South Philly Guidebook
Food scene
James Beard award winning casual barbacoa style taco spot - so good! Closes after lunch but check out it's sister restaurant Casa Mexico next door for dinner and drinks.
39 locals recommend
South Philly Barbacoa
1134 S 9th StJames Beard award winning casual barbacoa style taco spot - so good! Closes after lunch but check out it's sister restaurant Casa Mexico next door for dinner and drinks.
Yummy, casual dinner and drinks - lots of traditional italian w/ many vegan options.
26 locals recommend
Triangle Tavern
1338 S 10th StYummy, casual dinner and drinks - lots of traditional italian w/ many vegan options.
Looking for something more upscale? Definitely for meat eaters. Solid happy hour if you want to feel fancy on the cheap.
Ember & Ash
1520 East Passyunk AvenueLooking for something more upscale? Definitely for meat eaters. Solid happy hour if you want to feel fancy on the cheap.
Out of the way but absolutely classic lunch spot - go here and skip Pat's & Genos!
45 locals recommend
John's Roast Pork
14 Snyder AveOut of the way but absolutely classic lunch spot - go here and skip Pat's & Genos!
Great Indonesian!!! If they are closed, second best is Ramayana a few blocks away.
39 locals recommend
Hardena
1754 S Hicks StGreat Indonesian!!! If they are closed, second best is Ramayana a few blocks away.
James Beard award winning croissants, breads, pastries, bahn mi, coffee and more! So good and run by the sweetest couple.
40 locals recommend
Artisan Boulanger Patissier
1218 Mifflin StJames Beard award winning croissants, breads, pastries, bahn mi, coffee and more! So good and run by the sweetest couple.
Great coffee shop across from the historic Passyunk Ave Fountain. Have a seat outside, bring a book or just people watch!
22 locals recommend
Rival Bros Coffee Bar
1100 Tasker StGreat coffee shop across from the historic Passyunk Ave Fountain. Have a seat outside, bring a book or just people watch!
Best burger & beer deal in town. A good neighborhood vibe with an all vinyl soundtrack.
55 locals recommend
Fountain Porter
1601 S 10th StBest burger & beer deal in town. A good neighborhood vibe with an all vinyl soundtrack.
Hole in the wall spot for the BEST Indonesian in town. BYOB. (I recommend the Nasi Bumpkis)
14 locals recommend
Sky Cafe
1122 Washington AveHole in the wall spot for the BEST Indonesian in town. BYOB. (I recommend the Nasi Bumpkis)
Shopping
My favorite used bookstore in South Philly. It's in the Italian Market so be sure to give yourself time to explore up and down 9th Street between Federal and Christian. End at the DiBruno Bottle Shop where you can buy a bottle of wine (request some plastic cups) and drink it at the adjoining park.
Molly's Books & Records
1010 S 9th StMy favorite used bookstore in South Philly. It's in the Italian Market so be sure to give yourself time to explore up and down 9th Street between Federal and Christian. End at the DiBruno Bottle Shop where you can buy a bottle of wine (request some plastic cups) and drink it at the adjoining park.
South Philly's sustainable general store dedicated to low-waste and plastic-free alternatives for everyday life. I stock the AirBnB with some of their products. It's also a great place to pick up gifts.
Good Buy Supply®
South Philly's sustainable general store dedicated to low-waste and plastic-free alternatives for everyday life. I stock the AirBnB with some of their products. It's also a great place to pick up gifts.
Great store selling locally designed and manufactured Philly merch. Expect a lot of Philly humor, parodies, and yes, Gritty. Great place to buy a souvenir that supports a small business and Philly's specific sense of humor.
South Fellini
1507 E Passyunk AveGreat store selling locally designed and manufactured Philly merch. Expect a lot of Philly humor, parodies, and yes, Gritty. Great place to buy a souvenir that supports a small business and Philly's specific sense of humor.
A great, well curated vintage shop! Check out REPO records next door while you are there.
10 locals recommend
Retrospect
508 South StA great, well curated vintage shop! Check out REPO records next door while you are there.
Philly AIDS Thrift
710 S 5th Sta classic philly staple - crowded, huge, and fun to explore.
Bars & Nightlife
Great, cozy wine bar. Spinning records with occasional live jazz. Happy Hour is 4-6 and has great deals on natural wine carafes.
Solar Myth
Great, cozy wine bar. Spinning records with occasional live jazz. Happy Hour is 4-6 and has great deals on natural wine carafes.
Storied and small dance club with low covers ($5-10) and fun themed nights (Rhythm of the Night is my favorite recurring party!). Check their IG for info!
45 locals recommend
The Dolphin Tavern
1539 S Broad StStoried and small dance club with low covers ($5-10) and fun themed nights (Rhythm of the Night is my favorite recurring party!). Check their IG for info!
Rooftop bar in an old high school recently transformed into studio spaces. Really beautiful views! Go early for beautiful sunsets.
62 locals recommend
Bok Bar
800 Mifflin StRooftop bar in an old high school recently transformed into studio spaces. Really beautiful views! Go early for beautiful sunsets.
Awesome, small brewery. Rotating food trucks most days of the week. Pick up a four pack to enjoy back on the roof deck!
10 locals recommend
Brewery Ars
1927-29 W Passyunk AveAwesome, small brewery. Rotating food trucks most days of the week. Pick up a four pack to enjoy back on the roof deck!
Best selection of good wine in South Philly. (Ask for two plastic cups and take your wine across the street to the patio for people watching and occasional live music.)
9th Street Bottle Shop
Best selection of good wine in South Philly. (Ask for two plastic cups and take your wine across the street to the patio for people watching and occasional live music.)
Neighborhoods
A very fun neighborhood to explore! Tons of food & history and showcases philly's changing demographics. Hint - get ready for some BOMB Mexican and Indonesian food sprinkled among old Italian hangouts.
419 locals recommend
Italian Market
919 S 9th StA very fun neighborhood to explore! Tons of food & history and showcases philly's changing demographics. Hint - get ready for some BOMB Mexican and Indonesian food sprinkled among old Italian hangouts.
Sightseeing
A sprawling pop up food market in FDR Park open Saturdays and Sundays in warm months. Taste your way through the market and then explore the park! Search "Save the FDR meadows" online to learn about the controversial development plans and get a taste of philly politics.
Southeast Asian Market (Saturday & Sunday)
A sprawling pop up food market in FDR Park open Saturdays and Sundays in warm months. Taste your way through the market and then explore the park! Search "Save the FDR meadows" online to learn about the controversial development plans and get a taste of philly politics.