The Avery

The Avery is a beautiful new restaurant in Philly, started by two amazing chefs. I made a reservation for my birthday in February and had the absolute best meal. Everyone from the hostess, bar staff, and even chefs wished me a happy birthday and made sure my experience was amazing. This is by far my new favorite restaurant in Philly and I cannot wait to return. The pictures speak for themselves, but truly every single dish and cocktail was incredible. It’s so clear that the entire staff puts so much heart into what they are doing. Thank you so much for the experience!

This place was not my cup of tea. For my birthday my friends suggested trying the Avery. I was super excited. The atmosphere (especially the music) was amazing, the decor and lighting was beautiful. The service was super friendly and kind. They were also understanding because I made a few culinary changes to my orders. However, some (meaning the servers) seemed a little uneasy about my choices and it showed a bit on their faces. The food, I tried the oysters while it was very tasty and fresh (and I’ve had fresh oysters before) I wasn’t expecting the aftertaste to be exactly like fish out of the ocean even with the flavor enhancements added to the dish, I still needed to request hot sauce. I then had the lobster pasta. The lobster itself was amazing, but the noodles had no flavor. I also had the emerald smoke for my drink and I sent it back. It was not my favorite. Also for the drinks they had like a smoked/dried fruit, I understand it was for decor, but it really smelled and made me really not enjoy my drink even with an exchange for a new drink. My friends on the other hand loved the spicy jerk chicken, and the farm eggs. However, my other friend had the ricotta pasta, the pasta also had no flavor. I understand the restaurant just opened a few months ago and I also understand that it is upscale. I have been to a few upscale restaurants which I’ve had different experiences with my meals, but I was expecting more enhanced flavors. I’m thinking I’ll give it a few more months and try again!

This was a great experience! Nicole was our server. She took her time and explained how their menu selection works, told us the most popular dishes and what she recommends. Took her time to describe dishes and set the expectation. We are also love greatly constructed cocktails and they did not disappoint. We also loved that the food runners describe our meals as they placed them on the table. The inside ambiance is nice, and the food was great! No complaints honestly. I saw some comments are “leaving hungry”. That wasn’t the case for us. Everything was portioned properly. We enjoyed the Well Dressed Farm Eggs, Hash browns, PEI Mussels, and Lobster Noodles. As for drinks my friend did the Pink Blush but she added tequila instead of sparkling water. I thoroughly enjoyed the Truffle & Smoke! We will definitely be back

UPDATE: I had high hopes returning to this restaurant after a previously great experience a couple months ago, but unfortunately, my recent visit was a letdown. I used to recommend this place to friends, but after my latest visit, I honestly can’t anymore. The food has gone completely downhill. Every dish we ordered was bland and lifeless — no seasoning, no balance, no flavor. Even the items that should’ve been bold and flavorful were dull and underwhelming. It’s frustrating when a restaurant that once served great food seems to have stopped caring. I truly hope they can turn things around , but as of now I won’t be returning anytime soon ——————————————————————————— 5/21 I came to dinner with a bunch of friends and we were not disappointed at all! Everything was absolutely amazing! The food was nothing short of phenomenal! Between the 5 of us are pretty much ate everything on the menu and there wasn’t a single thing we didn’t like. Our server Christian was so great and very personable. We will definitely be back!!!

I’m writing this review literally an hour before heading to The Avery—for the fourth time in a month. My first visit was on Valentine’s Day, and the culinary experience was so phenomenal, I wanted to go back the very next week. (They were closed, which I would’ve known if I ever bothered to Google hours before showing up—but I don’t.) That’s how good the food is—I had to try again. You can trust my judgment—food is my love language, I travel for it, and I’ve been eating for nearly 39 years, so that makes me an expert, right? If I had to put together my dream lineup from what I’ve tasted so far: • The crudo. Incredibly fresh, perfectly balanced—I’m literally salivating just thinking about it. • The duck. It’s the perfect sweet and savory blend, cooked to absolute perfection. The presentation? Stunning. It’s adventurous, unexpected, and just so good. • The cheesecake. Deconstructed and light, like every single component was made just hours before it hit the plate. The mango sorbet? Somehow it works and elevates the whole thing. Honestly, I debated even writing this because I don’t want y’all blowing this place up. But in my humble, food-obsessed opinion, The Avery is one of the best restaurants in the city—and I have no doubt they’re only going to get better.

KILLER new beautiful tasty wonderful spot with good vibes all over. We were in a super rush too and they successfully sped up our courses perfectly so we didn’t miss a concert 😭🥹👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻 AND it was recently my birthday, mentioned it to our server… and look what they did 😭 a Happy Birthday dessert as a surprise!! 😮🥰🥹 I can’t wait to go back to try more of Chef Montana’s offerings & the bars speciality cocktails 🍸 🤤 Side note: this place is also in a great area to wonder around after a fantastically delicious dinner. A must try!

I can’t even begin to explain how amazing and necessary this restaurant is for our city. Every meal was curated to perfection. The head chef, Montana, is an incredibly talented young Black man who has poured so much time and creativity into crafting a menu that expands our palates and keeps our taste buds in awe. The food left me satisfied but never heavy. The presentation spoke for itself—every detail was flawless. The service was just as exceptional. Annalisa, the manager, checked in on us regularly and described each drink so beautifully. Bra, who worked at the bar, made sure we were enjoying our cocktails. Our waitress, Carley, was an absolute sweetheart—attentive without being intrusive, answering all our menu questions with warmth and patience. Now, the food? Phenomenal. Every dish was fresh and seasoned to perfection. My absolute favorites were the well-dressed eggs, mussels, and lobster pasta. The pork belly was crispy yet tender, the scallops were cooked flawlessly—nothing was missed. Montana (head chef) and Jamir (sous chef) even stopped by to check in, genuinely caring about our experience. And let’s talk about the vibe—Montana curated a playlist that had me and my homegirl ready to break into karaoke, but it was perfectly balanced, never overpowering our conversation. You could feel the intention behind every aspect of the experience. I wanted to gatekeep this restaurant sooooo bad, y’all don’t even know! But I won’t—because this is exactly the kind of dining experience our community has been waiting for. This is, without a doubt, one of the best food experiences I’ve had in Philly. Wishing nothing but success for the entire staff at The Avery. Y’all have something special here. I will be a regular!

The wait is over -- and it was so worth it. Last night was the opening night of The Avery in Old City and it was a tour-de-force of a premiere!🔥 There's food, and then there's cuisine. The Avery is serving the latter well. The dishes here are meant to be bold, memorable, and elegantly tasty. Nothing here feels disingenuous or forced -- Chefs Montana Houston and Ja'mir Wimberly-Cole pull from their experiences in fine dining to create the menu they've always wanted to do from the very beginning. The shift from their former concept was a blessing in disguise. Here, they are free -- experimenting with flavor profiles that are unexpected (their duck n' doughnuts dish is well played). They are bringing a level of new local dining excitement to Old City that's well needed! Talk about raising the bar for 2025 restaurant openings -- this is perfect for date nights, large dinner parties, and a reasonably priced elevated dinner. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

My favorite restaurant in the Olde City section of Philadelphia. It has everything you could ask for. Terrific staff, delightful cocktails, and delectable bits. The happy hour is also awesome. Food: unique and savory flavors across the menu. Well Dressed Eggs is always a great way to start your experience. I come here often so my most recent favorite dish is the burger which is loaded with fries. Biggest hidden gem is the dessert. Whenever I bring someone here, they ALWAYS rave about the sweets. More than the food, the staff keep me coming back. They are passionate, knowledgeable, and you can tell they enjoy what they do. Happy to see their smiling faces when I walk in. Music and ambiance are stellar. You meet interesting people at the bar.

I'm not sure in the end what didn't work about the meal, because the food certainly wasn't bad. The vibe is fine: dark, loungey. The table layout in relation to the host stand was a little random. Bathrooms surprisingly nice. The first course was maybe my favorite so I was pretty excited going in (hashbrown). The lobster roll came next and it's a fine lobster roll-not something I really need for a place like this. The shrimp dumplings were really recommended and this was probably my leasts favorite- I didn't feel like the flavoring was that interesting and it was aesthetically the most underwhelming. Finally, the scallop risotto was surprisingly delightful. Smaller portion but I expected it. Maybe the difficulties lay in the fact that I wasn't totally sure what the foundation or perspective of the restaurant really is. The menu is somewhat all over the place without a cohesive theme. And the prices are really just too high, even for what it is. We were still fairly hungry afterward but opted not to order more food as a result (and went down the street for a snack). I think the food has potential if the rest of the place comes into itself as a new restaurant.

came here with a group of friends and had a nice experience! the restaurant itself is beautiful and staff were friendly. we waited for our table for awhile, unfortunately our table we were waiting on had some women who celebrated the flower show, had a lot to drink and were taking their good old time paying the bill. so we waited about 40 minutes for our table. to no fault of their own, the staff were very apologetic and offered free apps which was great customer service that i appreciated the drinks were delish and so was the food! the only dish i wasn't in love with was the salmon - nothing special. but everything else was delicious and beautifully presented. definitely recommend!

Stopped by this new establishment for brunch the other day and had some of the best French Toast (Cinnabon) I ever had. I also was made a Truffle Smoke Show drink which was like an Old Fashioned that was made to perfection. The bartend was very nice and friendly. The only thing I wish they opened a little earlier being 11am on weekends and 5pm during the week and closed Mondays

From the moment we stepped into The Avery, I knew we were in for something special. Located in Old City, near Penn's Landing, this gem of a restaurant has effortlessly captured the essence of modern fine dining with a welcoming, cozy atmosphere that made us feel like we were stepping into a culinary wonderland. The interior is beautifully designed, with soft lighting and sleek yet warm furnishings that create an intimate yet upscale vibe. I opted for the oysters, which came out beautifully. There was a half dozen oysters and each pair included a special topping on the oyster. DELISH. The cocktails- WOW! The bar at The Avery knows what it's doing. They handcraft each cocktail and it's truly a unique experience. I had a lavender cocktail and their take on an Old Fashion. Both were beautifully crafted, with attention to every detail. The bartenders clearly take pride in their work, and it shows in every sip. Service was impeccable. We sat up at the bar and the bartender was wonderful! The restaurant was quite busy; however, he made us feel very welcome and paid attention to all the details of our drinks, down to the perfect garnish and presentation. They also shared that they are currently renovating the upstairs which will be a brewery and special events venue upon completion. Looking forward to that! Overall, this is a must-visit. It's one of those places where every detail--from the food to the cocktails to the service--has been thoughtfully curated to create a truly exceptional experience. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just looking to treat yourself, this place is a culinary treasure in Philly. Highly, highly recommend!

Went here for dinner a few nights ago for a date night and The Avery did not disappoint! Good food, good drinks, good music. Such a bonus that it's black owned - did not know at the time. The drinks were excellent I had the silken shadow which was served after being smoked and my boyfriend had the truffle & smoke. The presentation for both cocktails was definitely video-worthy! The food was delicious! Every dish was flavorful and decadent. The lobster noodles stole the show! Half a lobster over a garlicky, crawfish buttered noodle...truly melted in your mouth. Superb! Can't wait to Plan my next visit here :-)

I was excited about trying this place out but it didn't live up to my expectations. The deviled eggs app was delicious but the rest of the food we had was underwhelming. We had the mussels, steak, lobster and some rice dish, mango panna cotta and cheese cake desserts. The steak was really over cooked and all other dishes mentioned lacked flavor. The bread served with the mussels was charred and burnt. The service was excellent, however. Unfortunately, I had to cover my wine glass frequently with my hand because there were so many fruit flies flying into my wine and around my face. The worst part was the mouse we saw running around the dining tables though. That really sealed it for me. I don't think I'll go back. The price for what we were served was also not balanced. Way too overpriced.

My girlfriend and I went for Brunch for my belated Birthday. First off let me say this place is definitely a vibe . The Service was second to none and food was right in line with everything else awesome! I had the twice fried chicken and my girlfriend had the steak and Eggs ....The oysters"muah do me favor let them prepare them for you, you won't be disappointed. Our waitress Lana was was the truth she was spot on with her suggestions and her knowledge of the menu superb. I will return for Dinner o yea and the drinks soooo good the Bartender made me something for my Bday it was delicious.

This was our first time eating at The Avery and it was amazing. The service was great, and the food and drinks were delicious, we loved everything we ordered! We will definitely be back!

Went here for a birthday dinner. My friend and I got the wagyu steak for 2. It was delicious! My only issue was that the drinks took forever to come out. We got our dinner before the drinks.

Only open a month, I am glad I went now before it becomes the difficult spot to book for dinner. We gave up a Zahav reservation to try this new spot. Service from ( forgive the spelling) Nicole, Annalisa and Callie was top notch. Nicole is a great personality and explains each menu item so patiently. They do not stuff you and rush you out the door here. The ambience is nice with my kind of music and a laid back date night and/or group night vibe. The food was delicious. We had the deviled eggs, salmon crudo, octopus, prawns and the lobster/crawfish with ramen noodles plus a dessert of chocolate mousse over brownie with fresh cream and a special cheesecake like we've never tasted. All recommended by Nicole. I recommend any and all of it. Get in before you have to book a month in advance.

I made reservations they called to confirm my reservations, which I thought was nice but when I got there on a Saturday night in Philadelphia and it wasn't crowded, I was definitely concerned. I had reservations and when I was ready to sit at my table, there was confusion by the hostess, not sure what it was, but she looked at her Tablet for quite some time and then had to get a table ready where there was numerous tables available. My girlfriend had to deal with fruit flies flying in her face during the meal. We sent back four glasses of wine because the wine was bad and the service was just OK. I won't go back. There's too many good restaurants in Philly to go through that.

Ambiance and hospitality is very good. The food and the drinks all have a delicious unique taste. I appreciate the attention to detail this place puts into the cocktails and the food. I will definitely recommend and I will definitely return.

First time here and I was pleased with the food, service and the decor. The restaurant is spacious and kind of dark. Music was good I would eat here again.

This is a restaurant where people enjoy working and their attention to detail delivered this experience. I made a last minute reservation for 9p. the host called and let me know their kitchen closes 15mins after my reservation time, not to rush me, but to give consideration to my dining experience because she didn't want me to be rushed. So my partner and I arrived earlier than 9p which was only made possible by our host's communication. Next, our server. Thank you for taking such great care Kally. She knew the menu, giving lovely attention to detail from the cocktails to the food, that woman pays attention to what she's serving and she helped make great recommendations. The space is modern with an artistic feel. There is a garden accent wall, which brightens and opens the space. Each pillar has beautiful geometric patterns which lends an elegance to the space. There is a whimsical air, young and eclectic like the staff, but arrogant in a way that clashes with what you'd expect from fine dining. But it's a good thing. Which leads me to their food. Chef Huston pulled out all of the stops. From a half lobster in its shell, to its meat delicately detached and put back in place. to the uni and saffron infused risotto, topped with crab and expertly cooked scallops. The uni coated the risotto giving it a richness that risotto never needs, but now is my go to way to consume this Italian staple. This dude can cook. Never have I seen green scallions sliced to deliberately, the attention to detail is amazing. Lastly, the bar program is dangerously delicious. We tried three of their cocktails, never would I expect passion fruit, coconut and scotch to be a light an airy beverage but it was. From start to finish this dining experience was more than I could hope for. The price point is far below expectation for the depth of flavor, attention to detail and experience we received. Thank you team Avery, Jimmy Rollins is going to kick himself for not being apart of this. Can't wait to see what's next for you.

The food was excellent. We had a group of 6 and tried a number of the appetizers and 4 different entrees. The duck was amazing and the salmon with the sauce was to die for. Added rice to the Salmon to sop up the sauce. The servers were very attentive and checked with us regularly. If you like good music, they had a great vibe going all evening. We will definitely be back.

Chicken Liver Mousse so good! The mussels could've used a little more salt but I think that's more of a personal preference. We'll be back. Hopefully I'll remember to take photos for the next review.

It's been a while since I've felt this compelled to post but this was too awful to sweep under the rug. Was excited to support a new place and these chefs. Menu looked decent on IG. Showed up to find out we were being punked into a $70 prefixe with about $15 of food value. As someone very familiar with the resto business, the margins on this menu were at least 90%. The first course options were a hash brown with a bit of creme fraiche and 2 dots of cheap black caviar or deviled eggs. We had hash browns and they were tasteless. No seasoning. They were also weirdly served on top of a cloth napkin on the plate which gave them a fabric taste. The second course was a choice of a wedge salad about the size of my hand (i have small hands), a lobster roll or mussels. The lobster roll was basically a cocktail party appetizer size with a tiny spoonful of lobster. The main courses were steak, lobster noodles, and tandoori chicken. This menu was trying hard to be everything to everyone but turned out to be nothing good for anyone. Steak was a cheap cut of meat and super salty. The noodles were basically instant ramen and had exactly 3 snall bit of lobsters as well as some crawfish trying to body double for lobster. Guess they think their clientele can't tell the difference. Chicken breast had a wing attached which was awkward and the sauce wss from the supermarket. The pre-fixe dessert options were ice cream and sorbet but guess they realized they need to do better for the cost and offered their regular dessert menu as options. This was a small saving grace as the pastry chef seems to be competent. Overall, I felt robbed and insulted on behalf of all their customers cause they clearly thnk we're basic AF. Still processing that we paid $94 total per person for what essentially felt like a 12 year old's interpretation of a sophisticated anniversary dinner for their parents. Besides the palatable dessert, the only other brighr spot was the excellent server who made the experience tolerable. This was extra impressive considering she didn't have to since her tip was auto-included -- another insulting practice for tables of less than 6 which speaks volumes about what owners think of their customers. Overall, a travesty and a tragedy.