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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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$ | South Philadelphia |
Housed in humble digs next to a defunct railroad crossing, John’s doesn’t wow with curb appeal, but wise eaters know the close-to-centenarian grill spot turns out some of Philly’s best sandwiches. Newbies and lifers alike line up in a zigzag along the counter, grabbing outdoor picnic tables after paying for their roast pork, roast beef, or cheesesteak. The namesake sandwich, a Philly Italian signature, is juicy, garlicky, and herbaceous; sharp provolone and sautéed spinach (no broccoli rabe here) are common add-ons. The roast beef and cheesesteak rival the pork in popularity, earning owner John Bucci Jr. loyal fans and national awards. They’re not open late, but do start early; staying true to their beginnings feeding Delaware River dock workers, they also do fluffy egg sandwiches layered with pork roll or crispy fried scrapple.
14 E. Snyder Ave., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19148, USA
Known For
- Italian roast pork sandwiches
- Highly praised cheesesteaks
- Friendly South Philly staff
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon., Reservations not accepted
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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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$ | 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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$ | 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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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$ | Bella Vista |
When you're ready for an atmospheric break, stop by Anthony's Italian Coffee House in the heart of the Italian Market. Here, to the strains of Frank Sinatra, you can sample a fresh panino with prosciutto and mozzarella or indulge in homemade cannoli or gelato imported from Italy. Enjoy your espresso on the umbrella-covered 9th Street patio when weather permits.
903 S. 9th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19147, USA
Known For
- Italian espresso drinks
- Italian desserts
- Outdoor seating
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Weekdays 7–7, Sat. 7 am–8 pm, Sun. 7:30–5
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$$ | Rittenhouse Square |
Converted from a private club with blacked-out windows, this Dublin-style pub has been packing them in for rivers of Irish draft and kitchen specialties. Guinness-battered fish-and-chips could have been produced on the "auld sod," and the malt vinegar to sprinkle over it all does little to dampen the crisp crust. The first-floor bar is noisy and spirited—show up before happy hour to snag a seat—but the mood gets a bit quieter as you climb the steps to the dining room or walk downstairs to the basement bar.
247 S. 17th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103, USA
Known For
- Traditional pub fare
- Casual atmosphere
- Vast beer selection
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
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$ | Chestnut Hill |
It's all about the ice cream, hot fudge, and homemade whipped cream. They scoop Bassetts ice cream and make fabulous sundaes, but the bakery is pretty standard.
8126 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19118, USA
Known For
- Generous sundaes
- Tipping usually gets you bigger scoops
- Friendly vibe
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Mon.–Sat. 6:30 am–7 pm, Sun. 8–6; June–Sept., hrs may vary
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$ | Parkway Museum District |
At the far eastern end of the Parkway sits this small café, a glass-enclosed pavilion that offers good views of City Hall. On the menu are a range of good hot and cold coffee-based drinks, along with breakfast items, pastries, and familiar sandwiches and salads; you can also have a cocktail, beer, or wine at the little bar or at your table. It closes by 7 or 8 pm.
110 N. 16th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19102, USA
Known For
- Alfresco dining or sipping in season
- Convenient spot at beginning or end of Parkway exploration
- Good pastries and cookies
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: 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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$ | Rittenhouse Square |
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, head to the recently redone café upstairs.
1730 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103, USA
Known For
- Grab-and-go lunch options
- Pastries
- Cheese selection
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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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$ | South Philadelphia |
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 minichain now runs eight 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.
1219 S. 2nd St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19147, USA
Known For
- Unconventional doughnut flavors
- Creative fried-chicken styles
- Good coffee
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$ | East Passyunk |
Geno’s, open since 1966, is a fresh-faced upstart compared to 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.
1219 S. 9th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19147, USA
Known For
- 24-hour service
- Classic cheesesteaks
- Late-night scene
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No credit cards, Reservations not accepted
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$ | Queen Village |
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.
400 South St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19147, USA
Known For
- Cheesesteaks
- Long and lively lines
- Nostalgic environment
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No credit cards
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$ | Rittenhouse Square |
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.
262 S. 19th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Known For
- Fresh breads
- Pizzas
- Sandwiches
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Weekdays 7:30–7, weekends 8–6
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$$ | Rittenhouse Square |
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.
264 S. 16th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19146, USA
Known For
- Monk's Café Flemish Sour Ale
- Mussels
- Burgers
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
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$ | East Passyunk |
New cheesesteak restaurants come and go, but two of the oldest—Pat's and Geno's, at 9th and Passyunk—have a long-standing feud worth weighing in on. It comes down to a matter of taste, as both serve equally generous portions of rib-eye steak, grilled onions, and melted provolone, American, or Cheez Whiz on freshly baked Italian rolls. The main differences, as far as we can tell: Pat's meat is chopped, and its shop’s exterior is a bit more understated than Geno's neon extravaganza.
1237 E. Passyunk Ave., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19147, USA
Known For
- 24-hour service
- Classic cheesesteak
- Late-night scene
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No credit cards
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$$ | University City |
For a pan-Asian fix, grab a stool at the sushi bar at the futuristic Pod, where you can select your favorite raw fish from a conveyor belt.
3636 Sansom St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, USA
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekends
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$ | Fishtown |
An offshoot of Jose Pistola’s in Center City, brother Sancho brought a bigger kitchen for chef Adan Trinidad to showcase his talents. Some of his food is ultra-traditional, like inky black bean soup seasoned with avocado leaf and zesty ceviche, while other plates (Korean rib tacos, spicy tuna guacamole) mash up his Mexican heritage with a global hipster aesthetic. The fresh-fruit margaritas flow late into the night.
19 W. Girard Ave., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19125, USA
Known For
- Late-night food menu
- Fruity margaritas
- Weekend brunch
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted