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We've compiled the best of the best in Pennsylvania - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A lively pub up front and a dining room and enclosed patio in back, McCleary's serves up satisfying dishes such as crab cakes and pub steaks. There's a long list of Irish and American brews, and live music Wednesday through Saturday.
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.
"Love-Pizza-Joy" reads the logo of this 20-seat BYOB pizzeria owned by Kennett Square natives Ben and Samantha Tobin that has gained attention thanks to recognition the pizzaioli have earned at the International Pizza Challenge in Las Vegas, notably Ben placing third in the nontraditional division in 2025. The handcrafted wood-fired pies (no slices are sold) range from classics to the popular Unique New York, loaded with cheeses, sausage, and hot honey, and a Five Cheese white pizza. Beyond pizza, the menu lists a couple of salads and a cannoli flight for dessert. Takeout is an option to avoid waiting on line.
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.
This all-you-can-eat smorgasbord has been a local institution since 1929, offering enough food to satisfy any appetite. The spread here is lavish, with a good selection of Pennsylvania Dutch specialties such as house-made pickles, baked cabbage in cream sauce, and shoofly pie (made with molasses). Unlike at most buffets you can make reservations, which are recommended.
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.
On top of Mt. Washington, this restaurant offers an impressive selection of fresh fish and an unrivaled view of the downtown skyline.
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.
The altogether unexpected restaurant set aboard the Moshulu, the oldest and biggest still-floating rigged-sail vessel in the world, offers one of the city's more unique atmospheres. The 359-foot ship, built in 1904, once transported coal and other natural resources all over the world, but today it focuses on serving high-end (and often pricey) new American cuisine, with attention paid to seafood and local, seasonal produce. Their beautiful bar is also a great place to stop for a drink while on the waterfront. Its name, a Seneca Indian term meaning “one who fears nothing,” was applied by First Lady Edith Wilson, the influential wife of 28th president Woodrow Wilson.
Named for the chef-owner's Ecuadoran hometown, Moya offers a changing menu of contemporary takes on American classics, and offers a surprisingly large selection of seafood dishes for an inland location. It also serves Mediterranean-inspired salads and handmade pastas. The wine list has an impressive variety of offerings from around the world. The restaurant is housed in a 19th-century brownstone building on Jim Thorpe’s historic Race Street, and its interiors are decorated with colorful creations by the owner’s artist wife.
On a residential street in Fairmount, this small, bright small corner café with white-painted walls and large windows makes a good stop for coffee drinks (or tea) and pastries or for tartines, sandwiches, and salads that rise a notch above the usual. Musette has a pleasant neighborhood vibe, but it can get busy on weekends.
Competition is fierce in South Philly’s “Little Saigon,” but Nam Phuong has managed to keep fans of Vietnamese cuisine happy for years with its wide-spanning menu. Far more spacious than some of the spartan pho parlors around the neighborhood, the dining room is equipped with round tables that can fit the whole crew—and all your food, too. Customizable vermicelli bowls and broken rice platters are a good starting point to warm you up for house specialties like salt-and-pepper squid, clay pot fish, or crispy roasted quail; for an especially large group, prix-fixe “family dinners” feed an army for a flat price.
The excellent small-plate and other food options at this wine bar and restaurant pair superbly with the wide range of U.S. and international wines, beers, and whiskeys served in a modern-industrial but intimate space with a long bar, wooden tables, and tall windows facing a creek. Dishes like tuna tacos and a mushroom and goat cheese flatbread are perfect for sharing, and seasonal salads and sandwiches make it fun to build a meal for your drink or flight, though the costs can add up. The friendly, knowledgeable servers welcome questions about the drinks and food. All in all, the atmosphere at night can be both romantic and sophisticated, since the setting is slightly apart from New Hope's bustle; Nektar seems to be perched in the trees. There's some outdoor seating in summer.
