Guidebook for Philadelphia
Food Scene
Fitler Dining Room
2201 Spruce StreetA little pricey but so incredibly delicious!
Gusto Pizzeria
240 S 22nd StGreat Stromboli!
Bacchus Market & Catering
2300 Spruce StGreat paninis and take alongs- wonderful for a picnic in the park
One of our absolute favorite restaurants in the city- fresh, local and absolutely delicious. For an extra treat- sit outside on the gorgeous patio!
79 locals recommend
Talula's Garden
210 W Washington SquareOne of our absolute favorite restaurants in the city- fresh, local and absolutely delicious. For an extra treat- sit outside on the gorgeous patio!
This is a great coffee shop/ deli/ lunch spot that then shuts down at night and reopens as the "Secret Supper Club". It is a fixed menu and every bite is absolutely delicious- worth every penny!
17 locals recommend
Talula's Daily
208 W Washington SquareThis is a great coffee shop/ deli/ lunch spot that then shuts down at night and reopens as the "Secret Supper Club". It is a fixed menu and every bite is absolutely delicious- worth every penny!
Circles Thai
1516 Tasker StThe best Thai take out in the city- highly recommended!!!
Great, local, fresh food- with Mediterranean inspiration. The indoors can get pretty loud but we love sitting outside- just go early to avoid the line.
50 locals recommend
Audrey Claire
276 S 20th StGreat, local, fresh food- with Mediterranean inspiration. The indoors can get pretty loud but we love sitting outside- just go early to avoid the line.
Great new spot- small dishes and medium sized portions. Right on Fitler Square- only open after 4 during the week (open for brunch during the weekend) but worth going early so you can sit outside.
24 locals recommend
Tria Fitler Square
Great new spot- small dishes and medium sized portions. Right on Fitler Square- only open after 4 during the week (open for brunch during the weekend) but worth going early so you can sit outside.
Best ice cream in the city. Try the fruity flavors and definitely go for the cones- they are delicious!
31 locals recommend
Capogiro Gelato Artisans
119 S 13th StBest ice cream in the city. Try the fruity flavors and definitely go for the cones- they are delicious!
Really good homestyle food- great for brunch. We love their Huevos Rancheros and their Pulled Chicken Tacos.
238 locals recommend
Honey's Sit 'N Eat
2101 South StReally good homestyle food- great for brunch. We love their Huevos Rancheros and their Pulled Chicken Tacos.
Wonderful, lively spot throughout the day- the bread is amazing, the warm shrimp salad is a big favorite and their french onion soup is the best we've ever had. Another great spot to sit outside.
223 locals recommend
Parc
227 S 18th StWonderful, lively spot throughout the day- the bread is amazing, the warm shrimp salad is a big favorite and their french onion soup is the best we've ever had. Another great spot to sit outside.
Rouge
205 S 18th StA Rittenhouse institution. Definitely sit outside and get the rouge burger.
Its a strange concept but its now a Philadelphia tradition: Fried Chicken and Doughnuts- the best of both in the world- both the fresh and the fancy donuts are amazing and the chicken is incredible!
130 locals recommend
Federal Donuts
1219 S 2nd StIts a strange concept but its now a Philadelphia tradition: Fried Chicken and Doughnuts- the best of both in the world- both the fresh and the fancy donuts are amazing and the chicken is incredible!
English inspired pub. Great brunch spot- always a favorite for us.
141 locals recommend
The Franklin Bar
1715 S 18th StEnglish inspired pub. Great brunch spot- always a favorite for us.
Good local gourmet pizza and pasta. We recommend their polenta bread and their goat cheese and bacon pizza.
19 locals recommend
Mama Palma's
2229 Spruce StGood local gourmet pizza and pasta. We recommend their polenta bread and their goat cheese and bacon pizza.
Really wonderful, inspired and delicious food very nearby. If you can get a reservation- it is worth it!
93 locals recommend
Vernick Food & Drink
2031 Walnut StReally wonderful, inspired and delicious food very nearby. If you can get a reservation- it is worth it!
Much sought after 7 course fixed menu restaurant by Top Chef winner Nicholas Elmi. Book well in advance for a true dining treat!
37 locals recommend
Laurel
1617 E Passyunk AveMuch sought after 7 course fixed menu restaurant by Top Chef winner Nicholas Elmi. Book well in advance for a true dining treat!
Twenty Manning
261 S 20th StGreat local spot. We love the fish tacos!
Great local coffee shop with lots of space for studying. Be sure to check out their outdoor courtyard in warm weather.
79 locals recommend
Good Karma Cafe
928 Pine StGreat local coffee shop with lots of space for studying. Be sure to check out their outdoor courtyard in warm weather.
Essentials
South Square Market
2221 South StEasy, close supermarket
Sightseeing
Great walking path- if you want to go to the Art Museum I recommend walking along this path- you can also take this to UPenn and anywhere in between.
66 locals recommend
Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk
Schuylkill Banks BoardwalkGreat walking path- if you want to go to the Art Museum I recommend walking along this path- you can also take this to UPenn and anywhere in between.
The location for UPenn's graduation ceremony and many games- an easy 20 minute walk (I recommend walking through the park and over the south street bridge)
Franklin Field
235 S 33rd StThe location for UPenn's graduation ceremony and many games- an easy 20 minute walk (I recommend walking through the park and over the south street bridge)
Great Park surrounded by wonderful restaurants and shopping. On warm days the people watching alone can keep you busy all day!
620 locals recommend
Rittenhouse Square
135 S 18th StGreat Park surrounded by wonderful restaurants and shopping. On warm days the people watching alone can keep you busy all day!
Philadelphia's Ivy League University. Take a stroll down Locust walk or head over to the Quad dormitory for some iconic university scenery.
165 locals recommend
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia's Ivy League University. Take a stroll down Locust walk or head over to the Quad dormitory for some iconic university scenery.
Boathouse Row
1 Boathouse RowNothing more iconic than Philadelphia's beautiful boathouse row!
Everything Else
Wonderful fresh bread and baked goods- their lemon squares are to die for!
27 locals recommend
Metropolitan Pizza & Cafe (Rittenhouse Square)
262 S 19th StWonderful fresh bread and baked goods- their lemon squares are to die for!
Parks & Nature
One of the largest urban green spaces in the country, Philadelphia's Fairmount Park consists of more than 9200 acres of trails, woodlands and wetlands.
315 locals recommend
Fairmount Park
Reservoir DriveOne of the largest urban green spaces in the country, Philadelphia's Fairmount Park consists of more than 9200 acres of trails, woodlands and wetlands.
Wonderful park for families with small children. Great splash pad, cafe, wading pond and climbable waterfall/stream all with a view of the swan fountain! Perfect for hot days.
18 locals recommend
Sister Cities Park
210 N 18th StWonderful park for families with small children. Great splash pad, cafe, wading pond and climbable waterfall/stream all with a view of the swan fountain! Perfect for hot days.
Wonderful local park with 2 dog parks, open grassy areas, public gardens, basketball, tennis courts and two playgrounds.
250 locals recommend
Schuylkill River Trail
Schuylkill River TrailWonderful local park with 2 dog parks, open grassy areas, public gardens, basketball, tennis courts and two playgrounds.
Arts & Culture
The Barnes Foundation was established by Albert C. Barnes in 1922 to “promote the advancement of education and the appreciation of the fine arts and horticulture.” The Barnes holds one of the finest collections of post-impressionist and early modern paintings and was recently moved into center city Philadelphia from its original home in Merion, PA. It is a true Philadelphia gem and well worth a visit!
560 locals recommend
Barnes
2025 Benjamin Franklin PkwyThe Barnes Foundation was established by Albert C. Barnes in 1922 to “promote the advancement of education and the appreciation of the fine arts and horticulture.” The Barnes holds one of the finest collections of post-impressionist and early modern paintings and was recently moved into center city Philadelphia from its original home in Merion, PA. It is a true Philadelphia gem and well worth a visit!
Philadelphia's largest art museum. Go for the art or just run up the steps and pose with Rocky statue for a classic Philadelphia view!
1164 locals recommend
Philadelphia Museum of Art
2600 Benjamin Franklin PkwyPhiladelphia's largest art museum. Go for the art or just run up the steps and pose with Rocky statue for a classic Philadelphia view!
PAFA's museum is internationally known for its collections of 19th- and 20th-century American paintings, sculptures, and works on paper. Its archives house important materials for the study of American art history, museums, and art training. The building itself is a stunning and iconic Frank Furness building that is truly worth the walk!
47 locals recommend
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
118-128 N Broad StPAFA's museum is internationally known for its collections of 19th- and 20th-century American paintings, sculptures, and works on paper. Its archives house important materials for the study of American art history, museums, and art training. The building itself is a stunning and iconic Frank Furness building that is truly worth the walk!