Award-Winning and New Restaurants in Philadelphia 

Named by Food & Wine as one of the Top U.S. Cities for Food and Drink, Philadelphia belongs at the top of every food lover’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.

Award-Winning Restaurants in Philadelphia

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.

Bastia

Award: Esquire’s Best New Restaurants in America (2024), Eater Philly’s Best New Restaurant (2024)
Neighborhood: Fishtown
Address: 1401 East Susquehanna Ave

Located within the Anna & Bel Hotel, Bastia serves dishes inspired by the coasts of Corsica and Sardinia. Dishes change often and seasonally, and recent highlights include bluefin tuna with sun-dried tomatoes, sea urchin butter tartine with grilled octopus, and braised veal osso buco. The restaurant also features a standout brunch menu and the neighboring cocktail bar, Caletta. Bastia embodies Philadelphia’s status as a top food destination, blending culinary ambition with thoughtful collaboration.

Vietnam Restaurant

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.

My Loup

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.

Pietramala

Award: Esquire’s 50 Best New Restaurants in America 2023
Neighborhood: Northern Liberties
Address: 614 N 2^nd St

In the heart of Northern Liberties 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.

El Chingon

Award: The New York Times 2023 Restaurant List
Neighborhood: South Philadelphia
Address: 1524 S. 10^th 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.

SkyHigh

Award: Five-Star Rating in Forbes Travel Guide 2023 Stars Awards
Neighborhood: Rittenhouse Square
Address: 1 N. 19^th 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.

Superfolie

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.

New Restaurants in Philadelphia

Garage Rittenhouse

Neighborhood: Rittenhouse Square
Address: 1501 Spruce St

Garage Rittenhouse, the largest of the popular Garage bars, brings a sporty energy to Center City. The 6,500-square-foot space features 18 rotating drafts, 200 canned beers, and a nitro line for Guinness. These signature drinks are served alongside a menu of sports bar favorites like wings, fried cheese curds, and a crispy panko-cornmeal chicken sandwich. True to its name, Garage Rittenhouse keeps its signature touches—hubcap-lined walls, Skee-Ball, and pool tables—making it a go-to for game days and late-night hangouts.

Cellar Dog

Neighborhood: Rittenhouse Square
Address: 258 S 15th St

Cellar Dog blends live jazz, vintage arcade games, and Philly-inspired bar food in an 8,000-square-foot  lounge. With music curated by jazz pianist Ehud Asherie, the venue hosts performances five nights a week, featuring a lineup of top-tier musicians playing on rare instruments like a 1945 Steinway piano and a ’70s Hammond A-100 organ. Beyond the music, guests can enjoy pool, shuffleboard, chess, and ping-pong, creating an atmosphere that’s equal parts sophisticated and fun. The menu rounds out the experience with wings, burgers, short rib sloppy joes, and a classic cheesesteak, making Cellar Dog a lively new hub for music lovers and late-night revelers alike.

Dear Daphni

Neighborhood: Rittenhouse Square
Address: 125 South 20^th St

Dear Daphni, the newest Mediterranean concept from the Schulson Collective, is now open at The Laurel. This 150-seat restaurant brings a vibrant, coastal vibe to its taupe stucco walls and jewel-toned stained glass, evoking a sunlit beach retreat. The menu highlights shared plates, including Tunisian lamb, whole grilled fish, mezze, pilaf, and freshly baked pita. The dishes are complemented by inventive cocktails like a za’atar-infused drink and one with gin, lemon, and sumac honey pearls.

Jaffa Bar

Neighborhood: Fishtown
Address: 1625 North Howard St

Housed in a renovated 19th-century firehouse, Jaffa Bar is an Israeli-inspired oyster bar. This two-story, 120-seat CookNSolo restaurant combines the signature Israeli flavors with the charm of a cozy neighborhood bar. The menu features an inventive mix of seafood and bar classics, including yellowtail pastrami, scallops with lamb merguez, fried chicken thighs, and a Jaffa Burger. A citrus-forward cocktail program, highlighted by the Jaffa Orange, complements the bold, spice-forward dishes, creating a vibrant, welcoming spot for locals and food enthusiasts alike.

Mona

Neighborhood: Center City
Address: 1308 Chestnut St

Mona, a new Mediterranean restaurant and bar inspired by coastal Greece, has opened in Midtown Village. The eatery transforms a four-story, 12,000-square-foot building into an island-themed retreat. Mona boasts an ornate design featuring floor-to-ceiling olive trees, vibrant florals, European-inspired textiles, and a striking mermaid mural. The menu offers an array of Mediterranean flavors, including kebabs, gyros, seasonal pasta like shrimp orecchiette, and entrees such as herb-crusted lamb chops and branzino with Provençal sauce. Mona’s chic atmosphere and creative culinary offerings add a fresh, coastal vibe to the heart of Center City.

Sorellina

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.

Vinyl

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.

Mamajuana Café

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.

 

Check out our things to do page to discover all Philadelphia has to offer in between meals.