Best places to eat and drink in Northeast Philadelphia, PA

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We have compiled a list of some of the best places to eat and drink in Northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This is a great area in the city for people who love good food.

A few caveats: This list is not comprehensive. We’re limited by time and resources and have only sampled the top 50 restaurants and bars in our area. These are our personal favorites. We’ve visited these places multiple times and they’re good to us. They’re not necessarily good to everyone. Your favorite places might be different. You might have a different list.  Restaurants and bars often close for the winter.

The Best Places to Eat and Drink in Northeast Philadelphia, PA:

There are lots of great places to eat and drink in the area. We have selected a few of our favorite spots.

Delia’s:

Delia’s is a classic restaurant in the area. They serve Italian cuisine and have a nice selection of wines. The food is excellent here.

Zaneti’s:

Zaneti’s is a family run restaurant that serves very authentic Italian cuisine. The owner is from Italy and the food is made from scratch. The food is cooked to order and is always delicious.

Casa Maria:

Casa Maria is a pizzeria in the area that serves great pizza. There are many options for toppings.

Chop Shop:

Chop Shop is a great place to grab a quick bite to eat. They have a wide variety of food including burgers, sandwiches, and salads. The menu also includes a number of vegan and vegetarian options.

Serendipity:

Serendipity is another great place to grab a bite to eat in the area. The restaurant offers a wide variety of dishes including pasta, burgers, and sandwiches.

Lanterna Italian Ristorante:

Lanterna Italian Ristorante is an upscale restaurant in the area. The food is great here and the portions are large.

Cucina:

Cucina is a great place to grab a drink and some food. The menu offers a variety of drinks as well as tasty appetizers and entrees.

Ezra’s Delicatessen:

Ezra’s Delicatessen is a deli that serves a variety of deli foods including pastrami, corned beef, turkey, and cheese. The sandwich options here are amazing.

Buddakan:

Buddakan is a popular Asian restaurant in the area. The food here is top notch.

Grazie Pizza:

Grazie Pizza is a pizzeria that serves great pizza. There are many toppings to choose from.

Hudson Grill:

Hudson Grill is a great steakhouse in the area. The menu offers a variety of steaks and seafood.

Hog & Rocks:

Hog and Rocks is a bar and restaurant that offers great craft beers. The beer selection is extensive here and the food is also great.

Places to eat and drink near Northeast Philadelphia, PA: 

There’s no one single neighborhood where you’ll find the best dining options, but a number of neighborhoods boast a range of unique eateries and bars that cater to various tastes. If you’re looking for an amazing seafood restaurant, head to Old City; for Italian, hit Northern Liberties; if you’re craving sushi, try Kensington; for steaks, hit Fishtown; and if you’re in search of a casual bar, hit South Philly. Here are a few of my favorite spots to get your fill.

Old City

While the neighborhood may be known more for its historical attractions, the area around the Pennsylvania Convention Center is now home to some of the city’s best restaurants. From the comfort of the Convention Center, it’s a quick cab ride to Old City, where you’ll find a wealth of new restaurants that offer unique twists on classic dishes.

Porchetta at Porchetta

The restaurant inside the Penn Museum is the perfect place to enjoy the finest Italian cooking in town. Chef John Besh offers a modern spin on his native cuisine, but he also maintains a respect for the rich history of the city. For instance, he serves balsamic vinegar with a house-made fennel sausage, which he explains is a nod to the neighborhood’s Jewish roots.

Sushisamba

One of the city’s most creative chefs, Sushisamba serves modern Japanese food with a twist. The menu changes daily, but look for dishes like the “Sushi Tuna Roll,” which is topped with raw tuna. The chef makes his sushi fresh every morning, which means that it’s only available for a limited time.

Osteria

Chef Paul Pairek takes a simple approach to his Italian fare, but that doesn’t mean it lacks flavor. His pastas are handmade, and he uses a blend of fresh local produce to create a menu that’s both familiar and new. You’ll find dishes like the “Philly-Style Ribs” — a simple dish of roasted pork ribs with a barbecue sauce that gives the meat a smoky taste.

Fishtown

The “Fishtown Fish Fry” at the Fishtown Cafe is the perfect example of a small, independent restaurant that keeps a lot of the elements of the classic Philly tradition. The menu includes oysters, clams, mussels, and a selection of steaks, and they are prepared in the same fashion as they were at the original restaurant. The chef uses locally caught fish to make his seafood dishes, and he uses an old fashioned fryer to cook his steaks.

South Philly

You won’t find the city’s best pizzas in this neighborhood, but there are a number of great places to grab a slice of pizza. The Italian Market on Passyunk Avenue is home to a number of popular pizzerias, including Pizza Rustica and Tia Patti.

Fishtown

You may not find the best Chinese food in the city, but the Shanghai Dumplings & Noodles on South Street is one of the better options. The restaurant is tucked away inside an unassuming brick building, and the menu changes regularly, but it’s hard to go wrong with the dumplings.

Northern Liberties

If you want to eat in a restaurant that’s a bit off the beaten path, the New York Pizza Company is your place. It has the feel of an Italian trattoria, but the food is closer to the food you’d find in Brooklyn. The menu features a number of pizzas and pastas, and the house-made sausage is made from a mix of beef, pork, and veal.

South Philly

When it comes to sushi, there’s no better option than the Sushisamba on South Street. The chef uses fresh, local ingredients to craft the menu, and the sushi changes constantly. The chef is known for his inventive rolls, like the “Citrus Tuna” or the “Spicy Salmon.”

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