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A wooden table with four dishes, including the closest one in focus filled with spaghetti and meatballs.
An Italian American feast at Ralph’s.
Ralph’s Italian Restaurant/Facebook

16 Classic Restaurants Every Philadelphian Must Try

Get a worthwhile taste of Philly’s history at some of the city’s oldest restaurants

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An Italian American feast at Ralph’s.
| Ralph’s Italian Restaurant/Facebook

The food world tends to be obsessed with what's new and what's next, but in a city like Philadelphia with such a rich history, it’s well worth revisiting time-tested restaurants. Some of Philly’s oldest restaurants and bakeries date back to the mid-1800s, a tenure to celebrate, especially when the quality has stayed high.

These 16 old-school institutions remain today more or less the same as they were when they were founded, which means the classic restaurants, dive bars, bakeries, and sandwich shops below represent a taste of Philly's past, particularly its storied Italian American heritage. (Philadelphia is also home to plenty of iconic dishes, some of which come from these same venerable restaurants.)

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Mayfair Diner

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This classic diner opened in Northeast Philly back in 1932. It has undergone a few changes since then — most recently ending its 24/7 status — but today the Mayfair Diner remains a pure 1950s-era throwback for chicken croquettes, creamed chipped beef, and thick slices of pie.

A plate with a fork and a slice of pie topped by a large scoop of ice cream.
Pie a la mode at Mayfair Diner.
Mayfair Diner/Facebook

Czerw's Kielbasa

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Port Richmond was a treasure trove of traditional Polish foods, with Czerw's being one of the oldest surviving shops. It originally opened in 1938 as Philadelphia Provisions and has been smoking its own kielbasa ever since. On Christmas and Easter, expect long lines and early sell-outs.

Tacconelli's Pizzeria

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Founded as a bread bakery in the 1920s, Port Richmond staple Tacconelli's didn't start using its oven for pizza until the end of WWII. That thin-crust pizza is now so beloved that people from all over the city still flock to this out-of-the-way BYOB despite a number of inconveniences, including the suggestion to call ahead to reserve dough.

Stock's Bakery

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Family-owned since it opened in 1924, this Port Richmond bakery makes a variety of sweets, but the Stock’s name is by now pretty synonymous with pound cake. In fact, around Christmas, the bakery may only offer pound cake, as the bakers scale up production for the busy season.

Three slices of pound cake laid out next to the rest of the cake.
Pound cake from Stock’s Bakery.
Stock’s/Facebook

Reading Terminal Market

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There's no shortage of must-try foods within Reading Terminal Market, open since the 1890s. The sprawling market houses a mix of Philly icons, Pennsylvania Dutch classics, and new favorites. Hit up Beiler's for doughnuts, dig into DiNic's famous roast pork sandwiches, and grab a cone at Bassetts — founded in 1861, it’s America's oldest ice cream company.

A busy interior, including two people walking away from the camera down the aisle, several people sitting at a counter, many stalls, and lots of business signs reading Pearl’s Oyster Bar, Sang Kee Peking Duck, and more.
Stalls at Reading Terminal Market.
R. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia

McGillin's Olde Ale House

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Irish pub McGillin's claims to be the oldest continuously operating tavern in Philadelphia, having opened its doors on narrow Drury Street in 1860. Today, this Center City bar is a popular venue from early to late and celebrates every holiday, big or small, with gusto — including themed drinks, food, and decor.

A dark pub full of patrons at wooden tables with windows and colorful string lights in the back.
The interior of McGillin’s Olde Ale House.
McGillin’s/Facebook

Dirty Frank's

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Philly would be nothing without its dive bars and Dirty Frank's is a prime example, chugging along at 13th and Pine since 1933. Originally just called Frank's, and at one point misguidedly renamed 347 Bar, Dirty Frank's was a nickname that came along with the bar's second owner and stubbornly stuck. Thanks to cheap beer and Citywide specials (a shot and a beer), it’s a popular hangout for a wide variety of characters.

The exterior of the first floor of a building, centered on an open door at the corner and murals on the walls on both sides.
Dirty Frank’s.
Dirty Frank’s/Facebook

Ralph's Italian Restaurant

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As the story goes, Ralph's originally opened in 1900 at 9th and Montrose before the Dispigno family made the short move to their current location in 1915. The restaurant remains in the family to this day, serving red gravy Italian American staples that have long been the backbone of the Italian Market neighborhood.

On a wooden table, several white dishes are partially visible, most holding different types of pasta including lasagna, penne with greens, and spaghetti with meatballs and red sauce.
A spread at Ralph’s Italian Restaurant.
Ralph’s/Facebook

Dante & Luigi's

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Founded in 1899, Dante & Luigi's is a South Philly classic known for its Italian American food. It’s more upscale than its nearby competitors, with white tablecloths, chandeliers, and more formal service, but it’s never stuffy. The storied spot was the scene of an attempted mob hit in the late ’80s.

The interior of a restaurant with white tablecloths, a chandelier, wall sconces, and tall windows.
Dante & Luigi’s.
Dante & Luigi’s/Facebook

Sarcone's Bakery

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The Sarcone name is omnipresent around Philly, as restaurants consider it a real selling point to serve hoagies or roast pork on Sarcone's bread. A trip to the 9th Street landmark, which sells a lot more than just bread and rolls, is always a good bet. The small bakery opens up early and closes by mid-afternoon or whenever it sells out (which can happen pretty quickly on weekends), so don't wait. Grab some tomato pie, pepperoni bread, or fresh loaves — it's all worthwhile.

Isgro Pastries

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Thanks to Isgro Pastries, 10th and Christian is typically one of Philly's best-smelling intersections. Holding court since 1904, this tiny bakery fills up quickly on weekends with shoppers seeking out cannoli, butter cookies, rum cakes, torrone, and other Italian sweets.

Palizzi Social Club

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Originally opened over a century ago, the private Palizzi Social Club long served cocktails and food in a South Philly row home to immigrants from Vasto, Italy, and their families. Several years ago, chef Joey Baldino — of essential restaurant Zeppoli in Collingswood — inherited the place from his uncle. Palizzi is still a members-only club, but Baldino broadened the criteria to allow more diners to enjoy spaghetti with crabs, calamari with peas, and escarole and beans in a charmingly retro space.

The backs of stools in all different colors lined up at a bar with a white-and-black-tiled floor.
Palizzi Social Club.
Jason Varney

Termini Brothers Bakery

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One of South Philly's best-known and most beloved bakeries, Termini was established by its two namesake brothers in the 1920s. It’s all about the cannoli here. The shells are handmade and filled to order with vanilla cream, chocolate cream, or — the real deal — ricotta with chocolate chips.

Marra's

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Since the 1920s — way before East Passyunk Avenue was the culinary hot spot that it is today — Marra’s has been turning out pizza and red-sauce Italian dishes. The neighborhood favorite is still owned and operated by the original family, and still uses the original brick oven designed and built by Salvatore Marra himself with bricks from Mount Vesuvius.

A post shared by Feeding Calvin (@feedingc) on

Nick's Old Original Roast Beef

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Opened in 1938, the original South Philly Nick's is a perfectly cozy cave full of inexpensive beer, roast beef and turkey sandwiches, and can't-miss gravy fries.

Frangelli's Bakery

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Family-owned Frangelli's has been around since 1947. The South Philly bakery sells much more than just doughnuts, but the doughnuts here are a must-try — particularly the indulgent Franolli, a doughnut sandwich filled with cannoli cream and chocolate chips.

Mayfair Diner

This classic diner opened in Northeast Philly back in 1932. It has undergone a few changes since then — most recently ending its 24/7 status — but today the Mayfair Diner remains a pure 1950s-era throwback for chicken croquettes, creamed chipped beef, and thick slices of pie.

A plate with a fork and a slice of pie topped by a large scoop of ice cream.
Pie a la mode at Mayfair Diner.
Mayfair Diner/Facebook

Czerw's Kielbasa

Port Richmond was a treasure trove of traditional Polish foods, with Czerw's being one of the oldest surviving shops. It originally opened in 1938 as Philadelphia Provisions and has been smoking its own kielbasa ever since. On Christmas and Easter, expect long lines and early sell-outs.

Tacconelli's Pizzeria

Founded as a bread bakery in the 1920s, Port Richmond staple Tacconelli's didn't start using its oven for pizza until the end of WWII. That thin-crust pizza is now so beloved that people from all over the city still flock to this out-of-the-way BYOB despite a number of inconveniences, including the suggestion to call ahead to reserve dough.

Stock's Bakery

Family-owned since it opened in 1924, this Port Richmond bakery makes a variety of sweets, but the Stock’s name is by now pretty synonymous with pound cake. In fact, around Christmas, the bakery may only offer pound cake, as the bakers scale up production for the busy season.

Three slices of pound cake laid out next to the rest of the cake.
Pound cake from Stock’s Bakery.
Stock’s/Facebook

Reading Terminal Market

There's no shortage of must-try foods within Reading Terminal Market, open since the 1890s. The sprawling market houses a mix of Philly icons, Pennsylvania Dutch classics, and new favorites. Hit up Beiler's for doughnuts, dig into DiNic's famous roast pork sandwiches, and grab a cone at Bassetts — founded in 1861, it’s America's oldest ice cream company.

A busy interior, including two people walking away from the camera down the aisle, several people sitting at a counter, many stalls, and lots of business signs reading Pearl’s Oyster Bar, Sang Kee Peking Duck, and more.
Stalls at Reading Terminal Market.
R. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia

McGillin's Olde Ale House

Irish pub McGillin's claims to be the oldest continuously operating tavern in Philadelphia, having opened its doors on narrow Drury Street in 1860. Today, this Center City bar is a popular venue from early to late and celebrates every holiday, big or small, with gusto — including themed drinks, food, and decor.

A dark pub full of patrons at wooden tables with windows and colorful string lights in the back.
The interior of McGillin’s Olde Ale House.
McGillin’s/Facebook

Dirty Frank's

Philly would be nothing without its dive bars and Dirty Frank's is a prime example, chugging along at 13th and Pine since 1933. Originally just called Frank's, and at one point misguidedly renamed 347 Bar, Dirty Frank's was a nickname that came along with the bar's second owner and stubbornly stuck. Thanks to cheap beer and Citywide specials (a shot and a beer), it’s a popular hangout for a wide variety of characters.

The exterior of the first floor of a building, centered on an open door at the corner and murals on the walls on both sides.
Dirty Frank’s.
Dirty Frank’s/Facebook

Ralph's Italian Restaurant

As the story goes, Ralph's originally opened in 1900 at 9th and Montrose before the Dispigno family made the short move to their current location in 1915. The restaurant remains in the family to this day, serving red gravy Italian American staples that have long been the backbone of the Italian Market neighborhood.

On a wooden table, several white dishes are partially visible, most holding different types of pasta including lasagna, penne with greens, and spaghetti with meatballs and red sauce.
A spread at Ralph’s Italian Restaurant.
Ralph’s/Facebook

Dante & Luigi's

Founded in 1899, Dante & Luigi's is a South Philly classic known for its Italian American food. It’s more upscale than its nearby competitors, with white tablecloths, chandeliers, and more formal service, but it’s never stuffy. The storied spot was the scene of an attempted mob hit in the late ’80s.

The interior of a restaurant with white tablecloths, a chandelier, wall sconces, and tall windows.
Dante & Luigi’s.
Dante & Luigi’s/Facebook

Sarcone's Bakery

The Sarcone name is omnipresent around Philly, as restaurants consider it a real selling point to serve hoagies or roast pork on Sarcone's bread. A trip to the 9th Street landmark, which sells a lot more than just bread and rolls, is always a good bet. The small bakery opens up early and closes by mid-afternoon or whenever it sells out (which can happen pretty quickly on weekends), so don't wait. Grab some tomato pie, pepperoni bread, or fresh loaves — it's all worthwhile.

Isgro Pastries

Thanks to Isgro Pastries, 10th and Christian is typically one of Philly's best-smelling intersections. Holding court since 1904, this tiny bakery fills up quickly on weekends with shoppers seeking out cannoli, butter cookies, rum cakes, torrone, and other Italian sweets.

Palizzi Social Club

Originally opened over a century ago, the private Palizzi Social Club long served cocktails and food in a South Philly row home to immigrants from Vasto, Italy, and their families. Several years ago, chef Joey Baldino — of essential restaurant Zeppoli in Collingswood — inherited the place from his uncle. Palizzi is still a members-only club, but Baldino broadened the criteria to allow more diners to enjoy spaghetti with crabs, calamari with peas, and escarole and beans in a charmingly retro space.

The backs of stools in all different colors lined up at a bar with a white-and-black-tiled floor.
Palizzi Social Club.
Jason Varney

Termini Brothers Bakery

One of South Philly's best-known and most beloved bakeries, Termini was established by its two namesake brothers in the 1920s. It’s all about the cannoli here. The shells are handmade and filled to order with vanilla cream, chocolate cream, or — the real deal — ricotta with chocolate chips.

Marra's

Since the 1920s — way before East Passyunk Avenue was the culinary hot spot that it is today — Marra’s has been turning out pizza and red-sauce Italian dishes. The neighborhood favorite is still owned and operated by the original family, and still uses the original brick oven designed and built by Salvatore Marra himself with bricks from Mount Vesuvius.

A post shared by Feeding Calvin (@feedingc) on

Nick's Old Original Roast Beef

Opened in 1938, the original South Philly Nick's is a perfectly cozy cave full of inexpensive beer, roast beef and turkey sandwiches, and can't-miss gravy fries.

Related Maps

Frangelli's Bakery

Family-owned Frangelli's has been around since 1947. The South Philly bakery sells much more than just doughnuts, but the doughnuts here are a must-try — particularly the indulgent Franolli, a doughnut sandwich filled with cannoli cream and chocolate chips.

Related Maps