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dishes of food set up at FDR park
The Southeast Asian Market at FDR Park.
Diana Lu

The 38 Essential Restaurants in Philadelphia

The best restaurants in Philly for everything from rich birria ramen to cheesesteaks to charcoal-fired Korean barbecue

by Maddy Sweitzer-Lamme and Dayna Evans Updated
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The Southeast Asian Market at FDR Park.
| Diana Lu
by Maddy Sweitzer-Lamme and Dayna Evans Updated

Say hello to the Eater 38, which answers the question, “Where should I eat in Philly?”

This essential group of restaurants covers the whole city (and even beyond), runs the gamut of cuisines and price points, and collectively satisfies virtually all dining needs, whether you want fine dining or counter service, takeout sandwiches or chef’s-choice tasting menus. The list typically updates each quarter, and restaurants should be open for at least six months to qualify. To track down the most exciting new restaurants in town, check out the Eater Heatmap, a periodically updated map of places that have opened in the last six months or so.

For the March 2023 update, welcome the spacious new Fishtown home of Thai restaurant Kalaya; Afrocentric West Philly grocer and cafe Honeysuckle Provisions; Olney’s charcoal-fired Korean barbecue specialist, Kim’s Restaurant; Ambra, a modern Italian tasting-menu restaurant in Queen Village; and El Mezcal Cantina, a wood-fired Mexican restaurant and pizzeria in Point Breeze.

Did we miss your favorite restaurant? Reach us via the tipline or email us at philly@eater.com. For all the latest Philly dining intel, subscribe to Eater Philly’s newsletter.

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Jamaican D's Caribbean & American Restaurant

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It’s no wonder that there is frequently a line outside of Jamaican D’s on Chelten Avenue: The caramelized plantains, creamy mac and cheese, and savory collard greens made there are all perfect complements to the shop’s deeply flavored jerk chicken, and the enormous platters will keep you full for days. Customers can preorder online through Grubhub for pickup and delivery.

1265 E Chelten Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19138
(215) 927-7415
(215) 927-7415

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Kim's Restaurant

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In Olney, the unassuming Kim’s Restaurant provides an exceptional Korean barbecue experience. Part of the magic lies in the restaurant’s use of charcoal for the in-table grill, a rarity now that many Korean barbecue spots have switched to gas burners. The allure of meat prepared over a live fire is undeniable, and the service staff makes sure every piece of lamb chop and kalbi beef is perfectly cooked. Bountiful servings of fresh banchan accompany the meal. Make a reservation for a big group, or walk in with a smaller crowd.

5955 N 5th St, Philadelphia, PA 19120
(215) 927-4550
(215) 927-4550

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White Yak

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While Philadelphia may not boast a preponderance of Tibetan restaurants, as long as husband-and-wife pair Tsering Parshingtsang and Treley Parshingtsang run White Yak in Roxborough, all will be well. The Ridge Avenue restaurant serves a warming mix of hearty, chewy momos — available in meat, chicken, and vegetarian varieties — and Tibetan-style curries, soups, and sauteed dishes. The chilled mung bean noodles are a cooling element to pair with chile chicken, and the thenthuk, a classic Tibetan soup with hand-pulled noodles, is nourishing and delicious.

6118 Ridge Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19128
(215) 483-0764
(215) 483-0764

Dalessandro's Steaks

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No guide to Philly’s diverse restaurant scene is truly complete without the addition of at least one cheesesteak place, and everyone has their favorite. Dalessandro’s in Roxborough sets a high standard by which to measure a cheesesteak: Long rolls are full to bursting with thick-cut griddle-fried steak with all the requisite options (Whiz, wit, provolone, hot peppers, and more) to make your steak your own. Want to do a cheesesteak crawl? Chubby’s and Barry’s are not far away.

600 Wendover St, Philadelphia, PA 19128
(215) 482-5407
(215) 482-5407

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Càphê Roasters

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When the Kensington cafe outpost of Thu Pham’s Vietnamese coffee roaster — Càphê Roasters — opened in 2021, it wasn’t only exciting for the specialty coffee drinks that were being brewed behind the coffee bar, like the ca phe sua made with sweetened condensed milk. It was also a thrill to learn that Jacob Trinh of Trinh Eats would be the chef behind the breakfast and lunch menu. Since opening, the shop’s menu of drinks, sandwiches, banh mi, eggs, and rice platters has expanded greatly, and every item feels like a staple, but prioritize the Works or Khang’s Special banh mi.

3400 J St G1, Philadelphia, PA 19134
(215) 690-1268
(215) 690-1268
Several banh mi with cilantro, carrots, and cha lua sausage all stacked on top of each other. Paolo Jay Agbay/Eater Philly

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Down North Pizza

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By now, you’ve likely heard word of the Detroit-style square pies, spicy chicken wings, and flavored lemonades at Down North Pizza in Strawberry Mansion. That’s because the admirable mission of the place — to hire formerly incarcerated workers at fair wages — goes hand in hand with deliciously crispy, delightfully cheesy pizzas to make something special. Whether you end up there to support the mission or to get a taste of the signature “Norf Sauce,” you’re going to leave satisfied.

2804 W Lehigh Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19132
(215) 377-9787
(215) 377-9787
a hand reaching for two pizza pies, one with peppers and mushrooms and another with cheese and stripes of red tomato sauce Gab Bonghi/Eater Philly

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Sor Ynez

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Fresh and filling are the two words that come to mind when talking about Sor Ynez, American Street’s destination Mexican restaurant. The menu — from executive chef Alex Tellez — is balanced to accommodate both meat-eating and vegan guests, with an eye toward sustainability in dishes like alt-pastor cauliflower and watermelon ceviche. The cocktails are stellar, too.

1800 N American St, Philadelphia, PA 19122
(215) 309-2582
(215) 309-2582

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Kalaya

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Chef Nok Suntaranon has moved her beloved Italian Market Thai BYOB to a much larger location in Fishtown. Thankfully, everything is as flavorful and fun as expected, including new additions like tropical cocktails. The menu of Southern Thai dishes is longer, so bigger groups will find lots to share, like miang pla phao — a whole grilled branzino served with pineapple, herbs, and rice noodles — or a towering tom yum kalaya with giant river prawns emerging from the fragrant broth. The chic restaurant recently started lunch service on weekends, and small groups can usually find a spot at the bar, but it’s best to book ahead for a table.

4 W Palmer St, Philadelphia, PA 19125
(215) 545-2535
(215) 545-2535

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Eeva

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Philly is a pizza town — you can’t throw a rock in this city without hitting a dozen delicious pizza places. But if you’re looking for a thoughtful menu of seasonal wood-fired sourdough pies, a list of interesting natural wines, and a beautifully designed space, Eeva is definitely the spot. Chef Greg Dunn’s pizza dough is tangy, chewy, and airy, and side dishes like gem lettuces and fresh ricotta served with house-made focaccia are worthy complements. Don’t miss the sourdough loaves, bagels, and sandwiches on the weekends.

310 Master St, Philadelphia, PA 19122
(267) 687-7910
(267) 687-7910
A top-down view of a white hand holding a round pizza with a thick crust, bright sauce, and big dollops of melty mozzarella all over. Ted Nghiem

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Middle Child Clubhouse

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Philadelphia’s love of sandwiches may be confusing to outsiders, but everyone loves Middle Child. At Middle Child Clubhouse — the second, much bigger restaurant from sandwich legend Matt Cahn — you can still get all the sandwich hits from the first shop, but now with so much more, like imaginative cocktails from Brandon Thrash and a whimsically American dinner menu. Hits include okonomiyaki-style latkes, a house Caesar decked out with Old Bay shrimp, and a hulking bone-in pork chop. The restaurant itself is a great place to hang, too.

1232 N Front St, Philadelphia, PA 19122
(267) 858-4325
(267) 858-4325
A yucca vegan patty melt burger on rye stacked high and dripping with Thousand Island dressing on a green and white tiled background. Michael Persico

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South

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Brothers Ben and Robert Bynum have been influential forces in Philly’s entertainment scene since 1990, when they opened their first jazz club. South, their biggest restaurant, brought live jazz and Southern staples to Spring Garden in 2015. The jazz shows are a great complement to comfort food highlights like macaroni and cheese, honey butter skillet cornbread, etouffee, and po’ boys.

600 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 600-0220
(215) 600-0220

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Vernick Fish

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Every city needs a splurge-y date night destination — and Philly is charmed to have James Beard Award-winner Greg Vernick’s Vernick Fish for celebrations big and small. Everything from the raw bar to the small plates to the large dishes like roasted fluke imperial and whole branzino is immaculate. Save room for dessert; those are perfect, too.

1 N 19th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 419-5055
(215) 419-5055

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Dim Sum Garden

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For its pandemic pivot, Dim Sum Garden in Chinatown started selling its house-made dumplings in frozen packages to keep customers’ freezers full. Reliable orders of steaming hot soup dumplings, handmade noodles in pork sauce, and perfectly cooked Chinese greens can be augmented with twenty or forty frozen dumplings. Head to Race Street, though, for the full dine-in menu, and don’t skip the soup dumplings.

1020 Race St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 873-0258
(215) 873-0258

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Jezabel’s

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Jezabel Careaga’s Argentinian medialunas, alfajores, empanadas, and other treats are like a song you can’t get out of your head: Once you try them, you’ll definitely be back for more. Alfresco seats are well suited for a quiet West Philly lunch or breakfast with a cup of tea, or you can go the takeout or delivery route.

206-208 S 45th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 554-7380
(215) 554-7380

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Abyssinia

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A West Philly stalwart for Ethiopian cuisine, Abyssinia has long comforted Philadelphians with its array of hearty dishes. Scoop up dishes of spiced chicken and lamb — including several vegetarian and vegan options — with perfectly thin, spongy, slightly sour injera bread. Takeout and delivery are also available.

229 S 45th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 387-2424
(215) 387-2424

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Tambayan

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No list of Philly’s best restaurants would be complete without a shoutout to a Reading Terminal stall, and what better vendor to highlight than Kathy Mirano and her Filipino breakfast and lunch spot, Tambayan? Mirano got her start working at Reading Terminal over twenty years ago, so the opening of her own location was a full-circle moment. The fried lumpia, Filipino spaghetti, stuffed pandesal rolls, and tinadtad stew are wonderful, as are the desserts. The ube macarons are one of a kind.

45 N 12th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Honeysuckle Provisions

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From the minds of chefs Cybille St.Aude-Tate and Omar Tate comes Honeysuckle Provisions, an Afrocentric grocer and cafe where the scrapple might be made from black-eyed peas and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich is really a slice of house-made Sonoran wheat bread topped with freshly milled single-origin peanut butter, apples, and apple butter. It’s an unabashed celebration of Black foodways with a constantly changing menu. The West Philly space is sunny and airy, but only offers takeout.

310 S 48th St, Philadelphia, PA 19143
(215) 307-3316
(215) 307-3316
Honeysuckle Provisions.
Naomieh Jovin/Eater

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Amma's South Indian Cuisine

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Amma’s is a Philly staple, serving aloo bonda with cooling coconut chutney, idli dipped into sambar, masala dosa, and lamb chettinad (a long-cooked lamb dish spiced with coconut and ginger). The Couple’s Combo, which includes chicken and mutton biryani, chicken kuruma, parotta, raitha, raitha, and dessert, is perfect for a date night.

1518 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 563-2917
(215) 563-2917

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Her Place Supper Club

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Her Place Supper Club is the kind of dinner party everyone wants an invite to, and it’s not hard to see why. Chef Amanda Shulman’s prix-fixe dinner has a limited number of reservations, a rotating menu of extraordinary fine-dining dishes done casually, and a convivial energy that supper clubs are known for. While Shulman’s place started as a pop-up, the restaurant is now a permanent fixture on Sansom Street. Check the restaurant’s website for hard-to-come-by reservations as well as info on times you can walk in.

1740 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

High Street Philly

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The versatile High Street on Market in Old City was one of Philly’s first notable all-day cafes; now relocated on 9th Street and rebranded as High Street Philly, it’s still very much worth the visit. Stop by in the morning for a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich on some of the city’s best bread, or bring out-of-towners for a dinner of seasonal new American pastas, salads, and pizzas that will explain why everyone started paying attention to Philadelphia’s restaurant scene.

101 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 625-0988
(215) 625-0988
High Street Hospitality Group

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Friday Saturday Sunday

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Chad and Hanna Williams’s acclaimed fine-dining restaurant offers a luxurious eight-course tasting menu, perfectly striking the balance of hospitality and whimsy. Friday Saturday Sunday’s menu is ever-changing and the cocktails are some of the best in town, courtesy of bartender Paul Macdonald. Reservations are necessary.

261 S 21st St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 546-4232
(215) 546-4232

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Zahav

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Zahav, the 2019 James Beard Award winner for best restaurant in the country, first introduced Philly to the delights of Israeli cuisine and its myriad influences more than a decade ago. The restaurant continues to set the standard with its menu of laffa, mezze, and grilled meats and vegetables. In addition to the stellar service, the showstopper at Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook’s restaurant is the pomegranate molasses–braised lamb shoulder, but even something as simple and now-ubiquitous as hummus is genuinely eye-opening here. Reservations for an entire month open at 11 a.m. the first day of each month.

237 St James Pl, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 625-8800
(215) 625-8800
Zahav

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Puyero Venezuelan Flavor

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Puyero’s Venezuelan flavors of arepas, cachapas (thick corn pancakes stuffed like a quesadilla with a variety of rich fillings), and more have absolutely hooked Philadelphians. Keep an eye out for specials like beef and potato empanadas and special holiday hallacas, an extra-large Venezuelan tamale served around Christmas. Puyero is a great casual lunch spot for when you’re walking around Queen Village on a Saturday.

524 S 4th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(267) 928-4584
(267) 928-4584

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Le Caveau

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It was Chloe Grigri’s dream for years to open an intimate bar à vins, inspired by wine bars around France where diners snack on charcuterie and drink good wine. When she finally took the plunge to open Le Caveau upstairs from her French tavern, the Good King, in October of 2019, it was bustling for only six months before the pandemic shutdown. To Philly’s good fortune, Le Caveau survived and is ready for the perfect date night. Drink natural wines and martinis on tap, and order the French hot dog, which comes served on half a baguette. It’s one of the coolest bars in the city.

614 S 7th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

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Ambra

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Over the course of a two-year closure, Marina de Oliveira and Chris D’Ambro reimagined their high-end Italian restaurant to bring Philadelphia something totally new. Ambra, next to sibling Southwark, welcomes groups of two or four diners into the kitchen for a tasting menu that examines the cuisine from intriguing angles like a house-made crab pasta based on D’Ambro’s family’s summer traditions or a carta di musica inspired by the Queen Village neighborhood’s musical history. At $300 a person (including service and wine), cash only, it’s a splurge that will stay with you long after you leave. Larger groups can also book the dining room for eight to 10 people at a flat price of $2500. It’s the most entertaining dinner party in town.

705 S 4th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(267) 858-9232
(267) 858-9232

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Royal Izakaya

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Dining at chef Jesse Ito’s sushi and izakaya restaurant Royal Izakaya is a must for locals and visitors to Philly alike. Every dish — whether in the form of a roll, gyoza, or katsu sandwich — is made to Ito’s exacting standards with the highest-quality ingredients. Diners can do takeout and delivery, or walk in for dinner. The restaurant also has an exquisite omakase bar that you can book online.

780 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
267-909-9002
267-909-9002

Pho 75

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Philly is lucky to be full of excellent pho spots, and Pho 75 is one of the best. You can fill the flavorful, well-balanced broth with any number of add-ins: tender, fatty brisket, chewy tripe, thinly sliced flank steak, and more. Enjoy an outdoor or indoor table or call to order soup to go — either way, it’ll be hot, fast, and absolutely comforting.

1122 Washington Ave F, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 271-5866
(215) 271-5866

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El Mezcal Cantina

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El Mezcal Cantina took over a former Point Breeze pizzeria complete with a wood-fired brick oven, which chef Eladio Soto uses to great effect for pizza, of course (topped with the likes of al pastor), but also for Mexican dishes like camarones a la parrilla. He roasts these head-on shrimp, infusing them with a hint of smoke before tossing them with corn and a buttery, adobo-laden sauce that will leave you scraping the bowl. Be sure to order an agave cocktail and a bright, fresh aguachile from the dedicated aguachile bar.

1260 Point Breeze Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19146
(215) 782-0251
(215) 782-0251

South Philly Barbacoa

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Cristina Martinez’s casual Mexican restaurant has gone from local landmark to national darling with appearances on TV shows like Chef’s Table and Martinez’s 2022 James Beard Award for best chef, Mid-Atlantic. That’s all to say, get here early: South Philly Barbacoa doesn’t do delivery or credit cards and only opens Saturday and Sunday from 5 a.m. until the food sells out. Should you succeed in ordering at the counter, sit inside, outside, or take something to go — a half-kilo of barbacoa with house-made tortillas, consomé, and all the fixings travels extremely well.

1149 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(267) 746-7658
(267) 746-7658
Ted Nghiem/South Philly Barbacoa

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River Twice

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It didn’t take long for Randy and Amanda Rucker’s River Twice to become one of the most exciting new American restaurants in the city, with a seasonal tasting menu that offers the full spectrum of Rucker’s repertoire (see: charred caraflex cabbage or soft shell crab in koji butter). All of the dishes are heavy on flavor, personality, and creativity, and the restaurant itself is just a lovely place at which to dine.

1601 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
(267) 457-3698
(267) 457-3698

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Hardena

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Diana and Maylia Widjojo hit on something special when they began offering what they call the #NotPizzaBox, a pizza box lined with banana leaves and stuffed to the gills with the Indonesian specialties that have long made Hardena a Philly mainstay. They’ve moved away from that concept for now, but you can still get all those highlights a la carte. No order is complete without fried corn fritters, called bakwan, and a few skewers of richly marinated chicken sate. Be sure to ask for extra cups of house-made sambal, which is the best in the city.

1754 S Hicks St, Philadelphia, PA 19145
(215) 271-9442
(215) 271-9442

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Korshak Bagels

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Apologies to any deluded northern neighbors, but the best bagel is in Philly. At Korshak Bagels on S. 10th Street, Philip Korshak’s bagels are somehow light inside, crunchy on the outside, sour, plump, and sweet — plus the toppings and schmears are as original as the poet-slash-baker who runs the show. Korshak’s slogan is, “We’re all in this together,” and based on the masses that gravitate to his shop on weekend mornings, Philadelphians are inclined to agree.

1700 S 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19148

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Gabriella's Vietnam

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After opening her Vietnamese and Thai grill restaurant in Ambler in 2019, chef Thanh Nguyen expanded into the former Saté Kampar space in East Passyunk to serve Vietnamese street food of the highest order. The bánh bèo quảng nam — open-faced dumplings that come served in small decorative bowls — are unreal, and the large-format dishes, from the half-chicken platter to Vietnamese fried winter flounder, will not let you down. Come prepared: It’s BYOB.

1837 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
(272) 888-3298
(272) 888-3298
Gabriella’s Vietnam

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Juana Tamale

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Jennifer Zavala’s birria taco pop-ups were some of the most exciting to hit Philly over the past few years, so much so that Zavala’s Juana Tamale grew a devoted cult following. Zavala opened a brick-and-mortar location in East Passyunk that’s brightly colored and extremely fun. There, she serves her infamous juicy birria tacos, tamales, and ramen to match. Everything on the menu is worth it.

1941 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
An overhead photo of a plate of tacos, a bowl of birria ramen, limes, radishes, and churros. Gab Bonghi

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Irwin's

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At Irwin’s, upscale yet down-to-earth Sicilian fare meets a very pleasant vibe, great cocktails, and an amazing view from the sky-high patio atop the Bok Building. Chef Michael Ferreri’s house-made pastas arrive on cute vintage plates and appetizers like eggplant caponata and bowls of mixed seafood are perfect companions to larger-format dishes.

800 Mifflin St, Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 693-6206
(215) 693-6206

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Machine Shop Boulangerie

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Over a year of pop-ups during the pandemic turned the whole city onto Emily Riddell’s incredible patisserie, viennoiserie, and bread, all made so delicately that it’s no wonder she always sells out. Now, Riddell’s permanent space on the ground floor of the Bok Building just gives even more Philadelphians a chance at trying her famously vibrant lemon tarts with toasted meringue.

1901 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19148
(856) 434-2352
(856) 434-2352
An overhead shot of eight different pastries and cookies and tarts. Gab Bonghi/Eater Philly

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Zeppoli

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Though Zeppoli sits across the river in Collingswood, it serves some of the best Italian American food around. (Owner Joey Baldino’s other spot, Palizzi Social Club, is also excellent, though its reservations are open to members only.) Here, diners can share a family-style feast of unfussy classics like antipasto, stewed rabbit, and spaghetti vongole. Naturally, you’ll want to finish your meal with the fresh-fried Italian doughnuts that gave the restaurant its name.

618 W Collings Ave, Collingswood, NJ 08107
(856) 854-2670
(856) 854-2670

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Southeast Asian Market

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The Southeast Asian Market in FDR Park isn’t a restaurant, but in its own way, it’s much more. The market has been holding court in FDR since the ’80s and its stalls offer everything from delicious Thai and Cambodian food to fresh juices and much more. Bring a blanket, grab an array of dishes from some of the best chefs in Philadelphia, and host a picnic of Southeast Asian delights. The market is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., April through October.

South Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19145

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Jamaican D's Caribbean & American Restaurant

1265 E Chelten Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19138

It’s no wonder that there is frequently a line outside of Jamaican D’s on Chelten Avenue: The caramelized plantains, creamy mac and cheese, and savory collard greens made there are all perfect complements to the shop’s deeply flavored jerk chicken, and the enormous platters will keep you full for days. Customers can preorder online through Grubhub for pickup and delivery.

1265 E Chelten Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19138
(215) 927-7415
(215) 927-7415

Kim's Restaurant

5955 N 5th St, Philadelphia, PA 19120

In Olney, the unassuming Kim’s Restaurant provides an exceptional Korean barbecue experience. Part of the magic lies in the restaurant’s use of charcoal for the in-table grill, a rarity now that many Korean barbecue spots have switched to gas burners. The allure of meat prepared over a live fire is undeniable, and the service staff makes sure every piece of lamb chop and kalbi beef is perfectly cooked. Bountiful servings of fresh banchan accompany the meal. Make a reservation for a big group, or walk in with a smaller crowd.

5955 N 5th St, Philadelphia, PA 19120
(215) 927-4550
(215) 927-4550

White Yak

6118 Ridge Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19128

While Philadelphia may not boast a preponderance of Tibetan restaurants, as long as husband-and-wife pair Tsering Parshingtsang and Treley Parshingtsang run White Yak in Roxborough, all will be well. The Ridge Avenue restaurant serves a warming mix of hearty, chewy momos — available in meat, chicken, and vegetarian varieties — and Tibetan-style curries, soups, and sauteed dishes. The chilled mung bean noodles are a cooling element to pair with chile chicken, and the thenthuk, a classic Tibetan soup with hand-pulled noodles, is nourishing and delicious.

6118 Ridge Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19128
(215) 483-0764
(215) 483-0764

Dalessandro's Steaks

600 Wendover St, Philadelphia, PA 19128

No guide to Philly’s diverse restaurant scene is truly complete without the addition of at least one cheesesteak place, and everyone has their favorite. Dalessandro’s in Roxborough sets a high standard by which to measure a cheesesteak: Long rolls are full to bursting with thick-cut griddle-fried steak with all the requisite options (Whiz, wit, provolone, hot peppers, and more) to make your steak your own. Want to do a cheesesteak crawl? Chubby’s and Barry’s are not far away.

600 Wendover St, Philadelphia, PA 19128
(215) 482-5407
(215) 482-5407

Càphê Roasters

3400 J St G1, Philadelphia, PA 19134

When the Kensington cafe outpost of Thu Pham’s Vietnamese coffee roaster — Càphê Roasters — opened in 2021, it wasn’t only exciting for the specialty coffee drinks that were being brewed behind the coffee bar, like the ca phe sua made with sweetened condensed milk. It was also a thrill to learn that Jacob Trinh of Trinh Eats would be the chef behind the breakfast and lunch menu. Since opening, the shop’s menu of drinks, sandwiches, banh mi, eggs, and rice platters has expanded greatly, and every item feels like a staple, but prioritize the Works or Khang’s Special banh mi.

3400 J St G1, Philadelphia, PA 19134
(215) 690-1268
(215) 690-1268
Several banh mi with cilantro, carrots, and cha lua sausage all stacked on top of each other. Paolo Jay Agbay/Eater Philly

Down North Pizza

2804 W Lehigh Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19132

By now, you’ve likely heard word of the Detroit-style square pies, spicy chicken wings, and flavored lemonades at Down North Pizza in Strawberry Mansion. That’s because the admirable mission of the place — to hire formerly incarcerated workers at fair wages — goes hand in hand with deliciously crispy, delightfully cheesy pizzas to make something special. Whether you end up there to support the mission or to get a taste of the signature “Norf Sauce,” you’re going to leave satisfied.

2804 W Lehigh Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19132
(215) 377-9787
(215) 377-9787
a hand reaching for two pizza pies, one with peppers and mushrooms and another with cheese and stripes of red tomato sauce Gab Bonghi/Eater Philly

Sor Ynez

1800 N American St, Philadelphia, PA 19122

Fresh and filling are the two words that come to mind when talking about Sor Ynez, American Street’s destination Mexican restaurant. The menu — from executive chef Alex Tellez — is balanced to accommodate both meat-eating and vegan guests, with an eye toward sustainability in dishes like alt-pastor cauliflower and watermelon ceviche. The cocktails are stellar, too.

1800 N American St, Philadelphia, PA 19122
(215) 309-2582
(215) 309-2582

Kalaya

4 W Palmer St, Philadelphia, PA 19125

Chef Nok Suntaranon has moved her beloved Italian Market Thai BYOB to a much larger location in Fishtown. Thankfully, everything is as flavorful and fun as expected, including new additions like tropical cocktails. The menu of Southern Thai dishes is longer, so bigger groups will find lots to share, like miang pla phao — a whole grilled branzino served with pineapple, herbs, and rice noodles — or a towering tom yum kalaya with giant river prawns emerging from the fragrant broth. The chic restaurant recently started lunch service on weekends, and small groups can usually find a spot at the bar, but it’s best to book ahead for a table.

4 W Palmer St, Philadelphia, PA 19125
(215) 545-2535
(215) 545-2535

Eeva

310 Master St, Philadelphia, PA 19122

Philly is a pizza town — you can’t throw a rock in this city without hitting a dozen delicious pizza places. But if you’re looking for a thoughtful menu of seasonal wood-fired sourdough pies, a list of interesting natural wines, and a beautifully designed space, Eeva is definitely the spot. Chef Greg Dunn’s pizza dough is tangy, chewy, and airy, and side dishes like gem lettuces and fresh ricotta served with house-made focaccia are worthy complements. Don’t miss the sourdough loaves, bagels, and sandwiches on the weekends.

310 Master St, Philadelphia, PA 19122
(267) 687-7910
(267) 687-7910
A top-down view of a white hand holding a round pizza with a thick crust, bright sauce, and big dollops of melty mozzarella all over. Ted Nghiem

Middle Child Clubhouse

1232 N Front St, Philadelphia, PA 19122

Philadelphia’s love of sandwiches may be confusing to outsiders, but everyone loves Middle Child. At Middle Child Clubhouse — the second, much bigger restaurant from sandwich legend Matt Cahn — you can still get all the sandwich hits from the first shop, but now with so much more, like imaginative cocktails from Brandon Thrash and a whimsically American dinner menu. Hits include okonomiyaki-style latkes, a house Caesar decked out with Old Bay shrimp, and a hulking bone-in pork chop. The restaurant itself is a great place to hang, too.

1232 N Front St, Philadelphia, PA 19122
(267) 858-4325
(267) 858-4325
A yucca vegan patty melt burger on rye stacked high and dripping with Thousand Island dressing on a green and white tiled background. Michael Persico

South

600 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19130

Brothers Ben and Robert Bynum have been influential forces in Philly’s entertainment scene since 1990, when they opened their first jazz club. South, their biggest restaurant, brought live jazz and Southern staples to Spring Garden in 2015. The jazz shows are a great complement to comfort food highlights like macaroni and cheese, honey butter skillet cornbread, etouffee, and po’ boys.

600 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 600-0220
(215) 600-0220