Kinme
Washington Square West, Philadelphia
Restaurant in Philadelphia, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Casual
Why go
Kinme is a practical Center City option when location and an easy meal matter more than a documented tasting-menu format or special-occasion credentials. First-timers should treat it as a flexible Locust Street choice, then compare it with Vedge, Little Nonna's, or Bud & Marilyn's if the group needs a clearer cuisine or occasion fit.
About Kinme
Kinme is a Philadelphia venue with a casual dress code and a posted schedule: open Monday through Friday from 12–10 PM, Saturday from 3–10 PM, closed Sunday.
Use Kinme when the schedule works
The clearest reason to consider Kinme is its posted schedule. It is open Monday through Friday from 12–10 PM, Saturday from 3–10 PM, closed Sunday. That makes it a practical Philadelphia option on weekdays and Saturday, but not a Sunday plan.
For a first visit, set expectations around the basics. Kinme has a casual dress code. Readers building a wider plan can cross-check other options in Pearl's Philadelphia restaurants guide, then keep Philadelphia hotels, Philadelphia bars, Philadelphia experiences handy if the meal is part of a larger night out.
Not the pick if you need a defined format
Kinme is harder to recommend for diners who need a clearly documented cuisine, chef point of view, menu structure, price range, or special-occasion proof points. That does not make it a bad choice; it means the decision should be practical and based on the confirmed schedule and casual dress code.
If you are comparing options, consider Kinme alongside other Philadelphia venues such as Vedge, Bud & Marilyn's, Little Nonna's, Caribou Cafe, or Scoop DeVille, depending on what else is known from current listings and your own plans. Use Kinme when its hours and casual setup fit. Skip it when the night depends on a specific culinary promise, a named tasting structure, or accolades.
Planning details
- Location
- 1117 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- kinmepa.com
- Phone
- +12159821722
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Kinme sits on Locust Street as a small-format Japanese restaurant that leans heavily on beverage curation as part of its identity. The room reads less like a high-turnover lunch spot and more like a considered dining destination, where wine lists receive the same attention as the kitchen. That focus gives the place a refined, sophisticated air: attentive service, quietly curated selections and an intimacy that invites lingering over bottles and shared plates. Signature rolls and a compact, thoughtful menu reinforce a restrained elegance rather than loud theatrics, making Kinme feel like a neighborhood destination for serious diners.
Best For
Kinme is best experienced at dinner, when its wine-forward program and compact menu align with a slower, reservation-driven pace. The restaurant suits couples on date night, small groups who appreciate curated bottles and anyone seeking a focused, sommelier-minded evening. Because the block is defined by independent, low-turnover rooms that emphasize cellar depth, guests can expect a service rhythm oriented toward pairing and conversation rather than rapid table turns. Reservations are a sensible precaution given the neighborhood's elevated baseline for what a booking should deliver.
Ordering Tips
Start with the signature rolls — Legally Blonde, Phantom Roll and South Pacific Roll — to get a clear sense of the kitchen’s approach to texture and flavor. Given the profile’s emphasis on cellar depth and beverage curation, ask the staff or sommelier for a wine pairing to match the rolls and any shared plates. Pace the order to linger between courses and let bottles guide the meal: this room rewards thoughtful pairings more than rapid ordering. Because the neighborhood leans toward reservation-based service, book ahead to secure a preferred time.
Venue details
Ambiance
Cozy with leather booth seating, a long sushi bar, and warm lighting ideal for casual hangs or date nights.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Intimate
Signature Dishes
- Legally Blonde
- Phantom Roll
- South Pacific Roll
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Where to look if Kinme is not the right fit
Pick Vedge if the group wants a defined vegetarian meal with a clearer reason to book. Pick Little Nonna's or Bud & Marilyn's if the priority is a more familiar group dinner in Philadelphia.
Restaurant context
How Kinme compares in Center City
Kinme is the practical pick when the group needs a central Philadelphia meal with low friction. It is less clearly defined than Vedge, which is the stronger choice when a vegetarian focus is the point of the night, less immediately familiar than Little Nonna's for a group looking for an easy crowd-pleaser.
For value and simplicity, Bud & Marilyn's and Little Nonna's are easier to position for mixed groups because the use case is clearer before anyone sits down. Caribou Cafe is the better comparison if the decision is more about neighborhood convenience than a destination meal.
Scoop DeVille is not a dinner substitute, but it works as the lighter add-on if the plan needs something casual after a Center City meal. Choose Kinme when the priority is a simple meal near Locust Street; choose Vedge when the food brief needs to be more specific.
Explore Philadelphia
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Kinme guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Kinme
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kinme | Philadelphia | ; | No published awards |
| Caribou Cafe | Philadelphia | ; | No published awards |
| Little Nonna's | Philadelphia | ; | No published awards |
| Scoop DeVille | Philadelphia | ; | No published awards |
| Vedge | Philadelphia | Vegetarian | 2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #827We're Smart World Top Restaurants 20252025 Michelin Plate2024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #5682023 OAD Casual in North America Recommended |
| Bud & Marilyn's | Philadelphia | ; | No published awards |
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How Kinme Philadelphia compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kinme good for a special occasion?
Kinme may work if the basics fit your plan: it is in Philadelphia, has a casual dress code, is open Monday through Friday from 12–10 PM and Saturday from 3–10 PM. The available facts do not show a formal special-occasion format, awards, price point, or tasting structure, so avoid assuming those details.
What should a first-timer know about Kinme?
Kinme is a Philadelphia option with a casual dress code. The clearest facts are the hours: Monday through Friday 12–10 PM, Saturday 3–10 PM, Sunday closed.
Can I eat at the bar at Kinme?
Bar seating is not mentioned, so do not assume it will be available. Plan around the posted hours and confirm directly with the venue if seating format matters to your visit. If you are comparing other options, Caribou Cafe is another Philadelphia venue to research.
Is lunch or dinner better at Kinme?
The schedule shows Kinme opens at 12 PM Monday through Friday, 3 PM on Saturday, is closed Sunday. No separate lunch or dinner menu details are listed, so choose based on the time that fits your plan rather than an assumed meal format.
What should I wear to Kinme?
Kinme's dress code is casual. There is no need to plan around a formal dress requirement.
What are alternatives to Kinme in Philadelphia?
Other Philadelphia venues to compare include Vedge, Bud & Marilyn's, Little Nonna's, Caribou Cafe, Scoop DeVille. Check current details for each venue before deciding, especially if cuisine, price, service style, or hours matter to your plan.
