Condesa
Mexican restaurant · Rittenhouse
1830 Ludlow St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
"Food and drink service is available at the modern fireplace behind the large bar at Condesa in the Pod Philly hotel. This newcomer from the Suraya team serves Mexican dishes alongside a wide variety of tequilas and mezcals." - Ernest Owens, Sarah Maiellano
"It’s easy to get caught up in the beauty of Condesa, a Mexican spot in Rittenhouse from the same team behind Kalaya and Beddia. There’s hanging chandeliers and multiple lounge areas full of people hot enough to be on Love Island. It’s also the entry point to El Techo (one of the city's top rooftops), so it’s constantly crowded with people wanting to be transported to Miami for a few hours. But after a watery margarita and $38 mediocre carne asada, you’ll realize the food here is much more forgettable than the scene. There’s some quality aspects—tamarind-glazed ribs you’ll eat down to the bone and corn imported from Mexico that they mill themselves. But the tacos, flautas, and tlayudas using the exceptional masa can’t be saved when the fillings taste just average. Although the margaritas are skippable, the other specialty cocktails—our favorite is the passionfruit-heavy Doce—are worth a stop at the long bar with friends or the gorgeous patio before heading to Mission Taqueria or anywhere else for your taco fix. photo credit: Kerry McIntyre photo credit: Kerry McIntyre" - Candis R. McLean
"When: Monday-Saturday, 5-7pm The Deal: $6 Beers, $7 Wines, $8-$9 Cocktails, And $6 Small Plates A meal inside Center City's Condesa feels like you’ve left Philly and walked into someone's party mansion in Tijuana. The massive front patio of the Mexican spot has the music blasting, and it's filled with dates and friends drinking cheaper-than-usual margaritas and sharing plates of chicken tinga tamales, elote, and beef empanadas with chipotle crema. " - candis mclean
"So they’re weeping and saying that you should try couples therapy. Well, that’s what you think they said, because you’re at Condesa in Center City and can’t hear a thing over the latest Sabrina Carpenter single. The Mexican spot has good tacos and margaritas, but their sound system—which gets Lincoln Financial Field-loud—-is the draw here. Stop by during Happy Hour when empanadas, elote, and palomas are all under $8. It’s also when it’s so packed that you won’t be able to understand the pleading happening across from you. " - candis mclean
"Grab a seat in the luxurious lounge (or at its gorgeous bar) and order up exceptional margaritas (with tequila or mezcal) and $6 Mexican bar bites (like tamales, elotes, and chicharonnes). And while its daily happy hour (Monday through Saturday from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.) is reason enough to check them out, don’t miss out on its Mezcal Mondays and Taco Tuesdays with even more specials." - George Banks-Weston
