12 Best Restaurants in Parkway Museum District and Fairmount Park, Philadelphia

Chef-partners Omar Tate and Cybille St.Aude-Tate present this buzzy new incarnation of their Afro-centric Honeysuckle Projects in an elegant but accessible space that complements the stellar four-course prix-fixe menu, shaping the wood-lined room into a bar, a lounge section with sofas, bookcases, and the chefs' thoughtful art, and a good-size dining area with an industrial look. Music (jazz, soul, and more) adds to the ambience as diners make their choices for each course from a seasonally changing menu that highlights the global culinary influences of the Black American diaspora in dishes such as a Daily Harvest starter with black-eyed pea spread and vegetables and an epis (a Haitian seasoning base) roasted chicken with grilled collards; one limited-quantity special item attracting attention is a $65 burger, complete with caviar, gold flakes, and truffles. It's hard to go wrong with any choices here, but oysters (broiled or however presented) are a don't-miss when they're on the menu. The knowledgeable servers can answer questions about ingredients and flavors: this is a place to learn and be nourished while enjoying food that delights the eye and palate.     

Philadelphia chef-darling Jose Garces's beachy, fast-casual spot in the City of Brotherly Love serves Baja Peninsula–inspired fare ordered at the counter and eaten in or taken away. Tacos, burritos, and margaritas rule the menu, but Buena Bowls such as the adobo chicken and red chile short rib are good choices, too, as are the happy–hour specials.

A colorful mural of freewheeling Day of the Dead skeletons gives this cheerful Fairmount cantina its name, but the polished, updated antojitos (snacks), tacos (including a taco tasting menu option), and enchiladas are what will really make you happy. A deep tequila library informs the bar and cocktail list; choose from a list of margaritas in flavors like chili, adding a guacamole sampler. Weekend brunch includes hearty options like huevos rancheros and brisket enchiladas.

\"Good food, good drink, good karma\" is the slogan of this well-worn, no-frills café in Fairmount Park that focuses on fresh, healthy local food produced sustainably and prepared on-site, and it delivers. Outdoor and indoor seating make this a convenient choice for coffee and fare such as breakfast burritos and egg sandwiches; wraps, smoothies, deli sandwiches, and a good veggie burger; and desserts and snacks. Free parking at Lloyd Hall is convenient, and seasonal bike rentals from Wheel Fun Rentals are steps away.

Philly culinary stars Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook have kept this Philly-area mini-chain going strong since 2011 with a sometimes quirky but delicious short menu of fresh doughnuts and fried chicken, as well as good coffee drinks. The Parkway location, toward the rear of the building, is open into the early evening and has indoor and (in season) outdoor seating.

The name of this neighborhood-favorite BYOB from Townsend Wentz (of Townsend and Oloroso) means \"by hand,\" and the sophisticated, well-crafted Italian dishes reflect careful attention to seasonal ingredients. Settle into the serene dining room with its banquettes, white walls, and wooden tables and chairs; then put together your prix-fixe meal from the flavorful choices: antipasti, superb handmade pastas, mains including fish and meat choices, and a short list of desserts. Let your server know if you can't eat certain ingredients and the kitchen may accommodate you. 

On a residential street in Fairmount, this small, bright small corner café with white-painted walls and large windows makes a good stop for coffee drinks (or tea) and pastries or for tartines, sandwiches, and salads that rise a notch above the usual. Musette has a pleasant neighborhood vibe, but it can get busy on weekends.

Under the careful direction of acclaimed chef-owner Jeff Michaud, Osteria has flourished, with a seasonally changing menu that offers everything from amazing brick-oven pizzas to delicate house-made pastas to a strip steak. With its rustic wooden tables, soaring ceilings, and decor that blends loft and countryside, industry and art, this place helped establish the restaurant scene in 2007 in the redeveloping North Broad neighborhood.

Orange-painted walls, diner-style booths, and closely spaced tables add a cheerful, casual vibe to this longtime BYOB comfort-food local favorite near the Parkway museums, one of six locations around the Philadelphia area. The food rises above standard diner fare in lunch options such as creative burgers and a veggie Philly cheesesteak, and breakfast and brunch shine with stuffed brioche French toast, huevos rancheros, and assorted omelets. Some salads and soups offer lighter options, but this is a tough place to keep an eye on calories. The kids' menu lists some favorites at a lower price.   

A rotating selection of more than 20 beers—ranging from lagers and ales to sours, Belgians, and stouts—is available in the two-story taproom and patio space. The pub menu has pub-fare apps like house-made pretzels, cheesesteak eggrolls, and fried pickles, as well as sandwiches (yes, burgers, roast pork, and cheesesteaks) and salads. There are weekly specials like Wednesday $1 wings and Sunday Funday ($2 off drafts and $3 off apps) and events like quiz nights and roof-top parties. 

At this large café opposite Eastern State Penitentiary, the tall windows, high ceilings with exposed ductwork, and dozens of wooden tables create an airy, casual space for trying delicious La Colombe coffee with breakfast, lunch, or a snack. The students, visitors, and families who flock here appreciate the long list of coffee drinks (which can get pricey), all-day breakfasts, and a lunch menu with salads as well as hearty sandwiches. You order at the counter, but food is brought to you. Formerly OCF Coffee House, the café is run by the same people who run Urban Saloon down the street.   

A family-run neighborhood favorite since 1997, Zorba's mixes a casual vibe (guests walk past the kitchen and a case with soda) with a few more formal touches (white tablecloths even at lunch, wood chairs) in several high-ceilinged, art-filled rooms that are well maintained but well worn. Authentic, down-to-earth traditional fare in ample portions is the draw here, with a dinner menu that ranges from seafood to grilled meals, and lunch options such as salads, lamb and other meats (or just vegetables) in a pita, and all kinds of platters. It's popular with groups of friends and family, so some areas may get noisy. Sidewalk tables in summer let diners take in the Fairmount Avenue scene, including Eastern State Penitentiary.