Parc

Address	227 S 18th Street
Map	View on Google Maps
Neighborhood	Rittenhouse Square
Phone	(215) 545-2262
Website	Official site
Cuisine	French
Price range	$$$
Rating	4.8 / 5 stars
Reviews	18,368 on Google
Established	2008

Parc is a French brasserie at 227 S 18th Street overlooking Rittenhouse Square, widely considered one of Philadelphia's most iconic restaurants. Opened in 2008 by restaurateur Stephen Starr, Parc transports diners to Belle Époque Paris with its authentic bistro atmosphere, sidewalk café seating, and classic French cuisine. With a 4.8-star rating from over 18,000 reviews, it consistently ranks among the city's most beloved dining destinations.

History

Parc opened in 2008 as part of Stephen Starr's growing restaurant empire. Starr, who won the James Beard Foundation's "Outstanding Restaurateur" award in 2017, designed Parc as a tribute to the grand cafés of Paris. The restaurant quickly became a Philadelphia institution, anchoring the east side of Rittenhouse Square.

The interior was designed to evoke an authentic Parisian brasserie, with hand-laid tiles in shades of ecru and green, red leather banquettes topped with frosted glass, and the aroma of freshly baked breads filling the air. The restaurant operates under Chef Joe Monnich.

Menu & Specialties

Parc serves classic French brasserie fare throughout the day:

French Onion Soup — Arguably the best in Philadelphia, with rich broth, caramelized onions, crusty bread, and a generous layer of gratinéed Gruyère
Steak Frites — Classic bistro preparation
Croque Monsieur/Madame — Traditional French sandwiches
Fresh Baked Breads — Baked in-house daily
Moules Frites — Mussels with fries
Oysters — Fresh selection at the raw bar

The menu spans breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week, making it suitable for everything from a quick coffee to a leisurely three-course meal.

What Reviewers Say

"The French onion soup is arguably the best in the city, combining a rich broth with onions, crusty bread, and a shocking amount of Gruyère gratinéed over the top."
— Philadelphia Magazine

"Best French Onion soup ever. Incredible bread. Delicious French brasserie food."
— Yelp reviewer

"Despite occasional noise, the friendly and attentive staff and authentic French atmosphere make it a standout choice for any occasion."
— OpenTable reviewer

Vibe

Parc's atmosphere captures the essence of a Parisian café:

Sidewalk seating — The prime tables overlook Rittenhouse Square, perfect for people-watching
Two dining spaces — A casual front room and more formal back dining room
All-day energy — Bustling from morning coffee through late dinner
Parisian authenticity — Tile floors, zinc bar, vintage fixtures

The restaurant draws a mix of business lunches, romantic dinners, tourists, and locals who treat it as their neighborhood café. Jane Jacobs, author of The Death and Life of Great American Cities, famously praised Rittenhouse Square as "the perfect neighborhood" — and Parc embodies that urbane charm.

Key Details

Detail	Information
Address	227 S 18th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Neighborhood	Rittenhouse Square
Price Range	$$$ ($40–60 typical)
Reservations	Recommended via OpenTable
Service Options	Dine-in, Outdoor seating, Takeout, Delivery
Good For	Business lunch, Date night, People-watching, Brunch
Accessibility	Wheelchair accessible
Payment	Credit cards, Debit cards

Getting There

View on Google Maps

227 S 18th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Parc sits at the corner of 18th and Walnut Streets, directly on Rittenhouse Square:

Walking — On the east side of Rittenhouse Square at 18th and Walnut
SEPTA Subway — Walnut-Locust Station (Broad Street Line), 2 blocks east
SEPTA Bus — Routes 9, 12, 21, 42 along Walnut/Chestnut
Parking — Street parking limited; garages at 1616 Walnut or Rittenhouse Claridge

About Stephen Starr

Stephen Starr is one of America's most prolific restaurateurs. Founded in 1995, STARR Restaurants operates dozens of concepts across Philadelphia, New York, Washington D.C., and beyond. Starr's Rittenhouse Square portfolio includes Parc, Borromini (Italian), and El Vez (Mexican). He won the James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurateur in 2017.

References

External Links