City Tavern
(Now Closed)American Restaurant$$$$
Center City East, Philadelphia
The experts at visitPA and Philadelphia Magazine recommend this place
102 Tips and reviews
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Lawrence ChenMay 27, 2017awesome food there, good service. Particularly when I came with a loved girl together,LOL. The spigatti was not good but I suggest to order a crab cake. This one is marvelous
DianeJuly 17, 2013We had our Event Here. The Open Group Philadelphia! Great service and delicious food. Absolutely loved the crab cakes! =My choice. The mushroom toast appetizer was amazing!
Meric Akcay DunnOctober 8, 2017Yesterday we had dinner at this unique place in the Old City almost expecting to see Benjamin Franklin to show up any minute. Nostalgic atmosphere and wonderful hosts. Duckling was sublime!
Casey KelbyNovember 28, 2015Love this place! Historic, beautiful and delicious food, what could be better? Excellent wine selection.
- James DunneJuly 15, 2016The Washington Porter and the Jefferson Ale were both excellent. The pepper pot soup and the turkey pot pie were delicious. The beef turnover was delicious as well. Service was delightful!
Richard RevillaMarch 8, 2018Historic dinning experience yakes you back to colonial days. Enjoy old style dishes and some great current drafts. Service can be a bit dry.
Crystal HAugust 9, 2014The food & atmosphere were phenomenal! From the colonial wait staff to the authentic dinnerware, it was quite the experience. Get the Jefferson Ale or a shrub!
Anthony McDonnellSeptember 13, 2020Authentic and original, without being "Ye Olde Tourist Trap". The fries and crab cakes are great, and the menu is wide and diverse. The beer list is also good.
Alison SteeleNovember 8, 2016Awesome spot for a taste of history! The pork chop is amazing and super unique - more of a ham taste, but super thick and extremely tender.
Alana CadizDecember 7, 2014One of my favorite restaurants of all time. Beware of the ghost that pushes people down the stairs (jk, but it happened to my friend!)
Chelsea B.June 6, 2013Table by the window or on the back porch upstairs before sunset for perfect lighting. Great fresh bread and Martha Washington's chocolate mousse cake! Shawn J. was our server and was great. Thanks CT!
David WaldmanMay 10, 2016The historic beer sampler was great. The seafood melange was unbelievably good! Service was phenomenal!
- Brad GrahamFebruary 27, 2014City Tavern takes you back in history, all the way to the birth of America. Their bar features drinks and beers that are creations of America’s Founding Fathers.
Sandra KeceOctober 4, 2019Lovely place in Olde City Philadelphia. The food and service were good, but allow some time as all meals are made to order.
Jake SmithAugust 26, 2015Any of the Yards Brewery beers are good, so why not try the sampler to find your favorite?
MICHAEL RYAN LAWRENCEJuly 16, 2010an 18th century menu, decor and staff makes you feel like you're actually in Olde City.. while in Old City. Plus with the Revolution Ales on tap.. a must do for a Philadelphian
Visit PhillySeptember 19, 2012Where else can diners get West Indies Pepperpot soup with beef, taro root and greens? Adam Gertler of The Best Thing I Ever Ate raved about this specialty here.
Justin EhreckeDecember 27, 2014Crab cakes and the overall history of this place! The staff dress in traditional clothes of a bygone era
Dean GriffinMarch 21, 2015Pepper pot, meatloaf, 3 meat kilbasa, great affordable wine. Save room for a washington porter.
NBC PhiladelphiaAugust 15, 2011The original was built in 1773. But don't brag about sitting on George Washington's bench just yet. The tavern was demolished in 1834. You're sitting on a replica, circa 1976. Still historic, though. Read more
J.McCall MartorelliMarch 26, 2013Get the crab cakes! It was so delicious! Plus the history of this building is so amazing!
James CApril 11, 2015Awesome experience. Try the colonial fair presented by the head chef. It is worth it.- Lawrence ChenDecember 21, 2016nice service, very Old school. vintage furnishment. NICE seafood but horrible spaghetti. totally, 8/10
GourmetLiveNovember 22, 2011Food blogger Janice Gregg of Gigabiting recommends the Colonial Thanksgiving menu at Philadelphia’s historic City Tavern, which is based on accurate re-creations of early-American dishes.
Paola RiosAugust 5, 2013The German Pinot Noir (Affentaler) is incredibly smooth and sweeter than average (but not too sweet)!- Visit PhillyOctober 15, 2010City Tavern offers a historic dining experience, complete with Colonial haute cuisine, costumed wait staff, and Colonial-era drinks and desserts. Read more
Great place! Let Sarah be your waitress. Her personality is ridiculously sexy!!
TV Food MapsAugust 28, 2014Check out City Tavern Restaurant as seen on Best Thing I Ever Ate , Drinking Made Easy , The Layover Read more
Elizabeth NicolSeptember 7, 2018Rebuilt in 1976, after it burnt to the ground. Rebuilt to the re-discovered architecture plans and staffed by folks wearing period clothing. Felt contrived and gimmicky. Food was just ok.
- Caroluna CastroFebruary 23, 2013Order the pot pie, you will not be disappointed! Best pot pie I have ever had!
- Fodor's TravelAugust 29, 2018Happily all is not authentic—the restaurant makes good use of refrigeration and electricity. Read more
Courtney LNovember 21, 2011The Ben Franklin Tavern Spruce is the best beer I have ever had. Seriously. Get the sampler. Try it.
Vincent DeliberatoApril 9, 2013Great revelutionary feeling and our founding fathers beer recipes....great service.- Paola RiosAugust 5, 2013The potato soup has like cream cheese or something, it is absolutely delicious.
HISTORYJanuary 3, 2013Established in 1773, City Tavern once was frequented by George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and other notable figures of the American Revolution era.
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Follow us back to the 18th century, when revolution was brewing, ale was flowing and dining was an experience.
Permanently closed (Show more)
- Thu–Fri
- 3:00 PM–9:00 PM
- Sat
- 3:00 PM–10:00 PM
- Sun
- 1:00 PM–7:00 PM
(215) 413-1443
Features
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. Discover & Visa)
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Food & Drink
Menus
Brunch, Lunch, Dinner
Drinks
Beer, Wine, Full Bar, Cocktails
See More
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Cole Kennedy - 8.7
"Had the best waiter-William. He's very knowledgable about the brunch selections and very very friendly. Ask for him when you go!"
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