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Casey Robinson

Essential Philly Late Night Eats

Where to dine well after dark

by Sarah Maiellano and Rachel Vigoda Updated
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Beef Tartare at Southwark
| Casey Robinson
by Sarah Maiellano and Rachel Vigoda Updated

Philadelphia isn’t much of a late-night city, but that doesn’t mean late-night eaters can’t eat well. The after-midnight food scene goes beyond Philly's beloved diners and 24-hour cheesesteak joints to a wide range of cuisines in bars and restaurants, taco shops, gastropubs — even the cocktail bars are getting into the act.

Those looking to undo damage from earlier in the night might look to the dumplings at Dim Sum House, the Southern fare at Khyber Pass Pub, or even the oh-so-juicy burger at Fountain Porter. Looking for more elegant plates for late-night dining? Turn to the gorgeous bar snacks at Southwark, French fare at The Good King Tavern, or even vegan and vegetarian options like the “crab” cakes at Charlie Was a Sinner.

Here are 21 late-night places — that stay open between midnight and 4 a.m. — to explore on Philly dining scene.

If there are any enticing milkshakes missing, let us know on the tipline or within the comments.

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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.
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Kabobeesh

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West Philly’s Kabobeesh stays open until 1 a.m. (11 p.m. on Mondays) to serve Pakistani and Indian dishes to hungry students after a night out or long study session. The casual spot is known for its kebabs, rice dishes, and fresh naan.

4201 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 222-8081
(215) 222-8081

Dim Sum House

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University City’s Dim Sum House keeps college students (and everyone else) full of dumplings and scallion pancakes from lunchtime until 1 a.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Service is quick — perfect for late-night hunger.

3939 Chestnut St Fl 2, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 921-5377
(215) 921-5377

Also featured in:

Grace Tavern

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This neighborhood tavern serves food until 2 a.m. every single day of the week. Grace's bartenders stock a wonderful beer collection, and those in-the-know order blackened green beans alongside their Grace Burgers.

2229 Grays Ferry Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19146
(215) 893-9580
(215) 893-9580

American Sardine Bar

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There isn’t much else around Point Breeze’s American Sardine Bar, but with a great beer list and a tight, rotating menu of perfectly executed beer-friendly food served until 1 a.m. daily, it’s worth the detour.

1800 Federal St, Philadelphia, PA 19146
(215) 334-2337
(215) 334-2337

Also featured in:

Good Dog Bar

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A real bar with a real food menu is just the ticket at the end of a night and that’s where Good Dog thrives. The full menu of well-executed bar food — including the popular burger — is available until 1 a.m. Try to catch one of the Chef Carolynn Angle’s luxe daily specials, which have included split lobster tails and steak tartare.

224 S 15th St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 985-9600
(215) 985-9600

Also featured in:

McGillin's Olde Ale House

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Philly’s oldest bar is known as a late night drinking spot, but also serves its full menu of comfort food until 1 a.m. every day of the week. Mile high meatloaf, shepherd’s pie, wings, and nachos are a great way to wrap up a night.

1310 Drury St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 735-5562
(215) 735-5562

Also featured in:

Time

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Known as a late night spot for its live music and whiskey selection, Time’s kitchen stays open until 1 a.m. to serve cheffy snacks and entrees, including grilled octopus, beef tartare, and oysters.

1315 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 985-4800
(215) 985-4800

Also featured in:

Charlie Was a Sinner

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Vegan cocktail bar Charlie Was a Sinner keeps its kitchen open until midnight on weekends. This narrow Gayborhood/Midtown Village spot is known for elegant small plates — like zucchini “crab” cakes and cauliflower steak — that pack in flavor while eschewing animal products.

131 S 13th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(267) 758-5372
(267) 758-5372

Also featured in:

Fountain Porter

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While beer takes center stage at this neighborhood pub, it's Fountain Porter’s burger that's been getting all the attention. For just five bucks, get the thin, backyard-style burger stacked high with tomatoes, lettuce, and American cheese. It's salty, dripping with juice, and always available until 1 a.m.

1601 S 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19148
(267) 324-3910
(267) 324-3910

Also featured in:

Triangle Tavern

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A bowl of mussels, a massive portion of eggplant parm, maybe a plate of the day's bruschetta — those are all the makings of a great late night dinner in true South Philly fashion. The red gravy joint was a neighborhood staple in its heyday and now, reopened and serving until 1 a.m., it has become so again.

1338 S 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 800-1992
(215) 800-1992

Also featured in:

Taqueria La Prima

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This tiny taqueria in the Italian Market has done wonders for Philly's restaurant workers and others who get off the clock late and need tasty 4 a.m. tacos after a weekend shift. (Note that it used to be named Prima Pizza Taqueria Mexicana. It doesn’t serve pizza.)

1104 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
215-339-5000
215-339-5000

David's Mai Lai Wah

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Over in Chinatown, David's Mai Lah Wah is the late night capital of Philadelphia, staying open until 3 a.m. It's by no means the best Chinese food in Philly, but it does offer some of the best late night eats in the city. Come for the fried dumplings and salt-and-pepper wings and stay for the people-watching.

1001 Race St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 627-2610
(215) 627-2610

Also featured in:

Royal Tavern

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Neighborhood haunt Royal Tavern serves satisfying pub grub with an international flair until 1 a.m. Think: wings, potato skins topped with shredded duck, and lots of vegan options, including a sloppy Joe and a tempeh club sandwich.

937 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 389-6694
(215) 389-6694

Also featured in:

The Good King Tavern

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One of Philly’s best French restaurants, The Good King Tavern, keeps its kitchen open late (until 1 a.m. Monday through Saturday and midnight on Sunday) to serve up hearty tavern fare like steak frites and escargot. It also has one of the best wine programs in town, which is très bien because nothing goes better with French wine than French food.

614 S 7th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 625-3700
(215) 625-3700

Also featured in:

Southwark

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There aren't too many places in Philly for a fancy meal late at night. Sure, there are plenty of late-night burgers, cheesesteaks, and tacos — but chicken liver mousse with a local blueberry compote? That's a hard ask, except at Southwark. The Queen Village charmer stays open late, putting out some excellent bar snacks until 1 a.m.

701 S 4th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
267-930-8538
267-930-8538
Casey Robinson

More in Maps

Royal Sushi & Izakaya

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As the name suggests, Jesse Ito’s Royal Sushi & Izakaya is a two-part affair, with a chill Japanese pub in the front and a reservations-only sushi counter tucked away in the back. The pub serves chicken and pork belly skewers, fried oysters, beef tataki, rainbow rolls, and much more until 1 a.m. daily.

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

Silk City

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Quirky Silk City is half nightclub and half diner, creating the perfect mash-up for hungry partiers seeking comfort food classics after getting sweaty on the dance floor. Get buttermilk fried chicken, mac and cheese, turkey BLTs, and more until 1 a.m.

435 Spring Garden St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 592-8838
(215) 592-8838

Khyber Pass Pub

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Late nights in Old City, especially on weekends, can be downright chaotic. But in the middle of it all there's Khyber, an oasis on 2nd Street with a great beer list and Southern and Creole cooking. The kitchen is open until 1 a.m.

56 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 238-5888
(215) 238-5888

Also featured in:

North Third

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Consistency is key when it comes to late night eating, and North Third's got it down pat. Reasonable prices, someone making a real effort in the kitchen, and friendly vibes make this long-running Northern Liberties gastropub a neighborhood staple. The wings? They're as good as everyone says they are — crispy, saucy, sticky, and just right after a night out on the town. The kitchen is open until 1 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and until midnight the rest of the week.

801 N 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 413-3666
(215) 413-3666
North Third [official]

Johnny Brenda's

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One of Philly’s favorite local music venues has got dinner and a show for night owls every day of the week. The kitchen at Johnny Brenda’s stays open until 1 a.m. to satisfy late night hunger with burgers, fries, snacks, and some impressive veggie dishes.

1201 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
(215) 739-9684
(215) 739-9684

Also featured in:

Loco Pez (multiple locations)

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Fishtown meets Los Angeles at this popular taqueria on Norris Street. The tacos live up to the hype, and getting a round of expertly stacked nachos and a street dog is always a good idea. The kitchen stays open until 2 a.m. nightly. A second Loco Pez in West Philly serves dinner until midnight.

2401 E Norris St, Philadelphia, PA 19125
(267) 886-8061
(267) 886-8061

Also featured in:

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Kabobeesh

4201 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104

West Philly’s Kabobeesh stays open until 1 a.m. (11 p.m. on Mondays) to serve Pakistani and Indian dishes to hungry students after a night out or long study session. The casual spot is known for its kebabs, rice dishes, and fresh naan.

4201 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 222-8081
(215) 222-8081

Dim Sum House

3939 Chestnut St Fl 2, Philadelphia, PA 19104

University City’s Dim Sum House keeps college students (and everyone else) full of dumplings and scallion pancakes from lunchtime until 1 a.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Service is quick — perfect for late-night hunger.

3939 Chestnut St Fl 2, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 921-5377
(215) 921-5377

Grace Tavern

2229 Grays Ferry Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19146

This neighborhood tavern serves food until 2 a.m. every single day of the week. Grace's bartenders stock a wonderful beer collection, and those in-the-know order blackened green beans alongside their Grace Burgers.

2229 Grays Ferry Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19146
(215) 893-9580
(215) 893-9580

American Sardine Bar

1800 Federal St, Philadelphia, PA 19146

There isn’t much else around Point Breeze’s American Sardine Bar, but with a great beer list and a tight, rotating menu of perfectly executed beer-friendly food served until 1 a.m. daily, it’s worth the detour.

1800 Federal St, Philadelphia, PA 19146
(215) 334-2337
(215) 334-2337

Good Dog Bar

224 S 15th St, Philadelphia, PA 19102

A real bar with a real food menu is just the ticket at the end of a night and that’s where Good Dog thrives. The full menu of well-executed bar food — including the popular burger — is available until 1 a.m. Try to catch one of the Chef Carolynn Angle’s luxe daily specials, which have included split lobster tails and steak tartare.

224 S 15th St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 985-9600
(215) 985-9600

McGillin's Olde Ale House

1310 Drury St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Philly’s oldest bar is known as a late night drinking spot, but also serves its full menu of comfort food until 1 a.m. every day of the week. Mile high meatloaf, shepherd’s pie, wings, and nachos are a great way to wrap up a night.

1310 Drury St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 735-5562
(215) 735-5562

Time

1315 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Known as a late night spot for its live music and whiskey selection, Time’s kitchen stays open until 1 a.m. to serve cheffy snacks and entrees, including grilled octopus, beef tartare, and oysters.

1315 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 985-4800
(215) 985-4800

Charlie Was a Sinner

131 S 13th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Vegan cocktail bar Charlie Was a Sinner keeps its kitchen open until midnight on weekends. This narrow Gayborhood/Midtown Village spot is known for elegant small plates — like zucchini “crab” cakes and cauliflower steak — that pack in flavor while eschewing animal products.

131 S 13th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(267) 758-5372
(267) 758-5372

Fountain Porter

1601 S 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19148

While beer takes center stage at this neighborhood pub, it's Fountain Porter’s burger that's been getting all the attention. For just five bucks, get the thin, backyard-style burger stacked high with tomatoes, lettuce, and American cheese. It's salty, dripping with juice, and always available until 1 a.m.

1601 S 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19148
(267) 324-3910
(267) 324-3910

Triangle Tavern

1338 S 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

A bowl of mussels, a massive portion of eggplant parm, maybe a plate of the day's bruschetta — those are all the makings of a great late night dinner in true South Philly fashion. The red gravy joint was a neighborhood staple in its heyday and now, reopened and serving until 1 a.m., it has become so again.

1338 S 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 800-1992
(215) 800-1992

Taqueria La Prima

1104 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

This tiny taqueria in the Italian Market has done wonders for Philly's restaurant workers and others who get off the clock late and need tasty 4 a.m. tacos after a weekend shift. (Note that it used to be named Prima Pizza Taqueria Mexicana. It doesn’t serve pizza.)

1104 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
215-339-5000
215-339-5000

David's Mai Lai Wah

1001 Race St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Over in Chinatown, David's Mai Lah Wah is the late night capital of Philadelphia, staying open until 3 a.m. It's by no means the best Chinese food in Philly, but it does offer some of the best late night eats in the city. Come for the fried dumplings and salt-and-pepper wings and stay for the people-watching.

1001 Race St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 627-2610
(215) 627-2610

Royal Tavern

937 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Neighborhood haunt Royal Tavern serves satisfying pub grub with an international flair until 1 a.m. Think: wings, potato skins topped with shredded duck, and lots of vegan options, including a sloppy Joe and a tempeh club sandwich.

937 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 389-6694
(215) 389-6694

The Good King Tavern

614 S 7th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

One of Philly’s best French restaurants, The Good King Tavern, keeps its kitchen open late (until 1 a.m. Monday through Saturday and midnight on Sunday) to serve up hearty tavern fare like steak frites and escargot. It also has one of the best wine programs in town, which is très bien because nothing goes better with French wine than French food.

614 S 7th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 625-3700
(215) 625-3700

Southwark

701 S 4th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Casey Robinson

There aren't too many places in Philly for a fancy meal late at night. Sure, there are plenty of late-night burgers, cheesesteaks, and tacos — but chicken liver mousse with a local blueberry compote? That's a hard ask, except at Southwark. The Queen Village charmer stays open late, putting out some excellent bar snacks until 1 a.m.

701 S 4th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
267-930-8538
267-930-8538
Casey Robinson

Related Maps

Royal Sushi & Izakaya

780 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

As the name suggests, Jesse Ito’s Royal Sushi & Izakaya is a two-part affair, with a chill Japanese pub in the front and a reservations-only sushi counter tucked away in the back. The pub serves chicken and pork belly skewers, fried oysters, beef tataki, rainbow rolls, and much more until 1 a.m. daily.

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

Silk City

435 Spring Garden St, Philadelphia, PA 19123

Quirky Silk City is half nightclub and half diner, creating the perfect mash-up for hungry partiers seeking comfort food classics after getting sweaty on the dance floor. Get buttermilk fried chicken, mac and cheese, turkey BLTs, and more until 1 a.m.

435 Spring Garden St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 592-8838
(215) 592-8838

Khyber Pass Pub

56 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Late nights in Old City, especially on weekends, can be downright chaotic. But in the middle of it all there's Khyber, an oasis on 2nd Street with a great beer list and Southern and Creole cooking. The kitchen is open until 1 a.m.

56 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 238-5888
(215) 238-5888

North Third

801 N 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
North Third [official]

Consistency is key when it comes to late night eating, and North Third's got it down pat. Reasonable prices, someone making a real effort in the kitchen, and friendly vibes make this long-running Northern Liberties gastropub a neighborhood staple. The wings? They're as good as everyone says they are — crispy, saucy, sticky, and just right after a night out on the town. The kitchen is open until 1 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and until midnight the rest of the week.

801 N 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 413-3666
(215) 413-3666
North Third [official]

Johnny Brenda's

1201 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125

One of Philly’s favorite local music venues has got dinner and a show for night owls every day of the week. The kitchen at Johnny Brenda’s stays open until 1 a.m. to satisfy late night hunger with burgers, fries, snacks, and some impressive veggie dishes.

1201 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
(215) 739-9684
(215) 739-9684

Loco Pez (multiple locations)

2401 E Norris St, Philadelphia, PA 19125

Fishtown meets Los Angeles at this popular taqueria on Norris Street. The tacos live up to the hype, and getting a round of expertly stacked nachos and a street dog is always a good idea. The kitchen stays open until 2 a.m. nightly. A second Loco Pez in West Philly serves dinner until midnight.

2401 E Norris St, Philadelphia, PA 19125
(267) 886-8061
(267) 886-8061

Related Maps