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Restaurants

Best Restaurants in Philadelphia

The best restaurants in Philadelphia, from Zahav and James Beard tables to cheesesteak icons, rooftop views, romantic date spots, and buzzy new openings by neighborhood.

Finding the best restaurants in Philadelphia means embracing a city that treats dining as both high art and hometown ritual.

In a single day you can eat a dripping, provolone-slicked cheesesteak for lunch, chase it with a modern Israeli tasting menu at night, and end at a corner tavern for a shot-and-a-beer Citywide.

Philadelphia's food identity is built on immigrant neighborhoods, blue-collar generosity, and a fiercely competitive chef-driven scene that has produced some of America's most decorated James Beard Award winners.

At a glance

The top pick in each category, at a glance.

CategoryOur pick
Best overallZahavReserve
By CuisineSouth Philly BarbacoaReserve
Fine Dining RestaurantsVetri CucinaReserve
Most Romantic RestaurantsBarclay PrimeReserve
Rooftop & View RestaurantsR2LReserve
Vegetarian & Vegan RestaurantsVedgeReserve
Cheesesteaks & Iconic Philadelphia EatsPat's King of SteaksReserve
New & Trendy Restaurant OpeningsKalayaReserve

Top Picks

🍽️GetYourGuide food & wine tours, taste the best of Philadelphia on a food tour. Affiliate slot (stub).

📍 Society Hill

Zahav

Israeli$$$· Special occasion

Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook's modern Israeli restaurant reshaped how America thinks about the food of the eastern Mediterranean, and it remains Philadelphia's most essential table. The meal opens with silky hummus and a spread of salatim, moves through wood-fired laffa and mezze, and builds toward the legendary pomegranate-braised lamb shoulder. Warm, generous, and deeply personal, it is both a special-occasion splurge and a genuine crash course in the city's culinary ambition. Book the tasting well ahead; reservations vanish quickly.

What to order: Pomegranate lamb shoulder

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Center City

Vetri Cucina

Italian$$$$· Refined tasting menu

Marc Vetri's intimate townhouse dining room is the benchmark for high-end Italian cooking in Philadelphia, served as a multi-course tasting menu that changes with the seasons. The spinach gnocchi with brown butter and the almond tortellini are near-mythical, and the pasta work throughout is precise and soulful. Service is polished without a hint of stuffiness, and the wine list leans thoughtfully Italian. For a milestone dinner rooted in craft rather than spectacle, this is the city's classic choice.

What to order: Spinach gnocchi

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Rittenhouse

Vernick Food & Drink

New American$$$· Refined & relaxed

Greg Vernick's James Beard-winning restaurant delivers deceptively simple New American cooking that lets excellent ingredients speak. The menu is built for grazing, from toasts and raw-bar plates to wood-fired mains, all executed with quiet technical brilliance. The two-level Rittenhouse space feels grown-up but relaxed, ideal for a serious dinner without a tasting-menu commitment. It consistently ranks among the best restaurants in Philadelphia and rewards ordering broadly across the menu.

What to order: Wood-fired seasonal plates

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Fishtown

Laser Wolf

Israeli$$· Casual & lively

This rooftop-adjacent shipudim spot from the Zahav team turns the Israeli grill into a joyful, format-driven feast. Every meal begins with a sprawling table of salatim, then centers on a single skewer of your choosing, from koobideh to salmon, finished with soft-serve for dessert. The vibe is loud, communal, and infectiously fun, a casual counterpoint to its fine-dining sibling. It is one of the best-value great meals in the city, so come hungry and arrive early.

What to order: Grilled skewers with salatim

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Fishtown

Kalaya

Thai$$$· Vibrant & bold

Chef Nok Suntaranon's southern Thai restaurant earned her a James Beard award and a national spotlight, and its larger Fishtown home only raised the bar. The cooking is bold, aromatic, and fiercely regional, from massaman curry to crab fried rice and fiery southern-style dishes rarely found stateside. The glamorous, plant-filled room buzzes, and the flavors are uncompromising. Reservations are competitive; come with a group and order across the menu to do it justice.

What to order: Massaman curry

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Rittenhouse

Friday Saturday Sunday

New American$$$· Intimate & romantic

A reborn Philadelphia institution, this narrow Rittenhouse room from Chad and Hanna Williams pairs inventive New American tasting menus with one of the best cocktail programs in the city. Dishes are precise and quietly playful, and the intimate scale makes every course feel personal. The mood is warm, romantic, and unpretentious, perfect for a date or a celebration. It sits comfortably among the top fine-dining destinations downtown, so plan your reservation in advance.

What to order: Seasonal tasting menu

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Fishtown

Pizzeria Beddia

Pizza$$· Lively neighborhood spot

Joe Beddia's pizzeria was once famously crowned the best pizza in America, and the Fishtown flagship expanded the legend into a full sit-down restaurant. The pies feature a blistered, tangy crust and restrained, high-quality toppings, complemented by excellent hoagies, snacks, and natural wine. The room is lively and design-forward without losing its neighborhood soul. Order the plain and the upside-down pies, and pair them with the seasonal salads for a proper meal.

What to order: Blistered-crust pizza

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 South Philadelphia

Pat's King of Steaks

Cheesesteaks$· Iconic counter

Pat's claims to have invented the cheesesteak in 1930, and its 24-hour corner counter at 9th and Wharton is a mandatory pilgrimage. Order like a local: state your cheese, then 'wit' or 'witout' onions, and step aside to devour it standing up. Directly across the street sits rival Geno's, making the intersection the beating heart of cheesesteak lore. It is more ritual than fine dining, and that is exactly the point.

What to order: Whiz wit cheesesteak

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Pennsport

John's Roast Pork

Sandwiches$· No-frills lunch

This James Beard America's Classics winner is where Philadelphians go for the sandwich that rivals the cheesesteak: roast pork piled with garlicky broccoli rabe and sharp provolone on a crusty seeded roll. The setup is bare-bones, cash-friendly, and closes early, so plan a lunch trip. The cheesesteaks here are also among the very best in town, thick and generously filled. There is no atmosphere to speak of, just some of the city's finest sandwiches.

What to order: Roast pork with broccoli rabe

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Center City

Reading Terminal Market

Food hall$· Bustling market

Open since 1893, this sprawling indoor market is the single best place to graze through Philadelphia's food traditions in one stop. DiNic's serves a celebrated roast pork sandwich, Bassetts scoops America's oldest ice cream, and Pennsylvania Dutch stands sell soft pretzels and shoofly pie. Bustling and endlessly varied, it rewards an empty stomach and a willingness to wander. Go on a weekday to beat the crowds and hit several counters in one visit.

What to order: DiNic's roast pork

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Fishtown

Suraya

Lebanese$$· All-day & scenic

Part cafe, part market, part restaurant, Suraya is a gorgeous all-day ode to Lebanese cooking on Frankford Avenue. Mornings bring manoushe and strong coffee, while dinner in the leafy back garden centers on mezze, wood-grilled meats, and warm pita baked to order. The design is stunning and the hospitality genuine, making it one of Fishtown's defining destinations. Come for a leisurely dinner outdoors and order a spread of small plates to share.

What to order: Mezze spread

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Bella Vista

Middle Child

Sandwiches$· Cheery luncheonette

This modern luncheonette redefined the Philadelphia hoagie and built a devoted following for its playful, meticulously built sandwiches. The Phoodie, a surf-and-turf riff, is the signature, but the whole menu reflects a serious kitchen hiding inside a cheery daytime counter. Bright, tiny, and always busy, it is a joyful pit stop between sightseeing. Expect a line at peak lunch hours and grab a seat at the counter if you can.

What to order: The Phoodie hoagie

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Queen Village

Royal Sushi & Izakaya

Japanese$$$$· Hidden omakase

Behind a lively izakaya on Fabric Row hides a twelve-seat omakase counter widely regarded as the best sushi experience in Philadelphia. The intimate, chef-led progression showcases pristine fish and precise, understated craft. Out front, the izakaya offers ramen, robata, and cocktails for a more casual night. Book the omakase counter weeks ahead, or drop into the front room for a relaxed introduction to the kitchen's talent.

What to order: Chef's omakase

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Washington Square West

Vedge

Vegetarian$$$· Elegant & inventive

Rich Landau and Kate Jacoby's vegetable-forward restaurant proves fine dining needs no meat, drawing praise far beyond vegetarian circles. Set in a handsome former mansion, the menu turns humble produce into bold, globally inspired small plates like the fancy radishes and rutabaga fondue. Service is warm and the bar program excellent, making it a genuine special-occasion spot. It is a must for anyone curious about the heights vegetable cooking can reach.

What to order: Fancy radishes

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 South Philadelphia

South Philly Barbacoa

Mexican$$· Humble & soulful

Cristina Martinez's James Beard-honored spot serves extraordinary lamb barbacoa in a humble, deeply personal setting. The weekend-only tacos and consome, built from slow-cooked lamb and handmade tortillas, draw devoted early-morning lines. Beyond the food, Martinez is a national voice for immigrant restaurant workers, giving the place real cultural weight. Arrive early on a weekend before the barbacoa sells out, and bring cash.

What to order: Lamb barbacoa tacos

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 East Passyunk

Fiorella

Italian$$· Tiny & charming

This tiny pasta counter from the Vetri family occupies a historic South Philly butcher shop and turns out some of the city's finest handmade noodles. The compact menu changes often, but the fresh pastas and Italian small plates are consistently excellent, served in a charming, jewel-box room. Seating is limited and reservations tough, adding to the intimate appeal. It is a perfect low-key splurge for anyone who loves fresh pasta done with real care.

What to order: Handmade pasta

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 East Passyunk

River Twice

New American$$$· Intimate tasting menu

Chef Randy Rucker's ambitious neighborhood restaurant offers a compact, ever-changing tasting menu built around top-tier regional ingredients. The cooking is creative and precise yet unpretentious, and the intimate room keeps the experience personal. It delivers destination-level fine dining at a gentler scale than the big downtown names. Reserve ahead and trust the kitchen with the tasting for the fullest picture of what it can do.

What to order: Seasonal tasting menu

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Bella Vista

Sabrina's Cafe

Brunch$$· Homey & casual

A beloved local brunch institution, Sabrina's built its reputation on generous portions and its famous stuffed challah French toast. The menu roams from creative egg dishes to hearty sandwiches, all served in a homey, unpretentious setting. Weekend waits can be long, a testament to its neighborhood loyalty and traveler appeal alike. It is the easy, satisfying choice for a classic Philadelphia brunch before a day of exploring.

What to order: Stuffed challah French toast

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

Best Restaurants in Philadelphia by Cuisine

Philadelphia's immigrant history makes it one of America's great cuisine cities, where a short walk can carry you from Vietnamese pho along Washington Avenue to family taquerias near the Italian Market and Cantonese roast duck in Chinatown.

The best restaurants in Philadelphia by cuisine reward exploration beyond Center City: neighborhood specialists often outshine flashier destinations.

Whether you crave lamb barbacoa, hand-folded soup dumplings, Israeli hummus, or Ethiopian doro wat, the city delivers depth and authenticity across price points.

This roundup highlights standout picks spanning the culinary map, from long-running institutions to modern reinventions, so you can build a week of eating that circles the globe without leaving the city limits.

  • South Philly Barbacoa

    Mexican $$

    Cristina Martinez and Ben Miller's beloved spot near the Italian Market is a benchmark for weekend lamb barbacoa, slow-steamed until it falls apart and served with rich consommé and handmade blue-corn tortillas. Arrive early, since it sells out. It is the kind of soulful, deeply personal cooking that put South Philly's Mexican food on the national map.

    What to order: Lamb barbacoa; consommé; pancita tacos

    Reserve

  • Ralph's Italian Restaurant

    Italian $$

    Opened in 1900 on South 9th Street, Ralph's bills itself as the oldest continuously operating Italian family restaurant in America. The red-gravy classics, chicken Sorrentino, veal parmigiana, and old-school hospitality feel unchanged by time. It is a must for understanding the South Philly Italian tradition that shaped the city's palate.

    What to order: Chicken Sorrentino; veal parmigiana; red gravy

    Reserve

  • Pho 75

    Vietnamese $

    A no-frills institution with a big room on Washington Avenue for steaming bowls of pho and little else. The broth is fragrant, the portions generous, and the surrounding stretch offers banh mi, bubble tea, and Southeast Asian grocers. It anchors one of the city's best corridors for Vietnamese and Cambodian eating.

    What to order: Pho tai; pho dac biet

    Reserve

  • Sang Kee Peking Duck House

    Cantonese $$

    A Chinatown stalwart on North 9th Street famous for its lacquered Peking duck and comforting wonton noodle soups. The menu is deep, the portions are generous, and the room stays busy with families and late-night crowds. It is a reliable anchor of Philadelphia's Cantonese dining scene.

    What to order: Peking duck; wonton noodle soup

    Reserve

  • Zahav

    Israeli $$$

    Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook's James Beard Award-winning restaurant in Society Hill reimagines modern Israeli cooking with warmth and precision. The silky hummus, blistered laffa, and slow-cooked pomegranate lamb shoulder are the reasons to book weeks ahead. It is a flagship that helped teach America to take Israeli cuisine seriously.

    What to order: Hummus with laffa; pomegranate lamb shoulder

    Reserve

  • Kalaya

    Southern Thai $$$

    Chef Nok Suntaranon's James Beard Award-winning Southern Thai restaurant in Fishtown serves bold, aromatic dishes rooted in her family's Trang recipes. The crab curry and fluffy crab omelet are signatures, plush and packed with flavor. It is a modern neighborhood standout that raised the bar for Thai cooking in the city.

    What to order: Crab curry; kai jeaw pu crab omelet

    Reserve

  • Dim Sum Garden

    Shanghai Chinese $

    A bustling Chinatown favorite near the bus terminal specializing in hand-folded Shanghai soup dumplings bursting with hot broth. The dan dan noodles and scallion pancakes round out an affordable, satisfying spread. It is unfussy, consistently excellent, and a must for xiao long bao in Philadelphia.

    What to order: Soup dumplings; dan dan noodles

    Reserve

  • Dmitri's

    Greek $$

    A tiny, long-running Greek seafood BYOB with locations in Queen Village and Fitler Square, beloved for its char-grilled octopus and simple, sparkling-fresh fish. The mezze and hummus are excellent, and the intimate rooms fill fast. It brings honest, Hellenic cooking without pretense to the neighborhood.

    What to order: Grilled octopus; whole grilled fish; mezze

    Reserve

  • Abyssinia

    Ethiopian $

    A West Philadelphia mainstay near 45th and Locust serving spongy injera piled with spicy doro wat, tender tibs, and generous vegetarian combinations. The upstairs bar and low prices make it a student and neighborhood favorite. It anchors the Baltimore Avenue corridor's rich East African dining scene.

    What to order: Doro wat; vegetarian combination on injera

    Reserve

  • Ekta

    North Indian $$

    A friendly BYOB with locations in Fishtown and Fairmount delivering classic North Indian curries, biryani, and buttery naan at real value. Look for the tandoori specialties and vegetarian thalis that showcase the cuisine's range and generosity. It is a dependable pick for a spice-forward, satisfying meal.

    What to order: Biryani; butter chicken; naan

    Reserve

Best Fine Dining Restaurants in Philadelphia

Philadelphia is not a Michelin Guide city, but it stands among America's most serious food towns, with a fine-dining scene defined by James Beard Award winners rather than stars.

The best fine dining restaurants in Philadelphia range from ambitious multi-course tasting menus to polished a la carte rooms, many helmed by chefs who reshaped the city's dining reputation.

Expect seasonal menus, thoughtful wine and non-alcoholic pairings, and a notable BYOB tradition at some of the most inventive tables. These are the rooms for milestone celebrations and once-in-a-trip splurges.

Book weeks or months ahead, arrive curious, and let the kitchen lead; Philadelphia's top tables reward diners who surrender to the experience.

  • Vetri Cucina

    Italian $$$$

    Marc Vetri's intimate townhouse on Spruce Street is widely considered the city's fine-dining benchmark and one of the country's best Italian restaurants. The tasting menu showcases handmade pasta and refined, region-hopping Italian cooking. It is the ultimate Philadelphia splurge and a bucket-list meal for serious food lovers.

    What to order: Tasting menu; spinach gnocchi; almond tortellini

    Reserve

  • Zahav

    Israeli $$$

    Michael Solomonov's modern Israeli restaurant in Society Hill won the James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant and reshaped how America thinks about Israeli food. Warm hospitality, live-fire cooking, and legendary hummus define the experience. It is a celebratory table that balances ambition with genuine generosity.

    What to order: Hummus tehina; pomegranate lamb shoulder; mesibah menu

    Reserve

  • Vernick Food & Drink

    Contemporary American $$$

    Greg Vernick's James Beard Award-winning Rittenhouse room delivers precise, ingredient-driven contemporary American cooking in a relaxed but polished setting. The famous toasts and wood-fired dishes make it a favorite for refined dinners without a full tasting-menu commitment.

    What to order: Toast; wood-roasted fish

    Reserve

  • Laurel

    French-American $$$$

    Top Chef winner Nicholas Elmi's tiny East Passyunk restaurant serves an elegant French-American tasting menu in a quietly beautiful room. Precise, seasonal, and intimate, it is a favorite for anniversaries and special occasions seeking polish over spectacle.

    What to order: Seasonal tasting menu

    Reserve

  • Friday Saturday Sunday

    Contemporary American $$$

    Chad and Hanna Williams revived this Rittenhouse classic into a James Beard Award-winning contemporary American restaurant with a serious wine and cocktail program. Refined yet warm, it pairs inventive cooking with a beloved dining room, ideal for a celebratory night out.

    What to order: Crab tortellini; mushroom soup

    Reserve

  • River Twice

    New American $$$

    Chef Randy Rucker's East Passyunk destination builds a thoughtful, produce-driven tasting menu that changes with the season. Inventive and quietly confident, it offers ambitious cooking in an approachable, personal setting away from the city's busier corridors.

    What to order: Seasonal tasting menu

    Reserve

  • Provenance

    Avant-garde $$$$

    A chef-driven tasting-menu spot bringing avant-garde ambition to East Passyunk in an intimate, counter-focused room. Playful, technique-forward, and personal, it is one of the city's most exciting fine-dining stories for diners chasing something adventurous.

    What to order: Multi-course tasting menu

    Reserve

  • Royal Sushi & Izakaya

    Japanese $$$$

    Behind a bustling Queen Village izakaya hides a coveted omakase counter seating just a handful of guests. The precise, seasonal sushi progression is among the city's most sought-after reservations and a refined counterpoint to the lively bar out front.

    What to order: Omakase; nigiri

    Reserve

  • Kalaya

    Thai $$$

    Nok Suntaranon's Fishtown restaurant earned a James Beard Award for its bold, deeply flavored Southern Thai cooking rooted in family recipes. Ambitious yet welcoming, it marries neighborhood warmth with serious technique and heritage flavors.

    What to order: Southern Thai curry; kua kling

    Reserve

  • Vedge

    Vegan $$$

    Rich Landau and Kate Jacoby's vegetable-forward restaurant occupies a handsome Locust Street mansion and proves fine dining needs no meat. Inventive, elegant plates and a serious bar make it a nationally recognized destination for refined, plant-based cooking.

    What to order: Fancy radish; vegetable tasting

    Reserve

  • My Loup

    French $$$

    Amanda Shulman's warm French bistro near Rittenhouse pairs classic technique with a convivial, buzzy dining room. Refined but unfussy, it is a stylish choice for a celebratory dinner that leans into comfort and charm rather than ceremony.

    What to order: Steak frites; seasonal French plates

    Reserve

Most Romantic Restaurants in Philadelphia

For date nights, anniversaries, and proposals, the most romantic restaurants in Philadelphia pair intimate lighting and gracious service with food worth lingering over.

The city offers everything from candlelit French bistros and clubby steakhouses to cozy BYOBs and garden courtyards tucked behind historic squares.

Romance here is less about stiff formality and more about atmosphere: a moody bar, a shared bottle of wine, and a room that makes time slow down. Whether you want Rittenhouse Square glamour or a snug corner table in a converted East Passyunk rowhouse, these picks set the mood.

Reserve ahead, request a quiet corner if you can, and plan a leisurely, unhurried evening.

  • Barclay Prime

    Steakhouse $$$$

    Dark, plush, and glamorous, Barclay Prime is a top date-night steakhouse just off Rittenhouse Square. Leather banquettes, low lighting, and a serious cocktail program make dinner feel like an occasion. Dry-aged steaks and an indulgent Wagyu cheesesteak seal the romantic deal.

    What to order: Dry-aged steaks; Wagyu cheesesteak

    Reserve

  • Vernick Food & Drink

    New American $$$

    An intimate, warmly lit room ideal for lingering over wine and seasonal plates. Greg Vernick's attentive service and relaxed-but-refined mood make it a comfortable choice for couples who want James Beard-caliber food without pretension.

    What to order: Seasonal plates; wine pairings

    Reserve

  • Parc

    French $$$

    A bustling yet romantic French brasserie on Rittenhouse Square, ideal for people-watching over steak frites and a bottle of Bordeaux. Zinc bar, brass fixtures, and Parisian energy make it a reliably atmospheric special-occasion option.

    What to order: Steak frites; escargots

    Reserve

  • Vetri Cucina

    Italian $$$$

    For a refined Italian date, Marc Vetri's townhouse dining room pairs plush surroundings with a memorable multi-course tasting. Handmade pastas, a deep wine list, and warm, unhurried service make for a classic, celebratory romantic evening.

    What to order: Handmade pasta; tasting menu

    Reserve

  • Talula's Garden

    New American $$$

    Combining a farm-to-table kitchen with a leafy courtyard off Washington Square, this spot offers a cozy, low-pressure date option. Share seasonal plates and a legendary cheese board, then settle in on the candlelit patio for a relaxed evening together.

    What to order: Seasonal plates; artisan cheese board

    Reserve

  • Zahav

    Israeli $$$$

    Michael Solomonov's landmark Israeli dining room in Society Hill offers an intimate, refined experience with the Mesibah tasting and exquisite mezze. Warm lighting and impeccable service make it a sophisticated, flavor-rich date destination.

    What to order: Pomegranate lamb shoulder; hummus

    Reserve

  • Laurel

    French American $$$$

    Nicholas Elmi's tiny East Passyunk tasting-menu room seats barely two dozen, which makes every dinner feel private and special. The elegant, French-inflected courses and quiet, hushed setting make it a longtime favorite for romantic special occasions.

    What to order: Seasonal tasting menu

    Reserve

  • Le Virtù

    Italian $$$

    A warm, rustic Italian room on East Passyunk with a relaxed-romantic vibe. Abruzzese plates, house-cured salumi, and handmade pastas paired with candlelight and a garden patio make it a comfortable, characterful date-night pick in South Philly.

    What to order: Abruzzese pastas; house salumi

    Reserve

  • Butcher and Singer

    Steakhouse $$$

    A classic steakhouse channeling 1940s Hollywood glamour, with soaring ceilings, clubby energy, and old-school charm. The handsome Center City setting suits couples who want a celebratory, timeless steak dinner with a great martini and gracious service.

    What to order: Signature steaks; lobster bisque

    Reserve

  • Friday Saturday Sunday

    New American $$$

    An elegant, intimate Rittenhouse dining room with a handsome bar and a warm, inventive menu, well suited to a special downtown date. Comfortable, stylish, and refined, it works for a milestone dinner or a relaxed evening out together.

    What to order: Tasting menu; classic snapper soup

    Reserve

Best Rooftop & View Restaurants in Philadelphia

Few cities reward dining with a view like Philadelphia, where the Center City skyline, the Delaware River, and the Ben Franklin Bridge create dramatic backdrops from spring through fall.

The best rooftop and view restaurants in Philadelphia range from sky-high dining rooms atop iconic towers to waterfront patios and hotel terraces perfect for golden hour.

Warm-weather months are peak season, when rooftops fill quickly and reservations or early arrivals become essential. Many focus as much on the setting and drinks as the food, so calibrate expectations accordingly.

Whether you want a signature cocktail dozens of floors up or a laid-back deck with river views, these spots deliver Philadelphia's most photogenic dining.

  • R2L

    American $$$

    Perched on the 37th floor of Two Liberty Place, R2L pairs polished American cooking with some of the widest skyline views in the city. The dining room and bar look out over Center City, making it a go-to for a special occasion above the streets.

    What to order: Cocktails; skyline views

    Reserve

  • Nineteen (XIX)

    American $$$

    High in the Bellevue Hotel on Broad Street, Nineteen serves seafood and American plates beneath a soaring rotunda with sweeping city views. The elegant setting and vantage over Center City make it a memorable spot for drinks or dinner.

    What to order: Raw bar; panoramic city views

    Reserve

  • Attico Rooftop

    Mediterranean $$$

    Atop the MOXY hotel in Center City, Attico offers a chic, energetic rooftop scene with skyline views, cocktails, and Mediterranean small plates. It is a popular warm-weather destination for drinks and people-watching above the city.

    What to order: Cocktails; small plates; skyline

    Reserve

  • Assembly Rooftop Lounge

    American $$$

    Set atop The Study hotel in University City, Assembly is a stylish rooftop for cocktails and shareable plates with views back toward the Center City skyline. The terrace is a prime golden-hour spot on the west side of the Schuylkill.

    What to order: Cocktails; shareable plates; views

    Reserve

  • Stratus Rooftop Lounge

    American $$$

    A sleek rooftop atop the Kimpton Hotel Monaco in Old City, Stratus overlooks Independence Mall and the Ben Franklin Bridge. It is one of the neighbourhood's most iconic spots for cocktails, especially at sunset.

    What to order: Cocktails; historic-district views

    Reserve

  • Bok Bar

    American $$

    A seasonal summer rooftop atop the former Bok technical school in South Philadelphia, this casual bar serves cocktails and bites with a striking skyline panorama. Its relaxed, come-as-you-are vibe makes it a beloved warm-weather hangout.

    What to order: Cocktails; bar bites; skyline views

    Reserve

  • SkyGarten

    German $$

    A Bavarian-style beer garden set high above Center City, SkyGarten pours steins and cocktails alongside pretzels and sausages with open skyline views. Its lively, laid-back scene makes it a solid choice for after-work drinks in the sky.

    What to order: Beer; pretzels; skyline views

    Reserve

  • Liberty Point

    American $$

    A sprawling multi-level venue on the Delaware River at Penn's Landing, Liberty Point offers panoramic water and bridge views from an expansive rooftop deck. The waterfront setting is dramatic and well suited to groups and celebrations.

    What to order: Cocktails; shareable bites; river views

    Reserve

  • Continental Mid-town

    American $$

    A retro-modern Stephen Starr spot in Center City with a breezy rooftop deck above the martini-lounge floors below. Popular for cocktails and globally inspired small plates, it delivers a playful vibe and photogenic city vantage points.

    What to order: Martinis; global small plates; deck views

    Reserve

  • Cira Green

    American $$

    An elevated park perched above University City with cocktails and casual bites served in warmer months. The green rooftop setting and views across the Schuylkill toward the skyline make it one of the more atmospheric spots for a sunset drink.

    What to order: Cocktails; casual bites; skyline park

    Reserve

Best Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurants in Philadelphia

Philadelphia's plant-based scene has grown from a niche into a genuine strength, with dedicated vegetarian and vegan restaurants alongside omnivore kitchens that treat vegetables as headliners.

The best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Philadelphia span fast-casual counters, refined seasonal tasting menus, and globally inspired spots serving everything from vegan cheesesteaks to plant-based Latin and Ethiopian.

Many of the city's produce-driven chefs source from regional farms and the Reading Terminal Market, so vegetable dishes here are anything but an afterthought.

Whether you are fully vegan, vegetarian, or simply eating lighter, these picks prove that meat-free dining in Philadelphia can be creative, satisfying, and celebratory rather than restrictive.

  • Vedge

    Vegetable-forward $$$

    Rich Landau and Kate Jacoby's flagship on Locust Street offers an elevated vegetable-centric menu in an elegant townhouse setting. It demonstrates how far Philadelphia's meat-free dining has come, with refined plates and a sophisticated bar program that appeal to vegans and omnivores alike.

    What to order: Elevated vegetable small plates

    Reserve

  • HipCityVeg

    Vegan Fast Casual $

    A fast-casual vegan counter serving plant-based burgers, sandwiches, bowls, and shakes across several city locations. Casual and welcoming, it is a reliable stop for satisfying vegan versions of familiar favorites.

    What to order: Plant-based burgers; shakes

    Reserve

  • Su Xing House

    Vegan Chinese $

    A longtime all-vegan Chinese restaurant in Center City serving wholesome mock-meat dishes, noodle soups, and stir-fries. Its dedicated, health-focused approach has earned a loyal following over many years.

    What to order: Mock-meat stir-fries; noodle soups

    Reserve

  • Blackbird Pizzeria

    Vegan Pizzeria $$

    A pioneering all-vegan spot in Queen Village famous for its plant-based cheesesteaks and pizza. A neighborhood institution since the vegan scene's early days, it remains a beloved go-to for meat-free comfort food.

    What to order: Vegan cheesesteak; pizza

    Reserve

  • Miss Rachel's Pantry

    Vegan $$

    A cozy South Philadelphia vegan spot serving creative plant-based comfort food and communal supper club dinners. Inventive dishes and a warm vibe make it a strong choice for those seeking hearty, flavorful meat-free meals.

    What to order: Plant-based comfort food; supper club menu

    Reserve

  • Abyssinia

    Ethiopian $$

    A West Philadelphia Ethiopian restaurant with an excellent range of vegetarian and vegan combination platters served on injera. The spiced lentils, greens, and vegetable stews make it a naturally plant-friendly, communal dining experience.

    What to order: Veggie combo on injera; spiced lentils

    Reserve

  • Charlie was a sinner.

    Vegan $$

    A dimly lit Midtown Village bar and restaurant with an entirely vegan menu of small plates and craft cocktails. Stylish, intimate, and beloved by locals, it offers globally inspired meat-free food and a serious drinks program.

    What to order: Vegan small plates; cocktails

    Reserve

  • Bar Bombon

    Vegan Latin $$

    An all-vegan Latin restaurant near Rittenhouse serving plant-based takes on Puerto Rican and Caribbean classics alongside vibrant cocktails. Its lively atmosphere and creative menu make it a comfortable, reliable meat-free destination.

    What to order: Plant-based Latin plates; cocktails

    Reserve

  • Vegan Commissary

    Vegan Comfort $$

    A South Philadelphia vegan cafe serving hearty plant-based takes on comfort classics, sandwiches, and baked goods. Its casual counter service and satisfying, flavorful cooking make it a meaningful stop for vegan dining beyond Center City.

    What to order: Plant-based comfort classics; baked goods

    Reserve

  • Zahav

    Israeli $$$

    While not exclusively vegetarian, Michael Solomonov's acclaimed Israeli restaurant offers standout vegetable-forward dishes worth seeking out. Its creative salatim, hummus, and produce cookery make it a great option for flexitarians dining with meat-eaters in Society Hill.

    What to order: Salatim; hummus; vegetable mezze

    Reserve

Best Cheesesteaks & Iconic Philadelphia Eats

You cannot claim to know the best restaurants in Philadelphia without diving into the city's iconic hometown foods: the cheesesteak, the roast pork sandwich, the Italian hoagie, the soft pretzel, and water ice.

The cheesesteak is the headline act, thinly sliced beef griddled with onions and draped in Cheez Whiz or provolone on a long roll, a sandwich locals debate endlessly.

But many Philadelphians will tell you the roast pork sandwich, layered with sharp provolone and garlicky broccoli rabe, is the true king. Add a properly seeded hoagie and a cup of cherry water ice, and you have the working-class flavors that define South Philly.

Come hungry, embrace the mess, and taste the foods that built the city's culinary identity.

  • Pat's King of Steaks

    Cheesesteaks $

    The self-proclaimed birthplace of the cheesesteak, invented here by Pat Olivieri in the 1930s at the corner of 9th and Passyunk. Open around the clock, it is where you learn to order like a local: 'whiz wit' gets you Cheez Whiz with onions.

    What to order: Cheesesteak whiz wit

    Reserve

  • Geno's Steaks

    Cheesesteaks $

    Pat's flashy rival, blazing with neon directly across the intersection since 1966. The decades-old feud between the two corners is a Philadelphia rite of passage, and locals happily argue over which griddle turns out the better steak.

    What to order: Provolone cheesesteak

    Reserve

  • Dalessandro's Steaks

    Cheesesteaks $

    A Roxborough favorite that many locals quietly rank above the tourist corners. The beef is chopped fine on the flat top and packed generously into the roll, making it a beloved neighborhood pick worth the trip out of Center City.

    What to order: Chopped cheesesteak with whiz

    Reserve

  • Jim's South Street

    Cheesesteaks $

    A black-and-white tiled art deco fixture on South Street, griddling steaks in full view of the line. The theater of watching your sandwich cooked to order, then eaten upstairs, makes it a classic city stop.

    What to order: Cheesesteak with fried onions

    Reserve

  • John's Roast Pork

    Roast Pork $

    A James Beard America's Classic winner tucked near Snyder Avenue, famous for roast pork piled with sharp provolone and broccoli rabe. Cash only with short daytime hours, it rewards the effort with the city's definitive pork sandwich.

    What to order: Roast pork with provolone and broccoli rabe

    Reserve

  • Tommy DiNic's

    Roast Pork $

    The roast pork stand inside bustling Reading Terminal Market, nationally crowned for its slow-roasted pork topped with sharp provolone and greens. Grabbing a sandwich amid the market's stalls is an essential Philadelphia experience.

    What to order: Roast pork Italian with broccoli rabe

    Reserve

  • Tony Luke's

    Sandwiches $

    A South Philly institution beneath the I-95 overpass on Oregon Avenue, known equally for its roast pork Italian and its cheesesteaks. No-frills and satisfying, it is a dependable stop for both of the city's signature sandwiches.

    What to order: Roast pork Italian; cheesesteak

    Reserve

  • Angelo's Pizzeria

    Pizza & Sandwiches $$

    A South Philly counter drawing long lines for cheesesteaks on house-baked sesame rolls, hoagies, and old-school tomato pie. Cash only and worth the wait, it channels the neighborhood's Italian-American roots on every plate.

    What to order: Cheesesteak on sesame roll; tomato pie

    Reserve

  • Sarcone's Deli

    Hoagies $

    A 9th Street Italian Market staple building Italian hoagies on Sarcone's famously seeded, crusty bread. The bread is the difference, and locals argue this is the hoagie by which all others in the city are measured.

    What to order: Italian hoagie on seeded bread

    Reserve

  • Rita's Water Ice

    Water Ice $

    The Philadelphia-born chain that made water ice, the city's answer to Italian ice, a summertime ritual since 1984. Layered with frozen custard into a gelati, the cherry cup is a nostalgic, affordable treat found across the region.

    What to order: Cherry water ice; gelati

    Reserve

Best Restaurants in Philadelphia by Neighborhood

Philadelphia is a city of distinct neighborhoods, and the best restaurants in Philadelphia are scattered across them rather than concentrated in a single dining district.

Rittenhouse and Center City form the polished downtown hub, while East Passyunk, the Italian Market, and Bella Vista anchor a deep South Philly food tradition.

Fishtown and Northern Liberties drive the independent, chef-driven energy north of Old City, and University City brings a farm-to-table sensibility across the Schuylkill.

Using neighborhoods to plan your meals lets you pair dining with sightseeing, walkable strolls, and a genuine sense of local life. This roundup spotlights a signature restaurant in several key areas to help you eat your way across the city.

  • Rittenhouse, Vernick Food & Drink

    New American $$$

    Greg Vernick's James Beard Award-winning townhouse dining room defined modern Philadelphia cooking, with wood-fired plates and famous toasts. Rittenhouse is the city's most refined dining district, and this is its centerpiece. Reservations are tough but worth it.

    What to order: Wood-fired plates; loaded toasts

    Reserve

  • East Passyunk, Laurel

    New American $$$$

    Nicholas Elmi's intimate tasting-menu room anchors one of the city's most creative dining strips. Precise, French-influenced cooking and a warm neighborhood feel make it the ideal introduction to East Passyunk's independent food culture.

    What to order: Multi-course seasonal tasting menu

    Reserve

  • Fishtown, Suraya

    Lebanese $$$

    A soaring Lebanese cafe, market, and garden restaurant that helped ignite the Fishtown dining boom. Convivial and full of light, it captures the neighborhood's transformation into a destination for creative eating and drinking.

    What to order: Mezze; hummus; mixed grill

    Reserve

  • Italian Market, Villa di Roma

    Italian-American $$

    Old-school red-gravy Italian-American cooking served in the heart of the historic Ninth Street Italian Market. Pair a visit with the market's cheese shops, produce stalls, and butchers for a full South Philly afternoon.

    What to order: Gravy; meatballs; veal parmigiana

    Reserve

  • Society Hill, Zahav

    Israeli $$$

    Michael Solomonov's landmark Israeli restaurant anchors the historic district near Old City with hummus, laffa, and a legendary pomegranate lamb shoulder. It is the essential reason to plan a meal around Society Hill and Independence Hall.

    What to order: Hummus; laffa; pomegranate lamb shoulder

    Reserve

  • South Philadelphia, John's Roast Pork

    Sandwiches $

    A James Beard America's Classic serving what many call the city's best roast pork sandwich and cheesesteak. Rich, crispy, and sold from a humble corner shop, it is a rewarding, affordable South Philly pilgrimage.

    What to order: Roast pork with provolone and broccoli rabe; cheesesteak

    Reserve

  • Chinatown, Dim Sum Garden

    Chinese $

    Philadelphia's compact Chinatown, near the Convention Center, offers soup dumplings, hand-pulled noodles, and bustling dining rooms. A dumpling-and-tea crawl through the neighborhood is a rewarding, affordable culinary outing.

    What to order: Soup dumplings; hand-pulled noodles

    Reserve

  • University City, White Dog Cafe

    Farm-to-Table $$$

    A farm-to-table pioneer near the University of Pennsylvania that put local, seasonal sourcing on the city's map. Inventive yet comforting, it exemplifies the neighborhood dining that draws students, faculty, and visitors alike.

    What to order: Seasonal plates; local produce

    Reserve

  • Northern Liberties, Standard Tap

    Gastropub $$

    Philadelphia's original gastropub, devoted to local draft beer and hearty, from-scratch pub fare. Communal and unpretentious, it captures the easygoing energy that made Northern Liberties a nightlife and dining destination.

    What to order: Duck confit; burger; local draft beer

    Reserve

  • Fairmount, A Mano

    Italian $$

    A charming BYOB devoted to handmade pasta on a walkable strip near the Art Museum. Cozy and chef-driven, it makes Fairmount a rewarding, low-key dining stop before or after a stroll along the Parkway.

    What to order: Handmade pasta; house focaccia

    Reserve

Best New & Trendy Restaurant Openings in Philadelphia

Philadelphia's dining scene never stands still, and the best new and trendy restaurant openings in Philadelphia keep the city on the national radar year after year.

Recent momentum has centered on Fishtown's continued expansion, ambitious East Passyunk debuts, and chefs branching out from acclaimed flagships to launch second and third concepts.

New openings tend to book up fast on buzz alone, so flexibility with dates and early or late seatings helps. Because the freshest spots evolve quickly, it is always worth checking current local coverage before you go.

These picks highlight recently opened and buzzy restaurants that capture where Philadelphia dining is heading right now.

  • Kalaya

    Thai $$$

    Chef Nok Suntaranon's southern Thai restaurant made a splash when it expanded into a larger Fishtown home, pairing family recipes with a lively, colorful room. A James Beard win cemented its status as one of the city's most celebrated arrivals.

    What to order: Southern Thai family recipes; crab curry

    Reserve

  • My Loup

    French Bistro $$$

    A stylish French bistro from Amanda Shulman and Alex Kemp, bringing Parisian energy and classic technique to Bella Vista. Its buzzy room and polished cooking made it an instant see-and-be-seen destination.

    What to order: Steak frites; classic bistro fare

    Reserve

  • Her Place Supper Club

    New American $$$

    Amanda Shulman's intimate Rittenhouse supper club serves a nightly changing menu at communal tables, blending fine cooking with a warm, dinner-party feel. Its hard-to-book seatings and personal point of view make it emblematic of Philadelphia's adventurous new wave.

    What to order: Nightly changing communal menu

    Reserve

  • Ember & Ash

    Live-Fire $$$

    A wood-and-fire restaurant on East Passyunk that earned rapid acclaim for its intense, live-flame cooking from chef Scott Schroeder. Its smoke-driven meats and vegetables reflect the growing hunger for open-hearth dining.

    What to order: Wood-fired meats and vegetables

    Reserve

  • Kampar

    Malaysian $$$

    Chef Ange Branca's Malaysian restaurant inside the Bok building reinvigorated the scene with bold, layered curries and hawker-inspired plates. Its lively atmosphere and generous shared dishes keep it popular for groups.

    What to order: Malaysian curries; hawker plates

    Reserve

  • Friday Saturday Sunday

    New American $$$$

    Chad and Hanna Williams's reimagining of a Rittenhouse institution blends fine dining with a seasonal, produce-driven menu and a jewel-box room. Its intersection of nostalgia and modern cooking makes it one of the more distinctive recent revivals.

    What to order: Seasonal tasting-style menu

    Reserve

  • Laser Wolf

    Israeli $$$

    Michael Solomonov's Israeli shipudim house in Fishtown blends smoky grilled skewers with an endless spread of salatim. Its buzzy energy and generous format have kept it firmly in the conversation as a modern favorite.

    What to order: Grilled skewers; salatim spread

    Reserve

  • River Twice

    New American $$$$

    A Michelin-caliber East Passyunk restaurant where chef Randy Rucker builds an ever-changing tasting menu around peak local produce. Its creative, ingredient-led cooking makes it one of the more ambitious newer arrivals.

    What to order: Ingredient-driven tasting menu

    Reserve

  • Gabriella's Vietnam

    Vietnamese $$

    A wave of Vietnamese restaurants building on South Philly's deep roots has energized the scene, and this family-run spot leads the charge with refined regional cooking. It reflects one of Philadelphia's most exciting current culinary movements.

    What to order: Refined regional Vietnamese plates

    Reserve

  • The Bourse / food halls

    Food Hall $$

    Curated food halls in Old City and beyond gather standout local vendors under one roof, offering an easy way to sample multiple buzzy cooks and cuisines in a single, casual visit.

    What to order: Multiple local vendors under one roof

    Reserve

Frequently Asked Questions

What food is Philadelphia most famous for?

Philadelphia is most famous for the cheesesteak. Locals also love the roast pork sandwich with broccoli rabe and provolone, soft pretzels, hoagies, and water ice, plus fine dining like James Beard winner Zahav.

Where can I get the best cheesesteak in Philadelphia?

Top cheesesteak spots include Pat's and Geno's facing off in South Philly, Dalessandro's in Roxborough, and John's Roast Pork for a purist's version. Jim's on South Street is another classic. Try more than one.

Do I need reservations for top Philadelphia restaurants?

Yes. Sought-after spots like Zahav, Vetri, Friday Saturday Sunday, and Kalaya need reservations released weeks ahead. Laser Wolf and many BYOBs book fast too. Book early or sit at the bar.

Which Philadelphia neighborhoods are best for dining?

Fishtown and East Passyunk are the buzziest hubs for chef-driven spots. Rittenhouse and Old City have upscale tables, South Philly and the Italian Market offer affordable classics, and Reading Terminal Market is a must for stalls.

How expensive is fine dining in Philadelphia?

Philadelphia's top tasting menus are a splurge, typically $$$$ per person before pairings. Neighborhood BYOBs, taquerias, and spots like Reading Terminal Market offer great value. Check current menus.

Are there good vegetarian and vegan options in Philadelphia?

Yes. Vegan and vegetarian spots include Vedge, Charlie was a sinner, and HipCityVeg. Many fine-dining kitchens accommodate vegan menus with notice, and the city's Ethiopian spots offer plant-based platters.