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$$$$ | Rittenhouse Square |
Smoke, coal, fire, and ash create a through line for the menu at a.kitchen, on the ground floor of the AKA Hotel. Attired in blond wood and Carrara marble, it looks like a spa in the Italian Alps, and its Rittenhouse address guarantees a scene, but the recent involvement of High Street Hospitality (Fork, High Street on Market) has transformed it into a "serious restaurant" with an ace sommelier and a steak tartare that cannot be missed.
135 S. 18th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103, USA
Known For
- Seasonal small plates
- Fresh oysters
- Sleek interior
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$$$$ | Rittenhouse Square |
Jonathan Cichon has proven himself to be a worthy successor to this luxe establishment and one who forges his own way with graceful dishes using seasonal, prestige ingredients. He is bigger on elegance and shorter on whimsy than his predecessors, with dishes like lobster crepes, and chicken liver and foie gras mousse with watermelon glaze. Combined with a 500-plus-label cellar of high-end bottles and a gorgeous dining room overlooking Rittenhouse Square, a meal here is guaranteed to be one of your most memorable. There's also the $75 blowout Sunday brunch—a tremendous value, believe it or not.
210 W. Rittenhouse Sq., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103, USA
Known For
- All-day dining options
- Sunday brunch
- Expansive wine list
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Reservations essential
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$$$$ | Rittenhouse Square |
Brass rails, silvered mirrors, claret-hued banquettes, and oak wainscoting reclaimed from now-shuttered Parisian restaurants, imbue patina—while small touches like newspapers on wooden poles, create extra realism—in the meticulous stage set placed on Philadelphia's most desirable corner by restaurateur Stephen Starr. Similarly, standard menu items (roasted chicken, trout amandine) hold their own, but the little things—desserts and salads, fresh-baked goods (including house-made macaroons), and excellent onion soup—stand out. Ask for an indoor-outdoor table overlooking the park: you'll get generous views and the pleasant din of the 150 diners behind you without the deafening buzz that is the restaurant's one true downside.
227 S. 18th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103, USA
Known For
- Onion soup
- Seafood tower
- Outdoor dining
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
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$ | Chinatown |
The juxtaposition of bamboo and exposed pipes is indicative of the surprising mix of flavors in this perennially busy Malaysian restaurant. A taste of India creeps into a scintillating appetizer of roti canai, handkerchief-thin crepes served with a small dipping dish of spicy chicken curry, and the wide variety of soups are tasty and filling; satay, Singapore rice noodles, and chow kueh teow (Malaysian stir-fried flat rice noodles) are among the other popular dishes.
117 N. 10th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107, USA
Known For
- Malaysian cuisine
- Roti canai
- Southeast Asian noodles
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No credit cards
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$$ | Rittenhouse Square |
Pub & Kitchen has been a favorite since it opened in 2009 with a daily selection of oysters and a menu that includes everything from a sweet-and-savory fried-chicken sandwich to a kick-ass cheeseburger. But even if the food menu wasn't a star, locals would flock to this energetic saloon to unwind with friends or catch the game. In what used to be a dive bar, P&K is an unpretentious, attractive hangout with hardwood floors, exposed brick walls, tables fashioned from reclaimed floor joists, and familiar rock music playing from the speakers.
1946 Lombard St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19146, USA
Known For
- Draft old-fashioned
- Weekend brunch
- Solid beer list
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekdays, Credit cards accepted, Reservations not accepted
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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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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$$$$ | Center City East |
Aimee Olexy's Talula's Table in Kennett Square was an unlikely phenomenon; the little country market had a months-long backlog of reservations for its lone farmhouse table. Olexy's urban extension of that runaway success is a sprawling, high-ceilinged space decorated with Alice Waters quotations printed on the walls, a charming outdoor courtyard with a garden that glows under twinkly lights, and an elegant seasonal menu. The knowledgeable servers do a great job explaining interesting cheese boards with names like "Not Your Granny's" and "Seasonal Stash."
210 W. Washington Sq., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19106, USA
Known For
- Farm-to-table cuisine
- Charming courtyard
- Cheese boards
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.-Sat.
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$$$$ | Rittenhouse Square |
South Jersey native, and James Beard-award winning chef, Greg Vernick spent the bulk of his career opening restaurants around the world for Jean-Georges Vongerichten. When he and his wife, Julie, wanted to do their own place, they came back to the Delaware Valley and made waves with their bustling (but intimate) modern American restaurant whose ever-changing menu features delicious things on toast (avocado, foie gras, Maryland crab), Asian influences, and large-format proteins (whole chicken or rack of lamb) cooked in a wood-burning oven. Expect it all rendered in thoughtful, joyful expressions, and served by a vivacious staff.
2031 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103, USA
Known For
- Thoughtful toasts like pumpkin, apple and brown butter or sea scallop and black truffle butter
- Roasted meats
- Raw bar
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch
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$ | Chinatown |
Owner Benny Lai took this humble noodle shop founded by his immigrant parents and built it into a chic restaurant with an upstairs lounge serving small plates and wacky cocktails like the Bachelor’s Downfall and the Flaming Volcano (two straws included). In the dining room the best bets are the crispy spring rolls, salted squid, barbecue platter, and soups with rice noodles. Don't get this restaurant confused with the competing Vietnam Palace across the street.
221 N. 11th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107, USA
Known For
- Strong cocktails
- Spring rolls
- Noodle soups
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No credit cards
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$$ | 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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$$ | Center City East |
This buzzing Mediterranean tapas joint has inspired an almost religious devotion among nearly every demographic of Philadelphian. Diners happily stuff themselves into the cramped tables at this long, narrow eatery for a fix of the cheese boards, the egg-and-truffle pizza, and the house-made charcuterie. But above all, the salted caramel budino (a classic Italian pudding)—with so much demand, chef Marcie Turney figured out how to sell it online in a six-pack and turn it into ice-cream pops in the summer—is heavenly. If you don't have a reservation, try and snag the bar and chef's counter, which are first come, first served.
110 S. 13th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Known For
- Creative pizzas
- Caramel budino
- Lively crowd
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Sun.
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$$ | 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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$$$$ | Center City West |
One of restaurateur Stephen Starr's many ventures is housed in an old wood-paneled and marbled brokerage (from which it borrows its name). Here the dishes are traditional rather than fancy (wedge salad, filet Oscar), portions are hefty, and the sides classic (green beans amandine, creamed spinach). A pair of showstopper chandeliers, a New Yorker–style mural depicting tony pooches clad in pencil skirts and smoking robes, and leather banquettes skew closely to the restaurant's avowed 1940s supper club aesthetic. The juicy, dripping burger is the word at lunch.
1500 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19102, USA
Known For
- Juicy steaks
- Weekday lunch options
- Baked Alaska
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekends, Credit cards accepted
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$$$$ | Center City East |
It's only fair to question whether Capital Grille is a restaurant or an art gallery. When you first enter the Philadelphia dining room of this high-end national chain, you'll find walls covered with exquisitely framed paintings and pedestals bearing bronze statues. Steaks and chops for the power crowd come in two sizes: large and larger. A baby lobster (about a pound) makes an excellent appetizer along with the requisite green salad and shrimp cocktail. The wine cellar is ample and fairly priced for a selection of excellent bottles.
1338 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107, USA
Known For
- High-end steaks and chops
- Business crowd
- Power lunch
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekends, Credit cards accepted
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$$ | 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
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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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$ | Rittenhouse Square |
Think of Dizengoff as Zahav lite. This graffiti-tagged spin-off of the nationally acclaimed Israeli restaurant is modeled after the hummus stalls of Tel Aviv, specializing in the dreamy chickpea puree crowned with an array of creative, seasonal toppings. Each bowl is served on a plastic cafeteria tray with sharp pickles and fluffy, warm-from-the-oven pita. When the pita runs out, Dizengoff rolls down its garage door for the day.
1625 Sansom St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103, USA
Known For
- Rotating hummus toppings
- Fluffy pita
- Frozen lemonanna
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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