Fun spots to eat in Philadelphia

June 7, 2024 3:59 PM

I'll be in Philadelphia for a couple days at the end of July. I haven't been there in a while. What are good, current spots for food located in walkable distance around Center City and South Philadelphia? Reservation-grade joints that would be okay with a one-person seating would be ideal. I like fish. I like vegan (if interesting and delicious). Mexican, Japanese, Italian, American, etc. I'll eat most anything except for lamb and heavily-fried dishes. Thanks for any recos!
posted by They sucked his brains out! to Food & Drink (13 answers total)

Vedge in the Gayborhood is one of the best restaurants in the country. Now would be the time to try and get a reservation.
posted by rhymedirective at 4:27 PM on June 7 [3 favorites]

I don't live in Philly, but was there for a few days last weekend. Loved the made-to-order AYCE sushi at Samurai Fusion in Center City. Everything tasted very fresh.
posted by cozenedindigo at 6:15 PM on June 7

Especially if you can get there to be in line before they open, you could try to get a bar seat at Zahav without a reservation.
posted by knile at 6:28 PM on June 7 [3 favorites]

Best answer: https://readingterminalmarket.org/
posted by HearHere at 7:29 PM on June 7 [3 favorites]

We went to Butcher Bar during a visit there a few years back and highly enjoyed it!
posted by Teadog at 7:43 PM on June 7

Just a few ideas that feel fairly current to me:

Kiddo
Enswell
Vernick Fish
Royal Sushi & Izakaya
El Chingón
My Loup
Vita
Casa Mexico

For ice cream, 1-900-ICE-CREAM
posted by somedaycatlady at 9:24 PM on June 7 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Her Place (tough reservation here) and My Loup both serve interesting food in Center City and would be perfect places for dining alone.
posted by caddis at 11:33 PM on June 7

I recognize that you said you haven't been there in a while, so that means you've probably had cheesesteaks and may even have taken a side in the Pat's/Geno's wars. Food in PHL -> Jim's on South Street. It's still pretty popular, but South St is worth it. And there's indoor seating, upstairs if you want it; people watching.

Monk's Cafe, if you're a beer person at all.
posted by adekllny at 7:38 AM on June 8 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Most of the less casual sit-down places do not appear to have tables for one, but the recommendations might still be helpful to others visiting the city.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 11:14 AM on June 8

nthing Zahav.
posted by lalochezia at 7:53 PM on June 8

Most of the less casual sit-down places do not appear to have tables for one, but the recommendations might still be helpful to others visiting the city.

I guess I am not surprised that the more hip and newly popular restaurants don't want solo diners. They want more $ per table. I have run into that some places when traveling for business. Philadelphia Magazine has great restaurant reviews. A lot of these may also be so popular that they discourage solos. Here are a couple of less "hot" restaurants that I love and that I am pretty sure can accommodate solo diners:

Parc - French bistro, huge, been there forever, right on Rittenhouse Square
Caribou - French bistro recommended to me by a guy who recently moved to Philly from France. It is pretty quiet, probably no reservation needed during the week. I like the food here.
Gran Caffe L'Aquila - Italian. There is gelato downstairs and small shop, but upstairs they have sit down dining. The menu changes as they highlight cuisine from different cities in Italy.
posted by caddis at 5:24 AM on June 10

Response by poster: Her Place appears to allow solos. I'll give that a try although it looks like that is going to be a very tough reservation to make.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 1:00 PM on June 10

Monk's Cafe is a belgian beer bar that serves spectacular mussels. I like mussels a lot, and these are some of the best I've had. I ate solo at the back bar and had a great time.
posted by soy_renfield at 5:52 PM on June 12