Philadelphia has always been a world class city. For many years it has thrived in the areas of arts and culture, historical significance and architecture. However, until recently, Philly has never been known as a culinary hotbed. Sure, there were a few heavy hitters, but nothing like it’s current offerings. These days, it seems Philadelphia gives cities like Chicago, New York and San Francisco a run for their money in edible excitement. We are a city of neighborhoods filled with BYOB’s, Iron Chefs and Ethnic Delicacies.
Queen Village, a neighborhood with boundaries of Lombard Street to Washington Avenue, Front Street to 6th Street, encompasses two principal commercial corridors- South Street and Fabric Row. South Street was the countercultural hub of Philly in the 60s and 70s and is still a lively shopping and nightlife district. Many of the artists that were drawn to South Street in its earlier days still live in Queen Village, along with families and young newcomers. Queen Village has many wonderful restaurants from which to choose!
ETHNIC:
Dmitri’s: (Greek) Fresh seafood and tasty mediterranean fare.
Marrakesh: (African) Award willing Moroccan cuisine.
Bistrot La Minette: (French) An authentic French Bistrot in Philadelphia.
Las Bugambilias: (Mexican) A traditional Mexican restaurant located on South Street in Philadelphia. As chef and owner of this center city Philadelphia restaurant, Carlos Molina offers high quality, freshly prepared, Mexican food from three different regions in Mexico.
Leziz Turkish Cuisine: (Turkish) Leziz Turkish Cuisine is a family owned restaurant specializing in authentic Turkish, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine.
South Street Souvlaki: (Greek) Traditional Greek food on South St.
Tamarind: (Thai) Authentic Thai Food. Fresh herbs and spices like lemon grass, sweet basil, coriander, galangal and kaffer lime help the food give its distinctive Thai flavor.
Creperie Beau Monde: (French) Delicious Crepes, cocktails and more!
Mustard Greens: (Chinese) A contemporary take on Chinese cuisine.
Alyan’s: (Middle Eastern) Middle eastern flavors in a casual setting.
Catahoula: (Creole) Cajun and Creole cuisine.
Fez: (Moroccan) A traditional Moroccan experience.
Sushi Planet: (Japanese) Sushi and sashimi at an affordable price.
Southwark: (Italian) Sourced ingredients from local farmers and co-ops in order to sustain and support local farms and economies. Southwark has built up relationships with multiple family farms to ensure that their produce, dairy and meats are at their peak of freshness and flavor when harvested. This results in a truly unique menu that is one of the freshest and most dynamic in the Philadelphia region. They strive to set the standard in the farm to plate slow food movement that is sweeping the region and nation.
Lovash: (Indian) Indian cuisine. Eat in, take out or buffet.
GASTROPUB:
New Wave Cafe: Chef Evans Herbert has crafted New Wave’s diverse menu to include something for everyone; small plates for light appetites, deli-style sandwiches, fantastic burgers, a myriad of flatbread pizzas, delicious and unique salads, comfort-minded entrees, and indulgent desserts.
Kennett: Kennett Cafe originally opened its doors to the Queen Village neighborhood on July 4, 1924, and served the neighborhood until in 1986. Current owners have reopened as Kennett Restaurant, which features wood-fired pizza and sustainably and locally-sourced food for vegetarians and omnivores, sixteen local craft beers on tap, twenty fine wines by the glass, local musicians on the sound system, and living wages for a family-oriented staff. The owners also hope to make Kennett the city’s first bar and restaurant to achieve certification through the Green Restaurant Association.
Twisted Tail: The Twisted Tail is a Southern-inspired Bourbon House & Juke Joint, presenting an eclectic mix of American Whiskey and gastronomic offerings from a Charcoal Grill.
PIZZA:
Lorenzo and Sons: Legendary Philadelphia pizza. Big and floppy!
La Fourno Trattoria: La Fourno has the ambience of a neighborhood Trattoria. They serve authentically prepared dishes from Abruzzo, Umbria & Tuscany all made with the freshest ingredients purchased daily from the local Italian market. Their breads, calzones, pannini’s and pizzas are baked in a wood burning brick oven.
Pietro’s Coal Oven Pizzeria: A 60 year old recipe. Pizza is made in a coal burning oven.
Olympia Pizza: Greek owned Pizza shop on South Street. Grab and go.
MISCELLANEOUS:
Blackbird: (Vegan) Blackbird Pizzeria is Philadelphia’s first and only all vegan pizzeria. We serve pizza, sandwiches, salad and dessert.
Bridget Foy’s: (American Eclectic) A South Street Tradition since 1978.
South Street Diner: (Diner) Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. A classic Philadelphia diner.
Ela: (Wine Bar) In November of 2011, chefs Jason Cichonski and Chip Roman partnered to open Ela, an inventive new American bar and restaurant in Philadelphia’s Queen Village neighborhood. Ela showcases 27-year-old Cichonski, who Philadelphia Inquirer’s Craig LaBan called “one of our most exciting young chefs,” is combining an approachable menu of innovative dishes with an extensive wine and craft beer program and inspired cocktail list in a rustic-modern setting.
“Creatively, it’s wonderfully freeing to prepare food that doesn’t fit into any one genre or style; this is seasonal food, using exceptional ingredients, prepared perfectly,” says Chef Cichonski. Ela is a serious-yet-comfortable restaurant with a menu that that changes frequently throughout the year, to reflect the latest offerings.
Serpico: (Modern American) Serpico is a collaboration between James Beard Award-winning chef Peter Serpico and restaurateur Stephen Starr. Located on South Street, the 60-seater has a true neighborhood feel, with cozy booths, counter seating and a small bar at which the full menu is available. Serving dinner only, the cuisine is ingredient-driven offering a seasonally evolving menu of playful yet familiar takes on global fare.A small hand-picked list of food-friendly wines perfectly complements the menu and a quality cocktail program features boutique spirits.
Jon’s Bar and Grill: (Seafood, BBQ) Jon’s Bar is a neighborhood restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating which also happens to be the birthplace of Larry Fine, one of the three stooges.
Essene: (Vegetarian, Organic) Philadelphia’s premiere natural foods store since 1969.
There are also dozens of coffee shops, sandwich shops and other food options too numerous to list, and many new restaurants pop up almost daily. Bon Appétit!
