Philadelphia Restaurants

The dough here is so delicious that you can easily make a meal of the crusts alone—or order a Rotolo as an appetizer. The Napoletano-style pies cover all the toppings bases—margherita, porchetta, even a tuna—though after eating your way through the city, one of the salads, which are excellent (we like the arugula), is a lighter option. For dessert, the Nutella/marshmallow pizza is a big hit with the littles and so is the soft serve. The space is cozy, so you can watch the pies go in and out of the massive wood-fired oven from pretty much anywhere.

With skimpy opening hours (Wednesday through Saturday, 5:30pm to 10:30pm, or until they sell out) and a strict 40-pies-a-day rule, it’s no surprise that Pizzeria Bedia is essentially a one-man show: owner and baker Joe Beddia painstakingly makes all the dough by hand. People tend to line up hours before opening to get their hands on what many consider to be some of the best pies in the country, which can make for a fun little adventure if you’ve got older-ish kids in tow.

Chef-owner Gregory Vernick’s namesake Rittenhouse Square restaurant is one of those spots that gets name-checked every time someone talks about the booming dining scene in Philly. And while it has topped many “best-of” lists in the last few years, we can say with certainty it’s worth all the hype. (There’s an entire corner of the menu dedicated to beautifully plated toasts—need we say more?) There are plates big (grilled black sea bass with spicy broccoli and saffron) and small (Maryland crab on toast), plus simple wood-fired Amish chicken and a fish of the day. The back dining room has the best views of the open kitchen, but the bar is just as nice if you can’t snag a reservation.

You’ve been forewarned: High Street is not a place for the carb shy. Here, at chef Eli Kulp’s lowkey eatery, it feels like the entire menu is designed to spotlight the extensive (and delicious) breads in all their glory. Let’s start with the Forager, a veggie take on the breakfast sandwich featuring oyster mushrooms, braised kale, a fried egg, and Swiss cheese on a Kaiser roll. Then, come lunch, there’s the “Best Grilled Cheese Ever” on a house-made roasted potato bread, which despite the #humblebrag, seriously delivers.

This casual sit-down spot in Washington Square is big with the lunch crowd with its made-to-order sandwiches, pastas, and salads. (There are plenty of vegetarian and pescatarian-friendly options, too, plus a great selection of takeaway.) While it’s a solid choice if you need something quick, it’s also worth securing a table at dinner for their intimate 30-seat nightly supper club—the $55 tasting menu bets big on seasonal produce and freshly-caught fish. Recent menu highlights include a sweet potato soup with ginger marshmallow, duck salad, and—wait for it—lavender polenta cake with rosemary ice cream.

With its upholstered booths and ample colorful lighting, El Vez is a reliably lively spot perfect for a big meal to share: The fairly extensive menu offers everything from crab and cactus salsa to a kale salad with vegan caesar dressing and cashew “parmesan” to sweet corn and poblano empanadas. Margaritas here are excellent—you can't go wrong with the classic, but they're known for the frozen blood orange. You can sometimes find a seat at the bar while you’re waiting for a table, but to avoid a wait at dinner, it’s best to make a reservation.

One of the world's largest original remaining windjammer sailing ships, the Moshulu also doubles as a floating restaurant.

Perfect for day drinking when it’s nice out, this German-style beer garden has everything you’d hope it would: ample outdoor seating in the form of picnic benches (and outdoor heaters, plus space inside, for when it’s chilly), some greenery, a lots of German beer served in steins, and really good giant pretzels. Their menu also includes schnitzel and six different types of sausages, among some other gems—plus, they’ve got classic games on deck like ping-pong and Jenga.

A drop-dead gorgeous example of marrying old with new, antique with modern, Harp & Crown is a destination for foodies and the design-minded alike.

A newer tapas spot in Philly’s booming Fishtown neighborhood, Root serves up an American twist on Italian and Spanish small plates including black cavatelli and lamb chops with lemon and mint. But what we love most is the impressive cheese plate with local selections from Pennsylvania and Vermont and further variations from Spain. With its chic interiors and progressive cocktail list (go for the Fishtown Mule with rhubarb bitters and grapefruit juice), this is one of our favorite spots for a fun night out with friends.