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$ | Society Hill |
Chef Michael Solomonov’s Zahav is steeped in the milk and honey and hummus and lamb of his native Israel, as well as the cultures that have left a mark on that Promised Land. Taking advantage of its dramatic perch above one of the city's oldest streets, the restaurant relies on picture windows and soaring ceilings to create spectacle, but the open kitchen is the true stage. There, a small staff mixes and matches a melting pot of flavors for a modern menu whose highlights include colorful salatim and fluffy house-baked laffa (flatbread); kebabs of impossibly tender chicken or lamb merguez cooked over hot coals; and addictive florets of fried cauliflower served with a lemon-and-dill-spiked lebneh (yogurt cheese). The legendary smoked and pomegranate-juice-braised lamb shoulder should be reserved in advance.
237 St. James Pl., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19106, USA
Known For
- Israeli cuisine
- Creative cocktails
- Hopping dining room
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch, Credit cards accepted, Reservations essential
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$$ | Rittenhouse Square |
Having successfully turned the country into Israeli-food addicts, Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook have now turned their attention to the cuisines of the Ashkenazi Jews in Eastern Europe. Chef Yehuda Sichel is at the helm, creating incognito thrillers like matzo ball tamale, smoked salmon tartare, and veal schnitzel tacos. Reserve ahead for the beloved Montreal-style short rib dinner or opt for the prix-fixe tasting menu.
1623 Sansom St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103, USA
Known For
- Montreal-style smoked short ribs
- Happy hour
- Retro-inspired digs
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
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$$$$ | Rittenhouse Square |
A bit of scrolled ironwork greets diners, followed by a swank bar pulsating with Cuban music that lets everyone know this is a happening place; find a seat here because you may wait awhile, even with a reservation. The service is a bit chaotic, but the mojitos are refreshing and the menu contains a few genuine dishes, such as lechon asado (crispy roasted pork) and a wide selection of ceviche, all prepared by star chef Douglas Rodriguez. The decor is evocative of pre-Castro Havana, with dim lighting, mod seating, and larger-than-life images of tobacco fields projected onto the walls.
1623 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103, USA
Known For
- Pre-Castro Havana decor
- Lechon asado (crispy roasted pork)
- Refreshing mojitos
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch, Credit cards accepted
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$$ | Center City East |
The opening of this hip, industrial-chic trattoria by chef Marc Vetri rendered his talents more accessible to those who don't have the foresight to make reservations months in advance at his celebrated eponymous restaurant nearby. The small plates of Roman comfort food by longtime chef Brad Spence feature interesting elevated takes on Roman classics like tonarelli cacio e pepe, trippa alla Romana, and rigatoni all'amatriciana. Try to grab one of the six first-come, first-served stools at the chef's counter to watch the James Beard–award-winning action.
412 S. 13th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19147, USA
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch, Reservations essential
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$ | Bella Vista |
When you're ready for an atmospheric break, stop by Anthony's Italian Coffee House in the heart of the Italian Market. Here, to the strains of Frank Sinatra, you can sample a fresh panino with prosciutto and mozzarella or indulge in homemade cannoli or gelato imported from Italy. Enjoy your espresso on the umbrella-covered 9th Street patio when weather permits.
903 S. 9th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19147, USA
Known For
- Italian espresso drinks
- Italian desserts
- Outdoor seating
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Weekdays 7–7, Sat. 7 am–8 pm, Sun. 7:30–5
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$ | University City |
They don’t make shops like this University City mainstay anymore. Not only is it an international newsstand—there's a selection of foreign periodicals, postcards, and hip art publications—but it’s also a café, offering high-end coffee, tea, and chocolate, and an old-school smoke shop, selling specialty tobacco products. The patio seating is an added bonus—enjoy your paper and espresso with a little people-watching.
3406 Sansom St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, USA
Known For
- Great people-watching
- A coffee (or tea) stop while exploring
- All sorts of magazines
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Weekdays 7:30–6, weekends 10–5, No dinner
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$$ | Center City East |
This buzzing Mediterranean tapas joint has inspired an almost religious devotion among nearly every demographic of Philadelphian. Diners happily stuff themselves into the cramped tables at this long, narrow eatery for a fix of the cheese boards, the egg-and-truffle pizza, and the house-made charcuterie. But above all, the salted caramel budino (a classic Italian pudding)—with so much demand, chef Marcie Turney figured out how to sell it online in a six-pack and turn it into ice-cream pops in the summer—is heavenly. If you don't have a reservation, try and snag the bar and chef's counter, which are first come, first served.
110 S. 13th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Known For
- Creative pizzas
- Caramel budino
- Lively crowd
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Sun.
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$$ | East Passyunk |
Funky, unorthodox dim sum gets all the cool kids in the door at Bing Bing, which proudly bills itself as inauthentic. But beyond the high-low appeal of cheesesteak bao buns and corned beef ribs with beet barbecue sauce, there’s real finesse from chef Ben Puchowitz’s kitchen here. Bonus points for large-format cocktail pitchers and comfy booths modeled after Chinese wedding beds.
1648 E. Passyunk Ave., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19148, USA
Known For
- Creative dim sum variations
- Shareable cocktails
- Young lively crowd
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.–Thurs.
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$$$$ | Society Hill |
Copious portions of regional Italian cuisine are served in the brick-walled dining room of this early-18th-century granary. Don't miss the acclaimed Caesar salad prepared table-side by the genial owner, who thoroughly enjoys animated conversations with his guests. Tuesday-night lobster specials make the trip to the Society Hill area more than worthwhile.
120 Lombard St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19147, USA
Known For
- Hearty Italian cuisine
- Romantic dining room
- Weekly lobster special
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch, Credit cards accepted
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$$$$ | Bella Vista |
The cheery atmosphere inside this long, narrow bistro exudes warmth and attention to detail, from the flea-market knickknacks picked out by chef Peter Woolsey and his Burgundian wife, Peggy, to the ceramic pitchers of house wine delivered to your table. Woolsey studied at the Cordon Bleu, fell in love with French food culture (and Peggy), and came back to his native Philadelphia to share the experience with his city; regulars swear by the mustard-braised rabbit with housemade pasta; pork cheeks braised in Malbec; and the exemplary desserts that speak to Woolsey's extensive training as a pastry chef.
623 S. 6th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19147, USA
Known For
- Romantic atmosphere
- Classic French bistro menu
- Authentic ingredients
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekdays, Credit cards accepted
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$$ | Rittenhouse Square |
Converted from a private club with blacked-out windows, this Dublin-style pub has been packing them in for rivers of Irish draft and kitchen specialties. Guinness-battered fish-and-chips could have been produced on the "auld sod," and the malt vinegar to sprinkle over it all does little to dampen the crisp crust. The first-floor bar is noisy and spirited—show up before happy hour to snag a seat—but the mood gets a bit quieter as you climb the steps to the dining room or walk downstairs to the basement bar.
247 S. 17th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103, USA
Known For
- Traditional pub fare
- Casual atmosphere
- Vast beer selection
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
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$ | Chestnut Hill |
It's all about the ice cream, hot fudge, and homemade whipped cream. They scoop Bassetts ice cream and make fabulous sundaes, but the bakery is pretty standard.
8126 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19118, USA
Known For
- Generous sundaes
- Tipping usually gets you bigger scoops
- Friendly vibe
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Mon.–Sat. 6:30 am–7 pm, Sun. 8–6; June–Sept., hrs may vary
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$$$$ | Old City |
This Stephen Starr restaurant is presided over by a 10-foot-tall gilded Buddha who seems to approve of the fusion food that pairs Pan-Asian ingredients with various cooking styles. The truffled edamame dumplings and tuna tartare spring rolls are tasty, but much of the appeal is in the theatrical decor and people-watching, also prevalent at Buddakan's outposts in New York and Atlantic City. A long "community table" provides an opportunity to dine with anyone else who snags this center-stage space. Be prepared for a loud and lively atmosphere.
325 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19106, USA
Known For
- Creative Pan-Asian cooking
- Eye-catching decor
- Lively scene
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekends, Credit cards accepted
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$$$$ | Center City West |
One of restaurateur Stephen Starr's many ventures is housed in an old wood-paneled and marbled brokerage (from which it borrows its name). Here the dishes are traditional rather than fancy (wedge salad, filet Oscar), portions are hefty, and the sides classic (green beans amandine, creamed spinach). A pair of showstopper chandeliers, a New Yorker–style mural depicting tony pooches clad in pencil skirts and smoking robes, and leather banquettes skew closely to the restaurant's avowed 1940s supper club aesthetic. The juicy, dripping burger is the word at lunch.
1500 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19102, USA
Known For
- Juicy steaks
- Weekday lunch options
- Baked Alaska
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekends, Credit cards accepted
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$ | Chestnut Hill |
Housed inside a former greenhouse, Cake is a refined spot for breakfast and lunch, though the sweets and pastries are still a highlight at this former bakery. The menu includes creative twists on lunchtime classics: try the Philly cheesesteak marsala or the croque monsieur brushed with apricot mustard. Light streams in through the greenhouse glass and a fountain occupies the center of the room.
8501 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19118, USA
Known For
- Garden atmosphere
- Refined breakfast and lunch
- Buttery scones
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No dinner
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$$$$ | Center City East |
It's only fair to question whether Capital Grille is a restaurant or an art gallery. When you first enter the Philadelphia dining room of this high-end national chain, you'll find walls covered with exquisitely framed paintings and pedestals bearing bronze statues. Steaks and chops for the power crowd come in two sizes: large and larger. A baby lobster (about a pound) makes an excellent appetizer along with the requisite green salad and shrimp cocktail. The wine cellar is ample and fairly priced for a selection of excellent bottles.
1338 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107, USA
Known For
- High-end steaks and chops
- Business crowd
- Power lunch
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekends, Credit cards accepted
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$ | Parkway Museum District |
At the far eastern end of the Parkway sits this small café, a glass-enclosed pavilion that offers good views of City Hall. On the menu are a range of good hot and cold coffee-based drinks, along with breakfast items, pastries, and familiar sandwiches and salads; you can also have a cocktail, beer, or wine at the little bar or at your table. It closes by 7 or 8 pm.
110 N. 16th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19102, USA
Known For
- Alfresco dining or sipping in season
- Convenient spot at beginning or end of Parkway exploration
- Good pastries and cookies
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$$ | Manayunk |
Known for the varieties of pad Thai—from crispy duck to peanut-crusted scallop—and delicious soups, this Thai bistro is a nice, calming escape from the noisy restaurant scene of Main Street. Enjoy authentic Thai flavors in your lime-infused Thai sausage, po tek (a spicy seafood hot pot with basil and lemongrass) portioned for two, or the various face-flushing curries.
4371 Main St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19127, USA
Known For
- Numerous versions of pad Thai
- Crazy noodles (stir-fried wide rice noodles with colorful veggies)
- Consistently good Thai food
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch Fri., Credit cards accepted
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$$$ | University City |
A popular hangout with the Penn crowd, this contemporary bar and grill pours a staggering six dozen draft options, with a heavy focus on American craft beer. This selection pairs well with an accessible gastropub menu offering a little of everything, from burgers and brick-oven pizzas to mussels and prime steaks. You can grab a seat at the huge wraparound bar, sit in the spacious dining room, or hang out on the terrace around one of five stone fire pits overlooking busy Walnut Street.
3925 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, USA
Known For
- Craft beer on tap
- Hearty pub grub
- Young and lively crowd
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$$ | Center City West |
You're not sure what decade you're in once you enter the vast, retro playground that shares a name with the Old City martini lounge, also from blockbuster restaurateur Stephen Starr. The cognoscenti have moved on, but others still line up for a spot on the popular rooftop lounge or sit inside, in a swinging wicker basket chair, a sunken banquette, or a baby-blue vinyl booth. The global tapas menu includes Korean tacos, French onion soup dumplings, and lobster mac 'n' cheese.
1801 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103, USA
Known For
- Large portions
- Solid martinis
- Rooftop bar
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted