Let’s get one thing straight: Philadelphia will always be a cheesesteak city. But if that’s all you think we have to offer, you haven’t been paying attention. The dining scene here has undergone a quiet revolution, and the rest of the country is finally catching on.
James Beard nominations for Philadelphia restaurants have tripled in the past five years. Three new Michelin stars were awarded in the city last year. And perhaps most importantly, the diversity of cuisines available — from Ethiopian to Filipino, Oaxacan to Szechuan — rivals any food city in America.
The List
Here are twelve restaurants that represent the best of Philadelphia’s new dining landscape. They range from fine dining to casual counter service, from established institutions to scrappy newcomers. What they share is a commitment to craft, a connection to community, and a distinctly Philadelphian refusal to follow trends.
“Philadelphia chefs don’t cook to impress New York food critics. They cook to feed their neighbors. That authenticity is what makes this city’s food scene so exciting.”
— Craig LaBan, Philadelphia Inquirer food critic
From the wood-fired pizzas at Fiamma in Passyunk to the tasting menu at Elara in Rittenhouse, from the legendary brunch at Honey’s in Northern Liberties to the innovative Vietnamese cuisine at Má in Chinatown, this is a city that takes its food seriously — but never too seriously.