Since its founding in 1682, Philadelphia has played an important role in U.S. history, attracting droves of tourists to its countless historical landmarks, museums, and cultural events.
History buffs can visit the Liberty Bell at Independence Hall to witness the sight of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
Families can transport in time to colonial America with a visit to Elfreth’s Alley Museum, strolling through its cobblestone streets lined with old brick statehouses.
Philadelphia is also famous for its unique food scene, with plenty of Philly Food tours to iconic neighborhood eateries and markets.
Any Philly Food tour will take you to the historic Reading Terminal Market, one of America’s oldest and largest farmers markets located inside a Historical Landmark Building opened in 1893.
You can spend the day perusing colorful fruit and vegetable stands, fresh meat and seafood counters, and quaint kitchenware shops for hours.
Not only can you find the freshest ingredients for your next homecooked meal, but Reading Terminal Market also contains incredible eateries, cafes, ice cream shops, and delis.
Best Restaurants in Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia
We have compiled a list of the best restaurants in Reading Terminal Market to help you find incredible selections of locally sourced, fresh meals that run the gamut of cuisines.
Famous 4th Street Cookie Company
Terminal Market, 1136 Arch Street, Reading, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 215-629-5990
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The Famous 4th Street Cookie Company is widely recognized for its delicious and freshly baked cookies.
They offer a variety of cookie flavors, including chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, peanut butter (my favorite!), and more.
The cookies are known for their large size and soft, chewy texture, making them a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
It has gained popularity and a loyal customer base due to its commitment to using high-quality ingredients and maintaining consistent baking standards.
Tommy DiNic’s
51 N 12th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 215-923-6175
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Owned by Philly native Tommy Nicolosi and his son Joey, Tommy DiNic’s is a historic Italian pork and beef sandwich shop that opened in Reading Terminal Market in the 1970s.
Tommy uses his grandfather’s recipe from his early 20th century South Philly butcher shop to create the most succulent meat-filled sandwiches that have been featured on the Travel Channel’s Man v. Food and voted the best sandwich in America.
The menu is simple at Tommy DiNic’s, with offerings of hot roast beef, Italian pork, and meatball sandwiches topped with wilted greens in a giant fresh hoagie roll.
Their roasted pork sandwich is the big seller and winner of the best sandwich in America award.
Termini Bros Bakery
Terminal Market, 1136 Arch Street, Reading, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 215-334-1816
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Termini Bros Bakery is located in the Terminal Market at 1136 Arch Street. It is a well-known bakery that has been serving customers since 1921.
The bakery specializes in Italian pastries and desserts, offering a wide variety of sweet treats such as cannoli, biscotti, cakes, and cookies.
The bakery takes pride in using high-quality ingredients and traditional recipes passed down through generations to ensure the authenticity and deliciousness of its products.
I really think it is a must-visit location for anyone with a sweet tooth or a love for authentic Italian treats in the Philadelphia area.
Beiler’s Donuts
51 N 12th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 267-318-7480
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Opened in the Reading Terminal Market in 1985 by Patriarch Alvin Beiler, Beiler’s Donuts is one of the first Amish sellers to open up shop in Reading Terminal Market.
Their age-old family recipes for fresh donuts, made from scratch daily, have earned critical acclaim from Philadelphia and Pennsylvania natives, leading to the expansion of Beiler’s to include three more donut shops in Philly and Lancaster.
Whether you like cream-filled, cake, or glazed, you can find countless varieties of delectable donuts. I loved the Coconut Custard donut filled with Bavarian Crème and topped with white icing then dipped in shredded coconut.
Miller’s Twist
51 N 12th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 215-923-1723
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Owned by Lancaster resident Roger Miller, Miller’s Twist puts an Amish twist on the classic Philly soft pretzel, paying homage to Miller’s hometown traditions.
Miller had been working in Reading Public Market for a decade before purchasing the pretzel shop, changing its name, and revamping the menu with every variety of pretzel, both sweet and savory, along with a robust menu of ice cream and milkshakes.
The pretzels at Miller’s Twist are artisanal with a buttery flavor, coming in classic pretzel shapes with your choice of toppings from regular salt to sour cream and onion seasoning to sugar and cinnamon-dusted.
I loved their Philly Cheesesteak pretzel roll-ups that I enjoyed with a thick chocolate peanut butter ripple milkshake.
Hershel’s East Side Deli
Terminal Market, 1136 Arch Street, Reading, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 215-922-6220
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Herschel’s East Side Deli is another popular place to eat in Terminal Market. At Herschel’s East Side Deli, you can expect to find a menu featuring classic deli favorites such as pastrami, corned beef, matzo ball soup, knishes, and bagels with lox.
I highly recommend the matzo ball soup and pastrami!
Luhv Vegan Deli
Terminal Market, 1136 Arch Street, Reading, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 267-758-5779
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Luhv Vegan Deli is a vegan eatery in Terminal Market that only offers plant-based and vegan dishes. It’s the first fully vegan restaurant in the Market!
Their menu includes a range of sandwiches, wraps, salads, and sides, all made with plant-based ingredients.
If you’ve never tried vegan deli meat or cheese before, this is your chance! It might just surprise you with how tasty and realistic it is.
Bassetts Ice Cream
45 N 12th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 215-925-4315
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Founded by Louis Dubois Bassett in 1861, Bassetts Ice Cream is one of Reading Terminal Market’s few original retail stores and remains an iconic vendor.
Five generations later, Bassetts Ice Cream is still family-owned and operated with its original storefront location as a famed landmark that even served President Obama.
Now, Bassetts Ice Cream is a household name, not just around the U.S., but in China, South Korea, and Taiwan, as well.
Even if you don’t make it to Reading Terminal Market for a scoop, you can order Bassetts Ice Cream by the pint with dozens of flavors available. I had a waffle cone with a scoop of salted caramel pretzel and peanut butter swirl.
Little Thai Market
51 N 12th St #39, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 215-873-0231
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Little Thai Market is an authentic Thai street-food counter and Asian grocer inside Reading Terminal Market, utilizing the fresh produce, meat, and seafood from local purveyors to elaborate a flavorful menu of curries, noodles, soups, and dumplings.
They make their own curry blends from scratch, which they sell in their grocery section.
The authentic street food menu is very affordable, with heaping portions of made-to-order dishes.
Their signature dish is the salmon curry, a grilled salmon filet in a Thai red curry cream sauce over rice. I also recommend the steamed crab dumplings with garlic soy sauce as an appetizer.
Dutch Eating Place
51 N 12th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 215-922-0425
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Another Amish-owned and run eatery, Dutch Eating Place is a Reading Terminal Market favorite for authentic Pennsylvania Dutch and Amish baking, hearty country breakfasts, and incredible burgers.
Amish female chefs from Lancaster County head the kitchen, offering fresh-squeezed juices, and the best griddlecake and baked offerings you’ll sample in the entire market in a bustling diner atmosphere.
Their blueberry stuffed pancakes are incredible with a side of thick-cut butter-fried bacon. The lunch menu has daily specials that include classic American and Dutch favorites like chicken and waffles or pork and sauerkraut with fresh-cut fries or homemade mashed potatoes.
Sweet T’s Bakery & Snack Shop
Terminal Market, 1136 Arch Street, Reading, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 267-319-1819
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Sweet T’s Bakery & Snack Shop is a delightful bakery and snack shop located in Terminal Market. At Sweet T’s Bakery & Snack Shop, you’ll find an array of freshly baked goods and delicious treats.
The bakery offers a variety of pastries, cakes, cookies, muffins, and more. Whether you’re in the mood for a flaky croissant, a decadent slice of cake, or a scrumptious cookie, Sweet T’s has something to satisfy everyone’s cravings.
In addition to their baked goods, Sweet T’s offers a selection of savory snacks. You can indulge in sandwiches and wraps or grab a quick snack like chips or pretzels.
This is a great place to stop and get dessert after eating at one of the other restaurants in the Market.
Fox and Sons
Terminal Market, 1136 Arch Street, Reading, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 215-608-6796
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If you’ve never been to Fox and Sons before, you’re in for an experience. They are well-loved for their fantastic fair style food.
They’re best known for their indulgent corndogs with a range of toppings you’ve probably never had before.
They also serve other fair favorites like funnel cakes and poutine. If you really want to do something special, you can even order a bouquet of corn dogs as a surprise for a loved one.
Kamals Middle Eastern Cuisine
51 N 12th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 215-925-1511
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Kamals Middle Eastern Cuisine is a friendly, family-owned Middle Eastern kitchen and juice bar that opened in the Reading Terminal Market in 1981.
Owner Kamal Albarouki, his wife Esra, and their three adult children run this beloved eatery, providing a wide array of Middle Eastern favorites from their home country of Syria and beyond.
They have been making juices and smoothies since they opened, offering water-based fruit and vegetable smoothie combos to accompany an authentic Middle Eastern meal.
I had the carrot, peach, and mango smoothie along with a platter of fava and chickpea falafel, tabouleh, hummus, tahini, salad, and fresh pita bread.
Dienner’s BBQ Chicken
Terminal Market, 1136 Arch Street, Reading, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 215-925-8755
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Located in Terminal Market since 1980, Dienner’s is well-known for its fantastic BBQ chicken. They specialize in slow-roasting chicken over an open flame, producing tender and flavorful meat.
The restaurant offers a variety of chicken options, including whole chicken, chicken pieces, and combination platters. Customers can choose from various seasonings and sauces to complement their meals.
The ambiance at Dienner’s BBQ Chicken is casual and family-friendly, providing a comfortable setting for enjoying a delicious meal.
Alongside its signature BBQ chicken, the restaurant also offers a selection of sides and desserts to complete the dining experience.
Flying Monkey Bakery
1146 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 215-928-0340
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Established in 2010 by baker and owner Elizabeth Halen, Flying Monkey Bakery is a friendly, small-batch artisanal bakery, making all pastries, cookies, cakes, bars, pies, and brownies from scratch daily.
They’re especially popular for catering parties with incredible cupcake towers and specialty cakes. Their whoopie pie was voted best whoopie pie in Philadelphia by Philadelphia Magazine.
The extensive menu of sweets has all your classic favorites plus multiple varieties of every dessert category under the sun.
They even offer vegan and flourless options. I had to try their world-famous whoopie pies, which come in around 40 varieties.
Carmen’s Famous Italian Hoagies
Terminal Market, 1136 Arch Street, Reading, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 215-592-7799
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Carmen’s Famous Italian Hoagies is yet another amazing restaurant in Terminal Market. They are known for their delicious Italian hoagies, which are made using traditional recipes and high-quality ingredients.
The hoagies are crafted with a variety of Italian meats, such as salami, ham, and capicola, along with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and oil and vinegar dressing.
The establishment is known for its generous portions and authentic flavors, attracting locals and tourists alike.
The bustling atmosphere of Terminal Market adds to the overall dining experience, providing a vibrant backdrop while enjoying a bit or two to eat.
Reading Terminal Market is a world of food all its own, with every food group represented in the most colorful and immaculate displays, not to mention dozens of restaurants spanning the culinary globe.
The above list is an eclectic sampling of the best restaurants in Reading Terminal Market for iconic Philadelphia treats, meals, and beverages.
If you want to venture out of the market for a more formal dining scene, check out my other lists of dining options around the city of brotherly love.
Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment and we’ll check it out!