Local Guide to Philly

What’s better than having fresh produce, meats, poultry, seafood, cheeses, pastries, and amazing eateries all in one place?!

Recommended by Roxanne Ortiz

Across the street from Rittenhouse Square, Parc pays homage to traditional French bistros. While it’s an all-day restaurant, brunch is highly recommended!

Recommended by Roxanne Ortiz

Compact restaurant serving big, authentic flavors. Pork buns and miso ramen are my go-tos.

Recommended by Roxanne Ortiz

Is it sushi or works of art? Either way, prepare to have your mind blown by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto’s flagship Philly restaurant.

Recommended by Roxanne Ortiz

Intimate, cozy spot serving Mediterranean fare. Don’t leave without trying the salted caramel budino!

Recommended by Roxanne Ortiz

This isn’t your typical soft pretzel. Salty, tender with the signature figure-eight shape — it’s uniquely Philly.

Recommended by Roxanne Ortiz

Be part of the classic rivalry and judge for yourself—Geno's or Pat’s? But the real question is the cheese—provolone, American, or whiz?

Recommended by Terry Lowe-Edwards

First opened in 1930, Pat’s is the birthplace of the famous Philly cheesesteak. Wafer thin and juicy. And if you fall in love with it, they ship via Goldbelly!

Recommended by Terry Lowe-Edwards

Don't miss Cafe Ole for a latte—smooth, rich, and perfectly crafted. It's a treat worth savoring!

Recommended by Caroline Stenson

You must try the edamame dumplings. They're light, flavorful, and absolutely delicious!

Recommended by Caroline Stenson and Elli Vacs

Order your cheesesteak here with Cooper Sharp and fried onions—long hots if you want a little kick! The pizza and hoagies are also fantastic. Cash only.

Recommended by Nick Taylor, Nikki MacMillin, and Elli Vacs

Home of the "citywide," this dive bar is uniquely Philadelphia. Cash only.

Recommended by Nick Taylor

Arguably the best brunch/lunch in the city. Creative takes on classics, great cocktails, and an A+ draft list.

Recommended by Nick Taylor and Elli Vacs

In Philly's Chinatown, this is an incredible lunch spot. Cash only.

Recommended by Nick Taylor and Elli Vacs

German beer hall in a happening neighborhood.

Recommended by Nick Taylor

Austin-style breakfast/lunch tacos.

Recommended by Nick Taylor and Elli Vacs

It's the oldest continually operating pub in the city with a vast beer selection, pub fare, and karaoke. Opened the year Lincoln was elected president and shortly after the Liberty Bell cracked.

Recommended by Nikki MacMillin, Nick Taylor, and Jocelyn Henssler

Gelato. Need we say more? Absolutely the best slice of Italy in Philadelphia.

Recommended by Nikki MacMillin

Where Harry Potter lovers and cocktail lovers come together!

Recommend by Krista Rompolski and Elli Vacs

Award-winning brew pub, extensive Belgian beer list, house-made pub food, it’s a must-go for beer lovers.

Recommended by Nick Taylor and Elli Vacs

Chic and spacious Lebanese market and restaurant with a bar and an outdoor garden. You'll need to Uber to Fishtown but it is worth the quick trip!

Recommended by Jocelyn Henssler and Elli Vacs

There are various locations throughout the city. One of the best brunch spots in Philly!

Recommended by Jocelyn Henssler

Home of the original chicken cheesesteak and a half-lemonade/half-grape juice drink called The Gremln. Don't forget a side of Spanish fries.

Recommended by Sanayyah Miller

The cutest wine bar with delicious bites and a cozy atmosphere.

Recommended by Maureen Ewing and Elli Vacs

So yummy! Try the fried chicken—delicious and the portion size can feed two!

Recommended by Lacey Bonner

A perfect spot to try authentic Thai classics you've been craving. They also have tapas-style small plates made to share.

Recommended by Matthew Taing

Serving Vietnamese drinks, milk teas, desserts, and Chè. Try the #10 Chè for a variety of tasty jellies and fruit.

Recommended by Matthew Taing

Behind Sampan, this snug, year-round outdoor bar with graffitied walls serves up Pan-Asian eats and cocktails. Super cool spot!

Recommended by Jocelyn Henssler

One of the best-of-the-best. Middle Eastern restaurant featuring hummus, wood-fired laffa bread, grilled meats with vegetarian options, and Persian-style rice. Reservations needed, but bar seating available at 5 pm.

Recommended by Elli Vacs

Considered one of the best vegan restaurants in the country. If there are seitan tacos on the happy hour menu, get them.

Recommended by Elli Vacs

Hole-in-the-wall Chinese food from the Xi'an region. The biang biang noodles are highly recommended. And ask for a side of their house-made chili oil!

Recommended by Elli Vacs

Perfect quick spot for breakfast or a snack—think fresh warm soymilk, fried dough sticks, sweet and savory tofu pudding, bao buns, and sweet treats.

Recommended by Elli Vacs

In Reading Terminal Market. Enjoy Pennsylvania Dutch breakfast and lunch selections. Famous for their apple dumpling and their scrapple. (What's scrapple, you ask? You don't want to know.

Recommended by Elli Vacs

Move over Pat's and Geno’s—this is where the locals go for no-frills hoagies and cheesesteaks.

Recommended by Elli Vacs

Classic Italian South Philly establishment serving both vegan and non-vegan delights. Seitan wings and vegan cheesesteak are the best in the city.

Recommended by Elli Vacs

A must for vegans, the best vegan pizza in the country!

Recommended by Elli Vacs

Looking for Halal options? This one is worth the Uber. There is a mosque across the street if you're looking for a place to pray on Friday afternoon. Features Halal cheesesteaks and traditional Lebenese food.

Recommended by Elli Vacs

Ridiculously tasty and high-quality grass-fed dairy ice dream purveyor.

Recommended by Elli Vacs

Homemade from-scratch water ice (hey, you're in Philly, so it's "wooder ice," because IYKYK). The gelato is life-changing.

Recommended by Elli Vacs

Shop till you drop. Catch a movie. Grab a bite to eat. Or check out any number of events and art exhibits held year-round.

Recommended by Roxanne Ortiz

Get the best little mementos of Philly here. Truly the cutest stickers, jewelry, shirts, trinkets, and greeting cards to be found.

Recommended by Nikki MacMillin and Jocelyn Henssler

Named one of North America’s top retail corridors, this is Center City’s premier retail district, filled with some of the city’s best shopping, dining, fitness studios, and spas.

Recommended by Jocelyn Henssler

A historical neighborhood in South Philadelphia, lined with produce stores, meat/fish markets, Italian specialty markets and pasta purveyors, and quite a few Mexican restaurants, including South Philly Barbacoa!

Recommended by Elli Vacs

Right outside of City Hall, Dilworth Park transforms into a winter wonderland during the holiday season—complete with ice rink. So, lace up your skates! Wander over to The Cabin for a hot beverage and the Wintergarden on the Greenfield Lawn.

Recommended by Roxanne Ortiz

Serving as the grand entrance to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, take a selfie in front of Philly’s most picture-worthy spot.

Recommended by Roxanne Ortiz

A magnificent entryway to Philly’s Chinatown, the 40-foot-tall Friendship Gate is as breathtaking as it is instagrammable. This is where you can enter Chinatown’s vibrant neighborhood teeming with authentic cuisine, shops, art, and more.

Recommended by Roxanne Ortiz

Embrace your inner “eye of the tiger” by running (or walking) up the legendary Rocky Steps in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Did you know there are 72 steps? Race you to the top!

Recommended by Roxanne Ortiz

Get up close and personal with Renoir, Cézanne, Picasso, van Gogh, and other renowned European artists. This personal collection of impressionist, post-impressionist, and modern paintings is massive and includes decorative metal artwork throughout.

Recommended by Roxanne Ortiz

An absolute must-see for any art enthusiast! Explore unique mosaic art and public murals in this immersive mixed media art “museum.” Every inch of the space is covered in handmade tiles, bottles, bicycle wheels, mirrors, and folk art. It truly is a magical place.

Recommended by Roxanne Ortiz

A fitness favorite! It's the perfect place for a high-energy, effective workout that keeps you feeling strong and motivated.

Recommended by Caroline Stenson

A nice walk for anyone who wants to visit Philly's multiple museums.

Recommended by Kyle Correa

Walking/Running trail along the Schuykill River.

Recommended by Nick Taylor

A one-of-a-kind exhibition of anatomical specimens and medical history from the 19th century. Fascinating, but not for the squeamish!

Recommended by Amy Hendrickson, L Charap, Krista Rompolski, Jennifer Paine, and Elli Vacs

A great place to visit, but if you cannot go inside, going up the steps to see a view of Philadelphia is great too.

Recommended by Valbona Hoxhaj

Once the most expensive prison in the world, today it's a haunting world of crumbling cellblocks. Al Capone was among its famous prisoners.

Recommended by Elli Vacs

Amazing architecture and artwork. Check out The Dream Garden, the largest Tiffany glass mosaic in the world. The building was home to magazines like The Saturday Evening Post and Ladies Home Journal until 1969.

Recommended by Elli Vacs