16 editor picks in Philadelphia.
16 splurge places in Philadelphia, editor-picked. tasting menus and the full big-night-out treatment in Philadelphia. All Philadelphia food.
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.
Vetri Cucina in Philadelphia is Marc Vetri's 1998 Spruce Street townhouse tasting menu, a Michelin-recognised Italian room with the spinach gnocchi.
OrderSpinach gnocchi in brown butter and ricotta salata; the whole roasted baby goat for the table.
TipBook 60 days out on the venue's own site. The eight-seat counter is the room's quiet best seat.
Royal Sushi & Izakaya in Philadelphia is the eight-seat Queen Village omakase counter behind the front-room izakaya, ranked among North America's 50 Best.
OrderThe omakase counter at the back; the crispy pork gyoza if you sit at the izakaya bar in front.
TipThe omakase books out 30 days at midnight on Resy. The izakaya front room takes walk-ups most weeknights.
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.
OrderThe Mesibah lamb shoulder feast for the table, with hummus tehina to start.
TipResy opens 30 days out at 10am. The Mesibah books fastest. The salatim spread is what to order if you want a la carte.
Vernick Food & Drink in Philadelphia is Greg Vernick's James Beard Best Chef Mid-Atlantic 2017 Rittenhouse bi-level brownstone, with the avocado toast.
OrderThe avocado toast with chilli flake; whatever whole fish is on the wood fire that night.
TipThe chef's counter on the second floor watches the open kitchen. Book it specifically when reserving.
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.
OrderThe full nine-course tasting; the four-seat kitchen counter rather than the main table when available.
TipBook at exactly 30 days out at 10am on the venue's site. Saturday seatings fill in the first 90 seconds.
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.
OrderThe full 18-course omakase; trust the counter on the order, do not request swaps.
TipResy opens at midnight 30 days out. Saturday seatings book in the first 60 seconds.
Vetri Cucina in Philadelphia is Marc Vetri's 1998 Spruce Street Italian townhouse tasting menu, the city's defining hand-cut-pasta fine-dining room.
OrderSpinach gnocchi in brown butter; whole roasted baby goat for the table.
TipEight-seat counter at the back is the room's quiet best. Specify when booking on the venue site.
Friday Saturday Sunday in Philadelphia is Chad and Hanna Williams's narrow Rittenhouse townhouse, James Beard Best New Restaurant 2019, with the mushroom.
OrderThe mushroom soup, with foie gras toast on the side.
TipThe upstairs bar takes walk-ups. The natural-wine list runs deeper than the cellar list.
Kalaya in Philadelphia is Chutatip 'Nok' Suntaranon's James Beard Best Chef Mid-Atlantic 2022 Southern Thai room in Fishtown, on Palmer Street.
OrderKhua kling dry-fried pork; massaman curry; the coconut soup that runs from her mother's recipe.
TipBook a week out on Resy. The 5pm seating clears quickest if you want a table without a wait.
Vernick Food & Drink in Philadelphia is Greg Vernick's James Beard Best Chef Mid-Atlantic Rittenhouse bi-level brownstone, with the avocado toast.
OrderAvocado toast with chilli; whichever whole fish is on the wood fire that night.
TipThe chef's counter on the second floor watches the open kitchen. Book it specifically when reserving.
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.
OrderThe full nine-course tasting; sit at the four-seat kitchen counter if it is available at booking.
TipBook at exactly 30 days out, 10am on the venue site. Wednesday and Thursday clear faster than Saturday.
Laser Wolf in Philadelphia is Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook's Israeli skewer-grill in Olde Kensington at Howard and Master, the casual sibling to Zahav.
OrderThe mixed grill plate with beef shipudim and lamb merguez; salatim spread to start.
TipWalk in at the bar before 18:00 on a weeknight. Reservations stretch 2 weeks on Resy.
Suraya in Philadelphia is the Fishtown Lebanese market, garden and restaurant on Frankford Avenue, the modern Levantine showroom Michael Solomonov's team.
OrderWhole roasted fish for the table, lamb shawarma platter, the labneh with shrak bread.
TipBrunch on the back garden patio in summer is the room's best seat. Saturday 10am books out fastest.
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.
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.
Forsythia in Philadelphia is Christopher Kearse's modern French bistro on Chestnut in Old City, a 2025 Michelin Guide pick with rabbit porchetta.
OrderEscargot in parsley butter; duck a l'orange if it appears on the menu.
TipHappy hour from 16:30 weekdays runs half-price oysters and a French 75. Walk in for it.
Guided tour · 45 minutes
Explore the Reading Terminal Market of Philadelphia on a walking tour. Learn about the market's history, hear stories of some of the family-owned merchants, and choose...
Guided tour · 2h 30m
Discover Philly's most popular food favorites on a guided foodie walking tour. Get a taste of the city's history and culture as you chow down on favorite local dishes.
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Celebrate the holiday season with a Christmas Eve or Christmas Day dinner cruise on the Delaware River. Enjoy a festive dinner with a live DJ and games.