Best Restaurants in Philadelphia

Whether you’ve a hankering for Philly cheesesteaks or you’re sniffing out some Italian-style seafood, the City of Brotherly Love has got you covered. The best restaurants in Philadelphia blend everything that makes the city so beloved with flavor sensations from across the globe.

From cozy neighborhood spots to trendy upmarket eateries, our guide will take you on a mouth-watering tour of the finest places to feed across town. Get ready to indulge in unforgettable gastronomy with our guide to Philadelphia’s best places to eat.

Dalessandro’s Steaks

600 Wendover Street, Philadelphia, PA 19128

Philly is the birthplace of the cheesesteak. So, naturally, any foodie exploration of the Pennsylvanian city must start with this deliciously simple American classic.

Few places know better ways to combine ribeye steak and provolone than the folks over at Dalessandro’s. This Roxborough restaurant has over 50 years in the cheesesteak biz.

Grab plenty of napkins and order up a fully packed Philly-style sandwich with plenty of thick-cut steak, hot peppers and melted cheese. Fancy something a little different? The buffalo chicken cheese steak packs just the right amount of punch in its hot sauce, while the classic Italian hoagies hit the mark every time.

Ristorante Pesto

1915 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148

Transport your tastebuds to the Naples coastline when you swing by the popular Ristorante Pesto.

This South Broad Street spot is as authentically Italian as you can get around here without jumping on the next flight to Rome. A family-run trattoria, you’ll find reasonably priced Mediterranean fare served alongside bucket-loads of Italian charm.

The linguine pescatora is a fine choice for seafood addicts, a generous hand in the kitchen loading it with clams, shrimp and mussels, while veggies should plumb for the poached pear and gorgonzola salad.

Café La Maude

816 North 4^th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123

Take some French-inspired flavors, delicious Lebanese dishes and combine them in a fabulous Philly brunch spot and you’d end up with something like La Maude.

This street-side café feels as if it’s been lifted straight from a Parisian photograph. The red velvet tiramisu pancakes are a wonderfully decadent treat. If you’d rather opt for something a little healthier, the foul moudamas, or eggs, hummus and fava beans, is the perfect way to kick off a lazy weekend.

Don’t ignore the steak sandwich, an exemplar of its kind. It comes paired with two cheeses, an over-easy egg, avocado, onions and tomato, all bursting out of a French brioche roll. Deliciously messy.

Down North Pizza

2804 West Lehigh Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19132

Hefty wedges of Detroit-style pizza and fries loaded with melted goodness are the name of the game at Down North Pizza.

Not only does this place pump out some of the best pizza slices in town, but they’re also entirely non-profit too. Down North employs formerly incarcerated employees, helping with a fair wage and a new start in life.

Order up cheese-drenched pizzas by the box, with some big flavors on offer. Don’t miss the Break You Off, topped with lamb sausage, lemon ricotta, za’atar spices and garlic honey. Or check out the stacked vegan menu if you’re on the hunt for a dairy-free alternative.

Hershel’s East Side Deli  

51 North 12^th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107

A local legend, Hershel’s East Side Deli is everything you’d expect from a Jewish-style sandwich shop, run by a chef who worked at NYC’s legendary Katz’s Deli for 40 years.

‘The Reuben’ is the star of the show and you’ll want to try this menu stalwart. All house-cured pastrami and gherkins loaded onto fresh bread, ‘The Reuben’ is a must for visitors to Hershel’s quick-service eatery. The other Jewish deli classics don’t disappoint either, from bagels with lox to a soothing matzo ball soup. Feast on all these favorites as you explore the stalls and sellers of the Reading Terminal Market.

Vernick Fish  

1 N. 19^th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Sample sumptuous seafood at the glamorous Vernick Fish down on 1 North 19^th Street. A refined restaurant in a setting taken straight from 1950s Americana, Vernick’s serves up fresh and tasty fish dishes inspired by the wilds of the Atlantic Ocean.

Stylish, but with plenty of substance, Vernick Fish is a little pricier than some other options, but you’re paying for a dinner-jacket experience with delicious cocktails and wild-caught sea dishes inspired by the best in the business. The panko-crusted swordfish is a witty take on this famously meaty fish, while grilled black sea bass comes swimming in southeast Asian flavors.

Abyssinia   

229 South 45^th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Say ‘Ethiopian cuisine’ and Philadelphia might not be the first location that springs to mind. But here we are. And Abyssinia is one of the best restaurants in Philadelphia for east African cooking.

Dishes of split pea stews, sauteed veg and spice-infused lamb will get your mouth watering, with options galore for both vegetarians and carnivores. Date night? Opt for a combination platter to get the most out of the menu.

Friday Saturday Sunday

261 South 21^st Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Special occasion on the horizon? Get on the waiting list for Friday Saturday Sunday, one of Philly’s premier fine-dining experiences.

A revolving eight-course taster menu explores the best of east coast culture. Chef Chad Williams’ enigmatic creations utilize engaging ingredients, locally-sourced seafood and surprising taste sensations to create an unforgettable eating adventure. Pairings might include grilled quail with coco bread, sweetbreads with mushroom and plantain, although it depends on what’s in season.

Whether you’re a sucker for seafood or a connoisseur of cheesesteak, Philadelphia’s packed roster of eateries has something for all food fans. Explore the Birthplace of America’s best restaurants with Hertz.

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