Spring has officially sprung! As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, spring is the perfect time to head outside for sports, happy hours, and outdoor dinners with friends. For those individuals living with disabilities, going out to eat in the city isn’t always as easy as it should be. Although government regulations put in place by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) now require all restaurants in Philadelphia to have wheelchair accessible entrances, some older restaurants in the city have been grandfathered in and are not required to have these accommodations. Luckily, there are plenty of easily accessible outdoor restaurants to enjoy in the spring and summer. Outdoor dining makes it easy to eat, drink, and have fun whether you are traveling on foot or in a wheelchair! I’ve decided to compile a list of some of my favorite delicious spots and hope you will enjoy them as much as I do. Feel free to leave comments below regarding your favorite easily accessible outdoor spots in the city.
- Talula’s Garden (210 W Washington Square): Aesthetically pleasing and great for Sunday brunch. Some of my favorite choices include the shrimp and grits and the “Sunday Best” cheese platter.
- Little Nonna’s (1234 Locust St.): Great for the old school Italian or any one like me that loves pasta and cheese. There are about 40 outdoor seats available at a first-come first-served basis so plan to get there early before it gets too crowded.
- Twenty Manning Grill (261 S. 20th St.): Pan Asian fare with some of the best outdoor seating in the city. Enjoy a nice quiet meal on Manning Street where there is very little noise or car traffic.
- Rouge and Parc (205 S. 18th/227 S. 18th St.): Two restaurants across from Rittenhouse Square that are located right next to one another. Both offer a beautiful park view, delicious fare, and top-notch people-watching.
- The Dandelion (124 S. 18th): Come enjoy some tasty British cuisine. Some of my favorites are the fish and chips and lamb shepherd’s pie.
- El Vez (121 S. 13th Street): One of my favorite spots to enjoy a cold margarita and munch on tortilla chips! This place is booming all year round but especially in the summer. Make sure to call ahead and make a reservation.
- Belgian Café (2047 Green Street): A Fairmount watering hole with more than 200 bottled brews, 12 rotating drafts, and yummy things to munch on!
- Silk City (435 Spring Garden Street): Enjoy the great ambiance in Silk City’s enclosed courtyard with assorted vintage seating.
- The Manayunk Brewery and Restaurant (4120 Main Street): One of my favorites! Situated right on the mouth of the Manayunk Canal, its large outdoor deck makes for great views of the Schuylkill River.
Note: It’s also always a good idea to call restaurants and other facilities ahead of time to make sure they are wheelchair accessible before you head over.
To check out more outdoor Philadelphia dining options and other attractions, check out the links below:
http://www.phila.gov/mcpd//index.html.
http://www.opentable.com/promo.aspx?pid=14&m=13
http://www.visitphilly.com/articles/philadelphia/alfresco-dining/
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/top-lists/top-spots-for-al-fresco-dining-in-philadelphia/
http://philly.thedrinknation.com/articles/read/386-Philadelphia-Bars-with-Outdoor-Seating
