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17 restaurants that define Philadelphia dining

17 restaurants that define Philadelphia dining

by Maddy Sweitzer-Lamme

Updated March 30, 2023

Philadelphia’s vibrant dining scene is right up there with historical landmarks on the list of reasons visitors come to town. The Philly food world just as important as the city’s renowned museums and concert halls, and chefs are some of our biggest celebrities.

A Top Chef winner in East Passyunk serves French American fare in a jewel box-like space. A group-friendly Chinatown favorite dishes up some of the city’s best—and spiciest—Sichuan fare. In Cedar Park, a soul food joint doubles as a beloved community hangout.

The city’s matrix of outstanding restaurants is as diverse as the people who live here, ranging from chef-driven, fine-dining spots to laid-back sports bars and cafes. Read on for a guide to 17 restaurants essential to Philadelphia.

A photo of Parc restaurant

4.8

4.8 (16031)

$31 to $50

French

Rittenhouse Square

About the restaurant

Prolific restaurateur Stephen Starr—known for hits such as Buddakan and Le Coucou around the country—got his start in Philadelphia. His flair for designing the full dining experience is best showcased at Parc, a Parisian restaurant literally built from pieces of restaurants imported from France. The atmosphere, both inside and outside, is spectacular: Parc’s bustling sidewalk tables sit across the street from Rittenhouse Square Park, and the restaurant takes full advantage of its lush setting. There’s no better place to enjoy a flawlessly cooked French omelet or steak frites while getting in some people-watching. Be sure to grab a baguette on the way out; Parc’s onsite bakery is one of the best in the city.

Top review

T

Tiffanyphill1126vip

Dined 2 days ago

I went for my favorite salad. The warm shrimp salad it’s sooooo good! It was my birthday and they gave me a complimentary dessert. The server was very friendly and attentive. This was actually my first time dining inside and I felt like I was back in Paris. Love it!

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A photo of Steak Tartare of a restaurant

A photo of Warm Shrimp Salad of a restaurant

Warm Shrimp Salad

A photo of Escargots of a restaurant

A photo of Booker's Restaurant and Bar restaurant

Booker's Restaurant and Bar

4.5

4.5 (1458)

$30 and under

American

University City

About the restaurant

Named for Booker Wright, a server at a whites-only restaurant in 1960s Mississippi, Booker’s is more than just a place for great soul food—it’s a true third place and hang-out spot that reflects its West Philly neighborhood. It’s an ideal place to relax with friends over a craft beer or signature cocktail, such as the restaurant’s riff on a Moscow mule that swaps vodka for house bourbon. The community vibes are just as enticing as the locally famous fried chicken and blackened catfish.

Top review

A

Andrew

Dined 3 days ago

This was our second time and it just was as wonderful this time as the first. And the food was fantastic!!

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A photo of Bread Pudding of a restaurant

A photo of Deviled Eggs of a restaurant

A photo of Fried Chicken & Waffles with Shrimp of a restaurant

Fried Chicken & Waffles with Shrimp

A photo of Morimoto restaurant

4.7

4.7 (6462)

$50 and over

Japanese

Center City

About the restaurant

Philly doesn’t tolerate celebrity chef outposts unless they can back up their name with some serious game. Morimoto has impressed sushi connoisseurs from its early days when the Iron Chef himself sometimes appeared behind the Old City sushi bar. Thankfully, the kitchen is on point whether or not the headlining chef is in the house. That means Morimoto’s omakase—the chef’s choice menu, known to feature dishes such as whitefish carpaccio and black cod miso—is worth the splurge.

Top review

JD

JamesD

Dined 3 days ago

Awesome - highly recommend for high end sushi in Philly

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A photo of Wagyu Dumplings of a restaurant

Wagyu Dumplings

A photo of Chicken Katsu of a restaurant

A photo of Rock Shrimp Tempura of a restaurant

Rock Shrimp Tempura

A photo of Chickie's & Pete's South Philadelphia restaurant

Chickie's & Pete's South Philadelphia

4.4

4.4 (612)

$30 and under

Seafood

South Philly

About the restaurant

Chickie’s and Pete’s is a classic pre-game and post-game stop for beers, cheesesteaks, and tomato pie in the shadow of South Philly’s sports stadiums. Its sprawling bar food menu offers something for everyone, but no visit here is complete without the restaurant’s famous crab fries. There’s no actual crab on these crinkle-cut fries. Instead, the irresistible cheese sauce on top is generously seasoned with Old Bay.

Top review

MP

MonicaPvip

Dined 3 days ago

Waitress was friendly, quick and efficient. Food came out quick, so we got to game on time.

A photo of Le Virtu restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1953)

$31 to $50

Italian

East Passyunk Avenue

About the restaurant

Co-owners Francis Cratil-Cretarola and Cathy Lee bring the traditional dishes of Abruzzo, Italy to a neighborhood renowned for its Italian American red-sauce restaurants. Platters of antipasto, handmade pasta, and rustic braised ragus have been menu hallmarks through several chef changes over the years. Warm colors and wooden tables make the dining room and bar comfortable places to linger over a meal. And the large, garden-clad patio is one of the prettiest places to enjoy an al fresco meal in Philly.

Top review

M

monsieurmsvip

Dined 1 day ago

Some great new menu additions go with the old faves. Always works, always succeeds.

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A photo of Branzino of a restaurant

A photo of SkyHigh restaurant

4.7

4.7 (2204)

$31 to $50

Contemporary French

Center City

About the restaurant

JG SkyHigh, one of celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Philadelphia outposts, is among the city’s most dramatic restaurant spaces. Diners are whisked up from the street to the top of the Four Seasons Hotel in Center City in a glass elevator that offers panoramic city views. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide an unforgettable backdrop for celebratory cocktails or a special occasion meal. It’s a fitting atmosphere to splurge on Osetra caviar, or you could go for something more casual but equally good, such as spicy sausage, kale, and pecorino pizza.

Top review

R

Robertvip

Dined on Jan 1, 2023

We used to come for the view, which is the best in the city! Now, we come for the food and no longer worry about the view. The food is incredible, with the tuna tartare and burrata our favorite apps, and the rigatoni and the burger our favorite entrees. The cocktails are also amazing....try the lychee raspberry bellini, it is a favorite. Cannot recommend this place enough.....

A photo of Charlie was a sinner. restaurant

Charlie was a sinner.

4.7

4.7 (2411)

$31 to $50

Tapas / Small Plates

Center City

About the restaurant

Charlie was a sinner. is the creation of plant-based chef and restaurateur Nicole Marquis. Her dark and cozy vegan cocktail lair serves up some of Philadelphia’s freshest drinks, thanks to ingredients such as hibiscus and mint, plus the city’s most inventive dishes. The zucchini “crab cake” sliders are a menu mainstay, along with a “ricotta” toast that could charm even the most ardent dairy lover. Enjoy it all against the backdrop of black-and-white movies, which flicker on the walls.

Top review

CR

ChristinaR

Dined 3 days ago

A perfect date night spot! We went for my husband's 40th birthday and it was really special. Great cocktails, delicious food, and our server was really attentive!

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A photo of Mac & Cheese of a restaurant

A photo of Caramelized Eggplant Bao Buns of a restaurant

Caramelized Eggplant Bao Buns

A photo of White Dog Cafe - University City restaurant

White Dog Cafe - University City

4.6

4.6 (5137)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

University City

About the restaurant

The White Dog Cafe has been an icon of the local food movement in Philadelphia since opening its original West Philly location in 1983 as one of the first restaurants to celebrate seasonal ingredients from the region’s farms. When founder and farm-to-table pioneer Judy Wicks sold the business in 2009, she preserved the restaurant’s commitment to sustainability. White Dog serves as an unofficial hub for the college campuses of University City and always attracts a diverse range of diners, from students to West Philly elders. Salads showcase the farm-fresh produce and local cheeses, and the mushroom soup, made with produce from nearby Kennett Square (the self-proclaimed mushroom capital of the world) is a must.

Top review

JC

JaaonC

Dined 2 days ago

excellent soup, good salads, great service, cute decor

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A photo of Pork Belly Benedict of a restaurant

Pork Belly Benedict

A photo of Pumpkin S'mores French Toast of a restaurant

Pumpkin S'mores French Toast

A photo of Kennett Square Mushroom Soup of a restaurant

Kennett Square Mushroom Soup

A photo of EMei restaurant

4.6

4.6 (173)

$30 and under

Chinese (Sichuan)

Chinatown

About the restaurant

With a dining room full of large round tables topped with rotating trays, Emei resembles other Chinatown restaurants. But its bold, regional flavors make it stand out from its neighbors. The restaurant has served some of the Philadelphia area’s spiciest and best Sichuan food since 2011. Chef Yongcheng Zhao has focused on the food of this Chinese province for his 40-year career. Whether your tastes run in the direction of pork intestine or Chongqing spicy chicken, a stir-fried dish spiked with dried Sichuan chile peppers, you’ll find appealing options on the large menu. Emei is at its most fun when you can order lots of dishes to share, so it’s great for groups.

Top review

AB

ArnavB

Dined on Jan 1, 2023

If you like spicy food or spicy Chinese food, then this is where you should head to. Some of their non spicy items are also great - like the chonging duck soup or the mushroom and bokchoy.

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A photo of Kung Pao Chicken of a restaurant

Kung Pao Chicken

A photo of Dan Dan Noodle (W or Without Pork) of a restaurant

Dan Dan Noodle (W or Without Pork)

A photo of Amada PHL restaurant

4.7

4.7 (8345)

$31 to $50

Spanish

Old City

About the restaurant

When James Beard Award winner Jose Garces left Stephen Starr’s nest in 2005 to launch his own splashy restaurant in Old City, it was a seismic event in the Philadelphia food world. For years, Amada was the buzziest, most sought-after reservation in town. And though newer, shinier restaurants have since arrived, the joy of a Spanish tapas night at Amada hasn’t faded. Start with a spread of charcuterie and cheeses before moving on to small plates such as garlic shrimp and albondigas (meatballs) that have been on the menu from the beginning. The Garces restaurant group has grown quite a bit since 2005, but Amada still holds up as its flagship.

Top review

AV

AnneV

Dined on Jan 2, 2023

We did the 9 course tasting for $65 and a 1L carafe of wine for $25 - really great value for such a highly rated restaurant. Most of the tapas were excellent. The dessert was a dry roll - That was the only really disappointing part that was quite out of line with the rest of the meal. Beautiful classy interior and on-point wait staff.

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A photo of Lobster Paella of a restaurant

A photo of Chorizo of a restaurant

A photo of Shrimp of a restaurant

A photo of The Olde Bar restaurant

4.3

4.3 (1404)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Old City

About the restaurant

The Olde Bar melds flavors of the moment with longstanding tradition and is set in a space that once occupied a famous 19th-century fish house, Old Original Bookbinder’s. The Olde Bar’s drinks menu channels that past, focusing on classic cocktails such as penicillins, and reliably ranks on any list of best happy hours in town. The raw bar, especially oysters on the half shell, is a menu highlight. There’s also an entire section dedicated to lobster dishes. Bookbinder’s was said to have the largest indoor lobster tank in the world, so don’t miss the lobster pot pie.

Top review

MB

MarieBvip

Dined on Nov 22, 2023

Great food and service. Happy hour oysters were excellent!

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A photo of Lobster Pot Pie of a restaurant

Lobster Pot Pie

A photo of West Coast Oysters of a restaurant

West Coast Oysters

A photo of Lobster Bisque of a restaurant

A photo of Pumpkin BYOB restaurant

4.8

4.8 (2423)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Rittenhouse Square

About the restaurant

Every neighborhood in Philadelphia has its long-treasured, mom-and-pop-run BYOB. Helmed by owners chef Ian Moroney and Hillary Bor, Pumpkin embodies the spirit of this quintessential Philly restaurant. The 26-seat dining room is small, but the addition of a covered and heated outdoor space has expanded options. Pumpkin serves a three-course menu based on local ingredients that changes daily. Expect fresh salads, housemade pastas, plenty of seafood, and homey desserts, such as goat cheesecake and chocolate torte with passion fruit.

Top review

AZ

AndyZ

Dined on Nov 22, 2023

The food is first rate and our server did a fine job.

A photo of Bud & Marilyn's restaurant

Bud & Marilyn's

4.7

4.7 (4845)

$30 and under

American

Center City

About the restaurant

Chef Marcie Turney descends from restaurant people; her grandparents (the titular Bud and Marilyn) owned a restaurant in Ripon, Wisconsin, where Turney grew up. This restaurant celebrates her family, Midwestern hospitality, and classic American comfort foods. Vinyl booths, vintage-inspired tableware, and retro TVs all add to the throwback theme. Crispy cheese curds made from Wisconsin cheddar and the housemade funfetti cake are the must-order menu items for a classic American experience.

Top review

MP

MichaelPvip

Dined on Jan 1, 2023

Cheese curds and sliders were exceptional as usual.

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A photo of Seared Scallops of a restaurant

Seared Scallops

A photo of Fried Chicken Bucket of a restaurant

Fried Chicken Bucket

A photo of Wedge Salad of a restaurant

A photo of Fork - Philadelphia restaurant

Fork - Philadelphia

4.7

4.7 (4794)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Old City

About the restaurant

For 25 years, Fork restaurant has set the standards in Philadelphia. Visionary restaurateur Ellen Yin has guided the restaurant through numerous incarnations, anticipating ever-shifting culinary moods and trends. One thing unites all of Fork’s eras: From the beginning, there’s been a focus on working with local farmers and doing sustainable business. The current menu offers a mix of creative and familiar plates. Look for Brussels sprouts topped with smoked grapes and sliced pistachios, as well as a leveled-up cheeseburger (topped with raclette and caramelized onions) with fries. It’s a chameleon of a place that’s somehow perfect for both celebrating a special occasion or grabbing a bite at the bar on a random weeknight.

Top review

PH

PhillipHvip

Dined on Jan 1, 2023

Excellent choice for an evening meal!

A photo of Tria Rittenhouse restaurant

Tria Rittenhouse

4.7

4.7 (367)

$30 and under

Wine Bar

Rittenhouse Square

About the restaurant

This laidback wine bar was built as a place to celebrate all things fermented—especially the trio of wine, beer, and cheese. Tria has been the place to discover the most compelling vintages and unusual cheeses in town since its inception. Cheese boards are created by Tenaya Darlington, aka “Madame Fromage,” a local cheese expert, author, and educator. There are also ample soups, snacks, salads, and sandwiches. The bustling scene and people-watching opportunities—the restaurant and sidewalk seats are perched on one of the neighborhood’s liveliest corners—are almost as big of a draw as the food and drink.

Top review

J

Jeffc

Dined on Nov 17, 2023

Great place -prompt service, fun drink selection, and a nice selection of food. Tinned mackerel and cheese were our favorites. Cozy yet roomy, with good crowd.

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A photo of Goat Cheese of a restaurant

A photo of Artichoke and Asparagus Panzanella Salad of a restaurant

Artichoke and Asparagus Panzanella Salad

A photo of Happier Hour at Tria Rittenhouse of a restaurant

Happier Hour at Tria Rittenhouse

A photo of El Vez restaurant

4.7

4.7 (6682)

$30 and under

Mexican / Southwestern

Center City

About the restaurant

El Vez, another Stephen Starr stunner, has been a popular spot for happy hours that become nights out since opening in 2003. Large booths accommodate groups of friends and colleagues who gather over platters of nachos, bowls of guacamole, Mexican chopped salads, and taco plates. The real draw here, though, is the drinks menu, which includes a variety of margaritas, all balanced and strong. Don’t miss the large selection of agave spirits, including flights for those who’d like to sample a variety of options.

Top review

EQ

EricQ

Dined on Jan 1, 2023

Delicious food and great drink. Service attention was a tad lacking, but otherwise helpful.

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A photo of Macho Nachos of a restaurant

A photo of Shrimp Tacos of a restaurant

A photo of Crispy Mahi-Mahi Tacos of a restaurant

Crispy Mahi-Mahi Tacos

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