Where locals eat in Philadelphia

The neighborhood places residents go back to, with what to order at each.

12 places in Philadelphia · by Chef Amazing · updated October 20, 2026
Photo: johnsroastpork.com

1. 1

   Dante & Luigi's

   Italian-American · Bella Vista

   Get: the gnocchi and the baked lasagna

   Philadelphia's oldest Italian restaurant.

   762 S 10th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
2. 2

   John’s Roast Pork

   Sandwiches · Pennsport

   Get: roast pork with sharp provolone and greens

   Go early, before the bread runs out.

   Also on the list: Breakfast and sandwiches in Philadelphia.

   14 Snyder Ave, Philadelphia · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
3. 3

   South Philly Barbacoa

   Italian Market

   Get: the lamb barbacoa tacos and the consomme

   Weekends only, cash only.

   Also on the list: Long lines in Philadelphia.

   1134 S 9th St · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
4. 4

   Ralph's Italian Restaurant

   Italian American · Bella Vista / Italian Market

   Get: the veal parmigiana and a red-gravy pasta

   Family run since 1900.

   Also on the list: Where the famous eat in Philadelphia.

   760 S 9th St · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
5. 5

   Suraya

   Fishtown

   Get: the mezze and the grilled meats

   Lebanese, good for a group or brunch.

   Critics: 79% liked it, from 6 reviews (2018 to 2024). Read MICHELIN Guide, The Infatuation 2024, Time Out, The Philadelphia Inquirer 2018.

   Map · Add to Chef Amazing
6. 6

   Kalaya

   Southern Thai · Fishtown

   Get: the southern Thai curries and the crab fried rice

   Buzzy Fishtown Thai restaurant known for bold, funky southern Thai flavors and its famous fried chicken.

   Critics: 87% liked it, from 7 reviews (2019 to 2026). Read World's 50 Best (North America's 50 Best Restaurants) 2026, Michelin Guide 2025, The Infatuation 2024, The Infatuation 2022.

   The crowd: 4.1 of 5 on Tripadvisor (65 ratings).

   4 West Palmer Street, Philadelphia, PA 19125 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
7. 7

   Ristorante Pesto

   East Passyunk

   Get: the homemade pastas and the veal

   An Italian BYOB on Passyunk.

   1915 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19148 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
8. 8

   Pho 75

   South Philly

   Get: a large bowl of pho tai

   Short menu, quick service on Washington Avenue.

   Map · Add to Chef Amazing
9. 9

   Dancerobot

   Rittenhouse

   Get: the pork katsu and the mentaiko pasta

   Regulars keep coming back for both.

   1710 Sansom St., Philadelphia, PA 19103 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
10. 10

    Abyssinia

    West Philly

    Get: a combination platter on injera

    West Philly's go-to Ethiopian.

    Map · Add to Chef Amazing
11. 11

    Laser Wolf

    Israeli skewers · Fishtown

    Get: the skewers, which come with salatim and dessert

    Book ahead.

    Critics: 78% liked it, from 5 reviews (2021 to 2026). Read MICHELIN Guide 2025, The Infatuation 2022, The Philadelphia Inquirer 2026, The Philadelphia Inquirer 2021.

    The crowd: 4.6 of 5 on Google (via RestaurantGuru) (1,004 ratings).

    1301 N Howard St, Philadelphia PA, 19122 · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
12. 12

    Federal Donuts

    Center City

    Get: the fried chicken with a honey donut on the side

    Map · Add to Chef Amazing