Restaurant Wedding Venues in Philadelphia
Restaurants in Philadephia that Host Weddings
Did you know that there are many restaurants in Philadelphia where you can host your wedding? Philadelphia is bursting with amazing cuisine and if food is a priority for your wedding day, then choosing a restaurant to host your wedding is certainly an option to consider. I have had the pleasure of photographing weddings at many venues around the city and some of the most intimate, fun, and tasty weddings have been at restaurants. Let’s talk about what to keep in mind when planning your restaurant wedding in Philadelphia.
The Food
Let’s start with the most obvious, the food! Sharing food is one of the ways we celebrate together and offering delicious cuisine to your guests at your Philadelphia wedding can be a wonderful connection point for your day. Since food is the focus of restaurants, you will be able to serve your friends and family specialty dishes that many wedding caterers do not offer and it can elevate the gathering and create a buzz of excitement, fun and memories.
Wedding Size
The size of your wedding(the number of guests you are inviting) will help determine which Philadelphia restaurants you may want to consider for your wedding day. If you are having a micro wedding, for example, there are many restaurants in the city that have private rooms available and could easily host your smaller-sized event. If you are going bigger, you are often able to buy out the entire restaurant space to accommodate your guests. Be sure to ask about the minimum and maximum number of guests that the restaurant can accommodate.
Decorations and Decor
One thing to keep in mind is the overall feel of the wedding which is created in part by the space and decor. Each space you walk into has its own unique feel. Choosing a restaurant that matches your aesthetic and will help set the tone for your day. Is the space modern, open, and airy? Is it a dark, moody, sophisticated bar? Is it all in one space or are there separate rooms? Often restaurants require less decorating than a typical wedding venue would. While a ballroom often comes as more of a blank slate and in need of more decor, restaurants are typically already styled with a point of view and often a few candles, and perhaps a few floral touches may be all you need.
Dance Floor
Are you envisioning a dinner party mix and mingle type reception or are you thinking dance party? Often restaurants are tighter on space and may not have much or any room for a dance floor. If this is important to you, it is helpful to talk this through and understand the logistics, possibilities, and also limitations of the restaurant space.
Wedding Day Photos
On a wedding day, the formal photos are most often taken right at the venue using inside and outside spaces. If you are planning a restaurant wedding in Philadelphia, you will want to consider where you will be taking your couple’s photos, your family photos, and your wedding party photos. Does the restaurant have an appealing space for this? Are you allowed in ahead of time to take these photos? Are you planning on another Philadelphia location for photos? Wedding days have lots of moving parts and planning is a key to having a smooth wedding day.
Restaurant Wedding Ceremony
If you are envisioning having your ceremony at the restaurant this is something you will want to think about when you visit. Because restaurants are not set up like a wedding venue, the ceremony layout may be a bit non-traditional compared to other options. Sometimes guests will be seated right at their tables for a ceremony and other times may be standing. Some restaurants have dedicated space for ceremonies. Talk with the events team at the restaurant to understand the plan if you are having your ceremony on-site. Other couples choose to have their ceremony somewhere else and then host cocktails and dinner at the restaurant. Oh so many different ways to plan your day!
Flow of the Day
Think about the flow of the event when booking your restaurant. What spaces will be used for what part of the day? Will the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception all be in the same space? Will you be moving from an outside patio to a bar and then to a seated seated dinner? It is helpful to think of this while looking at the space.
The Cost of a Restaurant Wedding
The cost of a restaurant wedding can vary greatly. The biggest determining factor is the guest count. The smaller the gathering the more affordable it will be. Some restaurants will have a food minimum for specific spaces as well so be sure you understand how the pricing structure works, which will vary from restaurant to restaurant. One benefit of choosing a restaurant wedding venue in Philadelphia as opposed to a traditional ballroom is you are typically not charged for things like tables, chairs, napkins etc. Of course, the cost of alcohol is also something to keep in mind. Will you be doing an open bar, a champagne toast, or a signature cocktail, or is the restaurant a BYO and you will be providing what is served? All of these things can affect the cost of your wedding day. One more thing to consider is the day of the week you choose to hold your wedding. Pricing can sometimes vary if you choose a weekday or weekend. Overall a restaurant venue can end up being a more affordable option.
Restaurant Wedding Venues In Philadelphia
Now that we have gone through things to keep in mind for planning, let’s talk about some of the amazing restaurants in Philadelphia where you can host your wedding. This list is just a taste of all the amazing options available. If you have a favorite restaurant that is special to the two of you as a couple, you could always reach out to them and see if they accommodate events and weddings. One of the best ways to know if a venue is a good fit is to go there in person. Book a dinner reservation, soak in the ambiance, and of course, taste the food!
Osteria Italian Restaurant
If family-style Italian food is your thing, look no further. They have the most delicious house-made focaccia bread that I still dream about, amazing pasta dishes and I love their broccolini Ceaser salad. You will absolutely leave full and happy! They have a wonderful happy hour too, which is a great option to sample some of their dishes to see if they appeal to your taste buds for a Philadelphia wedding venue location. They have a beautiful sun-soaked greenhouse space that you can rent for your ceremony and reception that feels special and celebratory.
Website: www.osteriaphilly.com
640 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 763-0920
Food Style: Italian
Popular Dish: Chicken Liver Rigatoni, Whole Branzino with preserved Lemon and Olive Gremolata
Number of guests it can accommodate: 14 – 120
Click to see a real wedding at Osteria Italian restaurant
Garces Trading Company
This cafe is a Jose Garces restaurant located in the Cira Centre in Philadelphia. This modern event space has a unique wall of windows with city views. Garces Events are pros at catering and offer a wide range of menu options. You are sure to have fresh, creative, and crowd-pleasing food!
Website: www.garcestradingcompany.com
2929 Arch St B, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 222-2363
Food Style: Electic mix from all the Garces Restaurants
Popular Dish: Main Lobster Roll, Short ribs
Number of guests it can accommodate: 150 – 200
Click to see a real wedding at real wedding at Garces Trading Company
Royal Boucherie
This Old City restaurant and bar has appealing and sophisticated spaces. My favorite room is their garden patio which is an inside area with a clear roof, brick wall, lots of hanging plants, and string lights. It’s an unexpected and cool room for a ceremony, cocktails, or an intimate sit-down dinner. They also have a bar upstairs and downstairs and a tasty and flexible menu.
Website: www.royalboucherie.com
52 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(267) 606-6313
Food Style: French-inspired brasserie
Popular Dish: Steak Frits, Raw Bar
Number of guests it can accommodate: 8 to 125 guests
Click to see a real wedding at real wedding at Royal Boucherie
Melograno Restaurant
This Philadelphia BYOB is cozy and welcoming and serves up rustic Italian fare. If you are looking for comfort food including outstanding pasta, delicious meatballs and great service, this is a hidden gem to have a look at.
Website: www.melogranophilly.com
2012 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 875-8116
Food Style: Italian BYOB
Popular Dish: Char Octopus, Tartufate
Number of guests it can accommodate: 40 – 75
Click to see a real wedding at real wedding at Melograno
Moshulu
The Moshulu is located in the Delaware River. That’s right, “in” the river. It’s actually on a boat! If you want to give yourself and your guests a one-of-a-kind experience for your wedding consider this nautical-themed restaurant experience.
Website: www.moshulu.com
401 S Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 923-2500
Food Style: Modern American
Popular Dish: Center Cut Filet Mignon & Jumbo Lump Crabcake Duet, Crispy Tuna Rice
Number of guests it can accommodate: 20 – 600
Click to see a real wedding at real wedding at Moshulu
Telas Market
Locally sourced ingredients make this neighborhood cafe a popular choice in the Fairmount section of Philadelphia. This corner storefront has plenty of natural light and an open floorplan allowing for lots of possibilities for design. I have photographed a couple of small weddings here and they do a lovely job creating a festive and celebratory atmosphere and of course memorable food and drink.
Website: www.telasmarket.com
1833 Fairmount Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 235-0170
Food Style: Seasonal American
Popular Dish: cheese and charcuterie board, pizzas
Number of guests it can accommodate: 30 – 75
Click to see a real wedding at real wedding at Telas Market
Jansen Mt Airy
Janson serves a menu that changes seasonally using fresh ingredients to create an exciting menu and dining experience. Located in the Mount Airy neighborhood of Philadelphia, their space features a wonderful outside tented patio where you can have your ceremony and inside seating as well. They also pride themselves on their robust beverage program just as much as their food. Any special events can be personalized to have a custom cocktail created for you based on your own tastes by their seasoned mixologist – how fun!
7402 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19119
Food Style: New American with a heavy French influence
Popular Dish: beef filet, chocolate love cake
Number of guests it can accommodate: up to 70 guests seated
(267) 335-5041
Stella (New Hope, PA)
In the heart of charming New Hope Pa, Stella offers a creative culinary menu. It sits on the banks of the Delaware River offering impressive panoramic views. The thoughtful design allows couples to be imaginative in their wedding day vision. The restaurant has multiple floors and an outside area along the water. This classy, yet cozy atmosphere is a win in my book.
Website: www.stellanewhope.com
50 S Main St, New Hope, PA 18938
(267) 740-2691
Food Style: Refined classical American
Click to see a real wedding at real wedding at Stella in New Hope
Fringe Bar
This Riverfront restaurant offers a versatile space. They have a multilevel interior, outside seating(with fire pits)on the patio, and views of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge soaring across the Delaware River. This cool destination Philadelphia restaurant and bar will leave a lasting impression on your guests from the unique inside space to the impressive outside views.
Website: www.fringebarphilly.com
140 N Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 375-7744
Food Style: Contemporary American
Popular Dish: fried cheese curds, rigatoni with pesto cream sauce
Number of guests it can accommodate: 80 – 200
Click to see a real wedding at Le Peg
Spring Mill Cafe
Built in the 1800s as a general store and a post office, this historic building is now home to an outstanding French restaurant. This Conshohocken favorite, just outside of Philadelphia, is a charming location for an intimate wedding day. The outside area offers a small green space that makes for nice photos. Also important to note that Spring Mill Cafe is a BYO.
Website: www.springmill.com
164 Barren Hill Rd, Conshohocken, PA 19428
(610) 828-2550
Food Style: French Bistro Country Fare (BYO)
Popular Dish: traditional boeuf bourguignon, Filet Mignon
Number of guests it can accommodate: 20 – 70 (with a tent)
Click to see a real wedding at real wedding at Spring Mill Cafe
Valley Green Inn
I adore this Restaurant that is right on the walking path through the Wissahickon Park in Philadelphia. Surrounded by the woods and the water, it is the perfect escape from the city all well still being within the city limits. If you enjoy the outdoors and good food add The Valley Green Inn on your list to visit. There are so many magical places for photos around the inn, by the creek, and on the trails.
Valley Green Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19128
(215) 247-1730
Food Style: American
Popular Dish: Ribeye with Mushroom Demi, and the Vegetable Pot Pie
Number of guests it can accommodate: 50 – 175
Click to see a real wedding at real wedding at Valley Green Inn.
Twisted Tail
The Twisted Tail is an all-in-one restaurant, bar and entertainment venue and perhaps your Philadelphia wedding venue. They create a refreshingly creative culinary experience with a specialty of open-flame charcoal grill dishes – yumm! The space is bi-level with options of renting out just one floor, the whole restaurant or even using the amazing outside Shambles at Headhouse Square(which is a historic covered pavilion featuring cobblestone and brick and full of Society Hill charm).
509 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 558-2471
Food Style: modern American cuisine with a focus on open flame Charcoal grill
Popular Dish: mac ‘n cheese bar, whole filet mignon, whole suckling pig roast
Number of guests it can accommodate: 10 – 300
Click to see a real wedding at real wedding at The Shambles at Headhouse Square catered by The Twisted Tail.
Yards Brewing
500 Spring Garden St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 525-0175
Food Style: American with a Philly twist
Popular Dish: Philly Style Roast Pork Sammys, Mac & Cheese bar
Number of guests it can accommodate: 50 – 120
Wilder
2009 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 309-2149
Food Style: Italian American Fusion
Popular Dish: Mafaldine alla Vodka, Pears & Burrata
Number of guests it can accommodate: 9 to 150 guests
Estia
1405-07 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Food Style: Greek Mediterranean
Popular Dish: Lavraki, Lamb Chop
Number of guests it can accommodate: 8 – 160
Reading Terminal Market
1136 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 922-2317
Food Style: A wide range of dishes are available through the Terminal Market vendors
Number of guests it can accommodate: 100 – 4000
Terrain at Styers
914 Baltimore Pike #3334, Glen Mills, PA 19342
(610) 459-6035
Food Style: Farm to Table
Popular Dish: Flower pot bread, Lavender Lemonade, Seared Scallops
Number of guests it can accommodate: 35 – 110
Martha
2113 E York St, Philadelphia, PA 19125
(215) 867-8881
Food Style: From creative snacks to Zig Zag BBQ
Popular Dish: Antipasti Plate and the Roasted Maitake Mushrooms
Number of guests it can accommodate: 20 – 115
Barbuzzo
110 S 13th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 546-9300
Popular Dish: lemon chicken, eggplant parmesan
Number of guests it can accommodate: Up to 62 seated
Talula’s Garden
210 W Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 592-7787
Food Style: Seasonal Farm to Table
Popular Dish: Shrimp and Grits, Handmade Ravioli
Number of guests it can accommodate: 20 – 80
Suraya
1528 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
(215) 302-1900
Food Style: Modern Lebanese
Popular Dish: arnabeet mekle, lamb kawarma
Number of guests it can accommodate: 30 – 170
Triple Bottom Brewing
915 Spring Garden Street Philadelphia, PA 19123
Number of guests it can accommodate: 20 – 140
The Love
130 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 433-1555
Lark
611 Righters Ferry Rd, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
(484) 434-8766
Harp & Crown
1525 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 330-2800
Philadelphia Restaurant Weddings
I hope this list of restaurant wedding venues in Philadelphia has inspired you to check out a few of these vibrant delicious possibilities! There are so many possibilities and many more popping up each year. I can’t wait to see what restaurant you decide to book for your wedding. Congratulations and Bon appetit!
