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$$$$ | Old City |
Happy sounds are always emanating from eaters at this comfortable, elegant eatery, one of Old City’s most respected and longest-running dinner destinations. The kitchen is known for its innovative pastas and breads, in-house fermentation, and the celebration of local meats and produce.
306 Market St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19106, USA
Known For
- Creative new American food
- Excellent service
- Elegant dining room
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekdays, Credit cards accepted
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$$$$ | Old City |
This sunny younger sibling of perennial favorite Fork is half clubhouse for Old City neighbors, half food-tourist magnet. Grain-brained High Street will take you from cortados (an espresso drink) and kouign-amann (a French pastry) in the morning to beet-cured salmon sandwiches in the afternoon to creative alt-flour pastas—spelt pappardelle, anyone?—at night.
308 Market St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19106, USA
Known For
- All-day service
- Creative breads
- Innovative pastas
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$ | Fishtown |
A photo-ready interior invites guests to La Colombe's world headquarters, a sprawling space covered in artsy graffiti and crusty brick walls, that offers food, drinks, and ample space for hanging out. Communal tables stream down the center of the space, so grab your spot before you order at the counter: savory scones, sandwiches on excellent baguettes, sweet pastries, and coffee, of course. Ask for a Black & Tan (half Pure Black cold-brew, half nitro-draught latte) and no one will know you’re not a local.
1335 Frankford Ave., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19125, USA
Known For
- Draft lattes
- Enticing sandwiches
- Picturesque space
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
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$$$$ | Rittenhouse Square |
Jonathan Cichon has proven himself to be a worthy successor to this luxe establishment and one who forges his own way with graceful dishes using seasonal, prestige ingredients. He is bigger on elegance and shorter on whimsy than his predecessors, with dishes like lobster crepes, and chicken liver and foie gras mousse with watermelon glaze. Combined with a 500-plus-label cellar of high-end bottles and a gorgeous dining room overlooking Rittenhouse Square, a meal here is guaranteed to be one of your most memorable. There's also the $75 blowout Sunday brunch—a tremendous value, believe it or not.
210 W. Rittenhouse Sq., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103, USA
Known For
- All-day dining options
- Sunday brunch
- Expansive wine list
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Reservations essential
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$ | University City |
A Spruce Hill staple, Manakeesh specializes in the Lebanese flatbreads of the same name. Served warm from the oven, the puffy, round loaves come with both traditional toppings (za’atar, kafta) and unorthodox ones (turkey bacon-egg-cheese, cheesesteak), which speak to the diverse crowd that fills the comfortable café-style space. Encased behind glass along the front counter, fresh-baked Lebanese pastries cut in a dozen different shapes glitter like jewelry. A box makes an excellent take-home treat.
4420 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, USA
Known For
- Lebanese/Middle Eastern cuisine
- House-baked Middle Eastern pastries
- Coffee and fruit smoothies
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed 1–2 pm Fri. for prayer
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$$$$ | Rittenhouse Square |
Brass rails, silvered mirrors, claret-hued banquettes, and oak wainscoting reclaimed from now-shuttered Parisian restaurants, imbue patina—while small touches like newspapers on wooden poles, create extra realism—in the meticulous stage set placed on Philadelphia's most desirable corner by restaurateur Stephen Starr. Similarly, standard menu items (roasted chicken, trout amandine) hold their own, but the little things—desserts and salads, fresh-baked goods (including house-made macaroons), and excellent onion soup—stand out. Ask for an indoor-outdoor table overlooking the park: you'll get generous views and the pleasant din of the 150 diners behind you without the deafening buzz that is the restaurant's one true downside.
227 S. 18th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103, USA
Known For
- Onion soup
- Seafood tower
- Outdoor dining
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
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$$ | Rittenhouse Square |
Pub & Kitchen has been a favorite since it opened in 2009 with a daily selection of oysters and a menu that includes everything from a sweet-and-savory fried-chicken sandwich to a kick-ass cheeseburger. But even if the food menu wasn't a star, locals would flock to this energetic saloon to unwind with friends or catch the game. In what used to be a dive bar, P&K is an unpretentious, attractive hangout with hardwood floors, exposed brick walls, tables fashioned from reclaimed floor joists, and familiar rock music playing from the speakers.
1946 Lombard St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19146, USA
Known For
- Draft old-fashioned
- Weekend brunch
- Solid beer list
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekdays, Credit cards accepted, Reservations not accepted
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$ | Chinatown | Eclectic
When the Reading Company opened its train shed in 1892, it was the only one in the country with a market tucked away in its cellar. The trains are long gone, but the food remains. And while disagreeing over the best cheesesteak is a popular pastime in Philly, pretty much everyone can agree on pancakes at the Dutch Eating Place, the roast pork sandwich at DiNic's, whoopie pies at the Flying Monkey, and double chocolate-chip cookies at Famous 4th Street. Recent years have seen worthy newcomers to the entrenched mix: German deli Wursthaus Schmitz, Valley Shepherd Creamery's grilled cheese counter, and La Divisa Meats, for example. Get here early to beat the lunch rush. Seventy-five-minute tours every Wednesday and Saturday highlight the market's history and offerings (call 215/545–8007 to make a reservation).
12th and Arch Sts., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107, USA
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$$ | South Philadelphia |
Championing craft beer well before it was cool, this laid-back Newbold tavern set the bar for Philly’s gastropub boom way back in 2003. SPTR’s ever-rotating 14 tap selections, plus cask ales and a nice bottle selection, hit local, national, and international notes that nicely accompany a menu that reaches well beyond the expected pub grub with creative snacks, sandwiches, and seasonal specials conceived to celebrate local and organic products and produce. The kitchen pays ample mind to vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free guests, too; it’s this accommodating spirit that makes a neighborhood bar.
1509 Mifflin St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19145, USA
Known For
- Smart craft-beer program
- Local and seasonal menu items
- Relaxed atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
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$$$$ | Center City East |
Aimee Olexy's Talula's Table in Kennett Square was an unlikely phenomenon; the little country market had a months-long backlog of reservations for its lone farmhouse table. Olexy's urban extension of that runaway success is a sprawling, high-ceilinged space decorated with Alice Waters quotations printed on the walls, a charming outdoor courtyard with a garden that glows under twinkly lights, and an elegant seasonal menu. The knowledgeable servers do a great job explaining interesting cheese boards with names like "Not Your Granny's" and "Seasonal Stash."
210 W. Washington Sq., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19106, USA
Known For
- Farm-to-table cuisine
- Charming courtyard
- Cheese boards
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.-Sat.
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$$ | Center City East |
The opening of this hip, industrial-chic trattoria by chef Marc Vetri rendered his talents more accessible to those who don't have the foresight to make reservations months in advance at his celebrated eponymous restaurant nearby. The small plates of Roman comfort food by longtime chef Brad Spence feature interesting elevated takes on Roman classics like tonarelli cacio e pepe, trippa alla Romana, and rigatoni all'amatriciana. Try to grab one of the six first-come, first-served stools at the chef's counter to watch the James Beard–award-winning action.
412 S. 13th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19147, USA
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch, Reservations essential
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$$ | East Passyunk |
Funky, unorthodox dim sum gets all the cool kids in the door at Bing Bing, which proudly bills itself as inauthentic. But beyond the high-low appeal of cheesesteak bao buns and corned beef ribs with beet barbecue sauce, there’s real finesse from chef Ben Puchowitz’s kitchen here. Bonus points for large-format cocktail pitchers and comfy booths modeled after Chinese wedding beds.
1648 E. Passyunk Ave., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19148, USA
Known For
- Creative dim sum variations
- Shareable cocktails
- Young lively crowd
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.–Thurs.
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$ | Chestnut Hill |
Housed inside a former greenhouse, Cake is a refined spot for breakfast and lunch, though the sweets and pastries are still a highlight at this former bakery. The menu includes creative twists on lunchtime classics: try the Philly cheesesteak marsala or the croque monsieur brushed with apricot mustard. Light streams in through the greenhouse glass and a fountain occupies the center of the room.
8501 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19118, USA
Known For
- Garden atmosphere
- Refined breakfast and lunch
- Buttery scones
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No dinner
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$$$ | University City |
A popular hangout with the Penn crowd, this contemporary bar and grill pours a staggering six dozen draft options, with a heavy focus on American craft beer. This selection pairs well with an accessible gastropub menu offering a little of everything, from burgers and brick-oven pizzas to mussels and prime steaks. You can grab a seat at the huge wraparound bar, sit in the spacious dining room, or hang out on the terrace around one of five stone fire pits overlooking busy Walnut Street.
3925 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, USA
Known For
- Craft beer on tap
- Hearty pub grub
- Young and lively crowd
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$$$$ | Old City |
People who have been to Havana swear this place is a dead ringer; in any event, it's lovely, with balconies and fancy streetlights, and even a leaded-glass window on the interior. An entire drinks menu is devoted to rum from everywhere in the Caribbean and Central and South America, including Cuba Libre's own brand, and of course, the mojitos are excellent. The appetizers, like Cienfuegos-style beef empanadas and malanga fritters, are authentic. Rice and black beans are served with classic entrées like vaca frita and ropa vieja.
10 S. 2nd St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19106, USA
Known For
- Cuban cuisine
- Mojitos
- Salsa dancing
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
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$ | Rittenhouse Square |
Think of Dizengoff as Zahav lite. This graffiti-tagged spin-off of the nationally acclaimed Israeli restaurant is modeled after the hummus stalls of Tel Aviv, specializing in the dreamy chickpea puree crowned with an array of creative, seasonal toppings. Each bowl is served on a plastic cafeteria tray with sharp pickles and fluffy, warm-from-the-oven pita. When the pita runs out, Dizengoff rolls down its garage door for the day.
1625 Sansom St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103, USA
Known For
- Rotating hummus toppings
- Fluffy pita
- Frozen lemonanna
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$$$ | Fairmount |
Away from the Parkway, this intimate, cash-only BYOB focuses on the flavors of Morocco and the Mediterranean, setting the mood with simple decor including Moroccan lamps, trays, and decorative items. The baked Brie in clay pot appetizer with honey and almonds is a standout; usually there's a good tagine (stew of meat or poultry simmered with vegetables, olives, garlic, and spices) on the menu, and fish options are plentiful. The many lunch choices include appetizers, salads, and sandwiches, as well as mains.
2501 Meredith St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19130, USA
Known For
- Mediterranean tapas plate
- Varied lunch menu
- Choices for non-meat eaters
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon., No credit cards
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$$$ | Northern Liberties |
A spacious neighborhood hangout on bustling 2nd Street, Heritage is an industrial-style restaurant where you’ll find live music on the dining-room stage, live herbs creeping over the reclaimed ceiling beams, and lively cooking from chef Mackenzie Hilton. Regulars gravitate toward the hearty sandwiches served with crisp fries, the signature cocktails, which are largely named after classic songs, or one of the 30-plus draft-beer options.
914 N. 2nd St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19123, USA
Known For
- Live music
- Seasonally focused menu
- Extensive draft-beer list
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekdays
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$$ | Fairmount |
A colorful mural of freewheeling Day of the Dead skeletons gives this cheerful Fairmount cantina its name, but the polished ceviches, tacos, and enchiladas from Jose Garces veteran Tim Spinner are what will really make you happy. A deep tequila library informs the bar and cocktail list; try a flight of añejos or margaritas in flavors like lychee and chili. Weekend brunch includes hearty options like huevos rancheros.
2321 Fairmount Ave., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19130, USA
Known For
- Worthy happy hours
- Vegetarian options
- Patio dining in season
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekdays
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$$$$ | Penn's Landing |
Peter Woolsey, whose tenured Bella Vista bistro, La Minette, is beloved by Francophiles, bet big on an out-of-the-way Penn’s Landing sequel named for his wife, Peggy. Housed in a former water pumping station, the digs are catnip for engineering and architecture nerds; rivet-studded I-beams crisscross the ceiling like a catwalk, and soaring arched windows overlook the brontosaurus hoof—like supports of the Ben Franklin Bridge. The menu hits a wide swath of comfort-food notes—New England clam chowder, pot roast, chicken and dumplings—with occasional Gallic flourishes. A spacious outdoor courtyard with a bar is in use for most of the year. The restaurant shares an address with the headquarters and main performance space of the FringeArts organization.
140 N. Christopher Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19106, USA
Known For
- Waterfront views
- Impressive architecture
- Theatrical touches
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.-Sat.