Dining Out in Philadelphia: A Guide to the City's Restaurants and Food Culture

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Top Philadelphia Restaurants and Food Destinations

When most people think of food in Philadelphia, they think of cheesesteaks, soft pretzels and perhaps Iron Chef Jose Garces. But there is so much more to Philadelphia's food scene. from cutting edge, trend-setting restaurants to unique gourmet food shops and great neighborhood hangouts. As someone who lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for over 15 years, I'm quite familiar with Philly's dining scene, and what follows is my personal guide to eating out in the city. I hope it will be useful whether you will be spending just a few days in the City of Brotherly Love or perhaps have just moved to the area and are looking for tips on where to dine.

On this page, I'll share links and reviews to some of my favorite places, a few overall tips and tidbits of city norms and etiquette to remember, as well as links to other on-line resources great for enjoying Philly food. You can also sound off on your opinions about Philadelphia's best restaurants, chefs and more in several polls.

Photo: Grilled steak at XIX Restaurant. All photographs used on this webpage were taken by the author, sockii. Please do not use these images elsewhere without asking my permission first.

Basic Facts About Dining Out in Philadelphia

What You Need to Know About the Philadelphia Food Scene

Duck fat french fries and other finger foods at Village WhiskeyHere's what you need to know: despite what some journalists would like you to believe, Philadelphia does not have New York City envy when it comes to our restaurants. The City of Brotherly Love has its own unique and thriving restaurant scene and is a food-lovers delight. Philadelphia has many creative, inspired chefs doing amazing things and it's worth exploring the city's many different neighborhoods to sample as much as possible.

Rittenhouse Square is home to many stylish bars and restaurants such as Parc and Rogue for sipping cocktails and savoring delightful food while people-watching into the late hours of the night. Chinatown is great for Chinese, Vietnamese and even unique Burmese restaurants such as the wonderful Rangoon. Head to South Philly for old style Italian-American at Ralph's, as well as Mexican and excellent Vietnamese. BYOBs are everywhere throughout the city, from quaint Italian trattorias to cutting edge spots where reservations are a must. Bibou, Matyson, Melograno and Kanella are just a few of the hottest and most popular. Beer rules at Philly's gastropubs including The South Philly Tap Room and Sidecar, and Reading Terminal Market is wonderful for grazing and trying everything from Amish treats to yes, the ubiquitous cheesesteak. So come to Philadelphia hungry and ready to sample a wide variety of wonderful foods!

Photo: Duck fat french fries at Village Whiskey.

Photo Gallery - Philadelphia Restaurant Delights

A Tasty Tour of Philly

Detailed Guides to Philadelphia's Restaurant Scene

Cheesesteaks, BYOBs, Restaurant Week and More

Get the basics down about dining out in Philly. These articles will help set you on the right path to making the most of the city's vibrant restaurant scene.
10 Tips for a Philadelphia "Foodie" Vacation
If you want to experience the city's best food on a vacation trip, here is your survival guide.
A Guide to Enjoying a Proper Philadelphia Cheesesteak
Know the facts before you order and don't get stuck with a lousy steak.
BYOB Dining in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Frequently Asked Questions
Etiquette and basic facts about the city's many BYOB restaurants.
Restaurant Week in Philadelphia: Deal or No Deal?
Is the "Restaurant Week" promotion good for Philadelphia's consumers and restaurant lovers or not?

For More on Philadelphia's BYOB Scene

Check out my page all about BYOB dining in the city. Includes restaurant reviews, hot picks, etiquette and cool accessories for wine enthusiasts.
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What is the Quintessential Philadelphia Food?

What Food Do You Associate with Philly?

Cheesesteak from Jim's Steaks, South Street

(Photo: Cheesesteak from Jim's Steaks of South Street, Philadelphia.)

Is it the ubiquitous cheesesteak, or something else? Many resident Philadelphians will argue about what the most classic Philadelphia food item is. Now you can cast your vote.

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The Best of Philly

Some of My Personal Picks for Philly's Finest

When you're new to a city or neighborhood it's always good to have some basic starting recs. Here are some "Top" or "Best of" lists I've compiled related to Philadelphia's dining scene. Whether it's a romantic dinner out or a great lunch deal, you can find great picks in these lists.
20 Things You Must Eat in Philadelphia
The ultimate guide to the city's best food.
Top 5 Bars and Gastropubs in the Southwest Center City Section of Philadelphia
Grab a brew - and a bite - at one of these excellent bars.
5 Great Places for Brunch in Philadelphia
Go beyond bacon and eggs at one of thee wonderful Philly brunch spots.
7 Great Lunch Deals in Philadelphia
Enjoy an excellent meal at a great price at one of these Philadelphia restaurants.
Top 5 Italian BYOB Restaurants Near Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia
The best BYOBs in the neighborhood. Grab a bottle and go!

Hot New Restaurants in Philadelphia

Top Tables at the Newest Places in Philly

The Philadelphia restaurant scene is always changing. In 2011, these were some of the hottest new places to eat - if you could get a table!
The Dandelion Pub
One of Stephen Starr's latest is this British style pub in Rittenhouse Square, already getting raves for its Fish & Chips and other traditional offerings.
Talula's Garden
This Washington Square restaurant could soon be in the running for the best in the city. Focusing on seasonal fare and market-inspired dining, this collaboration between Aimee Olexy and Stephen Starr is already a big hit.
a.kitchen
a.kitchen, located at aka Rittehouse in Center City, is winning over foodies all over town. Sophisticated elegance is the feeling here, with unfussy cooking, classic cocktails and carefully chosen wines.
Monsu
From those responsible for the very popular Modo Mio comes Monsu, an Italian restaurant in the heart of the Italian market. With a menu that features Sicilian delights, it's a wonderful change of pace from the "red gravy" Italian-American that dominates the area.
Cantina Feliz
An alumni of Jose Garces' kitchens, head chef Tim Spinner brings modern flair to traditional Mexican cooking at this Fort Washington restaurant.
Fathom Seafood House
In the Fishtown area? Then be sure to check out this new addition to Mike Stollenwerk's seafood-oriented collection of restaurants in the city, this time a "down-home" style seafood bar.

My Favorite Philadelphia Restaurants

Personal Picks for Philly's Best Restaurants

After living in Philadelphia for so many years, I've tried many of the city's restaurants, casual to elegant. These links will take you to my in-depth reviews of some of my favorite restaurants in the city. From casual ethnic food to elegant fine dining, each of these restaurants are sure to delight - you have my word on that!
Amis
Amis is a wonderful Italian restaurant with an emphasis on small plates and Roman-style cuisine. Don't miss the pasta dishes!
El Rey
Stephen Starr's funky Mexican restaurant is great for lunch and tasty margaritas. It's a fun place to hang out and the food is delicious!
Giwa
It's hard to beat Giwa for a quick Koren food fix. Their sizzling Bi Bim Bap is surely the finest in Center City and many of their other dishes rival the quality of a full service restaurant.
Cichetteria 19
Visiting Cichetteria 19 is like spending the evening in Venice. Specializing in Venetian food and small plates called "Cichetti", this restaurant is very unique in Philly's crowded Italian food scene.
Novita Bistro
For a change of pace from Italian BYOBs, try Novita Bistro. This small Mediterranean restaurant serves wonderful calimari, homemade sausages, tagines and terrific salads.
Roberto Cafe
A cozy, casual Italian BYOB that is a neighborhood favorite in Southwest Center City for good reason. Roberto Cafe serves truly authentic Italian food that may appear simplistic but reveals delightful flavors and freshness. One of the best whole grilled branzinos in the city as well.
Salento
Philly has no shortage of Italian BYOB restaurants, and in my opinion Salento is one of the finest. Truly authentic Italian food with wonderful service and attention to detail.
XIX
XIX offers not just stunning views of the city and a beautiful dining room but wonderful food as well. Do not miss their extravagant weekday lunch special.

Vote for the Top Restaurant in Philly

Which Restaurant Gets Your Vote?

The bar at Amis Restaurant in Philadelphia

Every year, Philadelphia magazine publishes a list of their picks for the Top 50 restaurants in the city. Their 2011 List of Best Philadelphia Restaurants had a few surprises, along with many expected names. The top 20 from the list are below. Which one gets your vote for the best in the city - or is it one of the restaurants that didn't make their cut? Cast your vote today!

Photo: The bar at Amis Restaurant in Philadelphia.

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Photo Gallery - More Delicious Foods from Philadelphia Restaurants

Salads, Entrees, Desserts and More

Best Gourmet Food Shops in Philadelphia

Shopping for food gifts, tasty treats or unusual food items to cook at home? Then these are the places you want to go.
Reading Terminal Market
Reading Terminal Market is your one stop for taking a culinary tour of Philadelphia. From meat, fish, poultry and produce stands to gourmet Mexican, Italian, Amish and Asian markets, to spice stalls and cookbook racks, to counter-top service of everything from gyros to sushi, Reading Terminal Market has it all.
DiBruno Brothers
DiBruno Bros has two locations in Philadelphia serving up some of the best Italian specialty products you can find anywhere in the city. A wide range of imported cheeses are available along with cured meats, spices, olive oils, dried pasts, olives and baked goods. Many ready-to-go meals are offered as well.
Claudio Specialty Foods
Claudio's is a long standing tradition of the Philadelphia Italian Market, in operation for over 50 years. Wonderful imported pastas, cheeses, olive oils, meats and more are available here.
Garces Trading Company
Jose Garces' specialty food shop has been drawing big crowds since first opening. Get wonderful cheeses and meats to go, or stay and enjoy a casual meal in their restaurant area with connected wine shop.
Superior Pasta Company
Since 1948, Superior Pasta has been filling the bellies of hungry Philadelphians with their homemade pastas, sauces and cook-at-home entrees.
Scoop DeVille
This funky, fun ice cream parlor also serves up an enticing array of chocolates, candies and truffles.

News Headlines About Philadelphia Restaurants

Philly Restaurants in the News

What's the latest word on the street about Philadelphia restaurants? Here are just a few headlines...
Battle over a restaurant: Vying for assets as parent ages
There was the Victor Cafe, the family's famed South Philadelphia restaurant, where aspiring opera singers perform arias between waiting on tables. And there was a parking lot she had bought from the city. "I paid cash for it, I did," DiStefano said ...
Philadelphia Restaurant Week
This blog post is coming a few weeks late but I thought it was important because Restaurant Week is one of my favorite things about Philadelphia! Twice a year Philadelphia has Restaurant Week?which is similar to Restaurant Week in other large cities, ...
Ilona Keller, 86, owned Ilona Keller's Dugan's Restaurant
By Walter F. Naedele Ilona Tkach Keller fled her native Czechoslovakia in the 1940s and became a successful businesswoman here, but in 1980 she saw fire destroy her first Northeast Philadelphia restaurant. After recovering from that loss, ...
iPad Tablet Offers Wine Ordering Solution for Philadelphia Restaurant
Marc Vetri's Osteria Restaurant has introduced Tiare Technology Wireless WineList System to showcase regional Italian wine offerings. Osteria will now offer their guests an iPad with the Tiare ordering solution for ordering wine, beer and cocktails.

Who is Philadelphia's Top Chef?

Cast Your Vote for the City's Best

Hiramasa with Spicy Yuzu Glaze

Photo: Hiramasa with a Spicy Yuzu Glaze, Peanut-Cauliflower Puree, Sea Beans and Curry Leaf Brown Butter. Prepared by Shola Olunloyo as a guest chef at Blackfish Restaurant.

Which Philly chef gets your vote as the best around? Is it our celebrity Iron Chef, Jose Garces, or one of the city's other excellent chefs?

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Philadelphia Food Blog Headlines

What Are Philly Foodies Blogging About Right Now?

Feb 21, 2012 @ 4:30 pmAt Long Last, We Finally Get a Piece of the Pie from Grub Street Philadelphia
Pie It's been a while since we talked about pie. But between now and June, it will surely be a topic ripe for discussion. That's because word came today of Magpie Artisan Pie Bak...
Feb 21, 2012 @ 4:14 pmPub and Kitchen Gets A New Menu from Phoodie.info: The New Food And Drink Blog For Philadelphia
The people behind Pub and Kitchen have unveiled a new menu that reflects, "the kind of food that WE want to eat when we go out," which includes a standard (but good) sounding Pulled Pork Sandwich. Ch...
Feb 21, 2012 @ 4:01 pmFishtown Neighbors Association Presents: Chili Coo... from Phoodie.info: The New Food And Drink Blog For Philadelphia
On Sunday, March 25th, the Fishtown Neighbors Association is hosting the 2012 Chili Cook-off at the Skybox at 2424 Studios. From 1PM to 4PM, Chili will be judged on and awarded for Best Restaurant Ch...
Feb 21, 2012 @ 3:55 pmThe James Beard Award Semi's Are In from Phoodie.info: The New Food And Drink Blog For Philadelphia
According to philly.com, the results of the James Beard Foundation‘s semifinalists are in, and they're more or less what we expected. The following Philly staples made the list: for Outstanding...
Feb 21, 2012 @ 3:41 pmA Calmer Mardi Gras At The Franklin from Phoodie.info: The New Food And Drink Blog For Philadelphia
The ever-classy Franklin Mortgage and Investment Co. is celebrating one of the traditionally less classy drinking holidays with $10 drinks, because it is a lot harder to get riot-drunk off of $10 cock...
Feb 21, 2012 @ 3:40 pmApparently, Speakeasies Are Still a Thing from Grub Street Philadelphia
Franklin Mortgage's Al Sotack Just as it seems like we've all had enough of the speakeasy schtick, Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co. garners some attention that suggests the opp...
Feb 21, 2012 @ 2:00 pmHelp Percy Street Pick a Barrel of Bourbon from Grub Street Philadelphia
The bar at Percy Street Barbecue Since bourbon and barbecue are inherently related, Percy Street owners Michael Solomonov, Steve Cook and Erin O'Shea want their own private stock...
Feb 21, 2012 @ 12:35 pmSouth Philly's Forthcoming Garage Will Bring the F... from Grub Street Philadelphia
The Garage If all goes according to plan, Jason Evenchik, owner of Vintage Wine Bar & Bistro and Time, will begin working on his next effort, a bar and restaurant tentatively tit...
Feb 21, 2012 @ 9:50 amGet Fat on Free Doughnuts Today from Grub Street Philadelphia
Doughnuts It's Fat Tuesday and what better way is there to get fat than eating doughnuts? Luckily for us, all four of the area's Krispy Kreme locations are celebrating Doughnut D...
Feb 21, 2012 @ 9:05 amChester Shuts Down Troublesome Takeout Joint; Amer... from Grub Street Philadelphia
• Following Sunday's triple shooting there and at least 59 other reported crimes in the last decade, the city of Chester shut down J&S Seafood, a late-night takeout joint...
Feb 20, 2012 @ 4:52 pmFeb. 22: Books Through Bars fundraiser at Dock Str... from City Paper: Meal Ticket
This Wednesday, Feb. 22, Dock Street (701 S. 50th St.) will be hosting a fundraiser to raise money for West Philly-based Books Through Bars, an organization that puts printed material in the hands of...
Feb 20, 2012 @ 4:25 pmUlivo Is the ?Best New Dining Value'; Tashan Is ?I... from Grub Street Philadelphia
• Craig LaBan checks out Bella Vista BYOB Ulivo, where he declares chef-owner Joe Scarpone's "vivid Italian plates" one of the "best new dining values in the city." From t...
Feb 20, 2012 @ 3:45 pmGet Literal With Fat Tuesday from Phoodie.info: The New Food And Drink Blog For Philadelphia
Since tomorrow is Fat Tuesday (and also apparently Doughnut Day) why not get a little literal with it and indulge in some of the worst foods you can eat? To help you along that path, Krispy Kreme is...
Feb 20, 2012 @ 3:30 pmWhere to Let the Good Times Roll from Grub Street Philadelphia
Crawfish For tomorrow's Fat Tuesday revelry, Chris' Jazz Cafe chef-owner Mark DeNinno has flown in thousands of pounds of crawfish to get the good times rolling. Throughout the d...
Feb 20, 2012 @ 2:56 pmFood Blob: Out With The Failed, In With The New from Phoodie.info: The New Food And Drink Blog For Philadelphia
>>>Man, GQ really does love Philly: Tashan‘s Naga Beef Sümi makes the top 5 dishes of the year list. [Foobooz] >>>PA liquor stores could now be facing modernization rather than privatization. [G...
Feb 20, 2012 @ 2:15 pmLiquor Store Privatization Now Taking a Backseat t... from Grub Street Philadelphia
Not going anywhere any time soon. So after more than a year of chest beating and saber rattling, all this talk of privatizing the state's liquor store system appears to be nothin...
Feb 20, 2012 @ 1:57 pmSNACK TIME: Open season for dosa hunting, the worl... from City Paper: Meal Ticket
Feb 20, 2012 @ 1:47 pmPizza Brain Needs Your Help from Phoodie.info: The New Food And Drink Blog For Philadelphia
Ah, the inevitable Kickstarter campaign, we meet again. While the Pizza Brain crew works to make their pizza dreams a reality, they are enlisting the help of pizza freaks all over. The goal of their...
Feb 20, 2012 @ 1:22 pmAnd Without Further Ado, Here Is The Menu/Bill For... from Phoodie.info: The New Food And Drink Blog For Philadelphia
On September 15, 1787, a farewell party was thrown in George Washington's honor at Philadelphia's own City Tavern (138 South 2nd Street). And today, on President's Day, we figured why not share the b...
Feb 20, 2012 @ 12:55 pmSixpoint Anniversary Dinner Postponed from Grub Street Philadelphia
Stay tuned for updates. Tonight's dinner celebrating the seventh anniversary of Sixpoint Brewery at Silk City has been postponed. A new date has yet to be announce, but once resc...
Feb 20, 2012 @ 12:53 pmFeb. 22: Zone 7 Dinner at Southwark from City Paper: Meal Ticket
This coming Wednesday, Feb. 22, Southwark (701 S. Fourth St.) will host a guest dinner featuring Zone 7. No, that is not a dubious new fad diet ? it's a Central Jersey-based farm-to-restaurant distrib...

Bring Philadelphia's Finest Home to You

A Selection of Books On Philadelphia Food

Check out these cookbooks and from some of Philadelphia's top chefs, as well as current dining guides.
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What's your feedback on Philadelphia's dining scene?

Thank you for checking out my page on Philadelphia food and restaurants. What are your favorite Philadelphia restaurants? Got any thoughts on this lens? Leave your comments here!

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About the Author

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by

sockii

Living in the Philadelphia area for over 15 years, I've had a great deal of experience enjoying the fine food and restaurants of this fine city.

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Dining News & Reviews from Craig LaBan 

Philadelphia Inquirer Food Critic & Writer

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My Food Blog: South Jersey Foodie 

Restaurant Reviews and More from the South Jersey/Philadelphia Area.

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