The worst of the winter is behind us, and vegetation isn’t the only thing that’s going to be springing to life soon in Philadelphia. Here are 13 new restaurants expected to open up in Philly this spring (as well as a bunch of expansions for existing restaurants and cafes).
Rebelle’s Unnamed Philadelphia Edition
Who: The people behind Michelin-starred New York restaurant Rebelle — Daniel Eddy (of Paris’ Spring) is the chef, Melissa Weller (Sadelle’s in New York) on pastry, playboy wine columnist and Rebelle partner Patrick Cappiello on wine, and Branden McRill as GM
What: A destination restaurant, that’s for sure — the concept and even the name aren’t public yet meaning the restaurant’s approach is something of a mystery. It will have a symbiotic relationship with developer AKA’s luxury apartments and hotels on the upper floors of the same tower.
When: “Early 2017” was floated as the expected opening, so it’s your guess
Where: The ground floor of the FMC Tower at Cira Centre South — so, Walnut and 30th streets
Poi Dog
Who: Chris Vacca and Kiki Aranita — the duo behind the Poi Dog cart
What: The brick-and-mortar version of the Hawaiian food cart that the pair have operated for over four years now. Poke (and not the faux build-your-own-bowl approach) will figure prominently, alongside other staples from the card: musubi, adobo pork belly. But the larger kitchen will allow for more of their daily specials.
When: Pretty soon — they’re already using the kitchen in the new space.
Where: 102 S 21st Street, in the Rittenhouse Square area
Mad Rex and Urban EEL
Who: Miami’s Johnigean Enterprises, LLC, run by Michael Johnigean
What: In short, an apocalypse-themed restaurant, called Mad Rex. But Rex is actually an acronym for “restaurant, entertainment, xperience”. Beyond that there’s a lot more going on here — hot rock and Himalayan pink salt grilling, three large virtual reality theaters with wheelchairs, live music and dancing (which doesn’t seem very apocalyptic), and more. Right next door, Urban EEL (Entertainment, Eatery Lounge) will be a more toned down grill and sushi bar, with a dash of excitement in the form of an 8,000 gallon tank of moray eels. All in all, it’s quite the trip.
When: Spring, sometime
Where: In Fishtown: 1000 Frankford Avenue, next to the Fillmore
Wiz Kid
Who: The folk behind vegan spots Vedge and V Street
What: A more fast-casual eatery than their previous projects, with vegan takes on cheesesteak, fried chicken tempeh, salads, and fries. They do have a small operation already up and running at a Spring Garden-adjacent Whole Foods, but this Rittenhouse Square location will be a more full-scale operation.
When: Hopefully this month (March)
Where: 124 S 19th Street
Roy-Pitz Barrel House
Who: Jesse Rotz and Ryan Richards of Chambersburg, PA’s Roy-Pitz Brewing Company
What: The Philly arm of the original Chambersburg craft brewing operation, which takes on a fairly wide library of brew types (which they call “liquid art”). There will also be beer-friendly food.
When: March 2017 was the original projected opening, but let’s wait and see
Where: 990 Spring Garden Street
The Pineville
Who: Andrew and Drew Abruzzese, current owners of Bucks County’s Pineville Tavern
What: 275 years after the original Pineville Tavern was born to the north of Philly, they’re making a move into the city, setting up in the former Yesterday’s Tavern. “Elevated tavern fare” and craft beer on tap is the name of the game, and there’ll be a takeout window during daytime hours.
When: Sometime this spring
Where: 2448 E Huntingdon Street in Fishtown
Love & Honey Fried Chicken
Who: Laura and Todd Lyons — both are professional chefs
What: Fried chicken and pies, including chocolate cream and key lime — as well as plenty of southern sides like collard greens with ham hock. It’ll be more of a take-out affair with just a few seats, but the couple have their eyes on more of a sit-down dining operation for some point in the future.
When: Late March
Where: Northern Liberties — 1100 N Front Street, to be precise
Chick’s
Who: Gina and Philip Narducci — Philip opened Philip’s Steaks in 1979 (although he no longer has ties to the place)
What: A pizzeria and gastropub with Jennifer Choplin (trained by Brigantessa co-owner Joe Cicala) — because as Philip told Foobooz, “I don’t know anybody that doesn’t like pizza and beer.”
When: Early April
Where: 1807 Washington Avenue
Yeeroh
Who: Yiannys Degermentzidis
What: Details are quite scarce, but it’s going to be Greek fast-casual, focused on gyro and souvlaki sandwiches.
When: In May
Where: 1412 South Street
Guppy’s Good Times
Who: Robin Gupta, of the Conshohocken bar by the same name
What: The much-loved homey Conshohocken tavern is setting up shop in Philly, bringing its local beer and good burgers with locally-sourced ingredients. There may or may not be sushi, as at the original location.
When: This month
Where: Bella Vista — 800 Fitzwater Street, in the old La Casa de tu Madre
Smoke’s Poutinerie
Who: An Ontario, Canada poutine chain (but the Philly location will be run by South Jersey’s Imperial Restaurant Group)
What: The first location for the Canadian poutine chain in the northeastern United States, promising 30-plus takes on fries, cheese curds, gravy, and other toppings. Smoke’s has numerous locations across Canada (although interestingly, almost none in Quebec, home of poutine), but just a handful in the US.
When: April
Where: Queen Village: 413 South Street
Maison 208
Who: Top Chef season 14 contestant Sylva Senat, along with hospitality pros Ryan Dorsey, Herb Reid, and Stephen Yaeger
What: A two-level operation focused on New American eats with French undertones — the upper level looks like a particularly promising summer spot, as it’s going to have a retractable roof.
When: In June
Where: Midtown Village — 208 S 13th Street
Tuna Bar
Who: Ken Sze — his parents were behind Maple Shade, NJ, sushi and teppanyaki restaurant Yokohama
What: A new sushi restaurant from a young chef with some serious sushi skills in the family.
When: April
Where: 205 Race Street, with the Bridge apartment development
Other Coming Attractions
A number of already established Philly restaurants and cafes are set to expand their businesses in the coming months. Here’s a quick run-down of a few more places expanding to second, third, or fourth locations around town.
- Two more locations for cafe-roaster Rival Bros are on the way soon — a Passyunk Square location has been in the works for a while now, but in fall they also announced a Center City location, in the Touraine building on Spruce Street — it’s set to be the biggest of the cafe’s three locations.
- Also in coffee expansion, Rittenhouse Square’s Elixr is opening in Callowhill. Expect it late in the spring at 12th and Wood — it’ll be a dual roastery-cafe.
- 13 years after first opening up, cafe-brunch spot Ants Pants is bringing its Australian-style cafe breakfasts and brunches to Queen Village. Expect it around April 1.
- Cheu Noodle Bar will be beefing up its operations at a new Fishtown location on Frankford Avenue. It’s been a while since the second location was announced, so opening dates are anybody’s guess.
- Enoteca Tredici in Bryn Mawr will be something of a hybrid of Midtown Village’s Tredici and Zavino — it should be opening in April.
- The third iteration of Peruvian-Portuguese restaurant Balconcito is coming to Old City, although more likely in summer than spring. This one is set to focus more strictly on Peruvian food.
- Rittenhouse Square Szechuan restaurant DanDan is headed to the Main Line, bringing its dumplings and noodles to Devon sometime around April.
- Hit Korean restaurant Seorabol is expanding out of Philly’s Korean enclave in Olney, bringing bibimbap, barbecue and more to Center City — the exact location is TBA.
- Jose Garces’ fast casual and ethical taqueria Buena Onda is setting up in Rittenhouse Square — dates TBA.