When Dear Daphni first opened it used to be my favorite happy hour spot in Philly. I appreciated the emphasis on the middle eastern tradition of sharing food at the table. Everything is delicious and plentiful. I liked having an alternative to Laser Wolf that was not supporting Michael Solomonov, as I don’t approve of his business practices or values. It was nice to be able to have a good value drink and vegetarian meal. This last visit we were informed that they now charge a la carte for everything with no refills. What was once the best deal in Philly now is the same as you’ll find at any overpriced restaurant. While the food is still amazing, it doesn’t stand out from the crowd now that they’ve strayed from those values. I understand the rising prices of food everywhere. But to go from free unlimited mezze, rice, and dessert with any entree right to an extra $36 with no refills was simply absurd. I think this could have been done in a way that at least eases you into price increases. Maybe have fewer mezze, even one mezze special. Maybe include free refills. Maybe charge a la carte per mezze. This change is going to leave many customers feeling blindsided and it breaks trust with regulars like me. I would still recommend the delicious food here, but it’s no longer a top restaurant in Philly for me. I am sad because I used to recommend this spot to everyone, now I am more hesitant. (As a side note they also got rid of my favorite mezze, the pistachio dip. double whammy…) That being said, almost everything I have tried is so good. The hummus, muhammara, salmon kebab, eggplant, broccoli, ice cream, and all drinks are spectacular. The greek salad and filo saganaki left me less than impressed. I just think they need more vegetarian options for entrees now that you have to pay for the mezze. Literally grieving this place! It was good while it lasted :(
This used to be the go to spot in Philly. However they changed things up and EVERYTHING is A la carte. Happy hour is still good but no more Mezze with an entree. So it’s a regular old happy hour you would get anywhere. We went for dinner. While the Salmon Kabob was delish I would have liked a scoop of rice with it. Not interested in a giant bowl of rice. Mezze was pricy and absolutely no refills. Not even one! If you have more than 2 people sharing it. It’s just a tease. They took away the Mediterranean tradition of sharing. It’s a nice dinner. But there are nice dinners all over Philly. Doesn’t stand out anymore. I get prices increase and there were abusers of the free unlimited Mezze, but there are better ways to shut that abuse down. A la carte sucks.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Salmon Kebab
Cora Schafer
Truly the best of the best service, food, and atmosphere! Will definitely be coming back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
J Mi-Maltha
Our family of four recently visited Dear Daphni in Philly for a birthday celebration, and while one dish soared, the overall experience was ultimately a 3-star.
Let's talk about the triumph: the pitta bread served with seven glorious dipping sauces. Honestly, this deserves its own 5-star review! It was warm, fresh, and each dip was a little burst of flavor – genuinely the best thing we ordered and easily the highlight of our meal. The service, too, was good; the staff were attentive and pleasant.
Unfortunately, the rest of our experience felt like it was dragging the overall score down. The grilled meats, whether pork, chicken, or lamb, were a letdown. For the price, we expected distinct, flavorful options, but they all tasted similar and quite average. It was a puzzling lack of individuality that really missed the mark.
Adding to the challenge was the restaurant's noise level. It was exceptionally loud, making it genuinely difficult for our family to have a comfortable conversation for our birthday celebration. And speaking of birthdays, while we had mentioned the occasion, there was no special acknowledgment from the restaurant, which, though not a deal-breaker, did add a small note of disappointment.
So, while Dear Daphni offers some truly phenomenal pitta and good service, the average grilled meats and the overwhelmingly noisy environment mean that one excellent dish simply couldn't carry the entire dining experience.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Lori Yellin
Beautiful spot and the service was beyond fantastic! They treated our family like family. The salads, kabobs, rice, potatoes, and sauces were delicous!
The overall rating is accurate. While this place is stunning and I felt the staff were great, the food was very disappointing. The mezzes rated store bought and we actually had to send the seafood dishes back for food safety reasons.
If this place could get their food up to the standards of the neighborhood, this could be a gem.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 4
Charles Brownstein
I don’t normally write reviews, but my experience here was frustrating enough to warn others.
Right off the bat, the waiter forced us to put in our entire food order at once, which felt rushed and completely unnecessary. Even though the restaurant was only half full, service was incredibly slow. We had to ask multiple times for basic things, and when the food finally came, it was practically thrown on the table by a rude, disengaged server.
To make matters worse, we were charged for refills on fountain soda (seriously?) and it seemed like everything had an extra charge attached to it. The menu was extremely overpriced for what we received.
The only positive was the quality of the food, which was decent — but that alone doesn’t make up for poor service, excessive charges, and a generally unpleasant experience.
Honestly really good, fresh Mediterranean food so you can’t go wrong with ordering anything off the menu. We got a few plates to share including the chicken, potatoes, and the filo saganaki. The saganaki I had no idea what it was but it tasted like a warmly cheesy pistachio pastry so very delicious and I recommend if you’re vegetarian. For drinks we ordered the marrakesh mule, the margarita, and a N/A honey bee all tasty. And dessert they do a tahini chocolate soft serve which was delicious. Definitely warrants a little bit of the hype.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Shane J
I came during Center City Sips and it was a robust crowd at the bar and tables! The aesthetic is pretty and is an open concept! The sips menu has various options and prices were comparable to other restaurants in the area!
The noise level was high and when the restaurant became busier, the service was not as attentive!
I look forward to coming back for dinner to explore menu options!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Joe Belisari
We visited dear Daphne, when it had first opened and really enjoyed our dinner.
However, in returning last week, it was a step above and we really, really loved our experience. Any kinks have definitely been ironed out. A five star.
The decision to go to à la carte so that one could enjoy the Mezze separately or with the kebabs was a great decision. Every dish that we had was amazing and we really enjoyed the kebab sampler.
New to the Mezze platter were the roasted warm olives, tossed in lemon oil and the babaganush. Delicious additions to all the other amazing Mezze dips and endless warm, fresh pita.
Highly recommend that you give Dear Daphne a try even if you’ve been there before. The atmosphere cannot be beat and the staff is friendly, helpful and just plain fun! it doesn’t hurt that the drinks are great too!
It is important for me to see management and staff working the floor introducing themselves and looking for direct feedback. Kelsey and staff were very active with customers. A great sign that improvement is always possible.
Do not come on a hot day the AC circulation is rough. Also everything is Al La Carte PSA! Definitely changed the experience.
Such a good dinner! I was hesitant with all of the reviews saying service was slow however I’ve never seen a more attentive waitress! The basmati rice was amazing, I highly recommend the prawns! Only suggestion would be to fix the door at the front!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alex Schafer
Overall a disappointment - we had a group of 6 and everyone ordered entrees which come with the mezze included. When the server brought out one mezze platter for our entire group to share, we asked whether the mezze was unlimited. Our server very hesitantly said that it wasn't but if we really liked one of the dips she could potentially bring out a little more (pita was unlimited though). This made us feel uncomfortable with asking for more and unclear if we would be charged extra. The portions on the mezze platter were very small and when split 6 ways, each person only got a tiny amount of each dip. I felt like our group was ripped off considering the tables of 2 across from us had the same size mezze platter. It's understandable that the mezze isn't unlimited, but a group of 6 should not be served the same amount as a group of 2, especially when everyone paid the same entree price. The quality of the food was fine, but definitely a half-step below comparable Mediterranean restaurants in Philly.
On the positive side, the staff was very friendly and attentive. The ambiance was also great, and the cocktails were very good.
I probably won't be back, there are plenty of other options for Mediterranean food in the city at the same price point that are more worth it.
The best hummus 🤌
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Really great dinner outing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
When Dear Daphni first opened it used to be my favorite happy hour spot in Philly. I appreciated the emphasis on the middle eastern tradition of sharing food at the table. Everything is delicious and plentiful. I liked having an alternative to Laser Wolf that was not supporting Michael Solomonov, as I don’t approve of his business practices or values. It was nice to be able to have a good value drink and vegetarian meal.
This last visit we were informed that they now charge a la carte for everything with no refills. What was once the best deal in Philly now is the same as you’ll find at any overpriced restaurant. While the food is still amazing, it doesn’t stand out from the crowd now that they’ve strayed from those values. I understand the rising prices of food everywhere. But to go from free unlimited mezze, rice, and dessert with any entree right to an extra $36 with no refills was simply absurd. I think this could have been done in a way that at least eases you into price increases. Maybe have fewer mezze, even one mezze special. Maybe include free refills. Maybe charge a la carte per mezze. This change is going to leave many customers feeling blindsided and it breaks trust with regulars like me. I would still recommend the delicious food here, but it’s no longer a top restaurant in Philly for me. I am sad because I used to recommend this spot to everyone, now I am more hesitant. (As a side note they also got rid of my favorite mezze, the pistachio dip. double whammy…)
That being said, almost everything I have tried is so good. The hummus, muhammara, salmon kebab, eggplant, broccoli, ice cream, and all drinks are spectacular. The greek salad and filo saganaki left me less than impressed. I just think they need more vegetarian options for entrees now that you have to pay for the mezze.
Literally grieving this place! It was good while it lasted :(
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Mezze Platter, Hummus, Mezze, Grilled Broccoli, Salmon Kebab
This used to be the go to spot in Philly. However they changed things up and EVERYTHING is A la carte. Happy hour is still good but no more Mezze with an entree. So it’s a regular old happy hour you would get anywhere.
We went for dinner. While the Salmon Kabob was delish I would have liked a scoop of rice with it. Not interested in a giant bowl of rice. Mezze was pricy and absolutely no refills. Not even one! If you have more than 2 people sharing it. It’s just a tease. They took away the Mediterranean tradition of sharing. It’s a nice dinner. But there are nice dinners all over Philly. Doesn’t stand out anymore. I get prices increase and there were abusers of the free unlimited Mezze, but there are better ways to shut that abuse down. A la carte sucks.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Salmon Kebab
Truly the best of the best service, food, and atmosphere! Will definitely be coming back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Our family of four recently visited Dear Daphni in Philly for a birthday celebration, and while one dish soared, the overall experience was ultimately a 3-star.
Let's talk about the triumph: the pitta bread served with seven glorious dipping sauces. Honestly, this deserves its own 5-star review! It was warm, fresh, and each dip was a little burst of flavor – genuinely the best thing we ordered and easily the highlight of our meal. The service, too, was good; the staff were attentive and pleasant.
Unfortunately, the rest of our experience felt like it was dragging the overall score down. The grilled meats, whether pork, chicken, or lamb, were a letdown. For the price, we expected distinct, flavorful options, but they all tasted similar and quite average. It was a puzzling lack of individuality that really missed the mark.
Adding to the challenge was the restaurant's noise level. It was exceptionally loud, making it genuinely difficult for our family to have a comfortable conversation for our birthday celebration. And speaking of birthdays, while we had mentioned the occasion, there was no special acknowledgment from the restaurant, which, though not a deal-breaker, did add a small note of disappointment.
So, while Dear Daphni offers some truly phenomenal pitta and good service, the average grilled meats and the overwhelmingly noisy environment mean that one excellent dish simply couldn't carry the entire dining experience.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Beautiful spot and the service was beyond fantastic! They treated our family like family. The salads, kabobs, rice, potatoes, and sauces were delicous!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wonderful place. Superior in every way.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Dumplings, Hummus, Tuna Tartare
The overall rating is accurate. While this place is stunning and I felt the staff were great, the food was very disappointing. The mezzes rated store bought and we actually had to send the seafood dishes back for food safety reasons.
If this place could get their food up to the standards of the neighborhood, this could be a gem.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 4
I don’t normally write reviews, but my experience here was frustrating enough to warn others.
Right off the bat, the waiter forced us to put in our entire food order at once, which felt rushed and completely unnecessary. Even though the restaurant was only half full, service was incredibly slow. We had to ask multiple times for basic things, and when the food finally came, it was practically thrown on the table by a rude, disengaged server.
To make matters worse, we were charged for refills on fountain soda (seriously?) and it seemed like everything had an extra charge attached to it. The menu was extremely overpriced for what we received.
The only positive was the quality of the food, which was decent — but that alone doesn’t make up for poor service, excessive charges, and a generally unpleasant experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
Honestly really good, fresh Mediterranean food so you can’t go wrong with ordering anything off the menu. We got a few plates to share including the chicken, potatoes, and the filo saganaki. The saganaki I had no idea what it was but it tasted like a warmly cheesy pistachio pastry so very delicious and I recommend if you’re vegetarian. For drinks we ordered the marrakesh mule, the margarita, and a N/A honey bee all tasty. And dessert they do a tahini chocolate soft serve which was delicious. Definitely warrants a little bit of the hype.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
I came during Center City Sips and it was a robust crowd at the bar and tables!
The aesthetic is pretty and is an open concept! The sips menu has various options and prices were comparable to other restaurants in the area!
The noise level was high and when the restaurant became busier, the service was not as attentive!
I look forward to coming back for dinner to explore menu options!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
We visited dear Daphne, when it had first opened and really enjoyed our dinner.
However, in returning last week, it was a step above and we really, really loved our experience. Any kinks have definitely been ironed out. A five star.
The decision to go to à la carte so that one could enjoy the Mezze separately or with the kebabs was a great decision. Every dish that we had was amazing and we really enjoyed the kebab sampler.
New to the Mezze platter were the roasted warm olives, tossed in lemon oil and the babaganush. Delicious additions to all the other amazing Mezze dips and endless warm, fresh pita.
Highly recommend that you give Dear Daphne a try even if you’ve been there before. The atmosphere cannot be beat and the staff is friendly, helpful and just plain fun! it doesn’t hurt that the drinks are great too!
It is important for me to see management and staff working the floor introducing themselves and looking for direct feedback. Kelsey and staff were very active with customers. A great sign that improvement is always possible.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mezze Platter, Lamb Kebab, Chicken Kebab, Salmon Kebab
Edit:
Do not come on a hot day the AC circulation is rough. Also everything is Al La Carte PSA! Definitely changed the experience.
Such a good dinner! I was hesitant with all of the reviews saying service was slow however I’ve never seen a more attentive waitress! The basmati rice was amazing, I highly recommend the prawns! Only suggestion would be to fix the door at the front!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 5
Overall a disappointment - we had a group of 6 and everyone ordered entrees which come with the mezze included. When the server brought out one mezze platter for our entire group to share, we asked whether the mezze was unlimited. Our server very hesitantly said that it wasn't but if we really liked one of the dips she could potentially bring out a little more (pita was unlimited though). This made us feel uncomfortable with asking for more and unclear if we would be charged extra. The portions on the mezze platter were very small and when split 6 ways, each person only got a tiny amount of each dip. I felt like our group was ripped off considering the tables of 2 across from us had the same size mezze platter. It's understandable that the mezze isn't unlimited, but a group of 6 should not be served the same amount as a group of 2, especially when everyone paid the same entree price. The quality of the food was fine, but definitely a half-step below comparable Mediterranean restaurants in Philly.
On the positive side, the staff was very friendly and attentive. The ambiance was also great, and the cocktails were very good.
I probably won't be back, there are plenty of other options for Mediterranean food in the city at the same price point that are more worth it.
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