicken salad on croissant with a side of mushroom soup. Positively delectable. Perfect service from the bartender Edward. I had a delicious glass of Sauvignon Blanc to calm my nerves. The interior is quirky and comfy. Everything looked clean and in order. When I sat down I looked to the right and the dog painting was the spitting image of my dog. I am taking that as a positive sign.

Sesame Seared Yellowfin Tuna

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26 days ago

Served my burger raw twice. Disappointing since I was looking forward to this restaurant.

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Good food and a great vibe. Location next to UPenn is convenient. So good we went two nights in a row.

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White Dog Cafe - University City Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - White Dog Cafe - University City

Does White Dog have gluten free buns (or bread) for burgers?

No all of our buns have gluten. We have a vegan sweet potato bun but it has gluten. Our menu shows allergens in each dish. https://www.whitedog.com/universitycity/

Can I bring my puppy here?

Yes, dogs are allowed in their outdoor seating area

Wheelchair accessible, or all stairs?

I'm not 100% sure, but I know right now there's outdoor seating which is accessible

Does White Dog Cafe still do bottomless brunch? I don't see it on the menu so wondering if it's changed since the previous reviews were written.

Not anymore

Hey! I was wondering what the flat cost per person for bottomless is on sunday's?

They actually stopped offering bottomless. Apparently it's illegal in the city of Philadelphia they told us

Are bottomless brunch drinks still being offered/has the price changed?

No, they stopped doing bottomless

Are there bottomless mimosas?

Yes! They have bottomless mimosas, bloody Mary's and greyhounds (I think that's what it's called - grape fruit juice with vodka). You pay a flat cost that's added to your entire and can mix up the drinks you get. You don't have to get mimosas the… Read more

What time is brunch on Saturdays and Sundays?

9:30AM ~2:30PM

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The Love

The Love

4.4(1.3k reviews)
1.2 mi•Rittenhouse Square, Penn Center
•$$$

The Yelp rating hold up! The his place was great!…read more 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!

Had a lovely last minute brunch here on Saturday before we spent a day in the city before our…read moreflight 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!

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The Love
The Love
The Love

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Bad Brother

Bad Brother

4.8(196 reviews)
1.3 mi•Fairmount, Art Museum District

FANTASTIC place. Totally recommend and would absolutely go back…read more Easy to make a reservation over the phone and our party of 5 was welcomed and brought to our table upstairs. The upstairs area has a chill vibe with some Mario-themed art as well as a TV. It seems that the kitchen is upstairs, so a lot of waiters were flying by out table to the staircase. Our waiter was pretty chill. Apparently an O's fan, he was excited to learn we're from Baltimore. Food was all fantastic. The style of fries isn't my preference, but they were decent. Other than that, I was blown away. Child #1 and Child #2 got some items from the Kids' menu - grilled cheese and cheeseburger. Bread and Butter appetizer. Is it expensive for just being bread and butter? Yes. Is it worth it? Also yes. The homemade bread is great, but combine it with honey butter with flaky salt, and it's incredible. Loads of reviews on Yelp talked about the sausage roll. GET IT. It's greasy and filling in all the right ways. Goes great with a beer. My wife got the burger and she found it to be very tasty. I got the Grilled Maitake Mushrooms dish and holy cow; it's perfect. Even if you're not a vegetarian (I'm not), you can appreciate this dish: crispy rice cake (not the dry kind from the store), tender baby bok choy, and of course the well-cooked mushrooms are tied together with black vinegar, garlic-whipped tofu (!), and a peanut sauce. A++ would absolutely get again. The food menu has some staples, but overall it does change nightly, so make sure you check it out before you come. Apparently, on Sundays, they do a different experimental flavor of wings. I was curious, but my stomach has only so much room, so I had to draw the line. There is a respectable drink menu. My wife got the blood orange mezcalita, which she liked, but thought the smoke flavor was more subtle than described. I got the Plum Fizz and would totally get it again. Pleasantly-sour with a nice fizz. It's a nice pub in a nice neighborhood of a major city - be prepared for prices to match. But it is absolutely worth it.

One day I was craving a burger and decided to come to bad brother for the first time. I came on a…read moreMonday night not knowing there was a drinking event so it was pretty busy for a Monday. They were doing raffles if you ordered certain drafts but I decided to get a cocktail instead. The plum fizz was so delicious and refreshing. I liked that it wasn't too sweet or too strong (especially because it was a weekday) Anyways, because it was pretty busy I just sat myself at the bar. The bartenders were all so kind and nice and answered all of my questions. Apparently they do change some items on the menu and they do a martini and meatloaf Monday. I stuck with the burger and fries. When I tell you it was the best burger I've had in fairmount, I'm not exaggerating. I was expecting typical bar food but I was wrong. I will be back for sure and I'll be sure to tell all of my friends to go there as well. I've never had a meatloaf but just because the burger was so good I'll have to let my first one be at bad brother.

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Bad Brother - Seating area behind bar table was for two

Seating area behind bar table was for two

Bad Brother - Cheese plate

Cheese plate

Bad Brother - John Penguin heading in for his first scotch of the season. Wings or cheese plate?

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John Penguin heading in for his first scotch of the season. Wings or cheese plate?

Vernick Food & Drink - Butternut Squash and Gougere

Vernick Food & Drink

4.5(1.2k reviews)
1.0 mi•Rittenhouse Square, Penn Center
•$$$$

Amazing service and food! Every element of the dishes are meant to be enjoyed together and were…read moreintentionally designed. Highlights were the beef tartare (best I've ever had, super tender and a flavorful but fresh at the same time) and the grilled prawns (grilled to perfection with fragrant aroma, paired perfectly with the coconut sauce). The special was uni with squid couscous - a delicious seafood combo for seafood lovers! Not heavy at all. Everything on the raw menus is honestly good. I'm more biased towards the on toast and small plates in terms of quality. Recommend getting ~6 dishes for 2 people. Ask for the specials of the day. Service was also top notch!

We visited Vernick on my birthday in July before a show at the Academy of Music, and we had a…read morewonderful dining experience. Vernick has been on our radar for a while; in addition to all its accolades throughout the years, a friend from high school worked as a chef here a few years ago, so we've been meaning to visit. We had early dinner res to make it to our show, and we were seated very quickly and right in front of the kitchen, an ideal spot. Service was spot on, checking in on us appropriately and being mindful of our time restrictions. We actually had a bunch of time in between finishing our meal and going to the show but never felt rushed, sign of great hospitality. I was also surprised and excited to receive a complimentary small dessert at the conclusion of our meal for my birthday - an unnecessary but appreciated touch. For food, we really relied on our waiter to guide us to the right number of dishes to order. The kitchen provided a small bite to kick off the meal - a gazpacho and pastry puff, a nice touch. We started our selections with the blue crab toast, which was so "meaty" and nicely paired with the lemon and tarragon. We then moved on to the yellow fin tuna, which featured cute crispy rice to give a little crunch. For some greens, we opted for the broccolini with golden raisins and pine nuts; what a fun combination! We were convinced to order a seasonal panzanella with peaches and peppers that was perfect for the season and hot weather, so we were grateful for the encouragement! To continue the summer produce trend, we also had the grilled romaine salad with strawberries and basil dressing, nice and refreshing. Lastly, for our main, we opted for the halibut with miso mushrooms and tomatoes. The fish was so light and flaky but paired excellently with the meaty mushrooms. We each enjoyed a cocktail with our meals (their selection offers something for everyone, including N/A options), which paired nicely as well. It seemed like a ton of food, but each plate is small enough that the menu lends itself to allow the diner to enjoy multiple dishes from the entire menu. We had a lovely dinner at Vernick, and the wait was well worth it. It is a price spot, but the quality of the food is well worth it. I love their focus on seasonal items for their various "sides" and small plates, and the "main" dishes were all so simple yet complex and intriguing. The hospitality was great, really allowing the memory of the evening to linger. I would love to revisit and to try the other Vernick spots in the near future!

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Vernick Food & Drink
Vernick Food & Drink - Blueberry Pie

Blueberry Pie

Vernick Food & Drink - Mushrooms

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Mushrooms

Wilder - Bucatini Cacio E Pepe

Wilder

4.4(461 reviews)
1.0 mi•Rittenhouse Square, Penn Center

This restaurant is 2 floors and so beautiful! It's modern with nice splashes of color and it was…read moresuch a vibe. Service was fantastic. This was a great spot for a girl's dinner. It's casual but you won't be out of place if you dress up. For food, we started with the crispy calamari that came with a citrus frisee salad and was already sauced up. It was a unique style that I enjoyed and much lighter than other calamari dishes I've had. The petite plateau was perfect for sharing among the 4 of us. Everything was fresh and delicious while being presented so beautifully. The cocktails I had were good. They were different from ones I typically order which I thought was fun to experiment with new flavors to see what I like. One had a pickle garnish and the other was with a non-smoky mezcal. For entrees, most of us got pasta which were all handmade and tasty. My favorite was the one with crab & vodka sauce. The cacio e Pepe & mushroom ones were also good. What stood out the most during the meal was dessert. We got the double chocolate mousse and that was one of the best chocolate mousses I've ever had! It was so gorgeous and topped with a sunflower seed praline & had tangy passionfruit sauce at the bottom which made for a flavor explosion. I was so impressed! The key lime panna cotta was also a work of art topped with candied sourdough that provided a nice crunch to the creamy texture of this dish. It was so yummy! I can't wait to go back again!

We came with a party of 5 and were seated on the first floor. The atmosphere is great, although…read morefirst floor is a bit draft from the door being opened. -roasted oysters, plump and juicy -hamachi crudo, one of my faves, fresh and light -Malfadine sauce could have been more flavorful -margarita and lemon ricotta pizzas were both good -desserts were all really good, especially the olive oil cake -branzino, great cook, could've used a bit more sauce Service was great and they gave us the sorbet on the house!

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Wilder - Private dining room

Private dining room

Wilder - Mussels and frites

Mussels and frites

Wilder - Mafaldine Alla Vodka

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Mafaldine Alla Vodka

Friday Saturday Sunday

Friday Saturday Sunday

4.5(423 reviews)
1.0 mi•Rittenhouse Square
•$$$$

Trying to score a seat at Friday Saturday Sunday on a whim is notoriously difficult, but my recent…read moreexperience as a solo walk-in proved that their hospitality is just as world-class as their kitchen. Despite the house being packed, the staff was incredibly accommodating from the second I walked through the door. While waiting for a spot to open up, they immediately ushered me into the bar area and took my drink order. The bar manager went out of her way to look after me, constantly checking in and reassuring me that a seat would turn over soon. True to her word, I was comfortably seated at the bar within 15 minutes. I opted for the full tasting menu with the wine pairing. Even though I was dining alone, the warmth of the staff meant I never felt isolated. The bartender looking after me was phenomenal--attentive, kind, accommodating, and just straight cool. The pacing was perfect, and the energy at the bar made the night. As for the meal itself, everything--and I mean everything--was excellent. Here is how the menu delivered: The Standouts: - Eggs and Caviar: A luxurious, flawless combination of potato, leek, and truffle that set an incredibly high bar right out of the gate. - Fusilli: Perfectly cooked pasta tossed with clams, a striking allium ash, and a deeply savory lobster sauce that had incredible depth. - Sweetbreads: Beautifully executed with mushroom, plantain, and a precise vin blanc. The touch of sweetness from the plantain was a brilliant contrast to the richness of the dish. - Fish Course: Flawlessly cooked fish paired with a sharp salsa verde, a complex sauce vin jaune, and served with a side of coco bread that was perfect for wiping the plate clean. - Koshihikari Rice: An absolute knockout. The texture of the premium rice combined with the subtle heat of aji dulce and the crunch of crispy mangalitsa pork was spectacular. - Grilled Short Rib: Meltingly tender, glazed in a rich oxtail jus with a hint of peanut that brought a unique, savory complexity to the finish. - Duck Egg Semifreddo: A vibrant, forward-thinking dessert utilizing mango, passion fruit, fig leaf, and tepache. It was exceptionally bright, balanced, and the perfect note to end on. The Verdict: Friday Saturday Sunday is easily one of the best dining experiences in Philadelphia. The food and wine pairings are operating at an elite level, but it is the elite, unpretentious hospitality that truly sets this place apart. Whether you are with a group or dining solo at the bar, it is a mandatory stop.

Literally one of the best meals I've ever had!…read more So this is definitely a splurge, it's expensive. But you are getting not only spectacular food, but exquisite service, a gorgeous and intimate environment and a long and lingering meal - they aren't rushing you out here, they want you to rest between courses and have an excellent experience. It's a set prix fix menu that changes regularly of seven courses plus an opening snack and two desserts. Portions are tiny but it adds up and you will not leave hungry! I am a vegetarian and they easily accommodated me with advanced notice. They also offer a wine pairing, which we skipped, but know friends have done it and said it was fabulous (but be forewarned... they give full pours so you will be very tipsy!). We saw some couples sharing a single wine pairing and that seemed like a smart idea. It's very hard to get a reservation- on the first of the month they open up reservations for the following month, and they go fast! It's on the second floor of an old townhouse so there are stairs to climb. The first floor is a bar with first come, first serve seating. At the bar they have a different menu with full sized portions. Can't wait to go back and try that out! Highly, highly recommend and I can't wait for an excuse to go back!

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Friday Saturday Sunday - Bar Area

Bar Area

Friday Saturday Sunday - Shrimp Cocktail

Shrimp Cocktail

Friday Saturday Sunday - Snack Course. Tomato tart and scallops

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Snack Course. Tomato tart and scallops

Talula's Garden

Talula's Garden

4.5(2.5k reviews)
2.2 mi•Society Hill
•$$$

Finally! No disappointment either, that's always best. Cherry on top, with my daycare bestie! Who…read morecan say that?! And if you can, bless UP! The space is warming, inviting and I love the farmhouse chic vibes. I was t there for the aesthetics, but it was lovely. Staff is super attentive, knowledgeable and sweet! JESS guided us through the lovely menu. I studied it prior, LOL, and she was on point! The experience was chill, love and yummy. Risotto with scallops and shrimp was phenomenal! Next time I'll ask to 86 that brown butter vinaigrette. The biscuits with the sublime butter was a great start along with the strawberry salad my GODSIS got. It was FRESH! We got different desserts to try and I'll be back to try them all. She got the mini donuts and according to her "they are not munchkins"! No these were special, because I tried them. Perfection. We shared the sweets and that butterscotch treat was perfect and here is where the service over stands! Thank you JESS! Can't wait to go back when it's warmer and sit out in the GARDEN! Lovely service, esthetics and vibes. Park nearby, enjoy and stroll the park. Can't wait to return. S T A R R

Food-- biscuits were like 0/10. It was advertised like Red Lobster, on some cheddar bay type of…read morething. They were extremely hard and were not giving that. Red Lobster should take over in that department!! The shrimp & grits were DELICIOUS --10/10. The dessert was really good, too. I'll give it a 9/10 because I didn't get to enjoy much of it bc I left it in the fridge and forgot about it. But from what I tasted when I got it, I love that the lemon cake wasn't too tart considering the raspberry sorbet and lemon curd took on that role. And that mocktail sangria was delicious--OMG 12/10! Service-- the guy was great! No complaints. It was my friend's birthday and they came through with the cute birthday brownies for us to share. Ambiance-- it's a really cute place and I hope to sit in the back one day because it's really dope over there. I took myself on a tour .

Photos
Talula's Garden
Talula's Garden
Talula's Garden

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White Dog Cafe - University City - bars - Updated May 2026

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