J Christine's Guidebook
Neighborhoods
Queen Village begins just one block north, beyond Washington Ave. It’s a scenic neighborhood with beautiful homes on tree lined streets, parks and playgrounds, cafes, restaurants, specialty shops, like historic Fabric Row on 4th Street or Philly AIDS Thrift on 5th.
24 locals recommend
Queen Village
Queen Village begins just one block north, beyond Washington Ave. It’s a scenic neighborhood with beautiful homes on tree lined streets, parks and playgrounds, cafes, restaurants, specialty shops, like historic Fabric Row on 4th Street or Philly AIDS Thrift on 5th.
9th Street, aka The Italian Market, is full of vendors and shops north of Washington on 9th St! South of Washington Street on Passyunk Ave, you will find Pat’s and Geno’s Steaks, and a slew of excellent restaurants, cocktail bars, craft beer and local shops!
60 locals recommend
Passyunk Square
9th Street, aka The Italian Market, is full of vendors and shops north of Washington on 9th St! South of Washington Street on Passyunk Ave, you will find Pat’s and Geno’s Steaks, and a slew of excellent restaurants, cocktail bars, craft beer and local shops!
Lots of late-night night-life is found on 13th Street! Woody’s and Voyuer have the best dancing around! During the day there are tons of cute shops and food to enjoy. I love brick oven pizza and wine at Zavino! Or live music every night at TIME!
45 locals recommend
Gayborhood
Lots of late-night night-life is found on 13th Street! Woody’s and Voyuer have the best dancing around! During the day there are tons of cute shops and food to enjoy. I love brick oven pizza and wine at Zavino! Or live music every night at TIME!
This is where you will find all of the high end and name brand shopping. Rittenhouse Square Park is beautiful during the day... you will also find many excellent restaurants along the square, like Parc and The Dandelion!
620 locals recommend
Rittenhouse Square
135 S 18th StThis is where you will find all of the high end and name brand shopping. Rittenhouse Square Park is beautiful during the day... you will also find many excellent restaurants along the square, like Parc and The Dandelion!
Trendy and historical neighborhood in Philly... what used to be known as ‘Shackamoxen’, where the “Great Treaty”, a legendary treaty, between William Penn and the Delaware Indians signed in 1682. Tons of river views and quaint shops and it’s own food scene.
41 locals recommend
Fishtown
Trendy and historical neighborhood in Philly... what used to be known as ‘Shackamoxen’, where the “Great Treaty”, a legendary treaty, between William Penn and the Delaware Indians signed in 1682. Tons of river views and quaint shops and it’s own food scene.
Food scene
Historical Pub renovated a few years ago serving classic Italian favorites and wine on tap. They have something for everyone! Great pizzas, spaghetti and meatballs, mozzarella sticks, etc.
We go for vegan white pizza, hearts of palm ‘crab cakes’ and mushroom cheesesteaks!
26 locals recommend
Triangle Tavern
1338 S 10th StHistorical Pub renovated a few years ago serving classic Italian favorites and wine on tap. They have something for everyone! Great pizzas, spaghetti and meatballs, mozzarella sticks, etc.
We go for vegan white pizza, hearts of palm ‘crab cakes’ and mushroom cheesesteaks!
I’m usually here multiple days a week sipping black rose iced tea and eating a vegan chicken salad sandwich :)
They have a great menu... best potato salad we’ve ever eaten! As well as the usual coffee shop selections. Outdoor seating along historic Fabric Row!
26 locals recommend
Red Hook Coffee and Tea
765 S 4th StI’m usually here multiple days a week sipping black rose iced tea and eating a vegan chicken salad sandwich :)
They have a great menu... best potato salad we’ve ever eaten! As well as the usual coffee shop selections. Outdoor seating along historic Fabric Row!
Traditional beef broth, noodle soups! Fast and casual. They do have a veg broth, but it’s just okay.
26 locals recommend
Pho Ha
600 Washington AveTraditional beef broth, noodle soups! Fast and casual. They do have a veg broth, but it’s just okay.
Vedge
1221 Locust StBest vegan restaurant in the country!
V Street
124-126 S 19th StVegan Street food!
Best restaurant in the city! If you have not made a reservation two months in advance, your best bet is to go at 4:30pm and wait at the door until they open at 5pm for a bar or chefs counter seat! Totally worth the wait!
138 locals recommend
Zahav
237 St James PlBest restaurant in the city! If you have not made a reservation two months in advance, your best bet is to go at 4:30pm and wait at the door until they open at 5pm for a bar or chefs counter seat! Totally worth the wait!
Dizengoff
1625 Sansom StYum!
They are French trained cooks who opened their own spot... they do a little bit of everything, and somehow it’s ALL incredible! Definitely a fantastic breakfast spot!
12 locals recommend
Creme Brulee
1800 S 4th StThey are French trained cooks who opened their own spot... they do a little bit of everything, and somehow it’s ALL incredible! Definitely a fantastic breakfast spot!
The Dutch
1537 S 4th StBest pancakes you’ll ever eat.
Tria Cafe Wash West
1137 Spruce StAll the wine and cheese!
Wm. Mulherin’s Sons
1355 N Front StWonderful cocktails and pizza!
Began as a local butcher, now serves local food and craft spirits on a great food strip in Fishtown.
55 locals recommend
Kensington Quarters
1310 Frankford AveBegan as a local butcher, now serves local food and craft spirits on a great food strip in Fishtown.
Claimed to be the best pizza in the country... that’s for you to decide :)
82 locals recommend
Pizzeria Beddia
1313 North Lee StreetClaimed to be the best pizza in the country... that’s for you to decide :)
Fork
306 Market StSouth Philly Barbacoa
1134 S 9th StAuthentic and delicious!
Santucci's Original Square Pizza
901 S 10th StActually the best pizza ;)
Blackbird Pizzeria
614 N 2nd StVegan pizzeria in Fishtown!
20th Street Pizza
108 S 20th StVegan pizzeria in Center City!
Sightseeing
Historic Philadelphia, Inc.
601 Walnut StSo many gorgeous homes and sites along Walnut Street!
Local shops and freshly prepared foods! You could spend the better part of the day eating and wondering... butchers, bookshops, herbiary, etc! Also, there’s one vegan deli called Luvh!
Reading Terminal Market
1136 Arch StreetLocal shops and freshly prepared foods! You could spend the better part of the day eating and wondering... butchers, bookshops, herbiary, etc! Also, there’s one vegan deli called Luvh!
Philadelphia Museum of Art
2600 Benjamin Franklin ParkwayThe Rocky Steps... and tons of gorgeous art and views! Free on Wednesday!
The College of Physicians of Philadelphia
19 South 22nd StreetSlices of Einstein’s Brain at the Mütter Museum!
Grab a beer and a sandwich and swing on a hammock along the Delaware River! Awesome views of the Ben Franklin Bridge!
317 locals recommend
Spruce Street Harbor Park
301 S Christopher Columbus BlvdGrab a beer and a sandwich and swing on a hammock along the Delaware River! Awesome views of the Ben Franklin Bridge!
Race Street Pier
North Christopher Columbus BoulevardViews!
Cocktails & Beverage
Fancy cocktails in the Gayborhood. Food until 1am every night!
47 locals recommend
Charlie was a sinner.
131 S 13th StFancy cocktails in the Gayborhood. Food until 1am every night!
Friday Saturday Sunday
261 S 21st StIncredible cocktails!
ITV (In the Valley)
1615 E Passyunk AveVery speakeasy-esk! Great cocktails and conversation! Fun fact: you can order guacamole at the bar from the attached Mexican concept!
The Ranstead Room
2013 Ranstead StreetVery speakeasy-esk! Great cocktails and conversation! Fun fact: you can order guacamole at the bar from the attached Mexican concept!
Evil Genius Beer Company
1727 North Front Street
Suraya Restaurant
1528 Frankford AveR&D
1206 Frankford AvePhiladelphia Distilling
25 E Allen StLocal distillery, Home of Bluecoat Gin!
Second District Brewing Company
1939 S Bancroft StSlightly west of the city, but Manayunk offers tons of entertainment day and night!
57 locals recommend
Manayunk Brewing
4120 Main StSlightly west of the city, but Manayunk offers tons of entertainment day and night!
Sports
Complexes for live sports or concepts for watching sports!
Citizens Bank Park
1 Citizens Bank WayHome of the Philadelphia Phillies!
Lincoln Financial Field
One Lincoln Financial Field WayHome of the Philadelphia Eagles!
Home of the Philadelphia Flyers and 76ers! Also, some of the biggest concerts held in Philly!
124 locals recommend
Wells Fargo Center
3601 S Broad StHome of the Philadelphia Flyers and 76ers! Also, some of the biggest concerts held in Philly!
Large complex of bars and entertainment within the “Sport Complex” of Philly! Outdoor fire pits, bull riding, big screens, etc.
68 locals recommend
Xfinity Live!
1100 Pattison AveLarge complex of bars and entertainment within the “Sport Complex” of Philly! Outdoor fire pits, bull riding, big screens, etc.
Cavanaugh's Rittenhouse
1913 Sansom StGreat for sports watching and wing eating
Urban Saloon
2120 Fairmount AveGeneral sports watching and Miller Light drinking
Misconduct Tavern
1511 Locust StGood sports watching and group hangout
Live Music
Chris' Jazz Cafe
1421 Sansom StRight off of the Gayborhood
Theater of Living Arts
334 South StKnown to us as the TLA on South Street
Union Transfer
1026 Spring Garden StAwesome venue... looks like an old western inside!
In Fishtown, near Sugar House Casino and Philadelphia Distilling... grab a cocktail and a snack before your show!
138 locals recommend
The Fillmore Philadelphia
29 E Allen StIn Fishtown, near Sugar House Casino and Philadelphia Distilling... grab a cocktail and a snack before your show!
Time
1315 Sansom StLive music every night of the week! And a whiskey room!
The Ardmore Music Hall
23 E Lancaster AveOutside of the city, but excellent bands
Hard Rock Cafe
1113 Market St
SOUTH
600 N Broad StJazz and soul food
First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia
2125 Chestnut StSmall and sweaty concerts, but so fun!
Small venue with local and traveling bands within walking distance! 8 blocks west on Broad Street!
57 locals recommend
Boot & Saddle
1131 S Broad StSmall venue with local and traveling bands within walking distance! 8 blocks west on Broad Street!