Barclay Prime — Restaurant in Philadelphia

I am not a huge Stephen Starr fan particularly in Philly because I find them often hit or miss. The phrase “comparison is the thief of joy” rings true here since my first Starr experiences were in dc at St. Anselm and Le Diplomat in the 2010s and those two are/were such well oiled machines it creates an expectation that every Starr restaurant should hit that level of service when frankly they don’t out in Philadelphia.

Barclay prime ended up being a hit for me and my guest. Frankly our favorite part was the service. We enjoyed our server, Jackson, a lot. He is clearly experienced and gives vibes of a sherpa guiding you through your dinner experience with his calm and pleasant demeanor. The timing and attentiveness was absolutely on point.

Nothing about what we ate was exceptional in terms of being innovative or the best version of anything, but it is a damn good classic steakhouse with a damn good classic steakhouse atmosphere. I can’t complain about a single thing. Frankly I thought the best thing we ate was the mushroom side, they were absolutely perfect. Perfect texture, sear, meatiness, and well seasoned. The steak was cooked to the right temperature and also well seasoned. My guest and I both agreed it’s not the best ribeye we’ve ever had , but this is the classic expectation of what a ribeye should be like when ordering one out.

The frizzled onions, perfectly frizzled with a nice horseradish dip. The whipped potatoes were delicious and perfect as they are, no butter or sauce required. Caesar salad with a beautiful dusting of parm and well dressed without drowning in dressing. I do prefer my dressing with more anchovy, but I understand that anchovies are polarizing and restaurants must cater to the median.

We had the cheesesteak and champagne and it did not disappoint. Although it sounds gimmicky, the ingredients each fulfilled their role quite well. The wagyu led to a beautiful tenderness to the steak, the shaved truffle perfumed the hoagie and brought it up a notch. The pickled peppers helped balance the richness of the steak. The roll itself was pretty good, but not my favorite. The champagne was a nice pick as well. My guest said it was his favorite cheesesteak, but that designation goes to Angelo’s in my book (their hoagie roll is legions above every hoagie or “sub” roll in this world, not even city. WORLD.)

We were nice and full by the end and didn’t have room for dessert. All the red wine and red meat gave me the itis and the dark library ambience paired with the soft armchair made me want to just camp out and slowly fall asleep. But alas, it was...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Barclay Prime in Philadelphia, and I must say, it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. If you’re looking for a high-end steakhouse that delivers top-tier service, an elegant ambiance, and some of the best steaks in the city, then Barclay Prime is a must-visit.

Ambiance & Atmosphere

Walking into Barclay Prime feels like stepping into a refined, modern lounge with a classic twist. The decor is sleek, featuring chic marble tables, plush leather seating, and warm, intimate lighting. It’s the perfect setting for a romantic date night, a celebratory dinner, or even a high-stakes business meeting. The restaurant has an exclusive yet inviting feel, making it a standout compared to traditional steakhouses.

Service

The service was impeccable. From the moment we arrived, the staff was attentive, knowledgeable, and incredibly professional. Our server walked us through the menu with detailed recommendations, ensuring we selected the perfect pairings. Water glasses were never empty, and the pacing of the meal was spot on—not rushed, but also never a long wait between courses.

Food & Drinks

Now, let’s talk about the real highlight—the food. • Wagyu Cheesesteak ($140): Yes, it’s pricey, but it’s also legendary. Made with A5 Wagyu beef, truffle whiz, and foie gras on a freshly baked roll, this is not your ordinary cheesesteak. It’s rich, decadent, and an absolute must-try if you want a taste of luxury with a Philly twist. • Steak Selection: I ordered the Dry-Aged Bone-In Ribeye, cooked medium-rare, and it was perfection. The meat was buttery, tender, and packed with flavor—one of the best steaks I’ve ever had. The Japanese A5 Wagyu is also available if you want to truly indulge. • Sides: The Truffle Mac & Cheese was creamy, rich, and perfectly balanced, while the Lobster Mashed Potatoes were silky, buttery, and packed with chunks of fresh lobster. Both were excellent complements to the steak. • Cocktails & Wine: The cocktail list was well-curated, and the Old Fashioned was smooth and well-balanced. The wine selection is extensive, with a range of options to pair perfectly with your meal.

Overall Experience

Barclay Prime exceeded my expectations in every way. While it is on the pricier side, you’re paying for an unforgettable dining experience, world-class service, and some of the finest steak and seafood available in Philadelphia. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just want to experience one of the best steakhouses in the city, Barclay Prime is worth every penny.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 –...

A group of 8 of us went to Barclay Prime yesterday October 12th to celebrate a 22nd birthday. We arrived about 15 minutes early for our reservation so we stood around the bar to grab drinks. 5/8 people sat down at the table and while the rest of the party showed up, the server was pretty consistent with checking in with us. Once the rest of the party showed up a bit late, the server took time to ask the last 2 people about what drinks they wanted. An extra drink was put in for one of the people at the table because they had asked beforehand so they had a drink at the table when they arrived. As she was actively tasting the drink, the server came over and asked for her ID. I would understand if she had not already been drinking the drink, but she was already drinking it so I just simply didn’t see the point. There were moments during the dining experience when the table took about 10 minutes to be cleared of dirty dishes. Drinks sat empty for 10 minutes at a time because we saw the server about every 10 minutes. I have dined at mediocre restaurants in Philly and the servers still asked me about another drink while the drink was halfway done. The service was just very inconsistent, the server would come over to check on us frequently for some time and then she would disappear for another 15 minutes. I asked for my bone-in ribeye to be cooked medium and I was told that it was a medium red center but when the steak got to me, it honestly was rare. I knew this because I was chewing on the steak longer than I should’ve if I had gotten it medium. I was going to ask for it to be cooked more but the restaurant was closing in about 10 minutes and we just wanted to eat our food and leave at this point. We were offered dessert but we declined because we no longer felt wanted in the restaurant. A nice birthday dessert was brought out shortly followed by the check. We began putting cards down and the server came back about 2 minutes later but we were not done so we asked for more time. We had to ask another server to give our sever our cards because we had been left sitting for 10 minutes. I am aware that the restaurant was closing but with how pricey the menu was, we just expected...