Welcome back for the third year of the Annual Dan DuPraw Restaurant Awards in Philadelphia! I’m excited to share the 2024 Philadelphia winners! To learn more about how these awards got started, you can check out my 2022 awards post here.

This year I have decided to change my rating category and moving forward I will award the Top 10 Best Restaurants in Philadelphia of the year, as well as best awards in the following categories: Cheesesteak, Pizza, Bakery, Coffee Shop, Food Truck, and Takeout.

I hope this list can serve you as an excellent collection of ideas for date nights, or when your out-of-town friends and family come to Philly and you just can’t remember all the great places you have been, but want to take them somewhere that will leave an impression and create a core memory. Or maybe, this list will simply provide you with some excellent new spots to have a great experience.

To make the list, here is what I’m looking for:

• INGREDIENTS: High quality ingredients, fresh, and preferably locally sourced.
• EXPERIENCE: An emotional food experience that makes you feel you have learned something or experienced something new or cultural, something that feeds your soul as well as your stomach.
• FLAVOR: The food must offer incredible, unique, interesting and delicious flavors. You will want to tell someone about the food after eating it!
• ATMOSPHERE: The restaurant must have a noteworthy atmosphere: This could be fine dining and elegance, or a hole in the wall spot you would never notice, as long as it makes a positive impact and adds to the experience.
• SERVICE: I am not incredibly picky about service but nothing will be on my list if the service isn’t acceptable.

Winners

Top 10 Best Restaurants in Philadelphia

1. Kanella Grill

Kanella Grill: So you went to Greece one time and you’re looking for those incredible flavors? This is the spot and I’m proud to put it in the TOP spot for 2024 in my list of best restaurants in Philadelphia. The service here is top-notch, personable, and so friendly. They are quick to bring your food and make recommendations, and when the food gets there, you suddenly you forget about all your problems and how sad you are that you are not in Greece. This has been my number one spot in Philly for the last year for so many reasons, a few of them include: Basil Ezme (omg it’s ridiculous!), Mutabal, Hummus, Chicken Shish, Haloumi Cheese and apricot, and wait for it… The Kunefe dessert. It’s is a spun pastry that is soaked in a sweet syrup and pistachios which become chewy and delicious served in a piping hot oven plate. I can’t speak highly enough of this place and just to make things even better… it is a BYO spot. Bring a great bottle of wine, invite your parents, your friends, your lover, or anyone else, and just soak up the flavors of the Mediterranean.

Order: See list in paragraph above 👆

Price: $40-$50 per person depending how hungry you are and if you want more Haloumi Cheese (Do we always order more? Maybe?! Is that any of your business, no! Haha).

2. Grandma’s Philly Thai

Grandma’s Philly: Based on the name I sort of expected a little joint with dirty floors and great take out but my expectations were completely shattered when we walked into a sexy atmosphere filled with eager diners waiting for beautiful, flavorful, delicious, Thai, dishes to be ushered out of the kitchen and onto their table. The service is top notch, the flavors are impeccable (watch out for that spice level, I’d recommend one step down from whatever you normally do because 3/5 was pretty hot for me haha). I loved every single thing we have tried here (multiple times). If you’ve never tried Thai Basil (the dish) I highly recommend getting it here. For 2024 I made it my goal to try as many thai restaurants as I could and Grandma’s Philly is the clear winner – Grandma is the best of the best!

Order: Thai Basil, Drunken Noodles, Pad Thai, Curry Puffs, Grandma’s Glass Noodles, Massaman Curry, anything the staff recommends.

Price: Small plates range from $10-$15 and shared plates range from $16-$35. Honestly for the atmosphere and location, the prices are pretty great.

3. Alice

Alice: New on the block at 9th and Christian, just at the top of the Italian Market sits this exquisite modern American spot serving seasonal plates from their charcoal oven. The flavors are elegant and exciting, the food is probably as fresh as you can find and the atmosphere begs you to drink great wine and not miss a single morsel of food from your plate. They have a lovely wine list and cocktail menu. The restaurant is pretty small so definitely book in advance on their website.

Order: Their menu changes with the seasons. I enjoyed everything especially the Artichoke ravioli, the Orchard morel mushrooms with fiddleheads, and the Colorado lamb rack.

Price: The chef’s tasting menu is $105 per person or entrees average around $30-$35.

4. Parc Rittenhouse

Parc Rittenhouse – A fun atmosphere in this French bistro with an extensive menu so there is definitely something for everyone. It truly reminds me of sitting in a bistro in Paris near the Eiffel Tower eating delicious food, sipping perfect wine… except no one here is mad that I only speak 3 phrases of French! (je ne parle pas français). The bread basket here is always a highlight with their signature fresh breads (get a loaf of the cranberry walnut bread to take home and eat with butter, it is killer). The Onion Soup never disappoints and the Quiche Lorraine is exquisite. One other note I just cant resist is that the men’s bathroom is such a vibe: the art on the walls, the old-fashioned doors and stalls, it always makes me happy to go in there. FUN FACT: President Joe Biden dined here in 2023 when he visited Philadelphia… if it’s good enough for a U.S. President, it’s good enough for me!

Order: (French) Onion Soup, Bread Basket, Quiche Lorraine, Spaghettini Bolognese, Croque Monsieur.

Price: Brunch entrees range from $14-$43 and dinner prices range from $17-$43. With appetizers and a drink each you can easily be over $55 each but the food is filling so no need to go wild (but do if you want to).

5. Perla Filipino

Perla: Look no further for one of the most wonderful, immersive, Filipino FEASTS! Chef Lou Boquila is a master of his craft. Everything comes out as it’s ready and they cover your table with banana leaves and then put the food right on the leaves. You eat with your hands so no need to worry about pesky utensils, just dive right in! Another perk of Perla is that it is a BYO restaurant so you can decide what you pair with the delicious array of meats, fish, and vegetables. I chose to bring a nice crisp German Riesling and it really went perfect with the fatty meats and fried fish.

Order: The feast.

Price: Approximately $50 per person.

6. El Molino Tortilleria & Restaurant

El Molino Tortilleria & Restaurant: I keep looking for a better taco in Philadelphia, and I keep not finding it! Everything here is FRESH! I probably shouldn’t even be telling anyone about it because this hole in the wall (hole in a townhouse?) is the best kept secret of South Philly and I almost don’t want to share about it for fear of spoiling it. José and Lala own and operate this restaurant and will feed you the most incredible, fresh, flavorful, Mexican food that you will find, north of the border. The corn tortillas are made fresh (as is everything else they serve). I should mention that when you walk in, your immediate thought will be “do they allow dine in?” And let me assure you that yes, they do. This is a no frills establishment, and the charm is in exactly that, it is so no frills that you feel like you might be in Mexico, and when those tacos hit your tongue, you will understand the meaning of life.

Order: Mole tacos, spicy marinated chicken tacos, empanadas, barbacoa tacos. Fresh horchata to drink!

Price: $8-$16 per plate.

7. Autana: Authentic Venezuelan Food

Autana: A two-time award winner, and I keep going back for more! Venezuelan food has a special place in my heart, and I cook something Venezuelan at least once a week. The food at Autana will leave your mouth exploding with flavor that is out of this world. If you have never tried Venezuelan food, this is the place to do it. You will try things you didn’t know existed and it is so exciting! Sharing Autana with you means sharing a restaurant that has a perfect atmosphere, exquisite service (family run, and they are awesome), high quality and fresh ingredients, and a place where Venezuelans can go for a taste of home! I have eaten here multiple times and each time I am blown away. Everything is made with love (which you can taste) and mastery, so order anything you want and you’ll be impressed, but here are some recommendations I have for you:

Order: Arepas, Cachapas, Tequeños, soups, empanaditas, juices… oh wait I’m listing everything. Cachapa with Pernil (shredded pork), or the Arepa Catira (chicken and gouda cheese), the Empanaditas and the Tequeños the easiest to recommend (and overeat). The Chicken Chupe soup is delicious, and they have a wonderful coffee bar with all your standard coffee drinks as well.

Price: $15-$30 per plate. They also have a tasting menu for $60 per person which is a great price for the food you get.

8. Laser Wolf

Laser Wolf: This spot continues to be just an amazing experience. The flavors, hospitality, wine selection, staff recommendations and knowledge all comes together to provide one of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had. I’m not sure what is better, constantly being amazed at the flavors, or the fact that they loaded my leftover containers with EXTRA FOOD. I couldn’t believe it. The staff here was so interested in what we were liking the most and hearing about how we were experiencing the food. One last word: Hummus. I actually have many more words, but eat that hummus like your life depends on it, it is the creamiest hummus I have ever had in my life.

Order: Salatim is included with the main dishes and it is a huge tray of about 10 different dips and sauces or “soft salads” to eat with the freshly made, warm, pita bread. Ask for the staff recommendations but I loved the Chicken Shishlik and the Bulgarian Beef Kabob

Price: About $45 per person depending on what you order.

10. Terakawa Ramen

Terawaka Ramen: We take many out of town friends here and frequently hear “This is the best ramen I have ever had, and I’ve had ramen in ________” (insert: NYC, LA, Japan, etc). It’s our go-to spot to dine in (very limited seating so you’ll almost always wait at peak times, or can join the waiting list in advance from the Yelp app), or order take away and it’s equally as delightful.

Order: The Terekawa Ramen is my favorite but I’ve tried them all and love them all. I highly recommend the pan fried gyoza and the pork buns as well.

Price: Ramen bowls are about $15 each.

Best Cheesesteak in 2024:

Angelos Pizzeria: We went for the pizza and stayed for the Philly Cheesesteak. This place has strange hours for a pizza joint but I love that the owners have boundaries: They are open from 11a-7p Wednesday through Sunday so plan accordingly. I’ve tried many cheesesteaks in this city and every single one could start an argument but after truly diving into the Cheesesteak scene, I think I have found the BEST Philly Cheesesteak there is in this city. Check it out and decide for yourself. Bonus authenticity tip: one of my neighbors that has lived in South Philly their whole live always talks about this place… that’s how you know you’re getting the real deal.

Best Pizza of 2024

Marra’s Italian – Walk in and it’s like being transported to the 1950’s Philadelphia Italian world (catch me casually looking around for some mafia men haha) with a hand-built stone oven they cook their famous pizzas in. This place is in the perfect location for an evening stroll down East Passyunk after you’re stuffed with Italian. Prices: Speciality pizzas range from $15-$25. Pasta dishes average about $16 each. I have eaten their “Quattro Gusti” pizza more times than I can count and it always makes me say “oh my gosh I forgot how amazing this pizza is!”

Best Bakery of 2024

Kouklet Brazilian Bakehouse: Honestly, this is the place I am telling all my friends to visit right now. This more than anything else on my list is where my heart truly is. The Brazilian Empanadas (Empadas) are incredible (Chicken Curry is my favorite) and they have sourdough donuts that are out of this world. The tapioca cheese bread (Pão de queijo) is so delicious and I always want more. I’ve been stopping by secretly every Saturday to grab a few treats and they have this incredible yuka and coconut cake that is wild and wonderful. Honestly I have had everything here at least once if not 2 or 10 times and I am always upset that I didn’t order more. Check their hours because they are limited but it’s worth it to plan your entire life around the hours. Rumor has it that they are expanding their cafe to have seating available but for now it is take out only (or they do have one table on the sidewalk… a coworker once walked by as I was stuffing my face with a donut and had cream going up my nose… Sorry you had to see that Marianne!).

Best Coffee Shop of 2024

Vernick Coffee Bar: Located inside of the Comcast Technology center where you can feel the buzz of creativity and innovation (check out the Universal Sphere across the lobby from the coffee shop for some inspiration). While it’s a bit pricey, the vibes are on point and the food and drinks are excellent. Any of their baked goods are a true delight and I really enjoy their teas and cold brew coffee. It’s a great spot to bring your laptop and get a couple hours of work done while soaking up the inspiration from the crowd walking past.

Best Food Truck of 2024

SaiJai Thai: If you’re looking for some amazing Thai Food, this is the spot (if you can find it). SaiJai parks outside of the Aldi on Oregon in South Philly some afternoons for lunch, otherwise you can find her at the South East Asian Market at FDR park every weekend. She is the sweetest woman and always ready for a laugh and to tell you what’s good that day. I particularly love the Pad Thai, and the Mango Sticky Rice!

Best Takeout of 2024

Mom Mom’s Kitchen: Truly my takeout guilty pleasure (although I don’t think I need to feel guilty about it). The Polish blood in me gets so happy when I get Mom-Moms. I absolutely LOVE their stuffed cabbage, and of course their pierogis (I always get a side of sauerkraut as well). This is one of my favorite things to pick up on the way home from center city, and the crew working inside are always so friendly and efficient. They have no seating so it truly is a hole in the wall and takeout only.

Top 20 Honorable Mentions

Taco Heart: Austin Texas-style breakfast tacos! I usually go to Texas at least once a year to visit my sister and one of my favorite things to do is get breakfast tacos, now TACO HEART has mastered the Texas style breakfast taco right here in Philadelphia and I highly recommend it. I’ve tried multiple and loved them all (the salsas are GREAT too) so you can’t go wrong here.

Juana Tamale: Yes, I DO wanna tamale! But what I want even more are the Queso Birria tacos from here! These are some of the best tacos in Philadelphia and I continue to go back for more. Tucked down at the start of the cutest stretch of East Passyunk, right near Broad – it’s an easy location to get to and enjoy the neighborhood.

Pumpkin BYOB: Serving local and sustainable food with a menu that changes daily based on what is fresh and uses food from local farmers and fishermen. The place is tiny so be sure to make a reservation. Bring an outrageous bottle of wine (or a few) to share with the table and delight yourself with the unique flavors and dishes that Ian and Hilary have to share. Order: Ask the server what’s best. Make everyone at your table order something different, try everything – you might never get this exact dish again so savor the moment.

The Continental Midtown: This spot has a beautiful rooftop and an elegant indoor dining area, try to get a table with swings at it so you can swing and eat (trust me). It’s right in center city and also a perfect spot for happy hour. This is a great place to take out of town guests and will not dissapoint. Get the Korean fried chicken.

The Dandelion: British cuisine only you aren’t disappointed afterwards 😉 (We’ve all heard that England is not known for it’s great food but I beg to differ). I loved my fish and chips (and I hardly love fish ever) and their appetizers were fabulous. I couldn’t help but top off my meal with a glass of Port and I really felt like the perfect old British man (do they drink Port? I don’t actually know).

K’Far Cafe: This is one of my top 3 brunch spots in Philly forsure!We ordered almost everything on their brunch menu and it was all such a fun experience to discover what ingredients were in each item and see how beautifully it was crafted. The flavors were incredible and unique and the atmosphere is a 10/10 for SURE. Put your name on the waiting list and walk around Rittenhouse Park while you wait.

Positano Coast: If you’re looking for a brunch closer to old city, this is a great spot. The vibe is very “season two of the white lotus” and can get a little loud (they have a DJ for their weekend brunch parties) and they have a bottomless cocktail option (so yes, it is THAT kind of brunch). The food was great for what we needed with a boys brunch on a Sunday and we lived our best “Sex and the City meets White Lotus” lives!

Vietnam Restaurant: Known for the Vermicelli Noodle Bowl, I ordered it with chicken and added on a few appetizers and loved every bite. This gets an honorable mention this year but is a strong contender for top 10 once I try more of the food.

Fitzwater Cafe: This is a homey little neighborhood joint that feels like a family run diner. Cash only and first come first serve (there’s a wait on the weekends). This is the type of place where they remember your name and make you feel welcome. I also loved that they have freshly squeezed orange juice! Shoutout to my running group (YAP Philly) for introducing me to this place!

A Mano: A winner on my list from 2023. The atmosphere is open and sexy, the service is always there when you need them and invisible when you don’t which is exactly how I like it. If I had to choose my top dining experience of 2023, I’d have to say it was eating dinner at A Mano! Absolutely perfect! (And you can see how much I eat out). Order: The Mushroom Lasagna was by far the star of the menu. For dessert I was blown away by the Rosemary Panna cotta with blueberries, almond crumble, and little baby pansy flowers to top it off. It was so smooth and perfectly creamy and acidic all at the same time. One of my favorite desserts I’ve eaten in Philadelphia.

Bing Bing Dim Sum: I was so sad to learn that Bing Bing Dim Sum is closing this summer. It truly will be a loss on East Passyunk. This neighborhood staple has a fun atmosphere inside and outside, and the food is incredible! If you get a chance to go before they close: Order: The Caramel Pork Shank, I’ve eaten it multiple times and it always impresses. The meat falls right off the bone and is so tender and juicy, and the sauce is…. incredible. It comes with buns and some other extras so you can build your own buns which is a fun activity.

Buddakan: A two time winner on my lists from 2023 and 2022. The variety of different dishes here is impressive and they have something for everyone looking for an elevated Asian flavor experience. Order: Dumpling Sampler, Korean beef fried rice, and for the love of Buddha, get the Dip Sum Doughnuts for dessert. I don’t think you can go wrong on this menu at all so order with reckless abandon.

Fiorella Pasta: On my winner list from 2023, this place still tickles me when I think about going here. The Ricotta gnocchi with leeks was probably the most impressive dish in my opinion but the Sausage Ragu with Rigatoni was also a hit. Order: I went for the seasonal communal table tasting menu and I highly recommend the same.

Dinner House – I want to imagine this is what a diner in Warsaw, Poland is like. The woman behind the counter is the one who will come to your table, take your order, cook your food, serve it to you, and take your payment at the end. You might have to get up from your table to get your own Polish soda from the cooler in the small restaurant seating area but you won’t be mad about it because of the incredible flavors. Order: The stuffed cabbage, sauerkraut, polish sausage, and borscht soup. Don’t skip any of these items as they are all incredible! Price: $4.50-$19 per plate.

Kalaya Thai Kitchen – A James Beard award winning restaurant and a Best New Restaurant of the year (2020) from Esquire. This is such an exciting place to eat! Watch out for the spice levels here if you are sensitive to it, but on the other hand, trust the chef. Incredible flavor on beautiful dishes. Order: Shaw Muang dumplings, Sakoo Hed dumplings, Pad Thai Chaiya, Coconut rice.

The Love – There’s nothing like walking around the Rittenhouse Farmers Market on a Saturday morning in the spring and then heading to The Love for brunch with your best friends. Steven Star comes through (as usual) with this perfect brunch spot. I have to recommend the baby buttermilk drop biscuits, and the Nashville Hot Chicken.

Zorba’s Tavern – This is as close as you’re going to get to Santorini on this side of the world. THIS is real Greek food. It tasted exactly like the food we ate in Athens and Santorini. Order: The dips platter with fresh pita, Saganaki flaming cheese (they set it on fire at your table), and everything else! Plates range from $7-$25 each.

Cafe Nhan – The best Pho in Philadelphia in a quaint little shop in South Philly. Price: a bowl of Pho ranges from $10-$15.

That concludes my list of the best restaurants in Philadelphia of 2024. I hope that this is of use to you trying to figure out where you want to eat.

Please leave a comment and tell me where I should visit next, or what your favorite restaurant on this list is. Is there one I missed? I’d love to hear from you!

Dan DuPraw,
Expert eater-outer.