Non-Touristy Restaurants Perfect for Your Out-of-Town Family
Your 201 syllabus for dining with visiting relatives in Philadelphia right now.
The dining room at Saloon in Bella Vista. Photograph by Michael Persico
Finding a place to eat with your out-of-town family can be a delicate dance, especially when you’ve already visited the usual, touristy suspects. To appease your relatives, who all conveniently have opposing dining preferences, we’ve pulled together spots that show off some of the city’s best food right now — without taking your crew to the same places they’ve eaten at three times before. There’s something for everyone here, and plenty of space for big groups.
Saloon, Queen Village
If some of your visitors could be described as red-meat, cab-sauv kind of people, take them to Saloon for perfectly cooked steaks, large portions of red-sauce pasta, slabs of chicken parm, and perfect Caesar salads. After all of that, right when you think you can’t eat another bite, the dessert tray will come around. 750 South 7th Street.
Pietramala, Northern Liberties
What family doesn’t have at least one member who has a dining restriction? Come to Pietramala for your vegan cousin, but know that everyone at the table will be thrilled with their meal. The service at this veggie-centric restaurant is relaxed and welcoming, and the plant-based, Italian-inspired dishes (like fresh tagliatelle with macadamia cream and chicory salad with cashew cheese) will impress anyone regardless of their meat-and-dairy habits. 614 North 2nd Street.
Saami Somi, Reading Terminal Market
It would take an extraordinary number of trips to Reading Terminal to eat everything available there. Which is just to say your family might end up at RTM even if they’ve visited before. When the choices start to feel overwhelming, check out Saami Somi, a new, chic-looking stall serving Georgian food, including khachapuri filled with cheese and eggs that get stirred together into a rich, flavorful filling for the sourdough bread crust. Order one, as well as a few sides, and tell someone in your family to find a table. 1136 Arch Street.
Fork, Old City
For one reason or another, your family might find themselves drawn to Old City. When walking around the shops and historical sites inevitably tires them out, they’ll need a good drink and something to snack on. Enter Fork, the 27-year-old neighborhood staple that opens at 11 a.m. every day except Monday. Stop by for lunch or a seat at the bar and have a well-made cocktail or nice glass of wine, plus some beef tartare with golden raisin chutney and perhaps a half-dozen South Jersey oysters. 306 Market Street.
Georgian Bread is on our list of Northeast Philadelphia restaurants. / Photograph by Michael Persico
Georgian Bread, Northeast Philly
If your family is open to a little driving and some best-in-the-city bread products, get in the car and head to Georgian Bread, where the dining room can fit big groups, and the menu deserves deep exploration. Start with some soup-filled khinkali, a hot, cheese khachapuri, a couple of grilled meat skewers, and the grilled eggplant salad. Bring your own wine, if you please, and make sure to leave room for a gigantic slice of chocolate cake for dessert. 10865 Bustleton Avenue.
Via Locusta, Rittenhouse
Parc is Rittenhouse Square’s primary tourist refuge, but it’s possible you’ve already eaten there as a family unit. As an alternative in the same area, try Via Locusta. The Italian-leaning menu works for all sorts of tastes and dietary restrictions, with everything from prosciutto “pizza,” burrata, and chicken with escarole, shallots, and raisins to gluten-free pastas. Regardless of your entrée choices, make sure to order a few rounds of fluffy focaccia for the table. If this sounds like the sort of easy, upscale restaurant your family will enjoy, make sure to reserve in advance — the place gets busy. (You can book a table for up to six people on Resy.) 1723 Locust Street.
Rocco’s Cheesesteaks, South Philly
If your family is like ours, their visit usually involves a home-improvement project. Which is why you should reward them with a cheesesteak from Rocco’s, located in the parking lot of Home Depot. This is how cheesesteaks are meant to be enjoyed: as fuel before or after an intense physical job, in a gritty setting (or, you know, when you’re drunk). 1491 South Delaware Avenue.
Libertee Grounds, Girard
Sometimes the best way to keep the peace with visitors is to introduce an activity into the mix. At Libertee Grounds, that activity is mini golf. But this place also serves bar food that’s much better than it needs to be, like masala nachos, spicy chicken sandwiches, and a lamb kheema cheesesteak. In case mini golf doesn’t match your family’s vibe, play some giant Jenga and Cards Against Humanity downstairs. Note that Libertee Grounds is for ages 21 and up, but the golf course offers family-friendly Sundays. 1600 West Girard Avenue.
Nemi, Port Richmond
Take the fam out for Mexican in Port Richmond. Obviously start with guac, served with handmade tortilla chips, mango, pineapple, queso fresco, and applewood bacon. There are seven different kinds of tacos to choose from, including pork, vegetarian, and steak—something for everyone on your guest list. Kids in your party? You can’t go wrong with a gooey cheese quesadilla (add chicken, steak, or shrimp if they’re not too picky). 2636 East Ann Street.
Fette Sau, Fishtown
Have an indoor picnic the next time you reunite with family in Philly. They even have OG picnic tables to gather around. The Family BBQ Dinner serves up savory staples including pulled meat (beef and pork), spicy sausages, and half a rack of finger-licking ribs. The cold sides (spicy slaw, crunchy broccoli salad, and potato salad) give major summertime backyard vibes. Baked beans, collard greens, and everyone’s favorite, mac and cheese, along with rolls, complete this hearty meal. Save room for the chocolate chip cookies. 1208 Frankford Avenue.
DaMo Pasta Lab, Center City and Rittenhouse
Fast casual pasta. Everyone gets the exact restaurant-quality pasta dish that they want. And quickly. That’s the DaMo promise. We recommend casarecce with pomodoro or pesto with extra pine nuts and cheese at this Italian-owned restaurant that recently opened a second location. Possibly the best part? You can BYOB. 105 South 12th Street.
Mural City Cellars, Fishtown
Got yourself a drinking family? Picture spreading out at a winery with cheese, charcuterie, and glasses of wine made right on the premises. You can do that right in Fishtown at Mural City Cellars, Philly’s first urban winery. In its new tasting room/shop/indoor wine garden, the fam will sip mulled wine, vibrant Vidal Blanc, Bordeaux-inspired red, or Mural City’s signature fizzy Pét-Nats. Choose some cheese, cured meat, snacks, and vegan options – and the staff will create a board with crackers, fig jam, and Fishtown Pickles giardiniera. 1831 Frankford Avenue.
