Guidebook for Philadelphia
Food Scene
Everything here is amazing! Get a reservation if you can. Also great for coffee and pastries to-go!
113 locals recommend
Suraya Restaurant
1528 Frankford AveEverything here is amazing! Get a reservation if you can. Also great for coffee and pastries to-go!
Philly Style Bagels
1451 E Columbia AveAbsolutely terrific bagels.
Excellent tacos, and a super cool spot. Been in the neighborhood for over a decade.
167 locals recommend
Loco Pez
2401 E Norris StExcellent tacos, and a super cool spot. Been in the neighborhood for over a decade.
Soup Kitchen Cafe
2146 E Susquehanna AveGreat place for breakfast or lunch.
Fette Sau
1208 Frankford AveGreat BBQ and Whiskey
Lots of vegan / vegetarian / gluten-free options. Excellent outdoor space.
112 locals recommend
Front Street Cafe
1253 N Front StLots of vegan / vegetarian / gluten-free options. Excellent outdoor space.
Excellent Pizza / Pasta. Come here to see the mural that is the cover of Kurt Vile's "Wakin' on a Pretty Daze" (it's on the side of the building).
94 locals recommend
Wm. Mulherin’s Sons
1355 N Front StExcellent Pizza / Pasta. Come here to see the mural that is the cover of Kurt Vile's "Wakin' on a Pretty Daze" (it's on the side of the building).
La Colombe's flagship store on Frankford Ave. Awesome interiors, great coffee and snacks.
334 locals recommend
La Colombe Coffee Roasters
1335 Frankford AveLa Colombe's flagship store on Frankford Ave. Awesome interiors, great coffee and snacks.
Great and creative noodle / dumpling shop. Very small, so get on the list early!
40 locals recommend
Cheu Fishtown
1416 Frankford AveGreat and creative noodle / dumpling shop. Very small, so get on the list early!
Coffee and record shop. Great breakfast sandwiches, and great records.
50 locals recommend
Milkcrate Cafe
400 E Girard AveCoffee and record shop. Great breakfast sandwiches, and great records.
Andy's Chicken
2001 Memphis StTruly excellent Korean-style fried chicken.
Weckerly’s Ice Cream
9 W Girard AveCreative ice creams, sorbets and ice cream sandwiches!
Want to try some seriously crazy ice cream flavors? How about Earl Grey Sriracha or Smoked Cinnamon? Or maybe some savory flavors like Cucumber Dill, Apple Garlic or *gulp* PIZZA??
60 locals recommend
Little Baby's Ice Cream - World Headquarters
2311 Frankford AveWant to try some seriously crazy ice cream flavors? How about Earl Grey Sriracha or Smoked Cinnamon? Or maybe some savory flavors like Cucumber Dill, Apple Garlic or *gulp* PIZZA??
Love & Honey Fried Chicken
1100 N Front StDarn good Fried Chicken spot.
Hands down, one of the best restaurants you'll ever visit. Chef Michael Solomonov is now legendary, but here is where it all started. Be sure to make reservations far in advance. Sometimes you can even sneak in for a bite at the bar.
138 locals recommend
Zahav
237 St James PlHands down, one of the best restaurants you'll ever visit. Chef Michael Solomonov is now legendary, but here is where it all started. Be sure to make reservations far in advance. Sometimes you can even sneak in for a bite at the bar.
Classic NoLibs brunch spot. Get there early, or be prepared to wait!
238 locals recommend
Honey's Sit 'N Eat
2101 South StClassic NoLibs brunch spot. Get there early, or be prepared to wait!
Bing Bing Dim Sum
1648 E Passyunk AveTry the caterpillar bread!
Pho 75
1122 Washington AveGrab some Pho!
Capogiro Gelato Artisans Scoop Shop
1625 E Passyunk AveExcellent Gelato in tons of flavors.
Plenty Café
1710 E Passyunk AveStop in for a Cappuccino, a sandwich or a negroni.
Magpie Artisan Pie Boutique
1622 South StTry any of their sweet or savory pies!
Stargazy
1838 E Passyunk AveTraditional British pie shop.
Royal Tavern
937 E Passyunk AveGreat vegan/vegetarian options. Excellent burger.
Royal Sushi & Izakaya
780 S 2nd StSecret tucked away spot with no sign. Excellent food.
Goldie
1911 Sansom StFalafel, fries and tehini shakes. All vegan and delicious!
Dim Sum Garden
1020 Race StPlease try the pork soup dumplings... PLEASE.
Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House
1022 Race StOne of Chinatown's best.
V Street
124-126 S 19th StVegan street food. Excellent.
“IS VEDGE THE BEST VEGAN RESTAURANT IN AMERICA? IT MIGHT BE ONE OF THE BEST RESTAURANTS, PERIOD.”
— TREY POPP, PHILADELPHIA MAGAZINE
No other info required.
76 locals recommend
Vedge
1221 Locust St“IS VEDGE THE BEST VEGAN RESTAURANT IN AMERICA? IT MIGHT BE ONE OF THE BEST RESTAURANTS, PERIOD.”
— TREY POPP, PHILADELPHIA MAGAZINE
No other info required.
Drinks & Nightlife
Lloyd
529 E Girard AveExcellent whiskey bar with great cocktails and great prices.
Great hidden spot on Front Street. Two floors with distinctly different feels.
17 locals recommend
The International Bar
1624 N Front StGreat hidden spot on Front Street. Two floors with distinctly different feels.
The iconic Johnny Brenda's arguably started the FIshtown music scene in the early 2000s. Great place to drink, eat, play pool and here great local and touring bands. One of the best stages in the city.
248 locals recommend
Johnny Brenda's
1201 Frankford AveThe iconic Johnny Brenda's arguably started the FIshtown music scene in the early 2000s. Great place to drink, eat, play pool and here great local and touring bands. One of the best stages in the city.
If you like totally weird beers... this is your spot. Great outdoor space as well.
56 locals recommend
Evil Genius Beer Company
1727 North Front StreetIf you like totally weird beers... this is your spot. Great outdoor space as well.
Kurant Brew & Brew
436 E Girard AveNew spot on the scene. Local cidery with interesting options.
Dive bar and music venue. Come here to get your ears blown out (in the best way).
35 locals recommend
Kung Fu Necktie
1248 N Front StDive bar and music venue. Come here to get your ears blown out (in the best way).
Large Bavarian-style beer garden. Get's pretty packed on weekend nights, but during the week and during the day on weekends, it's a great place to grab a liter of beer and some wurst. Fire pits in the winter!
275 locals recommend
Frankford Hall
1210 Frankford AveLarge Bavarian-style beer garden. Get's pretty packed on weekend nights, but during the week and during the day on weekends, it's a great place to grab a liter of beer and some wurst. Fire pits in the winter!
Fabulous mid-sized music venue. Make sure you check the schedule before your trip and book tickets to some amazing shows!
94 locals recommend
Union Transfer
1026 Spring Garden StFabulous mid-sized music venue. Make sure you check the schedule before your trip and book tickets to some amazing shows!
A vegan cocktail bar? Yup.
Everything in this über-cool cocktail bar is plant-based, and that doesn't change the deliciousness of these cocktails (or the food) one bit!
47 locals recommend
Charlie was a sinner.
131 S 13th StA vegan cocktail bar? Yup.
Everything in this über-cool cocktail bar is plant-based, and that doesn't change the deliciousness of these cocktails (or the food) one bit!
Super cool whiskey/beer bar on top of an Ethiopian restaurant. Grab a bite and check out some live music (select nights).
29 locals recommend
Fiume
229 S 45th StSuper cool whiskey/beer bar on top of an Ethiopian restaurant. Grab a bite and check out some live music (select nights).
Be sure to check out their great outdoor space. Second floor deck with heaters for chilly nights, particularly great on a rainy day.
71 locals recommend
Standard Tap
901 N 2nd StBe sure to check out their great outdoor space. Second floor deck with heaters for chilly nights, particularly great on a rainy day.
A staple on Passyunk Avenue for over a decade. Excellent beer selection.
87 locals recommend
Pub On Passyunk East - POPE
1501 E Passyunk AveA staple on Passyunk Avenue for over a decade. Excellent beer selection.
The Ranstead Room
2013 Ranstead StSpeakeasy-ish bar. Styled like Mad Men-era.
Second District Brewing Company
1939 S Bancroft StOne of the newer breweries in the city.
Local small batch brewery with excellent beers + food.
17 locals recommend
Saint Benjamin Brewing Company
1710 N 5th StLocal small batch brewery with excellent beers + food.
Classic Karaoke spot in Chinatown. Public Karaoke and private rooms. Great snacks.
29 locals recommend
Yakitori Boy
211 N 11th StClassic Karaoke spot in Chinatown. Public Karaoke and private rooms. Great snacks.
Probably Philly's most popular brewery, now in a brand new location.
118 locals recommend
Yards Brewing Company
500 Spring Garden StProbably Philly's most popular brewery, now in a brand new location.
Tattooed Mom
530 South StClassic punk bar.
Parks & Nature
Great large park on the Delaware. Good for a walk, a picnic or reading a book.
90 locals recommend
Penn Treaty Park
1301 N Beach StGreat large park on the Delaware. Good for a walk, a picnic or reading a book.
Small neighborhood park. Great for grabbin' a bagel and people watching.
15 locals recommend
Palmer Park
2346 East Susquehanna AvenueSmall neighborhood park. Great for grabbin' a bagel and people watching.
Beautiful and large forest park in Northwest Philly. Hiking and Mountain Bike trails for all skill levels. Great historic inn for lunch right in the center. An oasis in the city.
209 locals recommend
Wissahickon Valley Park
Valley Green RoadBeautiful and large forest park in Northwest Philly. Hiking and Mountain Bike trails for all skill levels. Great historic inn for lunch right in the center. An oasis in the city.
Spruce Street Harbor Park
301 S Christopher Columbus BlvdCool seasonal waterfront park with beer and hammocks.
These gardens were created by John Bartram (a close friend and associate of Benjamin Franklin) and then maintained by his son, William, in the late 18th century.
This is a peaceful spot on the Schuykill River where you can ever borrow kayaks and fishing gear on occasion!
77 locals recommend
Bartram's Garden
5400 Lindbergh Blvd.These gardens were created by John Bartram (a close friend and associate of Benjamin Franklin) and then maintained by his son, William, in the late 18th century.
This is a peaceful spot on the Schuykill River where you can ever borrow kayaks and fishing gear on occasion!
A truly excellent bike trail for casual rides along the river. The ride out to Manayunk is about 30 minutes, but if you're feeling ambitious, you can ride it all the way to Valley Forge!
Check out google maps to see the whole trail, this marker is pretty randomly placed along the trail.
13 locals recommend
Schuylkill River Trail
Schuylkill River TrailA truly excellent bike trail for casual rides along the river. The ride out to Manayunk is about 30 minutes, but if you're feeling ambitious, you can ride it all the way to Valley Forge!
Check out google maps to see the whole trail, this marker is pretty randomly placed along the trail.
One of the five original green squares laid out by William Penn at the founding of the city. Excellent people watching, and beautiful landscaping.
620 locals recommend
Rittenhouse Square
135 S 18th StOne of the five original green squares laid out by William Penn at the founding of the city. Excellent people watching, and beautiful landscaping.
One of the five original green squares laid out by William Penn at the founding of the city. This park was used as a Potter's Field (mass grave) during the late 18th-century yellow fever epidemic.
90 locals recommend
Washington Square Park
210 W Washington SquareOne of the five original green squares laid out by William Penn at the founding of the city. This park was used as a Potter's Field (mass grave) during the late 18th-century yellow fever epidemic.
Essentials
Riverwards Produce Market
2200 E Norris StSmall produce and dry goods market in the neighborhood.
Fishtown Pharmacy - Compounding Pharmacy
1802 Frankford AveLocally owned and run pharmacy.
ACME Markets
1400 E Passyunk AveClosest large grocery store.
Shopping
Philadelphia Record Exchange
1524 Frankford AveGreat record shop for crate diving.
Arts & Culture
Philadelphia Museum of Art
2600 Benjamin Franklin PkwyJust because. This is a world-class art musuem.
Maybe you've heard of this place? It is the largest private collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art in the world. Maybe you've even heard of the relocation controversy documented in the film The Art of the Steal?
560 locals recommend
Barnes
2025 Benjamin Franklin PkwyMaybe you've heard of this place? It is the largest private collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art in the world. Maybe you've even heard of the relocation controversy documented in the film The Art of the Steal?
Brand new American History museum. Definitely worth checking out.
122 locals recommend
Museum of the American Revolution
101 S 3rd StBrand new American History museum. Definitely worth checking out.
Entertainment & Activities
Arcade games and Beer! These are mostly-80s and early 90s era games, still cheap!
149 locals recommend
Barcade
1114 Frankford AveArcade games and Beer! These are mostly-80s and early 90s era games, still cheap!
The Fillmore Philadelphia
29 E Allen StLarge music venue.
Landmark Theatres - Ritz East
125 S 2nd StOne of three art house theaters in old city.
Landmark's Ritz Five
214 Walnut StOne of three art house theaters in old city.
Landmark Theatres - Ritz East
125 S 2nd StOne of three art house theaters in old city.
Keystone Mini-Golf & Arcade
161 Cecil B. Moore AveUrban Axes Philadelphia
2019 E Boston StBecause Axe Throwing.
Philadelphia Room Escape
1528 Walnut St