The Dandelion

The Dandelion: Pints, Pies and a Churchill Bust — London Without the Flight

Philadelphia has plenty of bars that call themselves pubs; The Dandelion is the one that actually earns the word. Firewood crackles in an oak-mantled hearth shipped over from England, a bronze bust of Winston Churchill presides over the ground-floor bar, and imperial pints flow beneath wood paneling salvaged from shuttered pubs across the UK. It is the rare theme that never tips into costume — because the kitchen takes British cooking as seriously as the decorators took the furniture.

The Story

When Stephen Starr discovered that the building steps from Rittenhouse Square had once been an old house, the idea arrived fully formed: turn it into an old-style pub. Opened in 2011, The Dandelion spreads across two townhouses and four distinct rooms — over a hundred seats of snugs, hearths and creaking charm, each space with its own personality, including the famous Dog Bar.

What to Order

The fish and chips is the benchmark: ale-battered line-caught cod with triple-cooked chips and tartar sauce. Around it orbit Welsh rarebit on buttermilk toast, lamb shepherd’s pie under cheddar-crowned mash, Cumberland bangers and mash with onion gravy, and the Dandy Burger — a dry-aged patty with Churchill sauce, cheddar and bacon. Sundays after lunch bring the roast: ribeye, Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes and watercress. Finish with sticky toffee pudding and cinnamon ice cream, and drink your way through cask-style ales, imperial pints and a proper gin list.

The Space

Four rooms, multiple bars, fireplaces, mismatched antique chairs and benches brought straight from Britain. Downstairs feels like a busy local; upstairs turns intimate and dinner-party-ish. Weekday afternoons the pub even pours a traditional afternoon tea — then happy hour takes over with oysters and gin cocktails.

Who It’s For

Homesick Brits, whisky-and-ale explorers, groups who want a pub crawl’s worth of rooms under one roof, and anyone whose ideal Sunday involves gravy.

Good to Know

Do I need a reservation? For dinner and Sunday roast, book ahead; the bars keep room for walk-ins.

When is the Sunday roast served? Sundays from early afternoon until it sells out — it regularly does.

Is there a good happy hour? Yes — weekday early evenings bring oysters, house cocktails and discounted pints.

What should a first-timer order? Fish and chips, a Welsh rarebit to start and sticky toffee pudding to close.

Does it suit groups? Very well — four rooms across two houses, with private spaces for larger parties.

Opening hours