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17 restaurants that define Philadelphia dining

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by Maddy Sweitzer-Lamme
Updated 30 March 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.

Parc
4.8 (17686)
$31 to $50
French
Rittenhouse Square
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
sunshine
Dined 2 days ago
Absolutely wonderful lunch! The food and service were excellent, and we enjoyed our window table with a view of the comings and goings to Rittenhouse Square.
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
sunshine
Dined 2 days ago
Absolutely wonderful lunch! The food and service were excellent, and we enjoyed our window table with a view of the comings and goings to Rittenhouse Square.
Morimoto
4.8 (6814)
$50 and over
Japanese
Center City
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
OpenTable Diner
Dined 2 days ago
We had an amazing time! The food was great, and the waiter was so knowledgeable
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
OpenTable Diner
Dined 2 days ago
We had an amazing time! The food was great, and the waiter was so knowledgeable
Chickie's & Pete's - South Philadelphia
4.7 (689)
$30 and under
Seafood
South Philly
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 1 Mar 2025
Always have a great experience there. Food and service is always great , and the prices are always reasonable.
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 1 Mar 2025
Always have a great experience there. Food and service is always great , and the prices are always reasonable.
SkyHigh
4.7 (2923)
$30 and under
Cocktail Bar
Center City
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
MavenVIP
Dined 4 days ago
Excellent food and service as usual. Always a wonderful and memorable experience.
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
MavenVIP
Dined 4 days ago
Excellent food and service as usual. Always a wonderful and memorable experience.
Charlie was a sinner.
4.6 (2634)
$31 to $50
Tapas / Small Plates
Center City
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
Sara
Dined 1 day ago
We had an amazing meal, drinks and food were delicious! The noise level was difficult for us to have a conversation but the meal was great.
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
Sara
Dined 1 day ago
We had an amazing meal, drinks and food were delicious! The noise level was difficult for us to have a conversation but the meal was great.
White Dog Cafe - University City
4.6 (5525)
$30 and under
Contemporary American
University City
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
OpenTable Diner
Dined 2 days ago
What a wonderful experience!! Amazing service, atmosphere and the food was delicious!! Will definitely return and soon!!
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
OpenTable Diner
Dined 2 days ago
What a wonderful experience!! Amazing service, atmosphere and the food was delicious!! Will definitely return and soon!!
EMei
4.6 (350)
$30 and under
Sichuan
Chinatown
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
ThomasNVIP
Dined 6 days ago
Excellent food…wonderful server..nice drinks from the bar. We ordered 5 entrees to share plus rice and lo mein..all come Ala carte..all very good.,only thing I would change is they have 6 inch plates..really should be a little bigger.
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
ThomasNVIP
Dined 6 days ago
Excellent food…wonderful server..nice drinks from the bar. We ordered 5 entrees to share plus rice and lo mein..all come Ala carte..all very good.,only thing I would change is they have 6 inch plates..really should be a little bigger.
Amada PHL
4.7 (8769)
$31 to $50
Spanish
Old City
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
SteveVIP
Dined 4 days ago
Every dish was a masterpiece. To start, we had the bacon wrapped dates (my server insisted that I'd love them although I'm not a dates fan), which was a perfect balance of flavors and textures. They were incredibly delicious. TheLolly Pop Lamb Chops was the highlight of the meal—cooked to perfection, with each bite better than the last. The flavors were bold and fresh, showcasing the chef's commitment to quality ingredients and expert preparation. We had a recommended Spanish wine that was also incredible. The service was attentive and also terrific. Great dining experience at Amada. BTW, I've been there before and insist that lamb lolly pops are best in Philly
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
SteveVIP
Dined 4 days ago
Every dish was a masterpiece. To start, we had the bacon wrapped dates (my server insisted that I'd love them although I'm not a dates fan), which was a perfect balance of flavors and textures. They were incredibly delicious. TheLolly Pop Lamb Chops was the highlight of the meal—cooked to perfection, with each bite better than the last. The flavors were bold and fresh, showcasing the chef's commitment to quality ingredients and expert preparation. We had a recommended Spanish wine that was also incredible. The service was attentive and also terrific. Great dining experience at Amada. BTW, I've been there before and insist that lamb lolly pops are best in Philly
Bud & Marilyn's
4.6 (5123)
$30 and under
American
Center City
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
MiriamVIP
Dined 2 days ago
Good food, we enjoyed it. Service was attentive.
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
MiriamVIP
Dined 2 days ago
Good food, we enjoyed it. Service was attentive.
Fork - Philadelphia
4.8 (5191)
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
Old City
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
OpenTable Diner
Dined 1 day ago
The food was absolutely delicious and our server Aden provided us an exceptional experience! Her attention to detail and recommendations were on point and greatly appreciated. From drinks to dessert, every bite and sip was a delight!
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
OpenTable Diner
Dined 1 day ago
The food was absolutely delicious and our server Aden provided us an exceptional experience! Her attention to detail and recommendations were on point and greatly appreciated. From drinks to dessert, every bite and sip was a delight!
Tria Rittenhouse
4.8 (434)
$30 and under
Wine Bar
Rittenhouse Square
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
OpenTable Diner
Dined on 1 Mar 2025
First time here!! Mom and I got lunch before a matinee show at the Academy of Music! Food was EXCELLENT, drinks were refreshing and the staff was pleasant and not overbearing! Will definitely recommend! Short walk to and from the Avenue of the Arts!
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
OpenTable Diner
Dined on 1 Mar 2025
First time here!! Mom and I got lunch before a matinee show at the Academy of Music! Food was EXCELLENT, drinks were refreshing and the staff was pleasant and not overbearing! Will definitely recommend! Short walk to and from the Avenue of the Arts!
El Vez
4.8 (7104)
$30 and under
Mexican / Southwestern
Center City
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
JacquelineVIP
Dined 2 days ago
All around fun lunch. Great food, drinks and service.
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
JacquelineVIP
Dined 2 days ago
All around fun lunch. Great food, drinks and service.

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