White Dog Cafe - University City

Great brunch place! The service was friendly and fast, and the food was fresh and tasty, with lots of vegetarian options. The hummus was a large portion and great for sharing as well. The overall atmosphere was relaxing (great music!) and unique, with several dog themed rooms throughout. I went on a weekday when there wasn’t very many people, and it felt like we had our own private room.

To die for. Love. From decor, to service, to energy, to taste - everything about it is amazing. I’d 100% recommend eating here during any time of the day. Staff is so efficient and kind/accommodating. It is a bit pricey but in my opinion, it has some of the best tastes in Philly. Unique dishes and style (in all aspects), I recommend coming here!!!!

Delicious food, great service, fantastic setting. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My friends and I went there for brunch. Our waitress Grace was wonderful. She went above and beyond to make our experience special. Their corn bread is to die for. Great French toast.

Such a cool place. Brought my daughter here for dinner while passing through, and we were not disappointed in the least. The man that checked us in at our hotel raved about this place, so we definitely needed to give it a try. You could smell the food at the end of the block, we sat outside and watched so many people come by with dogs to pick up their food. That part alone was such a treat for my daughter. Then the inside of this place is next level. The food was delicious. The drinks were unique and fun. My daughter enjoyed her special mocktail. The service was excellent. Really glad we stopped in.

We were visiting the university and decided to lunch here. We had to wait for a table but were not disappointed because the service was great. I had the veggie burger but the patty was really burnt so they got me a new one and gazpacho while waiting. The fries were fresh and tasted homemade and the gazpacho was amazing. They really deserved the tip after this lovely experience!

A wonderful and unique space in University City section of Philadelphia. Very relaxing and laid back environment with small rooms and spaces used for dining and bar areas. Food and service was terrific! Had a great family birthday 🥳 dinner for my daughter and thoroughly enjoyed our experience!

Extremely good food. We ordered mushroom soup, the wedge and some asparagus with a side of salmon. We then finished strong with a tropical fruit cake of some kind. Was fantastic. Highly recommend. The patio is very nice.

I absolutely love this place, the place was beautiful. We sat in the green room, although the staff said it was closed, he kindly prepared the table. The food was EPIC, very exquisite, amazing taste. You might say the food is expensive, but the quality of the food makes up for it. The staff is so friendly and very attentive. 10/10 recommend.

Super cool spot made up of multiple dining rooms. Great vegan option in the form of a really tasty double cheese burger. Nice beer list and interesting cocktails.

An overall very pleasant experience. Charming, elegant rooms in a succession over many levels; uncomplicated though efficient service; finishing with absolutely delicious, sexy, saucy food.

This is a modern sustainable restaurant with much charm. There are different themed rooms throughout the establishment and all ingredients are locally and seasonally sourced. We were seated in a library-like room with colorful art adorning the walls. Regarding food, we ordered the Kennett Square Mushroom Soup and two burgers. The Hot Catfish Burger and the mushroom soup were both exceptional. I've never tasted such depth of flavor in a mushroom soup before. The burger was lovely and light, not feeling greasy at all. Even the bun was good enough for me to notice a difference. Overall, the ambience, friendly service, and absolutely delicious food made this meal a warm spot in our memories.

I went to White Dog Cafe two Sundays in a row since moving to University City. The restaurant is very cute and the wait staff were very friendly. But the food was AMAZING! Definitely go for brunch and get the pot pie sausage breakfast. The spicy blood orange marg was delicious as well. We'll definitely be back!

One of the best meals I’ve had in a long time!

We were visiting from out of town and White Dog was recommended to us by a friend, we decided to stop in for a late lunch and had a delicious ham, cheese, and egg croissant with tomato soup and we also had the mushroom soup. The food was excellent and the service from Flo at the bar was phenomenal. Highly recommend! We will be back the next time we visit Philadelphia. Great value for the food as well and easily large enough to share. The history of the restaurant and quality ingredients added to the experience and the atmosphere was cozy and fun. Each room is unique and inviting. ***Edit to add... We came back a 2nd time for happy hour on Sunday night and the Cinnamule was amazing. Just the right amount of cinnamon and bite and the brussel sprouts were phenomenal. I could have easily eaten a 2nd order. The glaze on the sprouts was the perfect sweet and tangy flavor with a little crunch from the bacon and crispy edges of the brussel sprouts. To finish the night we had one of the best espresso martinis. Quinn at the bar made the evening quite enjoyable and we were pleased with all our drinks and the service was top notch! We enjoyed visiting with Paul the manager who even recognized us from our previous visit. Kudos to an attentive staff for exceptional service!

***UPDATED***We were in town from Houston, Texas for a medical conference and White Dog was recommended. We walked from our hotel & found it located in historic brownstones. We sat at the bar and enjoyed the days special, a ham, egg, and cheese on a croissant roll with a side of an amazing tomato basil soup! And it was all farm to table! Flo, our bartender was very attentive and even took us on a tour of the many different rooms that all have unique themes! We highly recommend this location and will be back when the next time we are in Philly! We decided to come back two nights later for their happy hour and it did not disappoint! From the Lancaster CO-OP Brussel Sprouts, the Freebird Curry Chicken Salad Sandwich, to the Truffle Fries this bar and restaurants food has not disappointed! On top of the amazing food we enjoyed their Cinnamules, Spicy Apple Cider Margarita, and finished off our nights with their signature Espresso Martinis! This place has it all! Atmosphere, tasty food, and wonderful drinks!

Weekend brunch. Unrivaled in its uniquely quirky and whimsical interior decor and architectural structure which dates back to the 1800s and is a period original. Nice selection of well-composed starters and mains including Shepherd's Pie, Monkey Bread, salmon toast with everything bagel creme fraiche. Didn't have a coffee and tea menu but the server kindly helped furnish a little impromptu latte. The tuna avocado tartar was creamy and fresh with the toasted crostini and radish slices as nice textural contrast. The deviled eggs were nicely seasoned with fried shallot shreds as a welcomed crunch element.

It’s been a number of years since my last visit to the White Dog but it was a wonderful experience. Friendly staff and an amazing atmosphere filled with unique details that you’ll enjoy with your friends. Farm to table selection, we had the lunch specials of soup and sandwich. Mushroom soup was excellent, served with a dollop of cream and a slight hint of sherry which I really enjoyed. I had the country ham, cheese and egg on sourdough bread, requested the eggs scrambled which they did for me. It came with a side salad with a nice lite vinaigrette. Themed rooms for seating in this charming historical row home near U Penn. Looking forward to visiting again.

My husband and I came here after a long day at CHOP. We were sat immediately and Will was our server. He was accommodating, friendly, and warm. The meal was spectacular and my husband enjoyed his whiskey beverages. Very impressed by staff and service! I got the spicy Thai steak salad which was divine with a side of their spicy pickles! My husband got their special for the night of Mac and cheese brisket. We finished the meal with a divine pumpkin cheesecake to share which was spectacular! Thank you Will and the staff at white dog for the experience 💕

We went for a Sunday brunch. Such a cute place! We had made reservations the evening before and were seated immediately upon arrival. Our table was in a quiet room which was ideal for conversation. I had the Avacado BLT and it was delicious! Generous portion size. Our server was friendly and attentive, keeping my coffee topped off. Definitely recommend.

Another great lunch at White Dog. I had the open face tuna melt and tomato soup. They had thinly sliced pickles, hot peppers, and bacon. The soup was fantastic. My dining companion had the grilled cheese with the kennet mushroom soup. She was very happy as well. Will definitely be back.

We live about an hour away and learned about this place while in Zambia, Africa. A student actually learned about White Dog in a sustainability class so we had to check it out for ourselves and we are so glad we did. The service was top notch. We were treated so well - we learned all about the history and just felt really valued by the manager and waitress. The food was amazing - unique and absolutely delicious. I had one of the best turkey clubs with waffle fries that I dipped into a bisque, as suggested by the waitress, and so good! The atmosphere was just so cool. We are definitely returning and everybody needs to pay White Dog a visit!

Went here for easter brunch. Staff was very accommodating for our service dog. The only negative experience was the very loud diner sitting next to us. We had the strawberry shortcake French toast, white dog double cheeseburger, Nashville hot chicken, and Kennet square omelet. Everything we had was good. The caramelized onions on the burger was great. The paintings and decor are great homages to our furry friends.

First time here and my experience was really good! The place is a big, 2 floors. 4 stars for 4 reasons 1. NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN & FRENCH TOAST- Fried Tenders, Chili Spice, Dill Pickles, Thick Cut Bread, Pennsylvania Maple Syrup Drizzle (D,G) $22- this was pretty good! Crispy chicken and the maple syrup made it super tasty! Not sure if I would order again, but I would recommend it. 2. Truffle fries is a must order! Came out fresh, hot and crispy! 3. The customer service provided was excellent. Our waiter knew the menu well along with the daily specials. 4. Best part of this experience was the dog pictures that were framed throughout the entire restaurant! Minus 1 star for a couple of reasons 1. Wish there was music playing here which would give this place the perfect vibe. The pork belly for the Benedict was kinda tough/dry but good overall.

Service was exceptional. Had the avocado blt. Looks heavy but it was huge and light. Roasted potatoes with pepper and onions. Comes with it. Companion has tomato soup was fresh.

The bread basket was genuinely one of the best tasting breads I’ve ever had. The portions for their entrees are quite decent and tasted quite nice.

I was surprised when they put us on the bottom floor. This affected my view of the atmosphere. The food and the Service was excellent. You have to be careful about ordering their "Specials." Three of us ordered, but the one who ordered the "Special" of Halibut wound up paying about twice what the other two ordered. We chose NOT to split the bill by three. 🫣

I have visited other White Dog locations. Love the decor and ambiance overall. This time was not so great. The establishment wasn’t busy and service was mediocre. It took a very long time to get our drinks and even longer for the waitress to check on us to order and even get a second round of drinks. Truffle fries were great! Cesar salad was underwhelming. Maybe next time it will be better.

Beautifully decorated - everywhere you look there are dogs and interesting odds and ends. The layout of the restaurant is a series of rooms all connected and packed tight with tables so it's very cozy. Our waiter was great, didn't forget about us, and checked in regularly. I knew about the prices going in, but honestly feel a bit disappointed and ripped off for the cost of what I was served. The food wasn't bad, but it wasn't amazing - I had the French toast, biscuit with sausage gravy, and a mimosa. I covered myself and two of my friends - $150+. Don't get me wrong, it's a fun place and visually stimulating, just a little overpriced.

Today was our first time and it was greatly good! We went at 1:45 and we were able to make same day reservations. Drinks were really good. Meals came out at differed times and manger took off the late meal. The Nashville hot chicken French toast was amazing and French fries tasty! Can’t want to go back!

This place is a cozy fun spot to have Brunch!! Also not far from the University Penn museum. It is Dog theme which is a fun theme everything in the restaurant has dog decorations. Also each room has a dog theme room. Our room was downs stairs it was a portrait room with dogs painted as royalty or generals. There are several rooms I think I counted 5 but I could be wrong. The menu was very unique but delicious. We had the peanut butter jelly French toast and pork belly meal. Both were fantastic!! Then the kids had a French toast and side of sausage. Yes they do have a kids meal. This place is kid friendly!!! There is also a nice size Drink menu. There food menus do change per season as they buy and make food from local markets and farms with food in season!! They also are allergy friendly and indicate on the menus if something is nut or gluten or Dairy free. The staff were friendly and the service was fairly quick. They do take reservations but walk ins are welcome !! They are on the more pricey side $15-$18 for a meal during Brunch but totally worth it. Check this place out they have 4 locations total and are a small locally owned businesses!! Support local businesses!!

Very pleasant restaurant for brunch, dinner with family or friends. The atmosphere is pleasant, the service correct and the decor cosy, original and warm. I can't recommend it highly enough!

Review – White Dog Café (Philadelphia) White Dog Café, located near UPenn, is a beautiful and inviting restaurant with a cozy yet elegant atmosphere —perfect for a nice lunch or dinner with friends or family. The interior is spacious, stylish, and full of character, with plenty of seating and a warm vibe. I ordered the ribs with rice, which were amazing —tender, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. The truffled fries were another highlight: crispy, aromatic, and seriously addictive. Everything felt fresh and well-prepared, showing real attention to detail in the kitchen. The staff was excellent, friendly and professional, and the service was smooth despite how busy the place can get. The only downside is that prices are on the higher side, though the quality and overall experience justify it. 📍 Conclusion: White Dog Café is a fantastic spot near UPenn that combines great food, attentive service, and a charming atmosphere. A bit pricey, but well worth it for the quality and experience. ⭐ Overall rating: 9/10 🍖 Best: the ribs and truffled fries. 💸 Worst: prices on the high side. 🍷 Price: elevated, but fair for the quality and setting.

We began our long weekend in University City with lunch at the White Dog Cafe. The bright and ample space, set in three Victorian brownstones, was very comfortable, easy to converse in and the decor really embodied a sophisticated rustic charm. We began our meal with cocktails and an Artisan Cheese Plate which was accompanied by fruit, nuts, pickles, crusty bread and the most delicious strawberry and apricot spreads. The cheese selections were unique and very tasty! Definitely a must have as an appetizer or a nosh with cocktails. For our mains, we selected the Spicy Lamb Bolognese and the Impossible Patty Melt. The lamb ragu was very flavorful and the pasta was perfectly cooked. The Impossible Patty Melt was well cooked and the star of the show was the smoky onion jam and spicy pickles. This was a perfect intro to the foodie scene in and about the University City area. The staff was warm and friendly and the overall vibe makes it easy to linger long after the meal is done.

Friend, let me tell you about our visit to **White Dog Café** in University City. This is one busy little café, so take my advice—*make a reservation* or else you might find yourself waiting a while! Even with our reservation, we waited about 15 minutes because, well, the staff kind of forgot about us. But life happens, right? Now, I think we arrived right in between brunch and dinner, so the menu was a bit limited, which made choosing something a little tricky. But once we got seated, things turned around. Our waiter? Super kind and attentive, made sure we were taken care of. We started with oysters, and friend, let me tell you—they were *amazing*! Fresh and flavorful. For my meal, I ordered a chicken Waldorf salad wrap. I thought it came with fries, but nope, it came with a side salad that, well, needed a little TLC. More dressing, more flavor, more... something! You know what I mean, right? 😂 My mom went for the vegan cheeseburger and swapped the regular fries for truffle fries. And family, when I say those fries were good—I ended up munching on the crumbs, and she had to remind me they were long gone! That’s how good they were. The vibe of the restaurant is super unique. It’s all themed around dogs, which gives it this quirky, fun atmosphere. I don’t know the full backstory, but it felt like a mix between a bar and grill and *Breakfast at Tiffany’s: Dog Edition*. Would I go again? Eh, maybe. But should you check it out? Absolutely! Go ahead, friend, and give it a try!

I would like to give White Dog Cafe 5 stars based on the food and decor, however, I had to give 3 stars due to the staff and reservation set up. I made a reservation for an outdoor table for 2. We showed up at the time of our reservation and was told that there were no outdoor tables available, and that we would need to wait ~1 hour. The hostess was incredibly rude, insisting that I should have realized outdoor seating is first come, first served, even if you make a reservation. I did not see this anywhere on both the website and where I made the reservation. We were then forced to basically eat inside or leave, so we chose to eat inside. The hostess then tried to seat us at a very small table, in between two four tops, and the tables most certainly weren’t 6 feet apart. Luckily, another worker there overheard our concerns and found a table in a much less packed room. During this time of trying to figure everything out, we had a few encounters with other staff members and they were ALL rude! I couldn’t believe it. When we finally sat down, we were greeted by a very pleasant bartender/waiter, and he turned our whole experience around. The food was delicious, bottomless mimosas and extremely cute decor. Hostess and some other staff members need to work on their attitude, and anyone planning to eat outdoors at this restaurant, keep in mind that a reservation means nothing.

Came here for lunch on a Tuesday. The food and service were decent. We didn’t make reservations and the host added another chair to a 2-top for our party of 3 even though there were plenty of empty 4-top tables. I understand doing this if they’re busy but they weren’t. Another issue is that we were seated next to a water/server station and two servers next to us were discussing at length who wanted to serve our party, and it sounded like neither of them wanted to for whatever reason. Because of this, it took awhile to be acknowledged and get water. I found this to be unprofessional. The restrooms really need to be deep cleaned. Each of them reeked of stale urine. They’re very small and cramped as well. The restrooms alone would prevent me from returning here. Hopefully the management team reads these reviews and addresses these issues.

This is quite a popular location and has been popular for years. Most? Yes, but there are lots of niches in rooms that if arriving carefully, you can take over with your friends. The bar itself is often sparse of people, so if you want high seating or a bar stool, you've likely got it! Parking is invariably hard. Figure on being at least 2 blocks away but if early enough, and super lucky, there is limited free parking (3 hours 8am to 8pm); maybe 5 spaces and anything else is paid space.

Honestly, I have nothing good to say about this restaurant. The Caesar salad was very mid; spending $20+ on a salad that isn’t fresh or crisp is already a bad start. But the $29 “Spicy Thai Steak Salad” was the worst offender. There was zero spice, and the entire “Thai” flavor was literally just bottled sweet chili sauce dumped on top. Overly sweet, generic, store-bought taste. The udon was just store bought which is fine. But it was mushy, so either they cook a large batch and stored in fridge or they overcooked it by a lot. I may have high standards for Asian food, and I fully understand this is a brunch café — but this dish wasn’t fusion; it was an uneducated attempt to broaden the menu that ends up being a bad, almost disrespectful representation of Asian cuisine. It doesn’t even hit the bare minimum. Really disappointing experience at White Dog Cafe. But I guess they are good at plating

I will never give this place my business again because of their waitress. On Wednesday, my family and I decided to give this place a try after spending a trying day at CHOP. We were excited, but soon realized we were judged before even being spoken to. We had 2 special needs children with us, and one can be quite loud at times. He’s a toddler and learning. Our waitress was not friendly. Instead we were met with nasty looks and obvious annoyance. We did our best to keep him quiet. When our food arrived it was cold. There was no interaction from the waitress after she dropped off our food. Then she added gratuity to our check. She assumed that we weren’t going to tip her, and decided to add gratuity. When I asked her why, she lied. She stated that she added gratuity because it’s automatically added for parties of 5 or more. We only had 3 adults and one child eating. The other two children are fed differently. We were unfairly judged from the beginning, and it’s not right.