Philadelphia Like a Local: Guidebook
Local Restaurants (South Philly)
Philadelphia is a FOODIE paradise. Here are a list of our favorite must try locations in the city! While center city has some big names in food, why not walk to some great local gems or try an up and coming chef before you can't get a reservation!
Extensive array of Spanish-centric small plates & wine with an outdoor patio. Located in the heart of Passyunk Square, this vibrant local destination always draws a crowd.
42 locals recommend
Barcelona Wine Bar
1709 E Passyunk AveExtensive array of Spanish-centric small plates & wine with an outdoor patio. Located in the heart of Passyunk Square, this vibrant local destination always draws a crowd.
Fine Mexican fare, potent margaritas, a lively vibe & outdoor seating make this a popular hangout. If the weather is nice, this is the patio you want to be sitting on!
137 locals recommend
Cantina Los Caballitos
1651 E Passyunk AveFine Mexican fare, potent margaritas, a lively vibe & outdoor seating make this a popular hangout. If the weather is nice, this is the patio you want to be sitting on!
If a view is what you want, this is one of the BEST in the city! Scenic rooftop of an old school building offers a unique vintage flair and offers new life to this commanding structure. With cool vibes offering wine, craft beer & Asian bites, plus family days on Sundays. Don't miss! (open only during the warmer months)
62 locals recommend
Bok Bar
800 Mifflin StIf a view is what you want, this is one of the BEST in the city! Scenic rooftop of an old school building offers a unique vintage flair and offers new life to this commanding structure. With cool vibes offering wine, craft beer & Asian bites, plus family days on Sundays. Don't miss! (open only during the warmer months)
American beer bar featuring a lineup of drafts that rotates often, plus unique kitchen creations.
112 locals recommend
South Philadelphia Tap Room
1509 Mifflin StAmerican beer bar featuring a lineup of drafts that rotates often, plus unique kitchen creations.
Laid-back brewpub with house beers, wine, cocktails & vegan-friendly bar bites
29 locals recommend
Second District Brewing Company
1939 S Bancroft StLaid-back brewpub with house beers, wine, cocktails & vegan-friendly bar bites
Chinese plates with a Jewish twist & festive scorpion bowls are served at this snug, energetic spot.
83 locals recommend
Bing Bing Dim Sum
1648 E Passyunk AveChinese plates with a Jewish twist & festive scorpion bowls are served at this snug, energetic spot.
If you're looking for a high end culinary experience, look no further. An intimate settings offers a tight menu of creative French & American fare in a small, stylish BYOB bistro. Book your table well in advance.
37 locals recommend
Laurel
1617 E Passyunk AveIf you're looking for a high end culinary experience, look no further. An intimate settings offers a tight menu of creative French & American fare in a small, stylish BYOB bistro. Book your table well in advance.
Dinner and a show? Look no further! A south Philly landmark, this quint essential eatery offers classic Italian dishes served with a side of live opera performed by your talented wait staff. Romantic evening, or a fun group gathering. A perfect place to 'make a night of it'.
32 locals recommend
The Victor Café
1303 Dickinson StreetDinner and a show? Look no further! A south Philly landmark, this quint essential eatery offers classic Italian dishes served with a side of live opera performed by your talented wait staff. Romantic evening, or a fun group gathering. A perfect place to 'make a night of it'.
No Michelin stars here, but if you are craving some late night eats, stubble no further than next door for an assortment of options to fill that craving!
Three Countries
1626 Dickinson StNo Michelin stars here, but if you are craving some late night eats, stubble no further than next door for an assortment of options to fill that craving!
A rotating list of microbrews matches the quirky menu of sandwiches & bar food at this hip hangout. Live like the locals and get a sense of the neighborhood most visitors never get to see.
167 locals recommend
American Sardine Bar
1800 Federal StA rotating list of microbrews matches the quirky menu of sandwiches & bar food at this hip hangout. Live like the locals and get a sense of the neighborhood most visitors never get to see.
Bright corner BYO serving burgers, salads & other New American brunch & dinner classics.
53 locals recommend
On Point Bistro
1200 Point Breeze AveBright corner BYO serving burgers, salads & other New American brunch & dinner classics.
They serve homemade quality dishes using only the best local ingredients that truly are ‘Philly to Table’! The limited menu features items that are never frozen, made on premises and perfected to meet our impossible standards. Also look out for nightly specials, appetizer selections and delectable desserts.
6 locals recommend
Burrata
1247 S 13th StThey serve homemade quality dishes using only the best local ingredients that truly are ‘Philly to Table’! The limited menu features items that are never frozen, made on premises and perfected to meet our impossible standards. Also look out for nightly specials, appetizer selections and delectable desserts.
Dock Street South
2118 Washington AveCafe Ynez
2025 Washington AveYour Morning FIX!
Need a spot to get your caffeine in the morning? A quick bite? Perhaps just a cozy cafe to relax. Philly has it all!
PS - coming soon, check out Batter & Crumbs Vegan bakery at Reed & Carlisle!
This brunch trio crafts quirky fare with herbs from a rooftop garden & goods from local merchants.
265 locals recommend
Green Eggs Café
212 S 13th StThis brunch trio crafts quirky fare with herbs from a rooftop garden & goods from local merchants.
Euro-style cafe serving java, a global menu of sandwiches & small plates, plus beer, wine & drinks.
43 locals recommend
Plenty Café
1710 E Passyunk AveEuro-style cafe serving java, a global menu of sandwiches & small plates, plus beer, wine & drinks.
Cozy choice offering coffee, smoothies & homestyle fare with vegan-friendly & gluten-free options.
34 locals recommend
B2 Cafe
1500 E Passyunk AveCozy choice offering coffee, smoothies & homestyle fare with vegan-friendly & gluten-free options.
Breakfast & lunch fare plus coffee are served at this caffeine bar with a mosaic-adorned facade.
54 locals recommend
Black N Brew
1523 E Passyunk AveBreakfast & lunch fare plus coffee are served at this caffeine bar with a mosaic-adorned facade.
Our closest morning spot, this hip cafe with an eye-catching mural serves coffee, smoothies, salads & gluten-free goodies.
33 locals recommend
Hive
1444 S Broad StOur closest morning spot, this hip cafe with an eye-catching mural serves coffee, smoothies, salads & gluten-free goodies.
Two Eagles Cafe
1401 S 20th StPhiladelphia Attractions
When visiting the city of Brotherly Love - here are the must do attractions, and some you may not have thought of!
Book your time slot online or at the visitor center. Though free to enter, a timed ticket is required, and hard to come by in peak season.
569 locals recommend
Independence Hall
520 Chestnut StBook your time slot online or at the visitor center. Though free to enter, a timed ticket is required, and hard to come by in peak season.
The oldest continuously occupied street in America! enjoy the colonial charm and cobblestones.
154 locals recommend
Elfreth's Alley
126 Elfreth's AlleyThe oldest continuously occupied street in America! enjoy the colonial charm and cobblestones.
Climb the steps just like Rocky, and after you pump your fists in the air, enjoy a diverse collection of masterpieces.
1164 locals recommend
Philadelphia Museum of Art
2600 Benjamin Franklin PkwyClimb the steps just like Rocky, and after you pump your fists in the air, enjoy a diverse collection of masterpieces.
Undoubtedly the most manicured square in the city, this lovely park is well shaded and offers a charming respite in one of the nicest neighborhoods.
620 locals recommend
Rittenhouse Square
135 S 18th StUndoubtedly the most manicured square in the city, this lovely park is well shaded and offers a charming respite in one of the nicest neighborhoods.
One Liberty Observation Deck
1650 Market StTake in the view from the TOP.
Lunch? Snacks? Dessert? Produce?
They have it all, brought in from local PA area farms.
739 locals recommend
Reading Terminal Market
1136 N 12th StLunch? Snacks? Dessert? Produce?
They have it all, brought in from local PA area farms.
Barnes
2025 Benjamin Franklin PkwyItalian Market
919 S 9th StOpen air market, still full of character and venders!
Philadelphia's Magic Gardens
1020 South StEastern State Penitentiary
2027 Fairmount AveLiberty Bell
Liberty BellSpruce Street Harbor Park
301 S Christopher Columbus BlvdMuseum of the American Revolution
101 S 3rd StPhiladelphia Restaurants
Enjoy any of these popular restaurants for great food at a reasonable price point. Most people don't realize that many chefs open in Philadelphia to get their experience before expanding to more expensive cities like New York. So enjoy top quality and innovative food, without breaking the bank.
For the third year in a row, Philly hot spot Zahav won big at the James Beard Awards, the annual honors given out to chefs, restaurants, and restaurateurs. The 11-year-old Israeli eatery in Society Hill, from star chef Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook, was named outstanding restaurant at the 2019 James Beard Awards ceremony. It was the only winner from Philadelphia, and the first time Philly received the outstanding restaurant award.
138 locals recommend
Zahav
237 St James PlFor the third year in a row, Philly hot spot Zahav won big at the James Beard Awards, the annual honors given out to chefs, restaurants, and restaurateurs. The 11-year-old Israeli eatery in Society Hill, from star chef Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook, was named outstanding restaurant at the 2019 James Beard Awards ceremony. It was the only winner from Philadelphia, and the first time Philly received the outstanding restaurant award.
Amada
217-219 Chestnut StThe BEST brunch in the city. Amazing at all meals - but a buffet brunch to die for!
30 locals recommend
Harp & Crown
1525 Sansom StThe BEST brunch in the city. Amazing at all meals - but a buffet brunch to die for!
Sampan
124 S 13th StDouble Knot
120 S 13th StMixto Restaurante
1141 Pine StEl Vez
121 S 13th StBarbuzzo
110 S 13th St
Little Nonna's
1234 Locust StMoshulu
401 S Christopher Columbus BlvdXIX (Nineteen) Restaurant
200 S Broad StAttico Rooftop
219 S Broad StDel Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse
1428-1432 Chestnut StreetFette Sau
1208 Frankford AveBuddakan
325 Chestnut StThe Franklin Fountain
116 Market StAbe Fisher
1623 Sansom StVillage Whiskey
118 S 20th StParc
227 S 18th StDim Sum Garden
1020 Race StPizzeria Vetri
1939 Callowhill StOyster House
1516 Sansom StTalula's Garden
210 W Washington SquareGiuseppe & Sons
1523 Sansom StK'Far Cafe
110 S 19th StBars
Stateside
1536 E Passyunk AveBurg's Hideaway Lounge
1200 S 21st St