278 Best Restaurants in Pennsylvania, USA

Spend a morning tucking into pancakes, breakfast sandwiches, and bottomless coffee at this little neighborhood spot and you'll find yourself ready to move to South Philly. Those in the know line up to wait for an outside table, but the wait is worth it for the hot, buttery pancakes, fluffy eggs, and the Pennsylvania delicacy known as scrapple (somewhere between a breakfast sausage and a hash) that help nurse your hangover or feed your kids.

A go-to spot for many who work in Center City, the Concourse on the bottom floor of the Comcast Center is a dining hall made up of Philadelphia favorites in addition to nationwide food brands. From sushi to Italian pastries, there are plenty of options for a quick meal or snack beneath the towering Comcast Center.

You're not sure what decade you're in once you enter the vast, retro playground 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.

If you want to avoid the neon-lit tourist-center of cheesesteaks and go where the locals go, head to Cosmi's. It's a true Philadelphia corner deli, where all the meat is cut to order and the person taking your order will let you know if they think you're ordering incorrectly; we suggest trying a cheesesteak on a seeded roll with Cooper sharp cheese and fried onions to taste what the hype is all about.

"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.

Queen Villagers shed tears of joy when longtime neighborhood restaurateur Bridget Foy introduced this easy-to-love restaurant, specializing in handmade pastas and wine priced to glug. You’ll spot plenty of young families with kids in tow in the early dinner hours, while the crowd gets a little more grown-up later in the evening. Regardless of your timing, the tagliatelle, cavatelli, assorted bruschetta, and slew of plates both small and shareable make Cry Baby a lively neighborhood hangout.

People who have been to Havana swear this place is a dead ringer; in any event, it's lovely, with balconies and fancy streetlights and even a leaded-glass window on the interior. An entire drinks menu is devoted to rum from everywhere in the Caribbean and Central and South America, including Cuba Libre's own brand, and, of course, the mojitos are excellent. The appetizers, like Cienfuegos-style beef empanadas and malanga fritters, are authentic. Rice and black beans are served with classic entrées like vaca frita and ropa vieja.

A Baltimore Avenue institution, Dahlak is often credited with introducing the cuisines of Ethiopia and Eritrea to a wider Philadelphian audience. Family-owned and operated, it serves signature dishes like zigni (braised beef stew with tomatoes and onions) and braised lamb shank as well as an equal number of good vegetarian options. After dinner, stick around for drinks and dancing, as Dahlak has long been popular for its energetic nightlife scene soundtracked by local DJs and Wednesday Karaoke. There is also a late-night menu.

This very popular and celebrated spot for big, juicy cheesesteaks also makes quality hoagies. Call ahead to place your order and avoid lines.

This Stephen Starr–helmed pub is as close to an English pub as you'll get stateside—there's a snarling bear head mounted on one wall; an assortment of mismatched divans and armchairs; and toasties, fish-and-chips, and puddings on the menu. While the entrées are solid, the apps and desserts shine brightest at this sprawling, cozy venue. Anglophiles will rejoice over the afternoon tea service and locals love the after-work happy hour.

Established in 1899 in the heart of Philly's Italian Market, Dante & Luigi's is located in two gorgeously appointed converted town houses. The menu features old-world Italian cuisine like red-sauce pasta, lasagna (some say it's the best in Philly), and osso buco.

Named for the Delmonico Brothers, early pioneers in the establishment of fine dining in the United States, this elegant hotel restaurant serves breakfast, dinner, and weekend brunch throughout the year. The classic interiors are characterized by molded windows, high ceilings, dark-wood furnishings, and ivory tablecloths. Dinner is served as a four-course fixed-price menu with optional wine pairing; two additional courses can be added on upon request. Breakfast (brunch on Sunday) is served à la carte, and features interesting takes on morning fare, such as blue-crab Benedict and quail eggs with bacon and toast.

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.

Hummus and falafel are the star at this local-to-Philadelphia chain run by Michael Solomonov and Steven Cook of the celebrated CookNSolo restaurant group. Modeled after the hummus stalls of Tel Aviv, the menu includes falafel sandwiches and hummus bowls with seasonal toppings, plus refreshing drinks like a lemonana, a kind of Middle Eastern lemonade. The fries are a local favorite, as are the tahini milkshakes, which happen to be completely vegan.

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.

It's the Ethiopian spin on fried chicken with a lemon turmeric zing—along with the spicy berbere version—that has this small, tidy spot bustling with customers; the fried chicken is gluten-free to boot. As doro means chicken, the other few dishes, such as the doro wot, a spicy stew with ayib (a cottage cheese), are also chicken, except for a few vegetarian options. Occasionally, between the constant seatings and take out, they run out of food early.

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.

After a few years of selling his ices from a freezer sidecar on his motorcycle, owner Chris D’Emilio opened a brick-and-mortar shop selling ice cream, sorbetto, and water ice (a Philly specialty). Using his grandmother’s recipe, D’Emilio sells his "ice treats," aka water ice, in original flavors like blueberry pomegranate and cherry lemonade.

Authentic Mexican flavors are generally well prepared here, especially the tacos—the Brussels sprouts tacos are an inspired take on the usually ho-hum vegetable. But the real draw here is the outdoor seating, which makes this lively and festive spot perfect for gatherings with friends and families, especially with some excellent margaritas.

At Elwood, chef Adam Diltz’s fine-dining homage to Philadelphia cuisine, the menu finds inspiration from the different eras of the city's history, showcased in locally sourced dishes like potato rolls, the Pennsylvania cheese plate, and Earl Keiser's guinea hen. Diners are presented with an amuse-bouche of venison scrapple, dotted with harissa ketchup and spiked onto deer antlers to start the dining experience. There's also afternoon tea on weekends, where carefully sourced pots of tea are served alongside elegant snacks.

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.

Perched atop the Marriott at Penn Square, this chic lounge and restaurant (for those 21 and over) has the best views in town from its floor-to-ceiling windows and stylish deck. Enjoy a cocktail and the globally inspired small plates, from Lebanon bologna sliders to crispy halloumi cheese, and a rotating selection of wood-fired pizzas while enjoying the view.

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.

With friendly service and tasty food, it's no wonder Fireside Tavern is a huge locals' favorite. The surf-and-turf burger or shepherd's pie will fill you up after a day of sightseeing, and adults might enjoy the busy bar. From some of the indoor tables and the outdoor deck, there are gorgeous views of farmland.

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.

Cozy rooms, including an enclosed front porch, beamed ceiling, white tablecloths, and windows all around, give a refined country vibe to this longtime river-view (across a road, though), BYOB Italian restaurant. Chef-owner Francisco Argueta breathes new life into old favorites like a thin-sliced, layered eggplant parmigiano; linguine al frutti di mare fra diavolo (spicy tomato sauce served over linguine and shellfish), and lasagna with a hint of smoked bacon—just keep in mind that portions can be large. Nightly specials lean to fish, and desserts are worthwhile if you have room. Dining time limits are in place based on the number of guests: 90 minutes for two people, for example, and two hours for four. 

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.