• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
freebie! download my top 8 dessert recipe ebook

Join my newsletter for latest recipes!

Erin Lives Whole

Healthy Eats + Delicious Treats

  • Recipe Index
    • Course
      • Appetizers
      • Breakfast
      • Lunch & Dinner
      • Dessert
      • Soup
      • Sides
      • Drinks
      • Snacks
      • Sauces & Dips
    • Dessert Type
      • Bars & Balls
      • Breads & Muffins
      • Brownies
      • Cakes
      • Candy
      • Cookies
      • Frozen
      • Pie & Cobbler
      • Other
    • Diet
      • Dairy-Free
      • Gluten-Free
      • Nut-Free
      • Paleo Friendly
      • Vegan
      • Vegetarian
    • Method
      • 30 Minute or Less
      • Air Fryer
      • Grill
      • Instant Pot
      • Meal Prep
      • No Bake
      • One Pot/Pan
      • Oven
      • Stove Top
    • Season
      • Fall
      • Holiday
      • Winter
      • Spring
      • Summer
    • Recipe Filter
    • All Recipes
  • Ebooks
  • Shop
  • Lifestyle
  • About
    • Work With Me
    • Contact
  • Subscribe to receive latest recipes

    Join my newsletter for latest recipes!

  • Browse by Diet
    • Gluten-Free
    • Dairy-Free
    • Nut-Free
    • Paleo Friendly
    • Vegan
    • Vegetarian
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch & Dinner
  • Drinks
  • Snacks
  • Dessert
  • Appetizers
Home Lifestyle

Where to Eat and Drink in Philadelphia

By: Erin7/21/19

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Philadelphia, you are my most favorite city in the whole world. There are so many things I love about this city, and I’ve lived here my whole life so maybe I’m biased, but it truly is an incredible city.

Everything from the nightlife to the character to the charm of the little row homes, I can truly picture myself living in this city forever! And since I always have people asking me “where should I eat in Philadelphia?” I finally decided to create a comprehensive guide of all of my favorite places!

where to eat in philadelphia

To me, one of the best things about Philly is THE FOOD SCENE. One that has been known to rival the scenes of New York City and other well-known restaurant cities. In fact, the Jame’s Beard best restaurant in America was just awarded to one of my personal favorites, Zahav.

There are so many options in terms of cuisine, price-point, attire, and meal that you really won’t be disappointed with not finding a place. And I’m here to break it down for you so that you next time you’re visiting, or maybe you already live here and just need some more options, I’ve got you covered.

I’m sharing all my favorite Philadelphia food spots below, and at the bottom I share all of my favorite healthy Philadelphia food spots!

So now lets get this party started…where to eat in Philadelphia?!

Map thanks to Wanderlog, a road trip planner on iOS and Android

Coffee in Philadelphia

We’ve got some amazing coffee shops in this city, each offering a variety of different types of coffee, many grown right within our city limits as well.

My all- time favorite is La Colombe. With several locations throughout the city, you will always be able to find yourself in close proximity to one. Their nitro-cold brew is out of this world, and I always order the Black + Oat latte, which is nitro cold brew with cold oat milk. They are also famous for their Black + Tan, which is the same thing but with whole milk. Delicious.

Other favorite coffee shops that I frequent regularly and have always had a good experience at:

  • Vibrant Coffee
  • Batter & Crumbs
  • Rival Brothers Coffee
  • Elixr
  • Reanimator Coffee
  • Function Coffee
  • Ultimo
  • Old City Coffee
  • One Shot
  • Good Karma Cafe
  • Greenstreet Roasters
  • Herman’s Coffee
la colombe
La Colombe Fishtown pic credit Eater

Brunch in Philadelphia

There are so many places to brunch in the city, but having a go-to list is key for mornings when I wake up and want to roll outta bed to brunch.

Harp + Crown: one of my absolutely favorites. It’s actually a buffet, but don’t let that freak you out. It’s an amazing buffet with top notch food. A full carving station, donut bar, bagel + lox station, omelette station, fruit station….the list goes on. It’s delicious, fresh, constantly stocked, and a guaranteed win for everyone.

Cafe Lift: An American Brunch spot that is always a hit when I take people because they offer delicious breakfast options – many classics with a little fun twist. Good for healthy eaters and regular eaters alike. BYOB.

Parc: Fancier, on the ‘Square’ (Rittenhouse square, so a great option for people watching) and the food is absolutely delicious too. A little pricier but always a hit. Get the quiche!

Other notable options that we love:

  • Sabrina’s Cafe (casual)
  • Green Eggs Cafe (casual)
  • Honey’s Sit N Eat (casual)
  • Bud + Marilyns
  • Cafe La Maude
  • The Breakfast Den
  • High Street on Market
  • Middle Child – the best breakfast sandwiches ever
  • North 3rd
  • Suraya

Donuts: Federal Donuts, Beilers, Underground, Dottie’s (vegan), Bakeshop on 20th.

Bakeries/Baked Goods in Philadelphia

  • Kismet Bagels
  • Korshak Bagels
  • Machine Shop Bakery
  • Mighty Bread Co
  • Fiore Fine Foods
  • Essen Bakery
  • Fiore Fine Foods
  • Bakeshop on 20th
  • Metropolitan Bakery
  • Small Oven Pastry Shop
  • Lost Bread Co
  • The Kettle Black
  • Federal Donuts
  • Beiler’s Donuts
  • Dottie’s Donuts
  • Okie Dokie Donuts
parc cafe
Parc Cafe pic credit Google

Lunch in Philadelphia

While brunch and dinner are definitely popular times for eating out in Philly, there are several delicious lunch options scattered around the city as well.

Goldie: My absolute favorite place for lunch in the city. Owned by restaurateur Michael Solomonov who is the man behind Zahav (one of the best restaurants in the world) Goldie is 100% vegan, but you don’t need to be vegan to eat there, TRUST ME. I take everyone here. Hummus, Falafel (OMG, the falafel salad is crack), fries, and the best thing on the menu: the Tehina Shake. Just trust me and get it.

Dizengoff: BEST. HUMMUS. EVER. Similar to Goldie but more hummus options and lots of delicious fluffy pita.

Marathon: A great place for lunch with lots of options for everyone, a couple of locations in the city. People are always lunching there!

Other notable lunch spots: Stock (amazing pho), Continental Midtown, Dandelion, El Vez.

Other casual lunch eats:

  • South Philly Barbacoa
  • Reading Terminal Market (a huge market with lots of vendors – fave: Hershel’s Deli),
  • Famous 4th Street Deli
  • Luke’s Lobster
goldie falafel
Goldie Falafel, pic credit Zagat

Drinks in Philadelphia

One of my most favorite things in the world to do is to chat over wine with friends or grab a cocktail with my man before dinner, and Philly has some amazing places to do that. Below is just the beginning list of some of my favorite places to grab a drink!

  • Tria – favorite wine bar but have a great list of beers.
  • Harp + Crown – amazing huge u-shaped bar (speakeasy vibes), great cocktails, always a recommended place.
  • Guiseppe + Sons – speakeasy vibes, old Italian, great drinks
  • Sampan – weeknight happy hour
  • Independence Beer Garden (Summer) – outdoor, games, fun
  • Mission Taqueria – great margs, awesome happy hour, spicy green juice marg!!
  • Friday Saturday Sunday – good bar + cocktails
  • Frankford Hall – day drinking, great beer + fun atmosphere
  • Four Humours Distilling – whiskey bar, super chic inside, lots of good drinks.
  • Irwins – amazing food + drinks high above the city, on the other side of BOK Bar (another recommendation!) which is an old tech school converted.
  • La Caveau – wine bar, swanky and elegant but not fancy.
  • A.bar – fun to sit at the chefs counter and sip cocktails.
  • JG SkyHigh – top of the Four Seasons, fancy but the BEST views in the city.
Harp + Crown, pic credit Infatuation

Dinner in Philadelphia

I have so many favorite spots for dinner so this is going to be really hard! I’m going to list them all out and then you can all do your own research, but just know I’ve been to many Philadelphia restaurants, and these are consistently the ones that perform every single time!

There are several that are BYOB’s as well because Philadelphia is very popular for this option, which I love, because then you can stop at a liquor store and grab a bottle of your favorite wine for way cheaper than having to buy several drinks at a restaurant.

  • Zahav – consistently award winning, need reservations, best Israeli food, get the tasting menu.
  • Suraya – another great winner like Zahav, Lebanese food, get the tasting menu, definitely get the Fattouch + the hummus.
  • Laser Wolf – same chef as Zahav, same type of food. Absolutely delicious. Lots of small plates/dips/
  • Talula’s Garden – one of my absolute FAVORITES in terms of vibe, food, drinks. Awesome date night spot.
  • Amada – the best Spanish tapas I’ve ever had (and I’ve been to Spain!) so good. Awesome ambiance.
  • Osteria – incredible vibes, delicious meals, and perfect for a date night!
  • Vetri – super fancy, super special, but perfect birthday or anniversary date night spot. Food is incredible (and very rich!)
  • Middle Child Clubhouse – retro vibes, think best cheeseburger ever, jukebox, disco, but INCREDIBLE food!!! Fun date night.
  • Vedge – All vegan, but no one would ever know. I took my meat + potatoes loving boyfriend here and he loved it! Great ambiance, not fancy but not casual. Fabulous cocktails. Must get dessert.
  • El Vez – great + popular Mexican spot with amazing margaritas. Get the chips + guac, obviously.
  • Georgio on Pine (BYOB) – one of the best Italian in the city. BYOB so bring wine! Tom and my parent’s met there for the first time, many girls nights have been had there, small but so authentic and good.
  • Her Place Supper Club – intimate dinner, reservations released only on IG two weeks prior. Specialty cooking and fresh ingredients! True experience meal.
  • Little Nonnas – another great Italian restaurant with cozy vibes. Meatballs are amazing.
  • Vernick Fish – the best seafood restaurant in the city, IMO! So good, incredible environment (bottom of the Four Seasons), great drinks, too!
  • W.M. Mulherins – we love this place for cocktails + pizza. Classy + cute inside. Always enjoy the food – it’s outstanding!
  • Effie’s (BYOB) – Favorite Greek food in the city…SO GOOD. Total hole in the wall but amazing. Cute back patio is a must.
  • Mission Taqueria – great margs, great tacos, great vibes.
  • The Love – awesome place to bring family or parents. Good food.
  • Barbuzzo – good food + heart of the action. Get the salted caramel budino!
  • Trattoria Carina – Another delicious Italian restaurant. So good!
zahav restaurant
Zahav pic credit Eater

Healthy Restaurants in Philadelphia

I wanted to include some healthy options in this where to eat in Philadelphia guide, so see below!

PS&Co: A super healthy plant based, all-organic menu with several options. I personally like it best for breakfast and always enjoy the chia pudding. They also have lots of healthier desserts, good coffee, smoothies, juices..

Breakfast: Bluestone Lane, Front Street Cafe, Animo, OCF Coffee House.

Lunch: HipCityVeg, Real Food Eatery, Honeygrow, Sweetgreen, Farmer’s Keep.

Dinner: Charlie was a Sinner, Vedge, Bar Bombon, V Street Food, Honest Tom’s Tacos, Front Street Cafe, Talula’s Garden, Bareburger

PS & Co pic credit Google

Breweries in Philadelphia

  • Human Robot
  • Other Half
  • Tired Hands (philly-ish)
  • Evil Genius
  • Love City
  • Source Urban
  • Triple Bottom
  • Crime and Punishment
  • Fermentory Form
  • Punch Buggy
  • Brewery ARS
  • Second Distrcit
  • Philadelphia Distilling
  • Roy Pitz

Best Philadelphia Pizza

Angelos – personal favorite pizza in the city – the Upside Down Jawn is amazing…also have incredible sandwiches on housemade hard rolls – get the drunk cutlet. Expect a line, but it is worth it to wait. Grandma pie is the best pizza!!

Pizzeria Beddia – more of a sit down vibe, absolutely phenomenal pizza and known for their specialty pies. Again, there will be a line to get a table but head over to the local bar to grab a drink first.

Tacconelli’s – thin crust tomato pizza + pizzas that are truly out of this world! A little out of the city but so worth it. Order your pizzas ahead of time by calling.

Other favorites:

  • Pizza Plus
  • Hook and Master
  • Eeva
  • Parma Jawn
  • Circles and Squares
  • Pizza Brain
  • Shackamaxon
  • Square Pie
  • Pizzata
  • Gigi’s
  • Pitrcuo
  • Sally

Best Sushi In Philadelphia

  • Nori
  • Kei
  • Umai Umai
  • Fat Salmon
  • Bleu
  • Tomo
  • Vic

Best Tacos in Philadelphia

  • El Pueblito (Birria)
  • Burrito Feliz (Birria)
  • Philly Tacos
  • Taqueria La Prima
  • El Jarocho
  • Los Gallos
  • Blue Corn

Favorite Philly Cheesesteak

Had to include it – if you’re visiting, you gotta try at least one!

Cheesesteaks: Angelos (best), Jims, Steves, John’s Roast Pork, Tony Lukes, Delassandros, Woodrows, Pat’s, Campos.

Best Dessert Philadelphia

Franklin Fountain – best ice cream in the city, you must get it! There is almost always a line but it moves quickly. Hydrox cookie is like Oreo on steroids.

Other good ice cream: Milk Jawn, 1-900 Ice Cream, Little Baby’s, Bassett’s, Big Gay Ice Cream, Weckerly’s, Van LeeWuen, Jeni’s, Cuzzys.

Other dessert: Cake Life Bake Shop, Isgro’s Pastry, Sweet Life Bake Shop, Lil Pop Shop, Igloo Froyo, Sweetbox (get the cookie dough!), Termini Bros.

And there you have it! I hope you enjoy this where to eat in Philadelphia guide. I don’t think I left anything out, but will continue to add to it as more delicious restaurants pop up.

Enjoy!!

ice cream cone
Franklin Fountain pic credit Zagat

There may be affiliate links in this post! By purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting Erin Lives Whole, it helps keep this blog afloat 🙂

You May Also Like...

  • Stasher Bag with pineapple in it
    Pantry Staples
  • My Running Journey
  • How Exactly Erin Lives Whole
  • I Quit My Job.
chocolate chip cookies
free ebook

get my free top 8 desserts ebook!

A dessert lover’s heaven – six healthier sweet treats all made with six ingredients or less!

download now

Join my newsletter for latest recipes!

Previous Post
Next Post

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Have a question? Use the form below to submit your question or comment. I love seeing what you made!

  1. Morgan says

    Posted on 1/9 at 3:23 pm

    The BEST list and my go-to for all things Philly food! I am new to the city (mid-pandemic!) and I have enjoyed trying/supporting local favorites! Erin has the best taste in food! Truly.

    Reply
  2. Christine says

    Posted on 12/10 at 8:53 am

    What a great list! We’re originally from the Philly area. There are some other great places too. Our good friends own Slice Pizza (9th and Federal and Fishtown locations) as well as P’unk Burger on Passyunk. We had our wedding reception at Spasso in Old City. They’ve got some excellent homemade pasta, plus it’s got a great atmosphere. I’m not sure if Tria will survive all of the shutdowns, but they have a great beer and wine list along with good food!

    Reply
  3. Shira says

    Posted on 8/11 at 6:37 pm

    I live abroad and this list makes me so homesick/nostalgic for Philly! Also gave me some great ideas for places I need to revisit and try out next time I come back, thanks!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/12 at 7:27 am

      Hi Shira, I am happy I brought a piece of home to you! Hope you’re doing well and can come back soon and eat your way around the city!

      Reply
  4. Janis says

    Posted on 7/28 at 12:32 pm

    Awesome list! I also love Philly for its food scene and can’t wait to try some of your suggestions . I have to say that my heart skipped a beat when I had the pistachio gelato at Gran Caffe L’Aquila. I also love the food at Monsù, Hardena and Bibou.

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 7/29 at 3:46 pm

      WOW! I will definitely be trying the gelato…that’s my boyfriend’s favorite flavor. Thanks for the rec!

      Reply
  5. Lori says

    Posted on 7/22 at 10:29 pm

    Thanks Erin! I can’t wait to try some of these places!

    Reply
  6. Tom says

    Posted on 7/21 at 8:44 am

    This is great! I’m going to share when I have company at work in town. Also for cheesesteaks, “Oh Brother” just opened and is top 3 next to Woodrow and Jims.

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

erin in front of a building

Hey there!

I’m Erin. Creator of Erin Lives Whole, a food blog with delicious and easy healthy recipes that will leave you feeling good. We’ve got everything from wholesome baked goods to comforting savory dishes. I can’t wait to see what you whip up! Read More...

grocery lists

Shop My Grocery Downloads

Do you head to the grocery store and feel overwhelmed with all of the options? Well, I've created FIVE downloadable and printable grocery lists from five different and popular grocery stores. All of my absolute must haves from Whole Foods, Target, a regular grocer, Trader Joe's, and Costco!

Shop Now

Popular Posts

chickpea brownie on a tray

Chickpea Brownies

bite out of healthy cookie dough ball

Healthy Cookie Dough Balls

cauliflower wings on plate

Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

pouring syrup on stack of oatmeal blender pancakes

Oatmeal Blender Pancakes

chocolate chip cookies

get my free top 8 desserts ebook!

A dessert lover’s heaven – six healthier sweet treats all made with six ingredients or less!

Download Now

Join my newsletter for latest recipes!

Trending Recipes

avocado corn salad

Avocado Corn Salad

cilantro lime shrimp on plate

Cilantro Lime Shrimp with Coconut Cauliflower Rice

paleo cookie skillet with ice cream

Healthy Cookie Skillet

banana bread muffin on a rack

Paleo Banana Bread Muffins

Featured On

good housekeeping logo
parade logo
feed feed logo
business insider logo
everyday health logo
country living logo
bar desserts
truffles
bar desserts
bar desserts
muffins
vanilla birthday cake with chocolate icing

Get latest updates To your inbox!

Back to Top
© 2023 Erin Lives Whole
  • Privacy Policy
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled