As the Lenten season approaches, Philadelphia-area restaurants are embracing meatless cooking that celebrates seasonal vegetables, comforting classics, and seafood-forward dishes—making it easy to indulge while observing tradition. From casual neighborhood favorites to elevated dining destinations—including Alice, Front Street Café, Keating’s Rope & Anchor, Little Walter’s, Restaurant Aleksandar, Stella of New Hope, and The Twisted Tail—diners can explore a variety of flavorful options for a Lenten meal.
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Alice, the seasonal American restaurant in the heart of the Italian Market, spotlights seafood-driven dishes perfect for Lent. Standouts include Barnegat Bay Oysters ($19) with cucumber and avocado, Coal Roasted Oysters ($22) finished chile, and Kanpachi Crudo ($26) paired with cara cara orange, serrano chile, and nigella. Other highlights include Grilled Spicy Prawns ($28) with saffron, lemon, and purslane, and the Grilled Whole Bronzino ($75 for two) served with satsuma, baby fennel, and fresh herbs. Meatless options extend beyond seafood with Naan ($17) topped with cauliflower, pomegranate, and ricotta salata, and Latkes ($18) with creamy kale, sunchoke, and trout roe.
Reservations are highly recommended and can be made via OpenTable.
Hours of operation: Tuesday through Saturday 5pm—10pm and Sunday 5pm—9pm
901 Christian St, Philadelphia, PA | 215.798.6766 | Website | Instagram
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Front Street Café, the all-day café, restaurant, and bar known for its fresh, farm-to-table approach, offers a seasonally driven menu with plenty of vegetarian and meat-free options ideal for Lent observers. Shareable highlights include fan-favorite Buffalo Cauliflower ($16) tossed in buffalo sauce with cucumber-dill aioli, Caramelized Onion Hummus ($15) with assorted vegetables and grilled pita, and the Truffled Mushroom Flatbread ($15) topped with wild mushrooms, sunflower pesto, grape tomatoes, and plant-based mozzarella.
For heartier plates, guests can opt for the Farmer’s Pie ($23) with braised root vegetables, sweat peas, and plant-based parmesan, Calabrese Fusilli Pesto ($24) tossed in sunflower pesto with butternut squash, fall root vegetables, cherry tomatoes, plant cream, and parm or Truffled MushroomLasagna ($24) made with egg-free pasta, plant-based ricotta and béchame, and mushroom bacon.
Reservations are recommended and can be made on OpenTable.
Hours of operation: Breakfast/brunch from 8am—4pm; Dinner served on Sunday and Tuesday—Thursday from 5pm—9pm, Friday and Saturday 5pm—10pm; Happy hour Tuesday—Sunday from 4pm—7pm.
1253 N Front St, Philadelphia, PA | 215.515.3073 | Website | Instagram | Facebook
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Keating’s Rope & Anchor, a contemporary seafood-forward American restaurant and bar at the Hilton Penn’s Landing boasting waterfront views of the Delaware River, is the perfect spot to enjoy a meal throughout Lent. Drawing inspiration from its proximity to the river, the restaurant embraces a nautical theme, featuring coastal-inspired dishes including the Sesame Ahi Tuna ($18) served with Asian cabbage slaw, ponzu and wasabi; Blackened Salmon ($34) with corn risotto, roasted red pepper, parmesan cheese, basil oil and sriracha honey; and Grilled Bronzino ($35) with sautéed onion, pepper, olives and capers tossed with fregola in a white wine butter sauce.
Hours of operation: Monday – Friday 6:30am – 10:00pm; Saturday – Sunday 7:00am – 10:00pm
201 S Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA | 215.521.6509 | Website | Facebook | Instagram
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Whether observing Lent or simply seeking flavorful meat-free options, Little Walter’s, the contemporary Polish restaurant and bar from Chef/Owner Michael Brenfleck, offers a thoughtful selection of dishes perfect for the season. Vegetable-driven starters include Surówka ($14), a vibrant assortment of raw and pickled vegetable salads, and Sałatka z Kaworiem ($15) with chicories, trout roe, pickled mushrooms, and horseradish. Seafood also features prominently with Wędzona Ryba ($34), smoked monkfish served with uszka, barszcz, and shiitake. Pierogi remain a standout, with meat-free options such as Pierogi Ruskie ($15) filled with potato, farmer cheese, caramelized onion, and sour cream; Pierogi z Grzybami ($18) stuffed with mycopolitan mushrooms and finished with buttermilk ranch; and Pierogi z Dynią ($16) showcasing hubbard squash, lacinato kale, and a horseradish sauce.
Hours of operation: Monday through Saturday from 5pm—10pm for dinner, Monday from 4pm-8pm, and Tuesday through Saturday from 4pm-6pm for happy hour
2049 E Hagert St, Philadelphia, PA | 267.239.2228 | Website | Instagram
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Restaurant Aleksandar, a contemporary Eastern European restaurant located in the heart of Rittenhouse Square, offers a variety of seafood-forward dishes, making it an ideal destination for Lent-friendly dining. Highlights include SmokedSalmon Dill Mekik ($17), featuring beet-kissed smoked salmon with cranberry crème, fresh dill, and lemon; Spicy Crab Rosti ($22) with lump crab meat, a crispy hashbrown, caper-dill crema, and a grape tomato and arugula bouquet; Alaskan Salmon ($34) with confit potatoes, spring greens, trout roe, radish salad, and cilantro aioli; and Hokkaido Scallops ($44) paired with spring risotto, crispy kale, and turnip crema.
Hours of Operation: Dinner Tues-Thurs | 5-9pm; Dinner Fri & Sat | 5-10pm; Brunch/Lunch Sat & Sun | 11-3pm; HH Tues-Sat | 4:30-7pm; Late Night HH, every Friday 9-11pm
126 S. 19th Street, Philadelphia, PA | 215.279.7738 | Instagram | Facebook | Website
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Stella of New Hope, Bucks County’s modern American restaurant with a second-floor patio overlooking the Delaware River, offers seafood-forward dishes that highlight local and seasonal ingredients from the region’s top farmers and artisans. Those observing Lent can enjoy dinner options such as Diver Scallops ($45) with chestnut purée, brown butter couscous, peppadew pepper chimichurri, cranberry and cherry fluid gel, brussels salad with maple-mustard dressing, bacon lardon, maitake mushroom, and chestnut crumble; Black Bass ($42) featuring crispy root vegetables, potato latke, roasted squash, and coriander-vanilla velouté; and Jail Island Salmon ($36) with yellow cashew-coconut-lemongrass curry, crispy rice cake, soy, bok choy, miso, togarashi-roasted delicata squash rings, lime, toasted cashew crumble, and crispy curry leaves.
Hours of operation: Thursday 5 – 12am, Friday 5 – 2am, Saturday 8 – 2am
50 S Main St, New Hope, PA | 267.740.2691 | Website | Instagram | Facebook
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The Twisted Tail, Headhouse Square’s restaurant, bar and live music venue, offers a Southern-inspired menu with a variety of seafood dishes, making it a go-to spot for Lent-friendly dining. Highlights include Beer-Battered Fish & Chips ($24) served with garlic-parmesan fries, malt mayo, malt vinegar, and tartar sauce; Grilled Swordfish ($30) with almond romesco, frisée, Asian pear, and watermelon radish; Shrimp & Grits ($24) topped with bacon vinaigrette and scallions; and Blue Bay Mussels ($24) in a tomato broth with white wine, garlic, and crispy bread.
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., Philadelphia, PA | 215.558.2471 | Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter