Philadelphia: Food Guide

Philadelphia’s food identity is rooted in working-class tradition — the cheesesteak, the roast pork sandwich, the soft pretzel, the hoagie — but the city has developed a genuinely respected fine dining scene over the past two decades. Zahav has a James Beard Award. Vetri Cucina is one of the best Italian restaurants in the country. The Fishtown neighborhood rivals any major US city for density of interesting restaurants per block. This guide covers the full range.

The Cheesesteak

No visitor avoids the cheesesteak conversation. The sandwich is a ribeye steak chopped or sliced on a flat griddle, served on an Amoroso roll (a soft hoagie roll produced by a South Philadelphia bakery), with one of three cheese options: Cheez Whiz (traditional), provolone, or American.

The two most famous shops are side by side on 9th Street in South Philadelphia:

Pat’s King of Steaks — 1237 E. Passyunk Ave. Open 24 hours. Pat Olivieri is credited with inventing the cheesesteak in the 1930s. The original shop still occupies the triangular corner where Passyunk meets 9th. Order at the window: state your cheese first, then “wit” (with onions) or “witout.” Approximately $12–14 as of 2026.

Geno’s Steaks — 1219 S. 9th St, directly across from Pat’s. Open 24 hours. More photogenic (orange neon lighting), similar price. The rivalry between the two is mostly marketing — try both if you plan to make the South Philly pilgrimage.

Jim’s Steaks — 400 South St. A more central location, often recommended as slightly better quality than the South Philly options though without the historical claim. Approximately $12–15. Cash or card.

John’s Roast Pork — 14 E. Snyder Ave. Despite the name, John’s also makes a cheesesteak that many locals rate above Pat’s and Geno’s. Opens at 6:30am; sells out and closes early (by 3pm most days). Worth the effort if you’re in South Philly.

The Roast Pork Sandwich

Less internationally famous than the cheesesteak but arguably more beloved by Philadelphians. Slow-roasted pork shoulder sliced thin, served on an Amoroso roll with sharp provolone and broccoli rabe (a slightly bitter Italian-style greens preparation). The best version in the city:

DiNic’s Roast Pork and Beef — Stand 936, Reading Terminal Market. Recognized as one of the best sandwiches in the USA by multiple national publications. The roast pork with sharp provolone and broccoli rabe costs approximately $12–14. Arrive before 11:30am to avoid waits of 30–45 minutes. Cash and card. The roast beef variant with gravy is a secondary option worth trying.

Reading Terminal Market

51 N. 12th St. The 1893 market has more than 80 vendors and represents the broadest single-stop eating experience in the city. Beyond DiNic’s:

• Beiler’s Donuts — Fresh Amish donuts, approximately $2–3 each. Sells out by early afternoon.
• Market Soft Pretzels — The Amish-baked soft pretzel, larger and denser than the stadium variety, approximately $1.50–2.
• Hershel’s East Side Deli — Pastrami, corned beef, and matzo ball soup in the New York deli tradition, approximately $14–18 for a full sandwich.
• Tommy DiNic’s — See above; this is the flagship.
• Spataro’s Cheesesteaks — A reliable counter-service option for cheesesteaks without traveling to South Philly.

Fine Dining

Zahav — 237 St. James Place, Society Hill. James Beard Award-winning Israeli restaurant from Michael Solomonov, who has become one of the country’s most recognized chefs. The hummus tehina with laffa bread (approximately $19) is the starter everyone orders. The overnight lamb shoulder (approximately $54) is the signature main. Prix-fixe formats available. Reservations must be booked weeks ahead via the website; bar walk-ins are occasionally available for parties of two.

Vetri Cucina — 1312 Spruce St, Center City. Marc Vetri’s flagship Italian restaurant, one of the most respected in the country. The rotating pasta tasting menu (approximately $155 per person) is the definitive experience. Reservations are essential and fill quickly.

Vernick Food & Drink — 2031 Walnut St, Rittenhouse Square. Greg Vernick’s seasonal American cooking emphasizes technique and local sourcing. Small plates approximately $14–22; mains approximately $32–48. Consistently rated one of Philadelphia’s best. Reservations needed; the bar has limited walk-in capacity.

a.kitchen — 135 S. 18th St (in the AKA Rittenhouse hotel). Refined American small-plate cooking with an extensive wine and cocktail program. Small plates approximately $12–22; mains approximately $28–44. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Fishtown and Northern Liberties

Fishtown has the highest concentration of interesting restaurants for the effort.

Wm. Mulherin’s Sons — 1355 N. Front St. A converted whiskey blending plant with wood-fired pizza, cocktails, and a lively bar scene. Neapolitan-style pies approximately $18–26. Reservations recommended for the dining room; bar walk-ins usually available.

Suraya — 1528 Frankford Ave. Lebanese restaurant and market in a converted warehouse, with a sprawling outdoor garden. Meze from approximately $8–18; mains approximately $22–38. One of the most atmospheric restaurants in the city. Book in advance.

Sancho Pistola’s — 19 W. Girard Ave. Mexican street food and agave spirits in a neighborhood bar setting. Tacos approximately $4–6 each; mains approximately $12–18. No reservation needed; good for a casual dinner before a show at Johnny Brenda’s next door.

K’Far — 1600 Sansom St, Center City (Michael Solomonov’s bakery-café, not technically Fishtown but part of the same group). Israeli breakfast and pastries, strong coffee. Morning pastries approximately $4–8; full breakfast plates $12–16. Opens at 7am.

Italian Market and South Philadelphia

The 9th Street Italian Market (between Christian and Washington Ave) is an open-air market with produce stalls, butchers, cheesemongers, and Italian specialty importers. Most stalls open by 9am Tuesday–Sunday. The surrounding blocks have a dense concentration of Italian-American restaurants and Vietnamese pho and banh mi shops.

Villa di Roma — 936 S. 9th St. A South Philly institution for red-sauce Italian, family-style portions, and checkered tablecloths. Pasta approximately $14–18; mains approximately $20–30. Cash preferred.

Pho 75 — 1122 Washington Ave. No-frills Vietnamese pho in generous portions. A large bowl costs approximately $12. One of the most popular pho counters in a stretch of Washington Avenue that is now the city’s main Vietnamese dining corridor.

Budget and Casual Eating

Koch’s Deli — 4309 Locust St, West Philadelphia. A classic deli counter near the Penn campus, with overstuffed sandwiches approximately $10–14 and rotating hot specials. Cash only.

Federal Donuts — Multiple locations. Fried chicken and donuts that have developed a serious following since the restaurant opened in 2011. Half-dozen donuts approximately $14; fried chicken combo approximately $10–14. Mike Solomonov is a co-founder.

Lorenzo’s Pizza — 900 South St. A Philadelphia institution for late-night, cash-only pizza sold by the slice (approximately $4) from a counter window. Lines form on Friday and Saturday nights after midnight.

Cheu Noodle Bar — 255 S. 10th St, Center City. Ramen and Asian-fusion noodle dishes in a casual, loud setting. Ramen bowls approximately $16–20. No reservation; expect waits on weekend evenings.