Two cheesesteak stands have stared each other down across the same South Philadelphia intersection since 1966, both open 24 hours a day, and locals still tell visitors to skip them both. That argument is a fair introduction to Philadelphia food: proud, loud, cheap at its best and much bigger than one sandwich. The city that gave America the cheesesteak also has hand-pulled noodles in Chinatown, a 300-square-foot cheese shop that has traded on 9th Street since 1939, a public market that has fed people under one roof since 1893 and, since November 2025, three restaurants with Michelin stars.
Quick answer: Eat a cheesesteak in South Philly (Pat’s and Geno’s never close; John’s Roast Pork and Dalessandro’s are where locals send you), a roast pork sandwich at DiNic’s in Reading Terminal Market, a soft pretzel and, in warm weather, a water ice. Then book one proper dinner. Michelin’s first Philadelphia list gave stars to Her Place Supper Club, Friday Saturday Sunday and Provenance, and its ten Bib Gourmands make the best shortlist in town for serious food at fair prices. Stay in Center City and ride SEPTA’s B and L lines to the food neighborhoods.
Last updated October 1, 2026. Restaurant hours, closures, prices and the Michelin list were checked that day against the restaurants’ and markets’ own websites and published news reports. Restaurants open and close fast, so confirm hours before you cross town for one.
- New since late 2025: Philadelphia is in the Michelin Guide. The first selection, announced November 18, 2025, gave one star each to three restaurants and a Bib Gourmand to ten more.
- Closed in 2026: Hiroki, the Fishtown omakase on Michelin’s list, served its last dinner on August 8. Federal Donuts & Chicken closed its Center City shops in July; the one at 7th Street and Fairmount Avenue is its last in the city.
- Back: Jim’s South St. has reopened in its rebuilt building at 400 South Street.
- Costs: Philadelphia adds 8% sales tax to a restaurant bill (6% state plus 2% city), and 18 to 20% is the normal tip at a table.
- Transit: SEPTA’s subway lines now go by letters. The B runs under Broad Street and the L under Market Street, and fares rose 21.5% in September 2025.
On this page: At a glance | 20 dishes | Ordering a cheesesteak | The markets | By neighborhood | Michelin | Drinks and BYOB | Kids and diets | Planning | What’s changed | FAQ
Philadelphia food at a glance
Here is the short version: what to eat, where to eat it and what kind of money to bring. Price bands are rough guides for one person before tax, tip and drinks: $ is under $20, $$ is $20 to $50, $$$ is $50 to $100, and $$$$ is over $100.
| What to eat | Where to try it | Area | Price band | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheesesteak | Pat’s and Geno’s (both 24/7), Dalessandro’s, Jim’s South St. | South Philly; Roxborough; South Street | $ | First-timers, late nights |
| Roast pork sandwich | John’s Roast Pork (Tue-Sat), DiNic’s | South Philly; Reading Terminal Market | $ | The sandwich locals rank above the steak |
| Soft pretzel | Miller’s Twist, corner vendors, Philly Pretzel Factory | Reading Terminal Market; everywhere | $ | Eating on the move |
| Water ice | John’s Water Ice | 701 Christian St., Bella Vista | $ | Hot afternoons |
| A bit of everything | Reading Terminal Market | 12th and Arch, Center City | $-$$ | Groups who can’t agree |
| Cheese, sausage, espresso | Di Bruno Bros., Claudio’s, Cappuccio Meats, Anthony’s | Italian Market, South 9th St. | $-$$ | Picnics and edible souvenirs |
| Dumplings and noodles | Dim Sum Garden, Nan Zhou, Bai Wei | Chinatown | $ | Cheap, fast and filling |
| Pizza and pasta | Pizzeria Beddia, Angelo’s, Fiorella | Fishtown; Bella Vista | $$ | A casual dinner with a pedigree |
| Israeli and Lebanese | Zahav, Laser Wolf, Suraya, Dizengoff | Society Hill; Kensington; Fishtown | $$-$$$ | The city’s modern signature |
| Tasting menus | Her Place Supper Club, Friday Saturday Sunday, Provenance | Rittenhouse; Society Hill | $$$$ | Celebrations and food trips |
| Beer | Yards Brewing Co., Molly Malloy’s (35 taps) | Spring Garden St.; Reading Terminal Market | $$ | After a day of walking |
If you’re building the rest of the trip around the meals, our guide to things to do in Philadelphia covers the museums, neighborhoods and day plans that sit between them.
What food is Philadelphia known for? 20 dishes and where to eat them
Philadelphia’s famous food is working-class food: sandwiches built for dockworkers, snacks sold from carts, sweets from neighborhood bakeries. The newer layer comes from immigrants and ambitious chefs, and it’s the reason food writers now take the city seriously. Here are the 20 things worth planning a meal around, roughly in the order a first-time visitor should try them.
1. The cheesesteak
The one everyone comes for; open around the clock at two stands. Thin-sliced ribeye goes on a flat-top, gets chopped or left in ribbons, picks up fried onions if you want them, and lands in a long Italian roll with Cheez Whiz, provolone or American cheese. That’s the whole recipe, and the arguments are about the details: the roll, the cheese, how fine the chop is. Pat’s King of Steaks, which dates its business to 1930, and Geno’s Steaks, open since 1966, face each other at 9th Street and Passyunk Avenue, and both serve 24/7. Jim’s South St. is back at 400 South Street after rebuilding its building. Locals tend to drive to Dalessandro’s in Roxborough, on the same corner since 1960, and both Dalessandro’s and Angelo’s in South Philly made Michelin’s 2025 Bib Gourmand list, along with Del Rossi’s.
Prices have climbed with beef. Pat’s lists its loaded mushroom, pepper and pizza steak at $22 on its own site (October 2026), and Fortune reported in July 2025 that Jim’s had raised its plain steak to $13.49, from $11.49 in 2022.
Plan it: Pat’s is at 1237 E. Passyunk Ave. and Geno’s at 1219 S. 9th St., about 10 minutes’ drive from City Hall without traffic; parking is street-only and tight. Jim’s South St. listed hours of 10:30am to 2am on October 1, 2026. Dalessandro’s is about 15 minutes’ drive northwest of Center City, longer at rush hour. Allow 30 minutes per stand, more on weekend nights. Best for: everyone, once.
2. The roast pork sandwich
The local’s answer to the cheesesteak. Thin slices of seasoned roast pork, sharp provolone and garlicky broccoli rabe or spinach, soaked in the pan juices on a seeded roll. Plenty of Philadelphians will tell you this is the city’s real sandwich, and after one bite the claim stops sounding contrarian. John’s Roast Pork has stood at the corner of Weccacoe and Snyder Avenue since 1930, when Domenico Bucci opened it, and it also makes a cheesesteak that many locals rank first. In Center City, DiNic’s counter in Reading Terminal Market makes roast pork, roast beef and meatball sandwiches.
Plan it: John’s Roast Pork lists normal hours of Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm (checked October 2026 on johnsroastpork.com); it’s closed Sunday and Monday, so plan around it. It sits in an industrial corner of South Philly near the Delaware River, so drive or take a ride-share. DiNic’s keeps market hours. Best for: anyone who has already had a cheesesteak.
3. The Italian hoagie
Everyday food, made everywhere. A hoagie is a long roll stacked with Italian cured meats, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, oil, oregano and hot or sweet peppers. You won’t need a destination for one. Every corner deli builds hoagies, and so does Wawa, the Pennsylvania convenience chain that locals defend with surprising passion. In Reading Terminal Market, Hatville Deli runs a sandwich counter; in the Italian Market, pick up sharp provolone at Di Bruno Bros. and cured meats from the butchers and build your own picnic.
Plan it: Order “Italian, everything” and you’ll get the standard build. A whole hoagie feeds two light eaters. Best for: train rides and park benches.
4. The soft pretzel
A breakfast, a snack and a commuter habit. The Philadelphia pretzel is a long figure eight, chewy rather than fluffy, baked in rows so the pretzels come out joined at the sides. You tear one off, swipe it through yellow mustard and keep walking. Street vendors sell them at busy intersections, Philly Pretzel Factory shops are all over the region, and Miller’s Twist in Reading Terminal Market makes a different, richer style: soft, hand-rolled and dipped in butter, in the Amish tradition.
Plan it: Pretzels are freshest in the morning. Bags of them travel well, which makes them the cheapest edible souvenir in the city. Best for: kids, early starts and anyone in a hurry.
5. Water ice
Summer in a paper cup. Water ice (Philadelphians say “wooder ice”) is the city’s Italian ice: smoother than a snow cone, fruit-sharp and sold from walk-up windows. Lemon and cherry are the classics. Order a gelati and you get water ice layered with soft-serve. John’s Water Ice has been family-run since 1945 and still serves from 701 Christian St. in Bella Vista, two blocks east of the Italian Market. Rita’s, the regional chain, sells it in nearly every suburb.
Plan it: Water ice is a warm-weather habit, and walk-up stands keep seasonal hours, so check before you make a trip for it in late fall or winter. John’s lists its shops on johnswaterice.com. Best for: hot afternoons, after a cheesesteak.
6. Tomato pie
The pizza you eat at room temperature. South Philly bakeries sell tomato pie by the square: a thick, focaccia-like crust, a layer of sweet, oregano-heavy tomato sauce and a dusting of grated hard cheese rather than mozzarella. It’s party food, picnic food and the thing your Philadelphia friend’s aunt brings to every gathering. Don’t let anyone microwave it.
Plan it: Look for it at the Italian bakeries in South Philadelphia, sold by the slice or the sheet, usually in the morning before it sells out. Best for: a picnic or an afternoon snack.
7. Scrapple and a Pennsylvania Dutch breakfast
Breakfast that divides tables. Scrapple is a loaf of pork trimmings and cornmeal, sliced thin and fried until the edges crunch. It came to Philadelphia with the Pennsylvania Dutch, and it shows up on diner menus across the region next to eggs and home fries. In Reading Terminal Market, Dutch Eating Place serves Pennsylvania Dutch breakfasts and lunches at its counter, and Down Home Diner cooks country-style plates from scratch.
Plan it: Order your scrapple crisp. Try it with apple butter, maple syrup or ketchup, and don’t ask what’s in it until after the first bite. Best for: adventurous eaters and early risers.
8. Amish-style doughnuts and sticky buns
The longest sweet line in the market. Beiler’s Doughnuts in Reading Terminal Market makes over 50 kinds of doughnuts and sells barrel pickles and Pennsylvania Dutch puddings and salads on the side. Next door in spirit, Beiler’s Bakery turns out sticky buns, pies, cookies and breads. The plain glazed one is the right first order.
Plan it: Inside Reading Terminal Market, which is open daily 8am to 6pm. Each stand sets its own hours within that, so check the market’s merchant directory if a particular counter is the point of your visit. Best for: a sugar stop between sandwiches.
9. Cannoli and Italian pastry
South Philly’s sweet tooth. The good Italian bakeries fill cannoli to order, so the shell stays crisp, and their cases hold sfogliatelle, rainbow cookies and ricotta cheesecake. The easiest stop for visitors is Termini Brothers Bakery’s counter in Reading Terminal Market, which sells Italian pastries, cakes, cookies and cannoli in the middle of Center City. In the Italian Market, Anthony’s Italian Coffee House pairs espresso with chocolate and gelato.
Plan it: Ask for cannoli filled fresh, and carry them flat. Best for: dessert on the go and gifts.
10. Ice cream
Old-school scoops, year-round. Bassetts Ice Cream’s counter in Reading Terminal Market serves classic flavors by the scoop, whatever the weather outside. In summer, Philadelphia’s neighborhood ice cream shops and water ice stands overlap, and the gelati (see water ice) splits the difference.
Plan it: Bassetts keeps Reading Terminal Market hours. Best for: families and the 3pm slump.
11. Hand-drawn noodles and soup dumplings
Chinatown’s best value. Philadelphia’s Chinatown, a few blocks around 10th and Race streets, is the place for cheap, fast, filling meals. A local roundup in August 2026 put Nan Zhou Hand-Drawn Noodles near the top for noodles pulled to order; Dim Sum Garden, opened in 2013 by chef Shizhou Da, for its xiao long bao (soup dumplings); Bai Wei, formerly Sakura Mandarin, for Sichuan and Hunan dishes; and EMei for fiery Sichuan cooking at big round tables. Dim Sum House rounds out the dumpling options.
Plan it: Chinatown is a five-minute walk from Reading Terminal Market and a block from the L’s 11th Street station. Most places are casual and walk-in; big groups should call ahead. Best for: budget meals and late lunches.
12. Peking duck and roast meats
Cantonese roast meats, no reservation needed. Glossy roast duck, barbecue pork and spare ribs hang in the windows of Chinatown’s roast-meat shops. If you’re short on time, Sang Kee Peking Duck has a counter in Reading Terminal Market serving duck, pork and spare rib platters and noodle soups.
Plan it: A duck platter at a market counter makes a fast, filling lunch. Best for: a break from sandwiches.
13. Hummus and modern Israeli cooking
Philadelphia’s modern calling card. Chef Michael Solomonov and his partner Steve Cook built a small empire on Israeli food around Zahav, their Society Hill flagship. Zahav and their skewer house Laser Wolf in Kensington are on Michelin’s Selected list, and their hummus counter Dizengoff earned a Bib Gourmand. Suraya in Fishtown, a Lebanese restaurant and café with a garden, made Michelin’s list too.
Plan it: Book Zahav as early as you can; it has been one of the city’s most sought-after tables for years. Dizengoff is the casual way to taste the same style of hummus. Best for: a dinner that feels like the city now, not 1950.
14. Pizza
A serious pizza town, and not just the old guard. Pizzeria Beddia in Fishtown is the one food writers travel for, and Michelin gave it a Bib Gourmand in 2025. Angelo’s on 9th Street in Bella Vista got one too, for pizza and for a cheesesteak that gets talked about as much as the pies. The old-school side of the city’s pizza runs from tomato pie (above) to corner shops selling slices by the dozen.
Plan it: Both Beddia and Angelo’s are busy on weekends, so go early or be prepared to wait. Best for: a casual dinner with a pedigree.
15. Fresh pasta
Philadelphia’s chef-driven Italian food. Marc Vetri’s restaurants are the benchmark. Vetri Cucina, his flagship on Spruce Street, is on Michelin’s Selected list, and Fiorella, his pasta bar near the Italian Market on Christian Street, earned a Bib Gourmand. In the market itself, Claudio’s sells imported pasta, olive oils, aged balsamic and cheeses if you’d rather cook.
Plan it: Book Vetri Cucina well ahead for a special-occasion dinner; Fiorella is the easier, cheaper table. Best for: date nights.
16. Southern Thai curries
Big flavors in Fishtown. Chef Nok Suntaranon’s Kalaya cooks the Southern Thai food she grew up with, curries and all, in Fishtown. It’s on Michelin’s Selected list and remains one of the city’s most talked-about dinners.
Plan it: Reserve ahead, especially Thursday to Saturday, and ask the server how hot a dish really is. Fishtown is a short ride on the L to Girard. Best for: groups who like spice.
17. Jewish deli sandwiches
Corned beef and pastrami, Philadelphia style. Hershel’s East Side Deli in Reading Terminal Market carves its deli meats by hand, and 4th Street Deli in Queen Village, a Bib Gourmand pick, is the sit-down version with oversized sandwiches and matzo ball soup.
Plan it: 4th Street Deli is a short walk from South Street. Split a sandwich unless you skipped breakfast. Best for: a big lunch.
18. Crab fries
Ballpark food you’ll crave later. Crab fries are crinkle-cut fries dusted with crab-boil seasoning and served with a white cheese sauce for dipping. There’s no crab in them. They’re the signature of Chickie’s & Pete’s, a local sports-bar chain, and they’re the snack of choice around an Eagles, Phillies, Flyers or Sixers game.
Plan it: Order a large if you’re sharing, and ask for extra cheese sauce. Best for: game days.
19. Tastykakes, Peanut Chews and Irish potatoes
The local candy shelf. Philadelphia’s own Tastykake snack cakes (Butterscotch Krimpets are the cult favorite) are in every corner store and Wawa. Peanut Chews, the chewy peanut bars coated in dark chocolate, were born in Philadelphia. Around St. Patrick’s Day, shops sell Irish potatoes: small cinnamon-dusted balls of coconut cream that look like tiny potatoes and contain none. And for the record, Philadelphia brand cream cheese was named for the city’s reputation for fine dairy, not made here.
Plan it: Any convenience store has the snack cakes. Irish potatoes are seasonal, from about late winter to mid-March. Best for: souvenirs that fit in a carry-on.
20. Plant-based tasting menus
An unexpected strength. For a city famous for meat on bread, Philadelphia takes vegetables seriously. Vedge, in Center City, has spent years proving that vegetable cooking can be a destination, and it’s on Michelin’s Selected list. Pietramala, Ian Graye’s vegan restaurant in Northern Liberties, earned the city’s first Michelin Green Star for sustainability in 2025.
Plan it: Book both ahead for weekend dinners. Best for: vegetarians, vegans and anyone who has had enough cheesesteak.
How to order a cheesesteak (and which stand to pick)
At the famous stands, ordering is a ritual and the line moves fast because everyone follows it. Decide before you reach the window. Say how many, then the cheese, then “wit” or “witout” (with or without fried onions). “One Whiz wit” gets you one cheesesteak with Cheez Whiz and onions. Provolone and American are the other standard cheeses. Peppers, mushrooms and ketchup are extras. A pizza steak adds marinara and melted cheese, a chicken cheesesteak swaps the beef for chopped chicken, and a cheesesteak hoagie adds lettuce, tomato and raw onion. Drinks and fries often come from a separate window, so don’t hold up the steak line asking for a soda.
Which stand? Our view: do Pat’s and Geno’s once, for the neon, the people-watching and the history, and go late if you can, when a hot meal at 2am feels like a gift. If you want the steak locals argue about, go to Dalessandro’s in Roxborough or John’s Roast Pork in South Philly (Tuesday to Saturday only). Jim’s on South Street is the easy choice if you’re already walking South Street. A plain steak at the famous stands is no longer cheap, and a loaded one passes $20.
Two more tips. Eat it where you buy it: a cheesesteak goes soggy fast in a takeout bag. And be wary of any “authentic Philly cheesesteak” sold within sight of the Liberty Bell; the best ones are a short ride away.
The markets: Reading Terminal and the Italian Market
Philadelphia’s two great food markets are opposites. Reading Terminal Market is indoors, in a landmark building in Center City, with lunch counters and seats. The Italian Market is outdoors along a South Philly street, mostly shops, with awnings over the sidewalks. Do both on a first trip.
Reading Terminal Market
Free to enter; open daily; best at breakfast or after the lunch rush. Reading Terminal Market calls itself one of America’s largest and oldest public markets, housed since 1893 in a National Historic Landmark building under the old Reading Railroad terminal. It’s the easiest single stop for a visitor: you can eat a roast pork sandwich at DiNic’s, a hand-carved pastrami sandwich at Hershel’s East Side Deli, roast duck at Sang Kee Peking Duck, a Pennsylvania Dutch breakfast at Dutch Eating Place and a glazed doughnut from Beiler’s without walking more than a few hundred feet. Other counters cover Georgian-inspired food (Saami Somi), Filipino plates (Tambayan), Middle Eastern specials (Kamal’s) and barbecue chicken (Dienner’s). Old City Coffee pours urn-brewed coffee and espresso, and Molly Malloy’s has 35 beers on tap.
The market also works for groceries: there are butchers, produce stands, a fish market and cheese counters. If you’re staying in an apartment, it’s the best place in Center City to stock a kitchen.
Plan it: 51 N. 12th St., at 12th and Arch streets in Center City. Open daily 8am to 6pm, with some holiday closures (it closed on Labor Day 2026), as listed on the market’s site in October 2026; each stand sets its own hours within that. Take the L to 11th Street or 13th Street, or Regional Rail to Jefferson Station a block away. Parking is in nearby garages. From Harrisburg it’s about 1 hour 45 minutes by car, from Pittsburgh about 5 hours. The market is on one level, but aisles get tight at lunchtime. Allow 1 to 2 hours. Best for: first-timers, groups and mixed diets.
The South 9th Street Italian Market
Free; outdoors; best in the morning. The South 9th Street Italian Market bills itself as the nation’s oldest outdoor market. A state historical marker on the street explains that it began as one of several curb markets set up in the early 20th century to fight high food prices and shortages during World War I, and it survived years of complaints about sanitation and traffic. It still looks the part: produce stands under metal awnings, butchers, cheese shops and bakeries, and, in winter, merchants warming their hands over fires in barrels.
The anchor is Di Bruno Bros. at 930 S. 9th St., which has sold cheese from its tiny, roughly 300-square-foot shop since 1939, and its Bottle Shop two doors up at 920 S. 9th St. sells craft beer and wine. Claudio’s handles imported olive oils, aged balsamic, pasta, cheeses and cured meats. Cappuccio Meats has made hot and mild sausages since 1920. Anastasi’s Seafood and Anthony’s Italian Coffee House round out a good first loop. The street’s Mexican and Southeast Asian shops and taquerias have become as much a part of the market as the Italian ones, and Rocky fans will recognize the stretch from the training run in the 1976 film.
Plan it: South 9th Street in South Philadelphia, ending at Pat’s and Geno’s where 9th meets Passyunk Avenue. Di Bruno Bros. opens 9am to 6pm daily as listed on its site in October 2026; the other shops set their own hours, so go in the morning when the produce stands are fully set up. Take the B to Ellsworth-Federal and walk about five blocks east, or walk 20 to 30 minutes south from Center City. Street parking is scarce. Allow 1 to 2 hours, plus a cheesesteak at the south end. Best for: food shoppers, photographers and Rocky fans.
Where to eat in Philadelphia, by neighborhood
Philadelphia is a city of neighborhoods, and most visitors eat within a mile of their hotel. Here’s what each area does best, with the sights nearby so you can build a day around a meal. Hours are not listed because they change often, so check before you go.
Center City and Rittenhouse
The fine-dining core. Two of the city’s three Michelin-starred restaurants are near Rittenhouse Square. Her Place Supper Club, which chef Amanda Shulman started in her Penn campus apartment, serves everyone at the same time, supper-club style. Friday Saturday Sunday, run by Chad and Hanna Williams since 2016, serves a set multicourse menu. Around them you’ll find Vernick Food & Drink and My Loup, both on Michelin’s Selected list, Vetri Cucina on Spruce Street and Vedge on Locust Street. For something quicker, Di Bruno Bros.’ Rittenhouse store at 1730 Chestnut St. has a café, a full bar, a bake shop and an Italian restaurant under one roof.
Plan it: Walkable from most Center City hotels; the B stops at City Hall and Walnut-Locust, the L at 15th Street. Nearby: Rittenhouse Square, City Hall and the museums along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Best for: date nights and special occasions.
Old City and Society Hill
Dinner after the history. Zahav, the restaurant that made modern Israeli food a Philadelphia signature, is in Society Hill. Provenance, across from Headhouse Square, earned its Michelin star for chef Nicholas Bazik’s tasting menu with Korean and French influences. Forsythia in Old City, a French restaurant on Michelin’s Selected list, is the third strong choice within a few blocks of the historic sites. One warning: don’t plan lunch at City Tavern. The National Park Service now lists it as a historic site, not a working restaurant.
Plan it: Pair a dinner here with a day at Independence National Historical Park, a 5- to 15-minute walk away. The L’s 2nd Street and 5th Street stations serve Old City. Best for: a big dinner after sightseeing.
Chinatown
The best cheap eating in Center City. Chinatown covers a few compact blocks north of Market Street, entered under the Friendship Gate on 10th Street. Menus span Cantonese, Fujianese, Sichuan, Taiwanese and Hong Kong cooking, along with Malaysian, Vietnamese, Burmese and Korean places. Start with the dumplings at Dim Sum Garden, the noodles at Nan Zhou Hand-Drawn Noodles or the Sichuan dishes at Bai Wei or EMei. Bakeries and bubble tea shops fill the gaps between meals.
Plan it: Next to the Pennsylvania Convention Center and a five-minute walk from Reading Terminal Market. The L stops at 11th Street. Most restaurants take walk-ins. Best for: groups, budgets and late lunches.
Bella Vista, Queen Village and South Street
Italian roots, new energy. This is the Italian Market’s neighborhood, and it packs in more of Michelin’s list than any other part of the city. Angelo’s on 9th Street and Fiorella on Christian Street hold Bib Gourmands, as do Royal Sushi & Izakaya and 4th Street Deli in Queen Village. Southwark, a Queen Village cocktail and dinner spot, is on the Selected list. John’s Water Ice is at 701 Christian St., and Jim’s South St. anchors the eastern end of South Street at 4th.
Plan it: Walk south from Society Hill or take the B to Lombard-South. South Street’s shops and the Magic Gardens mosaic site are nearby. Best for: a long afternoon of grazing.
East Passyunk
The restaurant row locals actually use. East Passyunk Avenue runs diagonally southwest from Pat’s and Geno’s to Broad Street, lined with restaurants, bars and cafés. Laurel and River Twice, both chef-driven tasting rooms, are on Michelin’s Selected list, and El Chingon, a Bib Gourmand Mexican restaurant, is a short walk away. The avenue’s fountain plaza at Passyunk and Tasker streets is the center of the scene.
Plan it: Take the B to Tasker-Morris and walk a few blocks east. Street parking is easier than in Center City but still tight on weekend nights. Best for: a neighborhood dinner and a drink after.
Fishtown, Kensington and Northern Liberties
Where the new restaurants open. These former industrial neighborhoods along the Delaware River now hold some of the city’s most talked-about tables: Kalaya and Suraya on Michelin’s Selected list, Pizzeria Beddia with its Bib Gourmand, Laser Wolf just over the line in Kensington, and Pietramala in Northern Liberties with its Green Star. The last Federal Donuts & Chicken in the city is at 7th Street and Fairmount Avenue. Yards Brewing Co.’s taproom is at 500 Spring Garden St., on the way back toward Center City.
Plan it: Take the L to Spring Garden, Girard or Berks. Frankford Avenue is the main strip in Fishtown. Best for: younger crowds, craft beer and late dinners.
Roxborough and Manayunk
The cheesesteak detour. Dalessandro’s has been on the same Roxborough corner, just up the hill from Manayunk, since 1960, and Michelin gave it a Bib Gourmand. It’s a counter-and-stools place where you watch the steak get made. Pair it with Manayunk’s Main Street and the Schuylkill River Trail.
Plan it: About 15 minutes’ drive from City Hall without traffic, and more at rush hour; a ride-share is easiest. Best for: cheesesteak purists.
Where to eat near the big sights
Most first-time visitors plan the sights first and hunt for food second. This table flips that around, pairing the places you’ll already be with the best food within an easy walk or a short ride.
| If you’re at | Eat nearby | How far |
|---|---|---|
| Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell | Zahav, Forsythia, Provenance; Reading Terminal Market for lunch | 5 to 15 minutes on foot; the market is about 15 minutes west |
| City Hall and the Convention Center | Reading Terminal Market, Chinatown | 2 to 5 minutes on foot |
| Rittenhouse Square | Her Place Supper Club, Friday Saturday Sunday, Vernick Food & Drink, Di Bruno Bros. on Chestnut Street | Within a few blocks |
| South Street | Jim’s South St., 4th Street Deli, Southwark, Royal Sushi & Izakaya | On the street or a block or two off it |
| The Italian Market | Di Bruno Bros., Angelo’s, Fiorella, John’s Water Ice, Pat’s and Geno’s | All within about a 10-minute walk |
| The South Philadelphia stadiums | East Passyunk’s restaurants, Pat’s and Geno’s | Three stops north on the B to Tasker-Morris, then a short walk east |
Michelin in Philadelphia: the stars, the Bibs and how to book
Philadelphia joined the Michelin Guide in its 2025 Northeast Cities edition, announced at the Kimmel Center on November 18, 2025. No Philadelphia restaurant got two or three stars, which is normal for a city’s first year, and inspectors return each year for the next edition. Here’s what the first list said.
| Distinction | Philadelphia restaurants (November 2025) | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| One Michelin star | Her Place Supper Club, Friday Saturday Sunday (Rittenhouse); Provenance (Society Hill) | Set or tasting menus; book as soon as reservations open |
| Bib Gourmand | Angelo’s, Dalessandro’s, Del Rossi’s, Dizengoff, El Chingon, Fiorella, Pizzeria Beddia, Royal Sushi & Izakaya, Sally, 4th Street Deli | Michelin’s pick for great food at moderate prices; the best value list in town |
| Green Star | Pietramala (Northern Liberties) | Recognized for sustainability; vegan |
| Selected (recommended) | Ambra, Forsythia, High Street, Honeysuckle, Illata, Kalaya, Laser Wolf, Laurel, Little Water, Mish Mish, My Loup, Pietramala, River Twice, Roxanne, Southwark, Suraya, Vedge, Vernick Food & Drink, Vetri Cucina, Zahav | Recommended without a star; Hiroki was also listed but closed in August 2026 |
Our take: the Bib Gourmand list is more useful to a visitor than the stars. It mixes two cheesesteak shops, a Jewish deli, a hummus counter and a pizzeria with sit-down restaurants, and most of them are casual, everyday places rather than special-occasion rooms. The stars are for a planned celebration. Her Place serves all its guests at once, so be on time; Friday Saturday Sunday and Provenance run set menus.
How to book: use each restaurant’s own website, which links to its reservation system, and check when it releases tables. The starred rooms are small and fill first, especially Friday and Saturday. If you can’t get in, try the bar (where there is one), a weeknight, or a Selected restaurant run by the same team.
Drinks, BYOBs, breweries and brunch
BYOB is a Philadelphia institution. Pennsylvania limits the number of liquor licenses in each county, and a license is expensive to buy, so many small restaurants never get one and let you bring your own wine or beer instead. That makes dinner cheaper and is one reason the city has so many chef-owned dining rooms. Look for “BYOB” on the restaurant’s website, ask whether it charges a corkage fee (some do), and bring your bottle already chilled if it needs to be.
Where to buy: wine and spirits are sold in the state-run Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores, and many supermarkets now sell wine and beer too. In the Italian Market, Di Bruno Bros.’ Bottle Shop at 920 S. 9th St. stocks craft beer, wine and aperitivo supplies.
Beer. Philadelphia is a strong beer city. Yards Brewing Co. pours at its brewery at 500 Spring Garden St., and corner taprooms across Fishtown, Kensington and South Philly serve local drafts. In Reading Terminal Market, Molly Malloy’s has 35 taps. Breweries across the rest of the state are a separate trip in themselves.
Rooftops. Many of the city’s rooftop bars sit on hotels, and several are seasonal, closing or enclosing for winter, so check before you plan a cold-weather sunset drink.
Brunch. Weekend brunch is a sport here, and BYOB brunch spots let you bring your own sparkling wine and juice. Popular places fill early on Saturdays and Sundays, so book where you can or arrive before the rush.
Eating with kids, vegetarians and special diets
Kids. Reading Terminal Market is the easiest family meal in the city: everyone picks a different counter, and the shared tables mean nobody has to sit still through a tasting menu. Soft pretzels, a Bassetts scoop and, in summer, a water ice from John’s cover the snacks. Chinatown’s dumpling houses are casual and quick, which matters with small children. Save the starred restaurants for a night with a sitter.
Vegetarian and vegan. Philadelphia does better here than its cheesesteak reputation suggests. Vedge and Pietramala are two of the most serious vegetable-focused restaurants on the East Coast, and both are on Michelin’s list. At Reading Terminal Market, Nanee’s Kitchen labels its Indian-Pakistani dishes gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian and halal, and Kamal’s Middle Eastern Specialties serves falafel. The Italian Market’s cheese shops and produce stands make an easy vegetarian picnic, and many Chinatown menus have a long vegetable section.
Halal, gluten-free and allergies. Nanee’s Kitchen uses halal meats and marks gluten-free dishes. Elsewhere, tell your server about any allergy before you order, and be aware that the classic sandwiches share flat-tops, slicers and fryers, so cross-contact is likely at counter shops.
Planning a food trip: costs, timing, tipping and getting around
What it costs. Philadelphia is good value next to New York or Washington. A day of counter food (a pretzel, a sandwich, a doughnut, a water ice) stays at the low end of the bands in our table above, while a starred tasting menu sits in the top band before you order a drink. Philadelphia adds 8% sales tax to restaurant bills, and the tip at a table is 18 to 20%. At counters, a tip jar is customary but optional.
When to go. Spring and fall bring the best walking weather for a market-to-market day. Summer adds water ice and outdoor tables. In the run-up to the holidays, Christmas Village fills LOVE Park and City Hall with food stalls from November 21 to December 27, 2026. Some chef-run restaurants close on Mondays, and John’s Roast Pork opens only Tuesday to Saturday. Reading Terminal Market is open daily.
Getting around. Base yourself in Center City and use your feet plus SEPTA. The B line runs under Broad Street to South Philly and the stadiums; the L runs under Market Street to Old City, Fishtown and Kensington. You can tap a contactless bank card or phone to pay, and since May 8, 2026 one card can pay for up to five riders. Driving within the city is fine at night but slow by day, and South Philly street parking is a contact sport.
| Coming from | Drive to Center City (free-flow) | Train option |
|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh | About 5 hours | Amtrak Pennsylvanian, once daily; a second daily round trip starts in mid-November 2026 |
| Harrisburg | About 1 hour 45 minutes | Amtrak Keystone to 30th Street Station |
| Lancaster | About 1 hour 30 minutes | Amtrak Keystone to 30th Street Station |
| Allentown | About 1 hour 15 minutes | No direct train; intercity buses |
| Scranton | About 2 hours | No direct train; intercity buses |
| Baltimore | About 2 hours | Amtrak Northeast Corridor |
Drive times are free-flow estimates; add time on Friday afternoons, on summer weekends and around Eagles home games. For a full city itinerary to wrap around these meals, start with our Philadelphia trip planner.
A one-day eating plan
Here’s a day that hits the essentials without a car. Breakfast at Reading Terminal Market: a Pennsylvania Dutch plate at Dutch Eating Place or a Beiler’s doughnut and Old City Coffee. Walk Chinatown and the historic district through the morning, then take a midday break for soup dumplings. In the afternoon, walk south to the Italian Market for cheese and espresso, then a water ice in Bella Vista when it’s warm. Finish with a cheesesteak at 9th and Passyunk or a booked dinner in East Passyunk. You’ll walk 4 to 5 miles, which is roughly the right amount.
What’s changed, and what to skip
- Michelin arrived. The November 2025 list (above) is the first in the city’s history. Expect the next edition to add and drop names.
- Hiroki closed. The Fishtown omakase on Michelin’s Selected list held its last service on August 8, 2026.
- Federal Donuts shrank. CookNSolo closed four Center City Federal Donuts & Chicken shops and three Goldie falafel shops in July 2026. The Federal Donuts at 7th and Fairmount and the Goldie at 1911 Sansom St. remain.
- Jim’s is back. Jim’s South St. reopened in its rebuilt building at 400 South Street.
- City Tavern isn’t a restaurant. The National Park Service lists it as an exterior-only historic site.
What to skip: driving to 9th and Passyunk on a weekend evening (take a ride-share or walk from the Italian Market); Saturday lunch at Reading Terminal Market if you hate crowds (go at breakfast instead); chain “Philly cheesesteaks” in tourist zones; and water ice pilgrimages in January. And don’t build a whole day around a single restaurant without checking its hours. Philadelphia’s food scene moves faster than any guide.
Philadelphia Food FAQ
What food is Philadelphia famous for?
The cheesesteak first, then the roast pork sandwich with sharp provolone and broccoli rabe, the Italian hoagie, the figure-eight soft pretzel, water ice and tomato pie. Locals add scrapple, Tastykakes and Irish potato candy. The modern list includes Israeli food from Zahav’s team, hand-pulled noodles in Chinatown and the city’s many BYOB restaurants.
Does Philadelphia have Michelin-starred restaurants?
Yes. Philadelphia entered the Michelin Guide on November 18, 2025, and three restaurants earned one star each: Her Place Supper Club and Friday Saturday Sunday in Rittenhouse, and Provenance in Society Hill. Ten more got a Bib Gourmand for good food at moderate prices, and Pietramala received a Green Star.
Are Pat’s and Geno’s open 24 hours?
Yes. Both Pat’s King of Steaks (1237 E. Passyunk Ave.) and Geno’s Steaks (1219 S. 9th St.) both say they are open 24/7. They face each other at 9th Street and Passyunk Avenue, so you can try both in one visit. Late night is the most fun time to go.
Is Reading Terminal Market open on Sundays?
Yes. Reading Terminal Market is open daily from 8am to 6pm, with closures on some holidays (it closed on Labor Day 2026). Each merchant sets its own hours within that window, so if one stand is the reason for your visit, check the market’s merchant directory before you go.
What should I eat in Philadelphia’s Chinatown?
Start with soup dumplings (xiao long bao) at Dim Sum Garden and hand-pulled noodles at Nan Zhou Hand-Drawn Noodles, then try Sichuan dishes at Bai Wei or EMei. Cantonese roast duck and barbecue pork hang in shop windows. Most places are casual, cheap and walk-in, a few minutes from Reading Terminal Market.
What does BYOB mean at a Philadelphia restaurant?
BYOB means “bring your own bottle.” The restaurant has no liquor license, so you bring wine or beer and staff open and pour it. Pennsylvania limits liquor licenses, which is why Philadelphia has so many. Buy wine at a Fine Wine & Good Spirits store or a supermarket beforehand, and ask about corkage fees.
Where can I eat well and cheaply in Philadelphia?
Reading Terminal Market, Chinatown and the Italian Market are the best-value areas, with filling meals at counter prices. Michelin’s Bib Gourmand list is a reliable shortlist too: Dalessandro’s, Angelo’s, Dizengoff, 4th Street Deli and Pizzeria Beddia are all on it. A soft pretzel remains the cheapest good snack in town.
Related Pennsylvania Guides
- Things to do in Philadelphia: museums, neighborhoods, day plans and where to stay.
- Independence National Historical Park and historic Philadelphia: tickets, hours and the sites around Old City.
Sources and How We Checked
Everything on this page was checked on October 1, 2026 against the official sources below and compiled from them; we don’t claim first-hand visits or meals. Drive times are free-flow estimates from OpenStreetMap-based routing (the Valhalla engine), rounded to the nearest 15 minutes.
- Reading Terminal Market, merchant directory: market hours and the stands named here.
- South 9th Street Italian Market, merchants: shops and the market’s history.
- Di Bruno Bros., locations: addresses and hours for the 9th Street, Bottle Shop and Rittenhouse stores.
- Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s Steaks: addresses, 24/7 hours and menu prices.
- John’s Roast Pork: hours and history.
- Jim’s South St.: reopening and hours.
Also used: the websites of Dalessandro’s, John’s Water Ice and Yards Brewing Co.; the Michelin results as reported by FOX 29 Philadelphia and the Northeast Times; 2026 closures as reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer and Hoodline; cheesesteak prices as reported by Fortune; and an August 2026 local roundup of Chinatown restaurants. SEPTA, tax and Christmas Village details were last checked in September 2026.
Pennsylvania Tourism Guide is an independent publication. We are not affiliated with Reading Terminal Market, the South 9th Street Italian Market, the Michelin Guide, SEPTA or any restaurant named here, and no one paid to be included.
Photo Credits
- Reading Terminal Market interior, Philadelphia: photo by Dough4872, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Philly cheesesteak with fries: photo by ZhengZhou, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Philly-style soft pretzel: photo by Vinchenzo8, via Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
- Mango water ice, Bucks County: photo by Famartin, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Pat's King of Steaks, South Philadelphia: photo by Jim.henderson, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- DiNic's Roast Pork and Beef, Reading Terminal Market: photo by ajay_suresh, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
- South 9th Street Curb Market historical marker: photo by Bohemian Baltimore, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Friendship Gate, Chinatown, Philadelphia: photo by Sam Nabi, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)