Philly Restaurant Recs

Thanks, Sadassa_Ulna. I was craving falafel on a Friday and walked to Mama's falafel only to find that they closed early. Adding back to the list.

Mama's falafel is really good for a quick casual lunch. Cash only and closed on Saturdays, on 20th btwn Chestnut and Market, the hole in the wall with the line out the door. They have an eggplant red pepper salad that is great in a sandwich.
Capo Giro is across from Whiskey and Tinto, at 20th and Sansom. All three are great (I haven't been to Whiskey but a friend says its better than Tinto).
You probably know about Metropolitan Bakery on 19th just south of the park. There is an article on food52 if you want to check it out http://www.food52.com/blog/3528_a_day_at_metropolitan_bakery
White Dog on Penn campus is legendary. If you haven't been there at least go for a drink and check out the menu. They have a great cookbook too.
Have fun!

luv Ray's Coffee Shop, great coffee and ok food. they make the coffee that is forced up into a chemistry test tube looking device, then drips down. served on a tray with a tiny creamer jug.

Thanks, Lucy! I absolutely love Parc, and I was just at Day by Dad. I'm going to check out the rest. Zahav got great reviews, so I'm glad to know it may not be worth my while to trek to Old City.

Apologies in advance for such a long answer...

The Philadelphia restaurant scene is great and a lot of it is BYO so it can be more affordable than some other places. My favorite pizza place is Mama Palmas at 23rd and Spruce - the pizza is amazing and it's definitely kid friendly. Also in that area, at 23rd and Pine, is Dmitris - Greek seafood tapas/family style. They actually have three locations and they're all really fun. The one in South Philly is BYO and very small, get there early, but the 23rd street location isn't BYO and I've never had a hard time getting a table. Get the octopus.

I've found the Steven Starr restaurants to be generally good. Buddakan, which is Asian-Fusion, is great. Pod (in University City) is fun too, and also good food, especially if you like sushi. I had a hit or miss dinner at Alma de Cuba (some amazing dishes, some not as great). I get Indian food at New Delhi in West Philly, which is great (and also wonderful delivery). Also around 40th street is Distrito, which is kind of a funky Mexican tapas place and also really good. Amazing ceviche!

My absolute favorite dinner place in Philadelphia is Bistro la Minette, which I think is at 6th and South, so a bit out of your location range but amazing. It's kind of French-American, small, family owned, and delicious. Bistro 7 in that area and same genre is also really good. In West Philly I like Marigold Kitchen for bistro-type food, but I think it's a bit pricey. Recently I've been underwhelmed by Bliss (on broad street) and Zahav (in old city), but that's just my experience. I would put Mayson and Audrey Claire (near Rittenhouse) on the good but not fantastic list.

If you're interested in brunch (I know a lot of people aren't but I love brunch...) I recommend Parc on Rittenhouse for high end. Sabrina's is classic, and they also have a couple locations, one super near Penn/Drexel. My personal favorite neighborhood place is Day by Day, which is on 21st and Locust (can you tell where I live yet? :) It's also BYO and they'll bring lots of OJ if you want mimosas. I haven't made it to Green Eggs Cafe on 15th street yet, but I've heard great things.

I hope this helps! I grew up outside Philly and I live near Rittenhouse now so if you have any other questions I'm happy to give you my opinion of anywhere I've been if you're interested. Have a great trip!

Thanks, all! Tria is a favorite. Putting the others on a list.

Matyson is a great BYOB near Rittenhouse square, they have a tasting menu that changes every week in addition to a regular menu.

Make sure to check out Tria -- there's one in the Rittenhouse area and one in university city. I also love the BYOB Melograno, near Rittenhouse. Farther up in university city, there's Local 44 and Honest Tom's tacos. Enjoy!!

Farmers cabinet and telula's garden

Local, sustainable, delicious

Check out bob partition new restaurants top ten list too... There's a Philly restaurant on there somewhere.

Hit up rl42 at some point too jut for the view-- though out of the neighborhood.

Be sure to get La Colombe coffee in the Rittenhouse area!