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Tomato pie from Cacia’s Bakery in South Philly.
Maria Young/Eater

22 Restaurants Offering Philly’s Most Iconic Dishes

The best places for cheesesteaks, water ice, soft pretzels, and other iconic Philly foods

by Eater Staff Updated
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Tomato pie from Cacia’s Bakery in South Philly.
| Maria Young/Eater
by Eater Staff Updated

Everyone knows what you’re supposed to eat in Philadelphia: a cheesesteak, right? Of course. But there’s way more to Philly’s always-evolving food scene. The city’s most iconic dishes are rooted in Italian-American traditions, original Americana recipes, and the contributions of Philly’s many immigrant communities. Yes, get a cheesesteak or two — but this map highlights many more iconic Philly dishes everyone needs to try, from uniquely shaped soft pretzels and tomato pie to nationally known lamb barbacoa tacos.

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Wings at Cafe Soho

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In the moody dining room of Cafe Soho, lit by K-Pop videos, opt for double-fried wings or boneless, then choose from a menu of sauces ranging from classic soy garlic to sweet chile to spicy, and add an extra order of pickled daikon.

468 W Cheltenham Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19126
(215) 224-6800
(215) 224-6800

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Jerk Chicken at Jamaican D's Caribbean & American Restaurant

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It’s hard to pick a favorite here; Caribbean platters of jerk chicken, fried whiting, curry chicken, and oxtail are all to die for at this Chelten Avenue destination. Don’t be intimidated by the lines, which are just one more sign that Jamaican D’s is a beloved hotspot for some of the tastiest mac and cheese, collard greens, and plantains in the city.

1265 E Chelten Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19138
(215) 927-7415
(215) 927-7415

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Roast Duck at Sang Kee Peking Duck House

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The Chinatown spot that claims to have introduced Philly to Beijing duck (sometimes called Peking duck, as it is here) in the 1980s is still the place to go for the Chinese specialty. Sang Kee Peking Duck House’s roasted birds have a crisp mahogany skin and come with pancakes, steamed buns, scallions, and hoisin.

238 N 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 925-7532
(215) 925-7532

Empanadas at Jezabel’s

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No trip to Philadelphia is complete without a visit to Jezabel’s in West Philly, where chef Jezabel Careaga offers some of the best empanadas outside of her home region of northwest Argentina. Order an empanada pack with a mix of meat, vegetarian, and vegan fillings and enjoy them with the spicy sauce of the day. Go ahead and tack on some alfajores for dessert while you’re at it.

206-208 S 45th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 554-7380
(215) 554-7380

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Combo Platter at Abyssinia

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In West Philly, homey Ethiopian restaurant Abyssinia has convenient meat or vegetable platters that are perfect for sampling several dishes. Use the tangy injera to scoop up lentils, collard greens, spicy berbere chicken, and tender cubes of beef. Also in West Philly, Dahlak has been a reliable option for Eritrean and Ethiopian fare for decades.

229 S 45th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 387-2424
(215) 387-2424

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Scrapple at Down Home Diner

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Scrapple: It’s a Pennsylvania thing. The Pennsylvania Dutch breakfast staple combines pork scraps, cornmeal, and heavy seasoning into a loaf that gets sliced and pan-fried. Try it at Down Home Diner in the iconic Reading Terminal Market, either for breakfast or on top of a burger. You can also grab a side of scrapple at Dutch Eating Place, another Reading Terminal classic.

Reading Terminal Market, 51 N 12th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 627-1955
(215) 627-1955

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Ice Cream at Bassetts Ice Cream

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Bassets has been making ice cream in Philadelphia since 1861, and packing pints out of a Reading Terminal location since the market’s debut in 1893. Unlike other ice cream companies who have chosen to modernize with endless riffing, this family-run creamery keeps its mix-ins simple. A straightforward lineup of flavors ranges from chocolate chip and French vanilla to throwback scoops like rum raisin and butter pecan.

45 N 12th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 925-4315
(215) 925-4315

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Oysters at Oyster House

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For the last three generations, the Mink family has been in the oyster business. The current Center City location of Oyster House, which has been around since the 1940s, is polished, modern, and known for its happy hour. All of the seafood is served within 24 hours of being taken out of the water.

1516 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 567-7683
(215) 567-7683

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Lamb Shoulder at Zahav

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As a nationally renowned restaurant that’s been part of the charge for exceptional Israeli food in America, Zahav is a major point of Philly pride. The lamb, braised in pomegranate molasses and strewn with chickpeas, is one of the restaurant’s signature dishes.

237 St James Pl, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 625-8800
(215) 625-8800

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Cheesesteak at Angelo's Pizzeria

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There’s plenty of debate about where to eat a cheesesteak, but the point is simple: Eat one. There is no more iconic food in this city than the cheesesteak — the rest of the world calls it a Philly cheesesteak for good reason. In South Philly, Angelo’s version is a showstopper. The key factors are a fresh, locally baked roll; flavorful (if moderately greasy) meat; Cheez Whiz (or American); and optional sauteed onions. For a bright twist on the formula, try the cheesesteak torta with serranos, chipotle mustard, and fresh pico de gallo at Mexican favorite Café y Chocolate, also in South Philly.

736 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 922-0000
(215) 922-0000

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Square Pizza at Santucci’s (multiple locations)

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The square pie from Santucci’s has been a local favorite for many years, starting in the 1950s in Northeast Philly. It’s currently available at several spots throughout Philly and beyond. The pizza is well-charred in cast-iron pans and piled with “upside-down” toppings, meaning the sauce is on top.

901 S 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 825-5304
(215) 825-5304

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Water Ice at John's Water Ice

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While Philly has many places to get good water ice, John’s in Bella Vista is a longstanding favorite. The cold treat is made with only water, fruit, and sugar, just like when the South Philly takeout shop opened in 1945.

701 Christian St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 925-6955
(215) 925-6955

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Meatballs and Gravy at Villa Di Roma

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Villa Di Roma, a retro Italian Market stalwart, is beloved for many reasons, not least of which is its famous meatballs and gravy (otherwise known as red sauce). Get them over spaghetti, atop ravioli, on a sandwich at lunch, even to grab and go and pass off as homemade — just get them.

936 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 592-1295
(215) 592-1295

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Soft Pretzel at Center City Pretzel

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A true Philadelphian will tell you all about how soft pretzels were considered a basic food group growing up, how guys at every intersection sold them in brown paper bags, and how they used to be much cheaper. The intersection guys are mostly gone and the prices have gone up, but pretzels are still part of the standard diet here. A good Philly soft pretzel is uniquely elongated into the shape of a paper clip, baked to a rich, golden-brown with an almost crunchy outside and a doughy-soft middle. Center City Pretzel opens its bakery doors at 6 a.m. most days to serve the hungry masses and get wholesale orders out the door. For more than three decades, this bakery has been going strong, making its pretzels from just the basic ingredients: flour, yeast, water, and that crunchy salt on top.

816 Washington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 463-5664
(215) 463-5664

Vietnamese Hoagie at Ba Le Bakery

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In the rest of the country, this baguette sandwich filled with pate, butter, pickled veggies, and other goodies is known as a banh mi, but in Philly it’s commonly referred to as a Vietnamese hoagie because, well, welcome to Philly. Ba Le has been at it since 1998 and offers extensive filling combinations from grilled pork to spicy sardine to a couple of vegan options.

606 Washington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 389-4350
(215) 389-4350

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Tacos at South Philly Barbacoa

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Cristina Martinez’s lamb barbacoa tacos regularly draw national attention to this casual Italian Market eatery. The lamb is marinated and cooked overnight before tender chunks, chopped to order, are served on house-made tortillas. South Philly Barbacoa is open incredibly limited hours so prepare for a wait.

1149 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 694-3797
(215) 694-3797

Pho at Pho Saigon

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There are two Pho Saigon locations in Philly — one in the Northeast on Bustleton Avenue and the other in a shopping center right by the entrance to I-95. Either destination will hit the spot with one of Philly’s most revered dishes: a rich, hot bowl of pho, topped with all the necessary herbs and stewed in a lovely bowl of broth. Are you a morning pho kind of person? You can get Pho Saigon’s famous noodle soup starting at 9 a.m.

1100 S Christopher Columbus Blvd #22, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(267) 773-7305
(267) 773-7305

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Cannoli at Termini Brothers Bakery (multiple locations)

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South Philly is known for its picture-perfect family-run Italian bakeries, spilling over with sweets like torrone, lobster tails, zeppoli, and cannoli. One must-try spot is the century-old Termini Brothers Bakery, whose cannoli are integral to the Philly experience.

1523 S 8th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 334-1816
(215) 334-1816

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Gudeg Jackfruit Stew at Hardena

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This unassuming South Philly corner spot has been serving incredible Indonesian food for the past 20-plus years. Visit Hardena on any given day for savory stews like fish in yellow curry and tender braised beef rendang, but it's the vegan gudeg jackfruit stew that has the most devoted fans. The stew is unctuous and rich and unlike anything else you can get in Philly. Don’t skimp on the house-made sambal.

1754 S Hicks St #2217, Philadelphia, PA 19145
(215) 271-9442
(215) 271-9442
illustration with fluffy rice, tempeh and tofu, stewed jackfruit, and sambal.
The gudeg jackfruit stew at Hardena.
Fabiola Lara/Eater Philly

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Roast Beef Sandwich at Old Original Nick’s Roast Beef (multiple locations)

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Grab extra napkins because this sandwich, stacked densely with thick-sliced roast beef drowning in its own intense beef gravy, is messy. The kaiser roll soaking up some of the juice is one of the best parts of the well-loved South Philly sandwich.

2149 S 20th St, Philadelphia, PA 19145
(215) 463-4114
(215) 463-4114

Also featured in:

Roast Pork Sandwich at John's Roast Pork

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Philadelphia may be best known for cheesesteaks, but locals know a little secret: Get the roast pork instead. The no-frills John’s Roast Pork in South Philly has been perfecting the sandwich since 1930, even earning a James Beard Award as an American classic. And if you must have a cheesesteak too, this is an excellent place to get one.

14 Snyder Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 463-1951
(215) 463-1951

Also featured in:

Tomato Pie at Cacia's Bakery

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Depending on geography, the words tomato pie mean different things. In Philadelphia, it’s a stripped-down take on pizza — Italian bakery-made dough, tomato sauce, and, depending on who’s asking, a pit of cheese. With a vibrant, lightly sweet tomato sauce and soft crust, Cacia’s textbook tomato pie comes by the rectangular slice, alongside another Philly original: the pizzaz pie, topped with banana peppers, sliced tomatoes, and American cheese.

1526 W Ritner St, Philadelphia, PA 19145
(215) 334-1340
(215) 334-1340

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Wings at Cafe Soho

468 W Cheltenham Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19126

In the moody dining room of Cafe Soho, lit by K-Pop videos, opt for double-fried wings or boneless, then choose from a menu of sauces ranging from classic soy garlic to sweet chile to spicy, and add an extra order of pickled daikon.

468 W Cheltenham Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19126
(215) 224-6800
(215) 224-6800

Jerk Chicken at Jamaican D's Caribbean & American Restaurant

1265 E Chelten Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19138

It’s hard to pick a favorite here; Caribbean platters of jerk chicken, fried whiting, curry chicken, and oxtail are all to die for at this Chelten Avenue destination. Don’t be intimidated by the lines, which are just one more sign that Jamaican D’s is a beloved hotspot for some of the tastiest mac and cheese, collard greens, and plantains in the city.

1265 E Chelten Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19138
(215) 927-7415
(215) 927-7415

Roast Duck at Sang Kee Peking Duck House

238 N 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

The Chinatown spot that claims to have introduced Philly to Beijing duck (sometimes called Peking duck, as it is here) in the 1980s is still the place to go for the Chinese specialty. Sang Kee Peking Duck House’s roasted birds have a crisp mahogany skin and come with pancakes, steamed buns, scallions, and hoisin.

238 N 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 925-7532
(215) 925-7532

Empanadas at Jezabel’s

206-208 S 45th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104

No trip to Philadelphia is complete without a visit to Jezabel’s in West Philly, where chef Jezabel Careaga offers some of the best empanadas outside of her home region of northwest Argentina. Order an empanada pack with a mix of meat, vegetarian, and vegan fillings and enjoy them with the spicy sauce of the day. Go ahead and tack on some alfajores for dessert while you’re at it.

206-208 S 45th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 554-7380
(215) 554-7380

Combo Platter at Abyssinia

229 S 45th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104

In West Philly, homey Ethiopian restaurant Abyssinia has convenient meat or vegetable platters that are perfect for sampling several dishes. Use the tangy injera to scoop up lentils, collard greens, spicy berbere chicken, and tender cubes of beef. Also in West Philly, Dahlak has been a reliable option for Eritrean and Ethiopian fare for decades.

229 S 45th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 387-2424
(215) 387-2424

Scrapple at Down Home Diner

Reading Terminal Market, 51 N 12th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Scrapple: It’s a Pennsylvania thing. The Pennsylvania Dutch breakfast staple combines pork scraps, cornmeal, and heavy seasoning into a loaf that gets sliced and pan-fried. Try it at Down Home Diner in the iconic Reading Terminal Market, either for breakfast or on top of a burger. You can also grab a side of scrapple at Dutch Eating Place, another Reading Terminal classic.

Reading Terminal Market, 51 N 12th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 627-1955
(215) 627-1955

Ice Cream at Bassetts Ice Cream

45 N 12th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Bassets has been making ice cream in Philadelphia since 1861, and packing pints out of a Reading Terminal location since the market’s debut in 1893. Unlike other ice cream companies who have chosen to modernize with endless riffing, this family-run creamery keeps its mix-ins simple. A straightforward lineup of flavors ranges from chocolate chip and French vanilla to throwback scoops like rum raisin and butter pecan.

45 N 12th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 925-4315
(215) 925-4315

Oysters at Oyster House

1516 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19102

For the last three generations, the Mink family has been in the oyster business. The current Center City location of Oyster House, which has been around since the 1940s, is polished, modern, and known for its happy hour. All of the seafood is served within 24 hours of being taken out of the water.

1516 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 567-7683
(215) 567-7683

Lamb Shoulder at Zahav

237 St James Pl, Philadelphia, PA 19106

As a nationally renowned restaurant that’s been part of the charge for exceptional Israeli food in America, Zahav is a major point of Philly pride. The lamb, braised in pomegranate molasses and strewn with chickpeas, is one of the restaurant’s signature dishes.

237 St James Pl, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 625-8800
(215) 625-8800

Cheesesteak at Angelo's Pizzeria

736 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

There’s plenty of debate about where to eat a cheesesteak, but the point is simple: Eat one. There is no more iconic food in this city than the cheesesteak — the rest of the world calls it a Philly cheesesteak for good reason. In South Philly, Angelo’s version is a showstopper. The key factors are a fresh, locally baked roll; flavorful (if moderately greasy) meat; Cheez Whiz (or American); and optional sauteed onions. For a bright twist on the formula, try the cheesesteak torta with serranos, chipotle mustard, and fresh pico de gallo at Mexican favorite Café y Chocolate, also in South Philly.

736 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 922-0000
(215) 922-0000

Square Pizza at Santucci’s (multiple locations)

901 S 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

The square pie from Santucci’s has been a local favorite for many years, starting in the 1950s in Northeast Philly. It’s currently available at several spots throughout Philly and beyond. The pizza is well-charred in cast-iron pans and piled with “upside-down” toppings, meaning the sauce is on top.

901 S 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 825-5304
(215) 825-5304

Water Ice at John's Water Ice

701 Christian St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

While Philly has many places to get good water ice, John’s in Bella Vista is a longstanding favorite. The cold treat is made with only water, fruit, and sugar, just like when the South Philly takeout shop opened in 1945.

701 Christian St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 925-6955
(215) 925-6955

Meatballs and Gravy at Villa Di Roma

936 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Villa Di Roma, a retro Italian Market stalwart, is beloved for many reasons, not least of which is its famous meatballs and gravy (otherwise known as red sauce). Get them over spaghetti, atop ravioli, on a sandwich at lunch, even to grab and go and pass off as homemade — just get them.

936 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 592-1295
(215) 592-1295

Soft Pretzel at Center City Pretzel

816 Washington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147

A true Philadelphian will tell you all about how soft pretzels were considered a basic food group growing up, how guys at every intersection sold them in brown paper bags, and how they used to be much cheaper. The intersection guys are mostly gone and the prices have gone up, but pretzels are still part of the standard diet here. A good Philly soft pretzel is uniquely elongated into the shape of a paper clip, baked to a rich, golden-brown with an almost crunchy outside and a doughy-soft middle. Center City Pretzel opens its bakery doors at 6 a.m. most days to serve the hungry masses and get wholesale orders out the door. For more than three decades, this bakery has been going strong, making its pretzels from just the basic ingredients: flour, yeast, water, and that crunchy salt on top.

816 Washington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 463-5664
(215) 463-5664

Vietnamese Hoagie at Ba Le Bakery

606 Washington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147

In the rest of the country, this baguette sandwich filled with pate, butter, pickled veggies, and other goodies is known as a banh mi, but in Philly it’s commonly referred to as a Vietnamese hoagie because, well, welcome to Philly. Ba Le has been at it since 1998 and offers extensive filling combinations from grilled pork to spicy sardine to a couple of vegan options.

606 Washington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 389-4350
(215) 389-4350

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Tacos at South Philly Barbacoa

1149 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Cristina Martinez’s lamb barbacoa tacos regularly draw national attention to this casual Italian Market eatery. The lamb is marinated and cooked overnight before tender chunks, chopped to order, are served on house-made tortillas. South Philly Barbacoa is open incredibly limited hours so prepare for a wait.

1149 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 694-3797
(215) 694-3797

Pho at Pho Saigon

1100 S Christopher Columbus Blvd #22, Philadelphia, PA 19147

There are two Pho Saigon locations in Philly — one in the Northeast on Bustleton Avenue and the other in a shopping center right by the entrance to I-95. Either destination will hit the spot with one of Philly’s most revered dishes: a rich, hot bowl of pho, topped with all the necessary herbs and stewed in a lovely bowl of broth. Are you a morning pho kind of person? You can get Pho Saigon’s famous noodle soup starting at 9 a.m.

1100 S Christopher Columbus Blvd #22, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(267) 773-7305
(267) 773-7305

Cannoli at Termini Brothers Bakery (multiple locations)

1523 S 8th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

South Philly is known for its picture-perfect family-run Italian bakeries, spilling over with sweets like torrone, lobster tails, zeppoli, and cannoli. One must-try spot is the century-old Termini Brothers Bakery, whose cannoli are integral to the Philly experience.

1523 S 8th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 334-1816
(215) 334-1816

Gudeg Jackfruit Stew at Hardena

1754 S Hicks St #2217, Philadelphia, PA 19145

This unassuming South Philly corner spot has been serving incredible Indonesian food for the past 20-plus years. Visit Hardena on any given day for savory stews like fish in yellow curry and tender braised beef rendang, but it's the vegan gudeg jackfruit stew that has the most devoted fans. The stew is unctuous and rich and unlike anything else you can get in Philly. Don’t skimp on the house-made sambal.

1754 S Hicks St #2217, Philadelphia, PA 19145
(215) 271-9442
(215) 271-9442
illustration with fluffy rice, tempeh and tofu, stewed jackfruit, and sambal.
The gudeg jackfruit stew at Hardena.
Fabiola Lara/Eater Philly

Roast Beef Sandwich at Old Original Nick’s Roast Beef (multiple locations)

2149 S 20th St, Philadelphia, PA 19145

Grab extra napkins because this sandwich, stacked densely with thick-sliced roast beef drowning in its own intense beef gravy, is messy. The kaiser roll soaking up some of the juice is one of the best parts of the well-loved South Philly sandwich.

2149 S 20th St, Philadelphia, PA 19145
(215) 463-4114
(215) 463-4114

Roast Pork Sandwich at John's Roast Pork

14 Snyder Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148

Philadelphia may be best known for cheesesteaks, but locals know a little secret: Get the roast pork instead. The no-frills John’s Roast Pork in South Philly has been perfecting the sandwich since 1930, even earning a James Beard Award as an American classic. And if you must have a cheesesteak too, this is an excellent place to get one.

14 Snyder Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 463-1951
(215) 463-1951

Tomato Pie at Cacia's Bakery

1526 W Ritner St, Philadelphia, PA 19145

Depending on geography, the words tomato pie mean different things. In Philadelphia, it’s a stripped-down take on pizza — Italian bakery-made dough, tomato sauce, and, depending on who’s asking, a pit of cheese. With a vibrant, lightly sweet tomato sauce and soft crust, Cacia’s textbook tomato pie comes by the rectangular slice, alongside another Philly original: the pizzaz pie, topped with banana peppers, sliced tomatoes, and American cheese.

1526 W Ritner St, Philadelphia, PA 19145
(215) 334-1340
(215) 334-1340

Related Maps