The Resy Hit List: Where In Philadelphia You’ll Want to Eat in Sept. 2024
There’s no question we hear more often: Where should I go eat? And while we at Resy know it’s an honor to be the friend who everyone asks for restaurant advice, we also know it’s a complicated task. That’s where the Resy Hit List comes in.
We’ve designed it to be your essential resource for dining in Philadelphia: a monthly-updated (and now expanded!) guide to the restaurants you won’t want to miss — tonight or any night.
Five Things In Philadelphia Not to Miss This Month
- Get Ready for Restaurant Week: Restaurant week in Center City is coming up from September 8 to 21. Two-course lunches go for just $20 and three-course dinners run $40 or $60. A few among many recommendations: Forsythia, Prunella, Oltremare, Restaurant Aleksandar, Rex at the Royal, South, Wilder, and Veda. Yes, you can book them all on Resy. So how many will you hit this year?
- Wind Down with Winewark: Did you know that Southwark becomes Winewark from 7 p.m to 1 a.m. every Monday night? This is when sommelier Jamie Harrison Rubin takes up residence in the Queen Village restaurant’s bar area for a night of special wines by the glass. There are snacks, but not a full menu, except on September 16 for an event called Cider, Cidre, Sidra, which pairs apple wine with smoky barbecue. While you can book Southwark on Resy, these events are walk-in only. That said, keep an eye on our Resy Events page for lots more to do around town.
- Field to Table: If you’ve ever wanted to check out an Outstanding in the Field event, you’ve got two chances this month. We’re partial to Sept. 7, when Randy Rucker of River Twice will be cooking at Blooming Glen Farm in Perkasie. (The following day, the High Street team will be at Wayvine Winery & Vineyard in Nottingham.)
- Listen & Learn: Heritage Radio Network, producer of food-centric podcasts, is coming to Ardmore on September 29 for a fundraiser that features Eli Kulp of podcast Delicious City Philly and local chefs. Supporters can listen in while enjoying a dinner by Eli Collins of a.kitchen and Randy Rucker of River Twice.
- Caviar for a Cause: Chef Michael Ferreri of Irwins is remembering his late uncle, chef Wayne Budd, with a fundraising party on September 8 that combines oysters, caviar, and a slew of awesome chefs making hot dog variations. Proceeds go to the American Diabetes Association. And needless to say, you can book to enjoy Ferreri’s cooking anytime.
New to the Hit List (Sept. 2024)
Amourette, Bar1010, Puyero Venezuelan Flavor, Sor Ynez.
1. Friday Saturday Sunday Rittenhouse Square
The whole country has been talking about Chad and Hanna Williams’ restaurant. FSS beat every competitor in the country in 2023 to win the James Beard award for Outstanding Restaurant, and we agree it pretty well defines dining in Philadelphia right now. Which is why we celebrate how perfect their fresh take on fine dining is: The bar, the service, the soundtrack, the lighting, and most of all, the fun and refined eight-course tasting menu that’s never been better. It’s also never been a tougher table to reserve: The books open on Resy on the first of every month at 10 a.m.
2. Dizengoff Center City
It’s summer and we’re feeling a bit more casual. That’s why Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook’s Dizengoff is replacing Zahav on this list for a bit. Philly’s standard-bearer of Israeli and Middle Eastern cuisine will return to the Hit List, but for now, soak in the chill vibes at Diz, where it’s all about the hummus, fluffy pita, and a magically light tehina date ice cream sandwich for dessert. Get a cocktail, share everything, and lose yourself in the moment.
3. Angelo’s Italian Market
The best cheesesteaks in the city. Convince us we’re wrong. Danny DiGiampietro makes the rolls fresh every morning. Is there any other cheesesteak joint in town doing that? Angelo’s is also the first place that we can remember employing Philly’s own melty, creamy Cooper Sharp cheese. DiGiampietro is obsessed with making perfect sandwiches and pizza, and this small Italian Market shop always has a line down the block, but it’s a line of happy people. Happy cheesesteak people. Happy pizza people. The kind of people who will offer your toddler a slice as you walk to the playground; which is a random, totally made-up example, we assure you.
Find more info here.
4. Tabachoy Bella Vista
We’re big fans of Chance Anies’ friendly Filipino BYOB. Tabachoy, which began as a food truck, is a perfect place for sharing. With a tight menu, you might consider ordering it all (even better if that means you have leftovers). You’ll sample pork spring rolls, jumbo fried chicken wings, pork adobo with garlic rice, and pork sisig, along with dishes that reflect the season, like herbaceous littleneck clams in the summertime or a sweet potato and carrot fritter with shrimp in the cooler weather. Pro tip: Do not miss Anies’ unique take on a Caesar salad, with cured duck-egg yolk and fried shallots.
5. Kalaya Fishtown
Much has already been said about Kalaya. But if Nok Suntaranon’s southern Thai restaurant has been delighting diners since its humble start in the Italian Market, it has found a proper spot in its much larger Fishtown digs, with a liquor license that helped create a vital bar scene. Book early and often; you’ll be rewarded with deeply flavored curries, adorably shaped dumplings, and a signature grilled freshwater river prawn that’s mixed tableside with its tomalley and jasmine rice.
6. Oloroso Washington West
Townsend Wentz’s ode to Spanish food and sherry has been a destination from the jump and his team, led by chef Jason Peabody, is still innovating. A new chef’s counter experience takes guests on a journey through 18-22 tapas, from light bites like an incredible oyster conserva to a mini lobster paella with a perfectly crunchy bottom and Basque cheesecake at the end. The restaurant’s new Fever Dream party on the third Sunday of every month means an afternoon of dancing, DJs, build-your-own gin & tonics, plus discounted and free tapas. On August 12, Peabody is teaming up with El Chingon’s Juan Carlos Aparicio for “A Taste of Yucatán,” which you can book on Resy.
7. Bar1010 Northern Liberties
Pizza and cocktails. Shall we go on? How about 18 brick-oven pizza options that range from international to classic. There’s a cacio e pepe pizza, a tikka pizza, a hot honey ranch pizza, and seriously, so many more. Bring friends. Share pizzas. Go back. Try them all. To drink, find an entire section of the bar menu dedicated to clarified cocktails, which just pair so well with cheesy, indulgent food.
8. Vernick Food & Drink Rittenhouse Square
Ask a chef where they like to go on their day off and chances are they’ll mention Vernick. Greg Vernick’s first restaurant has been one of our best since its 2012 opening. It’s a good idea to share dishes from each section of the large, modern American menu here. The mahogany roast chicken is always great, as are fluke ceviche in coconut broth, a whole roasted artichoke, anything on toast, and delicate pastas. Locals like to sit at Vernick’s bar for dinner, where the drinks run from boozy to zero proof, along with a smart wine list.
9. Enswell Rittenhouse
This Rittenhouse cafe and cocktail bar combo may just be the prettiest restaurant in Philly, if not the whole Eastern Seaboard. Designer Lance Saunders of Stokes Architecture + Design created the Art Deco space with green trim, antique brass, mosaic tile, tall columns, an over-the-bar mural, and custom chandeliers. Rival Bros., New Liberty Distillery, and chef Andrew Farley (formerly High Street on Market) work together at Enswell to delight diners all day long, from coffee in the morning to spicy crab hashbrowns and espresso-infused whiskey drinks at night.
Find more info here.
10. Forsythia Old City
Chef Chris Kearse makes elegant French food, but keeps his restaurant fun-filled. At the bar’s happy hour, you can get a junior royale with cheese (burger) and a chicharrónes-corn nut trail mix. Forsythia’s #FrenchAF series centers on a theme, like Foie Gras or the French Laundry, and turns it into a five-course tasting menu. On regular nights in the dining room, this is the place to get escargot, ham and cheese beignets, and tuna Niçoise.
11. South Philly Barbacoa Italian Market
What more can we say about the James Beard Award-winning restaurant known for its appearance on Netflix’s “Chef’s Table”? Mexican chef Cristina Martinez is a wizard with lamb. Her barbacoa tacos and soul-warming consommé draw visitors from all over the country, but equally as revolutionary is her work as an activist for fellow immigrants and those facing food insecurity. Line up at her sunny, casual Italian Market eatery and be patient. This meal is worth the wait.
Find more info here.
12. The Good King Tavern Bella Vista
Philly’s Frenchest spot brings it on all fronts: Food, bar, vibes. This father-daughter operation is known for its chalkboard menu, thoughtful wines by the glass, and elevated tavern fare. Go here for steak frites, escargots, nice cheese boards, and any of the daily specials. Owner Chloe Grigri goes all out for events and there’s nowhere more charming to be than the Good King’s Bastille Day annual block party.
13. Fiore Fishtown
This Pennsport favorite has reopened in Fishtown with a new format. No longer a sprawling, sit-down Italian restaurant, Ed Crochet and Justine MacNeil have honed in on pastries, gelato, indulgent sandwiches, and coffee for their 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. cafe. Fiore has always been known for its stellar pastry program. Whether a raspberry cornetti or cream-filled maritozzi, you can’t go wrong here. At breakfast, The Saltie explodes with soft scrambled eggs and ricotta on focaccia, and for lunch, grab some gnudi in brown butter.
No reservations. More info here.
14. Royal Sushi Omakase Queen Village
Philly’s only Beard Award finalist remains one of the hardest reservations in town to snag. It’s worth the effort to experience Jesse Ito’s high-skill omakase at Royal Sushi. The fish here is carefully sourced, intensively prepared, and delivered bite by perfect bite at an intimate counter in a back room of Royal Izakaya, a busy Japanese bar/restaurant. Royal Izakaya is walk-in only; Royal Sushi you can book below.
P.S. Here are a few tips on getting into Royal Sushi Omakase.
15. Doro Bet West Philly
Mebruka Kane is known for her three Ethiopian casual restaurants in West Philly and Germantown: Alif Brew, Salam Cafe, and Doro Bet. At Doro Bet, she and her sister Hayat Ali came up with the idea to fry the crunchiest chicken in town using a special ingredient. Teff flour, the grain that many people know from the sour, spongy injera bread used to gather up Ethiopian stews, subs for regular flour here. This not only makes the fried chicken gluten-free, but boosts the crunch factor. You can get it mild and lemony or nice and spicy.
No reservations. More info here.
16. Amourette Rittenhouse Square
When Amanda Shulman and Alex Kemp (of Her Place and My Loup) do anything, we’re into it. They’re currently popping up in an indoor/outdoor space at Rittenhouse’s stately Art Alliance building, just off the square. Look out for a soft-shell Caesar, rotisserie chicken with fries, and corn ice cream with blackberries. Open Wednesday through Friday. Reservations are released at noon 30 days in advance for each day — powered by Resy, and yes, they go quick.
17. Sor Ynéz Olde Kensington
For Hispanic Heritage Month in September and October, it’s a particularly good time to visit the Central and South American restaurants around town. We like Kensington’s Sor Ynez, where chef Alexis Tellez taps into his Mexican roots to make excellent birria, enchiladas, tacos, and a lot more, all with a focus on fresh vegetables. Here’s the best part: The tortillas here are made in-house with heirloom Mexican corn. The restaurant will reopen on September 4 after an August closure for an expansion, but you can still order tortillas online.
18. Picnic Fishtown
What promises to be one of the year’s most talked-about openings, Picnic, is now in full swing. This new Defined Hospitality concept with seating for 200+ takes its cues from the chill backyard set-up and wine shop you’ll find at New Orleans’ Bacchanal. The menu is full of charcuterie and cheese boards, oysters, rotisserie chicken, and ultra-seasonal salads. Snag a table for date night or a big group outing.
19. Puyero Venezuelan Flavor South Street
The husband-and-wife team team at Puyero has been holding it down, just off of busy South Street, since 2017. The menu here, which happens to be almost entirely gluten-free, features tender meats and white cheese sandwiched between crunchy fried plantains or stuffed into soft arepas. Worth noting: This Venezuelan spot just added brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Expect takes on their popular sandwiches, but with eggs, as well as Venezuelan sticky buns, coffee, and tres leches cake, if you’re still hungry.
Find more info here.
20. Townsend EPX East Passyunk
Townsend Wentz is celebrating his eponymous restaurant’s 10 year anniversary this spring. His flagship restaurant is known for its seasonal and classic French dishes, best showcased in a five-course tasting menu. Lovely à la carte offerings, including snails and roasted bone marrow, are also available. Sommelier Gordana Kostovski expertly leads the drinks program at Townsend, which has one of Philly’s great bars. (Open until 2 a.m.!)
Discover More
The Philly Restaurants We Loved in September
How to Get Into Amourette
The Resy Guide to Italian Pasta in Philadelphia
Now on Resy: Paffuto, Ralph’s Italian Restaurant, Jezabel’s, and More Local Favorites
Philadelphia’s Newest Restaurant Openings, Now on Resy
How Bolo Brings the Diasporican Experience to the Table, in Six Dishes
Chefs Nok Suntaranon and Jesse Ito on Making Food Your Own
Portraits of Philly: Chef Michael Vincent Ferreri of Irwin’s
Portraits of Philly: Kalaya’s Nok Suntaranon
Portraits of Philly: Friday Saturday Sunday’s Chad & Hanna Williams
Portraits of Philly: Mish Mish’s Alex Tewfik
Portraits of Philly: Musi BYOB’s Ari Miller
Stephen Satterfield's Corner Table
