The Philly Restaurants We Loved in 2024
It’s that most wonderful time of year where Team Resy’s scrolled through our respective camera rolls to pin down the meals that’ve stood out to us the most. Whether it be for the hospitality, the food, the vibe (or, in a lot of cases, a magic combination of all three), our 2024 picks have proven yet again what we know and hold dear to our hearts: Restaurants are our homes away from home, acting as the perfect backdrop for all of life’s moments, both big and small.
From the neighborhood spots we love to the viral sandwich shops, omakase experiences, and everything in between, here are Team Resy’s favorite restaurant meals of 2024.
One of my favorite dining experiences in Philly…
… is having dinner at Irwin’s. It’s perfect for any occasion, and the food, drinks, and service are out of this world. Since the restaurant is located on the top floor of an old high school, we prefer to saddle up at the bar and take in the views while we enjoy our meal.
You can’t go wrong with the mezze course, but we always order the crudo and the swordfish, which will blow your mind. For pasta, it’s always worth ordering the special if they’re running one, but the bucatini and trofie are always outstanding. We went on the light side on our last visit but the agrodolce chicken and whole fish entrées are great to share, too.
Finally, don’t skip dessert. By the time they brought the semifreddo (which we ordered topped with caviar and some amaro alongside it), we were in heaven.
— Tom Dixon, Senior Restaurant Success Manager
The Bok Building has enough buzz…
… that it feels like a meal there will kind of just be about the vibes. But not gonna lie, I’m kind of obsessed with how Michael Ferreri channels his very personal, very postmodern take on Sicily at Irwin’s. This especially shows up in the seafood, which somehow bridges the gap between the expected Mediterranean island vibe and, well, Philly and the Jersey Shore. I’m thinking especially of the rigatoni with monkfish pizzaiola, which twists that simple tomato preparation into something robust, meatier than most ragùs, and quietly ingenious.
— Jon Bonné, Managing Editor, Resy Editorial
This was, hands down, my best meal of 2024…
Jaffa Bar, which opened late fall, is an instant smash hit from Mike Solomonov, Steve Cook, and chef Andrew Henshaw. I loved the hospitality, the food, the building (!), and décor, and the custom craft cocktails and Israeli wine selections, which featured Galia, Zahav’s very own wine label.
Jaffa Bar is in a freestanding, truly one-of-a-kind, triangular-shaped building, with beautiful exposed brick and tall, open floors — it’s got a fun and industrial vibe to it. The cocktail list has 30 drinks, and the Green-Eyed Lady with the aguachile is incredible (think a spicy margarita meets a green juice). Definitely start with an oyster and shrimp cocktail assortment from the raw bar, and know that the entire menu is delicious — everything’s light, flavor-packed, and will leave you wanting more. Both the (hot) crispy tuna and (cold) tuna kibbe naya, the shabazi shrimp with white beans, fluke ceviche, spicy steamed mussels and, drumroll please, the namesake burger, were standouts.
— Hannah Kelly, Chief Marketing Officer and VP of Marketing
More From Resy
Given my Francophile tendencies…
… it’s not a surprise that The Good King Tavern, Chloe Grigri’s neobistro, would get a regular spot in my rotation. But with a menu that goes from standout to standout, it’s honestly hard to pick a favorite.
Like the fennel vinaigrette that’s been on the chalkboard this fall — an earthier, heartier, crush-worthy take on leeks vinaigrette. Or the Sunday raclette, which is exactly what you want as the temps finally dip to freezing and the Eagles make it to the postseason. And frankly, is it fair that such a wine-focused place has such an epic martini, with the improbably great combo of génépy and cornichons giving it a sweet-savory bounce? (Though, the freezer martini at sister spot Superfolie gives it a run for its money.). And hey, you can always pop upstairs to Le Caveau for a French hot dog, which is what would happen if the Parisians emulated Bitzinger’s famous käsekrainer stand in front of the Vienna opera house. In short, what you get here is an object lesson in why French food is awesome.
— Jon Bonné, Managing Editor, Resy Editorial
Perhaps no other restaurant exemplifies what Philadelphia excels at best…
… than Meetinghouse Bar and Beer Company, the quintessential neighborhood restaurant (and bar) where everything is flawless and simple. The menu is short and to the point, with each item a showcase of why less is more, without sacrificing quality. Meetinghouse is the kind of spot where people often hang solo at the bar, nursing one of their brews, or where groups pack tables on weekend nights to try one of everything.
I recently fell in love with their English breakfast-inspired spread: two over-easy eggs with thick bacon, kidney beans, and white toast. This wasn’t a heaping plate of proteins and fats; the kitchen team kept it light and flavorful, especially the red beans that were cooked slowly in a white wine and garlic broth. Their Irish coffee sealed the deal for me: light-as-air heavy cream foam and warming booze that lingers with every sip. And their big green salad is a reminder to all other restaurants: seasoned and textured layered greens are an absolute must.
Like many Philadelphians, I’m a regular at their ongoing chef collaborations where chef Andrew DiTomo teams up with another local chef at Meetinghouse or elsewhere for a one-night-only menu. My two favorites were the Sunday afternoon late lunch/early dinner collab with chef James Nardone of Elma, a masterclass in Italian American comfort food, and their Vine-yl Night pop-up at a.kitchen+bar, which was basically a wine party fueled by comforting dishes like the most crispy, crunchy, earthy potato galette.
— Alisha Miranda, Philadelphia Writer, Resy Editorial
It’s such a special place…
… and I’m lucky I got to visit Kalaya twice in 2024. Nok Suntaranon and team have created a soulful, fun, beautiful, and delicious place to dine. From the meticulously crafted dumplings to the fiery curries, I’ve loved everything I’ve eaten here and always over order. I can’t wait to visit with a large group, so we can fill every inch of the table with dish after dish again.
— Aaron Ginsberg, VP of Strategic Partnerships & Industry Developments
I finally snagged a table…
… at Mawn, and it did not disappoint — the highlight was the soft-shell shrimp (don’t skip eating the head if you know what’s good for you). The mahope samut featured scallops cooked to perfection, and the somlaw machu (steamed clams) had a broth so good, I’d happily bathe in it. Pro tip: Do not waste that broth; mix in some rice to finish it up. Lastly, the papaya salad was a master class in balance — sweet, sour, spice — and texture. It was absolute perfection, and I can’t wait to go back.
— Alice Tran, Restaurant Trade & Industry Marketing Manager
Frankly, it’s a treat just to find…
… any decent Cambodian food on these shores, since it’s a cuisine that has, for many reasons, struggled for visibility. Philly, of course, has a robust Southeast Asian population (hence the seasonal market at JFK Plaza) and that has led to some extraordinary restaurants.
The chatter this year was all about (the fantastic) Mawn, but the true sleeper hit for me was Sophie’s Kitchen, a very low-key BYOB on Washington Avenue, where Sophia Neth and Danny Duk offer a menu of remarkable depth and strength. It’s hard to pick favorites, but I’ll highlight the somlaw gkaw gko, a sour pumpkin stew with endless layers of nuance, and the nhom sdao, a bitter-flower salad punched up with tamarind dressing — two traditional, obscure recipes that frame the complexities of Khmer cooking.
It was the best Cambodian cooking I’ve had since Kravanh in Phnom Penh, whose mission is to revive classic dishes lost amid the country’s tragedies. That Sophie’s is a mile away — and not 8,000 — makes it all the more cherished.
— Jon Bonné, Managing Editor, Resy Editorial
It’s hard to pick just one favorite meal that I had in Philly this year…
… but if I had to choose just one, it’d probably be my very low-key, impromptu dinner over at the Rittenhouse Grill while I was in town for The Chef Conference. I didn’t know what to expect, but I left that dinner feeling so content, and just so full. I loved how it seemed kind of suspended in time, and also how attentive, warm, and expert the service was, even at the bar. Our meal included an ice-cold martini with a twist, just the way I like them, and shrimp cocktail, and it was the best way to wind down on a Sunday before a busy conference day. The prime rib was thick and juicy, and expertly charred, and I loved how they already split it for us, so it would be easier to share. The leopard-print carpet and live piano music in the background made it all the more memorable, too. I can’t wait to go back on my next visit.
— Deanna Ting, New York and Philadelphia Editor, Resy Editorial
On a quick trip to Philly this spring…
… I was on my own for dinner one night and grabbed a Resy for the bar at Irwin’s. The restaurant is airy and spacious, with tons of natural light spilling in thanks to their rooftop perch. The bartender made me a Negroni Siciliano, which may have been my absolute favorite drink of 2024 — the touch of almond succeeded in whisking me to Sicily.
Pro tip for fellow solo diners: Irwin’s offers half orders of its pastas, which are the perfect portion to pair with an appetizer, should you want to try multiple dishes. I always save room for dessert, so I capped the meal with their perfect tiramisu — I would book an Amtrak ticket to Philly for it alone.
— Alex Johnson, Senior Marketing Manager
This place is an experience, not just a meal…
When we walked into Ambra, we were greeted with pre-dinner cocktails and hors d’oeuvres to kick things off. Our communal table of six added a fun twist: dining alongside strangers who quickly became friends. All 10 courses were stunningly plated, with each bite as delicious as it was beautiful. And the wine pairing was abundant and spot-on with every dish. Left feeling full, happy, and with a few new friends.
— Alice Tran, Restaurant Trade & Industry Marketing Manager
I’m still sad that we missed the summer special…
… at Pizzeria Beddia — the perfect corn pizza. That said, the fall butternut squash pizza is an absolute winner and now has a home in rarified air next to Beddia’s corn and “angry” arrabbiata pizzas. We took some out-of-town friends with all our young kids to Beddia on a Saturday afternoon after the zoo. The covered space, extra-large picnic tables, service, and of course, gelato, made for the perfect outing, with bites for all ages.
— Hannah Kelly, Chief Marketing Officer and VP of Marketing
James Nardone is one of the most underrated chefs in the city…
… and I need everyone to wake up to his talents. His tiny BYOB, Elma, on East Girard Avenue, quietly pushes out dishes that give contemporary Italian American food a refreshing perspective. Saucy handmade trofie pasta with ’nduja is topped with crunchy charred radicchio, fried calamari, and fresh oregano; prosciutto and melon with stracciatella and Sungold tomatoes is the perfect chilled dish on a sticky summer day; smoked salmon-stuffed brioche topped with crème fraîche and caviar is luxurious yet unfussy.
His “Third Sunday” Meetinghouse collab with chef Andrew DiTomo was a throwback to simple and humble grandma-style cooking: caprese salad, arancini, ricotta ravioli, broccoli rabe, and tiramisu. Two standout dishes that night for me were the spaghetti al limone and the pork Milanese. The spaghetti had plenty of tart and bright notes, pushing the edge of lemon flavor in the best way; I couldn’t stop eating it and almost ordered a second plate. The pork Milanese was another stunner, with maximum thinness and crunch, and pork the size of the plate, served simply with a side salad of arugula and shaved parmesan and a lemon wedge. I can’t wait to see how James grows his vision in 2025.
— Alisha Miranda, Philadelphia Writer, Resy Editorial
