Greater Philadelphia’s food offerings are as diverse as the city itself. From the cozy authentic Mexican eateries in the Italian Market to the restaurant empires built by big names like Stephen Starr, Jose Garces, Michael Solomonov, Marcie Turney and Valarie Safran, Michael Schulson, and the like, Philly has a taste for, well, everything. Whether you’re looking for an experience or simply want sustenance, there’s a delicious meal waiting.
As the city’s restaurant scene constantly evolves, new openings bring variety to an already varied palate. Among the latest restaurant openings are the Filipino BYOB Tabachoy in Bella Vista and the veggie-forward Ground Provisions in West Chester. Here are some new dining destinations — all opened since November 1, 2022 — to add to your bucket list.
Acclaimed chef Jose Garces brings his menu of signature Spanish tapas to Radnor. The new 250-seat space on Lancaster Avenue features a menu of favorites from the original Old City location in addition to new dishes like Croquetas de Trufa (seared scallops, caviar and crème fraiche) and Aleta (Wagyu skirt steak, cabrales jus and potato puree).
After an under-the-radar opening late last year, Swedish cocktail bar Andra Hem and its luxe, vibrant aesthetics quickly got a nod from The New York Times. Come for the Swedish meatballs and creative cocktails in intimate, low-light environs.
The 9,500-square-foot space on the ground floors of The Lofts in Brewerytown is now Brewerytown Food Hall, with seven food concepts from Glu Hospitality. The two-level space features a main dining room, three bars, a lounge, arcade games and a giant 25-foot-tall mural by self-taught Philly artist Alloyius Mcilwaine. As for the food vendors? Find fare from Figo Ristorante, Figo Pizzeria, Izakaya by Yanaga, 1225 Raw, Leda’s Cocktail Lounge, Hunnies Crispy Chicken and Tiny’s Burger Joint.
A culinary journey through Mexico, El Chingon highlights chef Carlos Aparicio’s hometown of Puebla. Don’t miss the cemitas — tortas from Puebla — on fresh-baked bread (Aparicio got his start baking) with varieties featuring adobo pork, chicken or beef milanese, herb-marinated mushrooms and chorizo.
This charming French BYOB — seriously, just take a peek at the artwork on the walls, supplied by West Chester boutique and art gallery LeBerger — do what the French do best: fromage, tartare de boeuf, steak frites. Très magnifique!
There’s no shortage of pasta joints in this town, but Queen Village’s latest entry to the scene — Farina Di Vita — serves more than just ravioli. Owners Jason Okdeh and Brandyn Luis specialize in specialty handmade pasta, chicken cutlets, a deli featuring imported meats, and hot and cold sandwiches on Sarcone’s rolls.
After its sister concept, a daytime cafe, opened in 2021, the Forîn family is expanding with a second location that’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Called Forîn, the European-inspired experience offers breakfast sandwiches on house-baked biscuits and coffee in the morning and charcuterie and baguettes for dinner, plus craft cocktails and house-made wine.
The kitchen where chefs Brian Oliveira and Brian Mattera met and fell in love is now the location of their Portuguese-inspired cafe and market. Serving pastéis de nata and other house-made pastries, Gilda offers breakfast, lunch and coffee. Also on-site: a retail section with specialty food products, imported and local goods, and prepared foods.
For a slice of Europe in Philadelphia, look no further than Grace & Proper, a cozy, vintage spot for wine and charcuterie. The husband-and-wife team behind Hawthornes, Sonny’s Cocktail Joint and WineDive oversee Grace & Proper’s Portuguese-inspired food menu, featuring meatballs, tomato pies, and some sandwiches too.
From the owners of the acclaimed Vedge in Old City, this ground-to-table restaurant in West Chester serves up seasonal, meat-free tasting menus that are absolutely bursting with farm-fresh veggies. Reservations are required for the cozy, eight-seat dining room, which opens for dinner service every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Wine pairings and a full bar are also available.
Chef Townsend Wentz’s American tavern and gastropub The Hayes joins his Spanish tapas restaurant Oloroso in the already-impressive food haven of Midtown Village. Expect elevated versions of classic pub fare like burgers, mussels, and wings, in addition to steak frites and roasted chicken.
This boutique steakhouse in Malvern serves up seafood starters, classic cocktails and hand-cut steaks ranging in size from six to 22 ounces. Feeling especially famished? Spring for the eye-poppingly large Tomahawk ribeye
Chef Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon upgraded Kalaya’s digs to an expansive and fashionable space just off of Frankford Avenue in Fishtown (now with a liquor license). The award-winning Thai menu has been slightly rejiggered, too, but the crowd-pleasing spicy curries are still staples of the menu.
Where: Kalaya, 4 W. Palmer Street
’Round and ’round it goes — the sushi that is. The city’s first outpost of the chain Kura Sushi opened in January 2023 to the delight of those looking for a futuristic dining experience. Aside from the constantly revolving belt carrying sushi rolls, dumplings and nigiri throughout the restaurant, diners can order warm dishes (like ramen) from a touch screen at their table. (Don’t worry: Those dishes are also delivered via conveyor belt.) Drinks are served by — who else? — Kur-B, an adorably named robot. It’s fun, simple and techy.
In Kalaya’s former Italian Market digs is MAWN, a BYOB Cambodian noodle house. First-time restaurateurs Phila (yep, Phila owns a restaurant in Philadelphia) and Rachel Lorn put a spin on Southeast Asian cuisine with flourishes of Jewish influence.
Where: Mawn, 764 S. 9th Street
Ever since Paesano’s Fishtown location shuttered in 2020, a hole was left in our sandwich-loving hearts. Revived in the Italian Market, chef Peter McAndrews brings Paesano’s award-winning sandwiches — like the Arista, featuring roasted suckling pig, broccoli rabe, sharp provolone and long hots — back to the very grateful masses.
Where: Paesano’s, 943 S. 9th Street
Add another one to Michael Schulson’s restaurant empire. Pearl & Mary Oyster Bar offers up fresh-shucked oysters and lobster amid other raw bar offerings, plus hot dishes like octopus al pastor, steamed clams with pork, and shrimp toast.
The team behind Redcrest Fried Chicken, which closed last spring, returns with Redcrest Kitchen, a modern-American restaurant courtesy of chef Evan Snyder. The seasonal menu currently includes chicken liver toast, Rohan duck and smoked short rib. For those still clamoring for Redcrest Fried Chicken, it’s currently served in takeout capacity as a pop up at Redcrest Kitchen.
Tabachoy — meaning “chubby” in Tagalog — is a light-hearted rib among friends and family in Filipino culture. And you’re sure to feel like family at this tiny Bella Vista BYOB, which serves up nostalgic Pinoy plates like pork sisig (minced pork belly with chili and a fried egg) and pork adobo (braised pork shoulder) in a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Adding to the familial feel: a community beer fridge that encourages BYOB-ers to take a can, leave a can.
Where: Tabachoy, 932 S. 10th Street
After crafting a hit spiked seltzer, the team behind Two Robbers took the next natural step: a tasting room. You can’t miss the green facade wedged between Frankford Avenue and Shackamaxon Street, where you can not only sip on Two Robbers’ signature seltzers, but also order cocktails (featuring the seltzers, natch), as well as excellent smash burgers and fries.
