Local Resources
Best After Hours Place
Copabanana
344 South St., Philadelphia
(215) 923-6180
Copabanana is renowned for its margaritas, burgers, and fries. It is generally a Tex-Mex type of menu for a quick meal before you hit South Street. You pick your own toppings for your burger here.
Dolce
241 Chestnut St., Philadelphia
(215) 238-9983
Dolce is about romance, romance, and more romance. It is a Southern Italian themed restaurant that is intimate and private. It is also conveniently located in a romantic walking area.
Best Cheap Date
Copabanana
344 South St., Philadelphia
(215) 923-6180
Copabanana is renowned for its margaritas, burgers, and fries. It is generally a Tex-Mex type of menu for a quick meal before you hit South Street. You pick your own toppings for your burger here.
Best Club
Alma de Cuba
1623 Walnut, Philadelphia
(215) 988-1799
Alma de Cuba has a Caribbean/South American menu with a happening bar downstairs. The atmosphere is sexy and they offer Mambo classes once a week. This place is fun and an excellent way to meet other singles.
Best Creative Date
Shofuso, Japanese House and Garden
4700 States Dr., Philadelphia
(215) 878-5097
Shofuso is an authentically reproduced shoin-zukuri. This is a desk-centered house from the 16th century. It is located on the grounds of West Philadelphias Horticultural Center in Fairmont Park. The house and garden are open for touring from April to October. Enjoy the complimentary machu green tea and seasonal sweets or participate in a Japanese Carpentry workshop with Japanese master carpenter Isao Okumura. This is an interactive date spot for anyone with an interest in architecture, botany, or Asian culture. It can be calming and deeply romantic.
Best Place for a Laugh
Tony and Tinas Wedding
18th and Snyder, Philadelphia
(800) 660-8462
Tony and Tinas Wedding is raucous, rowdy, and full of surprises. Sit down at a table with strangers and you never know if the person next to you is a cast member or a patron. Set amidst an authentically fashioned South Philly wedding, Tony and Tinas Wedding is a national hit and includes dinner and cake. It is hilarious and filled with unexpected twists and turns.
Best Place for Coffee and Dessert
Pink Rose Pastry Shop
630 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia
(800) ROSE-383
Website
The Pink Rose pastry shop has a booming mail-order business that emerged from their renown as a great pastry and dessert bistro. Nonetheless, the shop remains a quaintly simple, English manor style bistro for coffees, teas, and desserts. It is light and airy with a homey feel to it. This is a superb little spot for desserts and teas.
Best Place To Buy a Gift
Caviar Assoulline
505 Vine St., Philadelphia
(800) 521-4491
Caviar Assoulline is both a wholesaler and retailer of fine food gifts and gift baskets with an emphasis on caviar. This place can create according to budget or desire. They have excellent service and hard to find specialty foods and gifts that make this place a treasure.
Best Restaurant for a Second Dinner Date
Passion
211 S. 15th St., Philadelphia
(215) 875-9895
Nuevo Latino is the theme of this restaurant that attracts a trendy crowd. It has an earthy, minimalist dcor with draped ceilings and thumping salsa music playing. It has a creative and eclectic menu.
Best Restaurant for Lunch or Brunch First Date
Reading Terminal Market
12th St. & Arch St., Philadelphia
(215) 922-2317
Here you will have hustle, bustle, chaos, and great food of every variety. The Reading Terminal Market is a great place to see if your date is as adventurous as you are. They have an incredible variety of places to eat, from sit-down cafs to dining at the counter.
Best Special Occasion Restaurant
DiNardos
312 Race St., Philadelphia
(215) 925-5115
If you love seafood, DiNardos is the restaurant for you. The garlic crabs are transcendent. Bibs are supplied as diners plunge into seafood entrees renowned throughout the city. This is a great casual place to celebrate any occasion.
TOP FIVE DATES
Float through the Clouds
Take a beautiful drive out to Chester Spring to the launch site of Lollipop Balloons Inc. Soak in the scenery of Chester Countys horse country. Then hop into the basket of one of Lollipops hot air balloons and see it from the air. Take along provisions like caviar and champagne!
Make a Difference
Volunteer to make Philadelphia a better place through the many opportunities offered by Philadelphia Cares. They post schedules so you can pick an event to do together. They are extremely organized and are a great bunch of people too. Its a great way to get to know someone.
Ride the Ducks
The Philly Duck boats are WWII-era amphibious vehicles that have been extensively updated. Bring a date on an 80-minute tour through Philadelphias land and water-based attractions. The water portion lasts 20 minutes and includes a splash into the river you will never forget with a complimentary Wacky Quacker.
Take in Some Culture and Some Treats
Rodin Museum has the most significant collection of 19th century sculpture in the city. Special events are planned throughout 2004, which marks the 75th anniversary of the opening of the museum. Have a fully prepared picnic delivered by Moose & Goose Picnic Catering on the grass near Schuylkill. If this doesnt melt hearts, nothing will.
Whale Watchers
Does anything melt hearts better than dolphins and whales? Head south to Cape May and jump aboard the Whale Watcher II for guaranteed sightings of marine mammals. There is something amazing about seeing these huge creatures up close and in their natural habitat. This date is guaranteed to create a meaningful experience that will last a lifetime.