Harper's Garden Reviews

Walking around this part of the city and shopping at the Christmas market, dinner her was a perfect end to the night. We started out very much impressed with the scenery: hanging plants and vines brought the garden inside, while the beautifully lit outdoor space (an enclosed and heated porch area) seemed the perfect place for a birthday gathering. The restaurant was rather dark, the only serious knock on the place. Our waitress was friendly, professional, and attentive, yet not annoyingly so. Appetizers, as “small plates” were a decent selection of choices. We shared a cheese board with 5 varieties, all delicious. Also, the beet salad was pretty good. Although the large plate dinners weren’t a lot of choices, the entire group seemed to enjoy their choices. The burger was smaller but very tasty. Drink choice of the night was a actually a mock tail- for the holidays.

We recently wrapped up our outdoor dining experiences and took one final trip to Harper's Garden because we felt as though the staff was handling protocols better than most places. That's not what I am here for though. We were blown away by our waiter, Margie! She was on it the whole time, made us feel safe and comfortable, while bringing some much needed comedic relief to the group. I have to give Margie props for handling all the protocols wonderfully and creating a really wonderful dining experience during an extremely hard time in the industry.

I just saw a very positive segment on the afternoon news mentioning Harper's Garden (free publicity!). I just had to write this as we had an awful experience there recently. Harper's Garden looks like a little oasis in the middle of Center City, Philadelphia. We looked forward to celebrating a birthday with an outside brunch in the lovely garden area. While it was overcast and warm, it was not raining. The hostess informed us she was not seating people outside due to weather concerns. Yet, ten minutes after we were placed inside, she seated several people outside. There were few people inside. We were seated next to a loud party of five. There was one other couple at a far table. We were a party of four. We immediately sensed that the waitress had an attitude. We had not yet opened our menus yet she was pressing us to order. Having checked the menu online, we knew the brunch menu was pricey and very limited. We thought they might also make some of the snack/appetizer items from the other menu available. I had wanted to try a couple of the snack items from their “limited menu.” The waitress curtly told us they do not. We had hoped the outside ambiance would make up for the menu but we did not get to experience it. The inside area is dark, drab and nothing special. There was a lifeless, weed-like item is a small vase on our table. Cocktails start at $11.00. Most are $12.00 or more. Overpriced. Nothing special. One of us inquired about the ingredients in a dish. The waitress told us that the chef prepares it to HIS TASTE and no adjustments can be made. The food was unexceptional. They serve a small omelet with a scant, few potatoes for $12.00. No toast. Nothing else. Who serves eggs without bread? How much does it cost to put a bread or muffin basket on the table, especially at these prices. What goodwill it would create! A member of our party asked for bread. The waitress reluctantly brought three very small pieces of sour dough bread in a bowl. Could they spare it? Not toasted. No butter or jelly. Three small pieces for four people. Thanks. The entrees were barely room temperature – not hot. They use cloth napkins. We asked for extra napkins (perhaps a few paper ones?) The waitress brought over ONE extra napkin with incredible attitude. I told her we needed more. It was as though there was some gravitational pull preventing her from grabbing a few napkins and placing them on the table. She stiffly brought one more as if it was personally costing her something. I said, “ I'd like one, too, please.” There were four of us! “How about one for each of us?” I added. My friend said, “I'm good,” having endured enough at this point. The waitress clearly did not want to be there and clearly did not want to serve anyone anything. To suggest she had a bad attitude is an understatement. The restaurant had been informed and reminded several times (including on arrival) that it was a birthday. Nothing whatsoever was done. We were so disgusted at this point we did not order dessert. There are three options – custard, custard and custard (turmeric, raspberry, lavender - no thanks). We went elsewhere for dessert and regret that we had not made that our primary location. Once again, the outside area is nice. What is missing: great food, reasonable prices, and decent service. Never again. Fool me once.......

I came here with a friend for brunch because they have great outdoor seating options and protocols for dining safe during the pandemic. We were both very happy with the overall experience, and with our meal! We sat in the outdoor patio which is covered and has a fire pit. It is a beautifully designed space, and tables were well separated and not at all crowded. The inside of the restaurant is also beautiful, though most is not in use due to Covid. They have clear processes for safety not only outlined but also printed and shared with you, which I truly appreciated. My friend and I both got eggs benedict, hers with Salmon and mine with Spinach, and both were perfectly cooked and mouth-wateringly delicious. We also got the 'Build your own mimosa' which had a generous ratio of bubbles to juice - an excellent deal if you were going to have more than one drink each. It was so generous that we didn't order any other drinks, though we did sample their punch of the day which was very tasty. Our server was kind, prompt, and very helpful. Overall, an excellent brunch made even better by excellent service and ambience. Be sure to book a reservation (very easy to do online) as we saw most people turned away - they do a really good job of spacing people due to Covid-19, so run out of room quickly.

Went for brunch. Food was good, but nothing amazing. The service was lacking, and it wasn’t too busy. Their espresso martini was way too sweet.

We enjoyed our dinner here. Only down side was it was oppressively humid so it was a bit warm since the windows were all open and no AC or fans. Food was local and fresh. The mixed greens salad was so good, especially the popped grains which gave a nice crunch. The lamb meatballs were tender and tasty. The gnocchi was excellent. I love key lime pie so tried that for dessert - the filling was perfectly tart but the heavy shortbread type crust was not enjoyable - just too heavy for key lime. My dinning partner had the strawberry rhubarb shortcake which was served with an olive oil cake which he found very good. Cocktails were inventive and tasty! Our server Sebastian was excellent.

Had Brunch there on a Sunday and what a pleasant experience. The food was amazing. Best burger ever. It is such a beautiful spot and the furnishings are so unique. I would recommend this place for brunch.

I walk by Harper's Garden all the time and it is so enchanting I couldn't wait to try it. My friends and I went and sat in the outdoor section which is really lovely, like a garden. The menu isn't very large but it didn't matter because we all saw something we wanted. I had the halibut, some had the lamb. Everyone raved about their dinner. The halibut was delicious. The dessert and cocktail were very unusual combinations of flavors. The prices were reasonable for center city. We loved it and will definitely go back.

Love love love the decor inside and outside. We were lucky enough to reserve a table in their garden patio for brunch. It was so pretty, it made the experience even better. The service was friendly and the food and drinks were delicious. I had a two eggs with potato hash and chicken & apple sausage and it was perfect. The chicken and apple sausage was delicious. I also had the froze which was so refreshing I would definitely return.

Nice restaurant with outside terras as well. Friendly service. Price quality was alright. Knowledge of beers could be better.

Loved the garden atmosphere. Great little spot without the large crowds. Menu was limited as we were there before dinner but food was excellent.

Beautiful place for brunch! The food and drinks were great. The service, was fabulous. Manager, Gina, was completely amazing, she went over and above to make everyone comfortable. Thank you Gina!

We had two aperol spritz, which were just ok and the burrata, which was just ok. There are a lot better outdoor spots in the city.

Simply wonderful, traveling alone on business this was a perfect treat. Classy and beautiful environment, amazing food, so delicately prepared with love, great bartenders and staff. Definitely on the list of my best dining experiences, not to be missed if you are in Philly. Reasonably priced considering the quality of the cuisine here.

I understand that Center City prices are going to be more but I thought 14.00 for a relatively small burger was pretty high especially when they offer side salad or chips and not fries with it... So lets break it down Bun--best part of the burger it was delicious and unique Meat--cooked correctly but way too small for 14 dollars.. I think it's 6 ounces Toppings--loved the cheese and like the fact that they put ketchup already on it I think my biggest complaint was that it was small for 14.00 because it was definitely cooked properly and had a great bun

Service was wonderful, the server was quite knowledgeable about menu descriptions. Lovely table until other diners sat near us and then it got very loud under a low ceiling. Outdoor space is divine. Loved all our dishes from the cheese app to small plates (dumplings and prawn kimchi) as well as the halibut. If in Philly again would def return, especially for the outdoor space!

Expensive for quality and level of refinement of the dishes. The Branzino entree was disappointing. Quite small and lots of sauce. Other entrees like the chicken and Semolina Orrechiette were well served but too oily. The room had a good cosy feel however we had a view on the closed patio with stacked chairs.

We attended a large party at Harper's Gardens. The event space was very pleasant and comfortable. The food was served as a smorgasbord with many delicious and different dishes from the restaurant menu. Staff circulated offering excellent drinks from the bar. It was a very enjoyable evening. I plan to go back to eat as a regular customer at the restaurant.

Came here for a ladies evening out. We were seated outside at first but then a rain storm came up and the servers moved us inside quickly with no issues. The seating inside was very lively and a little loud, as most restaurants seem to be nowadays. The food was well prepared and delicious. We had a variety of small plates to share and then most of us had a large plate entree or sandwich. Shared a peach cobbler for dessert which was very good.

Quirky restaurant with dinner and happy hours service in the city centre. Small but nice outside space for dinner. Reasonable prices for wine and beer.

You wouldn’t expect to find this great garden restaurant in this busy area but there it is. Young, hip, urban. Great comfort foods with a major twist. Ask the server for recommendations. Drinks can be classic or new as well. I really enjoyed being outside under the pergola on a great evening. Open air with a sense of enclosure. There is an air conditioned indoor area as well. There is parking in the area. Think Marathon with better food and seating. A notch higher.

With airy upbeat ambiance, central location & cordial efficient service (Brava Christina, our charming server!), this is a perfect spot for Sunday brunch. Including a variety of perfectly cooked eggs, served with thick crunchy toast, the brunch menu is enticing & a full bar offers intriguing drinks. On a nice day, outdoor tables, set a few steps back & up from the sidewalk afford a chance to watch the world go by while dining.

The atmosphere here is the best. Great outdoor dining option. We had brunch and it was delicious. The bottomless mimosa is well worth it!

We had dinner at Harper's Garden on a cold Feb evening. The decor is great, as the name would suggest, garden oriented. We ordered several small plates, including Beetroot & Pear Salad, Burrata, Brussel Sprouts, and fries - everything was super tasty and very generous portions, we split these between three of us. Only downside for us, wit was a business trip, and it was pretty loud (metal tables + high ceilings) so it made conversation a little difficult. All in all though, the service was good and friendly, and I'd visit again. They had a wonderful outdoor section, which I'm sure is buzzing when the temps are warmer

We visited Harper's Garden for the first time on Saturday at 5 pm. The outdoor garden area is so pretty (but be sure to go inside and look at the amazing architecture.) The staff was super friendly and responsive. Last and certainly not least, we love the menu choices. We were there for drinks, but got the gnocchi appetizer, which was totally unique and a delicious cacophony of smoky, sweet, salty and crunchy (the greens). Headed back ASAP. Just loved the vibe. Highly recommend!!

Excellent atmosphere with a unique menu. The food and service were good, but nothing stood out as amazing aside from the atmosphere.

We had a fantastic girls night dinner here last night. The space was very accommodating to our party of 6. Service was great. We all loved our food and the chef was able to honor some requests for the dishes. The space is decorated nicely- very cozy. There is an outdoor space that would be great in warmer weather.

If your looking for the same old burger and fries, this isn't the place for you. Everything on the menu is a bit different, but everything we had from appetizer to main course was excellent. I highly recommend if your looking for something different.

First time here and we sat outside for brunch. The service was very good. The drinks were well done, but the food wasn’t on target. I had gotten the cornmeal Dutch baby pancake and I didn’t find it to be anything I’d order again. It was bland. I wanted the asparagus & mushroom galette, but they ran out. The cheese board was fantastic! I would try this place again, but order something different.

Our family of 5 had dinner at this restaurant. It had a good variety of food for our group of vegans and non-vegans. Service was a bit slow and it took about 30 minutes to get our food. The food itself was very mediocre. I had the beet salad and fried duck leg, and my husband had lamb. They were out of several beers. Probably not a place we’d visit again.

Our server was awesome and gave great recommendations. Really enjoyed the visit. She recommended some seasonal white wine they had and it was delicious! I had the snapper with chorizo and it was amazing! I ate every last bite. Our table had the cheese plate and the plantain chips. Both were great. I would definitely recommend the plantain chips. The atmosphere was nice and the decorations were stylish and created an nice ambiance. Recommend!

Restaurant in the city center but with greenery and a super nice tavern setting. The meal is very good and our waitress is great!!!!

So we stumbled upon this beautiful spot when we were looking for a quick dinner. We weren’t looking for anything special. But O M G this food. Summer squash salad was outstanding. Then we had the mozzarella with figs and I thought I’d died and gone to heaven. But then... the tomato toast. ..Who knew tomato toast could be any thing special. It was truly the best thing I’ve ever eaten. I have no idea how they made this so delicious. Service was outstanding as well. But go for the toast. :)

The space & the menu are super unique. I loved everything about the outside garden. They could use some throw pillows on the benches for added comfort. The pergola is covered with a translucent plastic that offers sun & shade. It was warm but not too hot. Do make a reservation. There isn't really a comfortable place to wait without being in the staff's way. If you are there on a hot day, take the new cream offered with your coffee. The little pot left on our table curdled when poured into the coffee. The server immediately & graciously replaced it but that was just one more thing this already busy person had to do. Your well behaved pet is welcome. There was a very nice beagle sleeping under the table next to us.

My husband and I reserved for brunch here prior to an event at the Franklin Institute and LOVED it! We sat inside (for fear of a hot day) and the ambience is rustic/woodsy-fantasy. It's very cute, a little dark, but overall great. We started with an espresso martini and strawberry swing. Perfect. I enjoyed the french toast, which is actually old-school french toast "stick" style, with crispy edges. The syrup has a slight spice to it (nothing too spicy) and it actually deters you from drowning your meal in syrup...that's a good thing. My husband got the chicken sandwich and he raved about it. Overall, it was a great brunch spot. Seems to be popular for girl get-togethers. The patio is gorgeous but tight (it is a large patio that looked enjoyable though, it's not sidewalk eating that's for sure). A little expensive, but it's the city. Expect it. I would definitely come here again!

So the vibe and setting is fun...especially for a girls' night or girls' trip. We saw a lot of those kinds of groups (and was in one myself.) The drinks are interesting and almost reasonable for Center City. Decent sizes but I don't know how much alcohol was in my mojito. I only have one drink every few weeks but splurged on two before dinner...and didn't feel a thing. So I'm guessing the alcohol was a bit light but the mojito still tasted good. I wasn't wowed by the food. My $27 crab cake salad was a reasonable price but lacked flavor. I don't know if they just drizzled olive oil for a dressing but I could have used something in both the crab cake and in the dressing. And the salad was mostly mixed greens. Not a lot of variety there either. My friends convinced me to get dessert so I had the lemon tart. For this one, the lemon tart was in three parts still but the meringue was in a few blobs, the lemon filling was in two more blobs and the "crust" wedges stuck between blobs. Tasted fine but didn't wow me. Really more of an artsy version that would good for social media pictures. I didn't finish it...which really says something because I'm a sugar fanatic.

Our reserved-days-in-advance table in the cool patio area was excellent, although we first had to decline a terrible two-top pressed between a wall and another table. Once seated, however, we were treated to outstanding service, excellent bartending, and wonderful seasonal dishes. The bone-marrow appetizer was great, as were the pea pasta and snapper/lobster/bean entrees. Less successful was the green strawberry and rhubarb salad, which got a bit boring after a few bites. We were in no hurry, and our waiter timed the courses perfectly. Portions were large, and wines by the glass were well matched to the foods. Desserts are few and standard, but we were already full so no worries there.

The food tasted just average. Obviously salt and pepper were missing. We were not very excited about the food.

This place turned out to be (another) huge disappointment to me. I took a friend at Sunday lunchtime, but what I didn't know (and what is not clear on their website) is that on weekends you can not order anything from the main menu until after 5pm- it's the (very) limited brunch menu only. So this means no cheese board, no small plates selection - just brunch. So we ordered very little and went elsewhere afterwards for wine and cheese. The cocktails were good. The food was mediocre: nothing special items "jazzed up" by adding 2 or 3 trendy garnishes, instead of being really good or innovative cooking. The dessert we shared was the kind of thing you expect from TGIFridays, not a center city restaurant. Service was okay although the waiter really irked me with his defensive reply "Is there a problem with that?" when I asked if we were limited to only the brunch menu. We sat on the main floor in the area around the corner from the bar, which is somewhat dark and cave-like. It was fine at first, but as the place filled up (quickly) I found it a bit claustrophobic, and the acoustics were terrible. We could barely hear some of the servers. (Maybe we were just unlucky being next to two tables of REALLY loud people.) The tables are just too close for privacy or for servers to get in between. Maybe it's better upstairs on the mezzanine or in the more open bar area. Although we were by no means the oldest people in the place, I felt like it was very much an under-30s vibe. Hip-style over substance. Overall it wasn't worth the money and I have had much better food and service elsewhere. Perhaps it's best to stick to drinks and a snack in the terrace garden area when the weather is better. I would no go back.

The restaurant is down a quiet street and has a nice outdoor seating area with fans and some shade. Good burgers. Reasonable range of beers.

Amazing brunch menu, bottomless mimosas, beautiful atmosphere and great service! Highly recommend this place. Great outside seating area that’s a perfect summer spot for a weekend brunch. Highly, highly recommend!

The cauliflower tortelloni reminded me of the dessert scene in Matrix Reloaded. The cheese plate components resonated. Go Now.

Pre-Beyonce vibes. Great bartender. We chose a combination of happy hour and other foods. Dinner was not yet open but we had the bar to ourselves most of the time that we were there. It was a good time with delicious food.

I visited Harpers Garden for a lite bite to eat. I ordered the lunch menu cheese with olives and an Aperol spritz. The food was delicious and the patio was amazing. Would totally recommend for sitting outside with great ambiance.

This stylish wooden bar surrounded by cascades of plants and blossoms, with decorative spheres of wooden branches hanging from the ceiling give you the impression of being secluded in a way, far from the traffic of the center of the city. The interior is freezing cold for the air conditioning, while the outside space with wooden tables is pleasant and fresh.Customers are mainly youngsters enjoying cocktails or having a bite. The menu is Medirerranean style : flat bread with roast courgettes and goat cheese, burrata, chicken sandwiches with a spicy twist, and mussels. Service nice and friendly , a bit pricey for what you get, but the place is extremely nice.

This is quite a trendy restaurant with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. The food is good quality and not too expensive. Service is friendly and quite quick. Vegetarian dishes are clearly marked on the menu. I had ravioli which was tasty, although I would have liked a slightly larger portion. My wife had eggplant with parmesan which was breaded eggplant with a cheese sauce but without any pasta. She was offered noodles on the side for $13 which seemed an expensive addition since this type of dish usually includes pasta.

We went to Philly for a all girls trip and dined at HG which came highly recommended. The ambiance and the food was delicious. We all thoroughly enjoyed our meals. Service was great as well. If i'm ever in philly again i will definitely patronize HG.

If you love gardening this is the place for you and be sure to get a seat outside in the summer months. We were a group of 5 and had tapas, drinks and dessert. Food was above average but ask about tapas portions before ordering. Service was quick and fast until we were ready to leave. Would NOT recommend tuna tapas- very fishy tasting but everything else was awesome.

Husband and I stopped by this outdoor/indoor garden about 10pm It is so hip and quaint. Made our way inside to a little spot where there was a three piece band playing. It was really cozy and nice! Went back a couple days later with son and girlfiend. Sat outside and had some great bar bistro food and craft beers. Waiter was very good. This was located across from our hotel so it was perfect.

We were staying in Rittenhouse Square and found this nearby. The reviews seem good enough and we like the ambience. There is a very nice outdoor patio as well as inside seating. The menus online seemed very interesting. Lobster bisque and duck appetizers. Veal and red snapper entrées. The staff is pleasant and responsive. Unfortunately, the food was a little bland. I think every dish tasted under salted to me. Wasn’t bad tasting just could be a little bit saltier. They also ran out of the veal at 7:30 PM which I thought was a little strange. So we probably wouldn’t go back but overall the restaurant is a very nice looking one. Maybe bring your own salt? :-)

My wife and I decided to take the train into the city a grad an afternoon drink. Heard this place had a champagne brunch. We only had some drinks at the bar, but great service and the best prosecco my wife ever had. Beer selection was good too.

A nice spot in the center of downtown Philly. Try the delicious drinks and the fabulous food on happy hour! You won’t be disappointed!

My daughter's and I went here was a late lunch. Great ambiance and some unique choices. We got pomme frites and mozzarella with tomato tartare appetizers. Our main courses were the Italian hoagie salad which was fantastic. My one daughter got the kale and beet salad. They have lots of gluten free and vegetarian choices. The service was excellent. We ate outside because it was a really cool space.

We found this meal to be very disappointing. Front desk staff seemed fine - but we found out later that they indicated to OpenTable that we were no-shows. Service staff were efficient, but unremarkable. Food, however, varied from ordinary to terrible. Meatballs were the highlight, but everything rapidly descended from there. The pork dish came out with toasted baguette - if that is what is was - cremates beyond edibility. How does a cook let this leave the kitchen, especially with a tapas-type place where dishes are meant to come as ready. Wine was terrible - tasted burnt also, so perhaps a complement to the whole experience. Overall I have to rate as poor, and would not recommend to others.

I was there just about a year ago when it was fairly new. Now a year older and pretty much the same. I will say it has a garden theme with a large outdoor area. A little oasis in the city. The theme continues inside and some of the plants haven’t fared too well and a little cleaning is in order. Why is it no one ever cleans the bulbs on a chandelier? One in our party was obviously handicapped and yet the hostess took us to the second level, steps no elevator. Not the best. The menu always sounds to me like they are trying to hard but each and every item is outstanding. If the weather is nice and you want a great outdoor dinning experience this is the place. Full bar, great drinks, fun vibe.

I've been here twice already, and will continue to recommend this place! Tucked away on 18th street is this fancy place with a garden-like vibe which I love - especially at night. Haven't eaten inside, but the bar area is more spacious than other places. No knocking into people and their drinks! The cocktails are interesting, and I personally love the Electric Relaxation (Vodka, St-Germain, cucumber, lemon). Perfect summer cocktail! My favorites on their menu are the plaintain chips (ADDICTING!), Ricotta toast, Truffle flatbread, and the Crab Spaghetti. Bring more friends and try more dishes! My only gripe is that we waited 30 min for our 7:30pm reservation to be seated. Nothing that they could have done because one of the tables did not want to leave! I'd recommend this fun spot if you are looking for something outside!

I recently visited Harper's Garden during restaurant week and fell in LOVE with the 'Merica Burger. The burger was so flavorful and had a taste to distinguish this burger from others. I highly recommend a visit when you're in the neighborhood. Oh! And I ordered a hot tea since I was sick that day, but this was the first place I've been to who brought honey and lemon without even asking if you wanted it. Goes to show they go the extra mile to improve the customer experience. It's always the little things that mean a lot to customers - so thanks Harper's!

Went here with my family last night for my dad’s birthday. The food was great (I had the red snapper) the small plates are great for sharing. The atmosphere was great as well. We were a little worried about the weather since it had been raining pretty hard all day and the restaurant’s website didn’t do a good job of stating that they also had indoor seating (they do and there was no issue sitting inside.) Our server was very friendly and a good time was had by all.

Lovely setting. Probably best for drinks. Great coffee. Galette and cobbler both disappointing. Might get loud at might

Had dinner here a couple of nights ago and had the perfect weather to enjoy their outdoor seating. Great ambiance and food was good as well. We had the meatballs and it was amazing! I had the spicy crab pasta and was very flavorful (just a tad bit oily). Will comeback to try their burger as it came highly recommended by the couple seated next to us.

It’s the perfect time of year to grab a meal at Harper’s Garden. There is inside seating but the best seats are outside. Sit among their planted dividers. Enjoy the flowers and the food. Ideal for brunch on the weekends. Good food, full bar, nice service. No parking but plenty of garage parking in close distance. Do make a reservation or be prepared to wait.