278 Best Restaurants in Pennsylvania, USA

White Dog did farm-to-table long before the concept rose to national prominence, and the Sansom Street stalwart continues to remain fresh, lively, and unpretentious. The menu specializes in sustainable foods ethically sourced from the region—think simple cooking that highlights the beauty of Kennett Square mushrooms, Lancaster beef, or Chester County goat cheese. The convivial Parlor Bar has craft beers on tap and in bottles; the wine list is largely American. The space, a consolidation of historic brownstones, features distinct rooms decorated in farmer-chic style. There are a number of locations in the burbs as well, but this is the original. 

If you're new to TIbetan food, go for the momos, Tibetan dumplings that hold a hearty dollop of minced goodness within and come with a dipping broth. While there are good vegetarian options, the emphasis—as befits a high altitude cuisine—is generally on the meat dishes, whether curries, savory pastries, or the hearty beef-broth-based soups. Run by a Tibetan couple, and no longer a secret, this popular spot is up the hill from Manayunk in the Roxborough neighborhood. If you like heat, make sure to request it.

A central gathering place for South Philly’s “Little Saigon” community, this busy shopping center features a well-stocked Asian grocery store, plus Vietnamese, Indonesian, and Chinese restaurants, including the popular Nam Phuong.

Lively and upbeat, Winnie's has long been a solid choice for quality basics like a fried chicken sandwich, steak frites, and shrimp tacos. They also serves breakfast and baked goods.

Wood-fired pizzas topped with creamy cheeses, striking meats, or in-season vegetables are the major draw at Wm. Mulherin's Sons, an elevated Italian restaurant—that sounds Irish—nestled in the midst of Fishtown. Located inside of a 20th-century distillery, the interior has been updated to welcome a modern Italian restaurant while still respecting the old-world charm by way of beautiful brickwork and heavy wood accents. The restaurant offers brunch on weekends and dinner nightly with menu standouts like delicate pastas and grilled meats, in addition to the wood-fired pizza.

This small restaurant serves freshly made versions of food from Xi'an (a city in central China), including thick and chewy hand-cut noodles, the slippery and refreshing Liang pi (cold noodles served with chili oil), and rougamo (a burger-like dish of leavened bread stuffed with your choice of meat). If it's your first time, the menu's photos are instructive, while those with knowledge of Xi'an's culinary traditions will be impressed by these well-made versions.

While the menu is limited to homemade hand pies, soups, pulled pork, and the like, the tasty results have made the Young American a popular dining spot. There are many good vegan and gluten-free options, but the main draw is their hard cider, which they make on site (from local apples) within a handsomely restored turn-of-the-19th-century building. There's a lively back patio that has occasional live music.

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.