Rosemary
Photograph by Ed Newton It takes a lot to get city folks to travel to Delco for dinner, but that’s just what Starr management alum Philip Breen did last year when he opened this sophisticated spot. Barbuzzo/Fork/Stateside vet George Sabatino does amazing things with handmade pastas and vegetables, which make up a good portion of the menu. And the baked oysters, scallops in a celery root puree with black truffles, and all things brunch are big hits. 25 East Hinckley Avenue, Ridley Park, PA 19078
Cleo Bagels
From humble beginnings in a basement kitchen, Alex Malamy has been on a bagel-making odyssey that has captivated us for years. What began as Dodo Bagels, a beloved pop-up sensation offering surprising toppings like lavender and togarashi, has now found its brick-and-mortar home as Cleo Bagels. He’s still churning out inventive bagel creations like the Ramen Thing sandwich, but the more conventional plain bagels and savory bialys are just as delicious. 5013 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19143
Ambra’s Kitchen Table
Restaurant kitchens are always teeming with energy, so it’s no surprise that the real thrill of dining at Ambra’s Kitchen Table is watching chef Chris D’Ambro work. In between dishes plated with tweezer precision and sips of Espodol Solera Garnatxà d’Emporda, he’ll regale you with tales of the morels he foraged that morning, the pasta dishes inspired by his grandmother, and what it means for venison to be truly wild. 705 South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Enswell
Photograph by Ed Newton When the co-founders of Rival Bros. Coffee opened this Art Deco jewel box on Spruce Street, we figured they’d have the morning latte on lock. And then they partnered with New Liberty Distillery to add a bar program — the marriage perfectly expressed in the Haymaker, a take on the ubiquitous espresso martini served in a lowball and made sweet with orgeat. And then a dinner menu … and then brunch and lunch. Did we mention it also has a front-of-house New Liberty bottle shop, saving you a trip to the state store? This place does everything. Except for reservations, so be prepared to wait. 1528 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Voi-ãge Dinner Series
Through hosting his Chef Radio podcast, chef Eli Kulp has connected with some of the country’s top culinary talents. Now he’s bringing them to Philadelphia for collaboration dinners with our city’s most esteemed chefs — Nok Suntaranon, Mike Solomonov, Nick Elmi. It’s not often you can get two award-winning chefs from opposite sides of the country together, let alone in the same kitchen to prepare a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience.
Meetinghouse
Photograph by Gab Bonghi When dreaming up a signature sandwich, the team behind Meetinghouse didn’t want to make just another burger. They wanted to create an equalizer — a pub sandwich that was hearty and delicious yet priced for the masses. Thus, their hot roast beef sandwich was born. With thick slices of garlicky, herbaceous slow-roasted beef, it’s a work of art — but add a bit of the horseradish, and it’s a masterpiece. 2331 East Cumberland Street, Philadelphia, PA 19125
Wallace Dry Goods
Robin Cummiskey has created more than just a bottle shop — it’s a community hub redefining how we socialize. Whether you’re sober or sober-curious, the tastings, events and classes at Wallace Dry Goods are a welcoming place to learn more about flavorful alternatives. Boozeless spirits, alcohol-free wine: Whatever you need to elevate your abstinence, you’ll find it here. 1 West Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, PA 19003
La Morelense Plus
Photograph by Jeff Fusco With festive piñatas and papel picado hanging from the colorful pergola, light and creamy housemade ice cream, and fresh Tajin-sprinkled fruit, La Morelense Plus is a sensory explosion. Sure, you can get your standard vanilla or chocolate scoops, but you’ll be doing yourself a disservice if you don’t try Mexican favorites like elote, mamey or Gansito. 1127 White Horse Pike, Oaklyn, NJ 08107
Ray’s Cafe & Tea House
Coffee has more than 1,000 volatile flavor compounds, making it just as complex a drink as wine, and Ray’s siphon brewing method brings out the best in their global selection of premium coffees. Get a smooth cup of Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee, then order the dumpling sampler. The pairing of an aromatic coffee with savory chicken curry dumplings is a surprising flavor bomb. 141 North 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Majdal Bakery
Photograph by Jeff Fusco Kenan Rabah grew up in the Golan Heights, the disputed region between Syria and Israel. (The name of his bakery reflects his hometown, Majdal Shams.) After moving to the U.S. in 2015, he found himself at Lost Bread Co. and now owns Majdal, baking potato-stuffed fatayer, chicken and sumac borek, and other rotating treats from the Levant. We drop everything whenever he’s set up at Herman’s in Pennsport — and dare you to find a better pairing for a cup of coffee than his bright yellow, anise-y talami.
Wild Yeast Bakehouse
If you think you perfected the art of sourdough during the pandemic, think again. John Goncher bakes the perfect loaf, with a sturdy crust that gives way to an airy, chewy and tangy interior with every bite. You can try Wild Yeast for yourself by subscribing to his bread share for a weekly delivery, or try to snag some sourdough at the Media farmers’ market. But get there early — he sells out fast.
The Carrot Cake Man
For more than 40 years, Vernon Wilkins, a.k.a. “The Carrot Cake Man,” has blessed West Philly and University City with sweet and fluffy carrot cupcakes topped with a thick layer of cream cheese icing. On rare occasions, they’ll pop up in corner stores, but you’ll most likely find these sweet treats wrapped in cellophane and ready to enjoy at Lee’s Deli on Baltimore Avenue and Four Worlds Bakery on Woodland Avenue.
Grace & Proper’s M For Monday
Photograph by Gab Bonghi At long last, a happy hour for the night owls, and at Bella Vista’s coziest, buzziest Euro-bar, no less. On Mondays, from 8 to midnight at the very vintage Grace & Proper, expect bevs and small bites all $8 and under. Their happy hour menu is constantly rotating, but what a perfect excuse to visit week after week, sampling various obscure spirits and cured meats from their extensive Portuguese-inspired menu. 941 South 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Korea Taqueria
Korea Taqueria began its life as a refitted halal food cart selling al pastor tofu tacos and gochujang-chicken burritos. But when partners Alexander Sherack and Rene Lopez decided to open a place with an actual address, Korea Taqueria lost absolutely none of its charm. The bulgogi birria tacos with kimchi consommé, Korean-fried sweet garlic chicken sandwiches, and staff-meal-style bulgogi cheesesteaks with salsa macha and melted mozzarella prove that even without wheels, KT has held on to every ounce of its wild, Mexi-Asian experimentalism and street-corner swagger. 3101 Tasker Street, Philadelphia, PA 19145
Illata
Illata is small, scrappy and weird. It is BYO, 20 seats, white walls, warm light and a DIY pass-through window hacked into an old doorway. It is a menu as short as a poem, dishes that come and go like the tides, citrus salad with homemade XO, ricotta gnudi with crushed hazelnut, and sourdough smeared with butter. It is absolutely delicious and completely indefinable except to say that it might be the most perfectly Philadelphian restaurant we’ve seen in some time — speaking to the way we eat right now, the way we’ve eaten forever, and the way we all hope to eat on our best nights out. 2241 Grays Ferry Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19146
Tonewood’s Slow Saison Series
In a world flooded with IPAs, Tonewood Brewing’s Slow Saison collaboration with beverage consultant and forager Danny Childs stands out as an exciting exploration of our region’s terroir through the seasons. From the piney notes of the staghorn sumac in the fall’s release to the powerful punch of persimmons in the spring, each beer in the series showcases locally foraged botanicals presented in a way that will make you think differently about nature and beer. Locations in Barrington and Oaklyn, New Jersey,
The Bakery House
Never show up to a holiday dinner with supermarket pie again. Yes, you’ll spend quadruple the money at Bakery House, but the pies are worth it. Try the delightfully decadent apple-pecan-caramel option, any of the year-round fruit pies (how they pull off a killer blueberry pie in winter is beyond us), or the seasonal offerings, like peach and strawberry rhubarb. Plus, they’re pretty as can be. 604 West Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Honeysuckle Provision’s Vegan Scrapple
Omar Tate and Cybille St. Aude-Tate are known for exploring the culinary crossroads of the African diaspora and how they intersect with Philadelphia, and this is the dish that perfectly expresses that. The black-eyed pea patties are seasoned and prepared in a way that matches the peppery flavor and crispy-yet-silky texture of classic scrapple — plus they’re vegan. 310 South 48th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19143
Center City Soft Pretzel Co.
After enduring an 18-month struggle following a devastating fire, East Passyunk’s Center City Soft Pretzel Co. reopened its doors, inviting locals to savor, yet again, the warm and doughy embrace of Philly’s Best Soft Pretzel. (And it’s expanding its offerings — just peep the new collaborations with Queen Village sandwich champs Farina Di Vita.) 816 Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Jim’s Steaks South Street
Photograph by Jeff Fusco Walking down South Street for the past two years, it was clear something was missing, something was off. You’d take a deep breath through your nose, and — what, no onions? No grease? Jim’s Steaks on South Street has now reemerged both physically and olfactorily, boasting the Best Restaurant Expansion after taking over the Eye’s Gallery space next door. Construction unveiled a breathtaking mosaic by Isaiah Zagar, concealed behind drywall for decades. 400 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Kampar
When Ange Branca’s Saté Kampar shut down in May 2020, it was only partly due to the pandemic. (Despite, you know, everything, Branca’s landlord refused to budge on a 15 percent rent hike.) So we all kinda knew that she’d be back. And after a few years of pop-ups, Branca returned bigger than ever, taking over the two-story Nomad Pizza location in Bella Vista. The building is perfect for our Best Second Act winner: Pair an achat martini with the beef rendang and nasi lemak upstairs, or try dishes from two rising resident chefs downstairs. 611 South 7th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Royal Tavern
In mid-2019, the beloved Royal Tavern closed its doors for some long-overdue renovations. The grand reopening of Royal lasted only a few months before the pandemic shut the whole thing down. While most restaurants reopened as soon as they could, this spot took its time, unlocking the doors only late last year. It was worth the wait. Yes, you can still get the famous Royal Burger. But now you can lead it off with chef Nic Macri’s housemade charcuterie and wash it down with a tipple off the revamped cocktail menu. We’ll drink to that. 937 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 10147
Saverio’s Cello
If you’ve ever ordered the duck press at Collingswood’s June BYOB, chances are Saverio Agosta was your server. But when he’s not carving duck and flambéing sauces tableside, he’s making limoncello. The native of Sicily has been making limoncello for more than three decades, and it shows in a sweet and mellow liqueur that tastes exactly like lemon drops. The only way to get a bottle is to send him a message on Instagram at @saverios_cello.
Sahbyy Food’s Lemongrass Cheesesteak
This isn’t just a reinterpretation of a Philly classic; it’s a symbol of our city’s ever-evolving identity. With its lemongrass-tinged beef smothered in cheddar cheese sauce and topped with zesty papaya salad and crispy pepper, it’s an innovation that truly showcases the rich diversity of our culinary landscape. Find it at FDR Park’s Southeast Asian Market.
Ground Provisions
Photograph by Gab Bonghi It’s beautiful, sure. Peaceful and deliberately rusticated in a way that feels like you’re in a very well-produced Instagram reel. But what’s most remarkable about Rich Landau and Kate Jacoby’s new vegan retreat is that, after a decade spent redefining the boundaries of vegan cuisine at their old restaurant, Vedge, this kitchen can still make something as simple as a roasted peach gazpacho or maitake mushroom glazed in black garlic taste like the cutting edge of modern cuisine. 1388 Old Wilmington Pike, West Chester, PA 19382
Quakertown Farmers Market
Inside this sprawling, out-of-the-way market that features a pinball arcade and a wrestling venue, amid a strange mix of shops selling VHS tapes, incense, military surplus and vintage porno mags, you’ll find dining options that include a hand-sliced gyro counter; not one but two empanada shops; a baker with irresistible sticky buns; a new Korean luncheonette offering soft tofu stew, bulgogi and homemade kimchi by the pint; and chicken-wing palace the Coop, just for starters. Go hungry and explore. 201 Station Road, Quakertown, PA 18951
Want to Go to a Steakhouse
Joey Chops
Steakhouses are dull. Oh, maybe they’re fine for preening hedge fund bros, reunion dinners and your grandpa, but these days any restaurant should be able to offer more than just thick steaks, cooked mid-rare, dressed in maitre d’ butter and served with some starch and veg. Thankfully, the team at Joey Chops feels the same way, and they’ve put just as much care and consideration into their lobster dumplings, airline chicken Milanese, blue crab deviled eggs and burrata ravioli as they have into the dry-aged ribeye and the New York strip. 245 Lancaster Avenue, Malvern, PA 19355
Le Souk Market
From the owners behind Northeast Philly’s Bishos (the very same Bishos that won Best of Philly in 2023 for their highly refreshing lemonana) comes a new organic market stuffed to the gills with goods from across the Middle East and North Africa — many of them made in-house, such as their roasted nuts, pickles, baklawa and spice blends. Don’t miss their extravagant and utterly popular made-to-order crepes and waffles. 7952 Oxford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111
Freezer Martini at Superfolie
Sometimes the best things keep it deceptively simple. A martini is just vodka, vermouth and an olive (or twist), after all. But wandering into this European-inspired wine bar on a hot day and opting for the expertly balanced, ice-cold classic is never a bad idea. It goes down smooth, and the glass is frosty from the freezer. Like it’s been waiting around all day for you — and maybe it has. 1602 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Bánh Mì & Bottles
The eight-year-old Vietnamese restaurant recently reimagined its menu, with a slate of new cocktails to complement dishes inspired by owner Tuan Phung’s soulful family recipes. Both boozy and nonalcoholic classics get a clever twist thanks to ingredients like pandan, coconut milk and basil. Try the espresso martini with Càphê Roasters coffee and ube condensed milk, or the old fashioned with pork belly-infused whiskey and cherry and cardamom bitters. 712-14 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Perrystead Dairy Cheese Dispensary
Sure, you can purchase Yoav Perry’s award-winning cheeses at dozens of shops in and around the city (and the country, for that matter). But since we’re now one of the only U.S. cities with a cheese vending machine, you can have the uniquely Philly experience of buying his fluffy Intergalactic, semisoft Atlantis washed with seawater, tangy schmear and everything else you’ll need for an artisanal charcuterie board whether the mood strikes at midday or at midnight. 1639 North Hancock Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Gran Caffè L’Aquila
If an Instagram feed full of cacio e pepe and Piazza Navona has made you desperate for a Roman holiday but your bank account says non è possibile, seek out la dolce vita right on Chestnut Street. Grab a tiny table on the sidewalk, or roll up to the espresso bar inside. There, surrounded by imported glass jars of Amarena cherries, beautifully wrapped squares of Fiat chocolates, and Italian-speaking servers, you can order a perfect cappuccino made with their house-roasted beans or one of the best swirls of gelato in town. 1716 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Breezy’s Deli and Market
What does a perfect deli look like in 2024? Find the answer at Breezy’s, the bright new Washington Avenue spot filled with bins of fresh produce, a deli case stocked with cold cuts and local cheeses, and touch-screen menus offering fruit smoothies and made-to-order hoagies. The turkey BLT with tomato-cherry jam is reminiscent of a certain other Thanksgiving-themed sandwich, but the bird is house-roasted by owner Chad Durkin across the street at sister sandwich shop Porco’s. 2235 Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19146
Gass & Main
Chef Dane DeMarco works from a very particular palette when crafting menus, drawing on a thousand memories of street parties, suburban dinner tables and backyard barbecues. At Gass & Main, the mac and cheese is made with truffled gnocchi in a silky mornay, the green tomato hush puppies are crowned with chow chow and bathed in comeback sauce, the hot dogs are Snake River wagyu with homemade hot mustard, and there’s caviar topping the French onion dip. Because at Gass & Main, childhood is redefined, comfort comes with an upgrade, and even the simplest, most cherished food memories can be made new again. 7 Kings Court, Haddonfield, NJ 08033
CNT Cafe
With dreamy ombré, flower-petal garnishes and swirly technicolor latte art, CNT Cafe’s drinks stop us right in our doom-scrolling tracks. Dramatic still-life photographs of lattes adorned with swans and rosettes fill their Instagram like the walls of a gallery. And seasonal flavors like strawberry matcha, sakura and coconut keep us wondering what they’ll whip up (and post) next. 716 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Amy’s Pastelillos
After years of pop-ups and collaboration dinners, Amaryllis Rivera-Nassar finally has a brick-and-mortar takeout spot, where you can get her flaky Puerto Rican-style turnovers in flavors like beef picadillo and guava pulled pork. You could go out on your lunch break and bring a half-dozen of Amy’s pastelillos back to the office. Or go to a park, sit in the sun, and eat them all yourself. We promise you won’t regret it. 2001 Memphis Street, Philadelphia, PA 19125
Mount Masala
You don’t expect to find the best korma of your life in Voorhees, in a strip mall just down the street from the weed dispensary. And yet, these things happen. Mount Masala has an enormous menu, full of delicious, Chinese-influenced Nepali and Tibetan cuisine, and if you’ve never been, you’d never expect it. But once you find the place and settle in behind plates of sizzling momo or chicken curry or a truly remarkable korma, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. 300 White Horse Road, Voorhees, NJ 08043
Friday Saturday Sunday
In the eight years Chad and Hanna Williams have owned their beloved bilevel restaurant, the downstairs bar has always drawn a crowd — for a first-date meet-up, for a bowl of brothy beans and octopus from the à la carte menu, for an aperitivo while you wait for your table upstairs. After a sleek spruce-up, though, envisioned by local firm Stokes Architecture + Design, with tiger-print stools and a custom wood back bar, it’s official — the first floor is a destination in its own right. 261 South 21st Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Vita
It’s easy to miss this tiny gelateria on 17th Street, but the gelato and sorbetto Matt Cocco crafts daily are the best we’ve had since Capogiro departed. The flavors rotate based on what’s in season: Standbys like creamy green pistachio and vibrant mixed berry could be joined by lavender one day and pink grapefruit the next. And when it’s gone for the day, it’s gone. 261 South 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
FringeArts
With a bar, restaurant, beer garden (boasting spectacular views of the Ben Franklin Bridge), and theater, no two nights here are ever the same. Sip outdoor cocktails with friends before a night of salsa dancing, or eat a surprisingly gluten-free and vegan mushroom shepherd’s pie before catching a drag show. Whatever kind of night you’re planning, Fringe can make it happen. 140 North Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19106
CJ And D’s Trenton Tomato Pies
Take a walk down East Passyunk Avenue and you’ll likely miss CJ and D’s the first time. But if you squint through the garage doors of Cartesian Brewing at just the right angle, at just the right time, you’ll spot them: gleaming, crispy Trenton-style pies, popped right onto the bar. It’s only open three days a week, and they sell out fast. Our recommendation? Grab a few pints of Cartesian’s low-ABV brown mild — and when the opportunity arises, pounce. 1326 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19146