Philadelphia‘s Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts is a cultural destination. At this theater, you can see the orchestra, family shows, live opera and Broadway productions like Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles, Rent, and Hamilton.
Nestled in the Center City area, this performing arts campus is composed of multiple venues. Whether your event is being held in Verizon Hall, the Academy of Music, Forrest Theatre, or the Merriam Theater, you’ll be able to easily extend your outing with a meal at one of the many impressive restaurants in the nearby area.
Volvér
If you’re interested in dining right on the campus of the Kimmel Center, check out Volvér, a restaurant by celebrity chef Jose Garces. The menu changes seasonally but may feature entrees like duck, shrimp, tabbouleh and lamb. Happy hour is held several evenings a week; the exclusive menu includes drinks and small plates. For select events, the restaurant offers a pre-theater three-course meal. This prix fixe menu costs $35 for adults and $18 for children.
XIX (Nineteen)
For a luxurious meal, visit XIX Restaurant on the 19th floor of the Bellevue Hotel. Chef Jérôme Bacle crafts the menu at this historic hotel. Menu selections on your visit may include salmon, beef ribs, New York strip steak, and duck breast. Main dish prices begin around $27 per person. Although the views from this restaurant above the city can’t be topped, you also have the option of dining in the comfort of your room if you’re staying at The Bellevue Hotel. The special XIX To-Go menu is exclusively for room-service customers.
Indeblue
For days when only Indian food will satisfy, Indeblue is a top choice for pre-show dining in Philadelphia. At this restaurant, you can order individual dishes, or your party can choose to order from the Tasting Menu. With that option, you’ll receive an assortment of starters, entrees, and desserts to share. The Tasting Menu costs $45 per person, and add-on dishes are available as well. Indeblue can be a good choice for diners with special diets because the menu includes vegan and gluten-free items.
Tequilas
At Tequilas, you’ll gain a greater appreciation of Mexican culture through both the artwork that colorfully decorates the walls and the food that arrives at your table. The artfully presented dishes may include chiles rellenos, empanadas, ceviche, and carne asada. Of course, a restaurant called Tequilas wouldn’t be complete without drinks, so this eatery features a selection of highland tequilas, lowland tequilas, mescal, and mixed drinks. Entree prices start around $25.
Oyster House
The seafood menu at the Oyster House is a Philadelphia tradition. Have a seat at the raw bar to enjoy oysters on the half shell, or order seared scallops or another seafood entree off the Large Plates menu. For $35 per person, your group of six or more can get the Dump Dinner, a clam bake meal that features lobster, mussels, sausage, potatoes, and vegetables. Raw bar and drink options can be added to the Dump Dinner package. Reservations are required for this meal option.
Before your theater show, make plans to enjoy dinner at one of these restaurants near Kimmel Center Academy of Music. Any one of them would serve as a delicious start to your night on the town.
