Whether you’re traveling for a conference, meetings, or a quick overnight trip, having reliable go-to spots in a city can make all the difference.
At Dakota, we’ve spent years on the road meeting with allocators, industry professionals, and investment managers across the country and around the world. Along the way, we’ve learned firsthand which hotels, restaurants, and coffee shops consistently deliver. The ones that turn a business trip into a productive, enjoyable experience.
That’s why we created Dakota Recommends. The insider list for business travel exclusive to Dakota Marketplace Members, or with a subscription.
Built by executive business travelers for executive business travel, it’s a curated collection of hotels, restaurants, coffee shops, and event spaces designed for professionals who expect more from every trip.
Unlike tourist guides, it’s built for business. Every spot is Dakota Verified, tested by the same team behind Dakota Marketplace and trusted by thousands of firms.
Now live inside Dakota Marketplace, Dakota Recommends includes more than 1,000 verified locations across 25+ U.S. cities, London, and Paris. Each listing features “Dakota Must Trys”... our insider dishes and experiences our team swears by.
Philadelphia
While often overshadowed by its flashier neighbors to the north, Philadelphia remains one of the most underappreciated but essential stops on any allocator’s map. The Philly Metro Area is home to some of the country’s largest and most influential financial institutions, including Vanguard, SEI, PNC Bank, and Wilmington Trust, alongside more than 1,200 other firms actively investing in external managers.
With over 130 qualified MFOs and RIAs such as Mill Creek Capital Advisors, myCIO Wealth Partners, and Pitcairn Trust Company, the city offers a deep and diverse set of relationships for fundraisers to tap into. Key due diligence teams from PNC Bank and Wilmington Trust are also based here, making it a smart choice for professionals who want to connect with decision-makers directly. And thanks to its rich network of universities, including the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia is also home to prominent endowments that should be on every allocator’s radar.
Philadelphia is a high-impact market that cuts across channels. From wirehouse consultants to insurance platforms to independent wealth advisors, the city provides an accessible and often overlooked entry point to a powerful and varied allocator base.
That’s why we’ve expanded Dakota Recommends to Philadelphia, to make navigating this city as efficient and strategic as possible for our members.
Here’s what’s new inside Dakota Marketplace:
17 Hotels throughout Center City and the surrounding neighborhoods
49 Restaurants ideal for business lunches, client dinners, and post-meeting drinks
21 Coffee Shops for relaxed catch-ups and informal meetups
5 Event Venues ready for investor receptions, private dinners, and networking nights
Every spot meets the Dakota standard: Elevated, professional, travel-tested, and never crowdsourced. These are the same venues our team uses when hosting events, meeting allocators, and building relationships in New York City.
Dakota Recommends
Dakota Recommends isn’t just a list, it’s a toolkit for business travelers. These are the places that have helped us at Dakota deliver successful meetings, memorable events, and efficient trips time and time again.
When you're traveling for work, trust the spots we've already vetted. You’ll find them all in Dakota Marketplace, organized by metro area, ready to support your goals on the road. We've also incorporated "Dakota Must Trys" under each place listed!
Whether you're planning your next trip or refining your meeting strategy, book a demo of Dakota Marketplace to explore the people and places that keep our team coming back.
