Little Water

The story

Little Water Philadelphia – Michelin Recommended Coastal Cuisine in Rittenhouse Square

A Coastal Love Letter in Rittenhouse Square

Little Water, located in Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square, is the latest venture from husband-and-wife team, James Beard-nominated Chef Randy Rucker and Amanda Rucker. Named a Michelin Guide 2025 Recommended restaurant, Little Water is a contemporary coastal restaurant that serves as a love letter to the sea, inspired by the couple’s years living along the Gulf Coast, New England, and the Mid-Atlantic.

Chef Rucker’s career has taken him from his mother Bootsie’s kitchen in Texas to Rhode Island, California, and the East Coast, where he developed a deep passion for New England’s natural resources. After running acclaimed restaurants in Houston and Martha’s Vineyard, he and Amanda—a Philadelphia native who oversees the restaurant’s daily operations and sustainable design—settled in Philadelphia to open Little Water.

The Dining Experience

The menu at Little Water is a celebration of American seafood and coastal cuisine, emphasizing the ecological diversity of life by the sea. Dinner offerings change with the seasons and include dishes like torched scallop with fried bread and sugar kelp salsa macha, whole fried snapper with piperade and sauce creole, and a Caesar-like salad with little gem, nori, and toasted benne. The kitchen also turns out a Carolina mountain trout with garden beans and green olive, and a Lancaster County chicken with savory caramel and fried Brussels sprouts.

The beverage program is equally considered, with a martini featuring gin, fino sherry, and kombu, a penicillin milk punch, and a curated wine list by the glass. Tuesday through Thursday, the Low Tide special at the bar offers specialty-priced drinks and bites from 5pm to 7pm.

Sustainability and Hospitality

The Ruckers bring a philosophy of Southern hospitality and environmental stewardship to every detail. Amanda designed the space using green, sustainable principles, and the restaurant partners with local suppliers who share their commitment to the community and the planet. The result is a warm, welcoming dining room where the focus is on ingredient-driven cooking and genuine, unpretentious service.