95 Best Restaurants in Pennsylvania, USA

"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.

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, grab a sandwich or something from their hot bar, or sit down in the café upstairs.

Housed in a former warehouse, this local brewery is a welcoming all-day destination for South Philadelphians; it's an ideal stop for large groups, and it's kid-friendly. The menu items, which all pair well with the dozen beers on tap, range from wood-fired pizzas and sandwiches (try the roast Italian pork or the double smashburger) to shareable plates like honey whipped ricotta served with crostini and fresh naan, fried mozzarella, or chicken wings.

The focus at this bakery is bread, and they bake the area's best—it comes out at 9 am, 11 am, and 1 pm—but there are also tasty breakfast items and sandwiches. There is some indoor seating, and it's a lively scene.

Babka, bagels, rugelach, and challah are but a few of the specialties at Tova du Plessis’s “little Jewish bakery,” where everything’s handmade in small batches. In addition to these tasty artisanal items, Essen doles out traditional neighborhood bakery options like cookies, croissants, coffee, and simple sandwiches.

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 mini-chain now runs many 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.

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.

An eclectic dozen or so vendors, some of them outposts of area spots, fill this renovated brick-fronted food market with a rustic-industrial vibe and some seating (there's a beer garden in season). Grab a coffee at SkyRoast or sip wine from nearby Unionville Vineyards, or choose lunch options like a Pork Shack sandwich or a Little Radish salad. Keep in mind that vendors close at different hours, and all close by 7 or 8 pm.

This family-owned brewpub downtown sells its own beers, which range from Double Citra Pillows (a hazy IPA) to Hiding in Plain Sight (a hoppy lager). The menu includes appetizers, salads, and sandwiches. Sit in the large tasting room or grab a seat on the patio.

This multi-concept food hall across from Penn’s campus has a diverse array of good lunch options for hungry students (these kids don't know how good they have it!) and faculty. Choose between over-the-top burgers and cheesesteaks (Gouldsburger's); great falafel, hummus, and fries (Goldies—get a tahini shake to boot), sushi (DK Sushi), and excellent pizza (Pitruco).

Beneath the Market-Frankford subway line lives this all-day dining destination suitable for guests seeking everything from smoothies to steak. The front door opens to the café section of the restaurant, which promises a menu of draft kombucha, hot teas, coffee, juices, and pastries, but beyond the café, the sit-down restaurant and outdoor dining area have health-focused menu items available along with breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks served daily.

Geno’s, open since 1966, is a fresh-faced upstart compared with neighboring rival Pat’s, which has been slinging steaks since 1930. That gulf manifests itself visually in the contrast between Pat's understated aesthetic and Geno's over-the-top use of neon, which burns so brightly astronauts can probably see it from space, and the fact that Geno's meat is sliced, not chopped. Some aficionados claim that the two serve wildly dissimilar products; others just don't get it, but it's always fun to taste-test, as the buses full of tourists who frequently make their way down this way can attest.

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.

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.

You'll know you're nearing Jim's when the scent of frying onions overwhelms your senses—or when you see people lined up around the corner. Big, juicy cheesesteaks—shaved beef piled high on long crusty rolls—come off the grill with amazing speed when the counter workers hit their stride, whether it's lunchtime or late-night. Yell "wiz wit" (meaning: "Cheez Whiz and onions, please") for expedited ordering. Jim's is mostly takeout, but there are some tables and chairs upstairs.

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.

Jules pizza combines the bounty from local farms and dairies with a killer thin crust. The menu comprises 28 interesting pizza varieties made with local organic ingredients plus a few seasonal additions. Meat #8 (buffalo chicken, spicy buffalo sauce, gorgonzola, chopped celery, arugula, and mozzarella) and veggie #1 (feta, kalamata olives, chopped tomato, red onion, romaine, and tomato sauce) reflect international inspiration, while veggie #4 (Brie, sliced pears, toasted almonds, and rosemary) must have sprung from the mind of founder John Ordway. The oblong pizzas are sold by the pie or the 3-inch-wide slice. Gluten-free crust is available.

The folks behind West Chester's well-regarded Andiario restaurant are behind this high-quality French bakery and café serving tempting breakfast pastries and desserts like pain au chocolat and fruit tarts, as well as a limited but delicious lunch menu with a couple of quiches and sandwiches on chewy baguettes. You can take your order to go, relax at one of the rustic wooden tables in the casual sunny, white-tiled space, or eat outside in season.

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.

Take a coffee and pie break at this café along Prince Street's Gallery Row. Hefty slices of heavenly pie range from coconut cream to sour cherry to bourbon pecan; Liege waffles (similar to Belgian) are also on the board, along with savory quiches and meat pies. There's a stall in Central Market, too.

From the whisk-shaped door handles to the colander lamps to the sandwiches named after cartoon characters, Lilly's is full of fun. This busy downtown counter-service lunch spot also serves inventive salads and soups, which you can eat in the small, lively dining room or take with you. Try the Mr. Magoo wrap (marinated veggies, black bean salad, fresh mozzarella, spinach, and chipotle spread) or the Aquaman sandwich (blackened salmon, cucumber ribbons, sliced tomato, goat cheese, and balsamic vinegarette on multigrain bread). Make sure you read the blackboards, which list the specials. Beer and wine are available, and in the morning you can get a light breakfast of muffins, bagels, and fresh fruit.

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.

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 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.