Cobblestone blocks between Independence Hall and the Delaware, full of galleries, cocktail bars and the original Han Dynasty on Chestnut.
Zahav in Philadelphia is Michael Solomonov's modern Israeli room near Society Hill, James Beard's Outstanding Restaurant in America in 2019 and one.
Signature: Hummus tehina, Lamb shoulder
Order: The lamb shoulder for two with the hummus tehina, the way it has been ordered since 2008.
Tip: Book 30 days out on Resy at 10am Eastern. The Mesibah feast lands at the family table.
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.
Signature: Hand-cut pasta, Roast duck
Order: Whichever hand-cut pasta is on the seasonal menu; the roast duck if it appears.
Tip: The bar runs a separate menu and a half-price oyster happy hour weekday afternoons. Walk in for it.
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.
Signature: Dan dan noodles, Dry pot
Order: Dan dan noodles, dry-pot rabbit at heat 7, three-pepper chicken, mapo tofu.
Tip: Order one dish below the heat level you think you can handle. The 10-spice scale is honest.
Forsythia in Philadelphia is Christopher Kearse's modern French bistro on Chestnut Street in Old City, a 2025 Michelin Guide selection with rabbit porchetta.
Signature: Escargot, Duck a l'orange
Order: The escargot with parsley and shallots; the duck if it appears on that night's tasting menu.
Tip: Happy hour from 16:30 weekdays runs half-price oysters and a French 75. Walk in for it.
Pizzeria Stella in Philadelphia is Stephen Starr's Headhouse Square Neapolitan pizzeria on the corner of 2nd and Lombard, with a wood-burning oven.
Signature: Margherita, Tartufo pizza
Order: Margherita with San Marzano and buffalo mozzarella; the Tartufo with black truffle and fontina.
Tip: Walk in at noon for happy-hour pies; main rush starts at 18:30. Reserve on Resy for weekends.
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.
Signature: Dan dan noodles, Dry pot
Order: Dan dan noodles, dry-pot rabbit at heat 7, three-pepper chicken, mapo tofu.
Tip: Order one dish below the heat level you think you can handle. The 10 scale is honest.
Pizzeria Stella in Philadelphia is the Stephen Starr Neapolitan pizzeria on Headhouse Square, a wood-burning oven turning out bubbly Margherita.
Signature: Margherita, Tartufo pizza
Order: Margherita with San Marzano and buffalo mozzarella; the Tartufo with black truffle and fontina.
Tip: Walk in at noon for the happy-hour pies; the main rush starts at 18:30. Reserve on Resy for weekend dinner.
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.
Tip: Tuesday 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 above Sassafras in Old City Philadelphia is the 35-seat jazz kissa style listening room and cocktail lounge with an audiophile vinyl rig.
Tip: Enter through Sassafras downstairs, take the back stairwell up. No reservations; the Sunday morning deep-listening sessions open at 10:00.
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.
Tip: Open 11:00-02:00, weekends from 10:00. Order the Khyber gumbo or the shrimp po boy, then settle in for the late set.