This small sample of Philadelphia's best restaurants is divided into five categories: Gourmet, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations. These categories serve as guidelines rather than absolute definitions of the establishments. Dollar symbols can be interpreted as follows:
$$$$ (over US$75)
$$$ (US$60 to US$75)
$$ (US$35 to US$60)
$ (up to US$35)
These prices are for a three-course meal for one and the equivalent of a half-bottle of wine. The sales tax of 7% is not included. Sometimes a gratuity (usually 15%) is added to the bill. If not, a tip of 15-20% for service
is customary.
GourmetBarclay Prime
This
Valhalla for carnivores is located in an historic building that was once Barclay Hotel
. Panelled walls, soft lighting and crystal chandeliers add to the ambience. Thickly upholstered leather chairs and modish couches that surround its marble tables make it comfortable. Service and presentation are excellent, but the draw is the food - any kind of meat is delicious, but the Australian Tajima Kobe steaks are outstanding. The Kobe sliders (mini hamburgers) are a very tasty appetizer. Seafood or fish offerings match the meat in quality. Reservations essential.
237 South 18th Street, at Locust Street
Tel: (215) 732 7560.
Website:
www.barclayprime.comPrice: $$$$
Buddakan
One of Philadelphia's top temples to food, this handsome, calm, two-level room, with white furnishings, is presided over by an urbane Buddha. The food is very fashionable pan-Asian, such as the sesame-crusted tuna, roasted chicken with ponzu brown butter sauce and wasabi-crusted filet mignon. Starters also feature some inventive combinations like wasabi tuna pizza, and the signature chicken and ginger dumplings. All the dishes are nicely turned out and the plentiful portions are designed to be shared. Reservations are essential.
325 Chestnut Street
Tel: (215) 574 9440.
Website:
www.buddakan.comPrice: $$$
Le Bec-Fin
Celebrated chef Georges Perrier has turned Le Bec-Fin into Philadelphia's ultimate dining experience. The French restaurant boasts high ceilings, glittering chandeliers and tuxedo-clad staff. The menu features an exquisite selection of dishes (roasted lobster, poached salmon with smoked caviar, domestic rack of lamb), which change seasonally. The price for all this is hefty, though the three-course prix-fixe lunch is a great way to experience the culinary pyrotechnics without breaking the bank. Visitors can also dine at the more casual downstairs Le Bar Lyonnais, which whips up excellent dishes at more reasonable prices. Georges Perrier owns the less formal, but still splendid
Brasserie Perrier. Monsieur Perrier is often on hand as co-owner, and executive chef Chris Scarduzio creates French cuisine with Italian or Asian influences. The interior is charming and the atmosphere lively.
1523 Walnut Street
Tel: (215) 567 1000.
Website:
www.lebecfin.comPrice: $$$$
Brasserie Perrier, 1619 Walnut Street
Tel: (215) 568 3000.
Website:
www.brasserieperrier.comPrice: $$$
BusinessFork
This fashionable establishment incorporates some theatrical design features (huge lampshades, high banquettes and open kitchen) but still manages a welcoming ambience. Located on the city's main street in the historic area, this American bistro-style restaurant serves up the freshest local produce possible. Creative cocktails such as
Fork Cosmopolitan and the
Fork Lift (
Absolut Currant with pomegranate juice) or one of the fine selections of wine by the glass are a good beginning. The menu changes frequently, but hanger steak, some sort of whole fish and tasty seafood are always in residence. Home-baked desserts are stellar.
306 Market Street
Tel: (215) 625 9425.
Website:
www.forkrestaurant.comPrice: $$
Lacroix at the Rittenhouse
The setting is lovely - a long, narrow dining room with earthy tones, minimalist décor and large windows that overlook Rittenhouse Square. Here chef Jean-Marie Lacroix dazzles diners with gamy selections and fish dishes on a creative bill of fare that allows guests to mix and match from any part of the menu. ‘Superb' best describes the food, service and the wine list that boasts a cast of 500.
210 West Rittenhouse Square
Tel: (215) 790 2533.
Website:
www.lacroixrestaurant.comPrice: $$$$
TrendyContinental Mid-Town
Funky and lively, this casual, 1950s-styled, Center City restaurant is popular with everyone. Colored glass balls hang from the middle of the multi-level ceiling to its main floor; circular banquettes occupy its center section. The rear wall bar, which features an array of martinis and imported beers, stretches the width of the room. Smoky mirrors decorate the wall to the second level where wicker chair swings hang from the ceiling. With an eclectic sampling of Thai, Mexican, Jamaican and American, with some other countries thrown in for good measure, the menu bills itself as 'global tapas.' Any of the friendly staff will be happy to make personal recommendations, but try the highly satisfying barbecue chicken quesadillas. Open for lunch and dinner.
1801 Chestnut Street
Tel: (215) 567 1800.
Website:
www.continentalmidtown.com Price: $$
Paradigm
Simple colors and smart, economic design accent this downtown venue with its semi-circular bar, round tables, crushed velvet seating and outside terrace. As for the food, it is modern fare with a wide selection of global accents, including New Zealand lamb chops, seared Ahi tuna and Thai duck spring rolls. They also do excellent salads, seafood risotto and delicious pastas. Desserts tend to be rich but hard to pass up, like the signature Godiva soup, a combination of chocolate, pistachios, hazelnuts and vanilla ice cream. Diners should be careful to lock the unusual toilet doors - otherwise the glass is see-through!
239 Chestnut Street
Tel: (215) 238 6900.
Website:
www.paradigmrestaurant.comPrice: $$
Tangerine
This stylish, wildly colorful spot has a nightclub-like design (varying from mod to Moorish), dim lighting and pulsing world beats. The menu features a daring medley of flavors, like Mediterranean whole Bronzino, halibut with a shrimp and scallop paella cake and lobster risotto. In addition to fine dining, Tangerine is a great spot for meeting up for a drink.
232 Market Street
Tel: (215) 627 5116.
Website:
www.tangerinerestaurant.comPrice: $$$$
BudgetPat's King of Steaks
One of the city's specialties is cheese steak and the best place to find it is Pat's King of Steaks, an outfit run by the same family since it opened in 1930. Located in South Philadelphia, near the Italian Market, Pat's is the local eating place for these sandwiches packed with sliced steak and melted cheese. Pat's is the original, open 24 hours a day, and is good for groups as it has tables outside in summer. Unlicensed.
1237 East Passyunk Avenue, at South Ninth Street and Wharton Street
Tel: (215) 468 1546.
Website:
www.patskingofsteaks.comPrice: $
Pietro's Coal Oven Pizzeria
This might not be as familiar a method of pizza baking as the old wood-fired brick oven, however, this family business has been baking pizzas this way for 60 years - and they are just as delicious. The pizzas, which are very reasonably priced, come with a vast choice of toppings, but there are many Italian salads and pasta dishes too. It is a good venue for groups and families.
1714 Walnut Street
Tel: (215) 735 8090.
Website:
www.pietrospizza.comPrice: $
Other location:
121-123 South Street
Tel: (215) 733 0675.
Rangoon
Situated in the Chinese section just off Arch Street, a short walk from the Conference Center, the green facade of Rangoon is easy to spot. As the name suggests, Burmese specialties (spinach salad, chilli shrimp and thousand-layer bread with potato curry dip) predominate here. Owned and run by three Burmese women, this restaurant, with its simple interior, is a favorite with locals in search of exotic Asian food, such as beef mint kebab and curried fish cakes.
112 North Ninth Street
Tel: (215) 829 8939.
Website:
www.phillychinatown.com/rangoon.htmPrice: $
Personal RecommendationsFriday Saturday Sunday
It is over 30 years since this charming place opened. Except for the newly painted 18m (60ft) wall mural, almost everything is original, from the chains of twinkling lights to the mirrors. Situated in an old brick house on a leafy street, it is a favorite with locals. The food is simple, fresh and classic (filet mignon, rack of lamb, crab cakes), although there is also nouvelle cuisine such as
horseradish-panko-crusted tilapia with lime sauce, slow-roasted duck with sun-dried cherries and other inventive fare.
261 South 21st Street
Tel: (215) 546 4232.
Website:
www.frisatsun.comPrice: $$
Matyson
Located in a residential area just off Rittenhouse Square, this unassuming and friendly bistro is a favorite with the locals. It is one of the numerous 'bring your own bottle' restaurants that are so popular in the Philadelphia area. The place can get a bit noisy, but the staff is friendly and the food outstanding. A nice selection of pan-roasted scallops, grilled steak, duck breast, seasonal fish and some decadent desserts round off the changing menu.
37 South 19th Street, between Market and Chestnut
Tel: (215) 564 2925.
Website:
www.matyson.comPrice: $$
TriaA long, narrow room accented in earthy tones is the setting for this casual and friendly venue in the Rittenhouse Square area. It is the venue to find out-of-the-ordinary wines, beers and cheeses (the tria) at reasonable prices. They do a good job of it, too. Small plate items rule here and nearly all are priced under US$10. Among the eclectic offerings are interesting salads like greens with figs, gorgonzola and prosciutto; roasted beets with feta cheese and roasted aubergine and parmesan bruschetta. Don't overlook the tasty truffled egg toast with Fontina. Let your waiter suggest an interesting beer or wine to accompany your choice.
123 South 18th Street
Tel: (215) 972 8742.
Website:
www.triacafe.comPrice: $$
White Dog CaféSet in three adjacent Victorian brownstones, this progressive restaurant serves delectable fare that you can feel good about eating. The White Dog supports sustainable agriculture, with high-quality, farm-fresh ingredients, with local and seasonal ingredients used whenever possible. Not surprisingly, the menu changes frequently, with selections tending toward high-end comfort food. A recent menu featured the likes of crispy duck breast with rhubarb mostarda, creole crab cakes with rémoulade sauce, herb-roasted free-range chicken with garlic mashed potatoes and grass-fed beef burger on a homemade bun.
3420 Sansom Street
Tel: (215) 386 9224.
Website:
www.whitedog.com Price: $$
Nightlife:Philadelphia's bar scene is broad with a mix of the hip, the divey, the stylish and the bohemian. Fans of live music have a wealth of options with both major bands and indie upstarts lighting up Philly's stages. The city is also known for great jazz and blues. South Street, between Front Street and Seventh Street, is a trendy nightlife area, with comedy clubs, jazz and rock clubs. Other popular nightlife spots can be found on Columbus Boulevard, along the Delaware River, around Penn's Landing.
The legal drinking age in Pennsylvania is 21 years and bar closing time is 0200 daily. There are no particular dress codes or admission requirements in Philadelphia - these too tend to vary depending on the establishment.
The main daily newspapers containing nightlife listings are the
Philadelphia Inquirer and the
Philadelphia Daily News (joint website:
www.philly.com/philly/entertainment). Entertainment listings can also be found in the free publications -
City Paper (website:
www.citypaper.net),
Philadelphia Weekly (website:
www.philadelphiaweekly.com) and
Philadelphia Magazine's Going Out Guide (website:
www.phillymag.com). Another useful online entertainment site is
City Search (website:
http://philadelphia.citysearch.com) and the more varied
Yelp (website:
www.yelp.com/philadelphia).
Bars: Bar Noir, 112 South 18th Street, is a dark and divey, but quite popular underground bar with great cocktails and hipster appeal. The second level's hanging swing chairs and the rooftop terrace, which is open in warmer weather, create a very happening atmosphere at
Continental Mid-Town, 1801 Chestnut Street. Good food and great margaritas make
Copabanana, 344 South Street, a popular hangout.
Dave & Busters, 325 North Columbus Boulevard, Pier 19 at Penn's Landing, is a huge sports bar with a 20-screen video dome, billiards and an arcade brimming with electronic games. Owned by Georges Perrier of Le Bec-Fin fame, and within the chic
Brasserie Perrier, 1619 Walnut Street, is a popular bar that attracts sophisticates.
Mahogany on Walnut, 1524 Walnut Street, in the Rittenhouse district, is a dark and plush cigar bar.
Clubs: Brasil's, 112 Chestnut Street, is a hot salsa and jazz spot. Live music upstairs, a DJ downstairs plus room to just chill at the bar makes
Five Spot, 5 South Bank Street, a swinging place to hang out.
Shampoo, 417 Eighth Street, has four levels of various music styles to choose from.
Egypt, 520 North Columbus, a huge nightclub decorated with hieroglyphs and ankhs, hosts hip-hop and techno nights.
Woody's, 202 South Street, is a fun place to drink and dance, especially for gay males, while
Sisters, 1320 Chancellor Street, caters to the lesbian crowd.
Live Music: To hear an excellent line-up of world music, head across the river to
WorldCafé Live, 3025 Walnut Street (website:
www.worldcafelive.com), boasting two lovely performance spaces set in an old factory.
Chris' Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom Street, and
Ortlieb's Jazzhaus, 847 North Third Street at Poplar Street (website:
www.ortliebsjazzhaus.com), are the city's best venues for live jazz.
The Khyber, 56 South Second Street at Chestnut Street (website:
www.thekhyber.com), is a venerable but welcoming rock club, hosting a line-up of indie rock. The second floor lounge has a DJ spinning dance beats.
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Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
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