Christina’s guidebook - eating/drinking within walking distance
Food scene
A true gem that delivers an amazing value. Highly recommend for the delicious food, unique dishes, and cozy, intimate vibe. The staff is kind and thoughtful. It's BYOB so you're likely to save a few $s on drinks, too.
27 lokale anbefaler
Helm
1303 N 5th StA true gem that delivers an amazing value. Highly recommend for the delicious food, unique dishes, and cozy, intimate vibe. The staff is kind and thoughtful. It's BYOB so you're likely to save a few $s on drinks, too.
A fun and delicious option just steps away. The price has ticked up, but bear in mind the pricing for mains includes all your salatim/appetizers (a meal itself) and dessert. If those prices seem high, go for the salatim only option and you'll still enjoy a full meal.
16 lokale anbefaler
Laser Wolf
1301 North Howard StreetA fun and delicious option just steps away. The price has ticked up, but bear in mind the pricing for mains includes all your salatim/appetizers (a meal itself) and dessert. If those prices seem high, go for the salatim only option and you'll still enjoy a full meal.
My favorite for pizza. It's more expensive than some other options, but more delicious (and a fun environment).
82 lokale anbefaler
Pizzeria Beddia
1313 North Lee StreetMy favorite for pizza. It's more expensive than some other options, but more delicious (and a fun environment).
Casual, BYOB, and delicious. It's right off 2nd Street, which is a key commercial corridor and fun to stroll.
Apricot Stone
1040 N American StCasual, BYOB, and delicious. It's right off 2nd Street, which is a key commercial corridor and fun to stroll.
Another favorite. Hits all the marks -- food, drinks, setting, staff. Recommend comparing and contrasting pizza here vs. Pizzeria Beddia. Like apples and oranges to some degree, but both delicious so a fun experiment. Besides pizza, we especially recommend: cauliflower app, hanger steak, and duck breast if available.
94 lokale anbefaler
Wm. Mulherin’s Sons
1355 N Front StAnother favorite. Hits all the marks -- food, drinks, setting, staff. Recommend comparing and contrasting pizza here vs. Pizzeria Beddia. Like apples and oranges to some degree, but both delicious so a fun experiment. Besides pizza, we especially recommend: cauliflower app, hanger steak, and duck breast if available.
They rotate a lot of interesting beers and food items, but I recommend their basic BBQ chicken sandwich. It's different and amazing. *Post-Covid, prices have increased a lot - true and reasonable at most places, but the uptick feels very high here - especially for mains, and the chicken sandwich hasn't been as stellar. For now, I'm more likely to recommend sticking to small plates.
71 lokale anbefaler
Standard Tap
901 N 2nd StThey rotate a lot of interesting beers and food items, but I recommend their basic BBQ chicken sandwich. It's different and amazing. *Post-Covid, prices have increased a lot - true and reasonable at most places, but the uptick feels very high here - especially for mains, and the chicken sandwich hasn't been as stellar. For now, I'm more likely to recommend sticking to small plates.
Local dive bar that will surprise you with good food, especially the calamari.
21 lokale anbefaler
Kostas Restaurant
15 W Girard AveLocal dive bar that will surprise you with good food, especially the calamari.
Suraya Restaurant
1528 Frankford AveAll the hype is real and deserved.
Especially good option for vegetarians and vegans. I tend to prefer breakfast or lunch over dinner, but either way this is a solid spot with an excellent patio.
112 lokale anbefaler
Front Street Cafe
1253 N Front StEspecially good option for vegetarians and vegans. I tend to prefer breakfast or lunch over dinner, but either way this is a solid spot with an excellent patio.
Fun bar with better than average food and great options for beer flights.
36 lokale anbefaler
Interstate Drafthouse
1235 E Palmer StFun bar with better than average food and great options for beer flights.
Previously a combo butcher/meat focused restaurant, recently evolved to seafood. This is where to go for oysters and if the fish katsu is on the menu, that's a winner. But don't ignore the duck. Plus the staff and back patio are wonderful.
55 lokale anbefaler
Kensington Quarters
1310 Frankford AvePreviously a combo butcher/meat focused restaurant, recently evolved to seafood. This is where to go for oysters and if the fish katsu is on the menu, that's a winner. But don't ignore the duck. Plus the staff and back patio are wonderful.
We love this spot for delivering an ambitiously large and tasty menu for a fairly small, local spot. If there is a major game on, they may set up a projector (and be less crowded than some of the more traditional sports bars).
48 lokale anbefaler
North Third
801 N 3rd StWe love this spot for delivering an ambitiously large and tasty menu for a fairly small, local spot. If there is a major game on, they may set up a projector (and be less crowded than some of the more traditional sports bars).
Amazing artisan breads, justly famous shortbread pretzel cookies, and interesting innovations (pastries, tamale co-op projects). If the cafe space opens back up and the savory oatmeal is available, this is a must must.
Lost Bread Co.
1313 N Howard StAmazing artisan breads, justly famous shortbread pretzel cookies, and interesting innovations (pastries, tamale co-op projects). If the cafe space opens back up and the savory oatmeal is available, this is a must must.
One of our favorite brunch options. It's popular and can be crowded, so go early. This one is a bit further than some of the other restaurants mentioned, about 3/4 of a mile.
238 lokale anbefaler
Honey's Sit 'N Eat
2101 South StOne of our favorite brunch options. It's popular and can be crowded, so go early. This one is a bit further than some of the other restaurants mentioned, about 3/4 of a mile.
Spacious and hip with great coffee and pastries. If I recall correctly, they may not provide public wifi, FYI.
334 lokale anbefaler
La Colombe Coffee Roasters
1335 Frankford AveSpacious and hip with great coffee and pastries. If I recall correctly, they may not provide public wifi, FYI.
Fun and yummy tacos. Not the cheapest, but these are fancified tacos.
37 lokale anbefaler
Sancho Pistola's
19 W Girard AveFun and yummy tacos. Not the cheapest, but these are fancified tacos.
Heritage
914 N 2nd StGreat spot to enjoy dinner and drinks with live music.
Great chicken (and sauces) and potato salad. Skip the slaw.
15 lokale anbefaler
Love & Honey Fried Chicken
1100 N Front StGreat chicken (and sauces) and potato salad. Skip the slaw.
Liberty Kitchen PHL
1400 N Front StHoagies for true foodies. Get one to share, or have leftovers for a second meal.
Hiroki
1355 North Front StreetFor deep pockets or special occasions.
Very good bagels. Take away only, but if the weather is nice, nearby Palmer Park has benches.
60 lokale anbefaler
Philly Style Bagels
1451 E Columbia AveVery good bagels. Take away only, but if the weather is nice, nearby Palmer Park has benches.
The food is levels ahead of what you might expect with second hand decor, but the chef owner here is putting his efforts where it really matters. And he's done some amazing things for the community. Great spot to know you're supporting a thoughtful local business and getting a real neighborhood vibe. Highly recommend the lemon ricotta pancakes!
8 lokale anbefaler
Sulimay's Restaurant
632 E Girard AveThe food is levels ahead of what you might expect with second hand decor, but the chef owner here is putting his efforts where it really matters. And he's done some amazing things for the community. Great spot to know you're supporting a thoughtful local business and getting a real neighborhood vibe. Highly recommend the lemon ricotta pancakes!
We love having a good Jamaican spot nearby. Recommend the brown stew chicken, oxtails, and curry shrimp.
11 lokale anbefaler
Reggae Reggae Vibes
517 W Girard AveWe love having a good Jamaican spot nearby. Recommend the brown stew chicken, oxtails, and curry shrimp.
Delicious, beautifully prepared brunch. If you're comparing egg based breakfasts with other diners or casual restaurants, prices may seem high, but this menu is a step above. No reservations and long waits, so go early! This one is a bit further than some of the other restaurants mentioned, about 3/4 of a mile.
79 lokale anbefaler
Cafe La Maude
816 N 4th StDelicious, beautifully prepared brunch. If you're comparing egg based breakfasts with other diners or casual restaurants, prices may seem high, but this menu is a step above. No reservations and long waits, so go early! This one is a bit further than some of the other restaurants mentioned, about 3/4 of a mile.
Lovely spot with a kind owner. It's fairly expensive, so I don't visit often...I'm just as happy with some more budget friendly choices. But their STRAWBERRY ice cream may be the best ice cream I've ever had.
34 lokale anbefaler
Weckerly’s Ice Cream
9 W Girard AveLovely spot with a kind owner. It's fairly expensive, so I don't visit often...I'm just as happy with some more budget friendly choices. But their STRAWBERRY ice cream may be the best ice cream I've ever had.
This is on my must-try list...they don't have seating though, which is partly why I haven't been.
12 lokale anbefaler
PIZZA Shackamaxon
115 E Girard AveThis is on my must-try list...they don't have seating though, which is partly why I haven't been.
Popular with the young drinking crowd, but also family friendly with a unique kids menu. We recommend the noodle dishes.
40 lokale anbefaler
Cheu Fishtown
1416 Frankford AvePopular with the young drinking crowd, but also family friendly with a unique kids menu. We recommend the noodle dishes.
Great environment and, from what I understand, very good meats. I don't eat red meat or pork and there is not a big variety of vegetable side dishes, so I don't go often. I do sometimes tag along for drinks!
140 lokale anbefaler
Fette Sau
1208 Frankford AveGreat environment and, from what I understand, very good meats. I don't eat red meat or pork and there is not a big variety of vegetable side dishes, so I don't go often. I do sometimes tag along for drinks!
Excellent beer garden with some decent (but somewhat limited) food options to soak up what you're drinking. Highly recommend for a convivial place to hang out with your family and friends, though I might avoid primetime on the weekends when it can be very loud and crowded. I like to go in the late afternoon / early evening.
275 lokale anbefaler
Frankford Hall
1210 Frankford AveExcellent beer garden with some decent (but somewhat limited) food options to soak up what you're drinking. Highly recommend for a convivial place to hang out with your family and friends, though I might avoid primetime on the weekends when it can be very loud and crowded. I like to go in the late afternoon / early evening.
Great spot to watch games or hang out with friends. I'm pretty iffy on the food, but thumbs up for the large outdoor seating area, board games, and (seasonally) heated lamps . Family friendly, too.
15 lokale anbefaler
Urban Village Brewing Company
1001 N 2nd StGreat spot to watch games or hang out with friends. I'm pretty iffy on the food, but thumbs up for the large outdoor seating area, board games, and (seasonally) heated lamps . Family friendly, too.
I've never been in here. Candidly, I have received some not so welcoming vibes from regulars when I walk by. But on Saturday nights there is a (seemingly nice) guy cooking and selling some of the best Thai food in the city. You pick up from a side window so you don't have to go into the bar. Check IG for "Spicy Time Thai" and definitely get the pad see ew.
Les and Doreen's Happy Tap
1301 E Susquehanna AveI've never been in here. Candidly, I have received some not so welcoming vibes from regulars when I walk by. But on Saturday nights there is a (seemingly nice) guy cooking and selling some of the best Thai food in the city. You pick up from a side window so you don't have to go into the bar. Check IG for "Spicy Time Thai" and definitely get the pad see ew.
If you're looking for some simple breakfast or lunch sandwiches, this is a good and quick option.
3 J’s Food Market Fishtown
1140 Shackamaxon StIf you're looking for some simple breakfast or lunch sandwiches, this is a good and quick option.
I haven't tried the hoagies here, but they are on my list. (I just don't eat a lot of hoagies, otherwise I would have had them by now!) I have tried some of the desserts made by "Well Read Chef" on IG. Double thumbs up for her creations! Also, search for "Newman the Food Man" who offers tasty Mexican on some kind of rotating schedule.
8 lokale anbefaler
Castellino's Italian Market
1255 E Palmer StI haven't tried the hoagies here, but they are on my list. (I just don't eat a lot of hoagies, otherwise I would have had them by now!) I have tried some of the desserts made by "Well Read Chef" on IG. Double thumbs up for her creations! Also, search for "Newman the Food Man" who offers tasty Mexican on some kind of rotating schedule.
A neighborhood staple for affordable eats. I like Streetside for their simple, inexpensive banh mi. I don't eat beef so haven't tried the pho. My mom said it was a bit sweet.
12 lokale anbefaler
Streetside
165 W Girard AveA neighborhood staple for affordable eats. I like Streetside for their simple, inexpensive banh mi. I don't eat beef so haven't tried the pho. My mom said it was a bit sweet.
A fun bar with good eats and drinks both. The veggie burger is one of the best I've had. If you attend a show upstairs, you might recognize the setting from the movie Creed.
248 lokale anbefaler
Johnny Brenda's
1201 Frankford AveA fun bar with good eats and drinks both. The veggie burger is one of the best I've had. If you attend a show upstairs, you might recognize the setting from the movie Creed.
The cakes are beautiful and yummy, but the dessert bars, cookies, and pastries - pies especially - are even better, if you can believe it. Good coffee, too.
25 lokale anbefaler
Cake Life Bake Shop
1306 Frankford AveThe cakes are beautiful and yummy, but the dessert bars, cookies, and pastries - pies especially - are even better, if you can believe it. Good coffee, too.
Another option for basic sandwiches, but with the option for salad and huge selection of beer. It may seem like primarily take away, but they have TVs, board games and, most charming, occasional live entertainment on the patio.
Deli @ Dwell
1301 North American StreetAnother option for basic sandwiches, but with the option for salad and huge selection of beer. It may seem like primarily take away, but they have TVs, board games and, most charming, occasional live entertainment on the patio.
It's not the best Indian food I've had - maybe I just haven't figured out what dishes they do best - but I'm so glad we have the option nearby. Based on my limited experience, medium spicy and upwards may be the real deal, meaning they actually increase the heat!
40 lokale anbefaler
Ekta
1142 E Girard AveIt's not the best Indian food I've had - maybe I just haven't figured out what dishes they do best - but I'm so glad we have the option nearby. Based on my limited experience, medium spicy and upwards may be the real deal, meaning they actually increase the heat!
Baja-inspired Mexican restaurant with lots of seafood. Highly recommend the broiled oysters and roasted vegetables. Not an inexpensive choice - prices everywhere have gone up - and although I enjoyed the food, there was at least one dish where the price seemed out of scale for what was delivered. So you may want to inquire about portions/ingredients if you are price sensitive. A very hip and lively place, likely to feel like a party/celebratory atmosphere on weekend nights.
21 lokale anbefaler
LMNO
1739-1749 North Front StreetBaja-inspired Mexican restaurant with lots of seafood. Highly recommend the broiled oysters and roasted vegetables. Not an inexpensive choice - prices everywhere have gone up - and although I enjoyed the food, there was at least one dish where the price seemed out of scale for what was delivered. So you may want to inquire about portions/ingredients if you are price sensitive. A very hip and lively place, likely to feel like a party/celebratory atmosphere on weekend nights.
Opened in fall 2021, yet another destination pizza place within walking distance! I've been sticking to the thin crust options.
Hook & Master
1361 North 2nd StreetOpened in fall 2021, yet another destination pizza place within walking distance! I've been sticking to the thin crust options.
IG-famous egg sandwiches for breakfast. Go early, they sell out! Lunch and dinner service, too. Around the board the food and drinks are all good. The space is young and lively and the staff is very nice.
7 lokale anbefaler
Middle Child Clubhouse
1232 North Front StreetIG-famous egg sandwiches for breakfast. Go early, they sell out! Lunch and dinner service, too. Around the board the food and drinks are all good. The space is young and lively and the staff is very nice.
Another excellent pizza spot, if you can believe we have that many. I've only been once, but really enjoyed the chewy crust and perfect flavors in the white pizza. The wine options are unique and tasty, too.
eeva
310 Master StreetAnother excellent pizza spot, if you can believe we have that many. I've only been once, but really enjoyed the chewy crust and perfect flavors in the white pizza. The wine options are unique and tasty, too.
Primary Plant Based
161 West Girard AvenueExcellent spot for vegetarian and vegan with unique and tasty fare. BYOB, too!
Fantastic falafel, that you can get as sandwich with fluffy pita and bright veggie accompaniments, or as a salad. If you are feeling indulgent, try the Tehina shakes :) They close on the early side, so plan ahead.
11 lokale anbefaler
Goldie
1911 Sansom StFantastic falafel, that you can get as sandwich with fluffy pita and bright veggie accompaniments, or as a salad. If you are feeling indulgent, try the Tehina shakes :) They close on the early side, so plan ahead.
Great local spot for drinks and small bites. Cocktails and food are perhaps surprisingly good for such an unassuming place.
17 lokale anbefaler
The International Bar
1624 N Front StGreat local spot for drinks and small bites. Cocktails and food are perhaps surprisingly good for such an unassuming place.
Opened spring 2022. I haven't been yet, but I'm told OH beer is good. The bigger deal about this place is the great location, with a large grassy outdoor area, right next door to the Punchline/Filmore/Brooklyn Bowl complex. I'm hoping they set up more outdoor furniture. Until then, you might consider bringing a picnic blanket.
Other Half Brewing
1002 Canal StreetOpened spring 2022. I haven't been yet, but I'm told OH beer is good. The bigger deal about this place is the great location, with a large grassy outdoor area, right next door to the Punchline/Filmore/Brooklyn Bowl complex. I'm hoping they set up more outdoor furniture. Until then, you might consider bringing a picnic blanket.
Opened early 2022 I think. It's BYOB and walk-in only. After a RAVE review from the Inquirer, be prepared for a wait. I've only been twice so far, but everything was very well prepared and the staff incredibly nice.
Pera Turkish Cuisine
944 North 2nd StreetOpened early 2022 I think. It's BYOB and walk-in only. After a RAVE review from the Inquirer, be prepared for a wait. I've only been twice so far, but everything was very well prepared and the staff incredibly nice.
Modernized Japanese food and cocktails. I recommend the chirashi bowls. It can be loud, FYI, but that's not surprising especially when you consider the larger happy hour menu they offer.
Izakaya By Yanaga
1832 Frankford AvenueModernized Japanese food and cocktails. I recommend the chirashi bowls. It can be loud, FYI, but that's not surprising especially when you consider the larger happy hour menu they offer.
We love this place for easy, enjoyable food (think sandwiches and mac and cheese), but with the option for more adventurous specials (ramp pasta, chicken and leek empanadas). Excellent cocktails and I like that the kids menu has options like cucumbers or fruit for side dishes. This one is a bit further than some of the other restaurants mentioned, about 9/10 of a mile.
59 lokale anbefaler
Cedar Point Bar & Kitchen
2370 E Norris StWe love this place for easy, enjoyable food (think sandwiches and mac and cheese), but with the option for more adventurous specials (ramp pasta, chicken and leek empanadas). Excellent cocktails and I like that the kids menu has options like cucumbers or fruit for side dishes. This one is a bit further than some of the other restaurants mentioned, about 9/10 of a mile.
Persimmon Coffee
As of fall/winter 2022, this has become my husband's favorite latte spot.