From traditional Puerto Rican empanadas and tostones to the ever-classic national dish of arroz con gandules, the best Puerto Rican restaurants in Philadelphia showcase all of the flavourful favourites you’d expect to see wandering the streets of San Juan.
Philly has a vibrant and proud Latin community, so expect to find some amazing food here. If you’re not drooling yet, then you’re about to…
Best Puerto Rican Restaurants In Philadelphia
How do these rankings work?
1. Freddy & Tony’s Restaurant
You can’t have a list of the best Puerto Rican Restaurants in Philadelphia and not include Freddy & Tony’s on N Front St. It’s a classic for good reason.
For a full feast of Puerto Rican favourites, this family-friendly restaurant always delivers. The North Philly joint serves up freshly baked meat pastries, tender chicken , stuffed plantains and plenty of combo plates. All delicious, every single time.
2. El Bohio
For 20 years, this Centro de Oro spot has served authentic tastes of Puerto Rico food, dishing out salads, sandwiches and small plates. Think: fried plantain chips, fried cassava root, beer-brined wings and croquettes. The menu has a mix of Mexican food as well, so there’s something for all tastes.
When it comes to comfort food in the city, you’ll never go too far wrong here.
3. Restaurante y Lechonera Principe
Owners Santiago and Margarita Principe spit-roast whole pigs and chickens over a traditional Puerto-Rican charcoal pit in the backyard. So, you can expect seriously delicious meats here. We suggest you smother the smoky meats with their homemade pique hot sauce.
Also on the menu: rice and beans, green banana or cassava fritters, pastelillos (meat-filled pastry) and Caribbean root beer.
4. Loco Lucho
Chefs Luis Liceaga and Rafi Nieto bring Puerto Rican street food to the masses at the Reading Terminal Market. Their locally and Latino-influenced menu stars empanadas, fried chicken, seafood paella, marinated skirt steak pinchos with chimichurri and the Philly Special sandwich, made with pork, chicken, steak, hot sauce and potato sticks.
It’s a must-visit for some creative PR eats.
5. Porky’s Point
When it comes to authentic Puerto Rican restaurants in Philadelphia, you can’t get much better than Porky’s Point. This low-key takeaway spot is in the heart of el barrio on the corner of 5th & Rising Sun Ave. It’s basically fast food, but not as you know it.
Freshly prepared mofongo, alcapurias, tostones, arroz con abichuelas and pork sandwiches are just some of the highlights. Our tip? Order the pint of roasted pig ears with tangy red sauce.
6. El Coqui Panaderia y Reposteria
Though pretty much a bakery, this Harrowgate spot also serves savoury dishes such as sandwiches, mofongo, empanadas and pollo guisado. So far, so good. What’s even better though, is the sweet goods. The temptation of the fresh and homemade flan, pan de agua and stuffed tornillo pastries here is undeniable.
7. Bar Bombón
Bringing together her Puerto Rican heritage and vegan lifestyle, owner Nicole Marquis offers vegan versions of island tacos, sandwiches, nachos and margaritas in this stylish bar and eatery off Rittenhouse Square. There’s other Latin influences on the menu too, such as Peruvian and Mexican.
Don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it: you won’t even realise the dishes are missing any dairy or meat ingredients.
