*Updated: January 2024

Philadelphia has come a long way, since I grew up alongside it in the suburbs. When I would “go into the city,” I’d have intentional plans, reservations and the slog of finding parking. I didn’t venture around or go for walk to see a different vantage point to the city. Now that I moved to Queen Village - a neighborhood in the city, I’m a short walk from most of the city. From my days in NYC, I’m used to my legs being the mode of transportation and still am car-less! The fastest way to get to know the city is walk. Might be a slower pace but you interact and notice more details.

I do have a bit of an advantage with a few tastemakers as close friends in the city: Kae Lani Palmisano of local Check, Please! Philly, Maggie Munthali - The Key to the City and concierge to know, Annemarie Dooling - McClatchy by day, burlesque star by night and Joseph Hernandez hailing from the editorial desk at The Philadelphia Inquirer. While it’s my ongoing support text group, they offer an amazing wealth of food and drink knowledge that’s quite enviable if I do say so myself.

The Best of Philly Soiree

The annual Philadelphia Magazine event showcases the year’s top picks for food, restaurant, dishes, chefs, and beverages. While the temperatures were heating up, we donned our flowy, lightest dresses for the occasion and headed to Dilworth Park to sample the winners. They didn’t disappoint. Here’s the full list https://www.phillymag.com/best-of-philly/food-drink/

Favorite Places to Go By Neighborhood

While this isn’t an exhaustive list and I’m eating and sipping my way around town still, here are some spots that are worth visiting by neighborhood. We’ll start with my own hood….

Queen Village & Bella Vista

This neighborhood makes for a great stroll and dining experience. There’s very little traffic and lots of real estate to drool over. A few blocks from me, known as Fabric Row (4th Street), check out Southwark, Famous 4th Street Deli (prepare yourself for the big portions and take away from the bakery!), Little Fish (amazing BYO, so stop in Bottle Shop on 4th), The Bagel Place, Cry Baby Pasta, Emmy Squared (great rooftop for the upcoming summer season), Royal Izakaya - top-notch sushi and try to score a coveted omakase seating.

If you want a local bar/restaurant vibe, my favorite watering hole is New Wave on Catharine and 3rd Street.

In historic Head House Square, visit The Shambles on Sundays for the Farmers Market, lined with cobblestones, and restaurants like Bloomsday, Pizzeria Stella, Malbec, Twisted Tail, Bridget Foy’s, La Nonna (BYOB) and Bistro Romano - each a must visit.

Old City & Society Hill

A few cobblestoned streets away and you’ve entered Old City and Society Hill. As you cross over, you will find Zahav tucked away across from Positano. One of my favorites is Royal Boucherie, then there’s Amanda, Forsythia, The Olde Bar (formerly Book Binders), Cuba Libre and Franklin Ice Cream to cool off on a hot day! New on the block, check out 48 Record Bar above Sassafras (delicious drinks!) - go in and up the back stairs before the kitchen to this speakeasy for all the vibes. Just a short walk over is PJ Clarke’s - check out the hidden Tiffany’s mural in the lobby, and then head to a must-visit Talula’s on Washington Square Park.

Don’t forget the Delaware Waterfront has some new attractions and reasons to spend a day there like new spot Liberty Point, Spruce Street Park with hammocks & vendors (seasonally), and enjoy a boat ride on Sea Philly — byob so you can bring your own favorites in their ice cooler to enjoy Philly from the water. As you walk up the waterfront, you can check out what’s happening seasonally like winter wonderlands or summer roller rink with food & drinks. Keep going north to Cherry Street Pier for the artisan shops and at the end you’ll be rewarded with a great beer garden.

South Street

As you walk along the eclectic South Street, check out places like The Good King Tavern (and upstairs wine bar Le Caveau), Hale & True Cider, Bistro La Minette, PHS Pop Up beer garden, Rex on the Royal, Jet Wine Bar and hopefully Wine Dive will re-open soon!

Italian Market & South Philly

Dine at the famous Villa di Roma for a very South Philly vibe. Down the street, go to Di Bruno Bros Market and the Bottle Shop on 9th Street - grab a bottle and bites to sit outside or make a reservation at the incredible new-ish BYO Mawn. Highly recommend the tough reservation Fiorella on Christian Street.

Head further south to O’Jung’s - which the weekly specials are mouthwatering. If you want a regional delicacy, try their scrapple slider. Don’t ask what’s in the meat! A few blocks further, there’s Dolores 2Street with some of the city’s best hoagies - closes at 4 pm daily so plan accordingly. Get the Pooh Bear hoagie - and Philly it’s all about the bread. If you have sh*t bread, the whole hoagie is garbage. Throw it out ha.

East Passyunk

The new area has become the new hot spot neighborhood with several places clustered here like Barcelona Bar, Bing Bing Dim Sum, Cantina for great margaritas, Laurel, Stateside and Essen Bakery for some pastry treats. If you’re down for an incredible tasting menu, go to River Twice and the get the curated drink pairing!

In this area (sort of), BOK building which houses top places like Irwin’s on the roof - now open for the season, and decadent bakery Machine Shop.

Newer to this hood is the acclaimed Mish Mish - which I’ve got to head to soon.

Fishtown & Northern Liberties (and Kensington)

This area is one that I need to spend more time to give more recommendations, but I have quite a few to start…

Wm. Mulherin’s Sons, Source Urban Brewery, Frankford Hall, Other Half Brewery (just replaced former Goose Island), Ellwood, Cheu Fishtown, and Suraya - Lebanese favorite. go to Murph’s for amazing pasta and pub-like vibes (cash only) and new comber Tulip Pasta & Wine Bar. Kensington Quarters for some great seafood and brunch, R&D Cocktail Bar, as well as nearby newcomer Middle Child Clubhouse. Venture to this place a little off the beaten path: Federal Distilling Stateside - I have to get back for their Pumpkin Spice Martini!

Further north go to Mural City Cellars, Martha’s, Philadelphia Brewing Co. - perfect for a beautiful day to spend outdoors.

More coming into this section as I explore this area more!

Center City & Rittenhouse

The Dandelion, The Love, Rouge for cocktails, Parc - classic spot on the park, Rittenhouse Grill (great steakhouse that tends to be quieter in), Spice Finch, and a.bar. Pop into the gourmet grocery Di Bruno Bros nearby for bites to go and your Italian fix. Go to the ever-so-hard to get a reservation at Friday Saturday Sunday and the tip is to go early and sit at the bar. The cocktails are incredible and so are the vibes. It’s been on my list for a while now and I finally went the other week during the annual Philly Chef Conference.

Harp & Crown - ask about the speakeasy downstairs, Oyster House, Giuseppe & Sons - downstairs in a cool space, but upstairs on street level is the new gem Bar Lesieur.

For proximity’s sake, we’ll head to 13th Street, which is teeming with places such as ever so cozy Darling Jack’s (get the French Onion Soup!), Bud & Marilyn’s, Double Knot, Sampan (find the small passage way behind to check out Graffiti Bar), Alpen Rose, newly opened Prunella, Barbuzzo, and El Vez all right in that cluster of great options.

As you can see, I am well-fed!

Over on Logan Square, check out Mulberry, Victory Brewery. For insane views, head to JG SkyHigh in the Four Seasons or Assembly in the Logan Hotel to overlook the Parkway and Art Museum. Can’t forget two other hotel lobby bars - Ritz Carlton and W Hotel!

Important tip: On Mondays, many places are closed or early week days now due to covid or reduced/shifting in business hours/staffing, many are not open Monday and Tuesday, some not until Thursday. Always check and plan ahead. I wish you could be more spontaneous but not as much anymore. It’s important to try to get reservations now.

People I follow regularly for inspiration and leads on places to try as I eat and drink my way through Philly: