Restaurants
Philadelphia provides many dining options. You can either grab a quick meal on the run or experience a more leisurely lunch or dinner. Below you'll find cheap eats around the Convention Center and highlighted restaurants suggested by our Local Arrangements Subcommittee.
Philadelphia Dine Around
Visiting Philadelphia and don’t know what’s “good” to eat? Love discovering local restaurants, but don’t have anyone to eat with? Let one of the Free Library of Philadelphia librarians be your host!
For the evenings of Wednesday, March 14, and Thursday, March 15, a group of Free Library of Philadelphia librarians have volunteered to “host” dinners at local Philadelphia restaurants for visiting PLA Conference attendees. You will meet your dinner host at the Local Arrangements Desk in the Convention Center at 6:30 PM before they escort you to your dining destination (each diner is responsible for their own bill).
Choose from one of the following:
Vietnam Restaurant – Authentic Vietnamese food served in a casual but elegant environment
New Harmony Vegetarian – Offers an extensive menu of vegan, vegetarian, and kosher food
La Scala’s – Relaxing atmosphere offering old world Italian
Chifa – Chef Jose Garces’ presentation of the unique Peruvian-Asian hybrid cuisine
Barbuzzo – Cozy boutique restaurant specializing in small plate Mediterranean
Space is limited, please send an RSVP to Tara Murphy (murphyt@freelibrary.org) or sign up at the Local Arrangements Desk at the Convention Center.
Cheap Eats Around the Convention Center
Since you’ll be at the Convention Center for a lot of your time, be sure to check out two great (and cheap!) dining destinations within walking distance of the Center—Chinatown and Reading Terminal Market.
Philadelphia’s Chinatown sits just east of the Convention Center on Arch Street and provides an overwhelming number of options for inexpensive, delicious East Asian food. The area is dense and busy, and restaurants are everywhere. Portions tend to be substantial, so splitting a meal is certainly an option. If you are looking for vegetarian options, there are a number of meat-free restaurants, and most Vietnamese places have delicious meat-free options.
In addition to Chinatown, Reading Terminal Market at 12th and Arch Streets is a perfect place to find inexpensive nibbles and goods. There is no limit to the kinds of food you can find there—local produce, ice cream, Indian, Mediterranean, Pennsylvania Dutch, hoagies, and more.
Highlighted Restaurants
Visit this custom map to see the locations of the restaurants listed here!
(V) = vegetarian friendly
$15 and Under
Basic Four Vegetarian Café (V)
www.readingterminalmarket.org
1136 Arch Street, 215-440-0991
This is one of the few vegetarian food places inside the Reading Terminal Market. If you still want to sample a Philly tradition, then this is the place for you. They have a tofu cheesesteak. There is also a wide selection of other familiar foods made with tofu or seitan rather than meat.
Famous 4th Street Deli
www.famous4thstreetdelicatessen.com
700 S. 4th Street, 215-922-3274; and 38 S. 19th Street, 215-568-3271
Oversized, house-made Jewish breakfast and lunch-centered deli food (with Kosher options), including home-made corned beef hash and giant potato knishes.
Gianfranco Pizza Rustica (V)
www.gianfrancopa.com
6 North 3rd Street, 215-592-0048
This is one of the best pizza places in the city. Gianfranco serves excellent pizza, hot and cold sandwiches, salads, and other standard pizza parlor fare. There isn’t much of a dining room, just a few tables and chairs. But if you are grabbing slices there is a lovely park with comfortable benches just around the corner on 2nd street. Added bonus: from the park you can see one Philly’s favorite second hand books stores, “The Book Trader”.
Mama’s Vegetarian (V)
18 S. 20th Street, 215-751-0477
This friendly neighborhood Kosher Israeli sandwich shop has a cozy “hole in the wall” feeling and serves up falafel and eggplant pita pockets, latkes, borekas, and classic middle eastern desserts. All can be topped off with the all-you can eat bar of salatim, pickled vegetables and relishes that are a great accompaniment to your meal.
Max Brenner
www.maxbrenner.com
1500 Walnut Street, 215-344-8150
Full bar. The focus here is on chocolate, which even pops up in the dipping sauce for the onion rings. Particularly good for choco-heavy desserts, fondue and warm drinks.
National Mechanics
www.nationalmechanics.com
22 S. 3rd Street, 215-701-4883
Full bar. Serves an excellent selection of affordable microbrews in Philly-centric pint glasses. The food is upgraded American pub fare, with renowned burgers and lots of vegetarian options.
New Harmony Vegetarian Restaurant (V)
135 North 9th Street, 215-627-4520
Offers an extensive menu of vegan, vegetarian, and kosher food. If you go, try the vegetarian Mongolian pork.
Penang
117 N. 10th Street, 215-413-2531
Beer and wine (no BYO). Spicy/sweet Malaysian food, with a menu which allows for controlling the heat of any dish and with plenty of tasty vegetarian options.
Reading Terminal Market
www.readingterminalmarket.org
51 N. 12th Street (12th and Filbert Sts.), 215-922-2317
One of the country’s oldest public Market’s, features a little bit of everything. Food vendors offer items ranging from pulled pork sandwiches and Chinese food to gourmet cupcakes and fresh produce. From Monday-Saturday, a number of Pennsylvania Dutch and Amish vendors are also present.
Su Xing House (V)
www.suxinghouse.com
1508 Sansom Street, 215-564-1419
This vegetarian Chinese restaurant serves up General Tso’s Tofu and Szechuan soy nuggets, but also includes items such as Winter Melon with Black Mushroom Soup and Taro Croquettes with Cashews for the more adventurous.
Vietnam Restaurant
www.eatatvietnam.com
221 N. 11th Street, 215-592-1163
Full Bar. Authentic Vietnamese food served in a casual but elegant environment. Known particularly for its delicious appetizers (crispy spring rolls are a favorite), great pho and noodle dishes, and kitschy cocktails (the “Volcano” is lit on fire before it’s served.)
Whole Foods Market (grocery store)
www.wholefoodsmarket.com
2001 Pennsylvania Avenue, 215-557-0015
Whole Foods features a variety of prepared sandwiches in addition to hot and cold food bars and a sushi counter.
$15–$25
Bellini
www.bellinigrill.com
220 S. 16th Street, 215-545-1191
BYO. A long menu of Italian favorites, including homemade pasta and free-range meats, served in the heart of Center City.
Brauhaus Schmitz
www.brauhausschmitz.com
718 South Street, 267-909-8814
Full bar. Enjoy a glass “boot” full of Hefeweizen (German beer) with your schnitzel, spaetzle, pretzels and rye bread at this bierhall.
Chifa
www.chifarestaurant.com
707 Chestnut Street, 215-925-5555
Chef Jose Garces’ presentation of the unique Peruvian-Asian hybrid cuisine that results in a menu featuring lump crab empanadas and ceviche alongside scallion pancakes and mussels steamed in coconut milk and lemongrass. Served in primarily tapas-style, the restaurant has an “Express Lunch” option where diners can choose two dishes for $14, or a Chef’s Tasting Menu for $30.
Doma
www.domarestaurant.com
1822 Callowhill Street, 215-564-1114
Korean-Japanese fusion restaurant featuring a variety of sushi rolls, bento boxes, teriyaki, and tempura, in addition to Korean fare such as bulgogi and bibimbap.
Hard Rock Café
www.hardrockcafe.com
1113-31 Market Street, 215-238-1000
Jones (V)
www.jones-restaurant.com
700 Chestnut Street, 215-238-9600
Visit Jones for brunch, lunch, or dinner. Although it is not strictly vegetarian, there are plenty of veggie options on the menu. Delicious comfort food in a nice setting.
Maggiano’s
www.Maggianos.com
1201 Filbert Street, 215-567-2020
Plough & Stars
www.ploughstars.com
123 Chestnut Street, 215-733-0300
Full bar. A wide-variety of upscale vegetarian and free-range meat dishes, with an Irish attitude.
Pub & Kitchen
www.thepubandkitchen.com
1946 Lombard Street, 215-545-0350
Full Bar. High-end cocktails and service mix with some of the most celebrated food in Philadelphia, including the Churchill, a strong contender for the “Best Burger” in the city, all in a relaxed atmosphere. Does not take reservations.
Rose Tattoo Cafe
www.rosetattoocafe.com
19th and Callowhill Street, 215-569-8939
A Classic American bistro featuring a variety of soups and sandwiches as well as favorites such as jambalaya, buffalo wings, quesadillas, and baby back ribs.
Victor Café
www.victorcafe.com
1303 Dickinson Street, 215-468-3040
Full bar. South Philadelphia Italian food gets a special twist at Victors: It’s served by opera singers who, every 15 minutes or so, belt out an aria.
$25–35
Jose Garces Trading Company
www.garcestradingcompany.com
1111 Locust Street, 215-574-1099
Popular combination of restaurant and market, by Iron Chef Jose Garces. Highlights from the pan-European menu include deep dish pizzas, pastas, rustic French cuisine, and an extensive variety of charcuterie. There is also a chef's tasting menu for $40&ndash55. BYOB, but with an in-house wine store.
Oyster House
www.oysterhousephilly.com
1516 Sansom Street, 215-567-7683
Fresh seafood with local ingredients: oysters, lobster, flounder and swordfish.
Ted’s Montana Grill
www.tedsmontanagrill.com
260 S. Broad Street, 215-772-1230
Classic American comfort food made from scratch, featuring entrees made from beef, bison, chicken, and seafood.
Zahav
www.zahavrestaurant.com
237 St. James Place (Society Hill Towers Building), 215-625-8800
Modern Israeli/middle eastern cuisine with a tapas-style menu that focuses on small plates.
$35+
City Tavern
www.citytavern.com
138 S. 2nd Street, 215-413-1443
City Tavern offers the colonial experience in modern day America with an 18th-century inspired menu and costumed wait-staff. Award-winning Chef Walter Staib’s historic fare includes pan-seared brook trout, Colonial Turkey Pot Pie, and Apple Wood-smoked Pork Chops
Dante & Luigi’s
www.danteandluigis.com
Corona di ferro
762 South 10th Street, 215-922-9501
Although Dante & Luigi’s is housed in two converted town houses, the charm of yesterday still exists. The cuisine is a well-balanced mix of homemade, “Old World” specialties, along with delicious fresh seafood and exceptional daily specials.
Le Bar Lyonnais
Le Bec-Fin Downstairs
1523 Walnut Street, 215-567-1000
Table 31
www.Table-31.com
1701 JFK Blvd. (Comcast Building), 215-567-7111
A modern twist on Italian staples such as hand-crafted pastas, thin-crust pizzas, USDA Prime steaks and chops and incomparably fresh seafood.
XIX (Nineteen)
www.hyatt.com/gallery/nineteen/xix.html
200 S. Broad Street (top floor of the Bellevue), 215-790-1919
Café, bar, and restaurant offering sweeping views of the city and a seafood-centric menu of New American dishes, steaks, and burgers.
Don’t leave Philadelphia without trying…
Jim’s Steaks (cheesesteaks!)
www.jimssteaksphilly.com
400 South Street, 215-928-1911
Whether you want yours “wit” cheese whiz, provolone, or just grilled peppers, you can’t leave Philadelphia without having a cheesesteak. The line at Jim’s is often out the door, so arrive early!
Capogiro
www.capogirogelato.com
119 S. 13th Street, 215-351-0900
This local gelato and sorbetto maker stays true to Italian tradition by using milk from grass-fed, hormone free cows to local hand-picked produce such as blackberries, strawberries, and pears.
Soft Pretzels
www.phillysoftpretzelfactory.com
132 South 11th Street, 215-625-0910
Wawa
www.wawa.com/WawaWeb
1038 Arch Street
Stop by for cold drinks, coffee, a variety of hoagies, and of course, Herr’s potato chips and Tastykakes. All Wawa locations also have surcharge-free PNC ATMs.
How to BYO in Philadelphia
In Pennsylvania, the state liquor laws can be a little confusing. Here’s what you need to know.
Wine & Spirits
All wine and liquor sales (everything except beer, basically) are controlled by the state and sold through Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s Wine & Spirits Shops, popularly called “state stores.” Selection varies from store to store, but prices are the same throughout the system.
The closest state store to the Convention Center is just down the block at 5 North 12th Street. This is a small store with mostly mass-market products. Only a few blocks away, however, at 1218 Chestnut Street, is a “Premium Collection” store, with a much larger and more diverse selection.
Hours vary by store, but most close by 9pm. Most stores are also closed on Sundays, although a few — including the Chestnut Street superstore — are open from noon to 5pm Sundays.
P.S. Keep an eye out for “Chairman’s Selections”; as the largest single wine purchaser in the world, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania can often get good deals on wines that are normally more expensive.
Beer
In Philly, six-packs of beer can be bought at delis. Pac A Deli on 12th Street, just south of Walnut, is reasonably convenient to the Convention Center. Alternately, The Foodery, on the corner of 10th and Pine Streets, is beer-nerd nirvana, with a great selection and knowledgeable staff. Mix your own six-pack of different brews and get 10% off.
BYOB Restaurants
Because restaurants must buy their wine and liquor from the state like the rest of us, many have decided against having a liquor license and let you bring your own bottle of wine (BYOB). This is a great way to make dining out more affordable, and exciting BYOB bistros have become a Philly staple. Ask the concierge at your hotel for his/her recommendations.