The November Hit List: Pizzeria Beddia, Walnut Street Cafe, Hiroki, Alma del Mar, and More

Philadelphia’s most elusive pizza is welcoming guests back, offering pizza and wine on their covered and heated patio as well as indoors for a limited number of guests.  Joe Beddia has mastered the art of the pizza with dough that’s not-too-thin, not-too-soft, and crispy in all of the right places. Indeed, his perfect pies have made Fishtown a destination on the Mid-Atlantic Pizza Belt. Anyone who’s a fan of spice has to try the “angry” pizza arrabiata with a lip-tingling sauce steeped with chilies and topped with pickled serrano peppers.  

Dining status: Outdoor dining and limited indoor seating via reservation only. Takeout and delivery are also available.

When the shutdowns forced businesses to close their doors, Walnut Street Cafe, like many restaurants, had to pivot. The team created the open-air Walnut Street Market, which offered the community fresh pantry staples, to-go meals, locally made goods, and simple luxuries like fresh flowers. The cafe itself recently reopened for indoor dining, although they’ve kept the market open as an expansion of their offerings — and have been hosting events, like a pop-up fundraiser for the Honeysuckle Community Center. But once again you can enjoy homemade ravioli, the sweetness of mascarpone and ricotta balanced with savory Castelvetrano olives and tomatoes. Or one of Walnut Street’s most comforting dishes: lamb pot pie, a homey classic with all of the fixings plus a little heat from spicy tomato sauce that builds with every bite.

Dining status:  Outdoor dining and limited indoor seating via reservation only. Takeout also available at the market.

Just a few short weeks ago, Friday Saturday Sunday reopened its doors for indoor dining, expanding their offerings with an unforgettable prix-fixe menu. Feast on three exciting courses plus a dessert (gotta leave room for that mocha passionfruit mousse with coffee foam).  The menu features inventive dishes like the confit carrots glazed with coconut miso, served with sweet and smoky muhammara; and delicate fish cooked with a rich, spiced buttermilk dashi. Of course, a meal here is incomplete without a cocktail crafted by booze visionary Paul MacDonald.  

Dining status:  Limited indoor seating via reservations only. Outdoor seating available first come, first served. A limited menu is available for takeout.

Spring Garden Street is changing.  What once used to be one of Philadelphia’s most offbeat main streets, lined with warehouses, is now becoming more posh.  Though the next generation may never know the thrill of going to the roof of Vox Populi after an art show, or exploring the abandoned viaduct (now transformed into Philadelphia’s elevated Rail Park), they can still get in touch with the eclectic spirit at Silk City. This retro diner dishes out new takes on nostalgic dishes – think old-fashioned short ribs with mashed potatoes and carrots, served up by a punk grandma.  Dine inside in a classic diner booth, or enjoy their legendary patio and garden area, now decked out with heat lamps and a tent.

Dining status:  Limited indoor seating via reservation only. Outdoor seating is first come first served. Takeout is also available.

The chalkboard menu here is an ever-changing mix of seasonal flavors and surprising pairings. With access to urban farms and local purveyors, the imaginative minds behind Helm, chefs Kevin D’Egidio and Michael Griffiths, have access to some of the city’s most unique and sometimes obscure ingredients. Enjoy a tasting menu that features a clamshell-like pie filled with mushrooms; squash served with blue cheese; and kale ravioli alongside maitake mushrooms and spicy jerk chicken.  

Dining status:  Outdoor dining and limited indoor seating via reservation only. Takeout is also available by calling 215-309-2211.

Alma del Mar, which was featured on the Philadelphia-centric fifth season of Netflix’s new Queer Eye, opened its doors earlier this summer. For the past few months, Marcos Tlacopilco’s family has been taking the multicultural influences of the Italian Market and channeling them into dishes that perfectly encapsulate the neighborhood. Brunch standards, like French toast, get a tres leches treatment.  For lunch, you can choose a traditional Mexican mollete sandwich with homemade chorizo and an avocado salsa, or sink your teeth into a classic Italian pork sandwich. And for dinner, you can kick off an incredible seafood meal with calamari dusted with one of South Philly’s most iconic treats: pretzels. More info here.

Dining status:  Outdoor dining via reservation only. Call 215-644-8158. 

You’ll definitely need to plan ahead to dine at Hiroki — reservations go fast! Named after chef Hiroki Fujiyama, this Fishtown spot takes diners on an immersive journey through his hometown of Kyoto. The 20-course omakase menu is molded specifically to your preferences and tastes, curated every step of the way by one of the city’s most attentive chefs. It is, by far, one of the most personable and hospitable dining experiences in Philadelphia.

Dining status:  Limited indoor seating via reservation only.

This Northern Liberties spot is not your average neighborhood watering hole — from the punk vibes to the heaping helpings of deluxe bar foods, and a decent number of top-notch seafood dishes. We’re talking seared Atlantic salmon with Thai curry sauce and coconut verde rice, roasted striped bass served in a basil and saffron broth, and garlicky linguini and clams. 

Dining status:  Limited indoor seating via reservation only. Outdoor seating is first come, first served. Takeout is also available.

Cheu Noodle Bar’s original 10th Street location closed down permanently, but fear not: You can still get that heavenly bowl of brisket ramen complete with a giant matzo ball at their Fishtown location.  Dining is only available outdoors for now, and since it’s soup season, it’s the perfect time to enjoy a hot bowl of miso ramen or steaming bowl of curry outside. More info here.

Dining status:  Outdoor dining via reservation only. Call 267-758-2269. Takeout and delivery are also available. 

Great breweries are everywhere, but great breweries serving equally amazing food is a little harder to come by. The Brewhouse nailed it with their bar food menu with dishes that pair perfectly with their fresh beers.  There are healthier options packed with flavor, like sweet potato hummus spiced with harissa and za’atar, and beet and pineapple salad, Or, for the beer lover who isn’t counting calories: a brisket grilled cheese made with house-smoked brisket, doused in Next Coast BBQ sauce and dripping with cheddar jack cheese. 

Dining status:  Outdoor dining and limited indoor seating via reservation only.