Amy Gordon

I love cheesesteaks and roast pork sandwiches as much as the next Philly resident, but when I’m craving something lighter and more refreshing, I set my sights on Philly restaurants that specialize in sushi. Luckily, the City of Brotherly Love is full of places to get your raw fish on. Mainstays like Morimoto have been dominating the sushi scene for years—and with good reason—but there are plenty of other restaurants to explore at a range of price points. Whether you’re on the hunt for seasonal nigiri in Fishtown or a vegan eel roll in Old City, these Japanese favorites won’t disappoint. Read on, and the next time you have a hankering for sashimi, sake and karaoke, you’ll know where to head to these 10 places for the best sushi in Philadelphia. RECOMMENDED: Full list of best restaurants in Philadelphia This guide was updated by Philadelphia-based writer Taryn Pire. 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.  

What's most exciting about embarking on one of the best day trips from Philadelphia is the opportunity to eat at restaurants, drink at bars and see attractions that reflect the vibe of the city but take you away from it simultaneously. Take New Hope, in Pennsylvania: just over 30 miles north of Philly, it is home to an artsy, vibrant community whose character spills into every aspect of the town. Or, you might want to head to famous Atlantic City, in New Jersey, for weekend (or a week?) filled with beaches, spas, awesome nightlife and, of course, gambling.  Whatever getaway destination you choose, we tell you where to stay, what to eat and where to go to have an unbelievable fun time.  

This city is brimming with amazing watering holes—from the coziest of cocktail lounges to the grimmiest of dives—but sometimes choosing where to go can be tough. Enter the first-ever Time Out Philadelphia Bar Awards, which honors the best and brightest of the bar scene (and helps you decide where to go for happy hour). Below, you’ll find the full list of 2018 Time Out Philadelphia Bar Awards winners and runners-up, which were chosen by a trusty team of industry insiders and folks-about-town who know their way around a cocktail joint. With their help, we came up with a consensus about the new bar the city absolutely can‘t live without, must-visit breweries, establishments that have the most creative drink lists and the most Instagrammable cocktail in the city so you can get it on your IG feed, pronto. Check out the full list of winners below. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Time Out Philadelphia's Bar Awards

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is at the top of any cultural itinerary of the City of Brotherly Love—if you’re looking for things to do in Philadelphia, it’s a perfect place to star. Founded after the 1876 Centennial Exhibition, it remains one of the premier art museums in the U.S. with a long list of blockbuster and scholarly significant exhibitions to its credit. Overlooking Center City on the hill at the end of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, it has served as the anchor to Philadelphia’s cultural life for generations. And few out-of-towners can resist its steps for a Rocky-style run up to the top with arms raised triumphantly. Here we look at the best exhibitions to see at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and give you the best bars and restaurants to visit nearby. Where is the Philadelphia Museum of Art? 2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia. What are the hours for the Philadelphia Museum of Art? The museum is open Tuesday–Sunday 10am–5pm. On Wednesday and Friday evenings, it’s open until 8:45pm.  How do I get tickets for the Philadelphia Museum of Art? Tickets to the Philadelphia Museum of Art are available on the museum’s website and on site. Admission prices: $20, seniors $18, students and youth $14, museum members and children under 12 free. Tickets grant access for two consecutive days to the museum’s main building, Perelman Building, Rodin Museum, and historic houses Mount Pleasant (closed for general maintenance) and Cedar Grove (open April–December).  Ticket tips

A variety of Philadelphia breweries make this city a prime destination for beer lovers on the hunt for tasty and inventive IPAs, lagers and more. A visit to many of the Philadelphia breweries on the list below offers one of the more well-rounded things to do in Philadelphia, because you can not ony chug back some sensational locally brewed beers, but take guided—and often free—brewery tours and fill your belly with delicious pub grub. Head there early on the weekend for some of the best brunch in Philadelphia, or join the after-work crowds during the week for a top experience for happy hour Philadelphia has to offer. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best bars in Philadelphia

The experience of holiday shopping can be a lot more rewarding if you do your buying at the host of Christmas markets Philadelphia has to offer. These pop-up shops held throughout the season are rife with unique, locally made gifts that you’d never find on Amazon. Plus they’re practically events within themselves, often featuring food and drink vendors and festive live entertainment. Here, we round up the essential Christmas markets in Philadelphia. Some, like the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market, happen in conjunction with the best Christmas events in Philadelphia, giving you the chance to kill two birds with one stone. You could also pair your shopping with a tour of Christmas lights in Philadelphia, held at Philadelphia attractions and businesses across the city. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Christmas in Philadelphia

We have one more week until the calender strikes Labor Day and summer is behind us. Make this last week count with this list of the best things to do in Philadelphia before Monday rolls around—from cultural festivals and fireworks at Penn’s Landing and a couple concerts to some excellent exhibitions happening at a handful of Philadelphia museums. Outside of events, this time of year is an excellent opportunity to enjoy the shade in some of the greener Philadelphia parks and try out some of the best restaurants in Philadelphia. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Philadelphia

When your hunger has you on the hunt for Mexican restaurants, Philadelphia comes through with top-notch eateries offering up all the tacos, burritos guacamole and margaritas you can stomach. From familiar standbys to some inventive new restaurants in Philadelphia, this list presents some of the best South of the Border fare you'll find in these parts—whether you're looking for dinner, the best brunch in Philadelphia or a mid-day snack to fuel you up for a busy day of scouting Philadelphia attractions. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in Philadelphia

Hungry early birds looking to score the best breakfast in Philadelphia can find top-notch options in neighborhoods across the city—from swanky spots in some of the best hotels in Philadelphia to cozy corner nooks in Queen Village and South Philly. The best breakfast in Philadelphia will include everything from freshly baked pastries and tall stacks of French toast to omelettes, eggs Benedicts, scrapple and more. Unlike our guide to the best brunch in Philadelphia, which covers restaurants serving weekend brunch, this list sticks to the places serving breakfast all week long. The rib-sticking goodness will come in handy as you set out to explore the long list of must-see Philadelphia attractions. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in Philadelphia

After you’ve had time to take in the many masterpieces at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, one of the best art museums in America, head to a local watering hole to take a load off, grab a drink and reflect on what you saw. From informal dives and pubs with great craft beer to fancy wine bars and venues with live jazz and go-go dancing, Philadelphia’s bar scene has something to satisfy every taste and interest. RECOMMENDED: See the full guide for Philadelphia Museum of Art

Want to pair your visit to one of the best art museums in the country—and one of the best things to do in Philadelphia—with a fine meal? From upscale, bring-your-own-bottle eateries to casual, grab-and-go spots, restaurants of all types and price points are within easy reach of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or great burger before you head inside or are in the mood to talk about the museum’s masterpieces over an elegant sit-down meal after your visit, here are our picks for ten great eats near the PMA. RECOMMENDED: See the full guide for Philadelphia Museum of Art

With its packed sushi/sashimi bar in the front, and posh reservation-only omakase suite in the back, Royal Izakaya continues to set the bar as a destination restaurant. The menu is rooted in Japanese cooking and culinary tradition that welcomes adventurous eaters (kids love it here) for hamachi ponzu, salt-broiled Norwegian mackerel with grated ginger and daikon, broiled Japanese eggplant with sweet miso glaze, and karaage wings with soy chili vinegar sauce, red onion, and scallions. Amp up your meal with a frozen cocktail or ask sake pairing.

Bright, airy and sparsely decorated, the Dutch’s soul-warming comfort food makes it a go-to destination for breakfast in Pennsport. The grub here is inspired by Dutch and Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine, so look out for dishes like a cast-iron-cooked “Dutch Baby” pancake (available either sweet or savory) and a crispy Lebanon bologna omelette. Grab a seat by the window and people-watch as you sip on a house-made virgin Bloody Mary (or tote along your alcoholic beverage of choice).

The largest outdoor, juried arts festival in the tristate area happens in Manayunk and is attended by nearly 200,000 members of the art world, ranging from designers to collectors. The show takes place over two days, with fine arts and crafts artisans lining Main Street with booths for you to peruse. Look out for a large variety of browse-worthy media, including wood and sculpture, glass and ceramics, painting and drawing, jewelry, photography and fiber. Besides all the art, several restaurants and shops along Main Street bring tables and wares out onto the sidewalks for al fresco dining and even more chances to shop.

Conshohocken Brewing Company is all about small-batch brews. Core varieties include the Type A IPA and the User Friendly blonde ale, while seasonal styles come in flavors like the Blood Money blood orange IPA and the Blueberry Berliner Weisse. Experimental options are usually available to try as well. The brewery operates two locations: this production brewery and taproom in Conshohocken and a brewpub and beer garden in Bridgeport, each of which serve beer on tap. Cocktails and wine are also on the menu in Bridgeport.

Conshohocken Brewing Company is all about small-batch brews. Core varieties include the Type A IPA and the User Friendly blonde ale, while seasonal styles come in flavors like the Blood Money blood orange IPA and the Blueberry Berliner Weisse. Experimental options are usually available to try as well. The brewery operates two locations: this brewpub and beer garden in Bridgeport and a production brewery and a taproom in Conshohocken, each of which serve beer on tap. Cocktails and wine are also on the menu in Bridgeport.

Vault Brewing Company’s Bucks County outpost channels the spirit of a Prohibition-era speakeasy. The facility is housed in a former bank that dates back to 1889, with the beer-conditioning cellar set in what was once a secure vault. Rather than equipping the venue with TVs and in-house entertainment capabilities, the space encourages patrons to connect and interact with one another. The food menu focuses on locally sourced, homemade dishes, and a rotating selection of on-tap brews might include options like the Coconut Lime IPA or the Full City Coffee Stout. Stop in on Tuesdays to taste test Vault’s experimental varieties.

Iron Hill’s beer-laden empire includes twelve Philadelphia-area combination breweries and restaurants, including locations in Chestnut Hill, Maple Shade, Phoenixville and Media. Each outpost offers a casual, family-friendly atmosphere in which to enjoy handcrafted beer and approachable cuisine, and on-tap and reserve brews vary by location. A jam-packed calendar of on-site events includes fun activities like gardening, yoga, painting and throwback dinners.

Sly Fox Brewing Company set up shop in 1995 and has since put out more than 100 inventive beer varieties. In 2006, the company opened the Mid-Atlantic region’s first craft beer canning facility, embracing the concept that stellar craft beer can, in fact, come in cans. Today, two separate sites are open to visitors: this brewery and tasting room in Pottstown and a brewhouse and eatery in Phoenixville. Stop in to try offerings like the Black Raspberry Reserve wheat ale, the Pikeland Pils German-style pilsner, and the Royal Weisse, a Bavarian-style wheat beer.

Sly Fox Brewing Company set up shop in 1995 and has since put out more than 100 inventive beer varieties. In 2006, the company opened the Mid-Atlantic region’s first craft beer canning facility, embracing the concept that stellar craft beer can, in fact, come in cans. Today, two separate sites are open to visitors: this brewhouse and eatery in Phoenixville and a brewery and tasting room in Pottstown. Stop in to try offerings like the Black Raspberry Reserve wheat ale, the Pikeland Pils German-style pilsner, and the Royal Weisse, a Bavarian-style wheat beer.

Home brewers Jamie Robinson and Jason Kohser transformed their passion from a hobby into a business in 2007. Boxcar Brewing Company specializes in microbrews, with care and commitment evident in every batch. The family-friendly outpost in West Chester aims to make guests feel at home and welcome, with entertainment like old-school arcade games, live music, weekly Quizzo competitions, open-mic nights and more. While on site, patrons can enjoy Boxcar beers, cocktails, wine, shandies and a food menu that includes crowd-pleasers such as guacamole, flatbreads and seven varieties of poutine (seven!).

Brothers Andy and Sean Arsenault opened Brewery ARS in December 2016 in a former South Philly auto-body shop, where they offer on-tap varieties that might include offerings like Endnote, made with Ethiopian coffee; Passyunk Prime IPA; and Diggable, billed as an “IPA-ish” brew. While the facility doesn’t feature a kitchen, an arsenal of food trucks is often parked on site. Patrons are also welcome to bring their own food to enjoy while they sip their suds.

Built on the concept of passion for great craft beer, 2nd Story Brewing Company creates its suds on site in Old City. The bi-level facility brews and serves classic varieties like the Declaration IPA, made with four types of hops, as well as unconventional options like the Schwartz Court, which incorporates notes of coffee and baker’s chocolate. A full cocktail and wine menu offers alternatives for non-beer lovers, and the from-scratch kitchen delights the taste buds with options like mussels, fish and chips, brisket poutine and house-made doughnuts.

Devotees of festivals in Philadelphia will find themselves with an embarrassment of riches on their hands this weekend, when a whopping 12 massive spring festivals and block parties are happening around—and, in some cases, just outside—the city. These include major and much-loved annual hooplas like the two-day South 9th Street Italian Market Festival, the Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival and the quirky Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby in Northern Liberties. Then there are some film and arts fests to throw in the mix, such as the blush-worthy Hump! Film Festival for naughty cinephiles and outdoor art bonanza Art in the Open. Check out our full guide to all the festivals happening this weekend below. If you play your cards wisely—and take advantage of Uber—you can probably hit everything on the list that interests you. Happy festival-ing! Thursday, May 17 Philadelphia Children’s Festival at the Annenberg Center For The Performing Arts; various times, $8–$20Kicking off this festive weekend is this theater festival, which welcomes family-friendly theatrical performances of all kinds—from magic shows to circus arts to dance. Outside the Annenberg Center, at PlazaMania, kids and parents can partake in fun-filled activities like face-painting and balloon-animal workshops, munch on food-truck fare and even enjoy a special appearance from the city’s beloved baseball mascot, the Phillie Phanatic. May 17–19 Night Market in Burholme; 6pm; pay as you goThis popular summer-long food-truc