(215) 574-9440
325 Chestnut St
(East of Broad Street)
Philadelphia,
PA
19106
39.9489
-75.147
Neighborhoods: Center City East, Center City
Hours:
Sun-Thurs 11:30am-2:30pm and 4-10pm
Fri 11:30am-2:30pm and 5pm-midnight
Sat 5pm-midnight
Price:
$$$
Last updated 10.17.11
Category:
Restaurants, Butcher Shops, Seafood Markets
Payment Methods:
American Express, Visa, Discover, Diners Club, MasterCard
Cuisine:
Smoking Permitted:
At the bar
What People Are Saying About Buddakan
Featured Review
Contributor
Contributor
In Short – A 10-foot-high gilded Buddha, a communal dining table, chair backs with black-and-white portraits and a wall of falling water transform this former post office into a Zen shrine. Asian fusion plates meant for sharing include raw tuna on flatbread and sweetly sauced scallops. The dinner menu features the whole sizzling fish with sweet black bean-chili sauce and wasabi-crusted filet mignon. For dessert, sugary works of art defy gravity with spires, powders, sauces and confectionery flourishes.
Editor's Tips
- Know Before You Go:
- Most dishes are large and meant to be shared; so select ones that appeal to your dining companions
- What To Drink:
- Bartenders are always coming up with creative libations. Try a Sumo in a Sidecar II (apricot brandy, sake, a splash of sour, with a sugared rim and garnished with dried apricot).
- Where To Sit:
- All dressed up and want everyone to notice? Reserve space at the onyx-topped community table, and be at the center of the action. (Seats 22.)
what happened to Buddakan??
by MikeMillerLaw at Citysearch
I came here to celebrate my very good friend's upcoming wedding. It was a few days away, and we wanted to make sure she was at a place she loved, so she brought us to Buddakan, because this is where she met her fiancee. He was working that night, but besides his service, everything else was horrible. We saw managers going to tables all around us, but never came by to say hello or to see how we were. I was really surprized because she worked there for a year, and her fiancee has worked there for 7 years. After seeing this display of utter disregard, I would never want to work for Stephen Starr....we would have gotten better service at Amada, or any other of the MANY places in Philadelphia, where I would have been happy to go. I go out to dinner all the time in Philadelphia, and Buddakan wasn't my first choice, but we went there for her sake. What ended up happening was that she left embaressed and dissapointed for bringing us there. I don't know how Buddakan is considered one of the top places in Philadelphia, because that simply is a gross overstatement. The food was OK, but for the cold shoulder that we got, I'd rather go anywhere else.
I still love this place
by kellyrj at Citysearch
I've been a fan of this place for years. Everything they serve is absolutely delicious and they never disappoint. The siignature drinks are creative and delish. I had my bachelorette dinner here some years back and there was a mishap with the one of the guests and her getting sick. All of the staff was unbelievably accommodating and gracious, kudos to them.
Hair in Food
by Suburban Foodie at Citysearch
Made reservations for a large party of 20 on July 20. Sat at the large table in front of the Budda. Everything was going well until one of the guest found hair in his food. That was totally unsavory and shocking. Told the wait staff and they called over the manager over. We did not get the manager's name, but he was slender with a shorn hair style and was wearing a pink tie that night. He came over and did not apologize for the incident. He only told our guest the kitchen staff covers their hair so nothing like this could happen. Our guest was made to feel as if the manager was implying he was lying. He made no concessions to our guest. Since this was a large party, a deposit was already made and we had a prix fix menu. The bill was over $2,000. I feel this is not acceptable for a restaurant of Buddakan's caliber to have this occur. It would have made a huge difference if the manager had been more accommodating. Not once did he come over and ask how we thought of the food or the service throughout our entire dining experience. Our server was the only one that attempted to remedy the situation by offering a complimentary drink to our guest. The manager had an unapproachable manner and condescending demeanor. Management needs to stop acting like the patrons our lucky to get a table at Buddakan. The restaurant is not what it was in their hay day. Most patrons are tourist and don't know any better. For the same price, you can go to a better restaurant that will be hair free.
- Pros: None
- Cons: Hair in Food
Great night all around
by rob_nicholl at Citysearch
My friends and I went to Buddakan last Saturday night. Not expecting to get a table without a reservation, we decided to sit at the bar. We went to the upstairs bar, where it was less crowded and you didn't have to worry about someone standing behind you ordering drinks. Ariana, our bartender, was really cool. We decided to eat at the bar, instead of waiting for a table. Dinner was great. The crab sticky rice, calamari salad, and aged beef were my favorites. We all agreed that it was a place we had to come back to more often.
- Pros: cool atmosphere, great food, nice staff
Reservation service was terrible in Philly!!
by CSMobileUser2 at Citysearch
The guest service attendant made it seem like this was the only restaurant in Philly. The restaurant attendant made it seem like you have to wait an eternity to ever eat in front of a big gigant buddha.



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