Ambrosia

“WOW it’s been a while since I had this kind of feeling of awe at a restaurant especially all my usual favorite places had gotten downhill after COVID or closed. This place restored my faith in Philly dining. Through the complementary bread with the most delectable special sun dried tomato oil dip and then the crispy Brussels sprouts and beets… I found myself thinking if vegetables always tasted like this I’d eat them all the time. The goat cheese that came with the dish was literally perfect and whipped and light without that heavy pungent kick that usually makes me not like goat cheese. Each bite of the beet salad was both beautiful (it had two kinds of beets in it) and so refreshing to taste. Both of these dishes brought my soul back to life as the freshness invigorated me. I got the branzino and the skin was so delightfully crispy while the fish was perfectly cooked tender over a bed of grilled corn. Finished off with tiramisu for dessert. Definitely need to come back the next time I’m in town to try other dishes!!”

“Unbelievably delicious and fresh…Ambrosia is a true staple for Italian food in the Riverwalk / Rittenhouse area here in Philadelphia. My fiancée and I have been here about 10 times in the past year. I’ve taken my mom here. I’m a regular at this point. The cuisine is high-end, but there’s no snobbery. The mafaldine pasta is to die for. Don’t forget to try the brussels sprouts. The flavor profile is robust. Everything from the food, to the ambience, to the service at this restaurant is top notch. Thanks Ambrosia.”

“Ambrosia absolutely delivered from start to finish. Every dish felt thoughtful, vibrant, and dialed in. The hamachi crudo was incredibly fresh—clean, bright, and the perfect way to open. The Brussels sprouts with labneh and pomegranate seeds were a standout—rich, tangy, and lifted with just the right pop of sweetness and texture. From there, things only got better. The octopus was beautifully grilled, tender with a perfect char, paired with a bright, herbaceous salsa verde that brought everything to life. The squid ink pasta was deep and briny in the best way, loaded with crab and calamari—comforting yet refined. The branzino was expertly crisped, flaking perfectly, complemented by a corn salsa that was fresh, balanced, and full of flavor. Finished with an excellent espresso martini and a black raspberry gelato that was light, vivant, and the perfect sweet note to close. A truly standout meal—thoughtful execution, bold flavors, and a kitchen that clearly cares.”

“A solid dinner option in the city. We enjoy the food but everything was a bit salty. Brussels were definitely tops. Loved the gnocchi too, meatballs were so so, same with the seafood pasta special. Quite loud and busy, narrow doorways and a lot of staff moving really quickly made very bustling, not the most relaxed or intimate space. I would go back though, good portions and reasonable prices for the location.”

“Pleased to see they open at 4:30, I chose this place because of a train schedule. Also, the menu is just what I like. I could tell that I surprised/confused the staff by entering at 4:45. They recovered quickly and seated me courteously. I was seated in a greenhouse room (glass wall and roof) which was cold. Later, someone turned on a ceiling-mounted heater. The temperature went from 66 to 70F in about 20 minutes. (Thermometer on the wall.) There were dried-out Christmas decorations all around me; on March 2nd. (See pic) The Brussels sprouts were as good as everyone says: their appearance, their flavor, and their texture. The server, Emi, and the cooks accommodated my special request. I was very happy to try the crispy gnocchi. Their texture, inside and out, was perfection. I could tell they were made in house. The restrooms (down stairs) were spotlessly clean, but the (non-slip?) rugs on the stairs could use a good cleaning.”