Little Water sits in Rittenhouse Square as the latest restaurant from husband-and-wife team chef Randy Rucker and Amanda Rucker. The concept draws on the couple's time living along the Gulf Coast, New England, and the Mid-Atlantic, framed as a study in the ecological diversity of life by the sea rather than a single regional cuisine.
Rucker's path here runs through Texas and New England. Raised in Tomball, Texas, and trained at Johnson & Wales, he built a career in Houston restaurants including Laidback Manor, The Rainbow Lodge, Bootsie's, and Restaurant Bramble before heading east in 2016 to serve as Culinary Director on Martha's Vineyard and Executive Chef at a Relais & Châteaux property in Mystic, Connecticut, where he began working closely with local fishermen. After marrying Amanda, a Philadelphia native, the two moved to the city and opened River Twice in 2019 before launching Little Water.
Regulars single out the oysters and seafood as the draw, alongside notably attentive service.
Little Water has been selected for the Michelin Guide's 2025 Philadelphia list, named to Eater's Essential 38, and included on Philadelphia Magazine's Best of 2025. Chef Randy Rucker was named a 2026 James Beard Foundation semifinalist for Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic.
Rucker's path here runs through Texas and New England. Raised in Tomball, Texas, and trained at Johnson & Wales, he built a career in Houston restaurants including Laidback Manor, The Rainbow Lodge, Bootsie's, and Restaurant Bramble before heading east in 2016 to serve as Culinary Director on Martha's Vineyard and Executive Chef at a Relais & Châteaux property in Mystic, Connecticut, where he began working closely with local fishermen. After marrying Amanda, a Philadelphia native, the two moved to the city and opened River Twice in 2019 before launching Little Water.
Regulars single out the oysters and seafood as the draw, alongside notably attentive service.
Little Water has been selected for the Michelin Guide's 2025 Philadelphia list, named to Eater's Essential 38, and included on Philadelphia Magazine's Best of 2025. Chef Randy Rucker was named a 2026 James Beard Foundation semifinalist for Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic.