When it comes to places to eat in Philadelphia, this is city that has everything. The foodie culture is engrained in the entire city, with passionate chefs, entrepreneurs and small family run businesses creating epic dishes.
With so much choice, we wanted to create a list of dishes that you simply cannot afford to miss in 2020. From decadent meals that involve you really pushing the boat out to eat-on-the-go snacks.
Best Things to Eat in Philadelphia in 2020
How do these rankings work?
1. T-Bone Streak – Barclay Prime
This high-end steak house has a variety of cuts that you can eat in a gorgeous setting. The ideal place to come with friends or family to celebrate a special occasion.
The T-Bone itself is absolutely massive, with gorgeous tender meat that has been expertly carved off the bone for you.
2. Tacos – Blue Corn
While they cook great steak and seafood dishes at Blue Corn, you would be crazy to come here and not try their famous tacos.
The meat is slow cooked for maximum flavour and the tortillas all homemade. Every mouthful is life an explosion of freshness, while their guacamole is the final winning touch.
3. Hot Dogs – Destination Dogs
They have two locations (the other is in New Jersey) that are just all-round fun places to spend time in. That is mainly helped by the buzzing atmosphere and their large selection of great beers.
You’ll need some sustenance though, and that comes in the form of their highly inventive hotdogs. Served in wonderfully rich fresh buns, they come with an array of delicious toppings that spoil you for choice.
4. Indian Curry – Karma
Karma offers authentic and contemporary style Indian cuisine from many regions of India. The real treat is to come for their super popular lunch buffet.
The flavours are all super authentic; with so much to choose from your are going to have a huge taste sensation in your mouth. The food tastes every bit as good as it looks.
5. Soft Serve Ice Cream – C&C Creamery
C&C Creamery is an iconic venue that serves lots of great types of ice cream, but their soft serve is the stuff of legend. The lines that you see outside waiting tell you everything you need to know.
Have it dunked in one of their sauces (we suggest chocolate or caramel!) and you are going straight to ice cream heaven.
6. Sushi – Royal Sushi & Izakaya
Masaharu Morimoto’s flagship restaurant serves as a showcase for the world-renowned chef’s exhilarating cuisine. Drawing inspiration from both Japanese tradition and Western culinary techniques, there is something for everybody on the menu. The sushi and sashimi though, is at another level.
The freshest produce handled by the some of the best chefs in the world. Prepare to be blown away.
7. Pizza – Lorenzo and Sons Pizza
This super popular pizza joint has been making their pies since way back in 1970. Judging by their longevity and popularity with locals they are pretty good at what they do…
Go for a couple of the huge slices of classic pepperoni which come absolutely loaded with cheese. You absolutely won’t regret it!
8. Pastries – Essen Bakery
Essen Bakery is a small compact Jewish bakery in the south of the city that serves up some of the most unimaginably tasty treats you could ever imagine.
While they do amazing bread, sandwiches and coffee, you should instantly divert your attention to their pastries. Wonderful light and crispy pastry with the freshest of toppings and ingredients. Life doesn’t get much better than eating one of these.
9. The Burger – Village Whiskey
With a comprehensive selection of more than 200 whiskeys, that might seem like the biggest draw here, but it is in fact the burger.
This is easily one of the most perfect culinary creations in city, if indeed not the whole country. They keep it simple and focus on a classic style, but do so by elevating the burger experience to whole new levels through quality ingredients and the craftsmanship of their team.
10. Vegetarian Plates – Vedge
Vedge serves up small tapas-style plates of both veggie and vegan food and to say it is delicious would be the understatement of the year.
Dishes like the roasted carrots with black lentils and green harissa mean you won’t even miss meat for a second. Easily some of the best cooking in the city, and it’s brilliant to see their respect and sourcing of the vegetables.
11. Wings – McGillin’s Olde Ale House
McGillin’s Olde Ale House threw open its doors the year Lincoln was elected president and the place has been packed ever since.
An ideal place to gather a group of friends for some beers and great food. Although the menu has lots of comfort food classics, the wings are where you need to focus your attention. Finger licking good.
12. French Onion Soup – Butcher and Singer
Butcher and Singer is a brilliant fine-dining restaurant where the cooking is precise, the service effortless and the menu packed full of classics.
The French onion soup is absolutely loaded with melted cheese which covers a rich, sweet and utterly delicious broth. Appetisers just don’t come any better than this.
13. Cheesesteak – Pat’s King of Steaks
In a city that is known for this sandwich, it can be hard to know where to get the best one. To say you are spoilt for options would be an understatement.
They absolutely load the bread with toppings here and cover it in the most wonderful melted cheese sauce. As soon as you take the first bite you will be addicted for life. 
14. Seafood Platter – Oyster House
They might be best known for their oysters as the name, suggests but the overall seafood offering at Oyster House is second to none.
The platter is luxurious and features lobster, shrimp, oysters, clams and crab meat. It is best served with a cold bottle of white wine and somebody special.
15. Lebanese Brunch – Suraya
Their Lebanese menu has taken the city by storm in the last couple of years. The best example of their cooking is the weekend brunch which is super imaginative, packed full of exciting dishes and full of originality.
The plates are made for sharing, making it the ideal place to catch up with friends after a long week.
16. Cajun Chicken Mak & Cheese – Lucky’s Last Chance
They have a menu packed full of comforting cheat meals that will leave you struggling to choose given their quality.
The cajun chicken mac and cheese however, is a dish so delicious that you will be savouring every mouthful. It is seriously filling though, so make sure you have worked up a good appetite in advance.
17. Doughnuts – Dottie’s Doughnuts
As well as some super colourful and original toppings, they serve up a vegan doughnut which is every bit as tasty as the originals. The best way to enjoy them is by grabbing a box of a dozen and taking them home to share with family and friends.
The only hard part after that first bite will be limiting yourself to just the one!
18. Ribs – Fette Sau
The name means “fat pig” in German and they focus on cooking some of the very best BBQ in the city. You’ll find all the classics on the menu, but the ribs are truly special.
The meat is so tender that it just drops off the bone. No matter they are alongside some of their great sides or part of a mixed meat platter, these are hands down some of the best ribs you will ever taste.
19. Shakshuka – Silk City Diner
Silk City Diner absolutely nails this Turkish-inspired baked egg dish with a perfect blend of rich sauce, spiciness and bread for dunking.
They also do great events, live music and have a quality drinks menu but you simply cannot afford to not try they shakshuka when you come here. World class cooking.
20. Grilled Cheese – South Philadelphia Tap Room
This is a three-cheese grilled sandwich, to which you can add bacon or boar to really take things to the next level. The sandwich is the perfect blend of a crisp exterior with a molten lava cheese centre spilling out to your delight.
Serve it up with one of their fine selection of craft beers and you will be one seriously happy camper.
