Our wedding venue, and also a great new-school diner spot to grab a bite for brunch or dinner! Recommendations: go for brunch and grab a bloody mary or bellini and some ricotta pancakes!
Since you're all gonna ask where to get a cheesesteak: The best cheesesteak is the one closest and cheapest, or Rocco's. This is a magical gem: a small takeout counter grafted onto the front of the South Philly Home Depot, with excellent sandwiches. Recommendations: cheesesteak with peppers and fried onions, half sweet half spicy italian sausage sandwich with peppers, fried onions, and mustard, or a jerk chicken sandwich with fried onions, no cheese.
Affordable takeout Vietnamese bakery in South Philly with great banh mi and summer rolls. Recommendations: ba le special banh mi, grilled pork banh mi (add pate), lemongrass chicken summer rolls
South Philly takeout window porchetteria and bakery. Recommendations: grab a Spicy Porker or Philly porchetta sandwich for lunch and a couple of sweet treats for later.
Large indoor market near Chinatown, with food vendors of all kinds! Can get busy on weekends as it's a major tourist attraction, but still worth checking out. Recommendations: go and explore! Grab some Amish baked goods! Buy a pretzel at Miller's! A pastrami at Herschel's! A roast pork sandwich at DiNics! A cheesesteak at Uncle Gus'! Who cares!
Affordable Indonesian BYOB in South Philly, located in an Asian strip mall. One of our most frequented restaurants. Recommendations: satay padang (beef tongue skewers), kwetiaw goreng (stir fried flat rice noodle), nasi ikan balado (spicy fish rice platter), nasi padang (assortment of dishes served with rice), nasi iga bakar (marinated beef rib rice platter)
An small, considered menu by our friend Chef Ari Miller, coupled with an award-winning bar program, emphasizing local sourcing and seasonal flavors. Recommendations: Check their menu online, then go! Try it all! We mean it!
Classic Cantonese seafood spot in Chinatown, open late. Great dinner spot with a variety of options, including surprisingly good roast duck (sourced from Siu Kee across the street). Recommendations: XO Eel, Salt Baked Baby Fish with Hot Chili, a bowl of rice and a cold beer
Cozy South Philly bar with French tavern fare, with wine bar upstairs called Le Caveau. Recommendations: croquettes and escargot if they've got them, and take a look at the specials for the day!
South Philly Mexican BYOB with breads and tortillas made in house, open for brunch/lunch/dinner. Recommendations: grab some cervezas or a bottle of mezcal, start with an aguachile or tostada, pick a cemita or taco, and save room for dessert. (There's also a Fishtown location, but we haven't been!)
South Philly izakaya with great small plates and bar program. Recommendations: go as soon as they open to secure a seat (since they don't take reservations), then follow your heart! It's a broad menu with options for just about anyone.
Not your run-of-the-mill Thai restaurant. Spacious dining room and expansive southern Thai menu in Fishtown with a bar program. Curries and dumplings galore. Recommendations: Go hungry and split a variety of dishes with a friend or two.
A true South Philly classic. A cash-only dive covered in vintage Pabst Blue Ribbon memorabilia, with a small takeout food window outside. Originator of the Citywide, a shot and a beer there is $4. Recommendations: go on Friday or Saturday night, cash in hand, and catch some live jazz over a few cheap drinks.
South Philly wine bar and jazz venue. Check their website for show tickets!
Fishtown dive and live music venue. Check their event schedule!
Fun mini boardwalk along the Delaware River! Has a bunch of free music events in the summer, an outdoor bar, food stands, swan boat rides, hammock park, etc.
Great area in Philly for buying Italian food, but mainly we go here for the Mexican food. Blue Corn, El Palenque, Taqueria La Prima, Bambino Ice Cream Shop are some favorites.