The Very Best Places to Eat Near the Pennsylvania Convention Center
Whether you’re attending a conference at the Pennsylvania Convention Center or you just happen to be in the area, you need some sure-fire recommendations for the best eats around. From gastropub goodness to the best Asian cuisine around to local Philly specialties and more, we’ve got you covered with some of the best places to ear near the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
photo credit: chestnuthillpa.com
Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant
1150 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(267) 507-7365
If you love craft beer and good food, or honestly just really good food, this is the place to go. Iron Hill Brewery offers a menu that’s a cut above the usual pub grub and is broad enough to accommodate larger parties with varying dietary preferences. The busy, buzzing atmosphere is a plus, but it does mean you may want to call ahead if you’re part of a large group. Try starters for the table like the Philly cheesesteak egg rolls and crispy pork belly sliders and for the main course go for a burger or some pizza.
photo credit: ubereats.com
Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House
1022 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 923-1550
For nearly 20 years, customers have been coming back to this Chinatown classic for the homemade, hand-pulled noodles and dumplings. Don’t be fooled by the unassuming decor, the locals and Penn students who frequent it can tell you that all the attention to detail goes straight into the food. In fact, the restaurant had to relocate from its original spot because of high demand. Visiting the always-lively Nan Zhou’s is a great way to pick up a little neighborhood flavor by trying their fresh beef stir fried noodles or mushroom chicken dumpling.
photo credit: chubbycattle.com
Chubby Cattle
146 N 10th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(866) 622-8853
If you like your dining interactive and fun, then Chubby Cattle is the place for you. Putting a new twist on the traditional hotpot fare, Chubby Cattle allows you to work through a series of choices to customize your meal, including pot flavor and sauce, and prides itself on using only the freshest and highest-quality ingredients. Pick up your food from the refrigerated conveyor belt and don’t hesitate to get tips from the helpful staff if you need help figuring out what to order.
photo credit: darindines.com
Barbuzzo
110 South 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 546-9300
This Mediterranean restaurant offers several different wood-fired pizzas as well as pastas and entree plates, such as octopus and meatballs, in a candlelit setting. A seat at the kitchen bar adds an extra element of entertainment as you get to watch the chefs at work. Outside tables are available as well. If you’re looking for elegant dining in a low-key atmosphere, consider Barbuzzo next time you’re craving some tasty Mediterranean food.
photo credit: radiomilwaukee.org
Dim Sum Garden
1020 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 873-0258
Chinatown’s proximity to the Pennsylvania Convention Center means this is one of several great Asian restaurant choices. For authentic Shanghai dumplings, look no further than Dim Sum Garden, whose head chef is the descendant of the Chinese cook who invented Xiao Long Bao, or Chinese soup dumplings. Dumplings are the star of the show here, but if they aren’t your thing, there’s plenty of other menu items to choose from, including noodle dishes, fried rice and other classic dishes like General Tso’s chicken and Kung Pao chicken.
photo credit: 22ndandphilly.com
Reading Terminal Market
1136 Arch Street, #400, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 922-2317
This isn’t any one restaurant but a whole farmer’s market worth of food to choose from, one of the oldest in the country and located in a National Landmark Historic building. If you’re looking for some local flavor, the Reading Terminal Market is unmissable. Bustling and diverse, with both vendor stalls and restaurants, you can get anything from vegan food to Pennsylvania Dutch specialties to the famous Philly cheesesteaks, Cajun cuisine, Spanish cooking, seafood and much more. This spot is perfect for lunch or an early dinner.
photo credit: phillymag.com
Chatayee Thai
1227 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 923-8208
Chatayee Thai combines fresh local food with ingredients imported from Thailand to create exquisite, beautifully presented dishes. The dining room is nearly as striking as the food, with an enormous crystal chandelier and art pieces that lend an elegant ambiance to the place. There’s also a large happy hour menu, so be sure to stop in for all the deals and all the fun.
Harp & Crown
1525 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 330-2800
Chef Michael Schulson and his team are known for reclaiming forgotten spaces and turning them into places for unforgettable culinary and visual feasts. In this case, it’s a former unremarkable Gap outlet space turned into something very remarkable indeed, with high ceilings, chandeliers and a glass facade mixed with funky vintage decor–and there’s a bowling alley to boot! But what about the food, you ask? That’s first-rate as well, an ambitious international menu that’s conscious of seasonal variations and includes many familiar dishes like burgers and spicy chicken wings alongside some less familiar dishes but equally delicious like black kale and ricotta and fig toast.
photo credit: usarestaurants.info
Gabi
339 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 377-9407
For cozy, casual French bistro-style dining, Gabi is a terrific choice, with classics on the menu such as escargots, French onion soup and steak frites. It’s elegant, carefully-prepared food brought to you by friendly servers in relaxed Art Deco surroundings at affordable prices, based on the unpretentious French cafe that’s created to accommodate families throughout the day as opposed to the highest of high-end fine diners.
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