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- Vetri: Philly's biggest national star, Vetri, has a very reserved look. The old-timey furniture and woodwork are in lock step with the rustic food coming out of the kitchen.
- Lacroix: Once know as Treetops, the new Lacroix was one of Philly's most epic re-dos when they first opened their doors. It's also the perfect venue for the forward-thinking brunch that made them famous, which featured some of the best Philly chefs ever.
- The Fountain at The Four Seasons: An absolute classic. Definitely one of Philly's most expensive restaurants, but the architecture lives up to the price tag. Clean lines with subtle elegance, and epic flower arrangements are the hallmark of The Fountain.
- Butcher & Singer: Philly's Hollywood sound stage is as beautiful as ever, and still impresses regulars each time they wal through the front door. Don't forget The Striped Bass lived here, too, and that gives it even more street cred.
- Amada: Jose Garces exploded onto the scene with Amada, which is still one of Philly's prettiest spaces. His flagship restaurant is also still his best, and a big piece of that enduring love is for the design of the bar and dining room. Lots of meat in the
- Le Bec Fin: Sure, Craig LaBan criticized the re-do as boring, but there's no doubt that LBF is one of the must-see dining rooms in Philly. The 40 year old legend still takes the breath away from first-timers walking into the salon.
- Barbuzzo: After years on 13th Street, Valerie Safran and Marcie Turney hit the big-time with Barbuzzo. The space is small, but the look is stark and stunning. Lots of wood, stone, and shiny metal elements make Barbuzzo stand out.
- Zahav: The crown jewel of the new Philadelphia culinary movement, Zahav features a dining room that's as stunning as the food coming out of the kitchen. The open kitchen and open floor plan give the space an undeniable energy, and the colors are very subt
- The Oyster House: A true Philly classic, The Oyster House has regained some of it's old school charm when the Mink family took it over again. White-washed walls and a massive oyster bar as the center piece takes you away from the truly dirty Sansom Street
- Vedge: Partly on this list because of it's past as Deux Cheminees, Vedge is a beautiful space with three very different dining areas, yet all are gorgeous in their own right. The front bar is very modern and bold, the high-table vegetable bar in the back
- Reading Terminal Market: More people eat here than in all of the other dining rooms combined, and it represents Philly well. Some of our best food options line the hall of the RTM, and the environment only adds to the energy.
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The Ultimate Visitor’s Guide to Eating in Philadelphia
Essential eating, iconic dishes, classic joints, and, yes, cheesesteaks, right this way