The Dandelion

I am constantly impressed by the execution at The Dandelion! I’ve been a few times since my 2013 review, mostly for lunch, and their sandwiches and homemade chips are just perfect! This past business lunch, I had the Dandelion Turkey Club sandwich, with the most amazing (but not overpowering) garlic mayonnaise, nueske bacon, vine-​ripe tomato, avocado, and fried egg. The bread was outstanding, perfectly toasted, light brown in the center, slightly darker on the outside. I wanted to eat every bite, so I did, practically ignoring the terrific hand-​cut chips, which were a lovely color and perfectly salted. This is the second time I’ve had that sandwich, which remains one of my favorite non-​burger sandwiches in Phialdelphia (maybe even my favorite!).
PS. Complimentary sparkling water is always appreciated by us seltzer lovers!

It was an amazing experience!
The staffs were genuinely welcoming.
The place is elegant and warm.
Every dish was thoughtful and beautiful like an art piece.

Gorgeous, gorgeous venue with beautifully decorated spaces. I came here for afternoon tea since this place is one of the only places that offers it for a reasonable price. However, my friends and I were a bit disappointed by the choices of tea they had. I know it’s not technically a tea house, but I just had a higher expectation for their tea selection. We also ordered tiers, which comes with an assortment of desserts, such as cookies and mini tarts. But they were definitely a hit or miss, didn’t leave much impression. Other than the fact that the space itself is amazingly decorated, the afternoon tea experience was pretty meh– I heard great things about their dinner though, so I may update the review after trying out the place one more time.

This place is fantastic. Great beer selection, great service and the most authentic English dishes I’ve had since I left the UK and Ireland. We got the Sunday roast with Yorkshire puds and roasties and a pan of the Mac and cheese (not a typical English dish but surprisingly fantastic).

I came here with friends for a late dinner after attending the Roots Picnic festival. The food was delicious. A variety of United Kingdom beers to choose from.
I ordered these:
House Blend Aged Beef Burger *** $ 17.50
Yards IPA *** $ 3.50 (10oz)
*** The medium rare burger was juicy. Loved the apple smoked bacon. It also came with chunky fries.
*** Yards IPA was awesome. Nice hoppy flavor. Great aroma.
【Recommended】
A nice place to chill at if you are around the Rittenhouse area. Dimly lit. Crazy cool United Kingdom inspired décor. Food was phenomenal. Stephen Starr restaurant did not disappoint. I will definitely return.

Awesome British pub vibe that carries from the beautiful exterior into the quirky interior décor! My friends and I sat in the second floor dining room which is everything dog themed– definitely over the top but the coziness is palpable.
I LOVE that they serve so much bread; it accompanies many of the dishes AND you get a basket for your table. This is served with a delicious salted butter. I can’t get enough of their sourdough… the stuff that dreams are made of!
The ricotta appetizer is a perfect size for sharing between 2 or 3. The cheese was whipped to perfection.
The crab risotto was EXCELLENT! It will be difficult for me to order something else next time I’m here. The Parmesan and fresh lemon squeeze really help to perfect the dish. The serving size is generous but not so much that you hate yourself at the end of the meal.
Attentive and friendly service! This place is top notch.

The flavor of the food was wonderful. I was very pleased with the ambience and the service. Our waiter (Ian) was very informative and polite and truly catered to our wants. I had a couple alterations to my food and it was delivered perfectly. I truly recommend this place. This is my first post ever on Unilocal!Yay
We had the ricotta appetizer, the burger without the bun and steamed green beans. My husband had the fish and chips! And we shared the toffee pudding!
Yummy!
How I rate
2 stars for food –2
2 stars for service — 2
1 star for ambience — 1

I was soooooo excited to come here and try the fish and chips — «best thing I ever ate» on Food Network. And mind you — the fish and chips were good. But I did not find this to be the best thing I ever ate. My analysis is this establishment was three stars in terms of meeting expectations, but four stars in the abstract, if I walked here off the street. The service was excellent and the décor is beautiful. If you come here expecting a beautiful English pub with decent food, you won’t be disappointed. Just don’t come here expecting literally the best morsel of food you have ever placed in your mouth.

The food here is excellent. For entrees/​appetizers, I’ve tried the rabbit pie, the lamb pie and the Caesar salad. All were very flavorful, and the Caesar salad is one of the best I’ve ever had. Their desserts are decent, but not quite as good. I found the hazelnut chocolate tart to just not be anything special, and the ice cream/​custard desserts to be good but once again, not anything out of this world. However, I really enjoyed the blood orange cocktail that I had.
The service was excellent. The only negative is that the price was steep. My most recent visit, we ended up paying about $ 100 including tip for 2 people, which consisted of one salad, one entrée, 2 cocktails and 2 desserts. I would recommend skipping the dessert, since it was nearly $ 10 for a small amount of food. However, the food and ambiance is great, so I would still recommend, especially if you’re looking for a fancy place to take a date.

A friend was in town filming a spot for QVC and mentioned he was all about gastropubs. The GF was in the mood for a proper fish and chips. So, The Dandelion was pretty much a done deal.
Stout Flip [$ 11]
Bulleit bourbon, whole egg, orange marmalade, Young’s Double Chocolate Stout
One of my favorite drinks has to be the Stout Flip. Luscious and chocolate-​forward, this’ll be the creamiest (and booziest!) chocolate shake you’ll imbibe. The orange marmalade notes balanced out the sweet and bitter from the bourbon and stout, with the whole egg providing body.
Iron Lady [$ 12]
Old Overholt Rye, Thatcher’s Apple Ginger, angostura and orange bitters, orange peel, Luxardo cherry
I’ve ordered several of these ladies over the years. Similar enough to a Manhattan, with Thatcher’s ginger liquer subbing in for vermouth, the mellow balance belies the subtle stiffness of the drink.
Bread Service
There’s always great bread to start you off at The Dandelion, along with several pats of easily spreadable butter.
Housemade Ricotta [$ 11.50]
Extra virgin olive oil, dried herbs, toasted sourdough
Fair warning, if you’re planning on ordering a few apps, it’s not for the carb-​phobic. The ricotta is a favorite — rich, creamy, and fruity from the olive oil. And yes, plenty of toasted sourdough bread.
Duck, Foie Gras, and Pistachio Terrine [$ 14]
Shallot pear chutney
I’m a sucker for foie gras in any form and this terrine was beautifully set. The shallot pear chutney was the perfect countervailing element to the richness of terrine. The cornichons added a nice acidic element to each bite. And yes, even more of that great bread!
Crispy Hampshire Pork Belly [$ 23]
Tomato white bean stew, blood pudding, apple glaze
My main was pretty much a given. The Hampshire pork belly had a beautiful cook on it. The amazingly crisp, almost glassy skin enveloped a hefty, yet unctuous portion of pork. The blood pudding was crisp, rich, and had great texture. The tomato white bean stew was a sweet and acidic counterpoint to the richness of the dish. Perfect for a cold night’s meal — or any night or meal for that matter.
The Dandelion hasn’t let me down just yet. Set in comfortable and inviting setting, it’s easy to see why. Be sure to stop by if you need a proper British gastropub experience or simply want great food and drinks.

Why do people like to eat here? Is the Unilocal review for the environment, the ambience or the food and service?
I am confused since the ambience was quite loud and pub like, the food was really not that good and super over priced, the service was meh, nothing stood out either.
We arrived late and felt like we were rushed to be sat down. People were drinking and talking, music blasted in my ears.
Two stars for the interior décor, but that does not make me want to go back there again.

If you’re visiting Philly, be sure to check this place out. Completely understated from the outside, yet a true funky gastropub on the inside. Fantastic beer menu, decent wines, apps to die for and an eclectic entrée menu. Our group had fish & chips (a known for item), Scottish salmon, pork belly and chicken tandoori. Each dish was uniquely presented and had an incredible amount of flavor. I couldn’t even decide what my favorite was. You don’t want to miss out on this special dining experience!

Get your union jack on. Great selection of british ales. Perfectly made brit food classics with a modern twist. Try the welsh rarebit, fish and chips and the cheese board. Root veg soup was also great with a pint or two. Sex Pistols God Save The Queen banner over the bar is a nice touch. Service was great too!

Lunch review: 5 stars for ambience and service, 4 stars for food. So, 4 ½.
Seriously, could I rent the whole space out and host a holiday party here? It’s gorgeous and quaint and seductive and old-​timey and upscale with English charm all at once. The place is HUGE. After passing the main bar area, you go up a half step to the hostess area where there’s a fireplace and a couch and an oyster bar, then up a grand staircase into another set of variously wallpapered dining rooms and alcoves and window seats, then up another half step to another set of dining rooms– all ornate and lush like you’re in some Victorian mansion.
We were seated at a two-​seater next to the beautiful curved bay window with drapes. Our server was sweet, attentive and helpful with our questions.
Great beer and wine selection– I opted for a dark and dry cider which for some reason came in a giant bottle with a glass on the side? I couldn’t even finish the whole thing.
We ordered the foie gras pâté to start, which came with fresh bread, pickles and chutney. I’m not accustomed to this type of fare, so I honestly can’t say if it was good or bad pâté, just pâté. Looks like cat food but tastes delicious, especially paired with that delicious sweet chutney. Served on adorable white and pink rose china.
For entrees we got the lamb shepherd’s pie and fish and chips. I didn’t try the shepherd’s pie but my guest said it was one of the best he’s ever had and that the cheese tied the whole dish together. My beer battered fish and chips were tasty, though the fries were mehh– too thick-​cut and heavy for my liking. The batter on the fish was nice and crunchy and the fish itself was so tender and delicate. The tartar sauce was also delicious. Was it good? Yes. Was it great? No. Actually, the one at St. Stephen’s Green is still better IMHO.
We finished with two desserts– the carrot and parsnip cake (served w/​with goat cheese and a sorbet) and the banana split (served w/​with brown butter ice cream and hazelnuts). I didn’t try the carrot cake but my guest said it was so fluffy and delicious and the goat cheese served as a sort of cream icing with just the right amount of cheese flavor. My banana dessert was weird, but in a good way. Like it came in a cast iron skillet with flaky caramelized bananas and some sort of crust on bottom and a caramel sauce with ice cream and toasted hazelnuts on top, so I expected it to be hot and melty and gooey. But the whole thing was actually freezing cold, like some weird blast-​chilled number you’d see on Chopped. The flavors were amazing, but the temperature I just couldn’t quite wrap my head around.
I would absolutely return here for drinks in the dark, romantic bar followed by dinner (I’d love to try the burger, salmon or rabbit pie next).
Also, the bathrooms are very cute, with bright green doors and black and white tiles– super old fashioned.
$ 100 before tip for 2 drinks, 1 appetizer, 2 entrees and 2 desserts is pretty pricy, but expected with this caliber of dining.

I came here with my friends from out of town. I heard great things from this restaurant so we wanted to check it out. The atmosphere was warm and unique. The staff was friendly and our waiter took his time to explain the specials and menu. We enjoyed the burger and fries. Definitely will come visit again in the future

Went here with my mom twice over this past Easter weekend and it was quite lovely both times. The first time was planned, we made reservations well in advance and had a wonderful Easter Sunday dinner. The atmosphere is so cool. Each table and chair is different as if they came from old British yard sales of some sort. They have different areas, all pretty casual but very charming. I like the main dining room as opposed to the tables downstairs.
We started with Prawns. The cocktail sauce was good, the aioli was weird, didn’t really go. I got the Steak Frites was my main course which was perfectly cooked. My mom had the Fish and Chips and loved it. The desserts were really to die for! We ordered the Banoffee Split and the Whiskey Caramel Tart which was WAY too much and they added the Sticky Toffee Pudding on the house. Three desserts, two people, so decadent! Service was really nice as well.
The next night we were looking for somewhere else to go but it was a Monday night and many kitchens in the area closed early. We were walking around and finally said F-​it and went back to The Dandelion. This time my mom went went the burger which was classically awesome! I had the butter lettuce salad and the mushroom toast — both light and unique. Service the second time wasn’t quite as good but certainly wasn’t bad.
Oh I almost forgot — the cocktails! Like a good Irish Pub should they had a great Pimms Cup as well as a few other creative sips. I’m not a beer drinker but I noticed they had quite the selection.
Though I didn’t mean to come here twice during the short time I was in Philly I’m glad I did!

Tips: it’s worth it to make a reservation ahead of time, as The Dandelion is a popular spot. I’d prefer to sit in the main dining room, however there is a lounge available. They’ll shoot you a text if the wait is long, so that’s nice too.
In classic English style, the pub offers fish and chips, with a hunk of white fish with a crispy outside. It’s crunchy on the outside, not too salty, and the housemade tartar sauce is just tangy enough. The fries were thick, but not too special.
Beers on top are great, but I also ordered a Manhattan. I’d say to stick to the simple stuff here. Silly, but I usually judge a bar by whether they serve maraschino vs. luxardo cherries in their Manhattans.
Still, overall a great vibe, and I’d like to be there again soon!

This is a review for the Afternoon tea specifically, since I have not gotten the chance to dine for dinner or brunch yet. I have gone to tea here twice, and both were positive experiences. The ambiance and décor will transport you to a British pub, that is for sure. The restaurant is deceivingly large. If you go upstairs, there are a few winding rooms, each with different themes. Running the risk of looking like a tourist, I decided to explore it anyway, and I am really glad that I did. There is a «mans best friend» bar with dog photos, statues, etc, and an afternoon tea room that is very sunny and bright. Downstairs has a gorgeous fireplace and a long, family style table. The décor alone deserves 10 stars.
This time, my service was a little lackluster. I came with my sisters, because one of them is a huge Downton Abbey fan and I knew it would put her over the moon to get afternoon tea. I felt like the server looked down upon us because we are young (I am in my mid twenties, but my siblings are younger). It seemed like he did not take us seriously or try to be friendly, but that did not rain on our parade!
I did notice that the shortbread biscuits were different than last time. They used to be dense and larger, shaped like a scone, and you received 2. Now they are light and airy, round and thin, and you get 4. I think I liked the former better, because there was more surface area to spread lemon curd :)
This place is a lot of fun to experience. I am looking forward to coming for dinner! It is definitely worthy of a royal occasion.

No, I am not getting paid, but YES, possibly some of the best food I have had in a long time! every ingredient seemed fresh in our afternoon lunch.
Had it not been for Unilocal,we would have not found this place! God bless Unilocal and Unilocalers!!!
The food was short of divine, and this small manor converted to a three floor restaurant and bar is really a gem. Each room has it’s own décor, it’s own vibe, most make me feel like I am staying in a Breakast and Bed type of place. I would love for this type of place in NYC, but will definitely have to come back next time I am in Philladelphia!
All of that said, tge deviled eggs were really good, but of all the things we order, probably the least amazing. And I just said, they we’re really good! I could taste the paprika and also a salt dust. The egg cream center was not overwhelmingly mustardy or mayonnaise, it was a great soft balance! We also got the grilled asparagus with a crushed tomatoes type sauce on top. Never enjoyed my vegetables that much!!! Now, the crème de la crime was the cauliflower with cheese. The perfect substitute for macaroni pasta. This mis probably the best side plate I have ever had ever ever ever! A must! God I wish this was in NYC … Makes me hungry just thinking of it again!!! The creamy cheese nice and thick sauce and baked over the cauliflower which was soft yet still had a bit of a crunch. I am in love with veggies thanks to The Dandelion!
My main entrée was a turkey sandwich… And wow, what a sandwich. It had turkey ham, a fried egg, avocado, salad, came with homemade potato chips! The sand which itself was of three layers. I usually take a piece of bread off since I try to eat it healthier, but this time I took it out just to eat it with the cheese from the cauliflower and cheese plate! So amazing!!! My partner had the salmon with a salad. Also looked cooked to perfection but with al the food and drinks, I did not get want to try it.
When it came to drinks, I had the King Henry, the fact that I even remember the name of a cocktail should also be a great indicator that this place has really interesting and great cocktails. Now, this was a few weeks ago, so sadly, I don’t remember the ingredients. I also remember asking for a cider (bottle of 22 oz). If you like cider, get this and drink through the whole meal. Probably one of the best options $$.
Actually, also not very expensive at all, then again, I am used to NYC prices I suppose. Still, Inthink it truly was not expensive. As most meals, we probably spent more on drinks. Everything was amazing! No complaints, no returns! Staff was very friendly and gave great reccomendations!
Another thing to note, the receiving area has a beatific fireplace and couch in front where you can sit and wait to be seated or enjoy a drink. This restaurant also has a fresh oyster bar on ice! I’m not exactly sure if I can pin this place to any specific type of food other than the amazing type!
This is a first date type place for sure… But be core duo, if it doesn’t go well, good chance the date will begin to come here back with other dates… AWKWARD!!! Come and try, you will be back! Promise!

For someone who isn’t a local Philadelphian, we were excited to find this gem, semi-​hiding in plain sight a block from Rittenhouse Square. After checking out the Unilocal reviews, we decided to give it a try. After making a reservation on OpenTable, we made our way over to The Dandelion.
From the outside, The Dandelion seems like a quaint cottage: cozy and small. However, it occupies the first and second floors of two different buildings. In fact, the 1dt floor of the corner building is just the main bar area, the host stand and reception is up a small flight of stairs.
We were seated right away, and our server was quick to greet us. Service throughout our meal was on point. Cocktails were tasty (my favorite was the Bloodhound — kind of like a blood orange martini), and not too sweet.
We started with an order or deviled eggs ($ 7). Topped off with a garnish of Sriacha salt, it was very well balanced and full of flavor. I got the Grilled Salmon entrée ($ 19), topped off with a cucumber dill butter and served either nice watercress salad. We also got the turkey club and sides of cheesy cauliflower and the charred green beans with stewed tomatoes. There wasn’t a bad dish on the table. The salmon was cooked to perfection and the salad was the perfect accompaniment. That and the cheesy cauliflower… it’s basically Mac and cheese with the macaroni replaced with cauliflower. This is a MUST order!!!
The ambiance was relaxed and it would be a great spot to bring a date, even a first date. It’s also a great spot to bring friends, parents, and family — trust me they’d love it!

Ah, brunch how we love you. I took the husband to Philadelphia for a birthday weekend and of course we had to go out for brunch. This was a pure Unilocal find and our friends used OpenTable to secure reservations which we highly recommend.
Four of us enjoyed a variety of breakfast options, however we were all highly impressed and in love with the lobster Mac and cheese. We split this entrée as an app and were happy we did. One person could eat it but would probably be a bit heavy, as in you might not be able to get up from the table.
I loved the design of this place — it felt like you were in someone’s old home. There were nooks and crannies and creaky rooms to explore.
Service was great and we would recommend this place for brunch.

Realllllll cool décor. Comfortable, fancy yet casual, very British feeling. Lots of different small dining rooms all with different vibes and cool decorations. I totally adore the ambience of this place, I’d love to just hang out for hours and dining room hop.
I only had cocktails-​which tasted good but very over priced for the extremely light pour. Didn’t order meals but tried the beetroot jar appetizer. It had pickled gold and red beets (OMG), olive tapenade, and goat cheese. Yummmm.

I decided to treat my little sister to Dandelion on her visit to Philly, and suffice it to say that I became her favorite sibling (well, for that day at least). Between the friendly service, «pubby» décor, and food, I’d say Dandelion is one of my favs in Rittenhouse.
We started off with an appetizer, a smoked salmon and trout pâté. It was surprisingly light for a pâté, was seasoned with a fresh lemon vinaigrette, and paired with toasted pumpernickel bread. This I can probably eat everyday!
Next came the entrees. A creamy crab risotto with zucchini, charred leeks, gremolata, saffron, chilies, all balanced well with lemon juice for acidity. Probably one of the best crab risottos I’ve had. Then there was the rabbit pie — tender pieces of rabbit with oyster mushrooms, onions, and smoked bacon, cooked in a mustard & white wine sauce… all filled a crispy pie crust. A little too rich for my liking but still delicious.
And finally, dessert! Whiskey caramel chocolate tart, which had a chocolate cookie crust, and came with a malt pecan praline ice cream. I’m not a whiskey lover by any means but really enjoyed this dish. If heaven existed, I’d have an endless supply of this chocolate tart.
The end.