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17 restaurants that define Philadelphia dining

A photo of Red logo
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 (16624)
$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
PhillyMayor
Dined 3 days ago
Always an incredible experience eating at Parc. Food, service, even price compared to similar restaurants is top notch.
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A photo of Warm Shrimp Salad of a restaurant
Popular dish
Warm Shrimp Salad
A photo of Steak Tartare of a restaurant
Popular dish
Steak Tartare
A photo of Steak Frites of a restaurant
Popular dish
Steak Frites
A photo of Morimoto restaurant
Morimoto
4.8
4.8 (6601)
$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
OpenTable Diner
Dined 3 days ago
I recently had the pleasure of dining at Morimoto, and I must say, it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. The ambiance was upscale and inviting, setting the stage for a memorable meal. I opted for the pork belly plate with porridge, and despite having a seafood allergy, the chef graciously accommodated my dietary restrictions by freshly preparing my meal from scratch. The result was nothing short of spectacular. The pork belly was impeccably cooked, so tender that it practically melted in my mouth like butter. The attention to detail and the chef's willingness to cater to my needs truly elevated the dining experience. In addition to the pork belly, I also indulged in some sushi, opting for a veggie option. The sushi was freshly made, evident from the vibrant flavors and quality ingredients. Each bite was a delightful explosion of taste, showcasing the culinary expertise of the kitchen staff. To round off the meal, I savored a delightful flan, accompanied by an exquisite Apple compote on the side. The combination of creamy flan and tangy compote was a perfect finale to an already outstanding dining experience. Overall, Morimoto Restaurant exceeded my expectations with its high-end, top-notch Asian cuisine, impeccable service, and attention to detail. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an exceptional dining experience. **Rating: 5/5** ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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A photo of Chicken Katsu of a restaurant
Popular dish
Chicken Katsu
A photo of Ishi Yaki Bop of a restaurant
Popular dish
Ishi Yaki Bop
A photo of Wagyu Dumplings of a restaurant
Popular dish
Wagyu Dumplings
A photo of Chickie's & Pete's - South Philadelphia restaurant
Chickie's & Pete's - South Philadelphia
4.6
4.6 (646)
$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 May 6, 2024
Perfect spot to meet up before the Phillies game. Server was awesome, food was great atmosphere got us pumped to see the Phils!
A photo of SkyHigh restaurant
SkyHigh
4.8
4.8 (2483)
$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
SueH
Dined 1 day ago
Lovely restaurant with a extraordinary views. Attentive service and excellent breakfast. A treat but well worth it.
A photo of Charlie was a sinner. restaurant
Charlie was a sinner.
4.6
4.6 (2517)
$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
HodsNYC12vip
Dined 2 days ago
Beautiful, stylish & cozy place … yummy vegan food & delicious cocktails and attentive/friendly service! Highly recommend!
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A photo of Caramelized Eggplant Bao Buns of a restaurant
Popular dish
Caramelized Eggplant Bao Buns
A photo of Molten Chocolate Cake of a restaurant
Popular dish
Molten Chocolate Cake
A photo of White Dog Cafe - University City restaurant
White Dog Cafe - University City
4.6
4.6 (5325)
$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
bobbvip
Dined 3 days ago
Food great. service very slow! Always a treat when we are ib Philly.
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A photo of Kennett Square Mushroom Soup of a restaurant
Popular dish
Kennett Square Mushroom Soup
A photo of Spicy Lamb Bolognese of a restaurant
Popular dish
Spicy Lamb Bolognese
A photo of EMei restaurant
EMei
4.8
4.8 (231)
$30 and under
Chinese (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
OpenTable Dinervip
Dined 6 days ago
EMei is great!!! The food was fantastic and you have to order the green beans.
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A photo of Kung Pao Chicken of a restaurant
Popular dish
Kung Pao Chicken
A photo of Amada PHL restaurant
Amada PHL
4.6
4.6 (8532)
$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
OpenTable Diner
Dined 1 day ago
The food was perfect as always. They have a honey infused with lavender and truffle that is perfect.
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A photo of Tuna Salad of a restaurant
Popular dish
Tuna Salad
A photo of PULPO of a restaurant
Popular dish
PULPO
A photo of Shrimp of a restaurant
Popular dish
Shrimp
A photo of The Olde Bar restaurant
The Olde Bar
4.3
4.3 (1500)
$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
Phillydining
Dined 4 days ago
Excellent food, high quality, server knowledgeable
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A photo of West Coast Oysters of a restaurant
Popular dish
West Coast Oysters
A photo of Lobster Roll of a restaurant
Popular dish
Lobster Roll
A photo of Lobster Pot Pie of a restaurant
Popular dish
Lobster Pot Pie
A photo of Pumpkin BYOB restaurant
Pumpkin BYOB
4.9
4.9 (2512)
$30 and under
Contemporary American
Rittenhouse Square
About the restaurant
Every neighborhood in Philadelphia has its long-treasured, mom-and-pop-run BYOB. Helmed by owners chef Ian Moroney and Hillary Bor, Pumpkin embodies the spirit of this quintessential Philly restaurant. The 26-seat dining room is small, but the addition of a covered and heated outdoor space has expanded options. Pumpkin serves a three-course menu based on local ingredients that changes daily. Expect fresh salads, housemade pastas, plenty of seafood, and homey desserts, such as goat cheesecake and chocolate torte with passion fruit.
Top review
Lisavip
Dined 2 days ago
Thank you for a wonderful cabbage centered dinner and really great service from David. 
A photo of Bud & Marilyn's restaurant
Bud & Marilyn's
4.6
4.6 (4974)
$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
Eyebrowse99
Dined 3 days ago
Our party of 4 had a great dining experience at Bud & Marilyn's. The food was exceptional and the service was great! It turned out to be a little pricier than we expected but it was well worth it. Only thing I'd change is the metal chairs (which were very noisy)! But, fortunately, I think ours were the only ones. We'll definitely be coming back!
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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 Hot Fried Chicken Sandwich of a restaurant
Popular dish
Hot Fried Chicken Sandwich
A photo of Fork - Philadelphia restaurant
Fork - Philadelphia
4.7
4.7 (4940)
$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
HannaB
Dined 2 days ago
Food is consistently innovative and prepared perfectly. We have never been disappointed here. Perfect restaurant for a special occasion.
A photo of Tria Rittenhouse restaurant
Tria Rittenhouse
4.8
4.8 (397)
$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
BlairBvip
Dined 5 days ago
Favorite restaurant in all of Philly. Best food with small plates to share. We make sure to go back every time we are in town!
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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 (6844)
$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
RaviS
Dined 3 days ago
Great food and service. Our favorite spot to celebrate special occasions
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A photo of Chicken Tacos of a restaurant
Popular dish
Chicken Tacos
A photo of Shrimp Tacos of a restaurant
Popular dish
Shrimp Tacos
A photo of Colache Tacos of a restaurant
Popular dish
Colache Tacos

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