The Philadelphia Can't-Miss List
Whether it’s your first time in Philly, or your first time back in a while, you’ll notice the city’s reputation as a first-class dining destination is well-earned. To get a taste of it, start with these 16 spots—from cheesesteaks and roast pork sandwiches to steaming pho, tender lamb tacos, and wine made right in Fishtown.
They’re all part of my Saltete guide to Eating and Drinking in Philadelphia. Saltete guides are digital and interactive, and let you travel like a local expert without loads of time spent planning.
You can eat your way through Rome with recommendations from cookbook author and tour guide Katie Parla, or Paris with local journalist and author of The New Paris, Lindsey Tramuta, or Disney World with former People magazine food editor and amusement park aficionado Shay Spence. To get the most out of your visit to Philly, start here, and unlock 100-plus more places at saltete.com.
HARDENA
The casual South Philly spot centers around a steam table filled with Indonesian specialties like rendang, curries, vegetable fritters, and gudeg (jackfruit stew). Pay at the counter and take the heavy styrofoam clamshell to one of the tables surrounded by family photos and the heady scent of coconut and turmeric.
1754 S. Hicks St.
215.271.9442
hardenapa.com
JOHN’S ROAST PORK
You probably won’t stumble across John’s, but you should definitely seek it out. The unassuming shop located just off Columbus Boulevard in South Philly is home to the city’s best roast pork, which comes heaped on a seeded roll alongside sharp provolone and—instead of the traditional broccoli rabe—sautéed spinach. The cheesesteaks, too, are among the city’s best, made with either American cheese or mild or sharp provolone. (Never Whiz, which is kind of sad because Whiz is actually great on a cheesesteak, but we’re not arguing with John’s because they know what they’re doing.) Check the hours before you go, and bring cash. There are a few tables or, on a nice day, head to Race Street Pier, a couple miles north on Columbus Boulevard, to eat lunch with a riverfront view.
14 Snyder Ave.
215.463.1951
johnsroastpork.com
SOUTH PHILLY BARBACOA
At Cristina Martinez’s warm and low-key spot in the Italian Market, crowds often line up early for slow-roasted lamb tucked into homemade corn tortillas. (The corn is grown at a farm nearby, using seeds from Chiapas, Mexico.)
1134 S. 9th St.
215.694.3797
FIORE
Hit the sunny Kensington café early for fresh Italian pastries and fluffy scrambled eggs and whipped ricotta on tangy house-made focaccia, or go at lunchtime for made-from-scratch pastas and rustic panini. The best option, though, is to arrive somewhere in the middle and order it all.
2413 Frankford Ave.
215.339.0509
fiore-finefoods.com
MURAL CITY CELLARS
In 2021, Nicholas Ducas and Francesca Galarus opened Mural City Cellars, Philly’s first independent urban winery, using grapes they handpick from vineyards within a 300-mile radius of the city to make wine like the floral Cab Franc Rosé or funky Pet-Nat. The couple just opened a new space, where Ducas makes the wine and, in the front, there’s a tasting room where you can sample wines by the glass alongside a build-your-own cheese board with local cheeses from Perrystead Dairy and/or vegan wedges from Bandit.
1831 Frankford Ave.
215.291.9161
muralcitycellars.com
ANGELO’S PIZZERIA
A carryout, cash-only spot for truly outstanding pizza (order an Upside Down square pie), plus cheesesteaks, hoagies, and chicken cutlet sandwiches, all built on freshly baked Sarcone’s seeded rolls.
736 S. 9th St.
215.922.0000
angelospizzeriasouthphiladelphia.com
KALAYA
Chef Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon’s vibrant ode to Southern Thai cuisine is one of a kind, in Philly or anywhere else. Sit in the lofty dining room under a copse of palm trees, and start with a cocktail or mocktail infused with flavors like lemongrass and pandan, and at least one order of delicate dumplings. The kitchen won’t alter a dish’s spice levels, so if you’re heat-averse, ask the server for recommendations on how to order your ideal meal.
4 W. Palmer St.
215.545.2535
kalayaphilly.com
FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY
The elegant Rittenhouse Square restaurant was named the country’s most outstanding restaurant in 2023 by the James Beard Association. Stop into the downstairs bar to mingle with neighborhood regulars over excellent cocktails and plates from the a la carte menu, or book a table upstairs to experience the tasting menu.
261 S. 21st St.
215.546.4232
fridaysaturdaysunday.com
ZAHAV
The modern Israeli restaurant has drawn national attention almost since its opening in 2008, and it’s still well worth a visit to sample the iconic hummus, a parade of bright salatim, and tender, pomegranate-shellacked lamb shoulder. (The four-course pre-fixe menu is still one of the best deals in town at $85 per person.) If you can’t snag a reservation, line up before they open to try for a seat at the bar.
237 St. James Pl.
215.625.8800
zahavrestaurant.com
ISGRO PASTRIES
The family-run bakery dates back to 1904, and is still an Italian Market staple for piped-to-order cannoli (crispy tubes piped with chocolate-chip-studded sweet ricotta or mascarpone), dense rum cakes, and an array of Italian cookies. (We’re partial to the chewy almond macaroons and pine-nut-covered pignoli.)
1009 Christian St.
215.923.3092
isgropastries.com
WIM CAFÉ
The minimalist café anchoring Yowie Hotel, a design-centric boutique property on South Street, is the perfect place to break for a seasonal special like an ube latte or matcha lemonade. Afterward, wander into the adjacent shop to browse the selection of ceramics and other homewares made by local artisans.
226 South St.
215.398.5965
wimcafe.com
ROYAL SUSHI & IZAKAYA
If you didn’t snag one of eight counter seats exactly 30 days in advance to experience Royal’s exquisite omakase, head to the walk-in-only Izakaya for gyoza and sushi rolls paired with a Sapporo or a bottle of sake from the extensive list.
780 S. 2nd St.
267.909.9002
royalsushiandizakaya.com
MAWN
Experience Philly’s BYOB scene at Mawn, the modern Cambodian noodle house set in a snug space in the Italian Market. The menu zags from traditional Thai khao soi to fried chicken with fish sauce caramel, and don’t skip the punchy salads and definitely don’t skip dessert. The jasmine rice pudding topped with a cloud of mango-infused whipped cream is alone worth a visit.
764 S. 9th St.
mawnphilly.com
PHO 75
On any given day at this no-frills cafeteria, you may run into one of Philly’s best chefs hunched over a steaming bowl of brisket- or chicken-infused pho. Cash only.
1122 Washington Ave.
215.271.5866
SANG KEE PEKING DUCK
Visit the Reading Terminal Market counter—an offshoot of the nearby Chinatown mainstay—for crispy-skinned duck over rice and bok choy, then stay to browse the stalls at the century-plus-year-old market. Stop for a cone at Bassetts Ice Cream, or a Pennsylvania Dutch soft pretzel at Miller’s Twist.
238 N. 9th St.
215.925.7532
sangkeechinatown.com
MIDDLE CHILD CLUBHOUSE
When the original Middle Child opened in 2017, the modern deli was an instant hit for making some of the city’s best sandwiches. The team opened its second location in Fishtown, this one for all-day dining, starting with the fluffy breakfast sandwiches and continuing on to a dinner menu of burgers and caviar-topped latke. The vibe is casual and welcoming, with booths and plenty of Eagles and Princess Di memorabilia.
1232 N. Front St.
267.858.4325
middlechildphilly.com
