A Mediterranean Escape in Rittenhouse: Spice Finch

Philadelphia’s food scene has a way of transporting you around the world without ever leaving the city. On my latest food adventure, I visited Spice Finch, a modern Mediterranean restaurant and bar located near Rittenhouse Square at 220 South 17th Street. The restaurant’s menu takes inspiration from the herbs, spices, and culinary traditions of countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. The aesthetics there were breathtaking bueatiful.

My visit was filled with fresh ingredients, unexpected flavor combinations, and plenty of dishes worth sharing. By the end of the meal, Spice Finch had delivered exactly what I look for when exploring Philadelphia’s food scene: something exciting, distinctive, and memorable.

Starting with Mezze

A Mediterranean meal simply would not feel complete without mezze, so naturally, that was where I began.

The selection of dips was a great introduction to the menu. Each one brought its own texture and personality, making it difficult to choose a favorite. Paired with flatbread and crisp vegetables, the dips made for a relaxed and interactive start to the meal.

There is something especially enjoyable about sharing a table filled with small plates. Instead of committing to one dish, everyone can taste a little bit of everything, compare favorites, and keep reaching across the table for one more bite.

At Spice Finch, the mezze does more than prepare you for the rest of the meal it establishes the restaurant’s entire approach. The flavors are familiar enough to feel comforting but creative enough to keep you curious.

The Halloumi Gem Salad Was The Show Stopper

Next came the Halloumi Gem Salad, and this was easily one of the highlights of my visit.

The salad combines halloumi with Marcona almonds and a honey-sumac vinaigrette.  The crisp lettuce provided a refreshing base, while the halloumi added a rich, salty bite. The almonds brought additional crunch, and the vinaigrette tied everything together with the perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess.

This was not a salad that felt like an obligation before the “real food” arrived. It was exciting enough to stand completely on its own.

Every bite delivered a different combination of crisp, creamy, salty, sweet, and slightly tangy flavors. Even someone who normally skips the salad section might reconsider after trying this one.

Fruit and Feta: Simple but Surprisingly Memorable

The Fruit and Feta was another dish that proved simple ingredients can create something special when they are paired thoughtfully.

Spice Finch prepares it with seasonal fruit, Bulgarian feta, and pistachios.  The juicy sweetness of the fruit worked beautifully against the salty, creamy feta, while the pistachios added a satisfying crunch.

It was refreshing, colorful, and surprisingly addictive.

This dish captured what I enjoyed most about Spice Finch. Nothing felt unnecessarily complicated. Instead, the kitchen allowed contrasting ingredients to bring out the best in one another. Sweet fruit became more vibrant beside the feta, while the saltiness of the cheese became softer and more balanced. It was the kind of plate that disappeared much faster than expected.

A Meal Designed for Sharing

One of the best things about Spice Finch is that the menu encourages exploration. The restaurant offers mezze, small plates, larger entrées, sides, and a chef’s tasting menu, making it easy to build a meal around sharing and trying several different flavors.

That format made the experience feel less like a traditional dinner and more like a culinary journey. Each plate brought something new to the table, and the variety kept the meal interesting from beginning to end.

It is an especially good choice for a date night, dinner with friends, or any occasion when the group wants to order several dishes and experience the menu together.

The purpose of our visit was to celebrate a birthday over brunch. A few of my friends ordered the shakshuka, and it was absolutely delicious warm, flavorful, and a great addition to the table.

The Final Verdict

My experience at Spice Finch was excellent and memorable.

The mezze provided a flavorful beginning, the Halloumi Gem Salad delivered an impressive combination of textures, and the Fruit and Feta proved that a seemingly simple dish can become one of the most memorable parts of a meal.

Spice Finch offers a fresh and creative take on Mediterranean dining without losing the warmth and shareable spirit that makes the cuisine so enjoyable. It feels polished enough for a special evening while still being approachable enough for a casual meal with friends.

For anyone exploring Philadelphia’s vibrant restaurant scene, Spice Finch deserves a place on the list. Come hungry, bring people who enjoy sharing, and do not underestimate the salads they may end up stealing the entire show.

My rating: 4.8 out of 5

Spice Finch

220 South 17th Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103