Guidebook for Philadelphia
Everything Else
Geno's Steaks
1219 S 9th StPhilly classic! Wit or wit out?
This is a sweet, little park, I take my dog here all the time. It's dirt, not turf, but it's neighborhood run and a great place to take your dog and meet some of the locals.
Passyunk Square Dog Park
South 12th StreetThis is a sweet, little park, I take my dog here all the time. It's dirt, not turf, but it's neighborhood run and a great place to take your dog and meet some of the locals.
You must. You just must. Voted some of the best gelato in the world by Geographic Magazine.
32 locals recommend
Capogiro Gelato Artisans Scoop Shop
1625 E Passyunk AveYou must. You just must. Voted some of the best gelato in the world by Geographic Magazine.
My friend Tom owns this store. If you're particular about fashion, need a tried and true staple, or need something for an event, he will take care of you. Tell him Samantha sent you.
Metro Mens Clothing
1712 E Passyunk AveMy friend Tom owns this store. If you're particular about fashion, need a tried and true staple, or need something for an event, he will take care of you. Tell him Samantha sent you.
It's safe at all hours, even if it sometimes looks a little seedy. I've never had a problem (as a solo lady), plus it's well lit and well patrolled.
36 locals recommend
Ellsworth-Federal station
It's safe at all hours, even if it sometimes looks a little seedy. I've never had a problem (as a solo lady), plus it's well lit and well patrolled.
If you're a crossfitter, do a drop in here. Great community and you can have brunch or a beer next door at Hawthornes when you're done.
Fearless Athletics | CrossFit South Philly
744 S 11th StIf you're a crossfitter, do a drop in here. Great community and you can have brunch or a beer next door at Hawthornes when you're done.
Best hoagie ever. Actually, best sandwhich ever. It's a strong statement, I know. Get the Junkyard Special.
8 locals recommend
Sarcone's Deli
736 South 9th StreetBest hoagie ever. Actually, best sandwhich ever. It's a strong statement, I know. Get the Junkyard Special.
Open House Store
107 S 13th StDangerous for shopaholics.
Verde
108 S 13th StAlso dangerous shopping.
Entertainment & Activities
Cute little kids playground and great BYOB restaurants in the area. See if you can find the bread baking company with one of the oldest wood-fired ovens in the city (hint you can smell it).
17 locals recommend
Columbus Square
1200 Wharton StCute little kids playground and great BYOB restaurants in the area. See if you can find the bread baking company with one of the oldest wood-fired ovens in the city (hint you can smell it).
Food Scene
If you're a coffee aficionado, you must visit this shop. Amazing coffee, great sourdough bagels, and a bottle bar with growlers to go.
171 locals recommend
Ultimo Coffee
1900 S 15th StIf you're a coffee aficionado, you must visit this shop. Amazing coffee, great sourdough bagels, and a bottle bar with growlers to go.
You can't go wrong with this place! It's funky and has great food. Splurge on the steak nachos if you're feeling naughty, or try the mixto salad. Great spot for brunch and beautiful outdoor space.
137 locals recommend
Cantina Los Caballitos
1651 E Passyunk AveYou can't go wrong with this place! It's funky and has great food. Splurge on the steak nachos if you're feeling naughty, or try the mixto salad. Great spot for brunch and beautiful outdoor space.
Slightly on the more pricy side, but worth it. Very romantic and small. Make reservations in advance - and don't skimp on the bread or butter here, it's phenomenal.
32 locals recommend
Fond
1537 S 11th StSlightly on the more pricy side, but worth it. Very romantic and small. Make reservations in advance - and don't skimp on the bread or butter here, it's phenomenal.
This is a secret little spot that not many people know about. They don't serve much, but they serve it well. $5 burgers, homemade pickles and extensive beer menu.
55 locals recommend
Fountain Porter
1601 S 10th StThis is a secret little spot that not many people know about. They don't serve much, but they serve it well. $5 burgers, homemade pickles and extensive beer menu.
This place is worth the walk. Some of the best croissants I've had in the city in a completely unexpected place. Get their sausage egg and cheese or any of the pastries.
40 locals recommend
Artisan Boulanger Patissier
1218 Mifflin StThis place is worth the walk. Some of the best croissants I've had in the city in a completely unexpected place. Get their sausage egg and cheese or any of the pastries.
LaScala's Birra
1700 E Passyunk AveGreat artisan pizza!
Go here. Especially on Sunday for their Sunday School menu. Yum.
51 locals recommend
Tria Cafe Wash West
1137 Spruce StGo here. Especially on Sunday for their Sunday School menu. Yum.
Drinks & Nightlife
One of the best gastropub's in the city. I love this place for brunch. They're famous for their grilled cheese.
112 locals recommend
South Philadelphia Tap Room
1509 Mifflin StOne of the best gastropub's in the city. I love this place for brunch. They're famous for their grilled cheese.
This place has a great outdoor garden. It's a little seedy to walk there, but I've never had a problem and it's worth the walk. You must try their fried peanut butter and jelly!
167 locals recommend
American Sardine Bar
1800 Federal StThis place has a great outdoor garden. It's a little seedy to walk there, but I've never had a problem and it's worth the walk. You must try their fried peanut butter and jelly!
Don't eat dinner here, but definitely try the bar menu and their cocktails. They make a mean ol' fashioned and a perfect Moscow Mule. Outdoor seating and dog friendly (I always bring my dog).
71 locals recommend
Stateside
1536 E Passyunk AveDon't eat dinner here, but definitely try the bar menu and their cocktails. They make a mean ol' fashioned and a perfect Moscow Mule. Outdoor seating and dog friendly (I always bring my dog).
Very hip and smart. Good date spot with great food and cocktails.
93 locals recommend
Vernick Food & Drink
2031 Walnut StVery hip and smart. Good date spot with great food and cocktails.
If you're a fan of craft cocktails, then this little spot is for you. Good date spot, but it's small. Go early.
141 locals recommend
The Franklin Bar
1715 S 18th StIf you're a fan of craft cocktails, then this little spot is for you. Good date spot, but it's small. Go early.
Nam Phuong Restaurant
1100 Washington AveCheap and good. The pho here is excellent.
Asian fusion, great for parties or for a date. Reasonable prices (great happy hour) and sexy atmosphere. Try the edamame dumplings or the pork bao buns.
61 locals recommend
Sampan
124 S 13th StAsian fusion, great for parties or for a date. Reasonable prices (great happy hour) and sexy atmosphere. Try the edamame dumplings or the pork bao buns.
Wonderful food! Make reservations way in advance. Even if you're not a sweets lover, try the Budino (Italian pudding). Makes your clothes fall off. Gourmet magazine gave it rave reviews.
78 locals recommend
Barbuzzo
110 S 13th StWonderful food! Make reservations way in advance. Even if you're not a sweets lover, try the Budino (Italian pudding). Makes your clothes fall off. Gourmet magazine gave it rave reviews.
Royal Tavern
937 E Passyunk AveBrunch! One of the best burgers. Great gastropub.
The Franklin Bar
1715 S 18th StMaybe one of the best burgers I've had in the city!
Shopping
Anything with the black pepper!!!
Black shea is nice too. If you're looking for a gift, their little cloth bags are really cute.
6 locals recommend
Duross & Langel
240 S 13th StAnything with the black pepper!!!
Black shea is nice too. If you're looking for a gift, their little cloth bags are really cute.