IsraeliChef Michael Solomonov$$$$$95 Mesibah feastBook 30 days ahead
Zahav in Philadelphia is Michael Solomonov's modern Israeli room, James Beard's Outstanding Restaurant in America 2019 and the city's most-booked tasting.
Order: The Mesibah lamb shoulder feast for the table, with hummus tehina to start.
Tip: Resy opens 30 days out at 10am. The Mesibah books fastest. The salatim spread is what to order if you want a la carte.
New AmericanChef Chad and Hanna Williams$$$$$110-130Wed-Sat 17:00-22:00Book 30 days ahead
Friday Saturday Sunday in Philadelphia is Chad and Hanna Williams's narrow Rittenhouse townhouse, James Beard Best New Restaurant 2019, with the mushroom.
Order: The mushroom soup, with foie gras toast on the side.
Tip: The upstairs bar takes walk-ups. The natural-wine list runs deeper than the cellar list.
New AmericanChef Greg Vernick$$$$A la carte $90-130Book 21 days ahead
Vernick Food & Drink in Philadelphia is Greg Vernick's James Beard Best Chef Mid-Atlantic Rittenhouse bi-level brownstone, with the avocado toast.
Order: Avocado toast with chilli; whichever whole fish is on the wood fire that night.
Tip: The chef's counter on the second floor watches the open kitchen. Book it specifically when reserving.
Japanese sushiChef Jesse Ito$$$$$175Book 30 days ahead
Royal Sushi omakase in Philadelphia is Jesse Ito's eight-seat Queen Village sushi counter behind the front izakaya, on North America's 50 Best 2025.
Order: The full 18-course omakase; trust the counter on the order, do not request swaps.
Tip: Resy opens at midnight 30 days out. Saturday seatings book in the first 60 seconds.
ItalianChef Chris D'Ambro$$$$$300-350Book 30 days ahead
Ambra in Philadelphia is Chris D'Ambro and Marina de Oliveira's 16-seat Italian tasting menu on South 4th in Queen Village, the city's most personal.
Order: The full nine-course tasting; sit at the four-seat kitchen counter if it is available at booking.
Tip: Book at exactly 30 days out, 10am on the venue site. Wednesday and Thursday clear faster than Saturday.
New AmericanChef John Patterson$$$$A la carte $75-100Mon 17:00-21:00, Thu 11:30-21:00, Fri 11:30-22:00, Sat 11:00-22:00, Sun 11:00-21:00Book 14 days ahead
Fork in Philadelphia is Ellen Yin's 1997 Old City flagship on Market Street, James Beard Outstanding Restaurateur 2022, a cornerstone of the city's modern.
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.