Guidebook for Philadelphia
Drinks & Nightlife
Watkins Drinkery
1712 S 10th StLocal quiet pub - good food and good drinks.
Pub On Passyunk East - POPE
1501 E Passyunk AveHipster spot with a great variety of beers on tap.
A new rooftop (panoramic view of the city!) bar/nightspot one block from our house.
62 locals recommend
Bok Bar
800 Mifflin StA new rooftop (panoramic view of the city!) bar/nightspot one block from our house.
Getting Around
Very convenient access to the Broad Street Line subway (SEPTA system).
48 locals recommend
Tasker-Morris Station
Very convenient access to the Broad Street Line subway (SEPTA system).
Food Scene
Cantina Los Caballitos
1651 E Passyunk AveHip Tex-Mexican fare with good drinks/margaritas.
Marra's
1734 E Passyunk AveStone fired pizza joint established in 1927.
An authentic neighborhood Italian bakery (cannolis and gelato!)
10 locals recommend
Varallo Brothers Bakery
1639 S 10th StAn authentic neighborhood Italian bakery (cannolis and gelato!)
Termini Bros Bakery
1523 S 8th StAn old iconic Italian bakery
Plenty Café
1710 E Passyunk AveGood food, beer and wine on tap, and good coffee.
Green Eggs Café
212 S 13th StA good place for breakfast and brunch food.
A local coffee shop with very good coffee and a plentiful menu of healthy foods (vegan and vegetarian accommodated).
54 locals recommend
Black N Brew
1523 E Passyunk AveA local coffee shop with very good coffee and a plentiful menu of healthy foods (vegan and vegetarian accommodated).
One of the best places for the iconic water ice (pronounced 'wooder ice' in Philly)
35 locals recommend
John's Water Ice
701 Christian StOne of the best places for the iconic water ice (pronounced 'wooder ice' in Philly)
Pat's King of Steaks
1237 E Passyunk AveThe originator of the Philly cheese steak.
P'unk Burger
1823 Passyunk AveA good gourmet burger place.
A classic Indonesian restaurant - very authentic (we lived in Indonesia for almost 20 years.)
39 locals recommend
Hardena
1754 S Hicks StA classic Indonesian restaurant - very authentic (we lived in Indonesia for almost 20 years.)
Zahav
237 St James PlAn award-winning Israeli food restaurant.
A classic old-time diner that has been open (continuously) for perhaps 70 years.
38 locals recommend
Melrose Diner
1501 - 1527 Snyder AveA classic old-time diner that has been open (continuously) for perhaps 70 years.
Flannel
1819 E Passyunk AveGood food (including vegan and vegetarian) and good coffee and good chai.
Saté Kampar
611 E Passyunk AveAuthentic northern Malaysian food
Pho 75
1122 Washington AveA great place for cheap and good Vietnamese pho.
Sky Cafe
1122 Washington AveGood Indonesian (Sumatran Batak) food.
Excellent and cheap Indonesian (mainly Sumatran) food - try the daging rendang (a spicy marinated Indonesian beef dish).
Cafe Seulanga
1838 S 18th StExcellent and cheap Indonesian (mainly Sumatran) food - try the daging rendang (a spicy marinated Indonesian beef dish).
Federal Donuts
1219 S 2nd StAvant garde donuts to die for!
Authentic Italian bakery specializing in donuts (some say the best in the city)
8 locals recommend
Frangelli's Bakery & Donuts
847 W Ritner StAuthentic Italian bakery specializing in donuts (some say the best in the city)
Arts & Culture
Philadelphia Museum of Art
2600 Benjamin Franklin PkwyEastern State Penitentiary
2027 Fairmount AveTheatres, the Kimmel Center, University of the Arts, and many other cultural sites
11 locals recommend
Avenue Of The Arts
Avenue Of The ArtsTheatres, the Kimmel Center, University of the Arts, and many other cultural sites
Essentials
ACME Markets
1400 E Passyunk AveParks & Nature
The park around historic Philadelphia City Hall - ice skating in the winter and squirting fountains in the summer.
81 locals recommend
Dilworth Park
1 S 15th StThe park around historic Philadelphia City Hall - ice skating in the winter and squirting fountains in the summer.
A lovely, charming triangle fountain in Passyunk Square - replete with a checker/chess board and a fountain that is usually working, accompanied by music (often Sinatra) played gently.
14 locals recommend
The Singing Fountain
1538 S 11th StA lovely, charming triangle fountain in Passyunk Square - replete with a checker/chess board and a fountain that is usually working, accompanied by music (often Sinatra) played gently.
The largest municipal headquarters in the country - an impressive and historic structure that took 40 years to build.
354 locals recommend
Philadelphia City Hall
1400 John F Kennedy BlvdThe largest municipal headquarters in the country - an impressive and historic structure that took 40 years to build.
An amazing refuge for wildlife virtually within the confines of the city of Philadelphia
39 locals recommend
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum
8601 Lindbergh Blvd.An amazing refuge for wildlife virtually within the confines of the city of Philadelphia
Independence Hall
520 Chestnut StThe place where the Declaration of Independence was signed.
Wissahickon Bike Trail
Wissahickon Bike TrailAn amazing park with bike trails, right in the city!
Shopping
Passyunk Avenue
Passyunk AvenueA revived street with many odds and ends.
An authentic Italian cheese shop - just walking in there and taking a deep breath is a glorious experience.
8 locals recommend
Claudio's Specialty Foods
924 S 9th StAn authentic Italian cheese shop - just walking in there and taking a deep breath is a glorious experience.
Di Bruno Bros. - Italian Market
930 S 9th StAnother very, very good Italian cheese shop.