Dining

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.