Cheap date ideas in Philadelphia

Our picks

• Angelo's Pizzeria · South Philly · $

  casual,cult

  “Cult South Philly slices + hoagies — long lines for a reason. Non-obvious to out-of-towners.”

• Bartram's Garden · Southwest · $

  outdoorsy,private,unique

  “Free 45-acre riverfront botanical garden with free kayaking in season — quiet, beautiful, and genuinely non-obvious.”

• Cherry Street Pier · Old City · $

  unique,creative

  “A converted pier of artist studios + a bar over the water — a cool, wandering non-obvious date.”

• Hardena · South Philly · $

  casual,unique

  “Indonesian home cooking, point-and-choose, incredible value — the kind of place a plugged-in local sends you, never a listicle.”

• Interstate Drafthouse · Fishtown · $

  casual,neighborhood

  “Unpretentious neighborhood bar — the honest "grab one beer alone or with a friend" answer.”

• John's Roast Pork · South Philly · $

  casual,legit

  “The cheesesteak (and roast pork) locals actually rate — daytime only. Skip the Pat's/Geno's tourist corner.”

• Menagerie Coffee · Old City · $

  cozy,charming

  “A jewel-box Old City cafe — a lovely low-stakes coffee date or quiet hour alone.”

• Morris Arboretum · Chestnut Hill · $

  outdoorsy,private,pretty

  “Gorgeous gardens with a treetop canopy walk up in Chestnut Hill — feels far from the city.”

• Race Street Pier · Old City · $

  romantic,free

  “Free riverfront pier under the Ben Franklin Bridge — a genuinely romantic (and free) sunset walk.”

• Rodin Museum · Parkway · $

  romantic,intimate,quiet

  “Small, gorgeous, uncrowded — The Thinker and a quiet garden. A short, romantic, non-touristy stop.”

• Shofuso Japanese House and Garden · Fairmount Park · $

  peaceful,private,unique

  “A serene traditional Japanese house and koi garden in West Fairmount Park — a calm, non-obvious afternoon date.”

• South Philly Barbacoa · South Philly · $

  unique,cult

  “James Beard-winning weekend-only Mexican barbacoa — a genuine "a local sent me" answer.”