Phantastic Philadelphia
A guide to the city for all, personally experienced and hand-crafted by your fun- and food-loving friends at KSS Architects
In town for the AIA Convention and digging deep into research for down-time activities? A newcomer looking to explore more Philly spots?
Look no further! Gather inspiration from locals of our favorite spots to munch, mingle, meander, and muse. Check out our list, exclusively compiled by our Philadelphia staff below, categorized and curated for visitors of all interests.
We’ve organized our entries by overarching category, with each entry containing a link to further reading and brief WHY statement:
- FABULOUS SPOTS, unique Philly flair
- COFFEE SHOPS and CAFÉS, to get your [caffeine] buzz on
- MEALS, breakfast to dinner, and everything in between
- DESSERT, sweet, sweet delights
- DRINKS, to get your [other] buzz on
- PARTY SCENE, for those who partake in loud crowds and vigorous movement
- AWESOME SHOPS, cozy corners and cool collectibles
- ARTS & MUSEUMS, renowned international wonders
- GETTING OUT AND AWAY [bonus suggestion!]
Dive right on in!
FABULOUS SPOTS, unique Philly flair
“Philadelphia’s personality lies in its various neighborhoods — all across the city, you find very distinct characters. For South Philadelphia, I would recommend walking through the Italian Market down to East Passyunk Ave, which is littered with really cool bars and restaurants. On your way, you could stop at Paesano’s in the Italian Market for a convenient, tasty sandwich or El Rodeo taco truck parked at 10th & Washington — the best tacos around.”
- Becker Raab
The Rittenhouse Row | 200+ shops and stores, a commercial heart of the city. Just your luck — the Annual Block Party is the same weekend!
Race St. Pier | Soaring views of the Ben Franklin Bridge and expanse of the river. Picnic-friendly, with a spacious lawn and manicured plantings, providing a vegetated park suspended over the river.
One Liberty Deck Observation | 360° 57 stories up; the best view of the city and beyond.
Washington Ave Pier | Walk along the water and enjoy panoramas of the Delaware River and Philly skyline. The Pier makes use of repurposed materials from the existing Pier 53 site and protects the surrounding wetlands with eco-friendly plantings and an elevated boardwalk.
“For architectural inspiration, wander around the old city and take in the houses, especially near Spruce and Pine. For an abandoned but beautiful sight, stop by the Divine Lorraine Hotel, a very pretty, cool structure.”
- Elizabeth Green
COFFEE SHOPS and CAFÉS, to get your [caffeine] buzz on
Benna’s West | A coffeeshop for commuters and the community.
Gleaner’s Café | Coffee, camaraderie and vegan baked goods.
Ultimo Coffee| Inviting staff, comfortable vibe and Counter Culture coffee.
La Colombe | Motto: America Deserves Better Coffee.
Greenstreet Coffee Co. | A fresh approach to great coffee and sustainable business practices.
One Shot Coffee and Cafe | Signature menu items and coffee in a space handsomely adorned with refreshed family heirlooms, Philadelphia industrial antiques, and furniture by local artisans.
Menagerie Coffee | Full espresso bar, hand poured coffee, and locally sourced small eats.
Chapter House Café | Organic fair trade coffee and treats.
Elixr Coffee Roasters | Specialized in lighter roasted unique and exquisite coffees.
MEALS, breakfast to dinner, and everything in between
Porto | Big brunch flavors loosely drawn from Portuguese cuisine.
Artisan Boulanger Patissier |A French bakery that has become a community-gathering favorite.
Cheu Noodle Bar | A noodle bar with an American twist.
Le Peg/FringeArts |French cuisine with experimental theater.
Cosmis Deli | Classic South Philly sandwiches.
Di Bruno Bros | A pioneering specialty food retailer and importer that began with a modest shop in the now-iconic South Philadelphia Italian Market in 1939. Now a community-driven enterprise with five retail locations, catering, import and e-commerce divisions.
The Hungry Pigeon | A tasty celebration of farm-to-table eating.
Vedge | A classically elegant dining experience with a progressive, bold approach to cooking veggies.
Dim Sum Garden | Philly’s premier authentic Shanghai soup dumplings
Amada |An authentic taste of Andalucia.
Charlie was a sinner. | Small plates and strong drinks.
Brauhaus Schmitz | “Philly’s German tradition come alive again.”
El Rodeo Taco Truck| The best tacos around.
The Good King Tavern |Casual French-inspired menu with daily chalkboard specials.
R2L | Sleek, sophisticated restaurant with an unbeatable bird’s eye view.
Federal Donuts | Coffee. Donuts. Chicken. Done.
South Street Bagels | Five-generations of bagel-making perfection.
Italian Market South | A wonderful, international assault on the senses.
Nam Phuong | Authentic Vietnamese delicacies.
Prima Pizza Taqueria Mexican | A marriage of Mexican with Italian.
Sansom Kabob House | Mouthwatering Mediterranean.
Alla Sapina | Italian gastropub with multiple festive space offerings.
Tony Luke’s | PHILLY CHEESE STEAKS. Enough said for those who must take a bite out of a Philadelphia tradition.
Heritage | A modern rustic restaurant with a seasonal New American menu, complimented by live jazz and an urban garden.
Black Bird | Philly’s first vegan pizza.
Mercato | A BYOB establishment that infuses slow cooking traditions of Old World Italy with an experimental style and bold take on new Italian-American cuisine.
Loco Pez |A cash-only dive bar and taqueria serving LA-style street food.
DESSERT, sweet, sweet delights
Isgro Pastries | Pastries since 1904. All fresh and delicious, including pignoli cookies, biscotti, pistachio cookies, cannoli and a Sfogliatelle.
Bud and Marilyns | Updated American classics are served in kitschy environs with a retro rec-room vibe at the bar.
“Best funfetti cake you’ll ever have.”
- Caitlin Feroce
Capogiro |A gelato to remember.
DRINKS, to get your [other] buzz on
A.Bar | A perfect place to people-watch or enjoy a view of Rittenhouse Square with sophisticated food and drink.
Tria Café | Modern diversions prohibited here, no tv’s or karaoke: a true place to talk, sip, bite, repeat.
Garage | All about the cans (of beer!), with a pool table, skeeball, and pinball, for the wizard in you.
Frankford Hall |Big German-style beer garden with communal seating and food options to soak up the brews.
Hop Sing Laundromat | A cocktail bar befitting the founding of the nation.
Fergies Pub | A traditional Irish Pub serving traditional fare and local beer.
Good Dog Bar | Hip bar serving craft beer and signature burgers on 3 pooch-themed floors.
Triangle Tavern | South Philly bar food, a Philadelphia institution since 1933.
Royal Tavern | A creative American bar menu and diverse drink list is served up in a hip setting.
The Pope | Simple, savory pub fair in a cozy, comfortable atmosphere
PARTY SCENE, for those who partake in loud crowds and vigorous movement
North Bowl | A former mechanics garage transformed into a 21,000 square foot nightlife haven.
Milkboy | The brainchild of music industry’s Tommy Joyner and Jamie Lokoff of MilkBoy Recording Studio and food and beverage veteran Bill Hanson. Notable: picklebacks & live bands, sweaty dancing beware.
Trestle Inn | The go-to for over 100 years: traveling salesmen, circus performers, immigrants, factory and rail workers, cab drivers and down-towners have come to the southeast corner of 11th and Callowhill to cut loose. From the hustle bustle of the railroad age to the decay of the post-industrial era, patrons could be guaranteed a good drink and a good time under the cover of the Reading Railroad viaduct.
The Dolphin | What was once a legendary South Philly go-go bar, was revamped and reopened in 2013 as The Dolphin Tavern, a bar with rotating craft beers, perfectly mixed cocktails, and nightly DJ dance parties.
AWESOME SHOPS, cozy corners and cool collectibles
Jinxed | Hip, eclectic selection of vintage furnishings, plus collectibles, clothing, artwork, gifts and more.
Joseph Fox Bookshop | Cozy bookstore with a great architecture and design selection.
Molly’s Books and Records |A beloved brick-&-mortar, Mom-&-Pop used book & record shop in the heart of the nation’s oldest outdoor food market.
Helium Comedy Club | Famous TV comics draw laughs at this stand-up comedy club with a variety of American eats. Contemporary entertainment that brings stadium-sized talent to an intimate theater.
ART & MUSEUMS, renowned international wonders
Mutter’s Museum | America’s finest museum of medical history. Anatomically awesome.
Institute of Contemporary Art |University of Pennsylvania believes in the power of art and artists to inform and inspire. The ICA is free for all to engage and connect with the art of our time.
Philadelphia Museum of Art | A landmark building. A world-renowned collection. A place that welcomes everyone. Bringing the arts to life, inspiring visitors — through scholarly study and creative play — to discover the spirit of imagination that lies in everyone.
GETTING OUT AND AWAY, bonus icing on top!
“If you can make it away from the urban core and want to experience the beautiful scenery surrounding Philly, bring a picnic to Bartram’s Garden and rent a canoe, head out to Sedgley Woods Disc Golf course for 18 holes, go for a walk at Forbidden Drive, and find a swimming hole in the Wissahickon.”
We hope you have an amazing time in the city we call home. And of course, a huge thanks to all of our gracious staff that spent their time and efforts personally researching, experiencing, and collecting this list of Philly go-to spots!
