Avenida offers bold and exciting Latin American cuisine in the Chestnut Hill, Mt Airy neighborhood of Philadelphia. Come enjoy the best margaritas as well as the exciting dishes from chef/ owner Edgar Alvarez
"My extended family and I recently had dinner at Avenida. We were a group of nine, including three children, ages 3-6. We loved the options: family style meals; children's menu; regular menu; and, margaritas; mojitos; and sangria. There was something for everyone AND everything was delicious!
Additionally, our server was accommodating and gracious!
Based on our experience, we highly recommend Avenida!"
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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"Although the food was fine, the service was painfully slow. We celebrated Mother's Day at Avenida as it was nearby and the menu looked good. For the price and location, would have rather gone to downtown Philly."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: kid-friendly
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"Food delicious, waitress very knowledgable. Seated on time. Noise level a little loud and the banquette was too close. Several people refused to be seated there because of the tightness. Seating was the negative of the night. If you have more than two in your party, then it's not too tight at all."
Dined on 5/10/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"My husband and I went last Friday night after a long work week. I was hoping for some quiet talk and a chance to relax together. Seated in a crowded room with two inches between us and the table next to us was my first clue that perhaps I had made a bad decision. The level of noise in the room finished me off. I couldn't wait to finish and leave.
I have been to this restaurant many times before and totally enjoyed it. I will only return if I can sit outside."
Dined on 5/10/2013
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"Loved the taste of the margarita, however could use more alcohol especially when charging $25 for a pitcher. Appetizer was good, had the octopus, was a little salty. Main course was delicious, we had the Chilean sea bass and scallops. Each dish had a nice mix of flavors. Dessert menu looked good, but had no room left to try! server was excellent, very helpful for first time dining there. Occasionally some of our dishes were taken to the wrong table, that is really our only complaint."
Dined on 5/10/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem
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"Best part of lunch was sitting outside on a beautiful day. Food was okay, but service was slow and we had to correct a few mistakes. Drinks are terrific. The place is usually packed for dinner but there were only 2 tables filled at lunchtime."
Dined on 5/02/2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, great for lunch
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"Had a taste of their chicken tostadas at the Mt. Airy Day festival. Had to have more so went to dinner there a few evenings later. Their Caesar salad was awesome and their croutons a total surprise. Their chicken tostados are so delicious. I've had nothing like them in the past, except at the Mt. Airy Day festival. The ambience is lovely, and the staff, friendly and eager to serve you."
Dined on 5/07/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"This was a great find just outside of Chestnut Hill. Food was fantastic. Service was fine, but it didn't matter because the marg's were also great. I recommend getting a pitcher."
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem
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"My husband marveled at the food and the atmosphere. You must understand, he is very picky. I have been trying to get him there for weeks. He now understands why. He had to speak to the chef to share how wonderful the meal was. He had the Chilean Sea Bass. He can't wait to return."
Dined on 5/05/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, neighborhood gem
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"The food was great and the next time we go we will try to get a seat outside. Glad I came across it on OpenTable. My only problem was that it was difficult to hold a conversation as the place is really loud."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining
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"We enjoyed the ambiance as well as the service at Avenida. These attributes were on top of an interesting and diverse menu that offered something for both the carnivores and the vegetarians alike in our group. Also, the cocktails and desserts were delightful. Will definitely go to Avenida again to try something else on their delicious menu!"
Dined on 04/27/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"Love this place, and so glad it's in our neighborhood! We've been there many times, most recently for a birthday celebration. Started with the shrimp ceviche and beet salads, which were both tasty, and then had vegetarian/vegan options for dinner -- the chef's vegetarian platter which is always great, and the tamales which were yummy. Flan was perfect dessert choice, and they brought some traditional shot of Tequila, coffee liquore and seltzer/sprite when they learned it was my husband's birthday. I've been there with groups of women friends for birthday celebrations, and w/couples. Overall a really nice place with friendly service, festive atmosphere and a seasonally-changing menu."
Dined on 04/17/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"I dine often at Avenida & I am always delighted by the food & the service. I live in the neighborhood, so I am very lucky. I encourage people from the rest of the city to come & check out this wonderful restaurant in Chestnut Hill/Mt. Airy. This past week I went with a friend to check out their Taco Tuesday. For $20 I got a choice of 3 different tacos & 3 different sides. By choice I mean that I could have 3 tacos/sides of one kind or I could mix-and-match. I tried all 3 tacos/sides & enjoyed each & every one. My preference was for the pollo taco. The taste was delicious. The service is perhaps even better than the food. I also got a dish to go & it was piping hot & ready when I was leaving. Excellent dining! Come check it out!"
Dined on 04/16/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem
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"We had a great dinner and wonderful service. Overall a fun evening. the only LITTLE bit of criticism is that they were out of one of the appetizers, and the wine we ordered wasn't available. We will definitely return."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2010
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"The only problem we had was the noise level. There were two people in our group who have slight hearing problems and they had a VERY difficult time hearing anything, even the conversation at our table. The owners need to do something to try and reduce the noise level. Otherwise, we all love Avenida."
Dined on 03/29/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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"This was our third or fourth time to Avenida. We found the food very uneven this time. Some of the appetizers were delicious(Octopus) but others were kind of plain. I had the special of the evening for my main course which was Tiger fish. It was extremely bland, with not even enough salt. Maybe you just have to know what to order. Also, I found it very loud, hard to have a conversation with the people we went with. The service was very good."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2009
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"Being out first time, we had no idea what to expect other than what I read on OT- Food was amazing-this little gem just pops with great food, service and presentation - The only drawbacks were noise level - very loud on a Sat. night with a big crowd in a small space,and I guess being an old bld. ... it's cold. I am not a fan of eating with my coat on - in their defense I think they did turn up the heat, but it was still cold -Inspite of of those 2 factors, I can't wait to go back! I had the C Sea Bass, and all I can say is ... WOW!"
Dined on 03/02/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"We were looking for Latin food and this food was not Latin. We wanted queso fundido and they didn't have the queso with chorizo but asked if we wanted the soy version. Our food came out way too fast and was very salty. Initially the service was great, however when we were done with our food no one came to give us our check. The ambience is lovely, however if you are looking for flavor, this is not the place."
Dined on 02/27/2013
2008
Special Features: romantic
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"The restaurant was practically empty on a wednesday night. There was nothing notable on either a positive or negative note. It was just dinner. it was quiet, which I prefer, and they let us take our time."
Dined on 02/27/2013
2004
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"We love this restaurant. The food is great and the service is friendly and attentive. We have been to Avenida's a number of times and the taste, quality and presentation of the food never disappoints. The fried calamari appetizer was a major highlight this trip - the flavors and the textures had our group ready to lick the plate. The restaurant is comfortable, easy to find and free street parking is a snap."
Dined on 02/24/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly
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"The tender grilled octopus was good, though the citrussy mojo marinade overpowered the lovely char-grilled flavor. The bed of greens under the octopus was also overwhelmed by this dressing/ marinade. The mussels my wife had were very good and the chipotle chorizo sauce made for tasty tortilla dipping. I had the El Biche (bouillabaisse-like dish), but found the shrimp small and salad-like, the dish had very little calamari, and the stock was fresh-water fishy and a bit gamy. This may be the intended nature of the dish as I have never had it anywhere else, but the fishy gaminess was not to my taste. I like bouillabaisse, so this came as a bit of a shock and I wished I had ordered something else. The desserts were delicious."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2013
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"This was our second time here and it was a mixed experience. The appetizers, the margaritas and our server, Chris, were all super! The main courses were just average and it took a long time for someone to acknowledge us after we were seated. It was a very busy night there, but it seemed tough for the staff to manage the crowd."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2009
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"Except for the fact that our table was not ready when we got there (about a 10 minute wait), everything else was perfect. If it was not because of the wait I would have rated the overall experience outstanding. It makes it very special when the chef comes out and greets the patrons. We even got some spices from him."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic
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Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch
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"Sorry but could not comment favorably,valentine's day is always special and we like to try a new place every year...for dinner
Too many tables in such a small room,the bar was limited,changed by drink since no southern comfort to a t/t..it was pure tonic water..asked to change it to a wine..then my husband ordered another beer..the wine came after a long wait and my husband never got the beer he ordered. the Service was poor...soooooooo slow to respond so slow to take an order..very noisy in small dining room..to many tables..no salt/pepper no bread either the food was nothing special"
Dined on 02/14/2013
2011
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"Had a lovely valentine's Day dinner at this friendly little restaurant in Mt. Airy. Diners were given the choice of a price fixed dinner or regular menu. Everything was very tasty and the mood was elevated by a small combo in the front of the establishment. During the band's breaks the noise level increased exponentially."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic
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"The food here was great, and it was a very enjoyable experience. My wife has Celiac's so that fact that they have a gluten free menu was a big reason we went. They had a good selection and everything was prepared very well. The chicken tostada appetizer was delicious!"
Dined on 02/16/2013
2009
Special Features: kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Dinner started off good (salad/app), but our main entrees weren't anything worth going back for. Tamales were incredibly bland and over-salted. Veggie entree wasn't very creative...for a place that offered soy gelato/chorizo and other vegan/veggie friendly alternatives, the entree seemed lackluster."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2010
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"We were there for Valentine's Day so it was noisy and service was a bit disorganized. They probably needed extra help for that evening. My sea bass was well prepared and delicious."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2011
Special Features: neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Our second trip to Avenida was as wonderful as the first. The food is wonderful, and we are particularly fond of the staff, who made us feel so welcome and so special. Extraordinary service, the best I've ever had (and that's after 50 years of going out to restaurants, so that's saying something!)."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"We have been going to Avenida since it opened. The food and service are always of high quality. The South American fare is always prepared imaginatively and is extremely flavorful. The special menu on Valentines Day did not disappoint. We even booked our post wedding family dinner there a few years back. We highly recommend this gem of a restaurant."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"made a 7:15 reservation. Didn'tget our salads until 8:00 pm. Entrees at nine, only after we told the waitress that if our food wasn't already plated then we didn't want it. Had to order two rounds of drinks to keep us occupied and in the end the manager came and appologized, but didn't take anything off the bill. Instead she forced a dessert on us even though I turned it away twice because of the time, and I had made other arrangements for dinner. The food was great when it came. The service could be inproved, and the space is very small, not a comfortable seating. once again the food was outstanding. I just don't think it was worth the service and time spent waiting for service to ask where our food was. Go on an off night"
Dined on 02/14/2013
2011
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"We're glad we gave Avenida a second try after seeing how well it was recently rated on Yelp. Margaritas were great, as was the blackbean soup, ceviche and vegetarian platter!"
Dined on 02/09/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"We could not have had a better experience. The food and service were superb. We had the goat cheese salad and grilled octopus as appetizers, and the Chilean sea bass, pulled pork and El Biche (seafood) as entrees. My husband, who doesn't like anything "fishy" loved the grilled octopus. The food was well plated and extraordinarily flavorful. We are planning to go back for Valentine's day, the first time we've ever frequented a restaurant twice in two weeks."
Dined on 02/06/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"Our second time to Avenida and it was just as good as the first. We would highly recommend this restaurants, it is becoming one of our favs. The food, menu, service all outstanding. Great place for a date or for a group, if you haven't been and are considering Avenida give it a try."
Dined on 02/09/2013
2008
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"I have dined at Avenida several times. This time my husband and I got together with another couple for a birthday dinner for my husband and his close friend. Two diners had the butternut squash soup which they loved; I thought it too sweet, and the balsamic glaze tasted like maple syrup. I had the El Biche, a bouillabaise (excuse the spelling) which was very good, except I wasn't given a spoon to drink the broth, and I had to wait for the flour tortillas that came with it. My husband had the tostada which included 2 puny, overcooked pieces of tilapia. He isn't a complainer, so he ate it without sending it back. He was terribly disappointed. The wait person was chatty, possibly to much so, but efficient"
Dined on 02/02/2013
2007
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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