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July 4th fireworks over the Philadelphia Museum of Art on the Ben Franklin Parkway
G. Widman for Visit Philadelphia

Where to Eat and Drink Along the Ben Franklin Parkway

Before July Fourth fireworks, after a museum visit, or anytime

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July 4th fireworks over the Philadelphia Museum of Art on the Ben Franklin Parkway
| G. Widman for Visit Philadelphia

From Pizzeria Vetri pies paired with hoppy brews to steak, sushi, and cocktails — plus sandwiches packed with Philadelphia history — there are plenty of places to eat near the museum-lined Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Here are 15 bars, restaurants, and coffee shops to choose from, whether you’re heading to the Parkway for Fourth of July fireworks, an outdoor festival, a visit to the Franklin Institute or Philadelphia Museum of Art, or just a stroll up the boulevard to enjoy the views and take photos at the Rocky statue.

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Umai Umai

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Open since 2006, the cozy Umai Umai covers all the sushi must-haves, from simple rolls like spicy salmon to inventive combinations like the “krakken” with shrimp tempura, eel, avocado, soft shell crab, cherries, aioli, and almond. Come with a bottle of wine; it’s BYOB.

Whole Foods Market

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Philly’s flagship Whole Foods is so much more than a well-stocked grocery store. The sprawling shop is home to “Restaurant Row”: a collection of fast-casual outposts of local favorites, including Federal Donuts, falafel shop Goldie, and hummusiya Dizengoff. Along with a killer food court, there’s a full bar and a mobile cart serving beer, wine, and cocktails.

Dizengoff/Michael Persico

At this sophisticated Italian BYOB from Tod Wentz of Townsend, chef Michael Millon creates seasonal menus with dishes like goat cheese gnocchi and cavatelli with escargot, served a la carte or in a four-course family style meal for $65 per person. Stop at the ATM first — the restaurant is cash only.

A Mano [official photo]

Buena Onda

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Jose Garces’ sunny taco shop specializes in fish tacos, though if you’re craving carnitas, chicken, or beef, those are on the menu too, along with chips and guac, margaritas, and beer.

Jason Varney

Pizzeria Vetri

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There are worthy satellites of Marc Vetri’s first foray into the world of casual dining, but this is the Neapolitan pizza place that started it all. Ordering a couple of pies is a given, but no trip to Pizzeria Vetri — now owned by Urban Outfitters — is complete without a rotolo stuffed with mortadella and pistachio pesto.

PIzzeria Vetri [official photo]

Rose Tattoo Cafe

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Romance has been in the air at this Fairmount corner restaurant for 30 years. Book a table for two on the foliage-filled mezzanine after a visit to the Barnes museum and dig into mussels with garlic butter, pappardelle with sausage and short rib, or roast chicken with risotto.

The Garden Restaurant at the Barnes Foundation

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You don’t need to purchase a museum ticket to dine at the Garden Restaurant at the Barnes (though it would be a shame to miss the one-of-a-kind art collection). Book a table on a sunny day, when the restaurant’s courtyard is at its most charming.

Kite & Key

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Paying homage to a certain Founding Father’s famously electric experiment, Kite & Key is the craft brew hub of the neighborhood. Snag one of the sidewalk tables, order wings and a sandwich, and dive into the draft list.

A lighthearted menu of Japanese and Korean dishes comes together at this neighborhood BYOB. While diners aren’t going to find any Tsukiji-sourced fish at Doma, the menu is peppered with fun fusion fare like bibimbap rolls, tuna-filled jalapeno poppers, and sashimi sundaes.

Sabrina's Cafe & Spencer's Too

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The Art Museum outpost of brunch specialist Sabrina’s serves breakfast all day and has the most inventive lineup of rotating brunch dishes in the city. But the menu at this casual eatery goes well beyond the morning meal, with sandwiches, burgers, salads, and soups.

Cherry Street Tavern

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The beer list at this historic tavern is decidedly longer than the food menu, but there’s really only one thing to order at Cherry Street Tavern. The hot roast beef on a kaiser roll is a local legend, made even better with the addition of sharp provolone and roasted long hots.

Urban Farmer

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Sustainably sourced cuts and a rustic-chic aesthetic sets this modern steakhouse on the lobby level of the Logan hotel apart from the rest of the city’s meat meccas. On the roof of the hotel is the lounge Assembly, which offers picture-perfect views of the Parkway (but note that for events like Fourth of July fireworks, Assembly charges a cover).

Urban Farmer [official photo]

Mace's Crossing

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Its main distinction may be the longevity of its building, but for those in search of a cold beer in a divey pub atmosphere, Mace’s Crossing hits the spot. The bar is set in a former carriage house that predates the Parkway, which was built in 1917. 

Thanal Indian Tavern

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South Indian dishes, along with a full bar, are the draw at Thanal, which serves everything from idly to crab-stuffed naan to Chettinad chicken. Looking to stick with veggies? There are several vegetarian and vegan options on the menu.

City Tap House

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Beer lovers can work their way through a 38-line, all-American draft list at City Tap House. Choose from Bethlehem-brewed Berliner weisses, Belgian triples from California, and IPAs via Ithaca complemented by a menu of gussied-up pub grub.  

restaurant with big screen TV over the bar showing football City Tap House [official photo]

Umai Umai

Open since 2006, the cozy Umai Umai covers all the sushi must-haves, from simple rolls like spicy salmon to inventive combinations like the “krakken” with shrimp tempura, eel, avocado, soft shell crab, cherries, aioli, and almond. Come with a bottle of wine; it’s BYOB.

Whole Foods Market

Philly’s flagship Whole Foods is so much more than a well-stocked grocery store. The sprawling shop is home to “Restaurant Row”: a collection of fast-casual outposts of local favorites, including Federal Donuts, falafel shop Goldie, and hummusiya Dizengoff. Along with a killer food court, there’s a full bar and a mobile cart serving beer, wine, and cocktails.

Dizengoff/Michael Persico

A Mano

At this sophisticated Italian BYOB from Tod Wentz of Townsend, chef Michael Millon creates seasonal menus with dishes like goat cheese gnocchi and cavatelli with escargot, served a la carte or in a four-course family style meal for $65 per person. Stop at the ATM first — the restaurant is cash only.

A Mano [official photo]

Buena Onda

Jose Garces’ sunny taco shop specializes in fish tacos, though if you’re craving carnitas, chicken, or beef, those are on the menu too, along with chips and guac, margaritas, and beer.

Jason Varney

Pizzeria Vetri

There are worthy satellites of Marc Vetri’s first foray into the world of casual dining, but this is the Neapolitan pizza place that started it all. Ordering a couple of pies is a given, but no trip to Pizzeria Vetri — now owned by Urban Outfitters — is complete without a rotolo stuffed with mortadella and pistachio pesto.

PIzzeria Vetri [official photo]

Rose Tattoo Cafe

Romance has been in the air at this Fairmount corner restaurant for 30 years. Book a table for two on the foliage-filled mezzanine after a visit to the Barnes museum and dig into mussels with garlic butter, pappardelle with sausage and short rib, or roast chicken with risotto.

The Garden Restaurant at the Barnes Foundation

You don’t need to purchase a museum ticket to dine at the Garden Restaurant at the Barnes (though it would be a shame to miss the one-of-a-kind art collection). Book a table on a sunny day, when the restaurant’s courtyard is at its most charming.

Kite & Key

Paying homage to a certain Founding Father’s famously electric experiment, Kite & Key is the craft brew hub of the neighborhood. Snag one of the sidewalk tables, order wings and a sandwich, and dive into the draft list.

Doma

A lighthearted menu of Japanese and Korean dishes comes together at this neighborhood BYOB. While diners aren’t going to find any Tsukiji-sourced fish at Doma, the menu is peppered with fun fusion fare like bibimbap rolls, tuna-filled jalapeno poppers, and sashimi sundaes.

Sabrina's Cafe & Spencer's Too

The Art Museum outpost of brunch specialist Sabrina’s serves breakfast all day and has the most inventive lineup of rotating brunch dishes in the city. But the menu at this casual eatery goes well beyond the morning meal, with sandwiches, burgers, salads, and soups.

Cherry Street Tavern

The beer list at this historic tavern is decidedly longer than the food menu, but there’s really only one thing to order at Cherry Street Tavern. The hot roast beef on a kaiser roll is a local legend, made even better with the addition of sharp provolone and roasted long hots.

Urban Farmer

Sustainably sourced cuts and a rustic-chic aesthetic sets this modern steakhouse on the lobby level of the Logan hotel apart from the rest of the city’s meat meccas. On the roof of the hotel is the lounge Assembly, which offers picture-perfect views of the Parkway (but note that for events like Fourth of July fireworks, Assembly charges a cover).

Urban Farmer [official photo]

Mace's Crossing

Its main distinction may be the longevity of its building, but for those in search of a cold beer in a divey pub atmosphere, Mace’s Crossing hits the spot. The bar is set in a former carriage house that predates the Parkway, which was built in 1917. 

Thanal Indian Tavern

South Indian dishes, along with a full bar, are the draw at Thanal, which serves everything from idly to crab-stuffed naan to Chettinad chicken. Looking to stick with veggies? There are several vegetarian and vegan options on the menu.

City Tap House

Beer lovers can work their way through a 38-line, all-American draft list at City Tap House. Choose from Bethlehem-brewed Berliner weisses, Belgian triples from California, and IPAs via Ithaca complemented by a menu of gussied-up pub grub.  

restaurant with big screen TV over the bar showing football City Tap House [official photo]

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