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17 restaurants that define Philadelphia dining

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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
Parc
4.8
4.8 (17320)
$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
John
Dined 2 days ago
Delicious lunch of Nicoise Salad, chicken liver parfait , mushroom soup, and profiteroles. Lunch delicious as usual. Service very good. Bar seats full at 2pm, reservations recommended. Take out order of cheeseburger was missing the caramelized onions. Tomato and lettuce are not automatically included on burger and must be requested if desired.
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A photo of Warm Shrimp Salad of a restaurant
Popular dish
Warm Shrimp Salad
A photo of Steak Au Poivre of a restaurant
Popular dish
Steak Au Poivre
A photo of Chicken Paillard of a restaurant
Popular dish
Chicken Paillard
A photo of Morimoto restaurant
Morimoto
4.7
4.7 (6748)
$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
Jaime
Dined 3 days ago
Everything was amazing - food, drinks, service - wonderful experience.
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A photo of Wagyu Dumplings of a restaurant
Popular dish
Wagyu Dumplings
A photo of Pork Belly Ramen of a restaurant
Popular dish
Pork Belly Ramen
A photo of Morimoto Sashimi of a restaurant
Popular dish
Morimoto Sashimi
A photo of Chickie's & Pete's - South Philadelphia restaurant
Chickie's & Pete's - South Philadelphia
4.5
4.5 (668)
$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
OpenTable Diner
Dined on Aug 31, 2024
Seating was quick and easy upon checking in. All of the staff were kind and courteous. Our server was attentive and repeatedly came over to our table to see if we needed anything. The food was good. I ordered the hot shrimp and salmon sandwich and thought both were good. Our table split 2 orders of crab fries because you can’t go to chickies and not get crab fries, they’re always good.
A photo of SkyHigh restaurant
SkyHigh
4.7
4.7 (2768)
$30 and under
Cocktail Bar
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
brianvip
Dined 1 day ago
Great service and ambiance! Finally, a European-style experience where you can relax and enjoy your time without feeling rushed through the meal.
A photo of Charlie was a sinner. restaurant
Charlie was a sinner.
4.6
4.6 (2596)
$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
Jamie
Dined 2 days ago
Our server was enthusiastic and professional. He asked right away if we had any allergen concerns (we do) and proceeded to make sure everything was safe to eat. The food was delicious and the tapas style was so much fun.
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A photo of Caramelized Eggplant Bao Buns of a restaurant
Popular dish
Caramelized Eggplant Bao Buns
A photo of Mac & Cheese of a restaurant
Popular dish
Mac & Cheese
A photo of Oyster Mushroom Fried "Calamari" of a restaurant
Popular dish
Oyster Mushroom Fried "Calamari"
A photo of White Dog Cafe - University City restaurant
White Dog Cafe - University City
4.7
4.7 (5461)
$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
Saje
Dined 2 days ago
Excellent service! Food was delicious. Highly recommend the meatloaf and rice pudding!
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A photo of Goat Cheese Whipped Ricotta of a restaurant
Popular dish
Goat Cheese Whipped Ricotta
A photo of Kennett Square Mushroom Soup of a restaurant
Popular dish
Kennett Square Mushroom Soup
A photo of Pork Belly Benedict of a restaurant
Popular dish
Pork Belly Benedict
A photo of EMei restaurant
EMei
4.6
4.6 (303)
$30 and under
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
Danielvip
Dined on Nov 16, 2024
Party of five, so got to try many dishes, and all were excellent. While the cuisine is spicy, the food is not overly spicy, everything was flavorful and well prepared. The whole fish, chicken/cabbage dumplings, and noodle dishes stood out.
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A photo of Wonton Soup of a restaurant
Popular dish
Wonton Soup
A photo of Hunan Chicken of a restaurant
Popular dish
Hunan Chicken
A photo of Amada PHL restaurant
Amada PHL
4.7
4.7 (8700)
$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
Laura
Dined 1 day ago
The service was great, as well the food. The Shakshouka was delicious and came with a small grilled cheese which was tasty and the perfect size. Also, the waiter was great. He was friendly, efficient and had a great sense of humor. He made a good experience great!
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A photo of PAELLA MARISCOS of a restaurant
Popular dish
PAELLA MARISCOS
A photo of Tuna Salad of a restaurant
Popular dish
Tuna Salad
A photo of Weekday Happy Hour from 4:30 to 6:30 of a restaurant
Experience
Weekday Happy Hour from 4:30 to 6:30
A photo of The Olde Bar restaurant
The Olde Bar
3.8
3.8 (1524)
$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
Joelvip
Dined on Nov 6, 2024
Great food, great drinks. Sad to hear this location is closing
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A photo of West Coast Oysters of a restaurant
Popular dish
West Coast Oysters
A photo of Lobster Pot Pie of a restaurant
Popular dish
Lobster Pot Pie
A photo of Lobster Roll of a restaurant
Popular dish
Lobster Roll
A photo of Bud & Marilyn's restaurant
Bud & Marilyn's
4.6
4.6 (5064)
$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
Alison
Dined 3 days ago
Good food drinks and prices . Would recommend and would return
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A photo of Crispy Cheese Curds of a restaurant
Popular dish
Crispy Cheese Curds
A photo of Fried Chicken Bucket of a restaurant
Popular dish
Fried Chicken Bucket
A photo of Marilyn's Fried Chicken of a restaurant
Popular dish
Marilyn's Fried Chicken
A photo of Fork - Philadelphia restaurant
Fork - Philadelphia
4.7
4.7 (5091)
$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
Maron
Dined 2 days ago
My partner and I had a great experience at Fork. Although the noise level was a tad high, the service, ambiance and food were terrific. Our waitress, Monty, who very helpful with food and wine suggestions. I give Fork 5 stars and highly recommend it. Maron Fenico
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A photo of Thanksgiving 2024 of a restaurant
Experience
Thanksgiving 2024
A photo of 2024 Christmas Eve- Feast of the Seven Fishes of a restaurant
Experience
2024 Christmas Eve- Feast of the Seven Fishes
A photo of Tria Rittenhouse restaurant
Tria Rittenhouse
4.8
4.8 (424)
$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
Dawnvip
Dined 5 days ago
Fabulous experience! Delicious food and wonderful service! The tomato bisque was amazing!
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A photo of Happier Hour at Tria Rittenhouse of a restaurant
Experience
Happier Hour at Tria Rittenhouse
A photo of El Vez restaurant
El Vez
4.7
4.7 (7006)
$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
Teresa
Dined 4 days ago
Food and service were both outstanding. Will definitely revisit!
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A photo of Chicken Tacos of a restaurant
Popular dish
Chicken Tacos
A photo of Colache Tacos of a restaurant
Popular dish
Colache Tacos
A photo of Shrimp Tacos of a restaurant
Popular dish
Shrimp Tacos

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