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.
Federal Donuts
1219 S 2nd StFresh, delicious unusual donuts, plus coffee & fried chicken!
Delicious Vietnamese food for cheap, and they've got a full liquor license!
31 locals recommend
Nam Phuong Restaurant
1100 Washington AveDelicious Vietnamese food for cheap, and they've got a full liquor license!
Cheap, delicious Mexican food - feel free to bring your own beer - you can buy Corona just a few doors down to enjoy with your tacos & burritos.
18 locals recommend
Taqueria La Veracruzana
908 Washington AveCheap, delicious Mexican food - feel free to bring your own beer - you can buy Corona just a few doors down to enjoy with your tacos & burritos.
Sweet little coffee shop with an assortment of lovely sandwiches for a light lunch.
24 locals recommend
Philadelphia Java Company
852 S 2nd StSweet little coffee shop with an assortment of lovely sandwiches for a light lunch.
Tamarind
117 South StDelicious small Thai BYO.
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 locals recommend
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 locals recommend
Green Eggs Café
212 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!
The Dutch
1537 S 4th StBrunch and lunch place. Brand new, with lots of buzz.
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 locals recommend
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 locals recommend
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.
11 locals recommend
Lucky's Last Chance Queen Village
848 S 2nd StFriendly neighborhood bar/restaurant known for burgers and the like.
I go there for their $5.50 vegetarian Bahn Mi sandwich. Delicious to take out - in nice weather, grab a Bahn mi and eat it in my garden!
9 locals recommend
Ba Le Bakery
606 Washington AveI go there for their $5.50 vegetarian Bahn Mi sandwich. Delicious to take out - in nice weather, grab a Bahn mi and eat it in my garden!
Teresa's Mesa
727 S 2nd StGreat little Mexican BYOB. Casual, inexpensive, and delicious food!
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 locals recommend
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 locals recommend
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!
Greek seafood place, BYO. VERY good food. Not cheap, but worth it for a bit of a special night out. Small plates.
58 locals recommend
Dmitri's
795 S 3rd StGreek seafood place, BYO. VERY good food. Not cheap, but worth it for a bit of a special night out. Small plates.
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 locals recommend
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 locals recommend
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 locals recommend
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 locals recommend
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 locals recommend
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.
I'm a vegetarian, so why am I listing a roast pork place? Because of the eggplant parm, of course (tip, have them add broccoli rabe to your sandwich.) And the onion rings! And the beer you can get at the connected beer boutique! In nice weather, you'll want to sit outside. Just two blocks south of my house! Also: in the summer, the frozen margarita is just so refreshing.
Charlie's Roast Pork
1301 S 3rd StI'm a vegetarian, so why am I listing a roast pork place? Because of the eggplant parm, of course (tip, have them add broccoli rabe to your sandwich.) And the onion rings! And the beer you can get at the connected beer boutique! In nice weather, you'll want to sit outside. Just two blocks south of my house! Also: in the summer, the frozen margarita is just so refreshing.
Neighborhood Ramen
617 S 3rd StRamen: what more needs to be said? Inexpensive and good!
Cake and Joe
1401 East Moyamensing AvenueBrunch, coffee and cake!
Famous 4th Street Delicatessen
700 S 4th StDiner. Huge menu with very generous portions.
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 locals recommend
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.
Several blocks of fabric shops with gorgeous woolens and silks by the yard. Also a great place to buy buttons, notions, drapery tiebacks and all manner of things associated with fabric and sewing.
11 locals recommend
ATM Fabric Row
700 S 4th StSeveral blocks of fabric shops with gorgeous woolens and silks by the yard. Also a great place to buy buttons, notions, drapery tiebacks and all manner of things associated with fabric and sewing.
Consignment clothing store - somewhere in between a thrift shop & retail. Get gently worn designer clothing for half or less off of retail.
10 locals recommend
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 locals recommend
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 locals recommend
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 locals recommend
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.
176 locals recommend
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.
569 locals recommend
Independence Hall
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 locals recommend
Philadelphia's Magic Gardens
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 locals recommend
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.
Liberty Bell
526 Market StWhat can I say - it's the Liberty Bell!
This place offers so many different cool types of tours! Definitely worth checking out! Walking tours, Segway tours and more, of neighborhoods, beer, chocolate, murals....
Philly Tour Hub
7 N Christopher Columbus BlvdThis place offers so many different cool types of tours! Definitely worth checking out! Walking tours, Segway tours and more, of neighborhoods, beer, chocolate, murals....
A park out on the water. Lovely to hang out, free yoga classes in summer. Nice views.
27 locals recommend
Cherry Street Pier
121 N Christopher Columbus BlvdA park out on the water. Lovely to hang out, free yoga classes in summer. Nice views.
First Food Market
116 S 21st StCool and interesting medical museum.
If you're interested in history, criminal justice, social justice, race relations, psychology, architecture... Just go here.
433 locals recommend
Eastern State Penitentiary
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 locals recommend
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 locals recommend
First Oriental Market Inc
1111 S 6th StAsian grocery store, three blocks away. Great prices on bok choy, shitake mushrooms, rice, noodles, etc!
Essene Market & Café
719 S 4th StGrocery store with lots of organic & natural products.
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 locals recommend
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 locals recommend
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 locals recommend
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 locals recommend
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 locals recommend
Spruce Street Harbor Park
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 locals recommend
Independence Visitor Center
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!