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Tours in Philadelphia |
This small sample of Philadelphia best restaurants is divided into five categories: Gastronomic, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations. These categories serve as guidelines rather than absolute definitions of the establishments. Dollar symbols can be interpreted as follows:
$$$$ (over US$75)
$$$ (US$60 to US$75)
$$ (US$35 to US$60)
$ (up to US$35)
These prices are for a three-course meal for one and the equivalent of a half-bottle of wine. The sales tax of 7% is not included. Sometimes a gratuity (usually 15%) is added to the bill. If not, a tip of 15-20% for service is customary.
Gastronomic
Barclay Prime
This Valhalla for carnivores is located in an historic building that was once Barclay Hotel. Panelled walls, soft lighting and crystal chandeliers add to its attractiveness. Thickly upholstered white leather chairs and blue couches that surround its marble tables make it comfortable. Service and presentation are excellent, but the draw is the food - any kind of meat is delicious, but the Kobe steaks are outstanding. Diners are even given a choice of steak knives for slicing them. The Kobe sliders (mini hamburgers) are a very tasty appetiser. If, by chance, the guest is not a red meat fancier, he will not be disappointed in any of the seafood or fish offerings. Reservations essential.
237 South 18th Street
Tel: (215) 732 7560.
Website: www.barclayprime.com
Price: $$$$
Brasserie Perrier
Celebrated chef Georges Perrier owns this smart little place in the social heart of town, as well as its grander cousin down the street - the internationally renowned Le Bec-Fin. The Brasserie Perrier is a more informal, but still splendid, version of such fine dining - for those with less deep pockets. Monsieur Perrier is often on hand as co-owner, and executive chef Chris Scarduzio creates French cuisine with Italian or Asian influences. The interior is charming and the atmosphere lively. The four-star and four-diamond award-winning restaurant has a seasonably changing menu.
1619 Walnut Street
Tel: (215) 568 3000.
Website: www.georgesperriergroup.com
Price: $$$
Le Bec-Fin, 1523 Walnut Street
Tel: (215) 567 1000.
Website: www.georgesperriergroup.com
Price: $$$$
Buddakan
One of Philadelphia's top temples to food, this handsome, calm, two-level room, with white furnishings, is presided over by an urbane Buddha. The food is very fashionable pan-Asian, such as the wasabi tuna pizza, the signature chicken-and-ginger dumplings and the seared Kobe beef carpaccio. Main courses are slightly more unusual, such as roast chicken with a ponzu brown butter sauce and golden Buddha buns. However, all the dishes are exquisite (delicious and well-presented) and the plentiful portions are designed to be shared. Reservations are essential.
325 Chestnut Street
Tel: (215) 574 9440.
Website: www.buddakan.com
Price: $$$
Lacroix
The setting is lovely - a long, narrow dining room with earthy tones, minimalist décor and large windows that overlook Rittenhouse Square. Here chef Jean-Marie Lacroix dazzles diners with gamy selections and fish dishes on a creative degustation bill of fare that allows guests to mix and match from any part of the menu. ‘Superb' best describes the food, service and the wine list that boasts a cast of 500.
210 West Rittenhouse Square
Tel: (215) 790 2533.
Website: www.lacroixrestaurant.com
Price: $$$$
Business
Fork
This fashionable establishment incorporates some theatrical design features (huge lampshades, high banquettes and open kitchen) but still manages a welcoming ambience. Located on the city's main street in the historic area, this American bistro-style restaurant serves up the freshest local produce possible. Creative cocktails such as Fork Cosmopolitan and the Fork Lift (Absolut Currant with pomegranate juice) or one of the fine selections of wine by the glass are a good beginning. The menu changes frequently, but hanger steak, some sort of whole fish and tasty seafood are always in residence. Home-baked desserts are stellar. The restaurant's new, next door expansion includes Fork, etc. and a gourmet take-out shop.
306 Market Street
Tel: (215) 625 9425.
Website: www.forkrestaurant.com
Price: $$
The Grill
Just off the white marble foyer of The Ritz-Carlton, The Grill is a long room with handsome antique-style furnishings, deep carpets, an open kitchen and an old established feel. The menu changes seasonally or bi-seasonally as Chef Kevin Sbraga creates what he calls ‘refined American food' - offerings like pan-seared scallops with foie gras or a cowboy steak. His unique presentation is a sight to behold.
The Ritz-Carlton, 10 Avenue of the Arts
Tel: (215) 523 8000.
Website: www.ritzcarlton.com
Price: $$$$
Striped Bass
Chic and impressive. With high ceilings, tall windows and a marble and bronze foyer, the venerable old bank turned extraordinary dining room has a huge bronze fish sculpture over its open kitchen. When luminary local restaurateur Stephan Starr took over, he made cosmetic (deep brown wood, chairs and banquettes) and menu changes. Though superb seafood still rules, there are other interesting flavour combinations and choices like Philadelphia ‘cheese skate' - braised short ribs with hot sauce mushrooms and caramelised onions.
1500 Walnut Street
Tel: (215) 732 4444.
Website: www.stripedbassrestaurant.com
Price: $$$$
Trendy
Bleu
This smart South Side restaurant offers casual dining in a modern, modish setting, with views of the verdant Rittenhouse Square from its windows or its pavement terrace. The American food is light yet satisfying, especially the unctuous bacon burger - with delicious fries and blue cheese, of course. Star desserts as well.
227 South 18th Street
Tel: (215) 545 0342.
Price: $$$
Continental Mid-Town
Funky and lively, this casual, 1950s-styled, Center City restaurant is popular with everyone. Coloured glass balls hang from the middle of the multi-level ceiling to its main floor; circular banquettes occupy its centre section. The rear wall bar, which features an array of martinis and imported beers, stretches the width of the room. Smoky mirrors decorate the wall to the second level where wicker chair swings hang from the ceiling. With an eclectic sampling of Thai, Mexican, Jamaican and American, with some other countries thrown in for good measure, the menu bills itself as ‘global tapas.' Any of the friendly staff will be happy to make personal recommendations, but try the barbecue chicken quesadillas. They are awesome. Open for lunch and dinner.
1801 Chestnut Street
Tel: (215) 567 1800.
Website: www.continentalmidtown.com
Price: $$
Paradigm
Simple colours and smart, economic design accent this downtown venue with its semi-circular bar, round tables, natural wood floors and outside terrace. As for the food, it is modern fare, such as grilled ostrich, served with roasted garlic, mashed potatoes and a raspberry demi-glace, or rosemary roasted chicken, served with grilled seasonal vegetables. They also do excellent salads. Desserts tend to be rich but delicious, like the signature Godiva soup, a combination of chocolate, pistachios, hazelnuts and vanilla ice cream. Diners should be careful to lock the unusual toilet doors - otherwise the glass is see-through!
239 Chestnut Street
Tel: (215) 238 6900.
Website: www.paradigmrestaurant.com
Price: $$
Tangerine
This very much ‘in' place is always crowded. It has a wildly colourful nightclub-style design (varying from mod to Moorish), dim lighting and loud music. Executive chef Todd Fuller seeks out flavours from Paris to Tangier to creative unique fare like marinated Manchego cheese and shrimp and scallops Afrique. However, the food is exotic and inventive, sometimes even excessive. Take the Lobster Trio for example - poached with lettuce and asparagus, a roasted tail with a coriander-orange reduction, and tempura claws with ponzu red snapper.
232 Market Street
Tel: (215) 627 5116.
Website: www.tangerinerestaurant.com
Price: $$$$
Budget
Pat's King of Steaks
One of the city's specialities is cheese steak and the best place to find it is Pat's King of Steaks, an outfit run by the same family since it opened in 1930. Located in South Philadelphia, near the Italian Market, Pat's is the local eating place for these sandwiches packed with flaked steak and slices of cheese. Pat's is the original, open 24 hours a day, and is good for groups as it has tables outside in summer; but a viable alternative is Jim's Steaks, 400 South Street (tel: (215) 928 1911; website: www.jimssteaks.com).
1237 East Passyunk Avenue, at South Ninth Street and Wharton Street
Tel: (215) 468 1546.
Website: www.patskingofsteaks.com
Price: $. Unlicensed.
Pietro's Coal Oven Pizzeria
This might not be as familiar a method of pizza baking as the old wood-fired brick oven, however, this family business has been baking pizzas this way for 60 years - and they are just as delicious. The pizzas, which are very reasonably priced, come with a vast choice of toppings, but there are many Italian salads and pasta dishes too. It is a good venue for groups and families.
1714 Walnut Street
Tel: (215) 735 8090.
Website: www.pietrospizza.com
Price: $
Branch:
121-123 South Street
Tel: (215) 733 0675.
Rangoon
Situated in the Chinese section just off Arch Street, a short walk from the Conference Center, the green façade of Rangoon is easy to spot. As the name suggests, Burmese specialities (spinach salad, chilli shrimp and thousand-layer bread with potato curry dip) predominate here. Owned and run by three Burmese women, this restaurant, with its simple interior, is a favourite with locals in search of exotic Asian food, such as beef mint kebab and curried fish cakes.
112 North Ninth Street
Tel: (215) 829 8939.
Website: www.phillychinatown.com/rangoon.htm
Price: $
Personal Recommendations
Friday Saturday Sunday
It is over 30 years since this charming place opened. Except for the newly painted 18m (60ft) wall mural, almost everything is original, from the chains of twinkling lights to the mirrors. Situated in an old brick house on a leafy street, it is a favourite with locals. The food is simple, fresh and classic (filet mignon, rack of lamb, crab cakes), although there is also nouvelle cuisine such as tilapia with lime sauce and tequila and a salmon with a preparation that changes daily.
261 South 21st Street
Tel: (215) 546 4232.
Website: www.frisatsun.com
Price: $$
Joseph Poon's Asian Fusion
A small, charmingly eccentric restaurant right in Chinatown, close to Midtown's Conference Center. This star venue for Oriental food features a fabulous range of delicious dishes, such as Peking duck taco, sea scallop, shrimp, escargot stuffed with spinach, roasted garlic, scallion and ginger in filo dough, crispy Cajun salmon and spinach chips with parmesan in wasabi soy dip and essence of tangy garlic chili. The very friendly Joe Poon himself is usually on hand to help diners choose dishes and to answer questions about his lively and imaginative approach to fusion cooking.
1010 Cherry Street
Tel: (215) 928 9333.
Website: www.josephpoon.com
Price: $$
Matyson
Located in a residential area just off Rittenhouse Square, this unassuming and friendly bistro is a favourite with the locals. It is one of the numerous ‘bring your own bottle' restaurants that are so popular in the Philadelphia area. The place can get a bit noisy, but the staff is friendly and the food delicious. A nice selection of seafood, beef, fish and some fabulous chocolate dessert is always on the changing menu.
37 South 19th Street, between Market and Chestnut
Tel: (215) 564 2925.
Website: www.matyson.com
Price: $$. Wine: BYO (free corkage).
Tria
A long, narrow room accented in earthy tones is the setting for this casual and friendly venue in the Rittenhouse Square area. It is the venue to find out-of-the-ordinary wines, beers and cheeses (the tria) at reasonable prices. They do a good job of it, too. Small plate items rule here and all are priced under US$10. Also offered are interesting salads like greens with figs, gorgonzola and pine nuts, sandwiches such as salmon with tomato mushroom, caramelised onion and chive vignette and bruschettas. Try the yummy truffled mushroom with Fontina. Let your waiter suggest an interesting beer or wine to accompany your choice.
123 South 18th Street
Tel: (215) 972 8742.
Website: www.triacafe.com
Price: $$
$$$$ (over US$75)
$$$ (US$60 to US$75)
$$ (US$35 to US$60)
$ (up to US$35)
These prices are for a three-course meal for one and the equivalent of a half-bottle of wine. The sales tax of 7% is not included. Sometimes a gratuity (usually 15%) is added to the bill. If not, a tip of 15-20% for service is customary.
Gastronomic
Barclay Prime
This Valhalla for carnivores is located in an historic building that was once Barclay Hotel. Panelled walls, soft lighting and crystal chandeliers add to its attractiveness. Thickly upholstered white leather chairs and blue couches that surround its marble tables make it comfortable. Service and presentation are excellent, but the draw is the food - any kind of meat is delicious, but the Kobe steaks are outstanding. Diners are even given a choice of steak knives for slicing them. The Kobe sliders (mini hamburgers) are a very tasty appetiser. If, by chance, the guest is not a red meat fancier, he will not be disappointed in any of the seafood or fish offerings. Reservations essential.
237 South 18th Street
Tel: (215) 732 7560.
Website: www.barclayprime.com
Price: $$$$
Brasserie Perrier
Celebrated chef Georges Perrier owns this smart little place in the social heart of town, as well as its grander cousin down the street - the internationally renowned Le Bec-Fin. The Brasserie Perrier is a more informal, but still splendid, version of such fine dining - for those with less deep pockets. Monsieur Perrier is often on hand as co-owner, and executive chef Chris Scarduzio creates French cuisine with Italian or Asian influences. The interior is charming and the atmosphere lively. The four-star and four-diamond award-winning restaurant has a seasonably changing menu.
1619 Walnut Street
Tel: (215) 568 3000.
Website: www.georgesperriergroup.com
Price: $$$
Le Bec-Fin, 1523 Walnut Street
Tel: (215) 567 1000.
Website: www.georgesperriergroup.com
Price: $$$$
Buddakan
One of Philadelphia's top temples to food, this handsome, calm, two-level room, with white furnishings, is presided over by an urbane Buddha. The food is very fashionable pan-Asian, such as the wasabi tuna pizza, the signature chicken-and-ginger dumplings and the seared Kobe beef carpaccio. Main courses are slightly more unusual, such as roast chicken with a ponzu brown butter sauce and golden Buddha buns. However, all the dishes are exquisite (delicious and well-presented) and the plentiful portions are designed to be shared. Reservations are essential.
325 Chestnut Street
Tel: (215) 574 9440.
Website: www.buddakan.com
Price: $$$
Lacroix
The setting is lovely - a long, narrow dining room with earthy tones, minimalist décor and large windows that overlook Rittenhouse Square. Here chef Jean-Marie Lacroix dazzles diners with gamy selections and fish dishes on a creative degustation bill of fare that allows guests to mix and match from any part of the menu. ‘Superb' best describes the food, service and the wine list that boasts a cast of 500.
210 West Rittenhouse Square
Tel: (215) 790 2533.
Website: www.lacroixrestaurant.com
Price: $$$$
Business
Fork
This fashionable establishment incorporates some theatrical design features (huge lampshades, high banquettes and open kitchen) but still manages a welcoming ambience. Located on the city's main street in the historic area, this American bistro-style restaurant serves up the freshest local produce possible. Creative cocktails such as Fork Cosmopolitan and the Fork Lift (Absolut Currant with pomegranate juice) or one of the fine selections of wine by the glass are a good beginning. The menu changes frequently, but hanger steak, some sort of whole fish and tasty seafood are always in residence. Home-baked desserts are stellar. The restaurant's new, next door expansion includes Fork, etc. and a gourmet take-out shop.
306 Market Street
Tel: (215) 625 9425.
Website: www.forkrestaurant.com
Price: $$
The Grill
Just off the white marble foyer of The Ritz-Carlton, The Grill is a long room with handsome antique-style furnishings, deep carpets, an open kitchen and an old established feel. The menu changes seasonally or bi-seasonally as Chef Kevin Sbraga creates what he calls ‘refined American food' - offerings like pan-seared scallops with foie gras or a cowboy steak. His unique presentation is a sight to behold.
The Ritz-Carlton, 10 Avenue of the Arts
Tel: (215) 523 8000.
Website: www.ritzcarlton.com
Price: $$$$
Striped Bass
Chic and impressive. With high ceilings, tall windows and a marble and bronze foyer, the venerable old bank turned extraordinary dining room has a huge bronze fish sculpture over its open kitchen. When luminary local restaurateur Stephan Starr took over, he made cosmetic (deep brown wood, chairs and banquettes) and menu changes. Though superb seafood still rules, there are other interesting flavour combinations and choices like Philadelphia ‘cheese skate' - braised short ribs with hot sauce mushrooms and caramelised onions.
1500 Walnut Street
Tel: (215) 732 4444.
Website: www.stripedbassrestaurant.com
Price: $$$$
Trendy
Bleu
This smart South Side restaurant offers casual dining in a modern, modish setting, with views of the verdant Rittenhouse Square from its windows or its pavement terrace. The American food is light yet satisfying, especially the unctuous bacon burger - with delicious fries and blue cheese, of course. Star desserts as well.
227 South 18th Street
Tel: (215) 545 0342.
Price: $$$
Continental Mid-Town
Funky and lively, this casual, 1950s-styled, Center City restaurant is popular with everyone. Coloured glass balls hang from the middle of the multi-level ceiling to its main floor; circular banquettes occupy its centre section. The rear wall bar, which features an array of martinis and imported beers, stretches the width of the room. Smoky mirrors decorate the wall to the second level where wicker chair swings hang from the ceiling. With an eclectic sampling of Thai, Mexican, Jamaican and American, with some other countries thrown in for good measure, the menu bills itself as ‘global tapas.' Any of the friendly staff will be happy to make personal recommendations, but try the barbecue chicken quesadillas. They are awesome. Open for lunch and dinner.
1801 Chestnut Street
Tel: (215) 567 1800.
Website: www.continentalmidtown.com
Price: $$
Paradigm
Simple colours and smart, economic design accent this downtown venue with its semi-circular bar, round tables, natural wood floors and outside terrace. As for the food, it is modern fare, such as grilled ostrich, served with roasted garlic, mashed potatoes and a raspberry demi-glace, or rosemary roasted chicken, served with grilled seasonal vegetables. They also do excellent salads. Desserts tend to be rich but delicious, like the signature Godiva soup, a combination of chocolate, pistachios, hazelnuts and vanilla ice cream. Diners should be careful to lock the unusual toilet doors - otherwise the glass is see-through!
239 Chestnut Street
Tel: (215) 238 6900.
Website: www.paradigmrestaurant.com
Price: $$
Tangerine
This very much ‘in' place is always crowded. It has a wildly colourful nightclub-style design (varying from mod to Moorish), dim lighting and loud music. Executive chef Todd Fuller seeks out flavours from Paris to Tangier to creative unique fare like marinated Manchego cheese and shrimp and scallops Afrique. However, the food is exotic and inventive, sometimes even excessive. Take the Lobster Trio for example - poached with lettuce and asparagus, a roasted tail with a coriander-orange reduction, and tempura claws with ponzu red snapper.
232 Market Street
Tel: (215) 627 5116.
Website: www.tangerinerestaurant.com
Price: $$$$
Budget
Pat's King of Steaks
One of the city's specialities is cheese steak and the best place to find it is Pat's King of Steaks, an outfit run by the same family since it opened in 1930. Located in South Philadelphia, near the Italian Market, Pat's is the local eating place for these sandwiches packed with flaked steak and slices of cheese. Pat's is the original, open 24 hours a day, and is good for groups as it has tables outside in summer; but a viable alternative is Jim's Steaks, 400 South Street (tel: (215) 928 1911; website: www.jimssteaks.com).
1237 East Passyunk Avenue, at South Ninth Street and Wharton Street
Tel: (215) 468 1546.
Website: www.patskingofsteaks.com
Price: $. Unlicensed.
Pietro's Coal Oven Pizzeria
This might not be as familiar a method of pizza baking as the old wood-fired brick oven, however, this family business has been baking pizzas this way for 60 years - and they are just as delicious. The pizzas, which are very reasonably priced, come with a vast choice of toppings, but there are many Italian salads and pasta dishes too. It is a good venue for groups and families.
1714 Walnut Street
Tel: (215) 735 8090.
Website: www.pietrospizza.com
Price: $
Branch:
121-123 South Street
Tel: (215) 733 0675.
Rangoon
Situated in the Chinese section just off Arch Street, a short walk from the Conference Center, the green façade of Rangoon is easy to spot. As the name suggests, Burmese specialities (spinach salad, chilli shrimp and thousand-layer bread with potato curry dip) predominate here. Owned and run by three Burmese women, this restaurant, with its simple interior, is a favourite with locals in search of exotic Asian food, such as beef mint kebab and curried fish cakes.
112 North Ninth Street
Tel: (215) 829 8939.
Website: www.phillychinatown.com/rangoon.htm
Price: $
Personal Recommendations
Friday Saturday Sunday
It is over 30 years since this charming place opened. Except for the newly painted 18m (60ft) wall mural, almost everything is original, from the chains of twinkling lights to the mirrors. Situated in an old brick house on a leafy street, it is a favourite with locals. The food is simple, fresh and classic (filet mignon, rack of lamb, crab cakes), although there is also nouvelle cuisine such as tilapia with lime sauce and tequila and a salmon with a preparation that changes daily.
261 South 21st Street
Tel: (215) 546 4232.
Website: www.frisatsun.com
Price: $$
Joseph Poon's Asian Fusion
A small, charmingly eccentric restaurant right in Chinatown, close to Midtown's Conference Center. This star venue for Oriental food features a fabulous range of delicious dishes, such as Peking duck taco, sea scallop, shrimp, escargot stuffed with spinach, roasted garlic, scallion and ginger in filo dough, crispy Cajun salmon and spinach chips with parmesan in wasabi soy dip and essence of tangy garlic chili. The very friendly Joe Poon himself is usually on hand to help diners choose dishes and to answer questions about his lively and imaginative approach to fusion cooking.
1010 Cherry Street
Tel: (215) 928 9333.
Website: www.josephpoon.com
Price: $$
Matyson
Located in a residential area just off Rittenhouse Square, this unassuming and friendly bistro is a favourite with the locals. It is one of the numerous ‘bring your own bottle' restaurants that are so popular in the Philadelphia area. The place can get a bit noisy, but the staff is friendly and the food delicious. A nice selection of seafood, beef, fish and some fabulous chocolate dessert is always on the changing menu.
37 South 19th Street, between Market and Chestnut
Tel: (215) 564 2925.
Website: www.matyson.com
Price: $$. Wine: BYO (free corkage).
Tria
A long, narrow room accented in earthy tones is the setting for this casual and friendly venue in the Rittenhouse Square area. It is the venue to find out-of-the-ordinary wines, beers and cheeses (the tria) at reasonable prices. They do a good job of it, too. Small plate items rule here and all are priced under US$10. Also offered are interesting salads like greens with figs, gorgonzola and pine nuts, sandwiches such as salmon with tomato mushroom, caramelised onion and chive vignette and bruschettas. Try the yummy truffled mushroom with Fontina. Let your waiter suggest an interesting beer or wine to accompany your choice.
123 South 18th Street
Tel: (215) 972 8742.
Website: www.triacafe.com
Price: $$
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