Named by Eater as one of the Best Food Cities to Travel to in 2024, Philadelphia should be at the top of every foodie’s travel list.
The city boasts a diverse array of eateries, ranging from those rooted in traditional family recipes to those offering unexpected food fusions. And restaurants are constantly popping up or popping champagne to celebrate their accolades. Be sure to add these award-winning or new restaurants in Philadelphia to your ultimate itinerary.
Below are just some of the accolades Philadelphia restaurants have received in the past two years. To explore Philadelphia’s history of award-winning restaurants, check out Visit Philadelphia’s complete list.
Award: James Beard 2024 America’s Classics Award for Mid-Atlantic
Neighborhoood: Chinatown and West Philadelphia
Address: 221 North 11th St.
Philadelphia’s Vietnam Restaurant is the Mid-Atlantic recipient of the James Beard 2024 America’s Classics Award. The award is given to locally-owned restaurants that serve quality food, have timeless appeal, and reflect the character of their communities.
The Lai family, among the first Vietnamese refugees in Philadelphia, established a culinary legacy with their restaurant Vietnam, offering classic Vietnamese cuisine. Starting as a grocery in 1979, the family transitioned to a Chinatown restaurant in 1984. By 2000, their son Benny transformed it into a beloved date-night spot. The restaurant showcases consistent and delicious offerings such as barbecue platters, vermicelli bowls, and banh mi. Expanding their influence, they also opened Vietnam Café in West Philadelphia and Fu Wah, a market celebrated for its banh mi.
Award: Esquire’s 50 Best New Restaurants in America 2023
Neighborhood: West Philadelphia
Address: 310 S 48th St
Honeysuckle Provisions is a visionary concept by chefs Cybille St.Aude-Tate and Omar Tate. This Afrocentric grocer and café redefines culinary norms, where even local favorite scrapple is crafted from black-eyed peas and a classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich transforms into a masterpiece atop house-made Sonoran wheat bread, adorned with freshly milled single-origin peanut butter, apples, and apple butter. It’s a homage to Black food traditions, showcased through a dynamic and ever-evolving menu. Located in sunny and inviting West Philly surroundings, Honeysuckle Provisions exclusively offers tantalizing takeout options, bringing a taste of innovation and heritage to your doorstep.
Awards: Esquire’s 50 Best New Restaurants in America 2023, The New York Times’ 2023 Restaurant List
Neighborhood: Rittenhouse Square
Address: 2005 Walnut St
At My Loup, the culinary playground of emerging chef Alex Kemp, expect the unexpected. With a delightful blend of novelty and comfort, this Rittenhouse gem offers an ever-evolving modern French menu. Here, hipness meets humility, and ambition intertwines with approachability. Indulge in the delectable smoked eel Caesar salad or savor the expertly grilled swordfish accompanied by Jimmy Nardello peppers and squid. A dining experience at My Loup is a journey of culinary excellence, deserving of the trip.
Award: Esquire’s 50 Best New Restaurants in America 2023
Neighborhood: Northern Liberties
Address: 614 N 2nd St
In the heart of Philadelphia lies a truly remarkable dining destination, proudly embracing a vegan ethos. Led by Chef Ian Graye and his talented team, this establishment has boldly redefined the essence of vegetable cuisine. From the exquisite comb tooth mushrooms served with Sea Island red pea tamari and heirloom polenta, to the tantalizing blistered carrots and succulent honeynut squash, each dish is a testament to the artistry of plant-based dining. Nestled within its cozy ambiance, this charming BYOB spot elevates fine vegan dining to new heights, showcasing the beauty and flavor potential of plant-based ingredients.
Award: The New York Times 2023 Restaurant List
Neighborhood: South Philadelphia
Address: 1524 S. 10th St
Named after its signature sandwich and artisanal bread, El Chingon offers a unique culinary experience by chef Juan Carlos Aparicio. Indulge in the tantalizing choriqueso, boasting house-made pork chorizo, or savor the arrachera tatemada al pastor, featuring cured beef and the exotic spice of Yucatán’s recado negro. El Chingon’s menu extends beyond sandwiches, offering delectable starters like lamb meatballs and rabbit tinga tostadas.
Award: Five-Star Rating in Forbes Travel Guide 2023 Stars Awards
Neighborhood: Rittenhouse Square
Address: 1 N. 19th St
SkyHigh commands attention as not only the loftiest dining destination in the city but also one of its most illustrious. This distinction is underscored by its prestigious recognition as a 2023 Five-Star Award Winner by Forbes Travel Guide. Housed within the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia, this eponymous fine dining establishment by Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten presents meticulously curated four-, six-, and eight-course tasting menus. However, the true highlight transcends the culinary delights: it’s the awe-inspiring, panoramic vistas offered through 40-foot-tall windows, elevating diners over 1,120 feet above the cityscape.
Award: Esquire’s 2023 The Best Bars in America
Neighborhood: Rittenhouse Square
Address: 218 South 16th St
Andra Hem, Swedish for “second home,” offers a cozy haven reminiscent of a maximalist two-story townhouse. Imagine walls adorned in vibrant peacock blue and mustard hues, adorned with eclectic and esoteric artwork. The bar’s backdrop boasts lichen-like wallpaper that is wild and subtly psychedelic enough to spark intrigue (staring too long might induce illusions. To fully immerse in the Stockholm drinking den ambiance, indulge in elegant potato pancakes and a smorgasbord of jumbo prawns, while quizzing the bartender about the enigmatic “Ssöoderblandning.”
Award: Esquire’s 2023 The Best Bars in America
Neighborhood: Rittenhouse Square
Address: 1602 Spruce St
Superfolie emerges as Center City’s premier utility bar, seamlessly adaptable to any occasion. Whether you seek a solitary glass of exquisite French wine, an intimate date night on the quasi-private mezzanine, or a networking event you’re less than enthused about, Superfolie effortlessly caters to all. Revel in a dreamy wine selection, often featuring special bottles sourced from their cellar. Transition effortlessly from snacks to a full dinner spread, all while knowing that an exceptional freezer martini awaits at a moment’s notice.
Neighborhood: Fairmount
Address: 699 N Broad St
North of the Pennsylvania Convention Center and inside the Divine Lorraine, Sorellina is the Southern Italian sister restaurant Cicala at the Divine Lorraine. Chef-owner couple Joe Cicala and Angela Ranalli-Cicala have expanded their culinary ventures with a new Italian eatery, named “Little Sister” to reflect its energetic, Italian-disco vibe. The menu features over a dozen 12-inch pizzas including standout options like the ricotta-stuffed La Stella and the lemon-topped Sorrentina. The pizzas are crafted with in-house biga dough, hand-mixed and fermented for up to three days, resulting in a light, crispy crust.
Neighborhood: Center City
Address: 215 S 15th Street
Vinyl invites patrons to relive Philadelphia’s rich musical legacy. Diners become immersed in the intimate ambiance of live performances, complemented by a modern yet classic cocktail menu and shareable light bites. With VIP seating, front-row lounge options, and cozy cocktail tables, Vinyl ensures a personalized experience that harmonizes the best of the past and the present.
Neighborhood: Fishtown
Address: 1000 Frankford Ave
Mamajuana Cafe, a New York-based restaurant chain known for its Dominican food and sushi, opened its first Philadelphia location in Fishtown with an upscale twist. This location features extensive vegan options and a menu crafted by chefs Alexis Rosario and Jose Zarazuela that blends Dominican dishes with Caribbean and Asian-fusion flavors. The cafe will also offer a full bar, a lounge, and plans for live music and DJs, creating a vacation-like atmosphere.
Neighborhood: Center City
Address: 1175 Ludlow St
Mulherin’s Pizzeria, the sister concept to Fishtown’s Wm. Mulherin’s Sons, opened in the East Market’s mixed-use building, The Girard. This location features a menu focused on wood-fired pizzas, along with handmade pasta, small plates, and Italian wines and cocktails. Led by chef Sean McPaul, the restaurant maintains the casual ambiance of the original while introducing new lunch and dinner specials.
Check out our things to do page to discover all Philadelphia has to offer in between meals.