Philadelphia, PA Restaurant Guide
When we think Philly, we think LOVE. Philadelphians love a night out on the town. They love to be active around the city. And they LOVE food. And not just Philadelphia Cheesesteaks, either. Philadelphia is a culinary capital in the US thanks to talented chefs from Philly and the mid-Atlantic region, along with its proximity to culinary talent from NYC. No matter where you dine in Philadelphia, your meal is going to be handled by a PRO.
Of course, we should start with the Philadelphia Cheesesteak. While it’s true that you can get varying levels of quality throughout the area, it’s nonetheless incredible that a bite known around the world is named after the City of Brotherly Love. Whether you love it whiz wit or prov witout, you won’t have to travel far in Philly to find, at worst, an average cheesesteak, and at best, a life changing sandwich.
If Will Smith didn’t make it clear in the 90’s, most of the neighborhoods in Philly are oriented by direction – there’s a West Philadelphia (born and raised as the song goes..), North Philly, South Philly, Northwest Philly, Lower Northeast Philly and Far Northeast Philly (but no East Philly). We cover everything from Center City moving outwards in our Philly restaurant coverage, with a focus on a handful of neighborhoods within these larger neighborhoods, like Fishtown, South Street, East Passyunk, Northern Liberties, Old City, Chestnut Hill and more.
In addition to a diverse number of neighborhoods, modern-day Philadelphia is a cultural hub, featuring immigrants from Asia, Latin America, Africa and other parts of the world. Whether you’re discovering great dim sum, keeping your eyes peeled for delicious Cuban, or booking it for the best biryani you can find – it’s all in Philly. You can typically find a bit of all of these at Philly’s multiple great food halls (in addition to the famous Reading Terminal Market, of course) – places like Chinatown Square, Franklin’s Table Food Hall and more.
If you’re a sports fan, then you know Philadelphia fans are some of the most passionate in the country, whether they’re rooting for the 76’ers on the court, the Eagles on the field, the Union on the pitch, or the Phillies on the diamond. Join up with them on game night at any of the great dining options near the stadium, or check out some of Philly’s incredible local microbreweries and catch a game on TV. They’ve got more than Yuengling in this region of the country – microbreweries like Yards Brewing, Iron Hill, and Evil Genius have gotten distribution all across the East Coast. Plus they have up and comers like Urban Village, Crime and Punishment, and Brewery ARS – all with great menus so you can fill up in more ways than one.
Finally, we can’t talk about Philly without mentioning how many great institutes of higher education lie in the city limits – and how many great restaurants you can find near all of them. Whether you’re in the suburbs by Bryn Mar and Villanova, or in-town by UPenn and Drexel, there are dozens of options for your next meal, college-budget and up! Colleges like these keep Philadelphia young, vibrant and primed for the next great restaurant – and we’ll be ready to cover them all. Discover the best in Philadelphia restaurants – no matter what your budget is – with our guides below!
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.
Best Tomato Pies in Philadelphia
Tomato pies are one of Philadelphia’s most famous specialties. Like Sicilian pizza, the tomato pies are usually baked in rectangular pans. You should expect a lightly golden and crispy crust square slice. Tomato pie is the perfect takeout option because it’s served at room temperature. It’s delicious when you get it and will also be great the following day. Philadelphia is the kind of city where people will line up for hours to get a piece of this sought-after pie. However, you can’t find the best tomato pie anywhere in the city. There are so many new pizzerias popping up every day. That is why we have this list of our favorite tomato pie spots around the city.
Fabulous Bottomless Brunch Spots in Philadelphia, PA 🥂
Great brunch spots in Philly are plentiful but for those who are looking for a bottomless brunch in the city of Brotherly Love, finding a great place to visit is a little trickier. So we have rounded up eight of the best brunch restaurants in Philly that you should try the next time you want the eggs and pancakes to be served up with a bottomless serving of brunch-style cocktails.
8 Essential Sports Bars in Philadelphia
✅ Big screens ✅ Cold beers ✅ and great wings. These are all essentials in a great sports bar, and Philadelphia is teeming with comfy spots where you can catch the game, enjoy a few drinks with friends and grab some delicious food. We have created a list of some of the top sports bars in Philadelphia to check out when you want the drinks cold, the food hot, and your favorite team on the big screen.
7 Best Restaurants for Group Dining in Philadelphia
Whether it’s for a birthday celebration or to have a good meal with friends and family just because, going out to eat with a group of people you love is always a great time. Depending on the size of your party, it can be tough sometimes to find a place that will accommodate what you need. We’ve put together a list of places we love and we think you’ll love bringing your whole crew to. Here is a list of restaurants in Philadelphia that are great for dining with a group.
12 of the Best Places to Get Pizza in Philadelphia
Pizza in Philadelphia proves that some cliches are true – even bad pizza is still really good. But this isn’t a list about bad pizzas. We’re talking about Philly’s BEST pizzas – pizzas so doughy, saucy, and cheesy that you’ll remember every bite. Plus we’re covering every style of pizza – from New York style to Roman Pizzas to Detroit style pies – all in the list below!
Where To Get the Absolute Best Water Ice In Philly
You might be familiar with Italian ice if you are from outside Philly, but if you are a native of the city of brotherly love, you DEFINITELY know what Water Ice is because it’s a Philadelphia tradition, especially in the summertime. A cup of fruity, frosty, and and sweet melty ice water is all you need to cool off and make a hot summer day complete. Usually a combination of sweeteners, fruit, and ice blended to a smooth consistency, it’s a citywide tradition that lives on through all of our city’s amazing street vendors and water ice shops. Everyone has a unique recipe and technique for making Water Ice, and we’ve chronicled a few local takes here. Check out our picks for the best water ice in Philadelphia.
Where to Eat Near the University Of Pennsylvania and Drexel University
Philadelphia boasts a diverse range of cuisines as a result of its rich and long history as well as its cultural diversity. It is gradually emerging as one of America’s leading food cities, especially as a city recognized for its exquisite cheesesteaks. And if you’re a student at UPenn or Drexel or perhaps visiting a friend/family member at Penn or Drexel, there are a wide range of dining options to choose from. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of Drexel and University of Pennsylvania adjacent restaurants where you may savor some of the most delectable cuisines that Philadelphia has to offer!
How to Spend 48 Hours Eating Everything in Philadelphia
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Philadelphia? The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air being born and raised in West Philadelphia? Nick Foles, backup QB for the Eagles, running the trick play forever enshrined as the “Philly Special” against the Patriots in Super Bowl LII? Independence Hall, the birthplace of the […]
Where To Find Sensational Soul Food Restaurants in Philadelphia
No matter where you live, there is no escaping the urge to occasionally partake in some delicious soul food. Even Philadelphia natives occasionally put down their cheesesteaks to enjoy some southern comfort. The City of Brotherly Love offers dozens of soul food restaurants, so we are here to provide some clarity. Here are the 12 best soul food restaurants in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The 15 Top Italian Restaurants in Philadelphia, PA
Are you in Philly and craving some authentic Italian cuisine? Enjoy top chef coffee, pasta fritters, spaghetti, or some takeaway pizza at an Italian restaurant near you. Yes, Philadelphia has the second-largest Italian American community, with Bella Vista as its hub.
Where to eat near Villanova University
College towns are known for having good restaurants near by, why you may ask? When families visit their baby at college they want to treat them to a good meal, fans travel near and far for sporting events and are always hungry before or after the game, and alumni come back and eat at their favorite spots to relive the glory days. Villanova University in Philadelphia is surrounded by great places to eat from Mexican, Asian, and Mediterranean, to classic American pubs. We’ve put together a list of restaurants with a range of cuisines for you to check out near VU.
Do you LOVE vibrant, walkable cities with young people and students nearby? Do you LOVE experimental microbreweries with a great atmosphere? Do you LOVE food halls with dishes for any craving? Do you LOVE a city with character, history and enough size to discover something new every day? Then you’ll LOVE the City of Brotherly Love.