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The new Pivot Coffee & Soupery’s bacon and egg croissant.
Pivot/official photo

The Philly Hangover Guide: What to Eat After Drinking

When the morning after hits hard, consider these gloriously greasy and reviving takeout dishes

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The new Pivot Coffee & Soupery’s bacon and egg croissant.
| Pivot/official photo

While a New Year’s celebration may look different during a pandemic, a raging hangover the next day still hurts the same. Luckily, Philly’s finest fried foods, pho, eggy classics, and stacked sandwiches will come to the rescue: engineered to help soothe headaches or general wooziness that stem from an evening of one too many cocktails.

With a vast array of old school diners, cheesesteak joints, and indulgent brunches, Philly’s food scene is robust with traditional hangover cures. More hangover favorites are available for takeout and delivery because dine-in service remains limited, which means revelers can order right from their bed as long as they have their phone and laptop nearby.

Whether it’s New Year’s Day (the king of morning-afters) or any time after overdoing it, here are 18 spots to get back on track, with an eye to variety beyond the standard greasy spoon staples.

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China Gourmet

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Perfect for soaking up any booze lingering in morning-after bellies, load up on a couple dozen steamed buns and dumplings at China Gourmet in the Northeast. Don’t miss the baked barbecue pork buns, pork or shrimp shumai, sticky rice in lotus leaves, rice balls filled with sweet black sesame, and salted fish fried rice. Call for pickup or order on Uber Eats for delivery.

Franny Lou's Porch

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Any sandwich built with focaccia is a surefire way to fix post-beer blues. At Franny Lou’s Porch, choose from a number of sandwiches like a classic bacon, egg, and cheese, or a hummus and veggie sandwich. Add a coffee or specialty latte to orders to rise from the dead. Order online for pickup.

Love & Honey Fried Chicken

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Fried food does wonders for a hangover, and the fried chicken specialists at Northern Liberties’s Love and Honey send out a sandwich that’s as big as your face. The poultry comes buttermilk fried or Nashville hot chicken-style. There’s also fried tater tots, fried chicken wings, and more. Order on its website for pickup or delivery.

Cafe Lift

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Café Lift serves an all-day menu of indulgent brunch creations. Think: a cheesesteak topped with a runny egg on a pretzel roll, chorizo-topped huevos rancheros, and French toast that features challah, bananas, chocolate, pistachios, and a ricotta cannoli filling. Go to its website to order pickup or delivery, or dine at its outdoor streetery.

Terakawa Ramen

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Comfort and warmth are magic words when fighting a harrowing hangover, and Terakawa Ramen’s hot bowls of creamy broth, handmade egg noodles, and tender pork do the trick. Try the signature ramen or the tan tan (spicy) ramen. For vegetarians, there are two meatless options. Order online for pickup or delivery from its University City or Chinatown locations. 

Abyssinia Restaurant

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Revelers still struggling from the night before look to Philly’s popular Ethiopian respite for its combination platters. The massive meals come with thin, spongy injera bread for scooping up a variety of stewed meats or veggies. While the portion is big enough for two, it’s also great for solo snacking throughout the day. Order online for takeout or delivery. 

Spread Bagelry

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With locations from Wayne to Rittenhouse, the Montreal-style bagels at Spread Bagelry have long remained a go-to hangover remedy for many. Order one of their classic bagel and schmear options or opt for a bagel sandwich stacked with pastrami, brisket, or lox. Order online for pickup or delivery.

Bud & Marilyn's

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Practically any dish at Bud and Marilyn’s is sure to help soothe hangover-induced hanger pains, but its double burger — complete with crispy bacon and cheddar, served on a potato roll — does the job best. The perfectly greasy order comes with French fries, which are always a good call for a post-drinking meal. Order online for pickup or delivery.

A tall cheeseburger with two patties, tomato slices, pickles, red onions, lettuce, and bacon on a sesame seed bun with an American flag toothpick in the top, on a dish next to french fries.
The double patty burger at Bud & Marilyn’s.
Bondfire Media/Bud & Marilyn’s

Middle Child

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The substantial sandwiches at Middle Child are legendary, whether you’re recovering from a night of drinking or not. Short rib corned beef and fluffy eggs star on its excellent Herschel breakfast sandwich, as well as the phoagie — an eggplant-based, pho-inspired sandwich that’s enjoyed by carnivores and vegetarians alike. Place your order for pickup or delivery on its website.

Puyero Venezuelan Flavor

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What calms a sour stomach better than arepas or patacones (fried plantain sandwiches)? Almost all menu items at this hot Venezuelan spot come stuffed with fried plantains and some sort of shredded meat, beans, or cheese combo. Call for pickup or order online for delivery. 

Pivot Coffee & Soupery

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In a pandemic-era pivot, the team behind Hawthornes debuted a new takeout window at the same address this month. Along with traditional all-day cafe offerings like soup, baked goods, and wine, diners can add bourbon, amaro, or scotch to their coffee for hair of the dog relief hidden in a cup. Brunch bites on the daily menu include a hummus bagel sandwich and a range of eggy breakfast sandwiches. Order pickup online or saddle up to its outdoor setup.

Pivot’s bagel and lox sandwich finished with fresh dill.
Pivot/official photo

Porcos Porchetteria

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Even among Philly’s dozens and dozens of excellent sandwich shops, Porco’s on Washington Avenue shines for good reason. Order one of their porchetta sandwiches to cure any hangover-induced ailments or the basil aioli-laden egg and cheese sandwich. Order online for pickup or delivery.

Bondfire Media/Porcos Porchetteria

Fitz and Starts

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Whether you’re craving a full-blown meal or can only stomach a snack, this 4th Street staple serves it all. Get some solace from the stewed white beans on toast, topped off with an egg; a buttermilk biscuit with jam; or the hearty (and Instagrammable) roast beef sandwich au jus served on a housemade hoagie roll. Order online for pickup or delivery. Heated outdoor dining is also available.

On Point Bistro

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There’s lots to love about On Point Bistro’s solid brunch. For starters, it’s available Tuesday through Sunday, which means hangovers can be cured six days a week. Warm up with breakfast nachos or cheesesteak egg rolls and top off your meal with its beloved steak and eggs (served with confit potatoes) or the Clucker, a sweet potato waffle topped with fried chicken, poached eggs, honey mustard hollandaise, and maple syrup. Order delivery via Caviar.

Philly’s chefs swear by a steaming hot bowl of pho to reinvigorate themselves after a long night out. Pho 75 is the best-known spot to get the Vietnamese street food specialty that involves a flavorful bone broth, a choice of meat (recommended: brisket and tripe), noodles, and crunchy veggies. Call the restaurant to place a pickup order or opt to dine outdoors.

Mike's BBQ

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A cheesesteak from any shop in the region is legitimate hangover food, but Mike’s BBQ adds another layer of meaty indulgence by replacing the steak with smoked brisket and dousing it in melted cheese. It’s gooey, messy, and irresistible. Throw in some ribs, pulled pork, mac and cheese, and cornbread to gear up for more partying. Order online for pickup or delivery.

Pizza Plus

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Philly has a ton of stellar pie places, but the doughy, nine-inch Buffalo chicken pan pizza at East Passyunk’s Pizza Plus caters to everything an alcohol-afflicted stomach craves: fried chicken tenders doused in ranch and Buffalo sauce atop of one of its thick Detroit-style cheese pizzas. Other hangover-curing contenders include curly fries, chicken Parm sandwich, or any of its hand-tossed pizzas. Order pickup or delivery online.

Café y Chocolate

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If you’re feeling woozy after an evening of too much booze, spring for the hearty breakfast burrito at South Philly’s Café Y Chocolate. The hefty order comes loaded with scrambled eggs, cheese, refried beans, and your choice of a meat or vegetarian protein. Consider adding nachos with eggs and chorizo, churros, or a torta to return to 100 percent. Order on GrubHub for pickup or delivery.

China Gourmet

Perfect for soaking up any booze lingering in morning-after bellies, load up on a couple dozen steamed buns and dumplings at China Gourmet in the Northeast. Don’t miss the baked barbecue pork buns, pork or shrimp shumai, sticky rice in lotus leaves, rice balls filled with sweet black sesame, and salted fish fried rice. Call for pickup or order on Uber Eats for delivery.

Franny Lou's Porch

Any sandwich built with focaccia is a surefire way to fix post-beer blues. At Franny Lou’s Porch, choose from a number of sandwiches like a classic bacon, egg, and cheese, or a hummus and veggie sandwich. Add a coffee or specialty latte to orders to rise from the dead. Order online for pickup.

Love & Honey Fried Chicken

Fried food does wonders for a hangover, and the fried chicken specialists at Northern Liberties’s Love and Honey send out a sandwich that’s as big as your face. The poultry comes buttermilk fried or Nashville hot chicken-style. There’s also fried tater tots, fried chicken wings, and more. Order on its website for pickup or delivery.

Cafe Lift

Café Lift serves an all-day menu of indulgent brunch creations. Think: a cheesesteak topped with a runny egg on a pretzel roll, chorizo-topped huevos rancheros, and French toast that features challah, bananas, chocolate, pistachios, and a ricotta cannoli filling. Go to its website to order pickup or delivery, or dine at its outdoor streetery.

Terakawa Ramen

Comfort and warmth are magic words when fighting a harrowing hangover, and Terakawa Ramen’s hot bowls of creamy broth, handmade egg noodles, and tender pork do the trick. Try the signature ramen or the tan tan (spicy) ramen. For vegetarians, there are two meatless options. Order online for pickup or delivery from its University City or Chinatown locations. 

Abyssinia Restaurant

Revelers still struggling from the night before look to Philly’s popular Ethiopian respite for its combination platters. The massive meals come with thin, spongy injera bread for scooping up a variety of stewed meats or veggies. While the portion is big enough for two, it’s also great for solo snacking throughout the day. Order online for takeout or delivery. 

Spread Bagelry

With locations from Wayne to Rittenhouse, the Montreal-style bagels at Spread Bagelry have long remained a go-to hangover remedy for many. Order one of their classic bagel and schmear options or opt for a bagel sandwich stacked with pastrami, brisket, or lox. Order online for pickup or delivery.

Bud & Marilyn's

Practically any dish at Bud and Marilyn’s is sure to help soothe hangover-induced hanger pains, but its double burger — complete with crispy bacon and cheddar, served on a potato roll — does the job best. The perfectly greasy order comes with French fries, which are always a good call for a post-drinking meal. Order online for pickup or delivery.

A tall cheeseburger with two patties, tomato slices, pickles, red onions, lettuce, and bacon on a sesame seed bun with an American flag toothpick in the top, on a dish next to french fries.
The double patty burger at Bud & Marilyn’s.
Bondfire Media/Bud & Marilyn’s

Middle Child

The substantial sandwiches at Middle Child are legendary, whether you’re recovering from a night of drinking or not. Short rib corned beef and fluffy eggs star on its excellent Herschel breakfast sandwich, as well as the phoagie — an eggplant-based, pho-inspired sandwich that’s enjoyed by carnivores and vegetarians alike. Place your order for pickup or delivery on its website.

Puyero Venezuelan Flavor

What calms a sour stomach better than arepas or patacones (fried plantain sandwiches)? Almost all menu items at this hot Venezuelan spot come stuffed with fried plantains and some sort of shredded meat, beans, or cheese combo. Call for pickup or order online for delivery. 

Pivot Coffee & Soupery

In a pandemic-era pivot, the team behind Hawthornes debuted a new takeout window at the same address this month. Along with traditional all-day cafe offerings like soup, baked goods, and wine, diners can add bourbon, amaro, or scotch to their coffee for hair of the dog relief hidden in a cup. Brunch bites on the daily menu include a hummus bagel sandwich and a range of eggy breakfast sandwiches. Order pickup online or saddle up to its outdoor setup.

Pivot’s bagel and lox sandwich finished with fresh dill.
Pivot/official photo

Porcos Porchetteria

Even among Philly’s dozens and dozens of excellent sandwich shops, Porco’s on Washington Avenue shines for good reason. Order one of their porchetta sandwiches to cure any hangover-induced ailments or the basil aioli-laden egg and cheese sandwich. Order online for pickup or delivery.

Bondfire Media/Porcos Porchetteria

Fitz and Starts

Whether you’re craving a full-blown meal or can only stomach a snack, this 4th Street staple serves it all. Get some solace from the stewed white beans on toast, topped off with an egg; a buttermilk biscuit with jam; or the hearty (and Instagrammable) roast beef sandwich au jus served on a housemade hoagie roll. Order online for pickup or delivery. Heated outdoor dining is also available.

On Point Bistro

There’s lots to love about On Point Bistro’s solid brunch. For starters, it’s available Tuesday through Sunday, which means hangovers can be cured six days a week. Warm up with breakfast nachos or cheesesteak egg rolls and top off your meal with its beloved steak and eggs (served with confit potatoes) or the Clucker, a sweet potato waffle topped with fried chicken, poached eggs, honey mustard hollandaise, and maple syrup. Order delivery via Caviar.

Pho 75

Philly’s chefs swear by a steaming hot bowl of pho to reinvigorate themselves after a long night out. Pho 75 is the best-known spot to get the Vietnamese street food specialty that involves a flavorful bone broth, a choice of meat (recommended: brisket and tripe), noodles, and crunchy veggies. Call the restaurant to place a pickup order or opt to dine outdoors.

Related Maps

Mike's BBQ

A cheesesteak from any shop in the region is legitimate hangover food, but Mike’s BBQ adds another layer of meaty indulgence by replacing the steak with smoked brisket and dousing it in melted cheese. It’s gooey, messy, and irresistible. Throw in some ribs, pulled pork, mac and cheese, and cornbread to gear up for more partying. Order online for pickup or delivery.

Pizza Plus

Philly has a ton of stellar pie places, but the doughy, nine-inch Buffalo chicken pan pizza at East Passyunk’s Pizza Plus caters to everything an alcohol-afflicted stomach craves: fried chicken tenders doused in ranch and Buffalo sauce atop of one of its thick Detroit-style cheese pizzas. Other hangover-curing contenders include curly fries, chicken Parm sandwich, or any of its hand-tossed pizzas. Order pickup or delivery online.

Café y Chocolate

If you’re feeling woozy after an evening of too much booze, spring for the hearty breakfast burrito at South Philly’s Café Y Chocolate. The hefty order comes loaded with scrambled eggs, cheese, refried beans, and your choice of a meat or vegetarian protein. Consider adding nachos with eggs and chorizo, churros, or a torta to return to 100 percent. Order on GrubHub for pickup or delivery.

Related Maps