Ресторан · Philadelphia · ⭐ 9.3/10 · 6445 reviews · updated: 2026-06-30 20:15:48
Address: 227 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, United States
Parc: The Parisian Brasserie That Became a Philadelphia Institution
Some restaurants chase trends; Parc built a piece of Paris on Rittenhouse Square and let the trends come to it. Stephen Starr’s grand brasserie serves the full French canon from morning croissant to evening steak au poivre, backed by a bakery whose baguettes have a citywide following — and after nearly two decades it remains the table everyone still wants.
The Story
Starr opened Parc in 2008 as a faithful homage to French café culture, and the bet paid off spectacularly: the restaurant became the flagship of his empire and one of the most beloved dining rooms in Philadelphia. In 2017 Starr took home the James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurateur, and Parc is a large part of the reason why — a mega-brasserie that stays relevant simply by executing the classics with unusual care.
What to Order
The greatest hits are all here and all worth it: onion soup gratinée, escargots in hazelnut butter, croque monsieur layered with ham and comté, trout amandine with haricots verts, and the definitive steak frites with maître d’hôtel butter. Brunch brings spot-on pancakes, quiche Lorraine and fluffy omelets; the raw bar sends out towering plateaus of fruits de mer. Whatever you do, eat the bread — the crackle-crusted baguette and the celebrated cranberry-walnut loaf are baked fresh and praised nationally. Profiteroles with vanilla ice cream close the show.
The Space
The front room, clad in hand-laid Parisian tiles in shades of ecru and green, smells of fresh bread and feels like a neighborhood café; the main dining room, with its dark banquettes and glowing mirrors, delivers the full bustling-brasserie theater. Outside, woven rattan chairs line the sidewalk facing the greenery of Rittenhouse Square — as close to the sixth arrondissement as the East Coast gets.
Who It’s For
Weekend brunch parties, francophiles marking anniversaries, families with visiting in-laws to impress, and regulars who treat the terrace as a second living room.
Good to Know
Do I need a reservation? Strongly recommended for dinner and weekend brunch; breakfast and late afternoon are easier for spontaneous visits.
Is it open all day? Yes — breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, with brunch on Saturday and Sunday.
What are the signature dishes? Steak frites, onion soup gratinée, trout amandine and the famous house-baked breads.
Is it suitable for a special occasion? Very — ask for the dining room in the evening, or the terrace at sunset for maximum romance.
Can vegetarians eat well? Yes — quiche, salads, omelets and the cheese-and-bread route are all rewarding.
Opening hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 08:00–22:00 |
| Tuesday | 08:00–22:00 |
| Wednesday | 08:00–22:00 |
| Thursday | 08:00–22:00 |
| Friday | 08:00–23:00 |
| Saturday | 09:30–23:00 |
| Sunday | 09:30–22:00 |
Photos
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Visitor reviews
Reviews last updated: 2026-06-30 20:15:48
Data is refreshed monthly. Sources: philadelphianka.com and editorial picks based on reviews.
Incredible food and experience overall. I ordered the mussels, which I had years ago at Parc. They're just as tasty as I remember. The servers are very sweet and welcoming. The drinks are very tasty, and I love that they…
This is a great french restaurant. I came to celebrate my birthday and the service/food did not disappoint. The waiters and overall staff are there to make it a special occasion. The restaurant is really big and each sec…
A wonderful place for breakfast! We ordered the 'Egg Soldiers' (with added avocado) and the 'Two Eggs' breakfast, which included turkey sausage, potatoes with onion and multigrain toast. The bread is made in-house! Every…
Stumbled on this place by chance, had to wait 30-40 minutes for a seat, but oh my, it was worth it. The food is top-notch, just incredible. The tartare is probably the best I've ever had, and huge portions of mussels, no…
Parc is an impressive restaurant at reasonable prices where you can even bring the kids. All our dishes were wonderful, the bread there is just incredible, and the mains are just as tasty. There's still so much on the me…