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Where to Get Amazing Food in Center City

Center City, the heart of Philadelphia, is the perfect place to explore, eat, drink, and shop. As part of Philly, it’s no surprise that Center City is home to many spectacular restaurants that you can’t miss. With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to pick one. The good news is, we’ve put together a list of the top places to eat in town, detailing their cuisine, atmosphere, and more, so you’ll know what you’re getting yourself into.

waiters serving delicious food to customers in center city

So what are you in the mood for? Whether it’s French food, Japanese, American, or even vegan, there’s the perfect spot for it in Center City. With restaurants ranging from casual and laid back to upscale and refined, there’s also a place for every occasion. Keep reading to learn more about each stop!


Vernick Food & Drink

2031 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (267) 639-6644
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Winning numerous awards, it’s no surprise that Vernick Food & Drink is a popular restaurant in town. Serving New American cuisines and cocktails, this is the perfect spot for a nice dinner out. This restaurant is fairly upscale, so it’s also great for special occasions.

Vernick has a variety of small plates and large plates to choose from, so if you want to share with friends or family, this is the perfect place to do so. We recommend the roasted pork blade steak, whole roasted eggplant, formage blanc toast, or roasted cauliflower caesar. Don’t forget to order a drink or some dessert as well!


Friday Saturday Sunday

261 S 21st St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (215) 546-4232
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If you’re looking for an exclusive dining experience in Center City, Philadelphia, check out Friday Saturday Sunday. With hundreds of positive reviews, it’s clear this spot is popular among locals. This restaurant doubles as a bar and is housed in a two-floor building.

Friday Saturday Sunday offers a tasting menu for $130 per person. The tasting menu is seasonal, so it changes fairly frequently, and features eight different courses. Be sure to make a reservation early as spots are limited!


Parc

227 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (215) 545-2262
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In the mood for some French food? We recommend Parc. This local restaurant serves French bistro cuisine in a quaint spot. With a classic bistro design, you’ll feel like you were transported right to France.

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Parc serves brunch, lunch, and dinner, so it’s perfect for any time of the day. Try out the lobster frites, spaghetti bolognese, or quiche lorraine. Make sure you sip on some wine, a cocktail, or a beer with your meal!


Royal Boucherie

52 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Phone: (267) 606-6313
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Another spot for when you’re feeling French is Royal Boucherie. This local restaurant serves French-inspired cuisine in a bistro-like setting. With two floors and a hidden garden, there’s plenty to explore at this spot.

Royal Boucherie servers a dinner menu with small plates, large plates, charcuterie boards, and raw bar selections. We recommend the champagne braised escargot, steak frites, or chicken cassolet. Be sure to check out their bar menu if you’re in the mood for a drink with your meal!


Kanella Grill

1001 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: (267) 928-2085
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Craving some authentic Mediterranean food? Swing by Kanella Grilll. This local Greek restaurant is the perfect place to get your fix. It’s also a BYOB, so if you’re hoping to drink, make sure you bring a bottle of wine or your favorite drink with you.

Kanella Grill offers a wide selection of Greek classics, including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. Be sure to try the falafel, spanakopita, or the grilled lamb kebab. Don’t forget the baklava or galaktoboureko!


Abe Fisher

1623 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (215) 867-0088
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If you’re looking to try some new flavors, we recommend Abe Fisher. This local restaurant serves traditional Jewish cuisine to the community. With hundreds of satisfactory reviews, it’s no wonder this is a popular spot.

Abe Fisher serves a menu full of delicious dishes and an extensive drink menu. Try out the kasha varnishkes, latke fries, or Montreal smoked short ribs. Make sure you grab some tasty dessert or a cocktail to complete your meal!


Double Knot

120 S 13th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: (215) 631-3868
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Looking for a great Japanese restaurant near you? Try out Double Knot. This local restaurant serves sushi, robatayaki, and more. With nearly 1,500 reviews, it seems this is a busy spot – and for good reason.

Double Knot serves a wide selection of dishes on their extensive menu. We recommend the ume hirame roll, seafood robatayaki, or shrimp tacos. Be sure to check out the tasting menu featuring a selection from each section on the menu for only $65 per person!

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Barbuzzo

110 S 13th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: (215) 546-9300
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An additional delicious Mediterranean spot in the area is Barbuzzo. This local restaurant has over 1,400 reviews, so you can bet it’s delicious. With a farm-to-table philosophy, this is also some of the freshest food around town.

Barbuzzo serves a menu with plenty of tasty plates including many vegetarian options. Be sure to try the salsiccia pizza, gnocchi, grilled Spanish octopus, or grilled hanger steak. Don’t forget to grab a cocktail or some wine as well!


The Capital Grille

1338-46 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: (215) 545-9588
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If you’re looking for the perfect spot for a special occasion, head over to The Capital Grille. This fine-dining restaurant is an upscale and sophisticated spot serving American cuisine and steaks. Reviewers say the food is amazing and service is attentive at this restaurant.

The Capital Grille serves a decadent menu with plenty of delicious dishes. Try out the lobster mac and cheese, double cut lamb rib chops, or pan-seared sea bass with miso butter. Make sure to order some cheesecake or creme brulee for dessert!


Vedge

1221 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: (215) 320-7500
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In search of a restaurant with vegan and vegetarian options? Check out Vedge. This family-owned restaurant serves inventive cuisine focused on vegetables. With a 4.8 star rating, you can’t beat the food at this spot.

Vedge serves a seasonal menu, so there’s always something new to try here. We recommend the spicy dan dan noodles, eggplant braciole, rutabaga fondue, or grilled king oyster mushrooms. Be sure to also check out the many desserts, cocktails, and wines!


After reading our list, you’re probably getting pretty hungry. If one thing is for sure, it’s that this Philly neighborhood is the hotspot for delicious food in town. With so many different cuisines and atmospheres, you’ll always have somewhere to try next.

Which restaurant will you try next? Let us know! Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you mention it below and we’ll check it out!

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Written by Brian Nagele

Brian attended West Virginia University, then started his career in the IT industry before following his passion for marketing and hospitality. He has over 20 years experience in the restaurant and bar industry.

As a former restaurant owner, he knows about running a food business and loves to eat and enjoy cocktails on a regular basis. He constantly travels to new cities tasting and reviewing the most popular spots.

Follow him on LinkedIn, Instagram, Quora, Google Guide and Facebook.