Meg & Marc
Things to Eat and Drink
Places to Eat
Downtown
Dim Sum Garden (Dim Sum was our first date and even though it wasn't at this place, this is our favorite spot. Best soup dumplings in town. Explore Chinatown while you're there. Right next door is Nan Zhou Hand-Drawn Noodle... but Meg thinks the shaved noodles are the way to go.) Paesano's (In the heart of Philly's Italian Market, all of which is worth exploring, especially on a Saturday morning. This place has some of the best sandwiches you'll ever eat. Marc's favorite is the Gustaio. The Italian Market area is also chock full of amazing taquerias!) John's Roast Pork (The roast pork sandwich is the cheesesteak's lesser known brother, but this place actually has our favorite downtown cheesesteak too. Pat's and Geno's are the dueling touristy places in South Philly, but we prefer this one or Dalessandro’s out near the venue.) Suraya (Totally delicious Lebanese food in the hip Fishtown neighborhood. Amazing for dinner, amazing for brunch. Yes it's kind of expensive for dinner, but it is also very very worth it.) Vedge (It's vegan, and it's utterly incredible. You may need a reservation, but you can also walk in and sit at the bar!) Some other favorites: Monk's Cafe for mussels (see below), Han Dynasty for spicy Szechuan deliciousness, Blue Corn for Mexican, Middle Child for sandwiches. Can't decide? Reading Terminal Market has something for everyone and it's a fun place to explore. Just be ready for crowds and know it's not open for dinner!
Places to Eat
Near the Venue
Dallesandro's (Meg strongly believes this is the best cheesesteak in Philly. Skip the other places and come here, but know that there may be a line and there's not much seating.) McNally's (Marc's order is chicken cheesesteak with provolone and american and extra fried onions. Ask for pickles and peppers. Their homemade cake for dessert can't be missed.) In Riva (In nearby East Falls, great outdoor seating by the river. Keep in mind that you'll be having pizza at the wedding, but all their food is great!) Zsa's (Amazing ice cream, enough said.) Other favorites: Young American (see below) has truly delicious food and Han Dynasty has a location in Manayunk too. The local breweries almost always have food trucks!
Places to Drink
Breweries, Cideries, and Beer Gardens
Attic Brewery (Where we will be having our after party! Cool space, don't miss the big hidden courtyard, and yummy BBQ next door!) Wissahickon Brewery (Where we're getting our beer for the wedding! Great outdoor space, huge open area, and food trucks!) Young American Cider (Not beer but SO good! Our after party would have been here if it was bigger, small, cozy space, dry delicious cider, amazing hand pies!) Triple Bottom Brewery (Craft brewery with a great social mission! Downtown, as opposed to the rest of these. Great beer and snacks!) Love City Brewery (Also downtown and close to Triple Bottom. A cool space and usually has a food truck!) Beer gardens are all over the place during the summer... google where Parks on Tap is that week, and it's almost always worth checking out. The Philadelphia Horticultural Society (PHS) also hosts a few, and Spruce Street Harbor Park is a total fave.
Places to Drink
Bars (from dives to fancy cocktails)
DOWNTOWN: Ranstead Room (A hidden speakeasy down a little alley and behind a nondescript door, serving prohibition-era cocktails! Our recommendation: the bartenders choice allows you to just tell them what you like and don't like and they create something specially for you.) Monk's Cafe (Named one of the top five places in the world to have a beer... incredible Belgian beer selection and almost anything else you could want, including some hard-to-find gems. Don't leave without ordering some mussels!) a.bar (Expert craft cocktails, incredible wine list. Some delicious bites and you can even order off the full menu at the bar. Maybe pricey but so worth it.) Tria Cafe (Impressive wine selection and yummy, cheese-focused small plates!) Bob and Barbara's (A classic dive, except with regular drag shows. Where the "City Wide Special" was invented... a PBR and a shot of Jim Beam for $3!) Doobies (A classic dive, but with a great beer selection and a must-experience jukebox.) NEAR THE VENUE: McMenamin's (True neighborhood bar, great beer selection, decent burgers and wings, Marc's favorite fish n'chips. A real classic Philly feel.)