Best Restaurants for Spicy Food in University City

125 restaurants available nearby

A photo of White Dog Cafe - University City restaurant

1. White Dog Cafe - University City

4.7

Exceptional(5477)

Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • University City

Booked 29 times today

An iconic restaurant in University City since 1983, White Dog Cafe is a leader in using environmentally sustainable, organic, and local foods from farms within 50 miles. Known for warm hospitality, and inspiring award-winning food, the White Dog's historic three brownstones offer charming and whimsical dog décor and artwork in its many unique dining spaces and outdoor dining on the sidewalk.

A photo of LaScala's Fire-University City restaurant

2. LaScala's Fire-University City

4.5

Awesome(177)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • University City

Booked 3 times today

LaScala's Fire at University City is located at 32nd & Chestnut on the Drexel University Campus. (This is not our Old City location.)* NOW WITH A FULL BAROpen Table's Diner's Choice 2022, 2023

A photo of Craftsman Row Saloon restaurant

3. Craftsman Row Saloon

4.5

Awesome(1152)

Price: Moderate

• American • Old City

Booked 66 times today

We are famously known to provide holiday pop-ups with all the festivities and delights and are currently showcasing our Holiday Wonderland Pop Up. This holiday season we are even more super-sized and decked out than ever and ready to provide the festivities and delights of the holiday season. The drinks and food items will take you on a full sensory experience of the holiday. Whether inside or out, there is a perfect spot to take your holiday picture so have your camera ready!Our year round Iconic Burgers, Milkshakes and other Sandwiches such as our Doritos Mozzarella Sticks, French Toast Burger and Donut Fried Chicken sandwich are always on the menu as we continuously change it up seasonally. Every moment can be magical time to share experiences with family and friends so check back for our other seasonal pop ups. Proudly featured on The Travel Channel's Food Paradise, Fox29, 6ABC, Opentable’s Holiday lists and more!

4. Mercato

4.6

Exceptional(1942)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Center City

Booked 3 times today

Mercato BYOB is a festive and modern Italian eatery that lets you bring your own drinks. A simple and to the point menu focuses on quality over quantity and features items like ricotta raviolo and a spicy crab bucatini with squid ink pasta.The artisan cheeses and house-cured meats at Mercato BYOB are perfect for sharing and are paired with sauces and condiments like agrodolce and pickled white grapes. A whole grilled artichoke appetizer will undoubtedly turn you into the vegetable's biggest fan. Heavier dishes, like the Grilled Hanger Steak with yukon gold potato wedge, are equally impressive. Mercato BYOB opens at 4 p.m. The restaurant has a four course tasting menu that is ideal for groups. Conveniently located to all the theatres, shopping and convention center. Outdoor seating available when weather permits.

5. Talula’s Garden

4.9

Exceptional(13229)

Price: Very Expensive

• American • Washington Square

Booked 91 times today

Behind the wrought iron gate, past the herbaceous patio and through the atrium is Talula's Garden, the warm and elegant Washington Square eatery from Aimee Olexy and Starr Restaurants. The modern menu, prepared with carefully-sourced ingredients and a light European touch, changes with the seasons. The artful cuisine, hospitable staff, sustainable spirits, and a focus on cheese make the dining experience here incredibly memorable.

A photo of Buddakan - Philadelphia restaurant

6. Buddakan - Philadelphia

4.7

Exceptional(11332)

Price: Expensive

• Asian • Old City

Booked 93 times today

Stephen Starr’s Buddakan is a spectacular restaurant featuring exotic flavors of modern Asian cuisine with creativity and drama. Bon Appetit notes, "The mostly white space is striking, with a lit-from-within communal table in the middle of the room, a waterfall & a ten-foot, candle-bedecked Buddha. The religious icon watches over hip customers indulging in pan-Asian cuisine that far surpasses the fare usually found at hot spots like this." Newsweek reports, "Design also serves as a signifier for cuisine. You walk into Buddakan, one of the hottest new restaurants in Philadelphia, past a shimmering waterfall & Japanese river stones & you say to yourself, 'ginger-miso everything' even before you see the magnificent 10-foot Buddha dominating the dining room." Named one of “America's Top 50 Restaurants" by Travel & Leisure and 'Top Restaurant for Fun' by Gourmet, Buddakan has become one of the country's most talked about restaurants.

7. Amada PHL

4.7

Exceptional(8721)

Price: Expensive

• Spanish • Old City

Booked 45 times today

Amada is an Andalusian tapas bar & restaurant where Chef Jose Garces embraces the rich traditions of Spanish gastronomy while incorporating avant-garde cooking techniques in a gorgeous rustic-chic settingSpecialties of the HouseSpanish Octopus, Garlic Shrimp, Tortilla Española, Paella Valenciana, Whole Roasted Suckling Pig (Call to order 72 hours in advance, excluding Sundays), Seasonal Sangrías, Cocktails, and Wine.Private Parties: Amada welcomes groups of all sizes. Festive settings, service and menus are perfect for intimate dinners with friends, special occasions and holidays, corporate meetings and staff parties. Events can be booked throughout the restaurant and in our private dining rooms seven days a week. For parties of 10 or more, please call our private events team at 267-284-7979 or email events@garcesgroup.com

8. Spice Finch

4.8

Exceptional(1258)

Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • Center City

Booked 17 times today

Named after the bird that populates nearly every port along the ancient maritime spice routes, Spice Finch pays homage to a passerine that does not sing, yet is known to vocalize or chirp in recognition of good eats. We are inspired by the distinctive flavors of the nations bordering the Mediterranean Sea, and heavily influenced by the cultures and culinary traditions of Morocco and Greece. Our menu is a bold, seasonally accurate menu featuring an array of small plates, vegetables, grilled meats and fish. Follow us on Instagram @SpiceFinchPhilly

9. El Vez

4.7

Exceptional(7032)

Price: Moderate

• Mexican / Regional American (Southwestern) • Center City

Booked 80 times today

A contemporary Mexican restaurant, El Vez offers many unique items such as mahi mahi tacos, ahi tuna tostadas, carne asada and pasilla braised pork pozole. Enjoy their made-to-order guacamole & margaritas with fresh-squeezed juices. Top off your meal with "The El Vez," a flourless chocolate cake, peanut butter mousse and carmelized bananas.

A photo of Loch Bar - Philadelphia restaurant

10. Loch Bar - Philadelphia

4.5

Awesome(681)

Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Center City

Booked 59 times today

Located on Philadelphia's vibrant Avenue of the Arts in the heart of the city, Loch Bar is a classic seafood tavern that blends the best of land & sea!Spotlighted by an impressive raw bar that offers an array of succulent seafood & fresh flavors, Loch Bar's menu incorporates some of the region's most popular seafood dishes including oysters, Maine lobster, Alaskan king crab & more.In addition to our stellar raw bar, we present an extensive whiskey list from around the world that caters to both the seasoned aficionado as well as curious newcomers. To complement our whiskey offerings, our bar program features handcrafted cocktails & local craft beers.Loch Bar hosts live music every night of the week showcasing the incredible talent of Philadelphia's local music scene.Loch Bar on Philadelphia's Avenue of the Arts is more than just a restaurant; it's an immersive journey through the finest culinary offerings, live music &

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

S
SharonVIP
Philadelphia County •124 reviews
4.0
Dined 2 days ago
Good place for a meal before a show across the street.
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Toska Restaurant & BreweryPrice: Moderate• American• Chestnut Hill
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4.6
N
Nicole
Philadelphia County •13 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
So good ! From start to finish - excellent. Understated and underrated. Service ambiance and good quality all 5 stars. We order one main dish each and a handful of mezze items and sides like beets and basmati rice and fries. The fries were good but not great and out of everything we ordered, happened to be my least favorite. King salmon was my main course and was so delicious and flavorful - there was no stopping me from finishing it. I only recently came here for happy hour and once many years ago for dinner and I have to say, it was great to be back and I can’t wait to return. Highly recommend.
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Spice FinchPrice: Expensive• Mediterranean• Center City
•
4.8
S
Susan
Philadelphia County •8 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
What a lovely experience! The food quality was excellent. Every item was well prepared and tasty. There was WAY too much food and doggie bags were taken home for the next day. Our waiter was attentive and personable. I highly recommend!!
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DiPaolo's Ristorante ItalianoPrice: Expensive• Italian• Penns Grove
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4.7
D
David
Philadelphia County •3 reviews
5.0
Dined on Dec 15, 2024
Some of the best and authentic Mexican food in south Philly !
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La Llorona Cantina MexicanaPrice: Moderate• Mexican• South Philly
•
4.7
S
Shadria
Philadelphia County •4 reviews
5.0
Dined on Oct 5, 2024
AMAZINGGGGGG I LOVED IT!!!! I made a RSVP and was running behind schedule (typical me) they were so accommodating, especially since it was Game 1 of the playoffs. Amazing service! Food! First time visiting and I most certainly will be visiting again!!!! Shadria!
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Off the Rail - MediaPrice: Moderate• Grill• Media
•
4.7

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University City

Best Restaurants for Spicy Food in University City

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125 restaurants available nearby

1. White Dog Cafe - University City

2. LaScala's Fire-University City

3. Craftsman Row Saloon

4. Mercato

5. Talula’s Garden

6. Buddakan - Philadelphia

7. Amada PHL

8. Spice Finch

9. El Vez

10. Loch Bar - Philadelphia

See what locals rave about

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