ICHEP08 Guide to Eating Out in Philadelphia

What is BYOB?

            Many restaurants in Philadelphia have the note BYOB in their descriptions.  BYOB or Bring Your Own Bottle indicates that you may bring wine, spirits, or beer to accompany your meal.  The restaurant may or may not serve its own alcoholic beverages.  At a BYOB establishment, you will be provided with glasses for your wine or beer.  There may be a "corkage fee."  BYOB is a good way to save some money when dining out.

            Where to buy:

            Beer:    Beer in bottles or cans in six-pack quantities may be purchased at some convenience stores.

            be advised that Beer Distributorships  sell beer (and soft drinks) in case lots,  but not in six-packs.

            Wine and Spirits: Both wine and spirits are purchased in State Stores, i.e. liquor stores operated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  Some State Stores are open seven days a week, others are not.           The selection of wines varies by location.

            Two recommended State Stores:

            Rittenhouse Square Area          

            1218 Chestnut Street - open  Sunday

            1913 Chestnut Street - open  Sunday.

            Other State Stores -

            Center City  West

            1628 JFK Boulevard - closed  Sunday

            2429 South Street - closed  Sunday

            University City

            4049 Market Street - open Sunday

            Society Hill/Olde City

            326 S. 5th Street - open Sunday

            32 S. 2nd Street - closed Sunday

Restaurant Key

B                      Breakfast

Bar                   Bar serving alcoholic beverages and light fare

L                      Lunch

D                      Dinner

C                      Coffee

S                      Snack

LN                    Late Night

T                      Take Out

$                      Under $15/person

$$                     $15-$30/person

$$$                   Over $30/person

             (Prices do not include tax, gratuity or alcohol)

University City    (adapted from Penn Website)

Allegro Pizza

Pizza, pasta, sandwiches, domestic and imported beers, largest pizza on campus.

(L, D, LN, T, $)

3942 Spruce St.

215-382-8158

Au Bon Pain

Delectable croissants, baked goods and sandwiches.

(B, L, S, T, C $)

3730 Walnut Street 215-243-9897

Avril 50

Delicious coffee and chocolates; magazines and newspapers from the four corners of the globe.

(C, $)

3406 Sansom St.  215 222-6108

Ben and Jerry's

Ice cream

(S, T, $)

218 S. 40th St. 215 382-5092

Beijing

Popular place for Chinese favorites

(L, D, $)

3714 Spruce St, 215 222-2542

Bubble House

Contemporary Asian menu, bubble teas

(L, D, C, $)

3404 Sansom St. 215 243-0804

Bucks County Coffee

Local brew coffee, scones, espresso, etc.

(L, S, C, $)

3430 Sansom St.  215 387-7622

Chili's Bar and Grill

Good burgers, Tex-Mex, etc. in casual setting

(L, D, $)

3801 Chestnut St.

Copabanana

Part of a mini-chain, this restaurant is known for its magaritas, burgers, and Spanish fries.

(L, D, LN, $$)

4000 Spruce St. 215  382-1330

Cosi Sandwich and Coffee Bar

Good coffee, espresso, lattes, good sandwiches and pastries - casual and comfortable

(B, L, S, $)

3601 Walnut St. 215 222-4545

Distrito

Modern Mexican

(L, D, $$$)

3945 Chestnut Sts. 215 222-1657

Dunkin' Donuts

Wide selection of doughnuts and muffins and good coffee.

 (B, S, C, $)

3437 Walnut St. 215 222-7955

Fresh Grocer

Supermarket with good selection of take-out sandwiches, drinks

(T, $)

4001 Walnut St. 215 222-9200

HanWool Restaurant and Sushi Bar

Large, Pan-Asian menu including good selection of sushi

(L, D, $$)

3606 Chestnut St. 215 382-6221

Houston Market

Five eateries in the basement of Houston Hall offering sandwiches, salads, noodles, pizza etc.

(B, L, D, $ -  closed Saturday in the summer.)

Izzy and Zoe's

Deli featuring great bagels, sandwiches, knishes

(B, L, D, T, $)

224 S. 40th St. 215 382-2328

La Terrasse

Classic bistro-style French fare; geat selection of wines.

(L, D, LN, T, Bar, $$)

3432 Sansom St. 215 386-5000

Lee’s Hoagie House

Winner of Philadelphia Magazine’s “Best of Philly” award for its  custom made hoagies

(known elsewhere as submarine sandwiches)

(L, D, T, $)

4034 Walnut St. 215 387-0905

Mad Mex

Tex-Mex dishes, margaritas, etc.

(L, D, Bar $$)

3401 Walnut St (behind Moravian Cafes) 215 381-2221

Marathon Grill

A small chain - good, quick, New American food, includes sandwiches and smoothies.

(B, L, D, $$)

200 S. 40^th St. (at Walnut) 215 222-0100

Marbar – upstairs over the Marathon Grill

Nightly drink specials, DJ

(Bar, LN, $$)

200 S. 40^th St. (at Walnut)

Nan

Excellent Thai-French fusion food in a quiet, unassuming setting

(L Tues.-Fri., D Tues-Sat., $$-$$$)

4000 Chestnut St. 215 382-0818

New Deck Tavern

Local brews, pub fare, casual tavern

(L, D, T, LN, $$)

3408 Sansom St. 215 386-4600

Pattaya Grill

Good tasting, good value Thai food.

(L, D, $$)

4006 Chestnut St. 215 387-8533

Penne Restaurant and Wine Bar

Fresh pasta (made in house) cuisine as well as meat, fish, in a contemporary setting.  Good choice of vegetarian dishes)

(B, L, D, $$-$$$)

3611 Walnut St. (at the Inn at Penn) 215 823-6222

Philly Diner

Cheesesteaks, burgers, big breakfasts, milkshakes etc. - good diner fare

(B, L, D, LN, $)

3925 Walnut St.          215 382-3400

Picnic

Tiny eat-in cafe.  Great gourmet sandwiches and salads to go.

Picnic also packs picnics.

(B, L, D, Mon-Sat, $)

3131 Walnut St. 215 222-1608

Pizza Rustica

Panini, wood-oven pizza, antipasti with outdoor dining

(L, D, LN, Bar, $)

3602 Chestnut St. 215 895-3490

Pod

Modern menu with sushi

(L, D, $$)

3636 Sansom St. 215 387-1803

PotBelly Sandwich Works

Noisy, but great salads and sandwiches, quick service. On the

first floor of Penn Tower opposite the hospital.

(B, L, D, Mon- Fri 6am-9pm, Sat, 11am - 7pm $)

One Convention Ave. 215 382-0549

Qdoba

Fast “American – Mexican” food (burritos, tacos, salads). Efficient, friendly service.

(L, D, LN, T,  $)

230 S. 40^th St. 215-222-2887 (Other locations 1900 Chestnut St., 1528 Walnut St.)

Starbucks

The classic espresso, cappuccino, good pastries coffee shop

(B, L, C, S, $)

34th and Walnut Streets 215 386-6522

Sitar India

Great choice of meat, poultry, and vegetarian Indian dishes

(L, D. T. $$)

60 S. 38th St. 215 662-0818

Smokey Joe’s

The “Pennsititution”  serving beer and sandwiches for over 60 years.

(Bar, L, D. $$)

208 S. 40^th St. 215 222-0770

Thai Singha House

Outstanding Thai cuisine, great desserts

(L, D, T, $$)

3936 Chestnut St.  215 382-8000

The Greek Lady

Traditional Greek specialties, and Philadelphia favorites; good vegetarian offerings.

(L, D, T, $)

222 S. 40th St. 215 382-2600

12 Lounge at the Bridge

Bar features pizza, sandwiches, burgers, desserts

(L, D, Bar, $$)

4012 Walnut St.  215 386-3300

White Dog Cafe

Sophisticated, eclectic cuisine using locally grown produce, meats, and poultry. Good food.

 (Tails Piano Bar adjoins the White Dog)

(L, D, $$)

3420 Sansom St.  215 386-9224

World Cafe Live

An excellent venue for live music from both established and up and coming bands.

Full menu.

(Bar, D, LN, $$)

3025 Walnut St. 215 222-1400

Street Vendors – Trucks - Carts

There are numerous trucks and carts around the Penn campus supplying fresh fruit, sandwiches, and all manner of ethnic foods. 

There is a large concentration of trucks on both Spruce Street and 34th Street  opposite the hospital.

Two vendors/carts especially recommended:

Frita's

Very popular with Penn physicists for over 30 years.  Food cooked to order.  Good breakfast and lunch sandwiches and snacks.

(B, L, S, $)

33rd St. between Walnut and Spruce Sts. at David Rittenhuose Lab..

Magic Carpet

Good vegetarian food.

(L, D, $)

Southeast corner of 34th and Walnut Sts.

Center City  West -Rittenhouse Square Area (recommended restaurants, not far from the Penn campus)

Alma de Cuba

Very good food, sleek surroundings, dimly lit, Cuban and Latin menu.

(L, D, $$)

1623 Walnut St. 215 988-1799

Audrey Claire - BYOB

Mediterranean cuisine: lamb, couscous, flatbreads, grilled fish, outdoor dining at

Two locations

(L, D, $$$ cash only)

276 S. 20^th St. 215 731-1222 - also at 261 S. 20^th (20^th and Manning)

Branzino - BYOB

Classic old world Italian restaurant specializing in seafood, seasonal pastas and meat dishes.

(L, Mon.-Fri., D Sun.-Thurs. $$)

261 S. 17th St. 215 790-0103

Brasserie Perrier

New French cuisine, excellent professional staff,  three course menu on Sundays.

(L, D, $$$)

1619 Walnut St. 215 568-3000

Devon Seafood Grill

Excellent seafood, known for its crabcakes.

(L, D, LN, $$$)

225 S. 18^th St. 215 546-5940

D’Mitri’s  BYOB

Good grilled seafood, great hummus, somewhat noisy.

This small restaurant doesn’t take reservations; the wait can be up to two hours.

(D, LN, Sun. Brunch, $$)

2227 Pine St.  215  985-3680

Fontana della Citta - BYOB

Fine Italian cuisine.  Saturday reservations require one day notice.

(L, D, $$)

1701 Spruce St. 215 875-9990

Genji

Delicious Japanese food with very fresh sushi.

(L, D, $$$)

1720 Sansom St. 215 564-1720

Hausbrandt Café

Excellent espresso, good breakfast pastries

(B, L, C $$)

207 S. 15^th St. 267-971-8954

La Colombe

Coffeehouse of well known coffee roaster. Some consider La Colombe the best coffee in the city.

(C, $)

130 S. 19^th St. 215 563-0860

Lacroix at the Rittenhouse

Elegant dining, New French cuisine- menu lists of three, four, and five course choices. Reservations required, jacket and tie preferred.

(B, L, D, $$$$) 210 W. Rittenhouse Sq. 215 790-2533

Le Bec-Fin

The top of the top Philadelphia restaurants.  Georges Perrier’s  French menu offers “magnificent food” and incredible desserts.  Jackets recommended at dinner.

(L, D, $$$$$)

1523 Walnut St. 215 567-1000

Le Bus

Gourmet sandwiches on homemade bread.

(B, L, D, $)135 S. 18^th St. 215 569-8299

Little Pete’s Coffee Shop/Diner

Good breakfasts, fast, and delicious.

(B, L, D, LN, open 24 hours, cash only)

219 S. 17^th St.  215 545-5508

Mama Palma's Gourmet Pizza - BYOB

Wood fired, brick oven traditional and gourmet pizzas. BYOB wine only.  Restaurant has draft and bottled beer.

(D, $)

2229 Spruce St. 215 735-7357

Metropolitan Bakery

Good breads, pastries, and coffee at several locations around the city.

(S, C, $)  

262 S. 19^th St. 215 545-6655    4013 Walnut St. 215 222-1492

Miel Patisserie

Good if expensive pastries, good espresso in  Euro style café.  Known for its chocolate croissants.

(B, L, C, $$)

204 S. 17^th St. 215 731-9191

Monk's Cafe

Hundreds of beers from around the world, including a great selection of Belgian beers.

Good food including the famous Brussels mussels.

(L, D, $$)

264 S. 16th St. 215 545-7005

Porcini - BYOB

Classic Italian cooking in a small restaurant. Zagat rated.  Reservations are a must.

(D, $$ closed Sunday.)

2048 Sansom St. 215 751-1175

Prime Rib

“Top of the line” steaks in a quiet setting with piano bar. Jackets required in the main dining room.

(D, $$$)

1701 Locust St. (Radisson Plaza Warwick  Hotel) 215 772-1701

Rouge

Good food, nice beer selections, al fresco dining overlooking Rittenhouse Square.

(L, D, Sunday Brunch, $$$)

205 S. 18th St. 215 732-6622

Sansom Street Oyster House

Popular, traditional oyster house with “excellent” raw bar, according to some; others give it mixed reviews.

(L, D, $$) 1516 Sansom St. 215 567-7683

Smith & Wollensky

Excellent beef in this chain steak house.  Attentive service.

(L, D, LN, $$$) 

210 W. Rittenhouse Sq. (at the Rittenhouse Hotel) 215 545-1700

SnackBar

American, eclectic menu, tapas, small plates, trendy atmosphere.

(B, L, D, $$$)

253 S. 20^th St. 215 545-5655

Tinto

Basque inspired Northern Spanish - and excellent- food in a cozy setting

(L Mon.-Fri., D Thurs.-Sun., Sunday brunch, $$$)

114 S. 20th St. 215 665-9150

Tria

A cafe with excellent wine, beer, and cheese selections along with sandwiches and snacks. Cheeses are offered by the piece, wines by the glass.

(L, D, $$)

123 S. 18th St. 215-972-8742

Tuscany Café

Good value, good breakfast, good sandwiches, good coffee, but does not allow reading or studying in the café according to some reviewers.

(L, D, C, $)

222 W. Rittenhouse Sq. 215 772-0605

Farther from the Penn Campus

Philadelphia is known as a city of neighborhoods, and although this guide concentrates on restaurants near the University of Pennsylvania campus, Philadelphia has many excellent eating establishments throughout its many neighborhoods, each location with its own character.  You are invited to stop by the Guest Registration Table to browse through the restaurant and city guides for good dining choices in other parts of the city.

The Philadelphia Cheesesteak  (Three famous cheesesteak stands - two in South Philly and a local favorite)

Geno's

1219 S. 9th St.

(Open 24 hours daily, $)

Pat's King of Steaks

1237 E. Passyunk Ave.

(Open 24 hours daily, $)

These two cheesesteak emporia have had an ongoing rivalry for over 30 years.  Philadelphia natives are loyal to either one or the other establishment. 

Each owner claims that his cheesesteak is the best in the city, if not the world.  It should be noted that Joey Vento, the owner of Geno's, created some controversy two years ago with a sign requiring that English be spoken when ordering at Geno's stand.

Jim's Steaks

400 South St.

(B, L, D, daily $)

 Not South Philly, but also a  contender for the best Philadelphia cheese steak..

Frita’s  (see University City, above) does a very nice cheesesteak