Carrie's Philadelphia Guidebook
Restaurants (& bars)
I tend to like affordable, small, independently owned places that offer decent and delicious vegetarian options. So, that's my focus, here. I have added a few "fine dining'ish" options.
Delicious Vietnamese food for cheap, and they've got a full liquor license!
31 residents recomanen
Nam Phuong Restaurant
1100 Washington AveDelicious Vietnamese food for cheap, and they've got a full liquor license!
Sweet little coffee shop with an assortment of lovely sandwiches for a light lunch.
24 residents recomanen
Philadelphia Java Company
852 S 2nd StSweet little coffee shop with an assortment of lovely sandwiches for a light lunch.
Another wonderful brunch place - especially if you're here during the week - when you don't have to wait up to an hour to get seated! Delicious food, home made ketchup and yummy coffee!
61 residents recomanen
Morning Glory Diner
735 S 10th StAnother wonderful brunch place - especially if you're here during the week - when you don't have to wait up to an hour to get seated! Delicious food, home made ketchup and yummy coffee!
Delicious brunch, plenty of vegetarian options and usually no wait!
265 residents recomanen
Green Eggs Café
1301 S 13th StDelicious brunch, plenty of vegetarian options and usually no wait!
Fitzwater Cafe
728 S 7th StYummy brunch!
Hawthornes
738 S 11th StGreat beer selection & good food to go with it!
Really good Mexican food, with full bar. Terrific margaritas and the food is superb. A step up in price & quality from most Mexican restaurants.
23 residents recomanen
Blue Corn
940 S 9th StReally good Mexican food, with full bar. Terrific margaritas and the food is superb. A step up in price & quality from most Mexican restaurants.
Sweet coffee shop with comfortable, interesting decor, plus GREAT place for breakfast or lunch - nice salads & sandwiches, not to mention coffee!
26 residents recomanen
Red Hook Coffee and Tea
765 S 4th StSweet coffee shop with comfortable, interesting decor, plus GREAT place for breakfast or lunch - nice salads & sandwiches, not to mention coffee!
Friendly neighborhood bar/restaurant known for burgers and the like. They'll swap out any burger for a black bean burger or an impossible (beef substitute) burger, so vegetarians will be accommodated.
11 residents recomanen
Lucky's Last Chance Queen Village
848 S 2nd StFriendly neighborhood bar/restaurant known for burgers and the like. They'll swap out any burger for a black bean burger or an impossible (beef substitute) burger, so vegetarians will be accommodated.
I go there for their vegetarian Bahn Mi sandwich - #11. Delicious to take out - in nice weather, grab a Bahn mi and eat it in my garden! Also, their mango smoothies are divine!
9 residents recomanen
Ba Le Bakery
606 Washington AveI go there for their vegetarian Bahn Mi sandwich - #11. Delicious to take out - in nice weather, grab a Bahn mi and eat it in my garden! Also, their mango smoothies are divine!
Herman's Coffee
1313 S 3rd StSweet new coffee shop, just a couple blocks away.
Nice fresh bagels, lots of flavors of bagels & cream cheeses, as well as bagel sandwiches.
8 residents recomanen
The Bagel Place
404 Queen StNice fresh bagels, lots of flavors of bagels & cream cheeses, as well as bagel sandwiches.
Bakery & restaurant. Really excellent food (byo) to dine in. Also great bread and pastries in a cute, intimate setting.
12 residents recomanen
Creme Brulee
1800 S 4th StBakery & restaurant. Really excellent food (byo) to dine in. Also great bread and pastries in a cute, intimate setting.
Essen Bakery
1437 E Passyunk AveFoodies make a note to check out Essen! The breads are amazing!
Termini Bros Bakery
1523 S 8th StOld school Italian pastry bakery. Delicious!
Isgro Pastries
1009 Christian StThe small cakes, pastries and cookies will make your day!
Cambodian food, spicy and delicious. Relax and enjoy. Service can be slow/inconsistent - so go expecting good food.
Sophie's Kitchen
522 Washington AvenueCambodian food, spicy and delicious. Relax and enjoy. Service can be slow/inconsistent - so go expecting good food.
This place is so GOOD. If you love spicy, fresh food, this is the place to go. They also have non-spicy food. So delicious!
Ratchada Thai & Laos Cuisine
1117 S 11th StThis place is so GOOD. If you love spicy, fresh food, this is the place to go. They also have non-spicy food. So delicious!
Lovely coffee shop with big windows, good pastries and a very chill vibe.
37 residents recomanen
Shot Tower Coffee
542 Christian StLovely coffee shop with big windows, good pastries and a very chill vibe.
Great place to sit outside, with a terrific selection of beer. You can also get food from the connected Charlie's Roast Pork (fear not, vegetarians - they have a great eggplant parm sandwich - they can add broccoli rabe to it for extra deliciousness!) PS: the onion rings are fabulous!
13 residents recomanen
Pennsport Beer Boutique
242 Wharton StGreat place to sit outside, with a terrific selection of beer. You can also get food from the connected Charlie's Roast Pork (fear not, vegetarians - they have a great eggplant parm sandwich - they can add broccoli rabe to it for extra deliciousness!) PS: the onion rings are fabulous!
Want some opera with your dinner? No problem! The waitstaff are all trained (and talented!) opera singers. The food is good and there's a full bar. What more could you ask for? The waitstaff break into song every 10 minutes or so, so you get live music with every meal. It's pretty fabulous!
32 residents recomanen
The Victor Café
1303 Dickinson StreetWant some opera with your dinner? No problem! The waitstaff are all trained (and talented!) opera singers. The food is good and there's a full bar. What more could you ask for? The waitstaff break into song every 10 minutes or so, so you get live music with every meal. It's pretty fabulous!
A local spot for food and booze. With outdoor seating as well as indoor tables and a bar. Perfect!
44 residents recomanen
New Wave Cafe
784 S 3rd StA local spot for food and booze. With outdoor seating as well as indoor tables and a bar. Perfect!
Pasta with a twist, and a full bar with interesting cocktails. Also have outdoor (sidewalk) seating.
10 residents recomanen
Cry Baby Pasta
627 S 3rd StPasta with a twist, and a full bar with interesting cocktails. Also have outdoor (sidewalk) seating.
Delicious Mexican food. On Saturdays in summer they often have live music outdoors. In the heart of the Italian market, so take a break from cheese shopping to enjoy some tacos.
Alma del Mar
1007 South 9th StreetDelicious Mexican food. On Saturdays in summer they often have live music outdoors. In the heart of the Italian market, so take a break from cheese shopping to enjoy some tacos.
Famous 4th Street Delicatessen
700 S 4th StDiner. Huge menu with very generous portions.
Ginza Sushi And Ramen
1100 S Front StSushi and bento boxes. Just a few blocks away.
Casablanca Mediterranean Grill
Delicious Mediterranean food. Morrocan. The platters are huge! BYO
Delicious Indian food. Largely takeout, though they do have a couple tables inside and a few on the street during nice weather. Spicy and tasty!
NIRVANA Indian Kitchen
Delicious Indian food. Largely takeout, though they do have a couple tables inside and a few on the street during nice weather. Spicy and tasty!
Indian food, dine in BYOB. They've been in business for decades.
7 residents recomanen
Lovash Indian Restaurant & Bar
236-238 South StIndian food, dine in BYOB. They've been in business for decades.
Middle eastern - Egyptian. Great hummus, etc. BYO. They do charge a $5 fee per person for wine brought in.
Cilantro Mediterranean Cuisine
Middle eastern - Egyptian. Great hummus, etc. BYO. They do charge a $5 fee per person for wine brought in.
OMG I love this place. Vegan restaurant (but even the biggest meat eater will love it!) with fabulous everything: food, drinks, desserts. It's all great. A bit of a splurge.
Fitz on 4th
OMG I love this place. Vegan restaurant (but even the biggest meat eater will love it!) with fabulous everything: food, drinks, desserts. It's all great. A bit of a splurge.
Great, low key middle eastern. Food from a lovely family of Palestinian/israeli's, have been in business for over 40 years. Very casual atmosphere. Go to the back "greenhouse" room!
Alyan's Middle Eastern & Mediterranean Restaurant
Great, low key middle eastern. Food from a lovely family of Palestinian/israeli's, have been in business for over 40 years. Very casual atmosphere. Go to the back "greenhouse" room!
Nice, casual Mexican food for dine in or take out. I always get the vegetarian tacos.
Palenque Restaurante
Nice, casual Mexican food for dine in or take out. I always get the vegetarian tacos.
Beer, roast pork. And what I like: (besides the beer?) They make a great (and huge!) eggplant parmesan hoagie. Tip: They'll add broccoli rabbe to your hoagie if you ask for it. Great to sit outside on a nice evening with a beer or two and watch people go by.
Jaxx Steaks Taproom
Beer, roast pork. And what I like: (besides the beer?) They make a great (and huge!) eggplant parmesan hoagie. Tip: They'll add broccoli rabbe to your hoagie if you ask for it. Great to sit outside on a nice evening with a beer or two and watch people go by.
Inexpensive. I think it's a chain, but if you want decent, casual sushi for not a whole lot of money, this place is solid.
7 residents recomanen
Sushi Planet
624 S 3rd StInexpensive. I think it's a chain, but if you want decent, casual sushi for not a whole lot of money, this place is solid.
Local dive bar. Beer, mixed drinks, and food, including vegetarian options. Mostly, you go here for the cool, laid back artsy vibe. Have fun, read the bathroom walls and enjoy this non-tourist slice of interesting artsy Philadelphia.
60 residents recomanen
Tattooed Mom
530 South StLocal dive bar. Beer, mixed drinks, and food, including vegetarian options. Mostly, you go here for the cool, laid back artsy vibe. Have fun, read the bathroom walls and enjoy this non-tourist slice of interesting artsy Philadelphia.
Shopping
This thrift shop has everything - two floors of clothing, furniture, books, kitchen items & ridiculous cheap stuff you won't find anywhere else! Proceeds support local AIDs service organizations.
26 residents recomanen
Philly AIDS Thrift
710 S 5th StThis thrift shop has everything - two floors of clothing, furniture, books, kitchen items & ridiculous cheap stuff you won't find anywhere else! Proceeds support local AIDs service organizations.
Consignment clothing store - somewhere in between a thrift shop & retail. Get gently worn designer clothing for half or less off of retail.
10 residents recomanen
Greene Street
8524 Germantown AveConsignment clothing store - somewhere in between a thrift shop & retail. Get gently worn designer clothing for half or less off of retail.
Street market selling inexpensive, bulk fruits and veggies. Be sure to check out Claudio's, DiBruno Brothers, etc., for fresh cheeses, fancy olives, etc.
419 residents recomanen
Italian Market
919 S 9th StStreet market selling inexpensive, bulk fruits and veggies. Be sure to check out Claudio's, DiBruno Brothers, etc., for fresh cheeses, fancy olives, etc.
Everything Else
Free public pool at Sacks is open in summer! A great way to cool off, and they've got adult-only hours if you prefer to swim with the grown ups.
Sacks Playground
400 Washington AveFree public pool at Sacks is open in summer! A great way to cool off, and they've got adult-only hours if you prefer to swim with the grown ups.
Grocery store with plenty of healthy choices and gourmet foods. go shopping and bring food back to cook here.
263 residents recomanen
Whole Foods Market
929 South StGrocery store with plenty of healthy choices and gourmet foods. go shopping and bring food back to cook here.
A good place to get a mixed six-pack of beer - from your favorite imports, to microbrews you've never heard of to all of our favorite local beers.
24 residents recomanen
Foodery
324 S 10th StA good place to get a mixed six-pack of beer - from your favorite imports, to microbrews you've never heard of to all of our favorite local beers.
Here's the place to get a bottle of wine to take with you to dinner.
175 residents recomanen
Fine Wine & Good Spirits
411 N 20th StHere's the place to get a bottle of wine to take with you to dinner.
Sightseeing
Mummers Museum
1100 S 2nd StSouth Philly culture!
Listed to give you a sense of where I am in relation to the Historic District - generally a half hour walk or ten minute bus ride.
568 residents recomanen
Sala de la Independència
520 Chestnut StListed to give you a sense of where I am in relation to the Historic District - generally a half hour walk or ten minute bus ride.
Cool local mosaic artist's space. You can go into the grocery across the street, and up to the roof of the parking deck to get a free aerial view.
385 residents recomanen
Els Jardins Màgics de Filadèlfia
1020 South StCool local mosaic artist's space. You can go into the grocery across the street, and up to the roof of the parking deck to get a free aerial view.
Love this new urban waterfront park. A great place to go for a walk and see where nature and city meet. Two piers (so far) along the river have been developed into public park space.
6 residents recomanen
Washington Avenue Green
South Christopher Columbus BoulevardLove this new urban waterfront park. A great place to go for a walk and see where nature and city meet. Two piers (so far) along the river have been developed into public park space.
Campana de la Llibertat
526 Market StWhat can I say - it's the Liberty Bell!
A park out on the water. Lovely to hang out, free yoga classes in summer. Nice views.
27 residents recomanen
Cherry Street Pier
121 N Christopher Columbus BlvdA park out on the water. Lovely to hang out, free yoga classes in summer. Nice views.
If you're interested in history, criminal justice, social justice, race relations, psychology, architecture... Just go here.
433 residents recomanen
Presó estatal de l'est
2027 Fairmount AveIf you're interested in history, criminal justice, social justice, race relations, psychology, architecture... Just go here.
Grocery Stores
Natural foods supermarket with a cafe in the back. Eat in or buy groceries to leave in the fridge and/or cook here.
40 residents recomanen
Essene Market & Café
719 S 4th StNatural foods supermarket with a cafe in the back. Eat in or buy groceries to leave in the fridge and/or cook here.
Asian grocery store, three blocks away. Great prices on bok choy, shitake mushrooms, rice, noodles, etc!
9 residents recomanen
First Oriental Market Inc
1111 S 6th StAsian grocery store, three blocks away. Great prices on bok choy, shitake mushrooms, rice, noodles, etc!
GIANT
Large grocery store, 15 minute walk.
Drinks & Nightlife
These people really know their beer. And they're nice, too! Feel free to bring some takeout food to accompany your brews.
6 residents recomanen
BeerLOVE
714 S 4th StThese people really know their beer. And they're nice, too! Feel free to bring some takeout food to accompany your brews.
If you love local dive bars, this is the place to go. They also have a full vegetarian menu!
60 residents recomanen
Tattooed Mom
530 South StIf you love local dive bars, this is the place to go. They also have a full vegetarian menu!
Actually, a bottle shop with outdoor seating. You can bring food (they don't have a kitchen) and enjoy specialty beers. Get food across the street at Cafe Valentino, or down the block at The Industry. You can also buy a bottle (or several) to enjoy in my garden.
13 residents recomanen
Pennsport Beer Boutique
242 Wharton StActually, a bottle shop with outdoor seating. You can bring food (they don't have a kitchen) and enjoy specialty beers. Get food across the street at Cafe Valentino, or down the block at The Industry. You can also buy a bottle (or several) to enjoy in my garden.
Fun local bar with decent food - and in a great nearby neighborhood. Check it out!
87 residents recomanen
Pub On Passyunk East - POPE
1501 E Passyunk AveFun local bar with decent food - and in a great nearby neighborhood. Check it out!
This is both a park & a nightlife spot. Only open spring-fall, this is an outdoors area by the river. There are food trucks & there's a bar area. Lots of fun lights on trees, and hammocks if you can score one!
317 residents recomanen
Parc del port de Spruce Street
301 S Christopher Columbus BlvdThis is both a park & a nightlife spot. Only open spring-fall, this is an outdoors area by the river. There are food trucks & there's a bar area. Lots of fun lights on trees, and hammocks if you can score one!
Entertainment & Activities
The Visitor Center is a great place to start - you can get information about museums, tours and all kinds of places to see!
57 residents recomanen
Centre de Visitants de la Independència
599 Market StThe Visitor Center is a great place to start - you can get information about museums, tours and all kinds of places to see!