Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Philadelphia

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in Philadelphia? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Pub & Kitchen

4.9

4.9 (689)

$30 and under

American

Center City

About the restaurant

Pub & Kitchen is an authentic neighborhood tavern located on the corner of 20th and Lombard in Philadelphia. For over a decade, we’ve served a menu featuring elevated farm to table offerings, alongside an innovative bar program specializing in wine, local beers, and craft cocktails. Our menu is constantly evolving, fluctuating with the seasons and availability of product.

Our lively and comfortable restaurant features a large wood-lined bar, bustling dining room, and charming sidewalk cafe on a tree-lined street. We also have an intimate private dining room upstairs, available for parties of up to 50 guests.

Top review

AidanVIP

Dined 4 days ago

on the pricier side but very high quality food! and cozy christmas atmosphere, always love coming here

Village Vine, Wine Bar + Bistro

4.9

4.9 (106)

$31 to $50

Wine Bar

Swarthmore

About the restaurant

Village Vine is an award winning wine bar and bistro in historic Swarthmore, Pennsylvania just a short train or car ride from Center City Philadelphia. VV brings together sustainable, unique delicious wines by the glass, flight and bottle, original craft cocktails, and Chef/Owner John Hearn's delicious and inspired shareable dishes made from local, regional and seasonal ingredients. Experience the joys of lesser known wine-producing locales, innovative cocktails and the foods that accompany them.

Top review

esther

Dined 1 day ago

First time but not our last. On our way to a play and wanted a great meal before. Perfect spot. Delicious food, amazing service. We brought my great niece and she was treated so well! Highly recommend.

Tria Wash West

4.8

4.8 (304)

$30 and under

Wine Bar

Washington Square

About the restaurant

Welcome to Tria, Philly's original casual wine bar since 2004.

Our two Center City wine bars have helped elevate Philly’s wine scene while keeping it fun. Tria’s seasonally curated wine, cheese and beer menus showcase super-cool smaller producers who are driven by passion. The friendly Tria team will help you discover new flavor sensations if that’s your jawn. If you prefer, we’ll bring you more wine and leave you alone. It’s all good.

We love wine and it shows, but Tria above all is a community where guests come to relax and connect. There are no TVs or other distractions. The “concept” is for our guests to engage in conversation made livelier, deeper and cheerier by the wine. Cheers!

Top review

AndreaVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Another fantastic dinner at Tria. Once again, the service was impeccable and friendly. Good night was made even better with a wine tasting from various regions in Sicily absolutely looking forward to the next wine event at our beautiful neighborhood gem, Tria

Discover more

Experience

Happier Hour at Tria Wash West

Mabu Kitchen

4.8

4.8 (182)

$30 and under

Contemporary French

Center City

About the restaurant

BYOB French restaurant with a unique blend of Southern-inspired cuisine and bistro classics: think Confit Fried Chicken and Waffle, and Steak au Poivre. The ambiance is cozy and inviting, with antique mirrors lining the walls, candlelight, and warm and friendly service. We have seasonal outdoor seating along a lovely alleyway with potted blooms and bird serenades.

Located on historic Antique Row, this charming spot is a great place to meet for a special occasion, date-night, business meal, or a casual dinner with friends. This is a small family-owned business and everything is made to order. Grab your favorite bottle of wine and head to this hidden gem to experience a contemporary take on French cuisine.

Top review

DianeVIP

Dined 2 days ago

What a neighborhood gem!! Food is expertly prepared and so tasty. We shared beet salad and then I had the Mushroom Shepherds pie and my husband had the Ratatouille. We shared a bagette and both had in house made desserts- the chocolate mousse- like one and the cheesecake- so light and not too sweet. I couldn’t even finish it. It’s a BYOB - plenty of food but we’re not big eaters. Romantic Atmosphere and our server was so pleasant and helpful. Will return. Reasonable prices for CC.

Tabachoy

4.8

4.8 (24)

$31 to $50

Filipino

South Philly

About the restaurant

Tabachoy is a Tagalog nickname given to a friend or family member; it means chubby or fatty. We know it sounds mean, but Filipinos give each other inappropriately appropriate nicknames all the time. Your baby brother’s got some neck rolls? Tabachoy. Auntie’s six months pregnant? Tabachoy. Or your dad’s got a six pack, but just finished his third piece of bibingka? Tabachoy!

We cook the food that got us made fun of in elementary school, when we opened our country crock “Tupperware” - the food that reminds us of home. We don't strive to make a better adobo than your mothers, but we do want to share ours with you.

Top review

Frank

Dined 2 days ago

Staff was friendly and welcoming and you could tell they take pride in what they do here. Food was excellent. We will definitely be back.

Bleu Sushi

4.7

4.7 (611)

$30 and under

Japanese

Center City

About the restaurant

Welcome To Bleu Sushi Japanese Restaurant!

Bleu Sushi brings the rich culinary arts of Japan right to Center City, Philadelphia. Recognized as being a premier BYOB restaurant with the best sushi in Philly, Bleu Sushi gives a fresh take on Japanese cuisine. No wonder customers everywhere have deemed Bleu Sushi the best sushi in town. Furthermore, we are constantly thinking of new food and ideas at Bleu Sushi, thats where the Bleu Bot comes into play. We want to enhance our customers contact-less pick-up experience during the pandemic while implementing a little humor. With that said, our mechanical robotic arm and our outdoor dining patio are all here, ready to serve our beloved clienteles.

Top review

Alex

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

Great sushi, fast service. Music was a little loud, didn’t bother me but might bother more sensitive people

Marzano Ristorante

4.7

4.7 (721)

$31 to $50

Italian

Jenkintown

About the restaurant

Marzano Ristorante in Jenkintown PA

Top review

Abdullah

Dined 6 days ago

I had a very good experience. They accommodated our incredibly early arrival with nearly no wait time. Both the host and server were very nice. The server was knowledgeable about all the specials and meals and had great recommendations. The food was perfect. I would definitely come here again.

La Llorona Cantina Mexicana

4.7

4.7 (193)

$30 and under

Mexican

South Philly

About the restaurant

We look forward to having you dine with us and enjoy a memorable time filled with authentic Mexican Cuisine and finely crafted Cocktails. Brunch is served Saturdays & Sundays 11am to 3pm. Happy Hour : Tuesday - Friday 4pm to 7pm

Top review

David

Dined 6 days ago

Some of the best and authentic Mexican food in south Philly !

Chick's

4.7

4.7 (27)

$50 and over

American

South Philly

About the restaurant

Family- There's a special kind of bond that a family only knows! Family is what brought Chick's to life. Everything from our name to our logo is inspired by Love of family. So when you enter our doors we consider you family too. Versatility sums up our sprawling, industrial-looking and upscale gastropub on Washington Avenue. We offer a well-stocked bar, killer brunch menu , unbeatable happy hour specials and plenty for the bar crowd.

Top review

Brittany

Dined on Dec 7, 2024

Love chicks! Very consistent and the staff is always so lovely!

Explore Diners' Choice best of Philadelphia

Explore more Diners' Choice lists