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$$$$ | Rittenhouse Square |
Smoke, coal, fire, and ash create a through line for the menu at a.kitchen, on the ground floor of the AKA Hotel. Attired in blond wood and Carrara marble, it looks like a spa in the Italian Alps, and its Rittenhouse address guarantees a scene, but the recent involvement of High Street Hospitality (Fork, High Street on Market) has transformed it into a "serious restaurant" with an ace sommelier and a steak tartare that cannot be missed.
135 S. 18th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103, USA
Known For
- Seasonal small plates
- Fresh oysters
- Sleek interior
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$$$$ | Old City |
This sunny younger sibling of perennial favorite Fork is half clubhouse for Old City neighbors, half food-tourist magnet. Grain-brained High Street will take you from cortados (an espresso drink) and kouign-amann (a French pastry) in the morning to beet-cured salmon sandwiches in the afternoon to creative alt-flour pastas—spelt pappardelle, anyone?—at night.
308 Market St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19106, USA
Known For
- All-day service
- Creative breads
- Innovative pastas
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$ | Fishtown |
A photo-ready interior invites guests to La Colombe's world headquarters, a sprawling space covered in artsy graffiti and crusty brick walls, that offers food, drinks, and ample space for hanging out. Communal tables stream down the center of the space, so grab your spot before you order at the counter: savory scones, sandwiches on excellent baguettes, sweet pastries, and coffee, of course. Ask for a Black & Tan (half Pure Black cold-brew, half nitro-draught latte) and no one will know you’re not a local.
1335 Frankford Ave., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19125, USA
Known For
- Draft lattes
- Enticing sandwiches
- Picturesque space
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
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$$$$ | Rittenhouse Square |
Jonathan Cichon has proven himself to be a worthy successor to this luxe establishment and one who forges his own way with graceful dishes using seasonal, prestige ingredients. He is bigger on elegance and shorter on whimsy than his predecessors, with dishes like lobster crepes, and chicken liver and foie gras mousse with watermelon glaze. Combined with a 500-plus-label cellar of high-end bottles and a gorgeous dining room overlooking Rittenhouse Square, a meal here is guaranteed to be one of your most memorable. There's also the $75 blowout Sunday brunch—a tremendous value, believe it or not.
210 W. Rittenhouse Sq., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103, USA
Known For
- All-day dining options
- Sunday brunch
- Expansive wine list
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Reservations essential
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$ | University City |
A Spruce Hill staple, Manakeesh specializes in the Lebanese flatbreads of the same name. Served warm from the oven, the puffy, round loaves come with both traditional toppings (za’atar, kafta) and unorthodox ones (turkey bacon-egg-cheese, cheesesteak), which speak to the diverse crowd that fills the comfortable café-style space. Encased behind glass along the front counter, fresh-baked Lebanese pastries cut in a dozen different shapes glitter like jewelry. A box makes an excellent take-home treat.
4420 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, USA
Known For
- Lebanese/Middle Eastern cuisine
- House-baked Middle Eastern pastries
- Coffee and fruit smoothies
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed 1–2 pm Fri. for prayer
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$ | Chinatown | Eclectic
When the Reading Company opened its train shed in 1892, it was the only one in the country with a market tucked away in its cellar. The trains are long gone, but the food remains. And while disagreeing over the best cheesesteak is a popular pastime in Philly, pretty much everyone can agree on pancakes at the Dutch Eating Place, the roast pork sandwich at DiNic's, whoopie pies at the Flying Monkey, and double chocolate-chip cookies at Famous 4th Street. Recent years have seen worthy newcomers to the entrenched mix: German deli Wursthaus Schmitz, Valley Shepherd Creamery's grilled cheese counter, and La Divisa Meats, for example. Get here early to beat the lunch rush. Seventy-five-minute tours every Wednesday and Saturday highlight the market's history and offerings (call 215/545–8007 to make a reservation).
12th and Arch Sts., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107, USA
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$ | South Philadelphia |
Cristina Martinez and Benjamin Miller specialize in barbacoa, the succulent, slow-cooked lamb of Martinez’s Mexican homeland. The couple and their staff chop the meat with cleavers and pile it on fluffy corn tortillas, which you top at the salsa station with strips of cactus paddle rajas, onion-laced pickled jalapeno escabeche, chopped cilantro, and fresh lime. Pancita tacos and a flavorful consommé soup made from the lamb’s drippings are must-orders, too. Go early, as they usually sell out at this four-day-a-week operation.
1140 S. 9th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19147, USA
Known For
- Lamb tacos
- Aguas frescas
- Early hours
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues.–Thurs., Reservations not 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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$ | 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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$ | Rittenhouse Square |
This two-level gourmet shop has a dazzling array of prepared foods, mouthwatering pastries, and creamy gelato. Sampling the wares can make for a good snack, but if you require something more substantial, head to the recently redone café upstairs.
1730 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103, USA
Known For
- Grab-and-go lunch options
- Pastries
- Cheese selection
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$ | South Philadelphia |
In 2011, the owners of the acclaimed Zahav partnered with a team of Philly food entrepreneurs to open the first Federal Donuts, and Philly quickly fell in love with the whimsical doughnut-and--fried chicken concept. The minichain now runs eight shops throughout the city, but this tiny flagship, on an unassuming corner in quiet Pennsport, is still going strong. FedNuts, as locals affectionately call it, offers both hot fresh and “fancy” doughnuts in an ever-changing array of flavors, plus fried chicken prepped in a variety of styles (za’atar-dusted; Korean-style chili garlic). They do excellent coffee and simple sandwiches, too, making it an everyday stop for neighborhood folks.
1219 S. 2nd St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19147, USA
Known For
- Unconventional doughnut flavors
- Creative fried-chicken styles
- Good coffee
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$ | Chinatown |
For a savory or sweet Chinese snack, stop at the Hong Kong Bakery. Sample the steam buns, moon cakes, or a sweet egg-custard tart. Most items are cheap (usually under $1), and you might just find a new favorite snack. Cash only.
917 Race St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107, USA
Known For
- Chinese pastry
- Egg tarts
- Bubble tea
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Daily 7 am–11 pm, although regulars report that they will often extend hrs late into the night if they are busy
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$ | Rittenhouse Square |
This Philadelphia institution was founded on the principle of artisanal baking, which explains why its loaves have such an intense flavor and crackly crust. Stop here for a round of cracked wheat or multigrain or for a small treat such as a chocolatey cookie or lemon bar. The bakery also lends its dough-making techniques to a menu of fresh pizzas topped with fresh veggies, meats, and herbs, available at its adjacent Metropolitan Pizza and Cafe.
262 S. 19th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Known For
- Fresh breads
- Pizzas
- Sandwiches
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Weekdays 7:30–7, weekends 8–6
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$ | Bella Vista |
The Morning Glory bills itself as a "finer diner," and offers traditional touches such as big mugs of steaming coffee, but the "finer" comes in the updated, wholesome versions of diner fare such as homemade ketchup on every table, curried tofu scrambles, thick pecan waffles with whipped peach butter, and flaky buttermilk biscuits that accompany breakfast. Unless you're an early weekend riser, weekdays are a better bet, as the wait for weekend brunch can be epic. Cash only.
735 S. 10th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19147, USA
Known For
- Hearty breakfast
- Classic diner atmosphere
- Long weekend waits
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner, No credit cards, Reservations not accepted
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$$$ | Rittenhouse Square |
With a deal-fueled happy hour and central location, Square 1682 at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar is a go-to spot for Center City dwellers all throughout the year. For dinner, you ascend a floating staircase to an upstairs dining room and settle into a plush banquette to sample deviled duck eggs, kale Caesar, and pea-and-carrot gnocchi scented with vanilla.
121 S. 17th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103, USA
Known For
- Affordable weeknight happy hour
- Meat-driven dinner menu
- Kid-friendly environment
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$ | Center City West |
The Shops at Liberty Place house a large food court on the second level, above the retail stores. You can find anything from salad to burritos to those familiar Philly cheesesteaks.
1625 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103, USA
Known For
- Grab-and-go food options
- Selection of global fare
- Lots of seating
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No breakfast Sun.