Philadelphia Restaurants
Establishment
neighborhood
Laser Wolf
1301 N. Howard St., Northern Liberties
At Laser Wolf, gigantic trays come crowded with Levantine salads and sauces, from grilled carrots and spicy cucumbers to sour cherry matbucha and p’kaila. Which could easily stand on their own, for the record. But in this case, they complement grilled skewers of meat roasted over a charcoal grill. (Or eggplant and spiced cauliflower, if you prefer; lots of veg options here). The spritzy cocktails are perfection—there’s one with za’atar-turmeric vodka, and another with lemon, saffron, and bourbon—as is the brown sugar soft-serve.
There’s a second location in NYC on top of the Williamsburg Hoxton hotel.
Barbuzzo
110 S. 13th St., Washington Square West
This tiny Mediterranean spot is lively and typically packed, thanks to its incredible pizzas (think: red grapes, secret sauce, gorgonzola, arugula, prosciutto, toasted walnuts, and vincotto) and salads, like their watermelon and buffalo mozzarella offering. Dessert here is also a draw—they're known for their budoino (and once even offered their take on a Choco Tac, which was stuffed with frozen salted caramel budino). If you want a table for dinner, definitely make a reservation—seats at the bar are sometimes available if you just walk in.
Butcher Bar
2034 Chestnut St., Rittenhouse
Meat hooks line the ceiling of this split-level space, which—with its glossy white subway tiles, tidy bar, and expansive front window—is anything but rough around the edges. The menu lives up to the restaurant's name: A meatball and sausage menu complement plenty of meat-forward entrees, like smoked wild boar ribs served with cheesy cornbread. Beers on tap and top-notch whiskey cocktails round out the experience.
Mission Taqueria
1516 Sansom St., Rittenhouse
Perched on the second floor above sister restaurant Oyster House, Mission has a bright, welcoming space filled with white picnic tables (and tons more seating throughout), several well-placed skylights, and plenty of greenery. Ceviche, chicken mole tacos, and churros are all on the menu, along with a host of excellent cocktails. They also have wifi, so if you need it, it's not a bad place to perch and work with a meal in the afternoon.
Federal Donuts
1632 Sansom St., Rittenhouse
Yes, the donuts at this teeny spot are exceptional (flavors rotate and the cinnamon brown sugar is a good introduction to what they do here), but many would argue that the main draw is the fried chicken. Instead of a biscuit, chicken platters—customize yours with a choice of seasonings and glazes—come with a honey donut on the side. Get here on the early side, the fresh-baked stuff tends to go crazy-fast and plan on eating yours on-the-go as seating as limited.
Charley Dove
276 S. 20th St., Rittenhouse
Out of context, this teeny bistro looks like it was plucked right off a quiet European side street—and the same can be said of the Mediterranean menu (note the seasonal specials written out on a chalkboard): grilled baby octopus, watermelon with feta cheese, and really well done fish, like the potato-crusted ahi. Diners are responsible for their own wine pairings (BYOB).
Talula’s Garden
210 W. Washington Sq., Society Hill
While there’s plenty of indoor seating, as its name suggests, the place to be is in the garden—twinkling lights and pockets of lush greenery throughout. The only thing more whimsical than the setting is the farm-to-table menu, from deviled eggs three ways for brunch (topped with pickled beets, fresh crab, and bacon) to sustainably sourced salmon tabbouleh for dinner. Also important: the wine and cheese selection is arguably the best in the city.
Townsend
1623 E. Passyunk Ave., East Passyunk
Helmed by chef Townsend Wentz, a reservation at this modern-French restaurant is worthy of a special occasion. It’s set up inside a residential-looking townhouse, which makes for an atmosphere that’s simultaneously unintimidating and elegant. You can order a la carte, though we suggest going all out with the five-course tasting menu. Even if you’re not looking for a sit-down meal, stop by for a drink—the bar here is impeccably stocked with a cocktail list to match.
Honey’s Sit ‘N Eat
2101 South St., Fitler Square
With a menu that’s comprised almost entirely of Brunch classics, this traditional diner-style restaurant is a huge hit with both kiddos and their parents (BYOB!). There’s biscuits and gravy, eggs benedict, several scrambles, and something called the “Honey Cristo”—essentially, it’s an order of French toast stuffed with cheese and ham. The non-breakfast selection spans all the classic sandwiches, burgers, and salads—plus, a fish taco situation that’s surprisingly solid. Fair warning: cash only.
Sonny’s Famous Steaks
228 Market St., Old City
It wouldn’t be a trip to Philly without sinking your teeth into a Philly cheesesteak. Sonny’s in Old City makes half a dozen or so iterations of the classic steak (or chicken) and cheese sandwich. And while no one would suggest the melts are in any way healthy, they do have gluten-free buns and the ingredients are as fresh as can be. The communal tables inside are ideal for a low-frill lunch—though we prefer grabbing one of the outdoor seats.