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Welcome to the third wave of Philadelphia dining, an era in which locals are more likely to chat you up about their favorite chorizo tacos, wild-yeasted ales, or tasting menu than anything cheesesteak. Yes, the famous sandwich is still around (eat one if you must) but is slowly losing traction to its distant cousin, the roast pork. This is the Philly sandwich to try, be it a traditional rendition at John’s or DiNic’s in Reading Terminal Market or a new-school take, like the one topped with lacto-fermented broccoli rabe at High Street on Market.
Speaking of Old City’s High Street, its chef/partner, Eli Kulp, represents a group of Philadelphia chefs that has had a massive impact on the dining scene in the last few years: the ex–New Yorkers. Like Kulp, Peter Serpico of Serpico, Eli Collins of Pub and Kitchen, Greg Vernick of Vernick Food & Drink and other talented former 212-ers have shifted their careers here from some of NYC’s finest kitchens and restaurant groups. Even in East Passyunk and Fishtown, white-hot neighborhoods that are dethroning Center City as Philly’s dining nucleus, inflated rents are bargains compared to those in the Big Apple.
The recent influx of out-of-town chefs complements Philly’s homegrown talent. This has always been a scene that has fostered and supported its own, and the last several years have seen young chefs rising through the kitchens of Stephen Starr, Marc Vetri, and Georges Perrier and going on to debut compelling, idiosyncratic, solo projects. Like Pierre Calmels, who left the storied (now closed) Le Bec-Fin to open tiny Bibou in Bella Vista, and his LBF successor, Nicholas Elmi, who won Top Chef after opening Laurel on East Passyunk. (To give you an idea of the depth of talent in the 215, Elmi is the second Philly chef to win Top Chef.) And then there’s Michael Solomonov, a former Vetri capo who went on to found Zahav, the restaurant that ignited America’s passion for Israeli cuisine, and win a James Beard Award. Solo (as he’s affectionately known here) is in conscientious empire-building mode with longtime business partner, Steve Cook, and mentoring a new generation of young chefs. You can still catch him working the bread station at Zahav most nights, between annual research trips to Israel and surfing breaks at the Jersey Shore.
The Israeli, Iraqi, Turkish, and Yemenite recipes on the menu at Zahav are just a handful of the cuisines represented in this multiethnic town. Philadelphia has a long history as a city of immigrants, from Western Europeans in the early 20th century to the Vietnamese, Mexicans, and Africans of today. Chinatown reigns as the city’s hub of hand-pulled noodles, breakneck dim sum, and siphon coffee before it was cool, while Middle Eastern, Ethiopian, and Senegalese hideaways occupy tree-lined storefronts and old banks in West Philly. Vietnamese pho halls and bakeries congregate along Washington Avenue in South Philly, also home to the city’s vibrant Mexican population. In the Italian Market, many of the old businesses have given way to industrious taquerias. You can follow the trail of fresh-pressed tortilla crumbs from Bella Vista down into East Passyunk, a hood where it’s not uncommon to hear Spanish, Vietnamese, and five different dialects of Italian just walking down the street.
Open all day, Gran Coffee L'Aquila is the perfect spot for grabbing an on-the-go cup of house-roasted espresso first thing in the morning or sitting down for a nightcap and dessert at the end of the day. They also serve panini, which can be eaten at one of their sidewalk tables or taken to go, as well as a full lunch and dinner menu and award-winning gelato in flavors like torrone (nougat), citrus-vanilla, and cannoli.
What this minute shop lacks in size it makes up for in expertly pulled espresso. The tiny neighborhood café is the public-facing portion of the locally owned Greenstreet, which imports its beans from around the world and roasts and packages them in a South Philadelphia facility.
Dimly lit, with exceptionally designed interiors, this Sansom Street haunt is a frequent stop for those looking for a cool space to enjoy new American–style bites. In this case, that means doughy pizzas, inspired veggie dishes, hearty meat-based meals, artisanal toasts, and a selection of raw dishes, in addition to a hefty drink list. The coolest part of this space is perhaps the downstairs bar and bowling alley.
Coffee shop, creperie, purveyor of baked goods, and local gathering spot—at the High Point, you can become part of the convivial picture of Mount Airy life. Daily pastry offerings are posted on their Facebook page. During the summer, every other Sunday at the Allens Lane train station location there's a small craft fair with music in the parking lot.
This reliable sushi joint has friendly service and particularly good rolls, including fun ones like the Hollywood—a massive creation with tempura shrimp, avocado, salmon, and eel sauce. Near the bottom of Chestnut Hill, Hokka Hokka also serves a variety of tempura and other Japanese dishes for the non–sushi eater.
For a savory or sweet Chinese snack, stop here to sample the steamed buns, mooncakes, or a sweet egg-custard tart. Most items are cheap (usually under $1), and you might just find a new favorite snack, but remember to bring cash (no credit cards).
In a city whose restaurants often feature heavy foods, In Riva offers a light touch on a variety of simple, tasty Italian dishes. That's not to say the menu shies away from hearty fare (try the agrodolce short ribs), but there's often a lighter counterpoint. It's highly recommend to get dishes to share such as the whipped ricotta or burrata plate, the garlic shrimp, and one of their crispy little pizzas. The insalatas are more inventive than the pastas. It's a good choice for lunch if you're tired of the burger and fries options.
Open until 1 am on weekends—serving lunch, dinner and all the snacks in between—Joe's is a go-to spot for all-day and all-night cheesesteaks, burgers, loaded fries, milkshakes, and sodas at the corner of Girard and Frankford avenues. Its central location means it's often packed with Frankford Avenue barhoppers in need of a late-night snack.
Popular for lunch and dinner, this casual Cypriot corner spot offers killer Mediterranean cuisine. Center City workers on their lunch breaks and bottle-toting evening groups alike (BYOB) enjoy the variety of meze dishes; a remarkable rendition of Greek salad; and various kebabs.
Located inside the Hilton Philadelphia at Penn's Landing, this nautical-themed restaurant is open all day with a contemporary American menu that features a wide variety of tasty offerings, from cheesesteaks and salads to roasted chicken and grilled seafood specialties. With floor-to-ceiling windows, the light-filled dining room is an ideal spot to refuel for Penn's Landing explorations; during warmer months, sit outside on the patio and enjoy breezy views of the Delaware River.
The West and North African food scene in West Philadelphia is thriving, and this brightly colored, family restaurant is celebrated for Senegalese flavors. Enjoy marinated chicken and fish, couscous, and vegetarian dishes—there's not a long menu, but there's always plenty of flavorful food. The restaurant is also something of a magnet for local politicians and \"Philly\" celebrities (newscasters, pro athletes) and the occasional international ones, like Angélique Kidjo.
Across the street from Independence Mall and steps away from many historical sights, this Philly-based company offers a variety of coffee and beverage options as well as pastries and light snacks. There's ample seating inside, with additional outdoor seating during warmer months, which makes it a great place for a break while visiting the city's most popular sights.
This is a great, casual spot for families and bicyclists with outdoor seating and a play area, where you'll find a good assortment of quality sandwiches and breakfast items brought to you by the owner of Lark. The Landing is part of the Ironworks at Pencoyd Landing in Bala Cynwyd, and you can access it via a pedestrian bridge on the Manayunk side.
Sublime charcuterie, ethereal pastas, and interesting wines by the glass are just a few of the details that make Le Virtù one of the best Italian restaurants in town. The sun-washed space began with a fierce dedication to the underappreciated region of Abruzzo and that focus has been sharpened for years. Keep an eye out for Le Virtù’s events, which range from rare wine tastings to performances by visiting Abruzzese musicians. The quaint outdoor patio is one of the neighborhood's most charming alfresco options.
Literally translated as \"good food for the mouth,\" this unprepossessing BYOB spot is now being run by a second generation of restaurateurs. They do an excellent job with the most straightforward fare, like General Tso's chicken, hot-and-sour soup, and steamed pork dumplings, but they are best known for their salt-baked seafood and their hot pots.
This small Mediterranean spot serves up classic Middle Eastern flavors such as hummus, chicken shawarma, kebabs, and vegetarian dishes. A casual, welcoming space, it's a great spot to take a break while visiting the neighborhood as it's open late on weekends and has a full bar that features a variety of handcrafted cocktails.
The best and most lively coffee shop in what's technically Powelton Village, but University City as well, is one that achieves a positive mix of university and neighborhood energy. They have good smoothies as well, and it's a solid spot for a light breakfast or lunch.
Out of a small storefront in Queen Village, Kenan Rabah bakes bread, pastries, and other treats inspired by his family's connection to Golan Heights, a disputed area of the Middle East. He uses food traditions to explore this history and the resulting savory pastries, topped with ingredients like labneh, za'atar, and spinach, are exceptional.
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.
A mix of farmers' market, specialty-goods stands, and eateries with indoor and outdoor seating, this is an excellent lunch or late-afternoon meal destination. The best options include Chestnut Hill Brewing Company (beer and pizza), Chicko Tako (Korean tacos), and the Saigon Noodle Bar. Plus, you can grab giant hoagies from Liberty Kitchen, Persian dishes from Shundeez Market, and steamed dumplings from Momos of Tibet. Permanently housed behind the Chestnut Hill Hotel, the bulk of the market is only open Thursday through Saturday, but most of the take-out vendors are also open on Wednesday and Sunday and in the evenings you can enjoy a lively outdoor area with occasional live music. For more traditional fruits and vegetables, the Chestnut Hill Farmers' Market sets up shop outdoors on Winston Road between Germantown Avenue and Mermaid Lane on Saturday mornings from 9:30 to 1.
This classic French café, run by a (real) French couple, has excellent pastries, baguette sandwiches, and soups. But, some might say most importantly, they know how to make a great cup of coffee. Pleasant indoor seating as well as patio tables are available.
This BYOB in a former corner market is noisy and cramped, but they have started taking reservations and keep packing them in. You may ask why, and it's because of the Italian–new American bistro's attention to detail, visible in the exquisite artisanal cheese plate, the perfectly seared scallops, whole grilled artichoke, and the homemade triangle-shaped pasta.
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.
In Midtown Village, Middle Child represents the new guard in the land of hoagies and cheesesteaks. Their So Long Sal—with spicy lemon artichoke spread, Duke’s mayo, meat, cheese, and arugula on a Sarcone’s roll—draws lines out the door, as does their vegan, hoisin-eggplant Phoagie, but don't miss out on the breakfast options either.
Part café, part restaurant, part bar, Middle Child Clubhouse opened and immediately became part of the essential fabric of Fishtown. Come by midday to sample one of the sandwiches that made the brand Philly-famous, make a reservation for dinner to sample modern American comfort food like a Caesar salad topped with Old Bay fried shrimp, okonomiyaki-style latkes, and a juicy burger, and stay for the restaurant's bar program, which leans heavily on lower-ABV ingredients like vermouth and sherry, as well as savory ingredients like kombu.
If the rumors are true, and Philadelphians do drink more Belgian beer than Belgians do, then it's because of the owners of Monk's, the seminal café with a pipeline of sours, dubbels, and saisons straight from the motherland. Whether steamed in classic style with white wine and shallots or with cream, mussels are a high point at Monk's, and the fries that accompany them draw raves from the regulars who crowd the place.
This waterfront open-air beer garden has made a splash every year since its 2012 debut, offering exciting new eats with each new season—the “chef-in-residence” program, which sees a new chef shaping the culinary approach at the start of each spring season, keeps things fresh. Expect a high-low approach, mixing beer-friendly snacks with more creative fare. A wide range of craft beer, cocktails, and specialty beverages, along with DJs and other live music, make this an appealing stop in the warmer months.
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