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Where to Eat in West Philly

The neighborhood’s under-the-radar food scene is one of Philadelphia’s most interesting

by Caroline Coral and Sarah Maiellano Updated
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by Caroline Coral and Sarah Maiellano Updated

West Philadelphia doesn’t get as much attention for its food scene as other Philly neighborhoods like Rittenhouse, Fishtown, and East Passyunk, but the area is quietly home to the city’s most diverse crop of restaurants. It includes the college-centric neighborhood of University City, but go past the fast-casual student hangouts and all sorts of eating adventures abound. Within a few blocks, Ethiopian eateries cozy up to craft beer destinations and Laotian specialties can be enjoyed in walking distance of vegan burritos.

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Booker's Restaurant & Bar

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Owner Saba Tedla recently brought in Kurt Evans to run the kitchen at Booker’s. The chef and activist —known for his End Mass Incarceration and Cooks for the Culture dinner series — cooks American cuisine with Southern flair in dishes like salmon crusted in sweet potatoes and a vegan jambalaya. This is Tedla’s second restaurant in the neighborhood: She also has Mediterranean eatery Aksum.

5021 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143
(215) 883-0960
(215) 883-0960

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Dock Street Brewery & Restaurant

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The OG of Philly brewpubs has been keeping West Philadelphians happy with house-brewed pours and pizzas since 1985. These days the brewery has expanded its footprint with a next-door cannery and cocktail bar serving draft drinks and small plates.

701 S 50th St, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 726-2337
(215) 726-2337

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Vientiane Café

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Once upon a time, when it was set in the Phanthavong family’s backyard, Vientiane got too popular to contain and relocated to a storefront on Baltimore Avenue in 2002. Bring cash and a six-pack to this neighborhood BYOB to go with the lemongrass-spiked sausages, coconut-marinated barbecued hens, pineapple fried rice, and other Laotian and Thai fare. There’s also a newer second location in Kensington.

4728 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 726-1095
(215) 726-1095
Vientiane Cafe [official photo]

Dahlak

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Since 1987, Dahlak has been a neighborhood staple for its satisfying Eritrean and Ethiopian meals. Grab a seat at one of the traditional low tables and try a combo platter of stewed proteins, like lentils and lamb, or veggies, like split peas and beets.

4708 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143
(215) 726-6464
(215) 726-6464

Jezabel’s Cafe & Bakery

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Jezabel Careaga’s charming Argentinian cafe, bakery, and studio is known for its perfectly browned empanadas, flaky croissants piled with ham and cheese, and sweet, delicate alfajores. Stop in for breakfast, lunch, or a pot of tea.

206 S 45th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(267) 519-2494
(267) 519-2494
Jezabel’s [official photo]

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Hadramout

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Make sure to order something that can be sopped up at Hadramout because the bubbly tandoor-baked bread here is a specialty. The Yemeni restaurant is also a popular spot for its lamb stew, kebabs, and grilled spatchcock chicken.

136 S 45th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 386-0919
(215) 386-0919

Abyssinia

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This neighborhood favorite is a two-for-one deal, with a relaxed, homey dining room on the ground floor serving Ethiopian fare and a tiny dive bar tucked away one flight up. Come for tibs or a vegetarian combo of stewed collard greens and lentils in berbere sauce over injera and stay for the killer beer and whiskey selections upstairs at Fiume.

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

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Honest Tom's Plant Based Taco Shop

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Honest Tom’s has gone through a few formats (food truck, “regular” taco shop) before landing on its current incarnation as an all-vegan taqueria and fruit seller. Go for the carrot and lentil barbacoa or the sweet potato tucked inside tacos and burritos.

261 S 44th St, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 620-1851
(215) 620-1851

Kilimandjaro

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A bigger cluster of West African restaurants can be found in Southwest Philly, but West Philly is home to some standouts too, like Kilimandjaro, open since 2005. Youma Ba’s brightly painted Senegalese restaurant is known for its thieboudienne (a tomato-y fish and rice dish) and grilled chicken.

4317 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 387-1970
(215) 387-1970

Desi Chaat House

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Indian snacks get the spotlight at this casual corner eatery serving up cool and crunchy chaats and bhel puris, along with mini-potato sliders (vada paav).

501 S 42nd St, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 386-1999
(215) 386-1999

Also featured in:

Dana Mandi

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A neon-lit dining room in the back of an Indian grocery store is home to some of the city’s most vibrant Punjabi eats. Choose from an extensive menu of veggie or meat options, don’t forget the paratha, and enjoy an affordable and no-nonsense meal served without ceremony on a styrofoam plate.

4211 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-387-5250    
215-387-5250    

Quality Taste Jamaican Restaurant

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West Philly is home to several restaurants that specialize in Jamaican cuisine. This counter-service spot ranks among the most popular for its saucy jerk chicken, braised cabbage, curry goat, and whole red snapper.

4002 Lancaster Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(267) 634-6821
(267) 634-6821

Pod

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Stephen Starr’s pan-Asian restaurant Pod, which looks like what people in the past envisioned for a spaceship-fueled future, has been going strong on the University of Pennsylvania campus since 2000. More recently, Starr recruited Kevin Yanaga, the former sushi master at Double Knot, to upgrade the raw fish operation with specials like king salmon ceviche with green ponzu and pico de gallo.

3636 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 387-1803
(215) 387-1803

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White Dog Cafe

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When Judy Wicks’ pioneering University City restaurant opened its doors back in 1983, it marked the beginning of Philly’s love affair with local sourcing. Three-plus decades later, Wicks has moved on (and two more locations were added outside the city) but her legacy remains with canine-themed decor throughout the collection of small dining rooms and a menu of farm-to-table fare. 

3420 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 386-9224
(215) 386-9224
White Dog [official photo]

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Booker's Restaurant & Bar

5021 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143

Owner Saba Tedla recently brought in Kurt Evans to run the kitchen at Booker’s. The chef and activist —known for his End Mass Incarceration and Cooks for the Culture dinner series — cooks American cuisine with Southern flair in dishes like salmon crusted in sweet potatoes and a vegan jambalaya. This is Tedla’s second restaurant in the neighborhood: She also has Mediterranean eatery Aksum.

5021 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143
(215) 883-0960
(215) 883-0960

Dock Street Brewery & Restaurant

701 S 50th St, Philadelphia, PA

The OG of Philly brewpubs has been keeping West Philadelphians happy with house-brewed pours and pizzas since 1985. These days the brewery has expanded its footprint with a next-door cannery and cocktail bar serving draft drinks and small plates.

701 S 50th St, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 726-2337
(215) 726-2337

Vientiane Café

4728 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA

Once upon a time, when it was set in the Phanthavong family’s backyard, Vientiane got too popular to contain and relocated to a storefront on Baltimore Avenue in 2002. Bring cash and a six-pack to this neighborhood BYOB to go with the lemongrass-spiked sausages, coconut-marinated barbecued hens, pineapple fried rice, and other Laotian and Thai fare. There’s also a newer second location in Kensington.

4728 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 726-1095
(215) 726-1095
Vientiane Cafe [official photo]

Dahlak

4708 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143

Since 1987, Dahlak has been a neighborhood staple for its satisfying Eritrean and Ethiopian meals. Grab a seat at one of the traditional low tables and try a combo platter of stewed proteins, like lentils and lamb, or veggies, like split peas and beets.

4708 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143
(215) 726-6464
(215) 726-6464

Jezabel’s Cafe & Bakery

206 S 45th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Jezabel Careaga’s charming Argentinian cafe, bakery, and studio is known for its perfectly browned empanadas, flaky croissants piled with ham and cheese, and sweet, delicate alfajores. Stop in for breakfast, lunch, or a pot of tea.

206 S 45th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(267) 519-2494
(267) 519-2494
Jezabel’s [official photo]

Hadramout

136 S 45th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Make sure to order something that can be sopped up at Hadramout because the bubbly tandoor-baked bread here is a specialty. The Yemeni restaurant is also a popular spot for its lamb stew, kebabs, and grilled spatchcock chicken.

136 S 45th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 386-0919
(215) 386-0919

Abyssinia

229 S 45th St, Philadelphia, PA

This neighborhood favorite is a two-for-one deal, with a relaxed, homey dining room on the ground floor serving Ethiopian fare and a tiny dive bar tucked away one flight up. Come for tibs or a vegetarian combo of stewed collard greens and lentils in berbere sauce over injera and stay for the killer beer and whiskey selections upstairs at Fiume.

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

Honest Tom's Plant Based Taco Shop

261 S 44th St, Philadelphia, PA

Honest Tom’s has gone through a few formats (food truck, “regular” taco shop) before landing on its current incarnation as an all-vegan taqueria and fruit seller. Go for the carrot and lentil barbacoa or the sweet potato tucked inside tacos and burritos.

261 S 44th St, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 620-1851
(215) 620-1851

Kilimandjaro

4317 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104

A bigger cluster of West African restaurants can be found in Southwest Philly, but West Philly is home to some standouts too, like Kilimandjaro, open since 2005. Youma Ba’s brightly painted Senegalese restaurant is known for its thieboudienne (a tomato-y fish and rice dish) and grilled chicken.

4317 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 387-1970
(215) 387-1970

Desi Chaat House

501 S 42nd St, Philadelphia, PA

Indian snacks get the spotlight at this casual corner eatery serving up cool and crunchy chaats and bhel puris, along with mini-potato sliders (vada paav).

501 S 42nd St, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 386-1999
(215) 386-1999

Dana Mandi

4211 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104

A neon-lit dining room in the back of an Indian grocery store is home to some of the city’s most vibrant Punjabi eats. Choose from an extensive menu of veggie or meat options, don’t forget the paratha, and enjoy an affordable and no-nonsense meal served without ceremony on a styrofoam plate.

4211 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-387-5250    
215-387-5250    

Quality Taste Jamaican Restaurant

4002 Lancaster Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104

West Philly is home to several restaurants that specialize in Jamaican cuisine. This counter-service spot ranks among the most popular for its saucy jerk chicken, braised cabbage, curry goat, and whole red snapper.

4002 Lancaster Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(267) 634-6821
(267) 634-6821

Pod

3636 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Stephen Starr’s pan-Asian restaurant Pod, which looks like what people in the past envisioned for a spaceship-fueled future, has been going strong on the University of Pennsylvania campus since 2000. More recently, Starr recruited Kevin Yanaga, the former sushi master at Double Knot, to upgrade the raw fish operation with specials like king salmon ceviche with green ponzu and pico de gallo.

3636 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 387-1803
(215) 387-1803

White Dog Cafe

3420 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA

When Judy Wicks’ pioneering University City restaurant opened its doors back in 1983, it marked the beginning of Philly’s love affair with local sourcing. Three-plus decades later, Wicks has moved on (and two more locations were added outside the city) but her legacy remains with canine-themed decor throughout the collection of small dining rooms and a menu of farm-to-table fare. 

3420 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 386-9224
(215) 386-9224
White Dog [official photo]

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