The best Philadelphia restaurants, according to restaurateur Ellen Yin

When it’s time to celebrate, head to Vernick Fish. The outstanding seafood restaurant, led by James Beard Award-winning chef Greg Vernick, puts out upscale dishes like impeccable raw bar and harissa-roasted branzino in a sophisticated Center City space.

Why Ellen loves it: “Greg and Julie Vernick and their family have been friends for 25 years, so for me, it’s an honor to see them have such an impact on the dining scene. They also have a great bar—Jon Bamonte, one of our former team members at Fork, is the lead bartender. I love to see all our alumni succeeding."

Warm hospitality, top-notch farm-to-table American food, and an epic outdoor garden all combine to make Talula’s Garden one of the most pleasant meals in town.

Why Ellen loves it: “Talula’s has an outdoor garden that is perfect for warm-weather dining. It's the vision of Aimee Olexy, a fellow female entrepreneur. When I think of women in the industry who are not chefs, Aimee is at the top of the list. She exudes hospitality and is super passionate about relationships with local farms. The menu is hyper-seasonal. One of Aimee’s passions is cheese, so if you want a cheese board, Talula’s is the place to go get it.”

Not your neighborhood sushi spot, Tuna Bar serves up ultra-fresh fish in an airy, award-winning setting full of plush banquettes, high ceilings, and plants hanging from the rafters.

Why Ellen loves it: “I love Tuna Bar, because although it is a Japanese sushi bar, the owner, Ken Sze, is from Fuzhou, China. One of my favorite things on his menu is his grandmother’s ethereal wontons. He calls it ‘grandma’s wonton soup.’ There’s also amazingly fresh sushi and Japanese cuisine. Plus, it’s right on the way to one of my favorite destinations, Race Street Pier.”

Iconic Philadelphia restaurateur Stephen Starr is behind this vibey brasserie with bistro chairs and great lighting. All the French classics are here: onion soup, steak frites, and crème brûlée.

Why Ellen loves it: “My favorite thing about Parc is the incredible view of Philadelphia's most iconic square. Who doesn’t want to have a glass of wine and a seafood tower in front of Rittenhouse Square Park? You feel like you’ve escaped to Paris via 18th and Locust.”

Beloved for its classic, mouth-numbing Sichuan cooking, EMei has been a Chinatown staple since 2011—especially for group dining.

Why Ellen loves it: “I love the classics, like chef Yongcheng Zhao’s spicy wontons and pork bone soup. There's pressed tofu sauteed with pork and celery. These are some of my family’s home-cooked dishes, reminding me of my mom’s cooking, so I love ordering them. If I took my mother here, I wouldn't hear any complaints about it.”

This neighborhood tavern goes far beyond wings and domestic beers. Expect elevated bar food, like a meatloaf served with broccoli agrodolce, alongside a drink list that includes saisons, thoughtfully selected wines, and solid non-alcoholic options.

Why Ellen loves it: “Pub & Kitchen is a great place to go after work for burgers and beers. It’s a very convivial bar. Eli Collins, our chef at a.kitchen, was formerly the chef there. It’s well-executed, fun, and very authentic as a neighborhood tavern. That’s why it’s one of my favorites.”

Dive into Rome and Tuscany at L’Anima, where easy pizzas and pastas, along with a BYOB policy, make this a neighborhood favorite.

Why Ellen loves it: “It’s owned by Gianluca Demontis and Rosemarie Tran, with whom the city fell in love when they opened Melograno. L’Anima is the grown up version of Melograno. It’s more Roman. His pastas are delicious—one of my favorites is his wild boar pasta that always takes me back to Tuscany. It’s just great to be eating something really traditional.”

A massive tequila and mezcal list keep the party going at La Llorona, best sipped alongside a menu of Mexican favorites like birria tacos, shrimp ceviche, and weekend-only chicken torta.

Why Ellen loves it: “They have very traditional Mexican cuisine. I love the tortilla soup, and they also have a pretty substantial seafood component and a great tequila and mezcal selection. The space feels very festive—the environment is always very colorful, like a party.”

Step inside this taverna for an all-out Greek feast in a homey space. Don’t miss the whole fish selection the local favorite is particularly known for.

Why Ellen loves it: “You see all the fresh fish on ice, everything is simply done reflecting the quality of the product. It’s very healthy, delicious dining in an elevated setting. Estia is a great place for a business meal. It’s also across the street from the Academy of Music, so if you're going to a show, it's a perfect opportunity to grab dinner before the orchestra.”

Chef Fimy Ishkhanian takes inspiration from her mother on Apricot Stone’s menu of Armenian specialties. BYOB to drink alongside dips, mezze, and skewers.

Why Ellen loves it: “Their kabobs are incredible. They have a huge outdoor area, and it’s very cozy on the inside, but very small and intimate. Kibbeh is one of their specialties. I love all the mezze, pita with baba ganoush and hummus and muhammara.”

It’s both dinner and a show at 106-year-old The Victor Cafe, where old-school Italian—fried calamari with spicy marinara and linguine fra diavolo—is accompanied by live opera.

Why Ellen loves it: “If you are an opera lover and you want to be in a romantic environment in South Philadelphia, there is no place like The Victor Cafe. The servers are students and they sing opera. And it’s family-owned by the DiStefanos; they've had it forever and passed it from generation to generation.”

James Beard Award-winning chef Jose Garces’s calls on classic saloon traditions to serve impeccable oysters on the half shell and stellar cocktails in this historic space.

Why Ellen loves it: “The Olde Bar is also in our Old City neighborhood in the original Bookbinder’s restaurant, which was a classic Philadelphia institution serving seafood. Olde Bar took that inspiration and made their re-envisioned version all about their raw bar. And it has an amazing cocktail program—if you want a craft cocktail, that’s the place to go.”