Welcome to the ultimate guide to best restaurants in Center City Philadelphia. Center City nestles between Rittenhouse and Old City, and it is much more than a single location. It represents the vibrant core of Philadelphia, stretching from the Schuylkill to the Delaware and encompassing several neighborhoods—Chinatown, Washington Square West, Old City—each contributing to the city’s unique charm. Discover the culinary heart of Philadelphia in Center City, where a diverse array of restaurants offers a delightful fusion of flavours and experiences. From upscale dining establishments to cosy cafes, each venue promises authentic dishes and exceptional service.
Whether you’re seeking innovative cuisine or classic staples, Center City’s restaurant scene is sure to inspire and satisfy every palate. There’s an abundance to explore and savour! Whether you crave exceptional breakfast pastries and robust coffee or wish to treat yourself to a celebratory dinner, Center City in Philadelphia offers numerous excellent choices. Explore today and embark on a gastronomic journey of top restaurants in Center City Philly.
Best Restaurants in Rittenhouse
Her Place Supper Club
Regarding Rittenhouse Square restaurants, Her Place Super Club has a lot to offer. It is a modern twist on supper clubs, featuring top-notch food without the need for a membership. The experience feels like dining at a chef’s home rather than a small city restaurant. The four-course, $90 tasting menu changes bi-weekly. Reservations open online every other Sunday at 6pm and sell out quickly. Here, you’ll enjoy delicate dining dishes like lobster ravioli while interacting with the chef, Amanda Schulman, who shares stories throughout the meal. With just 24 diners per seating, it feels like an intimate dinner party with a warm cookie to take home. Don’t miss out—set a reminder!
Specialties: Peppered Roast Beef, Corn Ravioli, Duck Leg Confit Salad, Mussels Escabeche
Address: 1740 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Friday Saturday Sunday
Recognized with the 2023 James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant, this popular restaurant is perfect for celebrating significant life events. The upstairs offers a $165 eight-course tasting menu, while the downstairs features a playful bar with an à la carte menu and exceptional cocktails. Located in Rittenhouse, this two-story venue includes a ground-floor bar and a formal dining area upstairs adorned with candles, leather booths, and stained glass windows. The restaurant’s atmosphere is both elegant and relaxing, making it one of the best restaurants in Center City. Enjoy cocktails at the lively downstairs bar post-dinner.
Specialties: Chicken Liver Mouse, New York Strip, Grilled Quail, Cured Arctic Char
Address: 261 S 21st St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
K’Far Cafe
Other restaurants in Center City Philadelphia, like K’Far Cafe, also provide you with excellent gastronomic experience. Going after what you crave, especially for breakfast, can transform your morning. The choice can be game-changing, whether it’s another bowl of granola or something indulgent, like the brown sugar ricotta Kubaneh toast from K’Far. We find it more satisfying than quickly finding a parking spot on Chestnut Street. The aroma of the pistachio sticky bun is so enticing that we’d circle the block endlessly to get some. Breakfast at K’Far, the Israeli bakery and cafe by Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook, is arguably the best start to a day in Rittenhouse, featuring unbeatable pastries and baked goods.
Specialties: Jerusalem Bagel, Pistachio Sticky Bun, Chocolate Babka, Brown Sugar Ricotta Kubaneh Toast
Address: 110 S 19th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Best Restaurants in Midtown Village
Double Knot
Double Knot, a standout Japanese restaurant in Midtown Village, offers two distinct dining experiences. The main floor features an all-day cafe serving breakfast pastries, coffee, lunch bowls, and bar snacks, transforming into a bustling happy hour spot by evening. Meanwhile, the basement houses an intimate, stylish restaurant, perfect for a memorable sushi experience. The cafe is always busy, filled with people enjoying rice and noodle bowls or working on their laptops. By 5 PM, it takes on a bar vibe with a menu different from the must-visit, sophisticated izakaya below. Among places to eat in Center City Philly, Double Knot is a must-go place.
Specialties: Braised Short Ribs, Black Cod Fried Rice, Big Eye Tuna Roll, Salmon Avocado Roll
Address: 120 S 13th St Philadelphia, PA 19107
Vedge
Vedge, a restaurant in Midtown Village, offers a unique twist on vegetables that will change how you think about carrots, tomatoes, and mushrooms. Since opening in 2011, it has frequently topped “best restaurant” lists nationwide. While everything at Vedge is vegan, its actual distinction lies in using veganism as a creative challenge, akin to adding an extra rope to your jump rope game as a child. Vedge excels at this, making it arguably one of the best vegetable-focused restaurants in the city, if not the country. You’ll soon forget you’re eating just carrots, beets, and mushrooms.
Specialties: Roasted Maitake Mushroom, Grilled Seitan, Salt Roasted Gold Beets, Chocolate Uber Chunk
Address:
1221 Locust St Philadelphia, PA 19107
Best Restaurants in Chinatown
EMei
Dining alone at EMei can feel challenging. As one of the top restaurants in Center City Philly, EMei features all types of ultimate Chinese cuisine. Without a companion to share dishes with, you might second-guess your order as you watch other plates go by, like the Szechuan boiled whole fish. Then the mapo tofu arrives. One bite, and you know you chose well. If you’re lucky, Ketty Bot might wink at you while delivering takeout, leaving you to wonder, “Am I special?” Come for the mapo tofu, and stay for the Chongqing spicy chicken and sea bass in Sichuan chili oil. If you need gluten-free options, most of EMei’s menu is naturally gluten-free or can be made so upon request.
Specialties: Sliced Beef Shank And Tripe In Chili Oil, Homemade Dumplings In Hot Chili Oil, Fried Sticky Rice Cake With Brown Sugar Dipping Sauce
Address: 915 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Sang Kee Peking Duck House
Since 1980, Sang Kee has been serving the city’s best Peking duck in Chinatown. Sang Kee has been roasting ducks for over 40 years, drawing diners from all over Greater Philly for their crispy skin and juicy meat. They have a stall in Reading Terminal, but the original spot is perfect for a group meal of ribs, whole fish, pan-fried noodles, and Peking duck.The two-story restaurant is filled with couples, families, and friends enjoying duck with scallions and hoisin sauce. Sang Kee also offers Hong Kong-style BBQ, noodle soups, and Cantonese stir fry. Among all the Center City Philly restaurants, Sang Kee Peking Duck House is a unique one and you can’t miss it.
Specialties: honey-coated BBQ roast pork, pork dumplings, wonton soup, beef in black bean sauce, Red Dragon Spare Ribs
Address: 238 N 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Vietnam Restaurant
Vietnam offers a double delight. Enjoy tasty Vietnamese dishes like vermicelli noodle bowls, papaya salad, and lime chicken downstairs. After finishing your meal, head upstairs to Bar Saigon. This second-floor tiki bar serves flaming punch bowls and colourful Mai Tais. We love combining both spots for birthday parties, but each is excellent alone. With a diverse menu, this Philly gem has been serving top-notch Vietnamese food since 1984. Don’t end your night too soon—explore the tiki cocktails at Bar Saigon before heading home.
Specialties: vermicelli noodle bowls, steaming pho, clay pot dishes, Beef Jerky Papaya Salad
Address: 221 N 11th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Best Restaurants in Old City
Han Dynasty
In addition, there are more places to eat in Center City Philly. There’s a reason why Han Dynasty is a must-try restaurant. It’s a cornerstone of Philly’s recent restaurant revival. Crowd favourites include the dan dan noodles, cumin lamb, and pork belly in sweet garlic-chili oil. Servers there are always nice and accommodating. They make great suggestions and are just pleasant to connect with. And don’t miss out on the cocktails. In 2018, Lê from Hop Sing Laundromat revamped the bar menu with drinks like the green matcha and vanilla Phat Phuc.
Specialties: String Beans W/Minced Pork, Double Cooked Pork Belly, Vegetarian String Beans, Spicy And Sour Shredded Potatoes
Address: 123 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
The Olde Bar
Situated in the iconic Old Original Bookbinder’s, chef Jose Garces’s oyster bar and cocktail lounge boasts a rich seafood heritage in Old City. The establishment offers a seafood tower featuring oysters, clams, shrimp, and marinated mussels, alongside the distinctive London Fog Sour—a mix of black pepper-infused vodka, Earl Grey simple syrup, egg white, and lavender bitters. This combination guarantees an exceptional quality— making The Olde Bar one of the best restaurants in Center City.
Specialties: Tamarind Glazed Lobster, Smoked Salmon Spread, Apple & Arugula Salad, Jeff’s Fried Chicken
Address: 125 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Best Restaurants in Washington Square West
Middle Child
Philadelphia is renowned for its sandwich scene, offering everything from cheesesteaks and hoagies to roast pork sandwiches. The city boasts numerous exceptional sandwich shops. Middle Child, inspired by traditional Italian hoagie shops and Greek diners, is one of standout restaurants in Center City Philadelphia, offering breakfast and hearty afternoon sandwiches. The So Long Sal, with Italian meats, cheeses, artichoke relish, and balsamic mayo on a seeded hoagie, is a crowd favorite, as is the CSG Reuben. Middle Child’s breakfast sandwiches are top-notch, often drawing 30-minute weekend waits. It’s also a weekday hotspot for Jefferson doctors and med students, so plan your visit accordingly to enjoy the famous Phoagie sandwich.
Specialties: Side Of Pork Roll, Court Street’s Corned Beef Or Turkey Reuben, Shopsin Club
Address: 248 S 11th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Bud & Marilyn’s
If you are eager to crave some comforting dishes, Bud & Marilyn’s has a delightful selection. From crispy cheese curds, fontina-filled meatloaf, to the ultimate funfetti cake, Bud & Marilyn’s is a perfect place to eat, which other top restaurants in Center City Philly are hard to compete with. The retro dining room, blending elements of a classic diner with a touch of your grandparents’ rec room, is sure to attract those who favour vinyl records over digital music and typewriters over modern laptops.
Specialties: Crispy Cheese Curds, Nashville Hot Chicken Buns, Kimchi Fried Rice With Tofu, Seared Scallops
Address:1234 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Conclusion
In conclusion, there is a culinary landscape that boasts some best restaurants in Center City Philadelphia. From the sophisticated flavours at Her Place Supper Club to the authentic Chinese dishes at Sang Kee Peking Duck House, the diverse dining options ensure every palate is catered to. Vietnam Restaurant cuisine provides an unforgettable experience, while Bud & Marilyn’s masters the art of contemporary American fare. These establishments not only deliver exceptional food but also embody the spirit of Philadelphia, making them must-visit destinations for anyone seeking memorable dining experiences in the heart of the city.
Best Restaurants in Center City Philadelphia FAQ
Are there any recommended fine dining options in Center City?
Yes. Center City boasts several fine dining options that promise an exquisite culinary experience:
- Barclay Prime: Offers a luxurious steakhouse experience with an upscale twist.
- Fork: Known for its elegant, contemporary American cuisine and carefully curated wine list.
- Jean-Georges Philadelphia: Located within the Four Seasons Hotel, it delivers a blend of French and American fare with breathtaking city views
Are there any vegetarian or vegan-friendly restaurants in Center City?
Yes. Center City has a growing number of vegetarian and vegan-friendly dining establishments:
- Vedge: A renowned vegan restaurant offering innovative plant-based dishes that even non-vegans rave about.
- HipCityVeg: A popular spot for fast-casual vegan food, known for its delicious sandwiches and salads.
- Charlie was a sinner.: Offers a fully vegan menu with a focus on creative small plates and handcrafted cocktails.
- Bar Bombón: A plant-based restaurant inspired by Latin flavours, providing vibrant and satisfying meals.
Are there any notable areas for international cuisine in Philadelphia?
Yes. Philadelphia’s food scene is a melting pot of global flavours. Key areas include:
- Chinatown: Offers a vibrant array of Asian cuisines, from dim sum to noodle houses.
- Italian Market: The oldest open-air market in America, it’s teeming with Italian specialties, along with Mexican, Vietnamese, and more.
- South Philadelphia: Known for its authentic Vietnamese and Mexican restaurants, offering everything from pho to tacos.
