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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.

Parc
4.8 (17807)
$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
G T
Dined 4 days ago
Consistently excellent food and service, imaginative cocktails, good wine list. q
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
G T
Dined 4 days ago
Consistently excellent food and service, imaginative cocktails, good wine list. q
Morimoto
4.8 (6837)
$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
JoLeaha
Dined 3 days ago
Super cute space, the drinks were lovely and the Wagyu dumplings were soooo good. Our server Kara was great and made my birthday dinner special.
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
JoLeaha
Dined 3 days ago
Super cute space, the drinks were lovely and the Wagyu dumplings were soooo good. Our server Kara was great and made my birthday dinner special.
Chickie's & Pete's - South Philadelphia
4.8 (694)
$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
Rogan
Dined on Apr 2, 2025
Our server Alexa was great ! Food was great ! One of our drinks Smoky Grapefruit on the special menu was nasty ! Otherwise everything was great
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
Rogan
Dined on Apr 2, 2025
Our server Alexa was great ! Food was great ! One of our drinks Smoky Grapefruit on the special menu was nasty ! Otherwise everything was great
SkyHigh
4.7 (2984)
$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
MaryVIP
Dined 5 days ago
Gorgeous setting, delicious food, perfect service. Wonderful way to celebrate birthdays with a dear friend
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
MaryVIP
Dined 5 days ago
Gorgeous setting, delicious food, perfect service. Wonderful way to celebrate birthdays with a dear friend
Charlie was a sinner.
4.7 (2633)
$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
Leo
Dined 1 day ago
As a non-vegan person, I can honestly say the food was fantastic!
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
Leo
Dined 1 day ago
As a non-vegan person, I can honestly say the food was fantastic!
White Dog Cafe - University City
4.6 (5556)
$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
JOHNVIP
Dined 2 days ago
Great place for lunch and dinner on the UPenn campus.
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
JOHNVIP
Dined 2 days ago
Great place for lunch and dinner on the UPenn campus.
EMei
4.6 (362)
$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
Shari
Dined on Apr 19, 2025
Friendly staff, great cocktails and everything we had was delicious. The portions were quite generous!
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
Shari
Dined on Apr 19, 2025
Friendly staff, great cocktails and everything we had was delicious. The portions were quite generous!
Amada PHL
4.6 (8777)
$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
Robert
Dined 5 days ago
We had a wonderful time! Food and service was great! We went very early so it was very quiet, started picking up by the time we left! Second time there and both experiences were great!
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
Robert
Dined 5 days ago
We had a wonderful time! Food and service was great! We went very early so it was very quiet, started picking up by the time we left! Second time there and both experiences were great!
Bud & Marilyn's
4.7 (5143)
$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
TaliaVIP
Dined on Apr 19, 2025
Great brunch soot- so glad this place made it through the pandemic and is still around!
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
TaliaVIP
Dined on Apr 19, 2025
Great brunch soot- so glad this place made it through the pandemic and is still around!
Fork - Philadelphia
4.8 (5205)
$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
Sue
Dined 2 days ago
Delicious, unique items on the menu, great service!
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
Sue
Dined 2 days ago
Delicious, unique items on the menu, great service!
Tria Rittenhouse
4.8 (440)
$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
sonyaVIP
Dined 7 days ago
We were in town for a volleyball tournament and ate here for lunch on Easter. It was a quaint lunch spot and delicious! We will come back again next year for sure! 5*
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
sonyaVIP
Dined 7 days ago
We were in town for a volleyball tournament and ate here for lunch on Easter. It was a quaint lunch spot and delicious! We will come back again next year for sure! 5*
El Vez
4.8 (7142)
$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
KristaVIP
Dined 6 days ago
First time here, but delicious and we will definitely return.
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
KristaVIP
Dined 6 days ago
First time here, but delicious and we will definitely return.

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