Where to Eat in Philly: My 7 Favorite Places

I’m pretty sure I gained quite a bit of weight after leaving Philly, thanks to all the delicious food I ate there. Philadelphia, or Philly for short, is undoubtedly one of the best foodie cities in the country. In fact, it’s the birthplace of the oh-so-delicious cheesesteaks and home to the incredible Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine, which I absolutely adore, and so much more.

In this guide, I’ll take you through my personal culinary journey across Philly and share some of the best food spots in the city, many of which were recommended by my friend Joe, who has been living in Philly for decades. He also introduced me to the best cheesesteak spot in the region, so without further ado, here are the 7 best restaurants and cafes you should not miss in Philly.

For more things to do in Philly, check out:12 Incredible Things to Do in Philadelphia for Solo Travelers

Table of Contents

Philadelphia Restaurants and Cafes Map
7 Best Places to Eat/Drinks in Philadelphia
Further Reading for Northeast USA

Philadelphia Restaurants and Cafes Map

7 Best Places to Eat/Drinks in Philadelphia

1. Try the best cheesesteak at Leo's Steak Shop

A huge thanks to my friend Joe, who lives in Philly and was the one who inspired me to visit in the first place. He kept raving about cheesesteaks and promised to take me to try the best in Philly, and he absolutely delivered. He took me to Leo's Steak Shop, a local gem near Philly’s airport, and they really do serve some of the best cheesesteaks I’ve ever had.

From the generous, juicy portions of ribeye steak to the crispy hoagie rolls that are longer than my arm, if you make the trip here, you're truly in for a treat! In fact, just writing about it now is making me drool, it's that delicious!

The classic cheesesteak to order here is the Cheese Steak, and the Cheese Steak Hoagies, which cost around $13 for a small and $24 for a larger portion. They don’t have seating inside, only a few outside, so it’s best to order it to-go and maybe eat it once you're back at your hotel. They’re quite fast, but also have a lot of customers, so keep that in mind.

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Center City Philadelphia Food Tour with Reading Market (2.5 hours) 👍 Top Pick

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Leo's Steak Shop is open daily from 10 AM to 10 PM, so if you're looking for the best cheesesteak in town and don't mind traveling a bit, you can't go wrong here. You can easily take an Uber from Old City or catch one on your way from the airport to the city.

2. Try Cheesesteaks at Oh Brother Philly in Old City

If you're staying near the Old City and want to try cheesesteaks without traveling far to places like Leo's, consider checking out Oh Brother Philly. This charming restaurant serves the beloved cheesesteaks along with other classic American fast food options, such as burgers, fries, and more.

While their cheesesteaks might not match the excellence of Leo's, they come pretty close with their crispy hoagies, juicy ribeye steaks, and delicious cheese that still capture the signature taste cheesesteaks are known for. The staff here is also very friendly, and the service is quick, which makes it an awesome spot for a quick bite at all hours.

Oh Brother Philly is conveniently located on Market Street, right next to the 2nd Street metro station. The restaurant is open daily from 11 AM to 11 PM.

3. Have Coffee at Menagerie Coffee

One of my favorite cafes in Philly is Menagerie Coffee, a small cozy cafe located in the old city. The cafe is inside a beautiful brick-walled space with retro-style lighting and a homey vibe, perfect for a slow morning or a rainy day.

They serve one heck of a thick and tasty Mocha as well as pastries like the massive almond croissant I often order for breakfast. They also open quite early at 7 AM to 5 PM on weekdays and 8 AM to 5 PM on weekends, which is something I always appreciate as I am a morning person. So if you are looking for a nice cafe to have breakfast at in the Old City, be sure to check out Menagerie Coffee.

4. Enjoy a Light Breakfast at Passero's Coffee Roasters

If you're spending your morning in Center City and looking for a cozy café to unwind and enjoy a delicious homemade breakfast, you'll love Passero's Coffee Roasters, a charming and homey spot located on Chestnut Street, just a short stroll from Philly's main shopping area.

The café attracts a steady stream of office workers from the area throughout the day, which is always a great sign when picking a good spot to eat. They offer a variety of coffee drinks and breakfast dishes to choose from. The owner was also incredibly welcoming and friendly, making me feel like I was enjoying breakfast in the comfort of a cozy home. I absolutely loved it!

If you're looking for a cozy spot to enjoy a cup of coffee in Center City, Passero's Coffee Roasters is a fantastic choice. The café is open from 6:30 AM to 3 PM on weekdays and is closed on weekends.

5. Load yourself with massive traditional breakfast at Dutch Eating Place

If you’re looking to try some unique and delicious Pennsylvania-Dutch breakfast and lunch dishes in Philly, I highly recommend checking out Dutch Eating Place. This popular food stall at Reading Terminal Market lets you sit at the counter in a casual, diner-style setup and enjoy the home-cooked Pennsylvania Dutch comfort food with a generous portion, the old-school way, which I really enjoy.

The place is known for its incredible breakfast and lunch offerings, like its blueberry pancakes, apple cinnamon French toast (which is my favorite), and the Breakfast B.L.T. with eggs, bacon, lettuce, and tomato on rye bread. They get pretty busy during the day, so be sure to get there early.

The restaurant is open from 8 AM to 3 PM every day except Sundays. If you’re a fan of breakfast food, you’re going to love Dutch Eating Place. Be sure to try the traditional Pennsylvania Dutch scrapple, a fried mix of pork scraps, trimmings, cornmeal, wheat or buckwheat flour, and spices. It has a soft texture and tastes somewhat like sausage. It’s a must-try when you’re in Philly!

6. Try Homemade Soft Pretzel at Miller's Twist

While visiting Reading Terminal Market, don't miss the chance to grab a delicious homemade soft pretzel from Miller's Twist, easily the best pretzel I've ever had. At Miller's Twist, you'll also find a variety of baked goods and sweets, including breakfast rolls and ice cream, but it's their pretzels that truly put them on the map.

Miller's Twist does not have a seating area, so it’s best to grab a pretzel to-go. The bakery attracts plenty of locals, especially in the morning before office hours and around midday during lunch breaks, so try to avoid these times if you want to skip the line.

The bakery is open daily from 8 AM to 3:30 PM, except on Sundays. They bake their goods fresh every day, and if you enjoy a soft, not-too-salty pretzel, you’re going to love Miller's Twist.

7. National Mechanics Bar and Restaurant

If you're looking for a cozy spot to hang out with friends, I highly recommend checking out National Mechanics Bar and Restaurant. Located in the heart of Old City, right next to Menagerie Coffee (also recommended on this list), it's housed in this incredible historic building with its two stunning Roman columns flanking the entrance.

Interestingly, the building was originally a bank but has since been repurposed as a social venue, which explains the two Roman columns at the entrance. The restaurant serves delicious cocktails and food like fries, chicken wings, and burgers, making it a great spot for a social night out.

If you're looking for a great place with an awesome vibe and atmosphere to hang out at night in Philly, be sure to check out National Mechanics Bar and Restaurant. The venue is open daily from 12 PM, closing at 1 AM, 2 AM, or 3 AM depending on the day.

Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:

Flights: Skyscanner and Expedia are the best places to start looking for cheap flights and great deals from your home country.

Accommodation: Hostelworld, Booking.com, and Agoda.com are the ultimate go-to platforms to search for amazing hostels and hotels at affordable prices.

Travel Insurance: Heymondo covers theft, medical emergencies, cancellations, and more during your travels. Get a 5% discount if you sign up today.

Transportation: For buses, I always go with Omio when traveling in Philadelphia, United States of America while for trains, Omio is my go-to place to book all my train travels in advance.

Car Rental: DiscoverCars.com is a great and reliable platform to find rental cars.

Internet: Airalo is the best way to get a sim card and has reliable internet access for your trip. All you need is an esim compatible smartphone, install it on your phone prior to your trip, and you are all set.

VPN: To stay connected with people at home, I always make sure to have ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and I can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

Day Trips & Tours: Viator, GetYourGuide and TripAdvisor are great platforms to search for trips and tours to join.

Tickets & Deals: Klook is always my go-to website when I want to find cheaper deals for entrance tickets to tourist attractions.

Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.