Barbuzzo
110 S. 13th St.
Located in Midtown Village, an area of Philly that’s busy even on weeknights, this happening spot buzzes with an exciting energy exuded by its mostly young clientele. Popular with locals as well as with national publications that have given it rave reviews, Barbuzzo earns its accolades by way of its unusual pizzas with unexpected toppings like truffled eggs and squash blossoms as well as pasta dishes featuring littleneck clams and dandelion greens. But the ultimate prizewinner here is the salted caramel budino, a vanilla bean caramel pudding with sea salt and chocolate cookie crumbs; the in-demand dessert is so good it often sells out.Read More
Honey's Sit 'n Eat
800 N. 4th St.
Hipsters will love the Northern Liberties restaurant for the retro look that combines grandma’s kitchen with 1950’s diner style. They’ll also enjoy its unusual takes on breakfast and lunch dishes that feature a Southern and Jewish twist; foodies will fancy that aspect, too, whether they’re hip or square. Bubby’s brisket breakfast and challah French toast are great choices, but if you’re super hungry, go for The Bomb, a huge pancake stuffed with scrambled eggs, potatoes and sausage. Prices are quite reasonable here, so it won’t cost a lot of dough to fill your tummy with deliciousness at one of Philadelphia’s best places to eat breakfast and brunch.
Jones
700 Chestnut St.
Swoon-worthy décor hits you right in the face the minute you walk into the dining room at Jones. This ridiculously cool space is jazzed up with a tastefully done medley of mid-century furnishings à la “The Brady Bunch” and “The Jetsons,” complementing the menu perfectly. You’ll find modern renditions of comforting standards just like mom used to make including matzo ball soup, meatloaf and baked macaroni and cheese. If you want to really feel like you’re at home, have some chocolate layer cake, served (as it should be) with ice-cold milk.
Kraftwork
541 E. Girard Ave.
This Fishtown gastropub effortlessly serves up a wide variety of tasty pub grub, but what makes it stand out is its extensive craft beer menu, which frequently changes. A detailed list describes this week’s and next week’s brews, so aficionados of IPAs, stouts and ales can plan their schedules accordingly. Of course, no pub worth its salt is complete without something to chow down on, and Kraftwork doesn’t disappoint there, either. A variety of succulent sandwiches and tempting bar appetizers like a mushroom Reuben and crispy pierogis go perfectly with your hops-laden drink of choice. The rustic yet modern interior adds ambience with artistic touches, including a brick wall emblazoned with a world map and a door handle shaped like an oversized screw.
Pho Xe Lua Viet Thai Restaurant
907 Race St.
When hunger strikes during tours of the attractions on your vacation, this is a great spot for a filling yet budget-conscious meal. If you’re not familiar with pho, it’s basically a meal in a bowl of steaming broth that contains rice noodles with chicken, steak or seafood. If soup doesn’t strike your fancy, this bare-bones food place near the National Constitution Center also offers stir-fried noodle and rice dishes. For dessert, order a scrumptious smoothie in flavors like mango, pineapple, avocado and yellow bean served in a cute plastic cup decorated with cartoon animals.