Kyle Green
South Philadelphia is a diverse and bustling neighborhood that has something for everyone. Though there are plenty of things to do and see in this city, our favorite way to pass some time is to eat at all of the amazing restaurants. If there’s one thing this place has got down, it’s preparing and serving delicious food. With so many restaurants to pick from, you may find yourself lost in the overwhelming amount of options. Luckily, we’ve put together a list of the ten spots you should visit first.
Whether you want to stick to what you know with some comforting pizza or try something new like Dutch food, South Philly has food from every region you can imagine. Keep reading to learn a little bit about these popular restaurants and what we recommend you try!
Alma Del Mar
1007 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Phone: (215) 644-8158
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With a perfect 5 star rating on Google, it’s no surprise this spot is number one on our list of best restaurants. Alma Del Mar is a local restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner that you can’t miss.
Alma Del Mar serves three different menus all full of delicious options including some vegetarian dishes. We recommend the cappuccino french toast or eggplant parmesan benedict for breakfast, shrimp club or Italian pork sandwich for lunch, or the surf and turf or chicken breast gorgonzola for dinner. This spot is also BYOB, so bring your favorite drink along with you!
Stina Pizzeria
1705 Snyder Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19145
Phone: (215) 337-3455
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Looking for some delicious pizza in South Philly? Check out Stina Pizzeria. This fairly new addition to the restaurant scene has done quite well with satisfying the pizza cravings of locals. With a 4.9 star review, you can’t beat this spot.
Stina’s menu is full of tasty dishes in addition to pizza including pasta, sandwiches, and more. Be sure to try the eggplant or short rib pizza, manti, or falafel sandwich. Don’t forget some baklava or chocolate layer cake for dessert!
Fond
1537 S 11th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Phone: (215) 551-5000
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If you’re looking for a refined, classy night out, head over to Fond. This modern American restaurant is the perfect spot for a special occasion or date night. Fond is family-owned and has limited seating, so it’s a great place if you want to get away from the crowds.
With a seasonal menu, you’ll never get bored of visiting this restaurant. Try out the arctic char, pork belly croquette, or chicken breast. Make sure you grab a drink from the bar as well, they offer house cocktails, beer, and wine!
Scannicchio’s
2500 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19145
Phone: (215) 468-3900
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A popular spot for some amazing Italian food in town is Scannicchio’s. This BYOB has been in service for 17 years and has won multiple awards. As a spot with very limited seating, it is recommended to make a reservation.
Scannicchio’s serves a menu with plenty amazing entrees to choose from. We recommend the lobster ravioli, chicken bianca, or wild salmon piccata. Be sure to bring a bottle if you’re hoping to drink with your meal!
Burrata
1247 S 13th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Phone: (215) 465-2200
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Another great spot for when you’re craving Italian food is Burrata. This locally-owned restaurant is also BYOB and offers delicious dishes like homemade pasta. With plenty of glowing reviews from locals, this is a spot you won’t want to miss.
Burrata offers a short but amazing menu comprised mainly of pasta and a few other entrees. Be sure to try the gnocchi, ravioli, salmon, or chicken milanese. If you pay in cash, you’ll even get a 10% discount on your meal!
South Philly Barbacoa
1140 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Phone: (215) 694-3797
If you’re craving Mexican food instead, try out South Philly Barbacoa. This local restaurant is the perfect spot for amazing tacos and other Mexican dishes. With over 1,500 positive reviews, it’s no wonder this place is so popular.
With a menu full of authentic cuisine and homemade tortillas, you really can’t go wrong at South Philly Barbacoa. Try out the lamb tacos, barbacoa tacos, quesadilla, or sweet tamales. For only $4 a taco, you can’t beat this restaurant!
South Philadelphia Tap Room
1509 Mifflin St, Philadelphia, PA 19145
Phone: (215) 271-7787
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If you like great food and great beer, make sure you swing by South Philadelphia Tap Room. This local taproom is super popular among locals, and for good reason. With hundreds of reviews applauding the beer selection and unique food, you’ll want to add this spot to the top of your list.
South Philadelphia Tap Room serves a menu with plenty of tasty options including vegan and vegetarian plates. We recommend the mushroom cheesesteak, SPTR four-cheese grilled cheese, or lamb barbacoa tacos. Be sure to sip on a cocktail or beer from their extensive list while you’re there!
Perla
1535 S 11th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Phone: (267) 273-0008
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Hoping to try something new for a change? Check out Perla. This local restaurant has been open for about four years and serves authentic Filipino cuisine. Perla is also a BYOB restaurant, so be sure to plan ahead if you’d like to drink with your meal.
Perla’s menu is filled with delicious dishes, so whatever you’re in the mood for you’ll find something great. Be sure to try the BBQ stick, pinakbet, or pancit bihon. Don’t forget to finish up with some dessert like the ube cheesecake or halo halo!
Le Virtu
1927 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Phone: (215) 271-5626
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Le Virtu is an Italian restaurant that focuses on cuisine specifically from the Abruzzo region. This local restaurant uses local and Italy-sourced ingredients and changes its menu seasonally. In other words, you can count on this food being fresh and delicious.
Le Virtu serves brunch and dinner, so you’ll want to stop by at least twice so you can try everything they have to offer. Try out the risotto, porchetta, branzino, or taccozzelle for dinner. For brunch, we recommend the shakshouka, Nutella french toast, or breakfast carbonara. Make sure you grab some dessert before you leave!
Noord
1046 Tasker St, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Phone: (267) 909-9704
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Completing our list of amazing restaurants is Noord. This local restaurant serves Dutch cuisine, so if you’re feeling adventurous, it’s the perfect spot. Noord is also BYOB, so you’ll save a little money on alcohol, if you choose to drink.
With a menu full of new and interesting dishes, you may have a hard time making up your mind. Be sure to try the baked acorn squash, konijn in het zuur, or gehaktballen. Don’t forget to try some dessert like the lingonberry apple bread pudding!
After reading about so many delicious foods, you’re probably getting pretty hungry. With so many highly-rated restaurants, it’s clear that South Philly is the perfect place for any food lover. This town sure has a lot of options to choose from and none of them will let you down.
Which will you try first? Let us know! Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment and we’ll check it out!
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 6 credible sites and blogs, including Phillymag.com and Opentable.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 6 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.phillymag.com/foobooz/south-philly-restaurants/
https://www.theinfatuation.com/philadelphia/guides/the-best-restaurants-in-south-philly
https://www.opentable.com/features/best-authentic-restaurants-south-philly-pa
https://www.tripsavvy.com/best-restaurants-in-south-philadelphia-4802307
https://philly.eater.com/2022/10/11/23311378/restaurants-bars-cafes-south-philly-ask-a-local
https://phillyslipandfallguys.com/the-best-restaurants-in-south-philly/
Noir. Great Italian food deliciously prepared but won’t break the bank. Staff is amazing. Has a great bar, too. My favorite restaurant for entertaining my friends and family that do not live in South Philly. Always impresses. On Passyunk Avenue, the Avenue for Foodies.