For our family and friends from out of town, we want you to enjoy the city as locals. Here are some of our favorite spots to eat, drink, and explore.

Lilo's Philly Picks · Kaitlin & Eric
Lilo's Philly Picks
Kaitlin & Eric
5 . 2 3 . 2 6  ·  Philadelphia, PA
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Coffee
Cake and Joe
1401 E Moyamensing Ave · South Philly
A beloved South Philly neighborhood staple — excellent coffee alongside fresh-baked pastries and cakes. The kind of corner café you walk to every morning and linger in all day. Open later than most.
Coffee
Persimmon Coffee
11 W Girard Ave · Fishtown
Philly Mag Best of Philly winner and Sprudge Bib Gourmand finalist. An LGBTQ-owned roaster with a Japanese-Korean minimalist aesthetic — roasting one single-origin coffee per month from an airy, light-filled corner on Girard. The pour-overs are exceptional.
Coffee
La Colombe Coffee Workshop
130 S 19th St · Rittenhouse
Philly's iconic homegrown roaster at its flagship Rittenhouse location — one of the city's largest and most beautiful cafés. Order a draft latte at the long marble bar, then wander the neighborhood.
Coffee
Milkcrate Cafe
400 E Girard Ave · Fishtown
Part coffee shop, part record store — Fishtown's most beloved hangout pairs carefully made espresso drinks with an insane vinyl collection and a genuinely cool crowd. One of those places that defines a neighborhood.
Coffee
One Shot Coffee
217 W George St · Northern Liberties
A low-key NoLibs neighborhood gem serving excellent espresso in a welcoming, no-fuss space. Perfect for a quick morning stop before exploring the neighborhood's galleries and shops.
Coffee
Menagerie Coffee
18 S 3rd St · Old City
A specialty coffee bar tucked into Old City that draws serious coffee nerds — rotating single-origins, meticulous brewing methods, and a beautifully minimal interior. One of Philly's finest.
Coffee
K'Far Cafe
110 S 19th St · Rittenhouse
The all-day Israeli café from the Zahav team. Famous for its cardamom coffee and stunning pastries — babka, rugelach, and soft-boiled egg sandwiches on house-baked bread. A mandatory Rittenhouse stop.
Coffee
Càphê Roasters
3400 J St · Port Richmond
A Vietnamese-inspired specialty roaster that's earned a devoted following across the city. Their Vietnamese iced coffee and seasonal drinks are exceptional — a worthy detour for coffee lovers willing to venture to Port Richmond.
Quick Bites
Liberty Kitchen
1400 N Front St · Fishtown
A casual all-day spot in Fishtown serving elevated comfort food — great sandwiches, fresh salads, and hearty plates in a relaxed, sunny neighborhood setting. Great for a quick lunch between adventures.
Quick Bites
Joe's Steaks + Soda Shop
1 W Girard Ave · Fishtown
A Fishtown institution for cheesesteaks done right — thin-sliced, well-seasoned, on a proper roll. The retro soda shop vibe and gluten-free roll option make it one of the most welcoming cheesesteak spots in the city. Right on Girard.
Quick Bites
Jim's South St.
400 South St · South Street
One of Philly's most legendary cheesesteak joints, rebuilt and back after a fire. The line wraps around the block for a reason — classic whiz wit', caramelized onions, and a truly iconic South Street experience you have to have at least once.
Quick Bites
Tommy DiNic's
Reading Terminal Market
Named the best sandwich in America by the Travel Channel. Located inside the legendary Reading Terminal Market — get the roast pork with sharp provolone and broccoli rabe. Absolute non-negotiable on any Philly trip.
Quick Bites
Pat's King of Steaks
1237 Passyunk Ave · South Philly
The original — Pat Olivieri invented the cheesesteak here in 1930. Open 24 hours, on a glowing South Philly corner directly across from rival Geno's. Essential Philly food history served through a window, best at 2am.
Quick Bites
Angelo's Pizzeria
736 S 9th St · Bella Vista
Cash-only, takeout-only, and the subject of constant "best in Philly" debates. The Infatuation calls it home to the city's best cheesesteak — served on house-baked seeded rolls alongside legendary Upside Down pizza pies and flawless hoagies. Michelin Bib Gourmand. Bring cash.
Restaurant
Oyster House
1516 Sansom St · Center City
The Infatuation calls it "one of the best seafood restaurants in the city" — and it's been true since 1976. The last of Center City's great fish houses, with a marble bar, antique oyster plates on the walls, and the best-shucked oysters in town. Don't miss the $2 happy hour or the legendary fried oysters and chicken salad. Much of the menu is naturally gluten-free — raw and grilled oysters, the lobster roll, chowder, and most fresh fish preparations are all GF-friendly. Ask your server and they'll walk you through safe options.
Restaurant
Kalaya
4 W Palmer St · Fishtown
James Beard Award-winning Southern Thai from chef Nok Suntaranon — on the NYT's 50 Best US Restaurants list and North America's 50 Best. Michelin Guide listed. The Infatuation says it's "easily one of the best restaurants in Philly." Giant palm trees, full bar, and some of the most vivid Thai cooking in America. Book weeks ahead. Per the Philly Inquirer: the kitchen is 98% gluten-free, using only GF soy sauce and house-blended curries — from the dumplings to the crab stir-fry, the whole menu is labeled and celiac-safe.
Restaurant
Yanaga Kappo Izakaya
637 N 3rd St · Northern Liberties
Chef Kevin Yanaga's eccentric Japanese dive bar — anime on the TVs, neon signs, shrimp nachos, pork tantan mazemen, and a hidden bookshelf entrance to a secret 8-seat omakase room called 637 Philly Sushi Club. Philly Mag called the omakase "a maximalist sushi wonderland." One of the city's most unique dining experiences.
Restaurant
Dear Daphni
125 S 20th St · Rittenhouse
A buzzy, all-day Mediterranean spot in Rittenhouse from the team behind K'Far. Warm, vegetable-forward cooking with Israeli and Middle Eastern influences — wonderful for brunch or a casual dinner with natural wine and good company.
Restaurant
Jaffa Bar
1625 N Howard St · Fishtown
A lively Israeli bar and restaurant in Fishtown serving hummus, mezze, and shawarma alongside excellent cocktails and an electric late-night atmosphere. One of the best spots in the neighborhood for a group dinner that naturally becomes a night out.
Restaurant
Dawa Sushi and Ramen
105 W Girard Ave · Fishtown
A neighborhood favorite on Girard for solid Japanese comfort food — fresh sushi, rich ramen broths, and izakaya small plates in a cozy, unfussy setting. The kind of reliable spot every neighborhood deserves and Fishtown is lucky to have.
Restaurant
Little Fish BYOB
746 S 6th St · Queen Village
Just 16 seats, zero pretense, and some of the most precise seafood in Philly. Chef Alex Yoon's rotating seasonal menu weaves Korean-American heritage through the catch of the day. The Philly Inquirer raves about the scallop toast with chili oil. BYOB — bring a great bottle. The kitchen accommodates GF diners well — the chef marks what can be made gluten-free on request, which covers nearly the entire menu. Call ahead to flag your needs.
Restaurant
Dim Sum Garden
1024 Race St · Chinatown
A no-frills Chinatown gem with soup dumplings (xiao long bao) that rival the best you'll find anywhere. Cash preferred, always packed, always worth it. A beloved staple on Philly's vibrant Chinatown strip — arrive early or expect a wait.
Restaurant
Sang Kee Peking Duck
238 N 9th St · Chinatown
A Chinatown institution since 1980, famous for crispy Peking duck and hand-pulled noodle soups. Enormous portions, no-frills dining room, and the kind of deeply satisfying food that earns legendary status across four decades.
Casual Eats
Pho 75
1122 Washington Ave · South Philly
South Philly's go-to for a massive, restorative bowl of pho — rich broth, tender beef, and a heap of fresh garnishes. A Vietnamese strip mall institution with an almost cult-like following. Order the combination beef. Arrive hungry.
Casual Eats
Silk City
435 Spring Garden St · Northern Liberties
A beloved diner-slash-bar hybrid that's been a NoLibs staple for years. Great burgers, huge brunch plates, and a back bar with a dance floor that fills up on weekends. Equal parts greasy spoon and neighborhood party.
Casual Eats
Condesa
1830 Ludlow St · Center City
A cozy Mexican spot in Center City that punches well above its weight — excellent tacos, strong margaritas, and a warm, festive room that makes every visit feel like a celebration. The kind of place you end up at twice in the same weekend.
Casual Eats
Middle Child Clubhouse
1232 N Front St · Fishtown
A bigger, livelier evolution of the beloved Middle Child sandwich shop. Smash burgers, updated hoagies, and boozy all-day drinks in a fun Fishtown space. The lunch and brunch crowds here are an institution unto themselves. One of Philly's best GF sandwich destinations — every sandwich is available on celiac-safe GF focaccia (made by a local Fishtown bakery), with a dedicated GF fryer and a separate prep area. Online ordering lets you specify "celiac" vs. "preference" for extra care.
Casual Eats
Pizzeria Beddia
1313 N Lee St · Fishtown
Bon Appétit once called this the best pizza in America — the debate rages on. The Infatuation says it's "the marrying kind." Thin, crackling pies in a stunning Fishtown warehouse, down a hidden alleyway. Ranked #13 globally. There's also a secret Hoagie Room omakase for six. Reserve ahead.
Bar
Murph's Bar
202 E Girard Ave · Fishtown
A perfectly unpretentious Fishtown dive — cheap beer, cash only, and the kind of neighborhood regulars who make you feel at home immediately. No frills, no nonsense, and exactly what a great corner bar should be.
Bar
Good Dog Bar
224 S 15th St · Center City
A three-floor Center City institution beloved for its Roquefort-stuffed burger — called out by the Philly Inquirer as one of the city's best. Great local beers, elevated bar food (try the truffled cheesesteak empanadas), and a crowd that spans post-work suits to sports fans.
Bar
Fishtown Tavern
1301 Frankford Ave · Fishtown
An approachable neighborhood bar on the Frankford strip that gets the basics exactly right — solid drafts, a lively room, and the unpretentious energy that defines Fishtown's best bar scene. Great place to start the night.
Bar
Johnny Brenda's
1201 Frankford Ave · Fishtown
The anchor of Fishtown's live music scene — good food downstairs, excellent drinks at the bar, and a cozy upstairs venue that has hosted some of indie rock's most celebrated acts. A cornerstone of what makes the neighborhood worth visiting.
Bar
Dancerobot
1710 Sansom St · Center City
A neon-lit, high-energy Center City bar with strong cocktails and a jukebox that gets the room moving. One of those unpretentious spots that becomes your second home on a night out — and where the party tends to end up regardless of where it started.
Bar
Cormorant Corner Bar
2301 Frankford Ave · Fishtown
A newer Frankford Ave addition that already feels like it's been there forever. Intimate, thoughtfully designed, and serving exceptional cocktails — one of the highest-rated bars in Fishtown and quickly becoming a go-to for the neighborhood's best drinkers.
Bar
The International Bar
1624 N Front St · Fishtown
A Fishtown classic with a great outdoor patio, rotating craft beers, and the laid-back energy of a bar that truly belongs to its neighborhood. Ideal for a long, lazy afternoon that stretches into the evening with a big group.

Food and drinks

Restaurants

Yanaga Kappo Izakaya
Dancerobot The Dandelion
Dear Daphni Condesa Little Fish Oyster House Mission Taqueria Pizzeria Beddia Kalaya

Casual Eats

Middle Child Clubhouse Silk City
Murph’s Bar (cash only)
Pho 75 Sang Kee Peking Duck House
Johnny Brendas
Dawa Sushi and Ramen Dim Sum Garden

Bars

BAR
Good Dog
Cormorant Corner Bar Fishtown Tavern The International Bar

Quick Bites

Liberty Kitchen Angelo’s
Joe’s Steaks
Pat’s King of Steaks Jim’s South Street Tommy Dinic’s (Reading Terminal)

Breakfast

Federal Donuts & Chicken
Kismet Bagel
K’Far Cafe Parc Milkcrate Cafe

Caffeine Boost

Persimmon
Elixr Coffee Roasters
Cake & Joe Menagerie Coffee La Colombe Coffee Workshop Caphe Roasters One Shot Coffee

Gluten Free

Fox & Son (Reading Terminal)
P.S & Co
Okie Dokie Donuts

Activities

Outdoor

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Museums

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Great for kids

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Sightseeing

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