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A dining table with popular brunch dishes next to each other such as morning buns, skillet coffee cake, and a dutch baby with blueberries. 
Brunch at Co-Op.
Co-Op

Where to Eat Around Penn and Drexel

15 University City restaurants for everything from a quick lunch to a parents-in-town dinner

by Caroline Coral and Ernest Owens Updated
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Brunch at Co-Op.
| Co-Op
by Caroline Coral and Ernest Owens Updated

Forget those tired tropes of college students living on a diet of instant noodles. The lucky attendees of the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University in the University City section of West Philadelphia have a spate of dining options that will leave the college cafeteria-goers of yesteryear with pangs of hunger and envy. Wallet-friendly lunches and happy hours, fabulous food halls, and reservations to make when the folks are in town can all be found near campus.

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Sabrina's Cafe

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Weekend waits are a given at this local mini-chain known for its brunch. The University City location is housed in a striking Victorian building where diners can look out onto the corner of 34th and Powelton while enjoying blueberry-topped challah french toast, tofu scrambles, and tater tots covered with sausage hash and over-easy eggs.

227 N 34th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 222-1022
(215) 222-1022

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Dim Sum House by Jane G's - University City

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Right in the heart of University City is a little slice of the Jiang Nan region of China. The space offers a swanky feel with dim lighting, tufted leather booths, and a pool table.  Dim Sum House is open for lunch or dinner featuring both Shanghai and Cantonese styles of dim sum. Expect truffle edamame dumplings, shrimp siu mai, honey-vinegar spare ribs, dan dan noodles, and bao buns.

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

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Hadramout Restaurant

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Hadramaout in the Spruce Hill section of West Philadelphia offers an astounding introduction to Yemeni cuisine. Here diners can try giant flatbreads baked on the walls of a clay oven, and the specialty of the house, fahsah, a lamb and vegetable stew brimming with flavor. The chicken mandi is another strong option, spiced with cumin, coriander, cardamom and clove.

136 S 45th St, Philadelphia, PA 19139
(215) 386-0919
(215) 386-0919

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Manakeesh Cafe Bakery & Grill

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Stop by this all-purpose Lebanese restaurant for a quick coffee and Middle Eastern pastry, a restorative fresh-pressed juice or smoothie, or a full brunch of crepes, omelets, and waffles. The savory selections include family-style mezze platters and the Lebanese flatbreads the restaurant is named for, topped with ground lamb, garlicky chicken, and za’atar-dusted labneh.

4420 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 921-2135
(215) 921-2135
array of plates with middle eastern food Manakeesh [official photo]

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Terakawa Ramen

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Regardless of the season, this minimalist ramen shop is busy putting out bowls of shoyu, miso, and tan tan ramen. Don’t miss out on the non-noodle offerings, as Terakawa has a menu of excellent izakaya standards like karaage, Japanese Berkshire pork sausages, and takoyaki.  

125 S 40th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 516-6818
(215) 516-6818

Also featured in:

Co-Op Restaurant & Bar

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Located in boutique hotel The Study on the border of Penn and Drexel campuses, Co-Op brings a sophisticated mid-Atlantic approach to dining. Both lunch and dinner menus are brimming with fresh, local seasonal, and vegetable-heavy options such as the Lancaster beet tartare and local black bass with roasted cauliflower, fennel, and bell pepper emulsion.

20 S 33rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 398-1874
(215) 398-1874

White Dog Cafe

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When this University City institution opened back in 1983, founder Judy Wicks’ tenets of keeping food local, seasonal, and sustainable were almost unheard of in the Philadelphia dining scene. Now, 36 years later, the canine-themed restaurant and bar is putting out locally sourced cheese plates and serving seasonal plates of eggplant Milanese and watermelon panzanella while the bar pours glasses of made-in-Pennsylvania wine.

3420 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 386-9224
(215) 386-9224
dining room at restaurant with dog themed decor White Dog Cafe [official photo]

Also featured in:

Louie Louie

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For date nights or, more likely, when parents are footing the bill, this chic restaurant and lounge at the Inn at Penn hotel is the place to be. Secure a spot on a plush couch for a couple of cocktails and a dozen oysters, or grab a table for a full meal of beef carpaccio followed by rainbow trout amandine.

3611 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(267) 805-8585
(267) 805-8585
du soleil photographie

Franklin's Table Food Hall

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This student- and faculty-filled food hall is packed with quick-serve versions of a who’s who of Philly favorites. Stop by Franklin’s Table for Neapolitan-style pizzas from Pitruco, sushi via the folks behind Double Knot, Goldie’s falafel and shawarma-spiced fries, and tasty sandwiches from High Street on Market.

University of Pennsylvania, 3401 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 746-0123
(215) 746-0123
white takeout box of sushi Schulson Collective

Also featured in:

Don Barriga

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In a part of town where Mexican fare is usually underrepresented, this newcomer has been racking up rave reviews since its early-summer opening. Daytime offerings include tacos, overstuffed tortas, and a breakfast of chilaquiles with bacon, beans, and eggs, while dinnertime sees platters of sizzling fajitas and the parrillada, an impressive mixed grill of chicken, chorizo, steak, and cactus.

4443 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(267) 292-5741
(267) 292-5741

Also featured in:

Walnut Street Cafe

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Sometimes a classy space and a touch of refinement for a lovely luncheon is what you need, and Walnut St. Cafe offers that. The menu is American comfort food with a simple but polished approach. Their bright space also boasts a seasonal influence on food, with locally sourced organic produce from nearby farms. The wine selection, on the other hand, has a much further reach (think wines from Greece, Germany, and Australia). Head in for Golden Hour (read: happy hour) for well-priced cocktails and sumptuous snacks like whipped ricotta and salmon tartare.

2929 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 867-8067
(215) 867-8067

Also featured in:

Renata's Kitchen

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For brunch any day of the week, look no further than Renata’s, situated on the edge of The Woodlands park. After moving to their new (and much larger space) in 2020, they were also able to acquire a liquor license to offer delicious Middle Eastern-tinged cocktails to match their menu. Try a harissa Bloody Mary with your shakshuka merguez with a side of crunchy spiced chickpeas.

3940 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(267) 275-8254
(267) 275-8254

Also featured in:

Doro Bet

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Is there anything better than fried chicken? How about fried chicken with an Ethiopian twist? A sister duo off Baltimore Ave offers up two variations - Alicha, marinated with lemon and turmeric, then coated with a homemade honey hot sauce, and Awaze, which features a berbere spice blend for dipping in garlic aioli or Ethiopian mustard. Can’t decide? Opt for both.

4533 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143
(215) 921-6558
(215) 921-6558

Also featured in:

Vientiane Café

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Chef Daovy Phanthavong and her husband Phoxay Sidara have been serving up Lao and Thai food to the Cedar Park neighborhood since 2002. What started as a backyard operation under a blue tent quickly became a popular brick-and-mortar location that is still beloved to this day. Grab a jar of their homemade Sunny’s Hot Chili Oil to take home.

4728 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143
(215) 726-1095
(215) 726-1095

Also featured in:

Booker's Restaurant & Bar

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Open daily for brunch and dinner, this lively restaurant features soul food classics (such as fried chicken, oxtails, collard greens, and seafood mac n’ cheese) and exceptional comfort dishes (such as spicy mango salmon, short rib, and grilled lamb chops with a watermelon mint salad).

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

Also featured in:

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Sabrina's Cafe

227 N 34th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Weekend waits are a given at this local mini-chain known for its brunch. The University City location is housed in a striking Victorian building where diners can look out onto the corner of 34th and Powelton while enjoying blueberry-topped challah french toast, tofu scrambles, and tater tots covered with sausage hash and over-easy eggs.

227 N 34th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 222-1022
(215) 222-1022

Dim Sum House by Jane G's - University City

3939 Chestnut St 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Right in the heart of University City is a little slice of the Jiang Nan region of China. The space offers a swanky feel with dim lighting, tufted leather booths, and a pool table.  Dim Sum House is open for lunch or dinner featuring both Shanghai and Cantonese styles of dim sum. Expect truffle edamame dumplings, shrimp siu mai, honey-vinegar spare ribs, dan dan noodles, and bao buns.

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

Hadramout Restaurant

136 S 45th St, Philadelphia, PA 19139

Hadramaout in the Spruce Hill section of West Philadelphia offers an astounding introduction to Yemeni cuisine. Here diners can try giant flatbreads baked on the walls of a clay oven, and the specialty of the house, fahsah, a lamb and vegetable stew brimming with flavor. The chicken mandi is another strong option, spiced with cumin, coriander, cardamom and clove.

136 S 45th St, Philadelphia, PA 19139
(215) 386-0919
(215) 386-0919

Manakeesh Cafe Bakery & Grill

4420 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Stop by this all-purpose Lebanese restaurant for a quick coffee and Middle Eastern pastry, a restorative fresh-pressed juice or smoothie, or a full brunch of crepes, omelets, and waffles. The savory selections include family-style mezze platters and the Lebanese flatbreads the restaurant is named for, topped with ground lamb, garlicky chicken, and za’atar-dusted labneh.

4420 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 921-2135
(215) 921-2135
array of plates with middle eastern food Manakeesh [official photo]

Terakawa Ramen

125 S 40th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Regardless of the season, this minimalist ramen shop is busy putting out bowls of shoyu, miso, and tan tan ramen. Don’t miss out on the non-noodle offerings, as Terakawa has a menu of excellent izakaya standards like karaage, Japanese Berkshire pork sausages, and takoyaki.  

125 S 40th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 516-6818
(215) 516-6818

Co-Op Restaurant & Bar

20 S 33rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Located in boutique hotel The Study on the border of Penn and Drexel campuses, Co-Op brings a sophisticated mid-Atlantic approach to dining. Both lunch and dinner menus are brimming with fresh, local seasonal, and vegetable-heavy options such as the Lancaster beet tartare and local black bass with roasted cauliflower, fennel, and bell pepper emulsion.

20 S 33rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 398-1874
(215) 398-1874

White Dog Cafe

3420 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19104

When this University City institution opened back in 1983, founder Judy Wicks’ tenets of keeping food local, seasonal, and sustainable were almost unheard of in the Philadelphia dining scene. Now, 36 years later, the canine-themed restaurant and bar is putting out locally sourced cheese plates and serving seasonal plates of eggplant Milanese and watermelon panzanella while the bar pours glasses of made-in-Pennsylvania wine.

3420 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 386-9224
(215) 386-9224
dining room at restaurant with dog themed decor White Dog Cafe [official photo]

Louie Louie

3611 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104

For date nights or, more likely, when parents are footing the bill, this chic restaurant and lounge at the Inn at Penn hotel is the place to be. Secure a spot on a plush couch for a couple of cocktails and a dozen oysters, or grab a table for a full meal of beef carpaccio followed by rainbow trout amandine.

3611 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(267) 805-8585
(267) 805-8585
du soleil photographie

Franklin's Table Food Hall

University of Pennsylvania, 3401 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104

This student- and faculty-filled food hall is packed with quick-serve versions of a who’s who of Philly favorites. Stop by Franklin’s Table for Neapolitan-style pizzas from Pitruco, sushi via the folks behind Double Knot, Goldie’s falafel and shawarma-spiced fries, and tasty sandwiches from High Street on Market.

University of Pennsylvania, 3401 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 746-0123
(215) 746-0123
white takeout box of sushi Schulson Collective

Don Barriga

4443 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19104

In a part of town where Mexican fare is usually underrepresented, this newcomer has been racking up rave reviews since its early-summer opening. Daytime offerings include tacos, overstuffed tortas, and a breakfast of chilaquiles with bacon, beans, and eggs, while dinnertime sees platters of sizzling fajitas and the parrillada, an impressive mixed grill of chicken, chorizo, steak, and cactus.

4443 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(267) 292-5741
(267) 292-5741

Walnut Street Cafe

2929 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Sometimes a classy space and a touch of refinement for a lovely luncheon is what you need, and Walnut St. Cafe offers that. The menu is American comfort food with a simple but polished approach. Their bright space also boasts a seasonal influence on food, with locally sourced organic produce from nearby farms. The wine selection, on the other hand, has a much further reach (think wines from Greece, Germany, and Australia). Head in for Golden Hour (read: happy hour) for well-priced cocktails and sumptuous snacks like whipped ricotta and salmon tartare.

2929 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 867-8067
(215) 867-8067

Renata's Kitchen

3940 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104

For brunch any day of the week, look no further than Renata’s, situated on the edge of The Woodlands park. After moving to their new (and much larger space) in 2020, they were also able to acquire a liquor license to offer delicious Middle Eastern-tinged cocktails to match their menu. Try a harissa Bloody Mary with your shakshuka merguez with a side of crunchy spiced chickpeas.

3940 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(267) 275-8254
(267) 275-8254

Doro Bet

4533 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143

Is there anything better than fried chicken? How about fried chicken with an Ethiopian twist? A sister duo off Baltimore Ave offers up two variations - Alicha, marinated with lemon and turmeric, then coated with a homemade honey hot sauce, and Awaze, which features a berbere spice blend for dipping in garlic aioli or Ethiopian mustard. Can’t decide? Opt for both.

4533 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143
(215) 921-6558
(215) 921-6558

Vientiane Café

4728 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143

Chef Daovy Phanthavong and her husband Phoxay Sidara have been serving up Lao and Thai food to the Cedar Park neighborhood since 2002. What started as a backyard operation under a blue tent quickly became a popular brick-and-mortar location that is still beloved to this day. Grab a jar of their homemade Sunny’s Hot Chili Oil to take home.

4728 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143
(215) 726-1095
(215) 726-1095

Booker's Restaurant & Bar

5021 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143

Open daily for brunch and dinner, this lively restaurant features soul food classics (such as fried chicken, oxtails, collard greens, and seafood mac n’ cheese) and exceptional comfort dishes (such as spicy mango salmon, short rib, and grilled lamb chops with a watermelon mint salad).

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

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