Today, we’re sharing  a few amazing Philadelphia restaurants for your visit to the city of brotherly love. 

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I was surprised by how much I loved hanging out in Philadelphia! It’s a great little city, full of history and culture and fun. It also has a ton of fantastic restaurants. I had so much fun exploring different options! These are some of my favorite Philadephia restaurants. 

Knead Bagels

I cannot skip breakfast. I need the fuel up for my day, especially if I’m going to absorb art and learn things at all these historic sites. Do this at Knead Bagels, which makes their bagels fresh every day and has some of the best cream cheese I’ve ever had. My favorite was the everything bagel with roasted tomato cream cheese, along with a cold brew coffee. Because let’s be real, we’re going to need caffeine to absorb all the history in this city.

Federal Donuts

The other must-eat breakfast is Federal Donuts. With multiple locations throughout the city, there are options for wherever you stay. I’m usually partial to yeast donuts over cake (think Krispy Kreme over Dunkin Donuts), but these Federal Donuts were the best cake donuts I’ve ever tasted!!! 

La Colombe

This coffee shop has expanded to several major cities on the eastern seaboard but originated in Philadelphia. The Rittenhouse Square La Colombe feels exactly like what want in an urban coffee house setting: it’s full but not overrun, with high-quality drinks, beautiful murals on the wall, and busy but not too loud. My ideal coffee shop for getting some work done! 

The Bourse

If you spend a day doing the historic district, have lunch at The Bourse, a nearby food hall in a historical building. This used to be the first commodities exchange building, holding a stock exchange, maritime exchange, and grain-trading center. Now, it’s a newly reopened upscale food hall that caters to business people as much as tourists. I opted for a cheesesteak from Marino Bros Cheesesteaks because can you actually go to Philadelphia and not eat a cheesesteak? It was delicious, probably the best I’ve ever had, so no regrets here. The staff were also super friendly and made a point to talk to me in spite of it being counter service.

Reading Terminal Market

This is the original Philadelphia food hall. There’s every kind of food you can imagine, at mostly reasonable prices. Whether you’re looking for some cheesy classic sandwiches, seafood, or almost any ethnicity food you can imagine. When I visited, I grabbed some pad thai at Little Thai Market and a pretzel at the Amish bakery Miller’s Twist. 

Pro tip: a local filled me in that at the end of the day, most of the Pennsylvania Dutch bakeries give away their leftovers! Because all their products are so fresh, they give away whatever they don’t’ sell. So if you find yourself near Reading Terminal Market late afternoon, swing through for free deliciousness! 

National Mechanics

It’s bar, but it used to be a bank on par with the classic historical buildings sprinkled throughout the city. I walked past the National Mechanics building a few times, assuming it was a restaurant beyond my price point before realizing it was a bar with a fun happy hour! 

The Victorian interior creates a vibe, but during the day it’s also laptop friendly. I may have taken a break from touring around with a beer and my laptop to get a jump of editing these photos! Either by yourself or with friends, it’s a great spot to chat and relax. 

Capofitto Forno

Looking for dinner options? My favorite Philadelphia restaurant was Capofitto Forno. It’s unbelievably good! Classic Italian food in the heart of the historic district. I recommend sitting at the bar for this spot – I had a great time chatting with the bartender and getting some tips on local Philadelphia without leaving my seat! 

Restaurant Week happened to be going on while I was visiting, so I got a fantastic deal on a four-course meal. The arancini and pasta were delicious, but the real star was the diavola pizza. Pair everything with a Negroni for that quintessential Italian feel or opt for a glass of red wine if campari’s not your thing. For dessert, the obvious choice is their gelato. My favorite was the dark chocolate, but you can’t go wrong here!

Wiz Kid

A friend who’s a Philly local recommended this place. She’s not vegan, but she swears by the Philly cheesesteak! You won’t know it’s vegan. So if you’re looking for something a little lighter, or have some dietary restrictions to keep in mind, try Wiz Kid.

London Grill

London Grill is close to the Philadelphia Museum of Art and even closer to the Eastern State Penitentiary, so it’s a great option for a post-exploration meal. It’s part bar and part restaurant, and known for winning the best burger in Philadelphia! Think upscale pub food. I had the grilled chicken and brie sandwich and loved every bite. So much on this menu appeals, so you can’t go wrong. 

The Franklin Fountain

I can’t make a restaurant round up without including an ice cream place! An old-school ice cream parlor on the edge of the historic district is the perfect spot to take a break between museums, or as a sweet end to your day! I *might* have had ice cream for dinner on my last night in town before getting on a plane. Take note though, they only take cash at their Market Street location. 

 There are a TON of fantastic Philadelphia restaurants, and these are a few of my favorites! Whether you want a cheap breakfast or fancy dinner, try these for no-fail meal ideas. 

If you’re planning a visit to Philadelphia, check out my guide to a weekend in city or a list of all the historic sites in Philly you could want!