With graduation season right around the corner, we’ve gathered a bevy of superior venues offering celebratory meals, personalized graduation desserts, and custom event packages guaranteeing a smooth and enjoyable planning experience for graduates and their families. Check out all of the top tier offerings from locales in Philadelphia and beyond, including Cake Life Bake Shop, Butcher Bar, Bolo, Ocean Prime, Oloroso, Oltremare, Panorama, The Twisted Tail, Stella of New Hope and Urban Farmer.
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Cake Life Bake Shop, Philadelphia’s award-winning small-batch artisanal bakery and all-day café, offers an extensive selection of expertly crafted cakes perfect for celebrating graduation! No celebration is complete without a dessert – and the Fishtown bakery has a cake for every type of graduate, from Funfetti (Beyoncé’s birthday cake of choice), to Campfire Cocoa, to Flourless Chocolate Cake (for gluten-free graduates).
Not a fan of cake? Cake Life Bake Shop also offers cheesecakes, an assortment of cupcakes, and pies.
Customers can pre-order celebratory treats online for delivery or pick-up. Orders close at 2pm four days prior to the desired pick-up or delivery date.
Hours of operation: Wednesday through Saturday 8am – 9pm, Sunday 8am – 7pm
Cake Life Bake Shop | 1306 Frankford Ave | www.cakelifebakeshop.com | Instagram @cakelifebakeshop
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Butcher Bar, the Rittenhouse hub for American comfort food, grilled fare, and an expansive brown spirits collection, offers a stellar brunch and dinner menu, perfect for celebrating any recent graduate! On Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30am – 3pm, Butcher Bar offers an all-inclusive, prix-fixe brunch ($48/pp), complete with mimosas, Bloody Marys, and featured margaritas (all of which can be topped off throughout the meal), as well as a bevy of sweet and savory brunch fare. Reservations must be made online 24 hours in advance.
Those looking for a spot to celebrate post-graduation ceremony can head to Rittenhouse’s friendly neighborhood steakhouse for a robust dinner menu, including meat-centered fare like steaks, burgers, sausages, ribs, wings, housemade beef jerky, as well as mouth-watering sides like Cheddar-Stuffed Pretzel Bread, Jalapeño Cornbread, mashed potatoes, and more. Groups of up to eight people can also commemorate the evening by ordering The Trough ($350), which includes Nashville hot fried game hen, IPA sausages, baby back ribs, royale sliders, chef’s choice of meat, house-smoked bacon, smoked chicken wings, roasted bone marrow, lamb milanese, and house-cut parmesan truffle fries. Advance notice is required – make your reservation here.
Hours of operation: Monday through Wednesday 4 – 9pm, Thursday 4 – 10pm, Friday 4 – 11pm, Saturday 11:30am – 11pm, Sunday 11:30am – 8pm
Butcher Bar | 2034 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA | butcherbarphilly.com | Instagram: @butcherbarphl
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Bolo, Chef Yun Fuentes’ Latin American dining room and rum bar nestled in bustling Rittenhouse Square, is the ultimate destination for celebrating one’s graduation (or any) milestone in style. Whether marking the occasion with a small group of close friends and family or inviting the entire class to join in, the second-floor dining room comfortably accommodates up to 80 guests, while combining both floors allows for a lively cocktail-style reception for up to 175 guests. Choose from a range of event packages designed to make any day truly unforgettable. Customize the celebration with a range of options such as specialty celebration cocktails from our renowned rum bar, delectable appetizers to kick off the festivities, or an indulgent four-course dining experience for a more formal celebration.
Please contact hospitality@bolophl.com for more information.
Hours of operation: Monday through Sunday, 5pm – 10pm for dinner, Saturday 10pm – 12am for late night, and Monday through Friday, 5pm – 7pm for happy hour
2025 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 | WebsiteInstagram
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Ocean Prime, the classic steak and seafood-forward modern American restaurant and lounge located in the heart of Center City Philadelphia, presents an exquisite array of event spaces perfectly suited for graduation celebrations of any size. From intimate gatherings to grand soirées, the chic venue offers the ideal setting for commemorating this significant milestone.
Room offerings include:
- Fairmount Room: Seats 16 people or accommodates receptions for up to 28 guests.
- Rittenhouse Room: Seats 27 people or accommodates receptions for up to 35 guests.
- Manayunk Room: Seats 30 people or accommodates receptions for up to 45 guests.
- Mezzanine: Seats 56 people or accommodates receptions for up to 75 guests.
- Cove: Seats 24 people or accommodates receptions for up to 30 guests.
Ocean Prime’s private dining packages boast a variety of food and beverage options tailored to fulfill every individual’s desires for their special day. Dining choices range from selecting from a diverse à la carte menu to opting for one of four top-tier preset menu options, priced between $100 and $170 per person (excluding tax and gratuity). Additionally, the venue caters to a range of special requests, including valet service, floral arrangements, audiovisual support, and specialty cakes or desserts.
Please contact Ocean Prime’s sales and event manager at (215) 563-0163 for more information and click HERE to view the full brochure of offerings.
Hours of operation: Sunday through Thursday, 4pm – 9pm, and Friday and Saturday 4pm – 10pm
124 South 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102 | 215.563.0163 | WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitter
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Oloroso, Philadelphia’s premier Spanish tapas restaurant and sherry bar, situated in the heart of Center City, is the ideal setting for an intimate celebration honoring one’s recent graduation. With its inviting ambiance and authentic Spanish cuisine, Oloroso offers a unique and memorable experience for graduates and their loved ones. The restaurant features lower level seating for up to 44 guests and 36 guests on the upper level, providing ample space for a cozy gathering to commemorate this significant milestone. Whether indulging in traditional tapas or savoring a glass of fine sherry, Oloroso’s menu has it all, with highlights including the shareablePaella Verdura ($52/$74), tapas featuring Buñuelos de Bacalao, Cheesesteak Croqueta, and Ensalada Mixta, and heartier offerings such as Charred Octopus, Wood-Grilled NY Strip, and Grilled Bronzino. Reservations for Oloroso are highly encouraged and can be made
HERE.
Hours of operation: Tuesday through Thursday, Sunday 4:30pm – 10pm; Friday & Saturday 4:30pm – 11 pm.
1121 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19107 | (267) 324-3014 | Website | Instagram
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Oltremare, the new seafood-forward modern Italian restaurant from Chef-Owner and restaurateur Townsend Wentz, warmly invites guests to commemorate academic achievements amidst the flavors and aesthetics reminiscent of the Amalfi Coast. The restaurant boasts an expansive open space adorned with custom mahogany and cherry wood finishes, complemented by a mezzanine offering picturesque views overlooking the main dining room, providing an unparalleled setting for celebration. Menu highlights include Bluefin Tuna Crudo ($20) with kumquat, Calabrian chili, and Sorrento lemon, Frutti di Mare ($24) featuring shrimp, calamari, mussels, clams, tagliolini, piquillo pepper, and basil, and the Ossobuco Bianco ($46) served with creamy Taleggio polenta, fennel, and orange. Additionally, guests can enjoy a variety of amaros, carefully selected Italian wines, and classic cocktails to complement the experience.
Oltremare offers a wide range of large party offerings, from a small dinner party to a full buyout. For more information on larger reservations, please contact (445) 223.2093 or twentz@thetwrg.com.
Hours of operation: Tuesday through Thursday 4:30 – 9:30pm, Friday & Saturday 4:30 – 10pm, and Sunday 4:30 – 9pm
2121 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 | 445.223.2093 | Website | Instagram
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Panorama, Philadelphia’s premier wine bar boasting a Guinness World Record custom-built wine keeper with over 120 wines on tap within the Penn’s View Hotel, offers an event space that is perfect for a celebratory dinner for a graduate. The restaurant is home to one of the most versatile venues in the city, featuring a wheelchair-accessible wine cellar ideal for a more intimate celebration, hosting up to 30 guests for a seated dinner. The hotel and restaurant also offer four other event spaces, accommodating 20 to 80 attendees, with customizable menus showcasing authentic Italian dishes complimented by Sommelier-picked wines.
Nestled in the heart of Old City, the historic Penn’s View Hotel offers 49 rooms and 2 suites, accommodating friends and families traveling from out of town.
For more information, call 215.922.7800.
Panorama hours of operation: Tuesday through Thursday 5 – 9pm, Friday 5 – 10pm, Saturday 3 – 10pm, Sunday 3 – 9pm
14 Front St • 215.922.7800 • www.pennsviewhotel.com/panorama
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Stella of New Hope, Bucks County’s modern American restaurant located in the Ghost Light Inn with 180 degree views of the Delaware River, invites guests to celebrate graduation with their weekendbrunchmenu which boasts a unique twits on American classics inspired by local ingredients from the region’s best farmers and artisans. Offered on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 2pm, guests can expect menu items such as the Smoked Salmon Platter ($20) with toasted everything bagel, caper, cream cheese, heirloom tomato and red onion, Lemon Ricotta Pancakes ($14) served with pure maple syrup, and Three Egg Frittata ($17) with jumbo lump crab, asparagus, tomato and goat cheese.
Furthermore, for a larger celebration, Stella provides a beautiful 150-seat banquet room with an exceptional river view back drop or a ground level open air event space with riverfront views. Fun add-ons include signature cocktails, DIY Taco Bar, Hot Chocolate Bar, Mini Root Beer Float Station, and much more
The Ghost Light Inn offers 12 rooms, perfect for visiting friends and friends. Additionally, The Carriage House presents 3 riverfront rooms, conveniently located just steps away from Stella.
For more information, email info@stellanewhope or call 267.740.2691.
Hours of operation: Thursday 5 – 12am, Friday 5 – 2am, Saturday 8 – 2am
50 S Main St, New Hope, PA 18938 • 267.740.2691 •Website•Instagram•Facebook
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The Twisted Tail, the Southern-inspired restaurant, bar and live music venue on Headhouse Square, offers an ideal setting for a graduation celebration. Their weekend brunch, available on Saturdays from 11am to 4pm and Sundays from 10am to 4pm, features a variety of Southern-inspired dishes. Menu highlights include Crawfish Mac & Cheese ($8) with aged cheddar and toasted breadcrumbs, Cheesy Grits ($13) with sharp cheddar, bacon crumbles and an egg; Chicken & Waffle ($18) with bourbon batter and a winter spiced-maple syrup; Brioche French Toast ($14) with creme brûlée, whipped cream and powdered sugar, and more. The restaurant also provides two long tables at the rear of the Juke Joint that can accommodate seating for up to 40 people.
For larger parties, visit here. Regular reservations can be made on OpenTable.
Hours of operation: Monday – Thursday 4 pm – 10 pm; Friday 4 pm – 12 am; Saturday 11 am – 12 am; Sunday 10 am – 10 pm
509 S. 2nd St. • 215.558.2471 • Website • Instagram • Facebook • Twitter
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UrbanFarmer, the modern American steakhouse located in the Logan Hotel known for its locally sourced ingredients and in-house butcher shop and mushroom program, is the perfect spot to host a graduation celebration. Executive Chef Sonny Ingui and his culinary team offer an exceptional weekend brunch offered from 7am to 2pm with savory specialties such as
Biscuits and Sausage Gravy ($19) with buttermilk biscuits, sunny side up eggs and housemade pork sausage, Shrimp and Grits ($26) with castle valley red grits, andouille sausage, lobster-basil cream, cherry tomato and a poached egg, and Short Rib Hash ($22) with potato, Kennet Square mushrooms, mama lil’s peppers, spinach, béarnaise and sunny-side up egg. A celebration isn’t complete without a few drinks, so guests can enjoyUrban Farmer’s Mimosa Kits offering a glass of sparkling + juice for $14, one bottle of sparkling + 3 juices for $68, or two bottles of sparkling + 3 juices for $126 or enjoy brunch cocktails including a Bloody Mary with Tito’s Vodka and housemade Bloody Mary mix, a UF Espresso Martini with vodka, amaro averna, kahlua and espresso or Farmer #4 with Tito’s Vodka, St. Germain, lime and a grapefruit cube.
Additionally, Urban Farmer presents four unique spaces for a more intimate celebration with availability from 10 to 60 people: The Verdant Room, a newly renovated private room with scenic views of Swann Fountain; The Pantry, a semi-private area adorned with house-made pickled vegetables; The Farm Table, nestled in the dining room, perfect for casual drinks, dining, and gatherings; and The Patio, an al fresco space on the Ben Franklin Parkway, ideal for a springtime gradute. Urban Farmer’s private dining program offers an extensive menu, featuring hors d’oeuvres like Smoked Duck Breast Canapes and Lobster and Scallop Shooters, along with entrees such as Creekstone Natural Prime Filet, Tomahawk Prime Rib, and Jail Island Salmon. Additionally, guests can relish displays of Chilled Seafood, Caviar, Cheese, and Charcuterie to complete their extraordinary dining experience. Moreover, Executive Chef Sonny Ingui and his team
offer experiential and interactive add-ons including table-side Wagyu carvings, exquisite seafood and caviar presentations, artisanal charcuterie and fromagerie stations, interactive cocktail carts with personal bartenders, and an array of gourmet delights.
For More information or to inquirer about an event, visit here.
Hours of operation: Tuesday through Saturday, 8am – 9pm, and Sunday, 8am – 3pm
1850 Benjamin Franklin Parkway | 215.963.2788 | Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook