Alisha Miranda

There’s no doubt that Philadelphia is one of the most exciting dining destinations today. This city has always been scrappy and creative, and its buzzy energy extends to the dozens of restaurants that continue to impress year after year. With Philadelphia’s ascension to national acclaim—it’s home to James Beard Award winners, Top Chef alumni, and StarChefs Rising Stars—there’s an endless choice of dining experiences across just about every neighborhood. We know this means picking where to eat can be an overwhelming task. From cool and casual neighborhood spots to high-profile tasting menus and long-standing favorites, these are the Philadelphia restaurants raising the city's culinary profile. Here are the 20 restaurants to kick off your Philly must-try list. This guide was updated by Philadelphia-based writer Alisha Miranda. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Philadelphia🍸 The best bars in Philadelphia🪩 The best clubs in Philadelphia🏨 The best hotels in Philadelphia🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Philadelphia

One of East Passyunk’s iconic dining destinations for over a decade, executive chef Kevin McWilliams and chef-owner Nick Elmi champion Mid-Atlantic cuisine, with an emphasis on fresh seafood. Guests can choose their own dining experience: tasting menu or a la carte, at the bar, or in the dining room — there’s no wrong way to enjoy this refined neighborhood restaurant.

What’s the vibe at High Street? Casual and comfortable. This is a friendly neighborhood spot the entire family can enjoy. What are the prices like at High Street? Handmade pasta and pizzas with High Street’s distinctive sourdough crust anchor the dinner menu, which ranges from $8 to $38. Drinks (including zero-proof options) range from $13 to $16. You can also opt for the $75 “Leave It To Us” four-course prix fixe dinner menu served family-style. Drink pairings are not included. What should I order at High Street? High Street is open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, so there’s lots to choose from. The assorted pastries basket during brunch is a must-eat—you’ll understand why their bread program is still one of the best in the city. For lunch, the house Reuben with pastrami, melted Gruyere cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing on toasted rye bread is a classic choice. The dinner menu has some crossover hits like the tahini Caesar salad with chicory and boquerones, lamb meatballs with celeriac tzatziki and ricotta whey, and the squash pizza with burrata, Calabrian chili oil and honey. What's worth visiting nearby? Catch a live show at City Winery, around the corner on Filbert Street, where comedians, musicians, and podcasters keep the night going. During the fall harvest season, you can also tour the in-house winery and learn about their wine collaborations with visiting performers.

What’s the vibe at A Mano? A Mano is an ideal restaurant to show off to your family visiting from out of town. It’s hip and vibrant and features familiar food prepared in unique ways, but it isn’t intimidating. What are the prices like at A Mano? A Mano is one of the best bargains in town. A three-course meal runs you $48 per person, while a four-course meal is $68 per person. What should I order at A Mano? Prosciutto and melon with plums, stracchino, and honey; burrata with heirloom tomatoes; ricotta cavatelli with broccoli rabe; mushroom lasagna; grilled branzino with fingerling potatoes and romesco sauce; and tiramisu with chocolate, espresso, and hazelnuts. What's worth visiting nearby? Head over to Libertee Grounds on Girard Avenue for a round of mini-golf. With an 18-hole course and a total square footage of 12,000 sq ft, it’s the largest indoor mini-golf course in Philadelphia. It’s been recently expanded with a golf simulator area, more bar seating, and mini-golf holes with animatronic features like a shot-blocking Gritty and a pole-climbing Eagles fan. Look for the Philly-centric murals on the second floor depicting FDR Skatepark and the El train.

What’s the vibe at Ambra? This candle-lit communal dining room with heirloom wood furnishes is the perfect setting for a special occasion meal with your closest loved ones. What are the prices like at Ambra? At $300+ per person (including tax, booking, and service fees) for an eight-course tasting menu that includes curated wine pairings, you can’t beat the all-in price. What should I order at Ambra? Chef Chris D’Ambro and his team orchestrate a seasonal farm-to-table multi-course tasting menu. Recent highlights include a foie amuse bouche, bacon-wrapped pork loin with ‘nduja braised escarole, tortellini en brodo (a play on soup dumplings), herb-crusted dorado with confit eggplant, a gremolata palette cleanser, and peach donuts for dessert. What's worth visiting nearby? For a casual night out, visit their sister restaurant, Southwark, located at the front of the Fourth and Bainbridge Streets building. On Monday nights, Southwark turns into #WineWark with a limited food menu (try their bacon blue cheese burger or a pasta special), and wine cellar picks BTG from sommelier Jamie Harrison Rubin.