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A tray of beef patties and veggie patties lined up in a row.
Honeysuckle Provisions in West Philly is a grocery store and takeout spot honoring Afrocentric foodways with dishes like beef patties.
Naomieh Jovin

The Hottest New Restaurants in Philly, February 2023

The best new places to get Tex-Mex breakfast tacos on fresh tortillas, vegan tapas, conveyor belt sushi, and luscious stone-ground pasta

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Honeysuckle Provisions in West Philly is a grocery store and takeout spot honoring Afrocentric foodways with dishes like beef patties.
| Naomieh Jovin

Notable new restaurants open all the time in Philadelphia, offering an array of options for Philly’s diners. From casual takeout spots to fancy sit-down dinners, there is something for everybody in the city’s constantly evolving, deliciously diverse dining scene. Be patient as changing times and over two years of ups and downs have been tough on restaurants and their staff. And don’t forget to tip well.

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Jollibee

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At long last, Jollibee — the Filipino fast food chain serving buckets of fried chicken, spaghetti, peach mango pies, burgers, and more — is open on Bustleton Avenue in the Northeast. The drive-thru chain is a cult favorite, and now, with this addition to Philly, the city can proudly say it’s got the only Jollibee in the state of Pennsylvania.

Tulip Pasta & Wine Bar

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The best restaurants tend to be collaborations between passionate people, and at Tulip Pasta and Wine Bar, it’s like the Marvel Cinematic Universe but for Philly restaurants. Chefs Jason Cichonski and Alex Beninato partnered with brothers Zachary and James Wilson of Wayvine Winery in Nottingham, PA, to bring diners fresh pasta made with stone-ground flour and the perfect wines to match. Reservations can be made on Resy.

This beloved Southern Thai restaurant recently opened the doors to its new home in the Fishtown neighborhood. Kalaya’s expansive digs offer seating for over 140 people plus a full bar area, an exciting change from the restaurant’s BYOB days in South Philly. Aside from the creative and colorful cocktails, you’ll find the same delicious flavors that Philly has been missing since the original location closed last fall: delicious homestyle Thai recipes like deep-purple chicken dumplings and house tom yum, a massive version of the spicy-sour lemongrass soup studded with jumbo river prawns.

La Chingonita

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La Chingonita — the beloved roving Mexican food truck run by chefs Rebecca Baez and Omar Martinez — has found a permanent home on Girard Avenue where, if you catch them during the daytime lunch hours, Baez and Martinez will serve you carnitas tacos, tortas, and conchas that will change your life. Keep a lookout on social media — the menu changes often.

Persimmon Coffee

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The brick-and-mortar outpost of Philly’s favorite coffee pop-up is finally at home in Fishtown, right next door to Weckerly’s. What started as a pandemic coffee roasting project from three friends is now a full-blown coffee shop, with specialty drinks, merch, and beans, all served in a lovely, airy space. Try the Cloud Dancer, an espresso drink made with tonic water, ginger beer, blueberry preserves, heavy cream, and a sprig of mint over ice.

A white coffee machine with red text that says la marzocco. Chaereen Pak

Pietramala

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In a cozy spot on North 2nd Street, vegan and carnivore diners alike will enjoy Ian Graye’s seasonal, thoughtful, and beautifully curated menu. Dishes like delicata squash with black walnut dukkah and faux ricotta are so tenderly handled that Graye and his team successfully show off the true flavors of their produce, which isn’t always easy. It’s BYOB.

Saami Somi at Reading Terminal Market

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There are few things better than the combination of bread and cheese, and at this new Georgian stall at Reading Terminal Market, the pairing achieves new heights. That’s because Saami Somi serves khachapuri, the Georgian bread boat filled with salty, melted cheese and topped with a cracked egg. Don’t forget to order khinkali dumplings, too.

Four cheesy, eggy, bready khachapuri lined up on a black cutting board on a checkerboard tablecloth.
Khachapuri at Saami Somi.
Alyza Enriquez

Honeysuckle Provisions

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Honeysuckle Provisions in West Philly is the new grocery store and takeout spot from chefs Cybille St.Aude-Tate and Omar Tate — a place where you can go and shop for local produce and provisions while also grabbing a simple breakfast sandwich or a full dinner spread to feed the whole fam. Everything is made to honor and highlight Afrocentric foodways, and local ingredient sourcing is essential to the chefs, so you know everything you’re getting will be good.

Kura Sushi Philadelphia

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At the casual Philly location of international chain Kura, a revolving belt conveys an endless selection of fresh sushi combos and other Japanese-style dishes right to your seat while a robot brings the drinks. Thanks to seasonal menu updates, at any given time you can order over 90 fresh items, including seaweed hand rolls and pieces of nigiri or gunkan. In the mood for something warm? Kura also offers bowls of udon or ramen noodles like a tonkotsu ramen with braised pork, boiled egg, green onion, and garlic chips.

Pearl and Mary Oyster Bar

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The Schulson Collective has added another option to its noteworthy selection of restaurants in Midtown Village. Finding its home next to siblings Alpen Rose, Double Knot, and Sampan, the new Pearl and Mary Oyster Bar has a vibrant atmosphere with exposed brick, white marble tabletops, and leather stools, plus everything that you need to get your next seafood fix. Choose between East or West Coast oysters — better yet, compare them side by side — and if you’re feeling adventurous, try the tomatillo-based oyster shooter. You can grab delicious small plates like mussels at a discount during the daily happy hour in the bar area from 4 to 7 p.m. Doing dinner here? Consider the bar’s take on the classic lobster roll with aioli and butter or a steamed red snapper with chile, ginger, and garlic.

Doro Bet

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Berbere-spiced fried chicken battered in gluten-free teff flour is the draw at the new fast casual restaurant Doro Bet on Baltimore Avenue. Chef Mebruka Kane is adding a twist to the Ethiopian restaurant scene in West Philly, with sides of collared greens and Addis fries to go with half or whole chickens.

Jomon Japanese BBQ

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The newly opened Jomon Japanese BBQ is bringing a tableside all-you-can-eat barbecue experience to 13th and Walnut. Diners have a massive choice of meats and vegetables to grill at their seats, from lamb chops and wild salmon to mushrooms and zucchini, accompanied by classic Japanese sides like fried gyoza and karaage fried chicken. For drinks, try a glass of sake or share a bottle for the table. Thanks to a low-priced lunch special, Jomon is also a great spot for a midday date. If you can’t make it there early, head to happy hour every weekday from 3 to 6 p.m.

Paulie Gee’s Soul City Slice Shop

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Philadelphians tend to raise an eyebrow at any New York export that decides to make its second home in Philly, but at Paulie Gee’s Soul City Slice Shop, no side-eye is necessary. That’s because pizza from Paulie Gee’s is a dream no matter where you get it — see the Freddy Prinze, an upside-down Sicilian pie with a sesame seed bottom — and at Philly’s new location, you can pay pool while eating pies until 2 a.m. on the weekends.

Fitz on 4th

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In the Queen Village space that formerly held Fitz and Starts, Fitz on 4th is a new destination for vegan tapas and exciting cocktails. Think cashew ricotta with garlic focaccia or jackfruit sliders with house-made cheese sauce as well as cocktails like the Mason’s Garden, made with gin, cucumber, basil, and lemon. Sunday brunch is also an option.

Taco Heart

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Nano Wheedan left for Austin in 2004. Upon his return he felt that something important was missing from Philly’s food scene: killer breakfast tacos. His South Philly taqueria, Taco Heart, fills that void with Tex-Mex-style breakfast tacos like Carinne’s Fave, named after Wheedan’s wife and loaded with refried pinto beans, bacon, cheese, and fresh avocado on a fresh flour or corn tortilla. Pair this with sides like queso, salsa, and signature puffy chips, then take home some tortillas for later.

Jollibee

At long last, Jollibee — the Filipino fast food chain serving buckets of fried chicken, spaghetti, peach mango pies, burgers, and more — is open on Bustleton Avenue in the Northeast. The drive-thru chain is a cult favorite, and now, with this addition to Philly, the city can proudly say it’s got the only Jollibee in the state of Pennsylvania.

Tulip Pasta & Wine Bar

The best restaurants tend to be collaborations between passionate people, and at Tulip Pasta and Wine Bar, it’s like the Marvel Cinematic Universe but for Philly restaurants. Chefs Jason Cichonski and Alex Beninato partnered with brothers Zachary and James Wilson of Wayvine Winery in Nottingham, PA, to bring diners fresh pasta made with stone-ground flour and the perfect wines to match. Reservations can be made on Resy.

Kalaya

This beloved Southern Thai restaurant recently opened the doors to its new home in the Fishtown neighborhood. Kalaya’s expansive digs offer seating for over 140 people plus a full bar area, an exciting change from the restaurant’s BYOB days in South Philly. Aside from the creative and colorful cocktails, you’ll find the same delicious flavors that Philly has been missing since the original location closed last fall: delicious homestyle Thai recipes like deep-purple chicken dumplings and house tom yum, a massive version of the spicy-sour lemongrass soup studded with jumbo river prawns.

La Chingonita

La Chingonita — the beloved roving Mexican food truck run by chefs Rebecca Baez and Omar Martinez — has found a permanent home on Girard Avenue where, if you catch them during the daytime lunch hours, Baez and Martinez will serve you carnitas tacos, tortas, and conchas that will change your life. Keep a lookout on social media — the menu changes often.

Persimmon Coffee

The brick-and-mortar outpost of Philly’s favorite coffee pop-up is finally at home in Fishtown, right next door to Weckerly’s. What started as a pandemic coffee roasting project from three friends is now a full-blown coffee shop, with specialty drinks, merch, and beans, all served in a lovely, airy space. Try the Cloud Dancer, an espresso drink made with tonic water, ginger beer, blueberry preserves, heavy cream, and a sprig of mint over ice.

A white coffee machine with red text that says la marzocco. Chaereen Pak

Pietramala

In a cozy spot on North 2nd Street, vegan and carnivore diners alike will enjoy Ian Graye’s seasonal, thoughtful, and beautifully curated menu. Dishes like delicata squash with black walnut dukkah and faux ricotta are so tenderly handled that Graye and his team successfully show off the true flavors of their produce, which isn’t always easy. It’s BYOB.

Saami Somi at Reading Terminal Market

There are few things better than the combination of bread and cheese, and at this new Georgian stall at Reading Terminal Market, the pairing achieves new heights. That’s because Saami Somi serves khachapuri, the Georgian bread boat filled with salty, melted cheese and topped with a cracked egg. Don’t forget to order khinkali dumplings, too.

Four cheesy, eggy, bready khachapuri lined up on a black cutting board on a checkerboard tablecloth.
Khachapuri at Saami Somi.
Alyza Enriquez

Honeysuckle Provisions

Honeysuckle Provisions in West Philly is the new grocery store and takeout spot from chefs Cybille St.Aude-Tate and Omar Tate — a place where you can go and shop for local produce and provisions while also grabbing a simple breakfast sandwich or a full dinner spread to feed the whole fam. Everything is made to honor and highlight Afrocentric foodways, and local ingredient sourcing is essential to the chefs, so you know everything you’re getting will be good.

Kura Sushi Philadelphia

At the casual Philly location of international chain Kura, a revolving belt conveys an endless selection of fresh sushi combos and other Japanese-style dishes right to your seat while a robot brings the drinks. Thanks to seasonal menu updates, at any given time you can order over 90 fresh items, including seaweed hand rolls and pieces of nigiri or gunkan. In the mood for something warm? Kura also offers bowls of udon or ramen noodles like a tonkotsu ramen with braised pork, boiled egg, green onion, and garlic chips.

Pearl and Mary Oyster Bar

The Schulson Collective has added another option to its noteworthy selection of restaurants in Midtown Village. Finding its home next to siblings Alpen Rose, Double Knot, and Sampan, the new Pearl and Mary Oyster Bar has a vibrant atmosphere with exposed brick, white marble tabletops, and leather stools, plus everything that you need to get your next seafood fix. Choose between East or West Coast oysters — better yet, compare them side by side — and if you’re feeling adventurous, try the tomatillo-based oyster shooter. You can grab delicious small plates like mussels at a discount during the daily happy hour in the bar area from 4 to 7 p.m. Doing dinner here? Consider the bar’s take on the classic lobster roll with aioli and butter or a steamed red snapper with chile, ginger, and garlic.

Doro Bet

Berbere-spiced fried chicken battered in gluten-free teff flour is the draw at the new fast casual restaurant Doro Bet on Baltimore Avenue. Chef Mebruka Kane is adding a twist to the Ethiopian restaurant scene in West Philly, with sides of collared greens and Addis fries to go with half or whole chickens.

Jomon Japanese BBQ

The newly opened Jomon Japanese BBQ is bringing a tableside all-you-can-eat barbecue experience to 13th and Walnut. Diners have a massive choice of meats and vegetables to grill at their seats, from lamb chops and wild salmon to mushrooms and zucchini, accompanied by classic Japanese sides like fried gyoza and karaage fried chicken. For drinks, try a glass of sake or share a bottle for the table. Thanks to a low-priced lunch special, Jomon is also a great spot for a midday date. If you can’t make it there early, head to happy hour every weekday from 3 to 6 p.m.

Paulie Gee’s Soul City Slice Shop

Philadelphians tend to raise an eyebrow at any New York export that decides to make its second home in Philly, but at Paulie Gee’s Soul City Slice Shop, no side-eye is necessary. That’s because pizza from Paulie Gee’s is a dream no matter where you get it — see the Freddy Prinze, an upside-down Sicilian pie with a sesame seed bottom — and at Philly’s new location, you can pay pool while eating pies until 2 a.m. on the weekends.

Fitz on 4th

In the Queen Village space that formerly held Fitz and Starts, Fitz on 4th is a new destination for vegan tapas and exciting cocktails. Think cashew ricotta with garlic focaccia or jackfruit sliders with house-made cheese sauce as well as cocktails like the Mason’s Garden, made with gin, cucumber, basil, and lemon. Sunday brunch is also an option.

Taco Heart

Nano Wheedan left for Austin in 2004. Upon his return he felt that something important was missing from Philly’s food scene: killer breakfast tacos. His South Philly taqueria, Taco Heart, fills that void with Tex-Mex-style breakfast tacos like Carinne’s Fave, named after Wheedan’s wife and loaded with refried pinto beans, bacon, cheese, and fresh avocado on a fresh flour or corn tortilla. Pair this with sides like queso, salsa, and signature puffy chips, then take home some tortillas for later.

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