Philadelphia wears its underdog status like a badge of honor — and arguably, so does its food scene.
Those visiting the city for the first time may be surprised by just how deep our culinary bench runs. Standout spots like Zahav, Kalaya, Mawn, Pietramala, Royal Sushi & Izakaya, Suraya and Fork — just to name a few — all have dishes that can make you forget about whatever else is going on in your day.
Philly’s neighborhoods have different strengths, with each bringing its own unique flavor to the table.
Chinatown is packed with affordable, delicious noodle houses and dim sum spots like Nan Zhou and Dim Sum Garden. West Philly offers affordable bites alongside an eclectic African food scene. Walking down Ninth Street in South Philly, visitors are welcomed into a melting pot of restaurants and authentic markets run by immigrant families. Old-school, classic Italian spots with red-and-white checkered tablecloths are numerous. What’s more, Fishtown and East Passyunk have become popular hubs for chef-led restaurants, craft bars, and experimental kitchens.
In the summer, diners can check out pop-up stands. At FDR Park, there is the Southeast Asian Market, Mercado Latino and the African American Market. Dubbed America’s most walkable city, diners can find different food vibes with just a 15-minute stroll. Go out and stumble upon a delicious hole in the wall, like El Mictlan or Sky Cafe.
Reading Terminal alone serves as a sort of microcosm of Philly’s dining scene at large, with pizzas, cheesesteaks, whoopie pies, regular pies, curries, vegan bites, gumbo and iconic names like Bassett’s, Beiler’s, DiNic’s, Uncle Gus’ Steaks and Hershel’s.
The influencers
Beyond neighborhood character, certain restaurateur groups have played a role in shaping the city’s dining scene. Among them, Stephen Starr and Michael Solomonov stand out as two of the most influential figures.
While Starr is sometimes accused of prioritizing atmosphere and trendiness over substance, many chefs in the city started at one of Starr’s concept restaurants (Jose Garces and Michael Schulson, for instance). Favorites like Parc, Buddakhan and The Continental Midtown are still going strong.
Solomonov, on the other hand, with his partner Steve Cook have ushered in a wave of top-notch, Israeli-influenced restaurants of all levels, from fine dining spots such as Zahav and Laser Wolf to casual grab-and-gos like Federal Donuts and Goldie.
Philadelphia’s dining scene has a couple quirks to be aware of that make it unique. For starters, due to strict (and some might say expensive) liquor licensing in Pennsylvania, don’t be surprised if the dining establishment you’re walking into is BYOB. Many smaller restaurants in the city, like Tabachoy or El Chingon, will require you to bring your own bottle.
‘Supper’ time
What’s more, some of Philadelphia’s best spots can not be booked with a simple Google search. One of the most exclusive culinary trends in the city are its supper clubs — small, hard-to-book, culinary experiences hosted at private homes.
And, of course, the food that Philly is best known for — the greasy, affordable, overindulgent yet highly delicious fare — defines the city’s food vibe as well.
Cheesesteaks are probably the first thing people think of when it comes to Philadelphia food. While many argue over “the best” — whether you think that’s Pat’s, Geno’s, Tony Luke’s, Jim’s, Angelo’s, Del Rossi’s, Ishkabibble’s, John’s Roast Pork, Dalessandro’s or whoever’s, the devotion, attitude and care that many of these places put into their steaks is what collectively keeps bringing people back.
And it’s not just the cheesesteak either. Philly has many food “delicacies” that you just can’t get anywhere else — including Philly soft pretzels, roast pork sandos, pork rolls, crab fries and water ice. Philadelphians tend to be passionate about their favorite food places. Wawa may sound like it’s just a convenience store, but really it’s a whole culture filled with hoagies (not subs or grinders), Tastycakes, sizzlis and cheddar-filled pretzel nuggets.
And if this makes it sound like Philly is partial to heavy, meat-forward treats, the city has a lot of celebrated vegan spots, including Monster Vegan, Casa Borinqueña, Pietramala, Vedge, Fitz on 4th, and Charlie Was a Sinner. If you aren’t into meat or have a dietary restriction, good food is not out of reach.
Outsiders are recognizing Philly’s food game as well — with dozens of James Beard-recognized restaurants, and now a brand-new Michelin guide in the city. Three restaurants — Her Place Supper Club, Friday Saturday Sunday and Provenance — all gained a star in our first year. (Boston was a first-timer this year, too, and received just one. Just sayin’.)
Overall, Philly’s food scene is eclectic, unpretentious and delicious. What helps distinguish Philadelphia in food isn’t just the number of acclaimed restaurants, but the depth of talent and heart across neighborhoods.
