Philadelphia is a melting pot of global cuisines and an alluring destination for dining thanks to the roster of renowned chefs and restaurateurs in the city including Jose Garces, Michael Solomonov, Steven Starr, Marc Vetri, Nicholas Elmi, and Greg Vernick. Whether you want to treat yourself to a sure-to-be-unforgettable gourmet meal, chow down on the city’s trademark cheesesteak or try something new and different, the Philadelphia dining scene is diverse enough to suit every taste. Home to creative mixologists with special signature cocktails, Philadelphia has over a thousand bars and restaurants in Center City. Also, Philadelphia is considered the BYOB capital of North America, with hundreds of restaurants that allow patrons to bring their own bottles.
With a broad range of cultures, Philadelphia is a city of neighborhoods with each associated with certain styles of food. South Philadelphia, the historically Italian section of the city, offers numerous red gravy Italian-American restaurants, sandwich shops, and pizza places. Chinatown, the second largest on the east coast of the United States, offers a fusion of Asian cuisines. The Reading Terminal Market is one of America’s largest and oldest public markets, housed since 1893 in a National Historic Landmark building in the heart of Center City. Philadelphia also has a vast assortment of family friendly restaurants, sports bars, vegan options and much more. With hundreds of restaurants throughout the city, you’re sure to find something to whet your appetite.
If you’re looking for something truly authentic, nothing says Philadelphia quite like these local favorites:
The City Tavern is housed in a historical landmark, the “unofficial” meeting site for the First Continental Congress. Just ask your server for some of the history and he or she will surely describe the number of historical figures who frequented the tavern including George Washington. Try the Pepperpot Soup, a delicious brew of tripe and vegetables that has a history dating back to the Revolutionary War, served to soldiers as a warm heartening meal. The 18th century-inspired children’s menu is award-winning and includes a Colonial chicken pot pie, meat and cheese pie and apple cider.
A fun way to explore Philadelphia’s culinary scene is to take a food tour. A sampling of food adventures includes Italian Market Tours, Reading Terminal Market Tours, Colonial Pub Crawls and Beer Tours.
The Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB) is the official tourism promotion agency for the City of Philadelphia globally and the primary sales and marketing agency for the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Register with DiscoverPHL.com for free to save your favorites for future visits
See what you've added to "Favorites"
By clicking Register, you confirm to agree to our privacy policy.
Forgot your password? Click here
Forgot password
Enter your email address and we will send you a new password to use for your account.
Email Notification Sent
An email has been sent to , with a new password to access your account.
Please be patient as the delivery of email can be delayed. Remember to check your junk folder if you do not receive the email directly into your inbox.