Guidebook for Philadelphia

Chris
Guidebook for Philadelphia

Food Scene

This hot chocolate the best ever and is a cultural experience definitely worth trying! Also often open late so you can get here on the weekends after a dinner.
21 localnici recomandă
Rim Cafe
1172 S 9th St
21 localnici recomandă
This hot chocolate the best ever and is a cultural experience definitely worth trying! Also often open late so you can get here on the weekends after a dinner.
Great authentic Mexican two blocks from my house.
24 localnici recomandă
Los Gallos
951 Wolf St
24 localnici recomandă
Great authentic Mexican two blocks from my house.
Thai fusion that delivers to my house
60 localnici recomandă
Circles Thai
1516 Tasker St
60 localnici recomandă
Thai fusion that delivers to my house
Has great breakfast and good coffee including Espresso. No alcohol, however if you are looking for a Mamosa or something...
54 localnici recomandă
Black N Brew
1523 E Passyunk Ave
54 localnici recomandă
Has great breakfast and good coffee including Espresso. No alcohol, however if you are looking for a Mamosa or something...
Good place to get Pho in Philly...
34 localnici recomandă
Pho 75
1122 Washington Ave
34 localnici recomandă
Good place to get Pho in Philly...
Cool recently opened new spot. The decor is different and cool, it's a restaurant with a tiny bar in the back.
83 localnici recomandă
Bing Bing Dim Sum
1648 E Passyunk Ave
83 localnici recomandă
Cool recently opened new spot. The decor is different and cool, it's a restaurant with a tiny bar in the back.
I'm not sure if they still do it, but they have live opera music over delicious pizza and Italian...
28 localnici recomandă
Francoluigi’s Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen
1547 S 13th St
28 localnici recomandă
I'm not sure if they still do it, but they have live opera music over delicious pizza and Italian...
Best authentic Mexican in the city in my opinion. They have an outdoor beer garden in warmer weather, and it's BYOB.
15 localnici recomandă
Taco Riendo Restaurant
1301 N 5th St
15 localnici recomandă
Best authentic Mexican in the city in my opinion. They have an outdoor beer garden in warmer weather, and it's BYOB.
Hands down best espresso in the city for me. Besides the fact that they are an institution here in Philly and have expanded nationally now, their coffee is served in most high end restaurants and their baristas consistently make Espresso correctly, unlike many places. You should not have to wait fifteen minutes to drink a cappuccino because it is too hot...
334 localnici recomandă
La Colombe Coffee Roasters
1335 Frankford Ave
334 localnici recomandă
Hands down best espresso in the city for me. Besides the fact that they are an institution here in Philly and have expanded nationally now, their coffee is served in most high end restaurants and their baristas consistently make Espresso correctly, unlike many places. You should not have to wait fifteen minutes to drink a cappuccino because it is too hot...
Thai restaurant I like in West Philly. I usually go for lunch. They have a little bar.
13 localnici recomandă
Pattaya Thai Cuisine
4040 Locust St
13 localnici recomandă
Thai restaurant I like in West Philly. I usually go for lunch. They have a little bar.
Good food on Penn's campus
42 localnici recomandă
White Dog Cafe
3420 Sansom St
42 localnici recomandă
Good food on Penn's campus
They have great bagels here. I usually go one day of my weekend and get an egg and cheese on plain bagel toasted...
13 localnici recomandă
South Street Philly Bagels
615 S 3rd St
13 localnici recomandă
They have great bagels here. I usually go one day of my weekend and get an egg and cheese on plain bagel toasted...
I have always gone here for the soup dumplings haha... It's a good spot.
6 localnici recomandă
BAI WEI (Sakura Mandarin)
1038 Race St
6 localnici recomandă
I have always gone here for the soup dumplings haha... It's a good spot.
I have breakfast here many mornings, usually getting a latte and oatmeal. They have two locations, this one tends to be lots of college kids and faculty from Penn and Drexel. They support park cleanups and have a unique clothing line sold out of the cafe.
13 localnici recomandă
United By Blue Coffeehouse and Clothier
205 Race St
13 localnici recomandă
I have breakfast here many mornings, usually getting a latte and oatmeal. They have two locations, this one tends to be lots of college kids and faculty from Penn and Drexel. They support park cleanups and have a unique clothing line sold out of the cafe.
Yummmmm.... so good.
42 localnici recomandă
Termini Bros Bakery
1523 S 8th St
42 localnici recomandă
Yummmmm.... so good.
Themed Mexican Steve Starr restaurant but not modern twist like usual... Mid range to expensive price, interesting decor
137 localnici recomandă
El Vez
121 S 13th St
137 localnici recomandă
Themed Mexican Steve Starr restaurant but not modern twist like usual... Mid range to expensive price, interesting decor
mmm the Gelato... I like to get half Pistachio, half Hazelnut. They have decent espresso too... This location is walkable from my house and East Passyunk has lots of other restaurants and shops to look at.
32 localnici recomandă
Capogiro Gelato Artisans Scoop Shop
1625 E Passyunk Ave
32 localnici recomandă
mmm the Gelato... I like to get half Pistachio, half Hazelnut. They have decent espresso too... This location is walkable from my house and East Passyunk has lots of other restaurants and shops to look at.
mmm the Gelato... I like to get half Pistachio, half Hazelnut. They have decent espresso too...
31 localnici recomandă
Capogiro Gelato Artisans
119 S 13th St
31 localnici recomandă
mmm the Gelato... I like to get half Pistachio, half Hazelnut. They have decent espresso too...
Another themed Steven Starr restaurant. Small portions and a bit expensive but usually the food is good.
20 localnici recomandă
El Rey
2013 Chestnut St
20 localnici recomandă
Another themed Steven Starr restaurant. Small portions and a bit expensive but usually the food is good.
Authentic ramen place, good.
Nom Nom Ramen
20 S 18th St
Authentic ramen place, good.
Themed Stephen Starr sushi restaurant. A little pricey but very good sushi and modern Japanese...
19 localnici recomandă
Pod
3636 Sansom St
19 localnici recomandă
Themed Stephen Starr sushi restaurant. A little pricey but very good sushi and modern Japanese...
One of the more affordable themed Stephen Starr restaurants... American style food.
13 localnici recomandă
Jones
700 Chestnut St
13 localnici recomandă
One of the more affordable themed Stephen Starr restaurants... American style food.
I love the fish tacos from here... Eat upstairs, this is middle a little $$ but very good.
38 localnici recomandă
Distrito
3945 Chestnut St
38 localnici recomandă
I love the fish tacos from here... Eat upstairs, this is middle a little $$ but very good.
Very traditionally Italian local place with great ribs and mussels.
9 localnici recomandă
Bomb Bomb Bar B Que Grill
1026 Wolf St
9 localnici recomandă
Very traditionally Italian local place with great ribs and mussels.
This is an awesome place to come and look around. The Amish have the best Mac N Cheese and there are endless amounts of restaurants and dessert places to check out at this market.
739 localnici recomandă
Reading Terminal Market
1136 N 12th St
739 localnici recomandă
This is an awesome place to come and look around. The Amish have the best Mac N Cheese and there are endless amounts of restaurants and dessert places to check out at this market.
Good brunch spot in the Italian Market... so you can walk around afterwards.
130 localnici recomandă
Sabrina's Cafe
910 Christian Street
130 localnici recomandă
Good brunch spot in the Italian Market... so you can walk around afterwards.
Piiizzzaaa.... Wood fired always good.
12 localnici recomandă
Spuntino Wood Fired Pizzeria
701 N 2nd St
12 localnici recomandă
Piiizzzaaa.... Wood fired always good.
BYOB pizza, wood fired again... Very tasty!
19 localnici recomandă
Mama Palma's
2229 Spruce St
19 localnici recomandă
BYOB pizza, wood fired again... Very tasty!
Very fancy! $$$ for me at least, anniversary or birthday style spot... but simply delicious and always an experience when you can watch the chef cook, which you can...
40 localnici recomandă
Little Fish Byob
746 S 6th St
40 localnici recomandă
Very fancy! $$$ for me at least, anniversary or birthday style spot... but simply delicious and always an experience when you can watch the chef cook, which you can...
Another excellent authentic Mexican restaurant! I think at least at one point or still similar ownership as Taco Riendo which I also mentioned and only blocks away. Hard to decide between them...
11 localnici recomandă
Las Cazuelas Restaurant
426 W Girard Ave
11 localnici recomandă
Another excellent authentic Mexican restaurant! I think at least at one point or still similar ownership as Taco Riendo which I also mentioned and only blocks away. Hard to decide between them...
They actually have breakfast and lunch/dinner here but it's a small cafe type setting with only 4 or 5 tables. Same owner for many many years and they are very kind using only the best and fresh local ingredients. I used to indulge in a croissant toasted with raspberry jam in the mornings from here. Also frequently order their salads which change daily.
Picnic
3131 Walnut St
They actually have breakfast and lunch/dinner here but it's a small cafe type setting with only 4 or 5 tables. Same owner for many many years and they are very kind using only the best and fresh local ingredients. I used to indulge in a croissant toasted with raspberry jam in the mornings from here. Also frequently order their salads which change daily.
Good vegetarian food!
35 localnici recomandă
V Street
124-126 S 19th St
35 localnici recomandă
Good vegetarian food!
Good vegetarian spot, not too expensive...
67 localnici recomandă
HipCityVeg
127 S 18th St
67 localnici recomandă
Good vegetarian spot, not too expensive...

Drinks & Nightlife

Popular inner city dive bar with a very eclectic crowd, darts and pinball
38 localnici recomandă
Dirty Franks
347 S 13th St
38 localnici recomandă
Popular inner city dive bar with a very eclectic crowd, darts and pinball
Excellent view of skyline when open
14 localnici recomandă
Bok
1901 S 9th St
14 localnici recomandă
Excellent view of skyline when open
Often there are interesting music events here. It's on the divey side. On weekends, keep an eye out for "Shakedown" parties, a long standing house event that has a good vibe, good people.
45 localnici recomandă
The Barbary
951 Frankford Ave
45 localnici recomandă
Often there are interesting music events here. It's on the divey side. On weekends, keep an eye out for "Shakedown" parties, a long standing house event that has a good vibe, good people.
They have a bar and a store where you can sit and drink also... The store is affordable for a huge selection of beer.
108 localnici recomandă
Local 44
4333 Spruce Street
108 localnici recomandă
They have a bar and a store where you can sit and drink also... The store is affordable for a huge selection of beer.
Outdoor beer garden with indoor space also. It's a Steven Starr restaurant so the quality is solid. They have table tennis and Jenga and German style food selection... sausage and sauerkraut type of thing. Pirogies tasty! Also central to several other bars that are adjacent
275 localnici recomandă
Frankford Hall
1210 Frankford Ave
275 localnici recomandă
Outdoor beer garden with indoor space also. It's a Steven Starr restaurant so the quality is solid. They have table tennis and Jenga and German style food selection... sausage and sauerkraut type of thing. Pirogies tasty! Also central to several other bars that are adjacent
They have tons of vintage video games and draft beer, can be fun if you're in to that sort of thing... "Joust", "Rampage", "Gauntlet" and "Gataga" are some of my favorites I always look for.
149 localnici recomandă
Barcade
1114 Frankford Ave
149 localnici recomandă
They have tons of vintage video games and draft beer, can be fun if you're in to that sort of thing... "Joust", "Rampage", "Gauntlet" and "Gataga" are some of my favorites I always look for.
Has DJs on Wednesdays that I know about and maybe other nights. The bartender Sarah is excellent and food is delicious here!
48 localnici recomandă
The Continental Restaurant and Martini Bar
138 Market St
48 localnici recomandă
Has DJs on Wednesdays that I know about and maybe other nights. The bartender Sarah is excellent and food is delicious here!
Good local South Philly bar with decent beer selection and good food
112 localnici recomandă
South Philadelphia Tap Room
1509 Mifflin St
112 localnici recomandă
Good local South Philly bar with decent beer selection and good food
Live music upstairs and somewhat hopping little bar. There seem to always be people here and it's central to all the most active parts of Center City. A good starting point for a night...
14 localnici recomandă
MilkBoy Philadelphia
1100 Chestnut St
14 localnici recomandă
Live music upstairs and somewhat hopping little bar. There seem to always be people here and it's central to all the most active parts of Center City. A good starting point for a night...
Good for tequila. They have outdoor seating when it's warm and good food. It can get noisy here but if that's what you are looking for...
137 localnici recomandă
Cantina Los Caballitos
1651 E Passyunk Ave
137 localnici recomandă
Good for tequila. They have outdoor seating when it's warm and good food. It can get noisy here but if that's what you are looking for...
Has live music on the weekends and maybe other nights. It's divy but a lot of fun.
305 localnici recomandă
Bob and Barbara's Lounge
1509 South Street
305 localnici recomandă
Has live music on the weekends and maybe other nights. It's divy but a lot of fun.
They have live music upstairs on some nights. Otherwise, it has a bar pool table and food. It's central to the neighborhood and been around for a long time.
248 localnici recomandă
Johnny Brenda's
1201 Frankford Ave
248 localnici recomandă
They have live music upstairs on some nights. Otherwise, it has a bar pool table and food. It's central to the neighborhood and been around for a long time.
They keep vinyl playing at the bar and have a great beer selection. The $5 burger may be one of the best I've had in the city... Good spot close to home.
55 localnici recomandă
Fountain Porter
1601 S 10th St
55 localnici recomandă
They keep vinyl playing at the bar and have a great beer selection. The $5 burger may be one of the best I've had in the city... Good spot close to home.
Popular spot in a bustling area... worth a try.
61 localnici recomandă
Sampan
124 S 13th St
61 localnici recomandă
Popular spot in a bustling area... worth a try.
... small local bar close by with good food.
26 localnici recomandă
Tap Room on 19th
2400 S 19th St
26 localnici recomandă
... small local bar close by with good food.
Where I go to play pool for full sized tables. They have darts and upstairs that many people don't know to check on the weekends which can be a little quieter.
13 localnici recomandă
Buffalo Billiards
118 Chestnut St
13 localnici recomandă
Where I go to play pool for full sized tables. They have darts and upstairs that many people don't know to check on the weekends which can be a little quieter.
If you like jazz... cozy spot with good musicians usually.
22 localnici recomandă
Chris' Jazz Cafe
1421 Sansom St
22 localnici recomandă
If you like jazz... cozy spot with good musicians usually.
Place to catch interesting music sometimes... Has a bar you can sit at and tables depending on event. Also downstairs stage as well.
38 localnici recomandă
World Cafe Live Philadelphia
3025 Walnut St
38 localnici recomandă
Place to catch interesting music sometimes... Has a bar you can sit at and tables depending on event. Also downstairs stage as well.
Interesting drinks and eclectic music with live DJs on some nights. If you're in the area, check it out...
9 localnici recomandă
The Yachtsman Tiki
1444 Frankford Avenue
9 localnici recomandă
Interesting drinks and eclectic music with live DJs on some nights. If you're in the area, check it out...
Hipsterish bar with lots of college students and bar pool table.
45 localnici recomandă
El Bar
1356 N Front St
45 localnici recomandă
Hipsterish bar with lots of college students and bar pool table.

Essentials

I tend to pay too much for my fresh organic food but to me it's worth the price...
263 localnici recomandă
Whole Foods Market
929 South St
263 localnici recomandă
I tend to pay too much for my fresh organic food but to me it's worth the price...
Popular and affordable grocery store if you are in that area.
238 localnici recomandă
Trader Joe's
2121 Market St
238 localnici recomandă
Popular and affordable grocery store if you are in that area.
Expensive but good food and groceries. They have great bread and a huge assortment of cheeses unusual meats etc...
44 localnici recomandă
Di Bruno Bros
1730 Chestnut St
44 localnici recomandă
Expensive but good food and groceries. They have great bread and a huge assortment of cheeses unusual meats etc...
Place to buy more "exotic" or difficult to find food ingredients... I used it when I tried to make my own sushi. Masago and Unagi and what not...
11 localnici recomandă
H Mart Upper Darby
7050 Terminal Square
11 localnici recomandă
Place to buy more "exotic" or difficult to find food ingredients... I used it when I tried to make my own sushi. Masago and Unagi and what not...
I have known the owner Pascal since 2003 and would trust sending any of my friends to him... He has as lifetime of experience with hair and very friendly.
M21
511 S 21st St
I have known the owner Pascal since 2003 and would trust sending any of my friends to him... He has as lifetime of experience with hair and very friendly.
Great for health foods , organic and generally everything grocery related. Local substitute for something like Whole Foods which is also nearby.
40 localnici recomandă
Essene Market & Café
719 S 4th St
40 localnici recomandă
Great for health foods , organic and generally everything grocery related. Local substitute for something like Whole Foods which is also nearby.

Parks & Nature

Beautiful old trees here, hidden gem in Philadelphia!
65 localnici recomandă
Morris Arboretum al Universității din Pennsylvania
100 E Northwestern Ave
65 localnici recomandă
Beautiful old trees here, hidden gem in Philadelphia!
Close to my house, great for a short walk. Has public tennis and a cheap golf course. Also a skate park is here for enthusiasts.
39 localnici recomandă
Parcul FDR
South Broad Street
39 localnici recomandă
Close to my house, great for a short walk. Has public tennis and a cheap golf course. Also a skate park is here for enthusiasts.
Local park very close to my house where people walk their dogs and play soccer and softball. If you need a short walk from the house, this is the closest.
11 localnici recomandă
Marconi Plaza
2800 S Broad St
11 localnici recomandă
Local park very close to my house where people walk their dogs and play soccer and softball. If you need a short walk from the house, this is the closest.
Good hiking and there is a restaurant here...
55 localnici recomandă
Valley Green Inn
Valley Green Road
55 localnici recomandă
Good hiking and there is a restaurant here...
Great view of the city and a little dog park. They have tennis and basketball here and an entrance to Fairmount Park where you could walk for miles and miles...
250 localnici recomandă
Schuylkill River Trail
Schuylkill River Trail
250 localnici recomandă
Great view of the city and a little dog park. They have tennis and basketball here and an entrance to Fairmount Park where you could walk for miles and miles...

Sightseeing

This opened not long ago and may be a cool spot if you are in from out of town. They have lots of hammocks and the ships/submarine are interesting here...
317 localnici recomandă
Spruce Street Harbor Park
301 S Christopher Columbus Blvd
317 localnici recomandă
This opened not long ago and may be a cool spot if you are in from out of town. They have lots of hammocks and the ships/submarine are interesting here...
Rooftop view of Philly's skyline. Free, recently opened..
27 localnici recomandă
Cira Green
129 S 30th St
27 localnici recomandă
Rooftop view of Philly's skyline. Free, recently opened..
On weekdays, it's affordable to take the elevator to the top of Ben Franklin. It has a good view of the city.
354 localnici recomandă
Primăria orașului Philadelphia
1400 John F Kennedy Blvd
354 localnici recomandă
On weekdays, it's affordable to take the elevator to the top of Ben Franklin. It has a good view of the city.
Beautiful little spot in Fairmount Park that is close to the city. The carp are neat if you get to see them when they are feeding...
20 localnici recomandă
Japanese House and Garden
20 localnici recomandă
Beautiful little spot in Fairmount Park that is close to the city. The carp are neat if you get to see them when they are feeding...
Easy walk from the city. They have some concessions and great views back on Philadelphia! If you're lucky, they have races occasionally on the weekends.
204 localnici recomandă
Boathouse Row
1 Boathouse Row
204 localnici recomandă
Easy walk from the city. They have some concessions and great views back on Philadelphia! If you're lucky, they have races occasionally on the weekends.
The artist Isaiah Zagar who did the murals for this site is responsible for mural arts all over the city. It's pretty awesome, Philly has tons of mural art everywhere! Drive around and you'll see... There is also a mural arts tour you can take...
385 localnici recomandă
Grădinile Magice din Philadelphia
1020 South St
385 localnici recomandă
The artist Isaiah Zagar who did the murals for this site is responsible for mural arts all over the city. It's pretty awesome, Philly has tons of mural art everywhere! Drive around and you'll see... There is also a mural arts tour you can take...
One of the coolest things about Philadelphia. This place has trolley tours to see some of Philadelphia's endless murals...
23 localnici recomandă
Mural Arts Philadelphia
1727-29 Mt Vernon St
23 localnici recomandă
One of the coolest things about Philadelphia. This place has trolley tours to see some of Philadelphia's endless murals...
The regular tour at this place is very interesting, where Al Capone was held for a period. During Halloween Season, they have a world class haunted tour which I have gone to several times because of friends who work there. The lines for the haunted tour are very long so it might be worth purchasing the "speed pass" if you decide to to this.
433 localnici recomandă
Penitenciarul de Stat din Est
2027 Fairmount Ave
433 localnici recomandă
The regular tour at this place is very interesting, where Al Capone was held for a period. During Halloween Season, they have a world class haunted tour which I have gone to several times because of friends who work there. The lines for the haunted tour are very long so it might be worth purchasing the "speed pass" if you decide to to this.

Arts & Culture

Great museum...
1164 localnici recomandă
Muzeul de Artă din Philadelphia
2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy
1164 localnici recomandă
Great museum...
Another historical spot worth getting to if you like museums.
225 localnici recomandă
Muzeul Rodin
2151 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy
225 localnici recomandă
Another historical spot worth getting to if you like museums.
Great science museum with IMAX theater in it...
458 localnici recomandă
Institutul Franklin
222 N 20th St
458 localnici recomandă
Great science museum with IMAX theater in it...
This museum doesn't get much attention but very good. If you are looking for interesting things to check out, I recommend it...
40 localnici recomandă
Independence Seaport Museum
211 S Christopher Columbus Blvd
40 localnici recomandă
This museum doesn't get much attention but very good. If you are looking for interesting things to check out, I recommend it...
This outdoor music venue is great for summer concerts in good weather. You can BYOB and put out a blanket. They have some concessions or bring your own food too... Lawn tickets are affordable.
55 localnici recomandă
The Mann Center
5201 Parkside Ave
55 localnici recomandă
This outdoor music venue is great for summer concerts in good weather. You can BYOB and put out a blanket. They have some concessions or bring your own food too... Lawn tickets are affordable.

Shopping

Large size sport clothes but made very well with some cool vintage choices...
Mitchell & Ness Nostalgia Co
1306 Walnut St
Large size sport clothes but made very well with some cool vintage choices...