Restaurants in Old City

Zahav ★ 4.9

$$$$ Modern IsraeliOld City

Zahav in Philadelphia is Michael Solomonov's modern Israeli room near Society Hill, James Beard's Outstanding Restaurant in America in 2019 and one.

OrderThe lamb shoulder for two with the hummus tehina, the way it has been ordered since 2008.

TipBook 30 days out on Resy at 10am Eastern. The Mesibah feast lands at the family table.

Fork ★ 4.5

$$$ Modern AmericanOld City

Fork in Philadelphia is Ellen Yin's 1997 Old City flagship on Market Street, a James Beard Outstanding Restaurateur 2022 anchor of the Philadelphia dining.

OrderWhichever hand-cut pasta is on the seasonal menu; the roast duck if it appears.

TipThe bar runs a separate menu and a half-price oyster happy hour weekday afternoons. Walk in for it.

Han Dynasty ★ 4.5

$$ Sichuan ChineseOld City

Han Dynasty in Philadelphia is Han Chiang's Sichuan room on Chestnut in Old City, the kitchen that ranked the city's spice scale 1 to 10 and made the dan dan.

OrderDan dan noodles, dry-pot rabbit at heat 7, three-pepper chicken, mapo tofu.

TipOrder one dish below the heat level you think you can handle. The 10-spice scale is honest.

Forsythia ★ 4.5

$$$ Modern FrenchOld City

Forsythia in Philadelphia is Christopher Kearse's modern French bistro on Chestnut Street in Old City, a 2025 Michelin Guide selection with rabbit porchetta.

OrderThe escargot with parsley and shallots; the duck if it appears on that night's tasting menu.

TipHappy hour from 16:30 weekdays runs half-price oysters and a French 75. Walk in for it.

Pizzeria Stella ★ 4.4

$$ Neapolitan PizzaOld City

Pizzeria Stella in Philadelphia is Stephen Starr's Headhouse Square Neapolitan pizzeria on the corner of 2nd and Lombard, with a wood-burning oven.

OrderMargherita with San Marzano and buffalo mozzarella; the Tartufo with black truffle and fontina.

TipWalk in at noon for happy-hour pies; main rush starts at 18:30. Reserve on Resy for weekends.

Casual Dining in Old City

Han Dynasty ★ 4.7

$$ Sichuan ChineseOld City

Han Dynasty in Philadelphia is Han Chiang's Sichuan room on Chestnut, the kitchen that ranked the spice scale 1 to 10 and made the city order dan dan noodles.

OrderDan dan noodles, dry-pot rabbit at heat 7, three-pepper chicken, mapo tofu.

TipOrder one dish below the heat level you think you can handle. The 10 scale is honest.

Pizzeria Stella ★ 4.2

$$ Neapolitan PizzaOld City

Pizzeria Stella in Philadelphia is the Stephen Starr Neapolitan pizzeria on Headhouse Square, a wood-burning oven turning out bubbly Margherita.

OrderMargherita with San Marzano and buffalo mozzarella; the Tartufo with black truffle and fontina.

TipWalk in at noon for the happy-hour pies; the main rush starts at 18:30. Reserve on Resy for weekend dinner.

Nightlife in Old City

Stratus Rooftop Lounge ★ 4.2

$$$ $18 cocktails, small plates, casual upscale dressOld CityTue 17:00-22:00, Wed-Thu 17:00-00:00, Fri 17:00-02:00, Sat 19:00-02:00. Closed Mon/Sun.

Stratus on the Kimpton Hotel Monaco roof in Old City Philadelphia is the year-round Chestnut Street lounge with lush green walls, fire pits and live DJs.

TipTuesday and Wednesday 17:00 to midnight; Friday and Saturday push to 02:00. Casual upscale dress; reserve via OpenTable for a window seat.

48 Record Bar ★ 4.5

$$$ Old CityTue-Fri 17:00-02:00, Sat 16:00-02:00, Sun 17:00-02:00. Closed Mon.

48 Record Bar above Sassafras in Old City Philadelphia is the 35-seat jazz kissa style listening room and cocktail lounge with an audiophile vinyl rig.

TipEnter through Sassafras downstairs, take the back stairwell up. No reservations; the Sunday morning deep-listening sessions open at 10:00.

Khyber Pass Pub ★ 4.3

$ Old CityMon-Fri 11:00-02:00, Sat-Sun 10:00-02:00.

Khyber Pass Pub on 2nd Street in Old City Philadelphia runs Cajun food, cheap beer and live music until 02:00, with a long bar of taps and a back stage.

TipOpen 11:00-02:00, weekends from 10:00. Order the Khyber gumbo or the shrimp po boy, then settle in for the late set.

Book food experiences in Philadelphia

Historic Old City Dine Around★ 5.0 (2)

Guided tour · 2h 30m

Historic Old City Dine Around

Eat + drink your way through Philadelphia’s history on this unique food tour. Walk along the cobblestone alleyways of the city’s old colonial neighborhoods between bit...

from$173 Check dates

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Cuisines in Old City