Bar serving small plates plus cocktails and bottled beers - may have an age requirement, check ahead. Host happy hour weekdays. Kitchen open til 1am. Sister business to HipCityVeg. Main menu isn't available past 11pm on weekdays and 12am on weekends. Then a late night menu is available until 1am. There is an age requirement to sit at the bar but not at the tables. Open Mon-Thu 4:00pm-11:00pm, Fri-Sat 4:00pm-2:00am, Sun 4:00pm-11:00pm.
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131 S 13th St, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, 19107
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- Outdoor seating
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Last update on 02 Jan 2025 by OperationChowhound
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Added by eravencroft on 09 May 2014
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186 Reviews
First Review by s1ave4sing1n
ChristianaParadis
Points +227
Good - Edit
The ambiance and drinks must contribute to the reputation of this restaurant. The food was decent, but for the cost there are several other options we'd probably consider first next time. We tried five different items and a dessert. The bangers and mash were hands down the best thing that we had followed closely by the butternut squash soup. The mushroom risotto, zucchini "crabcake" sliders, and gnocchi were okay, but not anything we'd order again.
Read morePros: All vegan, Good drinks
Cons: Pricey for the food you're getting
Guest
Jgatt
Points +2292
Delicious smalls plates with generous servings!! - Edit
Favorite vegan restaurant in Philadelphia! Elegant restaurant with a variety of choices that were healthy and not pricey at all!
Read morePros: Suave atmosphere!, Portions were filling!, Delightful desserts!
Cons: Wished they had more dessert options!
Guest
TedKincaid
Points +94
Fantastic! - Edit
Excellent craft cocktails and a a completely plant-based menu
Read moreGuest
princess_and_troll
Points +800
Excellent - Edit
Amazing vegan small plates and cocktails. Call ahead or book on Open Table as the restaurant and bar fill up quickly. Worth the visit.
Read morePros: 100% Vegan, Cocktails
Cons: Reaches capacity quickly, Sometime noisy due to the tight quarters
Guest
LocdVegan
Points +97
Worth it! - Edit
I wish I came during the height of the summer to sit outside. It's a great bar with wonderful. The atmosphere is very bohemian sheek. The food is delicious!My favorite is the zucchini sliders 😁
Read morePros: Food and service
Cons: Tapas bars can get expensive real quick
Guest
EmilyPrice
Points +297
Fantastic food and experience! - Edit
Well worth your time- lots of different things to try and experience. You have to try the artichoke frites- omg.
Read morePros: Really fun creative items on the menus
Guest
PabloofGramercy
Points +269
The best vegan speakeasy - Edit
Inventive, delicious food with well-created drinks in a cool, pseudo-clandestine setting with great service.
Read morePros: All vegan, good food, Great space, especially the bar, Friendly, efficient service
Guest
NellCA
Points +44
Swanky Vegan Dining - Edit
Read moreIf you’re looking for vegan 🌱 bar/restaurant with atmosphere, music 🎼, good service (Robert) and delicious food, you might want to consider “Charlie Was A Sinner.” 😳 Yes! What a name.
Pros: Everything Vegan Menu, Friendly Staff & Excellent Service, Food Presentation & Delicious
Cons: The tables are small but adequate...
Guest
ZoraySpielvogel
Points +1496
The best vegan bar - Edit
If you are in the Philly you must try this all vegan bar. All of your non veg friends & family would love this place. I have tried everything & everything was very tasty. The sliders & the ricotta are a must try.
Read morePros: Best Vegan bar in Philly, Tasty food, Great selection
Cons: I wish that they were open for lunch
Guest
lisaanneweir
Points +34
Classy, delicious, and trendy without the cliche - Edit
I have been to Charlie so many times with veggies, omni's and vegans alike. Everyone that I know who's been has loved it. It's definitely worth the trip! A+!
Read moreGuest
allirae
Points +1410
A must! - Edit
Very very good, a great place to go and get dressed up but without the spendy prices! Love the tapas style dishes :)
Read moreGuest
KaitlynnGill
Points +1582
Unfortunately overall was unimpressed - Edit
Two dishes I really liked were Korean tofu and artichoke fritters. The others (ricotta, spaghetti, ramen, cheesecake) were average. For the price point and food wise I’d probably take vedge restaurant over this place. That being said I like what they’re doing and their space and ambience. I’ll come back and order different things and perhaps I’ll be blown away :)
Read morePros: Cool ambience , Romantic , Mostly super friendly staff
Cons: Tight seating
Guest
JessHM
Points +21
MUST TRY if you're in Philly - Edit
Excellent ambiance, servers, cocktails, dinner, and dessert! The hostess who answered the phone tonight was kind enough to reserve a table for me on short notice (thank you!). My server was super knowledgeable about the cocktail selection and I loved the drink he suggested (not on current menu). I am a super picky eater and normally wouldn't eat brussel sprouts or mushrooms, but the Charred Brussels Sprouts and Asparagus & Shiitake Mushroom dishes were divine! I also enjoyed the Chocolate Pot de Creme dessert. I'll definitely visit again next time I'm in town.
Read morePros: Amazing food, Upscale, intimate atmosphere, Creative cocktails
Cons: Reservations are recommended; popular but small.
Guest
ChynaCat
Points +372
Great spot - Edit
I really enjoyed this little bar and I don’t even drink. The small plates were so tasty. I had the zucchini cakes and Pasta with meatballs. Nice staff, too!
Read moreGuest
GuidedbyVeggies
Points +67
Excellent food & drinks - Edit
Love love LOVE this place! My partner and I were here about a month and a half ago, and had a fantastic experience! We ordered the crab cake sliders, artichoke frites and a few cocktails, and everything was delicious! They are a tapas style restaurant, so the plates aren’t huge. I think they’re the perfect size, especially if you want to take someone special out on a date (which this place would be perfect for). The dim candle-lit lighting, Victorian era decor, and small tables make this place very romantic. And the staff is seriously the best! 💕
Read moreWe actually have a video up about our experience at Charlie was a sinner on our YouTube channel if anyone is interested in watching it to see some examples of their food and drinks! ➡️ https://youtube.com/channel/UCQ3ffXtIrXm3AkvsqUYRFbg
Updated from previous review on 2018-05-29
Pros: Delicious food, Awesome staff, Unique & flavorful drinks
Cons: None!
Guest
VeganScientist
Points +847
very crowded, good food - Edit
The atmosphere is very dark and crowded. You feel very crammed in. Definitely make a reservation or you will wait a while. The sliders were the best thing we tried. The pickled beet was tasty, but too much bread and not enough pine nut cheese. The bao buns were very unique soft doughy pillows. Everything we ordered was very salty though including the mu shoo tofu and grilled asparagus. Very loud and hip, if that's you're thing, you'll love it. The tables are so small though that you can barely fit your food and drink on them
Read morePros: All vegan, novel food items
Cons: expensive, crowded and tiny tables, dark and loud
Guest
VeganRealist
Points +98
Strong drinks - Edit
The drinks are definitely strong and creative. The vibe is cool...the bartenders are helpful even tho they're swarmed with orders...but overall the food isn't really a dinner kind of situation. It's more of a apps and drinks place. I've eaten here several times and tried many items so I've given the place a fair chance- and I will go again because the drink game is insane and potato croquettes are delicious.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2018-03-27
Pros: drinks drinks drinks, vegan, atmosphere
Cons: some food items need improvement
Guest
BeckyBerberich
Points +36
Consistently delicious - Edit
I’ve been to Charlie Was a Sinner a few times now and I have to say the food and the delicious cocktails haven’t disappointed yet. The eggplant bao buns are absolutely delicious and their potato croquettes were divine. They change their menu seasonally so those might not be there but nothing I’ve had is bad.
Read moreThe only drawback other than price (a small dish is anywhere from $8-14 and they recommend 2-3 dishes per person) is that it is very tiny and always very crowded. Just make sure you don’t mind a little close knit quarters because everyone is trying to get in lol. It does suit the ambiance but it’s not always practical feeling.
Pros: great selection, not a bad dish in the bunch
Cons: pricy, tight quarters
Guest
Kerouac32
Points +230
Perennial Favorite - Edit
Consistently, charlie is our favorite restaurant in the city. Great service, great drinks (girl with grenade), and potato croquettes (perfectly melty with a tangy aioli).
Read moreTry a bunch of everything. Best tapas in the city!
Pros: tasty mixed drinks, tapas
Guest
soy_decaf_latte
Points +247
Great atmosphere - Edit
Darkly lit by candles, dark wood tables and chairs, comfortable booth in a row, avante garde music, and fascinating images projected on one wall. It all adds up to a great vibe, enhancing the dining experience.
Read moreI started of with a zuchimni crabcake slider, which was good, but not as good as the vegan crabcakes I have had in Maryland (looking at you Great Sage).
On to the main course, Wild Mushroom Risotto, which was the best I have ever had. The Chocolate Pot de Creme, with rum, was rich and delicious to top off the meal.
Service was prompt and pleasant. Made me feel comfortable and relaxed dining alone.
This is the kind of place that gives Philly such a great reputation for vegan dining.
Pros: Delicious food, Unique atmosphere
Guest
KevinOwens
Points +78
one of our all-time favorites - Edit
Never disappoints and always go when in Philadelphia. My wife and I get to try many, shareable plates each time. The avocado toast and gnocchi are a must try. Would definitely suggest making reservations a day or more ahead of time (open table).
Read moreGuest
nafanc
Points +1615
After dinner drink and snack - Edit
I stopped here after my meal at Vedge, so I only had room for a drink and a small snack. The drink was a play on a classic martini, except the glass was first saturated with some kind of shrub/wood smoke. It was really good, and it was fun to watch the smoke and drink being assembled right in front of me.
Read moreI also ordered a crab cake to munch on. It was really good, albeit a bit small.
I’d definitely be keen to try this play for a full meal sometime.
Guest
MH321
Points +180
fabulous - Edit
Loved everything! Great drinks, food and service. Chic atmosphere
Read morePros: great food and drink
Cons: very busy - reservations recommended
Guest
YurielBen-Israel
Points +43
Cozy and secluded - Edit
Nice spot with a comfortable and laid back feel
Read moreGuest
krhfohr
Points +18
so good - Edit
Went for our 9 year anniversary to eat some Good food in a cool environment, loud but not terrible for talking. It was packed but we still got seated pretty quickly and service was as prompt as possible. Definitely recommend the pineapple mocktail and ricotta!
Read moreGuest
PlantBasedZen
Points +48
Amazing!!! - Edit
Must try for any veg! Their cocktails are fantastic too! Carnivores will enjoy it here too!
Read moreGuest
rulie
Points +139
Good food, a little expensive - Edit
The food was delicious. Great tapas, nice cocktails. A little expensive
Read morePros: Good food
Cons: Price
Guest
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