Best of Philly

Best Appetizer

2022 Best New Use Of Soft Pretzels

Soft pretzel and crab fondue at Rex at the Royal

If you were born here, you’ve been weaned on soft pretzels since your first tooth. But have you had them as a vehicle for hunks of crabmeat swimming in a gooey cheese dip? Buttery soft pretzels — think less butter than an Auntie Anne’s but more than a Pretzel Factory — are dusted with Old Bay and sesame seeds. Use them to scoop up sauce made with Cooper, gruyère and provolone cheeses. It tastes like Whiz got a job, moved out of mom’s basement, and now vacations exclusively in the Swiss Alps. Read More »

1524 South Street, Philadelphia, PA Website

2017 Best Shareable Appetizer

DIY stuffed grape leaves at Opa

Who knew working for your food would be so much fun? Grab your crew and get rolling. Read More »

1311 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA | 215-545-0170 | Website

2016 Best Appetizer

Bacon at LP Steak

We can think of exactly one reason to visit Luke Palladino's Valley Forge Casino Resort steakhouse: the grilled and smoked paprika bacon. It's pork candy — thick strips of sweet, tender pork belly, sticky with a maple-mustard glaze — and addictive enough that it deserves its own support group. Read More »

1160 1st Avenue, King of Prussia, PA | 610-768-5003 | Website

2015 Best Appetizer

Roti Canai at Penang

Every meal everywhere should start with the impossibly thin, crisp Malaysian flatbread and creamy curry sauce from this Chinatown staple. Like heroin or the music of Neil Diamond, try it once and you'll never get it out of your head. Read More »

117 North 10th Street, Philadelphia, PA | 215-413-2531

2014 Best Bitterballen

Noord

He loves working the dining room as much as the stove, so chef Joncarl Lachman might hand-deliver this dish himself: fried doughy balls of pork shoulder, spiced with nutmeg and mustard. Read More »

1046 Tasker Street, Philadelphia, PA | 267-909-9704 | Website

2014 Best Foie Gras

Bibou

It's served with poached cherries in the summer and spiced pumpkin bread in the fall. Regardless of the seasonal accompaniments, the foie here is always expertly prepared. BYO sauternes. Read More »

1009 South 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA | 215-965-8290 | Website

2014 Best Appetizer

Serpico

Thanks to Cope's corn ravioli a mashup of old-school Lancaster dried corn, chorizo, and hearts of palm soaked in lime juice the most riveting pasta in town is no longer Italian, but Mexican by way of the Pennsylvania Dutch. Read More »

604 South Street, Philadelphia, PA | 215-925-3001 | Website

2014 Best Squid

A. Kitchen

This tender squid is stuffed with pork shoulder and 'njuda, a spreadable sausage from Italy. The result is almost too rich until you swirl a bite in the bracing, bright-green cilantro sauce it's floating on. It's a one-two punch, in the best possible way. Read More »

135 South 18th Street, Philadelphia, PA | 215-825-7030 | Website

2009 Best Appetizer

Le Virtù

It's hard to believe that any single bite can pack as much pleasure as one crisply fried olive at Le Virt. Each fruity green specimen is crammed with a potent mixture of three types of slow-braised meat (beef, pork and chicken), then breaded and fried for the ideal amount of crunch. The tangy-meaty-briny babies are a specialty in Marche, the Italian region that chef Luciana Spurio calls home, and theres no better place to taste them stateside. Read More »

1927 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA | 215-271-5626 | Website