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Philadelphia is charmed with all the different kinds of cuisines coexisting in the food scene and delighting Philadelphians with a manifold of flavours. From Italian to Mexican, New American to Thai, each of these restaurants serves delectable platters to cater to the varied demands of the city.
Restaurants like Ambra serve a delectable Italian feast including traditional flavours along with a regional twist. For a French feast, head to the acclaimed Parc where you will get platters of smoky bacon and al dente spaghetti.
If you want to try something adventurous, Gabriella’s Vietnam will present you with classic Vietnamese delicacies served with dramatic food presentation. Also, Hardena will enchant you with the exuding aromas as soon as you enter.
Each of these restaurants creates a new and thrilling experience for everyone and they keep changing their menus frequently, so you will never get bored of trying new items and delighting your tastebuds with innovative recipes.
7 Famous Eateries In Philadelphia To Explore
1) Ambra
Image Credit: Ambra
Ambra is an upscale Italian eatery located just next to its sibling restaurant. This place offers a unique experience with its tasting menus that include the true Italian flavour. The menu includes dishes like house-made crab pasta and carta di musica inspired by the Queen Village neighbourhood’s musical history. Customers can savour delectable palates accompanied with dinner-and-a-show where you can watch the kitchen team prepare dishes like wild venison chop and braciole with matsutake mushroom. Along with this, you can also try a variety of bites, including cacio e pepe gougère and cured fluke with osetra caviar and tart beet granita, served alongside carta di musica. Priced at $300 per person, the experience includes service, and wine, and is cash-only. A dining space for bigger parties is also available. Despite its extravagant charm, Ambra offers a relaxed dining experience.
Location: 705 S 4th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Timings: Sun-Wed: Closed; Thu-Sat: 6:15–10 pm
Must Try: House-made crab pasta, Wild venison chop, Cacio e pepe gougère, Pumpkin tiramisù
Price for 2: $600 approx.
2) Parc
Image Credit: Parc
For a classic French feast, Parc is one of the famous places in Philadelphia. This elegant bistro located in Rittenhouse Square delights everyone with stunning views and a lively atmosphere. Here you get all-day meals from breakfast to dinner. Starting from breakfast with options like smoky bacon and gruyère quiche Lorraine. Dinner options include steak frites topped with a slab of maître d’ butter, providing a classic French dining experience. Diners can enjoy crusty fresh bread, onion soup, and mussels simmered in white wine, shallots, and garlic while taking in views of Rittenhouse Square's foot traffic from the restaurant's tables. The meals are accompanied by light bites and drinks and is a perfect place for family dinners, official meetups, or casual friends get-togethers.
Location: 227 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Timings: Mon-Thu: 8 am–10 pm; Fri: 8 am–11 pm; Sat: 10 am–11 pm; Sun: 10 am–10 pm
Must Try: Smoky bacon and gruyère quiche Lorraine, Crusty fresh breads, Steak frites, Mussels
Price for 2: $200 approx.
3) El Chingon
Image Credit: El Chingon Philly
El Chingon is a popular Mexican all-day cafe that blends traditional Mexican flavours with the city’s charm. Signature dishes include Pierna adobada which is made with Adobo pork butt, ayocote beans, grilled pineapple, red onions, quesillo, and avocado and Cheesecake guayaba featuring Guava-flavoured cheesecake with a galleta Maria crust. The speciality of this restaurant is cemitas which are made with two kinds of flour for the soft, crispy-shelled rolls filled with al pastor pork or herby mushrooms. The menu also includes a variety of dishes like Vegan aguachile and tropical, mango-laced salmon ceviche, fries topped with cheese and guacamole, and Tacos with house-made pork chorizo and sourdough flour tortillas. Every item is reasonably priced, promising a fulfilling feast.
Location: 1524 S 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Timings: Mon: Closed; Tue-Thu: 11 am–9 pm; Fri: 11 am–10 pm; Sat: 10 am–10 pm; Sun: 10 am–9 pm
Must Try: Pierna adobada, Cheesecake guayaba, Vegan aguachile, Tacos, fries
Price for 2: $70 approx.
4) Friday Saturday Sunday
Image Credit: Friday Saturday Sunday
Winner of the 2023 James Beard Award for best restaurant in the country, Friday Saturday Sunday is a well-known eatery in Philadelphia known for the iconic new American feast. Since its transformation in 2015, this restaurant has become a beloved landmark in the city’s food trail. The upper and lower dining rooms feature different menus. In the upstairs dining room, the eight-course menu showcases American fine dining with a blend of cultural influences, demonstrating Chef Chad Williams's culinary fluency. The downstairs barroom offers a more casual menu featuring sweetbread katsu sandwiches and octopus in cumin-spiked brothy beans, along with sublime cocktails and a relaxed atmosphere.
Location: 261 S 21st St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Timings: Mon-Tue: Closed; Wed-Sun: 5–11 pm
Must Try: Coco bread, Sweetbread katsu sandwiches, Eight-course Tasting Menu, Crudo, New York strip with braised oxtail
Price for 2: $100 approx.
5) Gabriella’s Vietnam
Image Credit: Gabriella’s Vietnam
Gabriella’s Vietnam presents a traditional Vietnamese feast with thrilling food presentations matched with delightful flavours. The lively atmosphere makes the dining experience party-like. Signature dishes like Bánh bèo chén meaning water fern dumplings served open-face in individual bowls topped with crackled pork and shrimp, with nước mắm on the side. Bánh bột lọc with chewy tapioca wrapped in banana leaves creates a surprising element that diners unwrap like a gift. The Catfish hot pot with tangy nodes and sweet broth is also a worth-trying dish. Also, the bánh bèo quảng nam, half-chicken platter, and Vietnamese fried winter flounder are a must-try on the menu.
Location: 1837 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Timings: Mon: Closed; Tue-Sat: 5–10 pm; Sun: 4–8:30 pm
Must Try: Bánh bèo chén, Bánh bột lọc, Catfish hot pot, Half-chicken platter, Vietnamese fried winter flounder
Price for 2: $100 approx.
6) Hardena
Hardena serves warm Indonesian food in a comforting homelike atmosphere, and upon entering, you will be enchanted by the aromas of coconut and turmeric. This family-owned gem serves satisfying dishes like rendang and gudeg. Owner Ena Widjojo began her culinary journey at the Indonesian consulate in New York and opened this restaurant in Philadelphia in 2000. Now, her daughter Maylia manages the restaurant continuing her mothers legacy. The menu features Indonesian classics such as rendang, coconut collards, and corn fritters. With every dish, you get generous portions of rice. The sweet and savoury eggplant in red pepper sauce, goat curry, or fish in turmeric coconut curry is also best when paired with cooked rice. Signature dishes include bakwan (fried corn fritters) and richly marinated chicken satay, with extra cups of the restaurant's legendary sambal available for 50 cents each.
Location: 1754 S Hicks St, Philadelphia, PA 19145
Timings: Mon-Tue: Closed; Wed-Sun: 12–8 pm
Must Try: Fish in turmeric coconut curry, Chicken satay, Goat curry, Corn fritters
Price for 2: $100 approx.
7) Kalaya
Image Credit: Kalaya
The original Kalaya has transitioned into Kalaya 2.0 relocating to a larger location in the Fishtown neighbourhood which now includes 140 seats in the dining room. Previously, the old restaurant was only a 39-seat B.Y.O. restaurant, and this transition has delighted the loyal fans of this eatery. Signature dishes include the flower-shaped shaw muang, fiery venison curry, and goong phao with grilled freshwater prawns. New additions include tropical cocktails, and the menu now includes longer options, making it ideal for larger groups to share. You will also find signature items like pu pad pong karee, khao pad, and other Thai favourites on the menu, all at reasonable prices.
Location: 4 W Palmer St, Philadelphia, PA 19125
Timings: Mon-Thu: 5–10 pm; Fri: 5–11 pm; Sat: 11 am–2 pm, 5–11 pm; Sun: 11 am–2 pm, 5–10 pm
Must Try: Flower-shaped shaw muang, Goong phao, Gai yaang naa por, pu pad pong karee, khao pad
Price for 2: $100 approx.
More than just being a culinary landmark on the map of Philadelphia, these eateries have paved the way to fuse the city’s enigmatic charm with different cultures and cuisines. Explore these famed eateries in Philadelphia and treat yourself to a wholesome feast.
