The Best Places to Eat in Philadelphia

Philadelphia is an iconic city for a variety of reasons. It’s home to legendary American symbols and sights like the Liberty Bell, it’s the spot of unforgettable cinematic moments, and it’s a thriving cultural center with tons of entertainment options. But most importantly, people love it for its food. Chefs and restaurant owners from all over come to Philly to open up restaurants that offer world-class dining. But where are the smartest, savviest diners eating out? Welcome to the Tastemaker Lists. We’ve pulled data from thousands of restaurants to find the top spots among OpenTable's most expert, seasoned diners. Some of these restaurants are fancy, others are small hole-in-the-walls—they all taste unforgettable. To get a sample of what Philadelphia tastes like, check out this list of Philadelphia’s most iconic dishes.

The OpenTable Team

12 Restaurants

Updated February 26, 2020

Restaurants:	Talula's Daily - Secret Supper Club, Serpico - Philadelphia, Zama…
Price Range:	$$$ - $$$$
Cuisines:	Contemporary American, American, Japanese…
Neighborhoods:	Washington Square, Center City, Rittenhouse Square…

Talula's Daily - Secret Supper Club

$$$$

Contemporary American

Washington Square

4.8

672 reviews

If you want to eat somewhere cozy and intimate that also has a famous Philadelphia dish, then Talula’s Daily is your spot. This charming cafe is part eatery and part market, and the food is as fresh and seasonal as anywhere you will find in the city. They serve one of Philly’s most iconic dishes there: the “Local Brunch.” This plate comes with farmstead cheddar scrambled eggs, double-smoked Lancaster bacon, fried potatoes, and an English muffin with honey butter. This dish is iconic because it symbolizes Philly’s contemporary dining scene: focused on farm fresh ingredients that remind you of Pennsylvania’s farming heritage.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Serpico - Philadelphia

$$$$

American

Center City

4.7

1535 reviews

Perhaps the trendiest restaurant on this list is Serpico. This chic dining establishment offers one of the most iconic dishes in the city: the Candied Duck Breast. The duck breast itself is rich and decadent. When paired with grilled apple, fermented greens, and red wine jus, it is a funky and fresh taste that Philadelphia diners do not soon forget.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Zama

$$$$

Japanese

Rittenhouse Square

4.7

2043 reviews

Perhaps the best Japanese restaurant in Philadelphia is Zama. Zama is right off Rittenhouse Square, so it is a popular choice if you want a restaurant close to all of the city’s best attractions. One of the most iconic dishes in Philadelphia is on the menu at Zama: the Pan Seared Hokkaido Scallops. These unbeatably fresh scallops come with mushroom risotto and fried spinach. They also come topped with a yuzu beurre blanc, which makes the dish a perfect blend of mid-Atlantic and Far East flavors.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Pumpkin BYOB

$$$$

Contemporary American

Rittenhouse Square

4.7

2312 reviews

BYOB is big in town, and Pumpkin is another place where you can bring your own wine. If you do, make sure that you order the Braised Monkfish, which people consider one of the most iconic dishes in town. Monkfish texture and flavor is unique, like lobster. Pumpkin Philly is near Filter Square, and it accepts cash only.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

The Love

$$$$

American

Rittenhouse Square

4.8

5629 reviews

The Love is in City Center West. So if you plan a big day in the heart of town, make a reservation to eat there and refuel. The Love has a bunch of great dishes, but one of the most iconic dishes in Philadelphia is the Juicy Griddled Angus Burger. People consider this to be one of the best burgers in town, and to make it better, you can add an egg. It comes with a cheese fondue and aioli on a potato bun.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Takeout available

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Barbuzzo Restaurant

$$$$

Mediterranean

Center City

4.7

5834 reviews

Head towards City Hall and you will run into Barbuzzo, one of the city’s best restaurants. The menu there is Mediterranean, and on it is a standout: the Uovo pizza. It has brussels sprouts leaves, secret white sauce, 1732 guanciale, parmesan, fior di latte, and an egg. People in Philly love their pizza, but this might the most interesting and iconic. Skip the traditional red pie and go for this one if you want to have a memorable Philly dining experience.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Bud & Marilyn's

$$$$

American

Center City

4.6

4671 reviews

Getting a seat at Bud & Marilyn’s is something people seek out. That’s because this restaurant has a world-class chef and unique menu that people come into town just to sample. Want one of the most iconic dishes in Philly? Order the short rib stroganoff. This warm dish of braised short rib, mushrooms, and egg noodles harkens back to the city’s past, and also warms Pennsylvanian hands and hearts during the wintertime.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Marathon - 19th & Spruce

$$$$

American

Rittenhouse Square

4.6

626 reviews

Marathon is a beloved restaurant in Philadelphia. There are three locations of the eatery: at 16th and Sansom, 1818 Market, and 19th and Spruce. If you eat at the 19th and Spruce location, you can enjoy unforgettable food with global influences. You can also find some of Philadelphia’s most iconic dishes. Of course, the Philly Cheese Steak is a must-order. But so is the Center City Sandwich. This delicious meal has fresh mozzarella, Roma tomato, roasted peppers, basil, arugula, and balsamic reduction on a baguette.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Effie's Restaurant

$$$$

Greek

Center City

3.9

728 reviews

One of the most celebrated Greek restaurants in Philadelphia is Effie’s, a restaurant that serves traditional Greek food in a cozy setting. Don't think diner when you think of Effie's; think of a more upscale dining establishment that celebrates Greek heritage. When you eat at Effie’s, you must get the spanakopita, the specialty of the house. This famous Greek dish has spinach, feta, and dill stuffed into the middle of phyllo dough. The restaurant is in Washington Square West, so it is convenient to the center of the city.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Talula’s Garden

$$$$

American

Washington Square

4.9

11604 reviews

Sit outside in Talula’s Garden if you want to enjoy some of Philadelphia’s best food in an outdoor setting. The Pork and Apples is what makes Talula’s Garden famous. A warm hearty dish feels just right for Philadelphia’s cold winters, and the farm-fresh taste celebrates the best of Pennsylvania farming and Amish country. Talula's Garden is the sister restaurant and outdoor portion of Talula's Daily, another of Philadelphia's best dining spots. Try to dine at them both for a taste of the town's most iconic dishes.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Bistrot La Minette

$$$$

French

Queen Village

4.8

3846 reviews

For one of the best dishes in Philadelphia when it comes to French cuisine, eat at Bistrot La Minette. They serve up famous French fare, particularly Escargots a la Bourguignonne, or burgundy snails. Enjoy this delicacy served with a garlic herb butter and croutons. If you want to finish up your iconic meal with something else that is unforgettably good, trying the mille feuille aux framboises. This is a caramelized puff pastry, vanilla pastry cream, and raspberries.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Barclay Prime

$$$$

Steakhouse

Rittenhouse Square

4.8

4673 reviews

You can eat great steak throughout the city of Philadelphia. But one eatery known for serving outstanding cuts of meat and seafood is Barclay Prime. If you choose to eat at Barclay Prime, you can order one of Philly’s most iconic dishes: the 32-ounce Porterhouse. This famous, large steak comes 35-day dry-aged, and serves multiple people. Barclay Prime also offers Wagyu selections of meat, like an 18-ounce Ribeye from Japan and an 8-ounce Filet Mignon from Snake River Farms.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

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