203 Best Restaurants in Pennsylvania, USA

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. 

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.

A favorite with locals, this pub serves authentic Irish dishes made from the owner's family recipes, importing some of their ingredients direct from Ireland. The kitchen also sends out American pub favorites like wings and burgers and more than 100 Irish whiskies and 15 draft beers quench thirsts. Irish sesiuns (open Celtic music jams) take place twice a month and live music plays every Friday and Saturday night.

Specializing in French country cooking and expertly selected wines, the Good King offers casual Gallic flair at accessible neighborhood prices. Pair a socca (chickpea pancake) platter or steak frites with a glass or pitcher of house red or white, helpfully classified “Good,” “Better,” and “Best.” The bar also makes a mean cocktail, with daily changing specials. Upstairs is the natural-wine bar Le Caveau, pouring Thursday to Saturday.

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.

Rebuilt and reopened on its original site in 2025 after flood damage in 2021, this casual comfort-food icon, in business since 1950, has embraced a more modern, airy look with a soaring, light wood-lined ceiling with a chandelier made by a local artist, light wood floors and tables, and a long wraparound counter. The welcoming vibe remains strong as locals and visitors rub shoulders all day in the expanded space, ordering favorites like an omelet stuffed with roasted Kennett Square mushrooms and cheese, corned beef hash and eggs, French dip, mac and cheese, and shrimp and grits. Photos and art still recall the days when Andrew Wyeth popped over from his nearby studio; he might be surprised by the modern space but likely happy to see this incarnation raised up for better protection from more Brandywine flooding.     

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.

Part of the Hershey Farm hotel complex, this is a huge smorgasbord of Pennsylvania Dutch and American dishes. The bright, airy space underscores the freshness of the buffet, most of it scratch-made on-site. There's also a grill where you can get made-to-order burgers and sandwiches. It's a satisfying stop before or after a show at nearby Sight and Sound Theatre.

This family-owned Nepalese and Indian restaurant is a longtime favorite in downtown Lancaster, serving up popular Indian specialties like tandoori and chana masala (a chickpea-based curry), as well as Nepalese dry curries and steamed dumplings. The cozy dining room quickly gets packed on weekend nights and weekday lunch hours (there's an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet Monday through Saturday in addition to the regular menu), but the staff gracefully handles the constant flow. There's also an all-you-can-eat dinner buffet on Monday night, and although there is no alcohol on the menu, the restaurant has a BYOB policy.

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.

If you come to this sweet D-town spot expecting familiar flavors, you'll be delightfully disappointed. Hip Honey is refreshingly different. The eating experience is all about sampling by way of a seasonally changing menu of small plates meant to be shared. "Black Velvet" oysters quiver beneath Guinness reduction and smoked steelhead roe. Kale salad benefits from puffed rice, five-spiced cashews, and shaved Asian pear. The appetizer-size portions might range from a $5 exotic olive plate to $32 foie-gras sliders. Order at least two plates per person and then see if you want more. Drinks include all-Pennsylvania beers, all-American wines, and all-unexpected specialty cocktails. Even the desserts can be hot and spicy.

This seasonally driven gastropub located in a former inn, stable, and speakeasy makes magic with locally grown produce and meat and Pennsylvania-made beer and spirits. The day's menu, and a list of "Farmers and Friends" who supply the restaurant's ingredients, are posted on chalkboards. The former horse stables have been transformed into booths and there is a bar on each end of the dining room. It's a great place to enjoy live jazz on most Tuesday and Saturday nights.

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.

Israeli chef and restaurateur Michael Solomonov has restaurants all over Philly, but Jaffa Bar is among his latest expansions. It's an oyster bar and seafood house inspired by the ones he grew up eating in all over Israel, with a green chile-spiked burger and a spicy crab and corn dip that's perfect for sharing. Add to that the restaurant's excellent wine and cocktail list, and the result is a restaurant perfect for summer evenings.

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.

Not only do the chefs here source organic produce, dairy, and eggs from local farms, but the restaurant also operates a grass-fed cattle ranch, so you know the ingredients are top-quality. The menu does change seasonally, but mains might include bone-broth mushroom risotto or an entrée-size portion of dry-aged beef tartare, and the appealing wine list is well-priced. The quiet dining room is located in the Lancaster Arts Hotel, which occupies a former tobacco factory. 

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.

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.

A casual hangout in the heart of New Hope, Karla's has been open since 1978, offering American food from cheaper salads, burgers, and sandwiches to more expensive fare, with most dishes enlivened with interesting international ingredients. Dine on dishes like panko-crusted mac and cheese, sweet-potato-crusted fish of the day, and stuffed pork chops with prosciutto in cozy, well-worn rooms with an assemblage of mismatched tables and plants. Part indoors and part out, half restaurant and half bar, mostly shabby and somewhat chic, Karla's feels like a comfortable pair of jeans.

Woodwork and tapestries hanging from the ceiling lend a Jamaican flavor to this converted warehouse, as does the reggae music. A friendly crowd often clings to the full bar after work. Tropical paella, Jamaican green-curry stir-fry, and fish specials are on the menu.

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.

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.

Dark wood, candlelight, and crystal accent the unique dining area at Le Mont, one of several restaurants on Mt. Washington. If you visit at night, you can enjoy the city's illuminated skyline. Specialties include rack of lamb, roast raspberry duck, and steak Diana. There's live music and a pianist.

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.

The colorful metal cactus standing guard over the sidewalk seating is a tip-off that the name of this place refers to Latin America. Run by the same folks who own the adjoining Lilly's Gourmet, Café America has the same casual feel, but this place also has a full bar. Sip some sangria or a pomegranate mojito while you choose from among the platos grandes (which translates as "big dishes"). Chimichurri steak, baby greens topped with blackened salmon and a lime cilantro vinaigrette, a Cuban pressed sandwich, chicken tamale, and tostones are some of the options.

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 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. 

Tiffany lamps above wooden booths and old mosaic tile floors give this tavern a late 19th-century feel. Enjoy a potato-pancake Reuben, German sausage, or veal. Dinner is a bit more formal; brunch is served on Sunday.