United States · month by month
Philadelphia food calendar
What is in season in Philadelphia, what to eat right now, the food festivals worth planning around and the months to be careful with. Tap a month.
January in Philadelphia
A hard monthThe best of January: Roast pork and cheesesteaks, Scrapple, Center City District Restaurant Week.
In season
- Scrapple
A cold-weather breakfast staple, though served year-round
Oct–Feb
Eat it now
- Roast pork and cheesesteaks
Roast pork with broccoli rabe and provolone at Reading Terminal, every month of the year.
On the calendar
- Center City District Restaurant WeekJanuary, again in September
Prix-fixe dinners across Center City.
Nothing of this kind in January. Try Everything.
February in Philadelphia
A hard monthThe best of February: Pączki, Roast pork and cheesesteaks.
In season
- Scrapple
A cold-weather breakfast staple, though served year-round
Oct–Feb
Eat it now
- PączkiFat Tuesday
Polish doughnuts in Port Richmond.
- Roast pork and cheesesteaks
Roast pork with broccoli rabe and provolone at Reading Terminal, every month of the year.
Nothing of this kind in February. Try Everything.
March in Philadelphia
The best of March: Roast pork and cheesesteaks, Easter pastries.
In season
- Easter pastries
Italian bakeries on Christian and 9th streets get busy
Mar–Apr
Eat it now
- Roast pork and cheesesteaks
Roast pork with broccoli rabe and provolone at Reading Terminal, every month of the year.
Nothing of this kind in March. Try Everything.
April in Philadelphia
Shoulder seasonThe best of April: Roast pork and cheesesteaks, Easter pastries.
In season
- Easter pastries
Italian bakeries on Christian and 9th streets get busy
Mar–Apr - Strawberries and asparagus
From Lancaster County.
Apr–Jun
Eat it now
- Roast pork and cheesesteaks
Roast pork with broccoli rabe and provolone at Reading Terminal, every month of the year.
Nothing of this kind in April. Try Everything.
May in Philadelphia
Peak seasonThe best of May: Roast pork and cheesesteaks, Strawberries and asparagus, Italian Market Festival.
In season
- Strawberries and asparagus
From Lancaster County.
Apr–Jun - Water ice
Neighborhood stands open for warm weather; some are open year-round
May–Sep
Eat it now
- Roast pork and cheesesteaks
Roast pork with broccoli rabe and provolone at Reading Terminal, every month of the year.
On the calendar
- Italian Market FestivalMay
South 9th Street's festival.
Nothing of this kind in May. Try Everything.
June in Philadelphia
Peak seasonThe best of June: Roast pork and cheesesteaks, Strawberries and asparagus.
In season
- Strawberries and asparagus
From Lancaster County.
Apr–Jun - Jersey tomatoes, corn and peaches
At Reading Terminal Market and the farmers' markets.
Jun–Sep - Water ice
Neighborhood stands open for warm weather; some are open year-round
May–Sep
Eat it now
- Roast pork and cheesesteaks
Roast pork with broccoli rabe and provolone at Reading Terminal, every month of the year.
Nothing of this kind in June. Try Everything.
July in Philadelphia
The best of July: Roast pork and cheesesteaks, Jersey tomatoes, corn and peaches.
In season
- Jersey tomatoes, corn and peaches
At Reading Terminal Market and the farmers' markets.
Jun–Sep - Water ice
Neighborhood stands open for warm weather; some are open year-round
May–Sep
Eat it now
- Roast pork and cheesesteaks
Roast pork with broccoli rabe and provolone at Reading Terminal, every month of the year.
Plan around
- Heat
Hot and humid; the Italian Market is best early.
Jul–Aug
Nothing of this kind in July. Try Everything.
August in Philadelphia
The best of August: Roast pork and cheesesteaks, Jersey tomatoes, corn and peaches.
In season
- Jersey tomatoes, corn and peaches
At Reading Terminal Market and the farmers' markets.
Jun–Sep - Water ice
Neighborhood stands open for warm weather; some are open year-round
May–Sep
Eat it now
- Roast pork and cheesesteaks
Roast pork with broccoli rabe and provolone at Reading Terminal, every month of the year.
Plan around
- Heat
Hot and humid; the Italian Market is best early.
Jul–Aug
Nothing of this kind in August. Try Everything.
September in Philadelphia
Peak seasonThe best of September: Roast pork and cheesesteaks, Apples and mushrooms, Kennett Square Mushroom Festival.
In season
- Apples and mushrooms
Kennett Square, the mushroom capital, is 40 minutes away.
Sep–Nov - Jersey tomatoes, corn and peaches
At Reading Terminal Market and the farmers' markets.
Jun–Sep - Water ice
Neighborhood stands open for warm weather; some are open year-round
May–Sep
Eat it now
- Roast pork and cheesesteaks
Roast pork with broccoli rabe and provolone at Reading Terminal, every month of the year.
On the calendar
- Kennett Square Mushroom Festivalweekend after Labor Day
Mushroom food and tours.
Nothing of this kind in September. Try Everything.
October in Philadelphia
Peak seasonThe best of October: Roast pork and cheesesteaks, Apples and mushrooms.
In season
- Apples and mushrooms
Kennett Square, the mushroom capital, is 40 minutes away.
Sep–Nov - Tomato pie at Iannelli's Brick Oven Bakery
Open only about 15 to 20 days a year, mostly weekends from October to December
Oct–Dec - Scrapple
A cold-weather breakfast staple, though served year-round
Oct–Feb
Eat it now
- Roast pork and cheesesteaks
Roast pork with broccoli rabe and provolone at Reading Terminal, every month of the year.
Nothing of this kind in October. Try Everything.
November in Philadelphia
Shoulder seasonThe best of November: Roast pork and cheesesteaks, Apples and mushrooms.
In season
- Apples and mushrooms
Kennett Square, the mushroom capital, is 40 minutes away.
Sep–Nov - Tomato pie at Iannelli's Brick Oven Bakery
Open only about 15 to 20 days a year, mostly weekends from October to December
Oct–Dec - Scrapple
A cold-weather breakfast staple, though served year-round
Oct–Feb
Eat it now
- Roast pork and cheesesteaks
Roast pork with broccoli rabe and provolone at Reading Terminal, every month of the year.
Nothing of this kind in November. Try Everything.
December in Philadelphia
The best of December: Roast pork and cheesesteaks, Christmas cookies and cannoli.
In season
- Christmas cookies and cannoli
Lines form at Isgro Pastries before Christmas and Easter
- Tomato pie at Iannelli's Brick Oven Bakery
Open only about 15 to 20 days a year, mostly weekends from October to December
Oct–Dec - Scrapple
A cold-weather breakfast staple, though served year-round
Oct–Feb
Eat it now
- Roast pork and cheesesteaks
Roast pork with broccoli rabe and provolone at Reading Terminal, every month of the year.
Nothing of this kind in December. Try Everything.
Festival dates move from year to year, so check this year's dates before you book. Seasons are how growers, markets and local guides describe them; edges vary with the weather. Know something we missed? Tell us.