The story
Lacroix at The Rittenhouse sits directly on Rittenhouse Square, one of Philadelphia's most storied addresses, and brings to it a kitchen rooted in French bistro tradition — familiar flavors layered with technique and an elevated touch. The Forbes Travel Guide has recognized Lacroix with a Four-Star rating, noting that the French menu is perfectly accompanied by the sleek interior décor, and that dining here means sophisticated luxury with views of charming Rittenhouse Square.
The restaurant runs from early morning through late evening, offering breakfast, lunch, dinner, and an Apéro hour — a rhythm that makes it a fixture of daily life in the neighborhood as much as a destination for special occasions.
The Sunday brunch is a particular Philadelphia institution. Held every Sunday from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, it is set up in the kitchen itself — an arrangement Forbes specifically calls out as a favorite among locals. The spread is extensive and genuinely ambitious: canapés such as pommes dauphine with trout roe, brandade croquettes with rouille, and beef tartare toast; a raw bar with east and west coast oysters, sashimi of salmon, tuna and hamachi, and caviar with blinis; plats d'accompagnement including bouillabaisse risotto, kale sage pesto gnocchi, and hachis parmentier with lentils; a carving station turning out prime rib au jus, roast leg of lamb with olive yogurt sauce, and hot smoked salmon with dill crème fraiche; and a dessert table that runs from chocolate mousse cake and hazelnut trifle to a cannoli station with accompaniments.
It is brunch in the French tradition — structured, generous, and carefully composed.
Weekday mornings bring a full breakfast menu — eggs Benedict with parisian ham or smoked salmon, a confit duck hash with butternut squash, eggs in purgatory with crispy shrimp and chorizo — alongside lighter options like avocado toast with zesty crème fraîche, acai bowls, and yogurt parfaits. The continental basket and a selection of smoothies round out the offering for those passing through before the day begins.
Dinner and the tasting menu extend Lacroix's French sensibility into the evening, with the Forbes Four-Star recognition underscoring the kitchen's consistency across every service. Private dining is available for groups, and the bar program — cocktails, wine pairings, and an Apéro menu — gives the space a life well beyond the dining room.
Recognition
Ambience
Location