The Happy Rooster Reviews

We ordered steak and fries. The food was ok but the service was almost non-existent. Couldn't wait to get out and never go back.

Food here is outstanding. It's small and dark and not for those who enjoy corporate-death chains. But if you like thoughtful food from intelligent people and aren't looking for Stephen Starr/Disneyworld theme eating, go to the Rooster.

On a busy day I stopped in at the Happy Rooster. It was the perfect place for comfortable solo lunch. It’s a dark woodsy old world bar. There is a big bar, booths, and tables. Food was bar food and my roast beef sandwich came with all the fixings. It was very very good, French fries were excellent. Staff was very nice.

The waitress/bartender was very attentive and friendly. My lobster roll was absolutely perfect and my husband enjoyed his salad. The atmosphere for lunch was perfect.

We stopped for drinks and were not impressed. The bar vibe was very unfriendly. We felt like we were crashing someone's house party uninvited. We're not acknowledged by the waitress and had to order drinks at the bar. Cool decor though

Right in the heart of Center City, yet easy to walk right on by, is the Happy Rooster. From its colorful and storied past, this is a great place where locals go for terrific food and drink. From the beautiful main bar to the ( careful, one step down) "back bar" where things can be much quieter, this is a wonderful warm spot for its ever changing menu and camaraderie.

So happy we decided to pick The Happy Rooster for an unexpected stop before going to a show. We sat at the back bar, very friendly atmosphere and excellent bartender. Mackenzie was happy to make suggestions based on our tastes. Loved the shrimp cocktail and a special watermelon, feta, arugula salad. We'll definitely go back!

Just had a few drinks here. Cocktails to expensive for a low key pub. $11.

Fabulous, professional, experienced bartenders. Seasonal specialty cocktail menu and house infused spirits make this a unique downtown destination.

We found this small restaurant/bar just a short walk from our hotel so we had dinner there on our first night. Walked in hoping for a table and were in luck. Great decor, low lighting, and a lively, upbeat atmosphere. Was quite busy the night we were there - was a Friday so I guess people were there to wind down (or was it up?) at the end of the working week. Our server was certainly earning her keep - she seemed to be the only one looking after the diners and there were quite a few of us. The food was great - what we would call above average 'pub' food. I had the lobster macaroni gratin (seriously - it was very good) which was a starter but more than enough for a main, he had the bouillabaisse and we shared a side of brussels sprouts with parmesan and balsamic, simply because it had been ages since we had seen them on a menu. Delicious. Then an easy walk back to the hotel feeling quite pleased with ourselves for finding something so good, so close.

My dining companion professes to enjoy the Happy Rooster for evening drinks and food. I believe him because the interior of this place offers an old but funky vibe. Small place inside with only a handful of tables and a pretty large bar. Classic neighborhood layout. The menu was much more varied than the traditional burgers and wraps. I opted for the gyro and would say that it was okay. Partner enjoyed his wrap. Service was pleasant and our food was delivered pretty quickly. Return visit for a cocktail? Maybe, but will find other places in the area for lunch.

In town visiting for the weekend and stumbled across this place and we were pleasantly surprised. Old school tavern vibes with an intimate feel. The staff was very friendly and attentive. I opted for the tomato soup with grilled cheese since it was a cold winter day and I was not disappointed! Would definitely return when we come back!

This place would totally get 5 stars if there were just a bit more selection for a vegetarian. Cute place!

My lobster roll was on special and it excellent. My husband had the fish tacos and they were very good too. The interior of the place is a bit tired but we were glad we stopped in for the fresh seafood.

In Philadelphia for business, stopped in for a quick drink at this very cool bar with rooster designs, lamps, decor everywhere. Loved the atmosphere, food looked good (from a distance) and I plan to return to try out the food soon.

We usually stop here for a drink or two when in the Rittenhouse Square area. It's a small bar on the corner in a good location. There is a small bar area with a few tables upfront and an additional bar with a few tables in the back. I love to sit at the tables out front and do some people watching. The bartenders always have attitude and aren't very good but for some reason we always stop back. Although there are many good reviews of the food we never ate there and wouldn't want to after having been inside and in the men's restroom downstairs by the kitchen.

This swanky little place is the epitome of the retro cocktail lounge of yesteryear. The menu is artisanal, seasonally fresh, and well priced. We enjoyed a cheese plate that included a generous selection of cheeses, a small loaf of fresh, crusty bread, and fruit. This is a place I would come back to, minus the teenager. Great place for meeting up with friends, date night, or a night cap.

We stopped here for a drink after doing some sightseeing. The bartender was fun, the drinks were good. We ended up staying quite a while. Highly recommend!

What’s better on a blistering hot summer day than to step in to a friendly tavern where the warm hospitality miraculously makes you feel like this is where you will spend the rest of the evening? All it took was a smile, a cool booth and a glass of rosé. My husband had an ice cold beer and then we settled in to look at the menu. Just let me say here, you could close your eyes, point to ANYTHING listed and have a delightful meal! We split the cheesesteak dumplings for an appetizer and they were amazing. Oh, and don’t forget to check out the daily specials either! Great atmosphere, delicious food, a cozy setting and a rosé that hit that perfect not-so-sweet spot made an early evening meal the ideal way to begin our trip to Philadelphia

We sat just inside the door at the front bar and it felt like we were in a little bar of our own! We ordered food and expected pub type meals but the food was amazing! Definitely check this place out :)

This little spot is in the middle of downtown philly. It's a charming little bar with AWESOME food. My date and I were left speechless with how amazing the food was. The mushroom risotto and back pepper tuna was moist and had great flavor. The salmon was delicious as well. We went on Sunday night and the bartender bellows along with songs he knows and the server helps you feel like you're at home. It's very dim inside and adds to the ambience. This was such a hidden gem in the city and a great treat of delicious food

A small bar and nostalgic leather booths set the scene for a fun dining experience! The mussels, fish tacos, guac and lobster roll were promptly delivered and did not disappoint.

Mackenzie really took excellent care of us and the atmosphere was nice. Great drinks and food. Would definitely return if I make it back to Philadelphia one day.

This used to be a great, funky bar with inventive food and fun drinks. No more. Tonight I had dinner there and it was genuinely awful. The mussels were not fresh, terribly overcooked, and in a "sauce" which was totally tasteless. The stale toasted bread that came with it was too hard on the teeth to actually eat. The steak frites came with mass supermarket quality steak, including the fat and gristle. The frites were good though, thank God, or there would be nothing to eat. Service was okay, though no one inquired too deeply when we said we didn't enjoy the food. This is one of the country's great food towns. Don't waste a moment on this place unless all you want is a drink. Even then, the wine selection was truly mediocre. Stick with beer and bugers and you will probably be okay.

My how the times have changed. When I first frequented the Rooster in the 1990's it was a tired sad place. The renovations and the direct access to the rear bar have really jazzed the decor up. The monthly/weekly specials on the board outside the restaurant provide tremendous value. It looks like another Philly mainstay has managed to come into the 21st century with a great menu, atmosphere and food value.

First disclaimer: I did NOT try any of their food, and it did look pretty good. I especially wanted to try the cheese steak dumplings which I saw on the menu. My experience was at the bar for two drinks over about an hour of sipping them there. The bar tender/waitress was either having a bad day, or they were severely understaffed... I don’t know. I asked for my second rum and diet coke, and after 15 minutes or so I walked up to her and expressed that I really did want that second drink at some point. She wasn’t rude, but she wasn’t friendly. I did meet two very nice folks sitting near me at the bar. A few other things to know about this place: it’s tiny. There is a back bar, also very small. There is one bathroom for all genders. Its door doesn’t provide the greatest privacy, if that’s important to you (I’m a male, I don’t much care). I did not peak into the kitchen, but if you want to know you can go downstairs to the bathroom...it’s right past the restroom. Overall, just not very impressed. I guess it’s really just supposed to be a bare-bones sports-type bar.

This little corner spot has a small but varied menu with a good selection of local, domestic and imported beers. It feels like a place the locals love. The service was friendly and the food was very well prepared. We had the fresh lobster roll which was as good as any I've had on the Cape and a huge salad loaded with fresh tomatoes, avocado and goat cheese. I would go again.

This is a nice, cozy bar with good atmosphere and service. I've eaten here twice and enjoyed the food. It's not a big menu, but I've found things I've liked each time. The beer selection is pretty good -- all in bottles, nothing on tap. Last night, I had a burger, cooked perfectly. However, my dining companion ordered a lobster roll, and it was miniscule next to a pile of French fries. It was definitely not worth the $25 they charged for it.

this is a nice place to grab a drink while in center city. I only had appitizers but they were great. Good crowd of professionals here

The food is good but not spectacular. The prices are very decent for downtown Philly. I like the bartenders and the odd assortment of characters in this casual neighborhood establishment. I could easily see myself as one of the odd "regulars" there if I lived downtown.

Cut off while singing kareoke... I didn't know that was possible...

It has changed a lot since then when there was actually a dress code that was strictly enforced. Anyway, this is a great bar with some good food. I am not crazy about the crowd in the back bar but the front room is awesome. I have had some fantastic beet salad, buffalo shrimp which is a bit messy to eat, French fries which as recall may have been truffled (yum), chicken cheesesteak (yum), lobster mac n cheese (yum but not my thing), snapper soup (too rich), fried oyster sliders (not great). The staff is not exactly elegant but there are some good people who work there. I love going to the Rooster!

We stopped here from a recommendation of a co-worker and we were not disapointed. This place has been here since 1968.. The food was very good. We enjoyed this place. Japanese Cowboy wings, fries and lobster roll were delicious. Had a nice view of the street outside and were able to watch the downtown Philadelphia action while dining. Service was excellent. Drink and appetizer discounts during weekday happy hour 5-7. Had to ask about the specials.

This bar is quite small so it easily gets SUPER crowded. They do have great fries but they don’t serve them very late. The bartender in the back room 10/7 was SUPER rude for seemingly no reason and this isn’t the first time. We thought we’d give it a second chance because of the location but we’ve now learned our lesson. There are so many friendly staffs in Philly; for example, at Dandelion just down the block. Note: if you go for a meal, typically the online menu is outdated so don’t get your heart too set on anything in particular.

I have eaten here since my last review and I can vouch that this is decent tavern food. And this place once had all the characteristics for a favorite neighborhood dive bar. Dim lighting, good bartenders, reasonable service, not too jammed. But at $10 for a shot of Jack Daniels on the rocks, I don't need a dive bar and there are others with a better price point in Center City. I assume they are being slammed by the high rents. Not sure that very high prices, especially in a joint like this are the answer. Too bad, but if it is the expense of doing business in this part of Philadelphia, a lot of places with local color will be driven out.

A really nice and relaxing atmosphere. A really cool place to grab some really good food and cold drinks. It’s perfect for a hot summer day or night.

After a day at the museums, we were looking to unwind over a couple of drinks and appetizers and stumbled upon the Happy Rooster. How Perfect! Quaint atmosphere and great service. Just a great place to stop in Center City and watch the world rush by outside!

Enjoy the cozy bar atmosphere and have some good food. Rock octopus app very tasty as well as the chicken cheese steak and fries. Good service and great music added to our nice time.

I really like the Happy Rooster. I've been here several times over the last few years because of the neighborhood bar feeling I get when I go. I'm not from Philly but I travel there often and usually stop by the Rooster every trip to have a cocktail or take a business associate to experience it. There are some tables and a couple booths-- some of the booths have cracked vinyl seats which I find charming. The Happy Rooster remains authentic in this trendy area.

I usually visit the Rooster several times a year as their menu changes with each season. On my recent visit I sat at the bar and ordered a lobster bisque, it was amazing with nice chunks of lobster in the bowl. So that whet my appetite for more and I order the roast chicken which literally melted in my mouth. The bartenders are always especially Friendly and very easy to get their attention. As a matter of fact just a glance at the bartender will bring him running over. There is a tv screen, so you won't miss the game, and there is a more private (and quiet) back bar, where you can spread out (or crash the office parties that sometimes inhabit it)

Visited for dinner after a long day sightseeing, the restaurant is small and dark and at first we felt quite uncomfortable and unwelcome. We were seated in a booth and as it was late and we weren’t hugely hungry we ordered appetisers to share. These were by far big enough to feed the four of us and the Mac n cheese was delicious. Recommended.

One of my favorite places to eat when in Philly. When you enter the place, you'll be singing "Here a cock, there a cock, everywhere a cock cock"...because the décor is all things rooster. Each time I've eaten here, the food is always on point....my ONLY disappointment is that they took the pistachio waffle & ice cream off the menu. It was the MOST AMAZING thing I have eaten in a long, long time.

Thursday night karaoke! Drinks are pricey but the inside is tiny and intimate.

It was my first trip back in a few years, and I'm glad I went, this time with a few work colleagues after a long day. The place was packed, but we were seated immediately in the back room. The modest, eclectic menu has a few pub standards plus a few notable standouts. Service was warm, and we really enjoyed the urban buzzy vibe. The owner made us feel really welcome. We'll definitely be back.

The food was outstanding. Fillet Mignon and Rack of Lamb were both cooked to perfection. Small and intimate restaurant and bar.

Chanced upon this place after a busy day walking around the city. Good range of drinks, the Yards pale ale and Dogfish IPA were particularly good. Service was friendly, all good.

The Happy Rooster is a fun place to stop for lunch or happy hour. The food is nicely put together, the service is relatively quick, and the pub is compactly put together in a cozy-meets-claustrophic way.

A friend and I stopped in for a drink. We were welcomed by Jace, the bartender, who was a wealth of information and gave us the low down of all the hotspots. We took all of her recommendations and had a fantastic night. Oh and do yourself a favor and order the Truffle Parmesan chicken wings....DELICIOUS!

I came here for a work-related group function, and am pleased with the location. The food's great, it's not too loud, and I was able to network and carry-on conversation. The roasted vegetables, macaroni and cheese, and fig flatbread are all winners.

If you are going to go to the Rooster, go in the summer, when they can open all the windows, and you will be warm. Because if you go in the winter, it's not well insulated and you get a little chilly every time someone walks in or out. I might tolerate that if the food was special, or even really good. It's not. It's average. I've had worse.

We stopped in during a one night stay in philly and were pleasantly surprised with the food quality and vibe of the place. It's a neat old bar with lots of character and things to look at. The Rooster Burger with an egg was excellent and the flat bread was decent as well. The bar tender seemed like he'd rather be anywhere else but that aside I'd definitely recommend it.

At first glance, it looks like a hole in the wall, bar/pub. I must say the only reason we came in was because the couple that was walking out raved about the food... The Happy Rooster could use a little more light in the dining area and maybe a new paint job, but the food was VERY GOOD! I didn't really check the place out, but it seems like they have either more seating or a dance floor in the rear. I'd recommend it as a spot to go for a late meal and drinks.

Small bar with great food in downtown Philly. Crab cake sandwich was terrific. Brussels Sprout sides and calamari was also great. Dark little dive type atmosphere.

We stopped in for lunch since Marathon, across the street, was mobbed with lunchtime 'worker bees ' and we're were short on time. Small bar on the corner with standard bar fare. There is a second bar/room in the back (Step down, step up, watch your step!) OK service, OK food. Not too inviting for my tastes.

This is a small, old place which I have never previously been to though I have spent plenty of time in Philadelphia. Nice, comfortable atmosphere with lots of dark wood ambiance. We only sat at the bar and drank wine, but it proved to be a wonderful place to join friends for drinks. Very, very comfortable place. Not pretensious, not overly costly.

The ambience in here is very dark and cozy, with a tavern-y feel to it. The menu is a bit limited though the food is decent. The chicken cheesesteak is pretty darn good. Seems like it might be a good place to duck into for drinks.

I stop bye after work once a week when I am in philly and they are great. Cheap drinks food and service is gd. I just wrote this review so yall should know.

Perfect for drinks & brunch, this cozy dark corner pub with a handsome aged bar & booths is lined with historic souvenir prints & menus & also serves very good food. The brunch menu especially is enticing & except that the plates were cold, portions are beyond generous.

So this place is surrounded by modern looking, hip restaurants and bars... It could be easily overlooked. Take a couple of steps in and you will feel like you are on the set of Cheers. This is an actual local bar in Center City!!!! Come with eyes wide open and you will enjoy the libations and the people watching.

Ordered the lamb burger - was raw, not rare. Sent it back, came out less raw, still not rare. And the waitress gave off the vibe of being put out by my request. Maybe thats why we were the only ones there for lunch? it was also expensive. Expensive raw lamb.

Welcoming staff, good variety of food and the place itself in it's own comfortable feel. Had a special...crab cake sandwich, 4 star, heck owner made it himself!

This place holds a special place in my heart from yesteryear. There is new mgt which may be able to restore it to prestige hopefully without ruining it. The new menu is not very interesting looking but granted I only tried one thing. When people asked for dessert, we were told there were no desserts. ??? Is there a restaurant in the Western World that does not serve dessert. Servers stood around and talked with each other and gossiped. This is not a good portend for the Rooster's future.

My wife and I spent a day in Philly last week and stopped at this restaurant for lunch. Luckily, we were able to be seated at an outdoor table on what was a gorgeous sunny day. We both ordered the lamb gyro, which was one of the tastiest (and neatest) gyros we have ever tasted. The sides of french fries were also outstanding, as you could tell they were sliced from fresh potatoes and not frozen in any way. Supplemented with a nice cold bottle of Yards' Philadelphia Pale Ale, the lunch was perfect.

In town to see the Phillies, we stopped here for lunch...AMAZING! Definately order the House Salad-a half-head of lettuce, with shrimp, crab and bleu cheese w/ 1000 island dressing. AWESOME! Also, try the Rooster Burger- EXCELLENT! A GREAT FIND!!!! We will definately be back!!!!

Maybe it was an off night and I think if I had just went for a drink it would have been different but I ate dinner. I sat in the middle of the small bar, front and center to the bartender and yet still had to keep motioning to him anytime I needed anything. I at a buffalo shrimp appetizer which was decent and then got the chicken Marsala which was not good at all. Add two glasses of wine and it was an expensive $70ish dollar meal that I wished Id skipped. Glancing at some other reviews, maybe I just hit it on the wrong night so maybe a return trip next business trip in to Philly is deserved.

Love French fare.

The positives first .. it was open . Picking up on the advertising board outside , it was Happy Hour and there was a special "Lobster Roll". I might as well cut to the chase .. Beer undrinkable and the Roll , was vile. Once ordered a plate of skinny fries with ketchup arrived and perched on the side was an apologetic small brioche bun containing a slop of mayo and what was presumably the lobster. Poor old Lobster had been macerated beyond recognition and only its Finger prints & Dental records would offer any chance of identification, certainly the taste would n't help. Sorry to word it so strong , but God was it poor ..

It had been a long and fruitful day of sightseeing and we had a little time before dinner so we stopped in here for a gap beer. We were the only patrons at that time. The staff seemed lively. Not overly friendly at first, but they warmed up. The red candles are a nice touch to the bar.

Nice bar. They didn't have food though on a Sunday night which is what we wanted. Quaint, dark, solid drinks and service.

Friendly help in entire establishment. Great burgers, huge stout to wash it down with. We stopped in, not knowing where to go. Made to feel part of the crew.

What a fun & cozy restaurant to go to. It has such a nice atmosphere roosters of course, everything roosters. The food is absolutely delicious & the portions are huge!! You cant go wrong when you dine here.

The exterior of The Happy Rooster led me to believe that the inside would be funky and modern. The doors have a cool stained glass mosaic of a rooster, and the corner location in Center City is excellent. The interior is tiny with about 6 booths on one side and a bar along the other side. The lighting was dim, and the style was... Um, oldish? The menu had a decent variety. The waitress was friendly enough, and service was quick. My husband enjoyed his turkey club. This came with fries. I had the fish tacos which were good, but the cabbage slaw was very spicy! No chips or anything came with this. We were just looking for a snack, and this fit the bill. With so many places to try in the area, nothing's enticing me to go back, but I'm glad we tried it.

Quite a place this.Old building, a traditional bar area with some interesting clients. Short but inviting menu, I had steak, my husband had slow cooked pork. Both delicious. Good selection of beer. We had a very nice time.

My boss and I came in here on a whim while wandering downtown Philly she really wanted Veal Parmesan and it was the special tonight. I had a couple of beers Yards Philly Pale Ale and Victory summer love which were tasty. We ordered Charred Corn Johnny Cakes for appetizer and it was awesome with the jalapeño aioli. She of course ordered Veal Parmesan and I ordered Steak Fritas and my steak was juicy and had so much flavor. It came with some awesome French fries and some delicious asparagus. I would highly recommend this place. Small, cozy atmosphere with Karaoke on Thursday.

We stumbled across this place late - around 10.15pm on a Monday night and it was open and hopping (it was during the holidays) filled with 'characters' it was great people watching. The food was good too, above average I'd say. I had the chicken pot pie, it was delicious. My friend had the wedge salad - good, French onion soup - decent. I gave the bartender excellent for service because he was literally tending bar, and covering all the tables by himself... He was working so hard. I'd for sure go back. Great late night option.

My partner and I called for drinks and stayed a while. Great for people watching. Great atmosphere and staff very friendly and welcoming. Great selection of beers wines and spirits.

I came here as a teen when Madeleine and Doc were there. They were very friendly with my friend's parents. In fact her mother had a rooster collection just like Madeliene. I have been back off and on over the years while Madeleine was still alive. I just moved back to Phila after 20 years and have had drinks there a twice. Very nostalgic for me. While I have only had wine, the bartender seems committed to making inventive cocktails. I had wanted an appetizer on a Sunday night but the kitchen was already closed. So, I need to go back!

Wife and I stopped both before and after a Sixers game at the WFC. Great drinks and friendly service from the bartenders and staff. Watched the second half of the Eagles game after the b-ball game. Awesome atmosphere.

We picked Happy Rooster at random last night after the Oyster House couldn't seat us for happy hour (not happy about that!). The Rooster is a cool neighborhood bar that is popular with the Rittenhouse Square crowd with a seriously good kitchen. Our party of 4 had the veal chop, grilled salmon and two wonderful chicken pot pies baked with a Phyllo crust. The pies were so good that the Salmon guy had to order one to go. "Sorry" the Rooster waitress said (she was interviewing with Goldman this week) - "we have to bake it in the dish". No problem our guest said - I will buy the dish. They made the deal (she has a future in investment banking) and he had a midnight snack (and a souvenir bowl). Good place - try it.

Had the truffle wings...very delicious. Fried perfectly with a perfect crunch. The mac and cheese came out on a sizzling cask iron skillet...nice and hot. Not overly seasoned so that the flavor of the cheese shined though.

Came here after dinner, it was good. Waitress was friendly, cosmos were good and it wasn't overly crowded for a Friday night. Nothing fancy, but I would go back...

Nice bar but nothing too special about it. You can people watch which is always fun. Staff seemed irritated (and we only ordered beers) the night we were there.

As the name of the restaurant implies, happy is the way to go. Very nice personnel and cute bar. The food is good and they are known for their lobster rolls on split rolls. Nice to have on a winter day, reminds one of the summer. Best to make a reservation as it gets crowded at lunchtime. Telephone number - 215-963-9311.

We stopped in with a tour. Not alot of space and the bathroom was very small. It is a nice place if you are looking for a bar with a laid back atmosphere

Martinis + Roosters = Good Times

This is a small bar with cozy booths. The surprise is the home-cooked excellence of what comes out of the kitchen. I had chipped beef on toast, a dish slandered by schol cafeterias. Here the chipped beef tasted home-made, the toast was Pepperidge Farm, the simple white sauce tasty. My partner, a usually critical New Orleanean, was delighted with his BBQ pork sliders,a combination of bun, slaw, pickle with each of the flavors separate but working together. Couldn't imagine a better lunch on this slushy second day of spring.