Brian Nagele
East Passyunk is one of the best food neighborhoods in Philadelphia. While I may be biased as an East Passyunk Square resident, the restaurants in this area speak for themselves.
On Passyunk Avenue alone, you can find foods of various cultures, with different dining atmospheres and different price points, so there’s something for everyone in this neighborhood of South Philly.
If you live in South Philadelphia or you’re visiting Philly, take a stroll down East Passyunk Ave to find some of the best restaurants in the city! For some inspiration, check out our list of the best restaurants on East Passyunk in Philadelphia.
Bing Bing Dim Sum
1648 E Passyunk Avenue
215-279-7702
Bing Bing Dim Sum is one of the most popular spots on Passyunk. Their regular menu consists of items like assorted and uniquely flavored dumplings, BBQ pork spare ribs, and my favorite, their cheesesteak bao.
Bing Bing is known for serving up classic dim sum favorites with a twist. They also offer fun cocktails and affordable happy hour specials on small plates and more.
South Philly Barbacoa
1140 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 694-3797
South Philly Barbacoa is well known due to the work of famous chef, Christina Martinez. Martinez has been featured on Chef’s Table and South Philly Barbacoa made it on Bon Appetit’s Best New Restaurants list, coming in at #6 of the best new restaurants in the United States in 2016.
Located in the Italian Market section of East Passyunk, South Philly Barbacoa often sees long lines for the famous slow-roasted barbacoa tacos, consomme, and more. For authentic Mexican cuisine, this restaurant is a must.
Laurel
1617 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 271-8299
Laurel serves French-inspired cuisine from Top Chef winner Nick Elmi. This small restaurant offers six or nine course tasting menus, where you can enjoy Elmi’s latest inventive dishes.
Chef Elmi shows off his skills at Laurel, where the dishes often include premium ingredients, prepared with impressive techniques. The plating is also an art form in itself, with many Instagram-worthy dishes to admire.
Bonus: Right next door, Elmi also owns In The Valley, where you can find unique cocktails and appetizers. ITV has also hosted a pop-up donut shop during the pandemic, Curiosity Donuts, with lines going all the way down Passyunk.
Le Virtu
1927 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 271-5626
Le Virtu is a cozy trattoria, inspired by “the tables of family, friends, farms, and eateries all over Abruzzo”. Their menu changes seasonally, featuring local ingredients from farms in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Le Virtu’s menu features rustic Italian cuisine, including homemade pasta, assorted antipasti, and classics like branzino. They have a lovely outdoor garden area, so consider sitting outside if the weather permits!
Cantina Los Caballitos
1651 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 755-3550
Cantina Los Caballitos has a huge outdoor patio that’s perfect for sipping margaritas. Located right on East Passyunk avenue, Cantina Los Caballitos serves Mexican cuisine, specialty margaritas, sangria, and more.
Their menu features vegan and vegetarian options, as well as favorites like empanadas, fajitas, elote, and more. They’re also open for brunch on Saturdays and Sunday!
Fond
1537 S 11th St, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 551-5000
Fond is located right across from the fountain on Passyunk Square, so you can sit outdoors and enjoy some of the most beautiful parts of Passyunk Avenue at this restaurant. Serving up New American cuisine, Fond’s modern menu features sophisticated dishes that change seasonally.
Fond offers five or seven course tasting menus, but you can also go to sip wine and enjoy small plates.
LaScala’s Birra
1700 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA
(267) 324-3127
If you’re looking for a slice of pizza and a craft beer, LaScala’s Birra is the place for you!
This pizza shop serves creative, artisan pizzas with fun flavors like their mac n cheese pizza or the “three little pigs” topped with homemade roasted porchetta, spicy capicola, imported cured pancetta, and chilis. They also offer calzones, strombolis, paninis, and plenty of appetizer options.
LaScala Birra also has a wide variety of beers, cocktails, and wines. Their beers from around the world change regularly, so go in and check out the board to see what’s on tap.
Perla
1535 S 11th St, Philadelphia, PA
(267) 273-0008
One of the best places to enjoy Filipino food in Philadelphia, Perla is a great addition to the restaurants in East Passyunk. This BYOB uses local, seasonal ingredients to create their menu, offering large meals for 2 as well as a la carte dishes such as Sisig friend rice or crispy pata.
On Wednesdays and Sundays, Perla offers a communal, family style meal for guests. While they are not serving guests in person during the pandemic, they are offering takeout for customers to enjoy at home!
June BYOB
1911 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA
June BYOB, also located right on East Passyunk Ave, serves high end French cuisine in a BYO setting. This restaurant is known for traditional French dishes with a modern twist.
Owned and operated by husband and wife Richard and Christina Cusack, the team brings their skills together for an upscale dining experience. Richard has a strong background in French cuisine, training in French restaurants such as Bibou, Le Bec Fin, and Parc Rittenhouse. Christina is a level 3 sommelier, contributing her wine expertise.
Marra’s Cucina Italiana
1734 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 463-9249
Marra’s Cucina Italiana is an East Passyunk and Philadelphia staple that has been open for over 90 years. This old-school Italian restaurant looks and tastes the part, with delicious, traditional Italian meals and a charming dining atmosphere.
Marra’s extensive menu has something for everyone, from pasta dishes to seafood to thin crust pizzas. The East Passyunk restaurant has stayed in the Marra family ever since they got started in 1920, with original owner Salvatore’s grandchildren at the helm today.
Pub on Passyunk East (POPE)
1501 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 755-5125
The Pub on Passyunk East, fondly referred to as the POPE, is a classic, dimly-lit tavern where you can grab a craft beer or a city wide special. The POPE isn’t just for drinks, however, and their tavern food menu has a lot to offer.
The Pub on Passyunk East offers classic bar food like burgers (try their signature POPE burger), but they also have vegan and vegetarian options, like their seitan cheesesteak.
Barcelona Wine Bar
1709 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 515-7900
Barcelona Wine Bar is the place to go for tapas! Serving Spanish style tapas and a wide selection of wines, this restaurant is a popular stop on Passyunk. Small plates make this restaurant a great place to spend happy hour, or you can fill up on a few extra plates for a full meal.
Barcelona Wine Bar has a great outdoor patio and a trendy indoor seating area as well. Their extensive wine list includes lots of Spanish wines as well as others from around the world.
Mike’s BBQ
1703 S 11th St, Philadelphia, PA
(267) 831-2040
Mike’s BBQ is stationed just off of Passyunk, and it’s one of the best places to grab barbecue in South Philadelphia. Mike’s serves a regular menu of ribs, pulled pork, and brisket, and they also have daily specials that keep guests coming back for more.
For something fun, try Mike’s “Gritty” sandwich – a smoked brisket cheesesteak with cooper sharp whiz, fried onions, lettuce, tomato, potato sticks, and their signature Gritty sauce.
With so many restaurants to choose from in Philadelphia’s East Passyunk neighborhood, you’re sure to find some great food. Check out some of the best restaurants on East Passyunk Avenue the next time you visit South Philadelphia!
Tell us about your favorite Passyunk restaurants in the comments!
Why Trust Us?
When it comes to local restaurant recommendations, we pride ourselves on being a reliable and trustworthy resource. Our suggestions are not just based on our personal experiences, ensuring a more authentic and well-rounded perspective, but also on extensive online research. We diligently searched the internet and reviewed 5 credible sites and blogs, including Visitphilly.com and Phillymag.com.
We compiled all the findings in one location and sorted them by the frequency of mentions to ensure you receive top-notch recommendations. We strive to present you with a curated list of establishments that truly stand out, allowing you to enjoy the best dining experiences possible.
Interested in the sources we consulted? Check out the list of all 5 sites we referenced below this paragraph, offering transparency and an opportunity for our readers to explore further. Our commitment is to deliver trustworthy and unparalleled recommendations, helping you make informed decisions on your culinary journeys.
https://www.visitphilly.com/articles/philadelphia/best-restaurants-philadelphia-east-passyunk/
https://www.phillymag.com/foobooz/where-to-eat-in-east-passyunk/
https://philly.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-east-passyunk-avenue-philadelphia
https://www.theinfatuation.com/philadelphia/guides/east-passyunk-restaurants
https://www.opentable.com/features/best-authentic-restaurants-east-passyunk-avenue-pa
