Dining
Looking for great dining in Old City?
When dining in Old City, we recommend these restaurants that support the Arden! All offer a 10% special discount for Arden patrons when you present your tickets at time of ordering. Please ask your server for more details.
2nd Story Brewing
117 Chestnut Street | 267.314.5770
Specializing in hand-crafted beer brewed in-house, they offer informal fare (fish & chips, fondue, burgers), traditional entrees (salmon, roast chicken) and exotic choices (coconut curry stew). For extra fun, try the chocolate chunk bread pudding (house-made pretzels & brioche topped with bananas foster) or the “Big & Boozy adult sundae” (Franklin Fountain custom house-beer ice cream with lots of toppings finished with honey whipped cream).
Campo’s
214 Market Street | 215.923.1000
For 70+ years, this family-owned deli restaurant focuses on Philly favorites: hoagies and steaks – with over 16 choices from traditional to creative (ex: “FLYERS ICE” STEAK with Philly Cream Cheese, Fresh Tomato, Jalapeño Cheddar, and Oregano). Plus soups, salads, and sandwiches and gluten-free and vegan options. They’re such a Philly tradition, they’re also at Citizens Bank Park and the Wells Fargo Center.
Chlöe
232 Arch Street | 215.629.2337
This 32-seat BYOB is a “casual neighborhood eatery” serving fresh, locally-sourced New American cuisine from Wednesday through Saturday nights. You’ll find standards: onion soup, scallops, and ribeye steak, plus ever-changing creative options such as: roasted pumpkin & ricotta ravioli with dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds or the Chloe Salad with baked panko crusted goat cheese, red onion, and orange chipotle dressing over mixed greens.
Continental
138 Market Street | 215.923.6069
The first of Stephen Starr’s 21-restaurant empire, the Continental offers eclectic choices day and night. Examples of the around-the-world menu include snacks: Szechuan Shoestring Fries, Kimchi Chicken Quesadilla, and Greek Guacamole. Small plate examples: Beer Battered Shrimp & Calamari, Veal & Ricotta Meatballs with marinara, and steamed chicken dumplings. Large plate examples: Jumbo Lump Crab Pad, Steak Frites, and Chicken Tikka Masala.
Cuba Libre
10 South 2nd Street | 215.627.0666
The décor takes you back to 1950’s Old Havana. The menu contains a contemporary interpretation of traditional Cuban cuisine. Examples: pineapple guacamole cubano with crispy plantain chips, traditional Cuban black bean soup, coconut crab fritters, pulled pork with classic sour orange mojo and smashed yucca. Or sample more familiar choices, such as Argentine-style steak. You’ll also find authentic Cuban cocktails and a large variety of rums along with a full bar.
Fork
306 Market Street | 215.625.9425
Known for 20+ years for its interesting Contemporary American menu and high ceilings with twinkling lights, Fork serves “locally sourced and seasonally inspired” dishes of interesting combinations. Examples: duck confit and poached egg with candied pine nuts & buttermilk ranch for brunch. For dinner – a Lamb Tartare appetizer with fermented pepper, kohlrabi, and almond dukkah and/or among their hand-made pastas – Stinging Nettle Rigatoni.
Franklin Fountain
116 Market Street | 215.627.1899
This old-fashioned ice cream parlor has bow-tie-wearing staff serving classic ice cream parlor/soda fountain favorites year round of handmade ice cream, including vegan flavors, with too-many-to-count toppings in sundae, split, soda, or milkshake form made with handmade syrups. They also feature seasonal specialties such as the Fall’s Apple Butter Ice Cream filled with local apples, Bauman Family Fruit Butters & Cider apple butter.
High Street on Market
308 Market Street | 215.625.0988
This informal cousin of Fork sits next door with a local-artisan decor. It offers traditional classics – Pastrami on Rye, alongside more edgy options – High Street’s Chef Salad with roasted turkey, bologna, soft boiled egg, feta, chickpeas, tomato, & green goddess. Dinner examples: Honey-glazed Farm Chicken and Duck Egg Carbonara. Something for everyone. Meals are paired with domestic artisanal wines and bottled and hand-crafted cocktails.
Khyber Pass Pub
56 S. 2nd Street | 215.238.5888
This cozy bar specializes in Southern, Cajun and Creole cuisines, featuring some of the best barbecue in the city. There are 22 rotating craft drafts, a wide selection of craft bottles, wine, classic cocktails and an extensive selection of brown spirits. Stop by their newly renovated upstairs space which has a full bar and a large space for dancing, live music, art shows, private parties and more.
Pinot Wine Boutique
227 Market Street | 215.627.WINE
Pinot offers wine flights, such as: premium reds and whites, sweet wines, sparkling, rosés, wines of the Revolution; tastings and classes on interesting topics such as: bold reds, local wines from the area (PA, NJ and Del), wines of Brazil and Argentina, and drinks of the Revolution; and wine and cheese and wine and chocolate pairings. They also carry chic and functional wine accessories and specialty items.
The Plough & the Stars
123 Chestnut Street | 215.733.0300
A Western European menu with a strong Irish influence, options include traditional pub favorites, more sophisticated fare for foodies, and vegan, gluten-free and heart healthy options. The environment is fun and casual. They offer 12 beers on tap through “the most sophisticated beer system in the US, imported directly from Ireland.” On weekend nights, the Plough becomes a lively bar scene.
Positano Coast by Aldo Lamberti
212 Walnut Street, 2nd Floor | 215.238.0499
Designed to feel like you’re in Positano on Italy’s Amalfi Coast with a menu of Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, such as Sea Urchin Pasta, Pan-Seared Branzino, Gnocchi Gorgonzola, and Grilled Octopus, plus Crudo (the Italian version of sashimi) and traditional and creative variations of classic Italian dishes. The wine bar serves signature drinks and organic cocktails. Al fresco dining is available in summer months on their two second-floor patios.
Race Street Café
208 Race Street | 215.627.6181
A low-key café with a rustic vibe (wood stove, exposed brick, barn doors open to the street in warm months). The menu includes house-made soups, pub food like burgers and sandwiches, and entrees from a Fish of the Day to New York Strip Steak. They serve 15 constantly changing draught beers plus a full bar of liquors and wine. Check out their brunch menu, too.
Royal Boucherie
52 S. 2nd Street | 267.606.6313
Their locally sourced menu (with roots in French cuisine) provides the freedom to enjoy drinks and a light bite, a beer and a burger or four-courses of magic paired with amazing wines from their cellar. Join them for lunch, brunch, dinner and late-night hours in the bar, their dining rooms or in their upstairs garden during the warmer months. However you choose to dine, Royal Boucherie has something for everyone!
Shane Confectionery
110 Market Street | 215.922.1048
America’s oldest, continuously-run confectionery run by the Franklin Fountain owners next door. They offer an array of traditional hand-made chocolates, caramels, fudge, hard candies and seasonal specialties along with unusual options, such as locally sourced Chocolate-dipped Green Meadow Farm Bacon, Chocolate-dipped Pennsylvania Dutch potato chips, and Springerle Cookies from Lancaster County, and hard-to-find vegan options, including: Giant Giambri’s candy canes, and Victorian clear toy candy.
South Street Philly Bagels
613 S. 3rd Street | 215.627.6277
This family owned and operated bagel bakery is committed to bringing fresh bagels to the community every day. All of their bagels are made on premises from scratch in the traditional New York bagel baking style. They offer a wide variety of bagels, cream cheeses and delicious breakfast sandwiches. Stop by with your ticket to get a free coffee with the purchase of a breakfast sandwich!
Vista Peru
20 S. 2nd Street | 215.398.5046
With a desire and passion to expand the love of Peruvian flavors, Miguel Toro created Vista Peru; the first authentic Peruvian restaurant in Philadelphia. Right in the heart of Old City, Vista Peru uses only the freshest, quality-sourced ingredients to bring authentic Peruvian cuisine to life. Select from traditional plates like pollo a la braza, cebiche, or their vast array of seafood dishes. Plus, you can enjoy one of their signature Pisco cocktails.
Concessions
The concessions bar opens 30 minutes before curtain. Stop by for beer, wine, soda, and snacks to enjoy in our lobby before the show or during intermission.