The Resy Hit List: Where In Philadelphia You’ll Want to Eat Right Now

If Jesse Ito is involved, sign us up. The James Beard–nominated chef behind the nearly impossible-to-book Royal Sushi omakase counter just opened his second act: dancerobot. Created with longtime collaborator and Royal Izakaya chef Justin Bacharach, Dancerobot was years in the making — including an epic R&D trip to Japan — and delivers Japanese comfort food for dinner, brunch, and late night in a neon-dotted, Victorian-style bar. The chefs suggest ordering the kare pan (curry doughnut), omurice (creamy omelet over rice), konbini-style egg salad sandwich, katsu curry, hamburg steak, and Hokkaido milk soft serve. Reservations drop 30 days out at noon — and yes, they’re going fast. 

We Philadelphians love a giant, messy sandwich, and Farina di Vita delivers — then takes it up a notch. Creative combinations of high-quality ingredients show up in hoagies like The Marie, with 24-month aged Parma prosciutto, mozzarella, arugula, grape tomato, lemon spritz, olive oil, spices, and lemon zest. Chicken cutlet sandwiches are another Farina di Vita specialty — especially delicious when topped with herbed ricotta, hot soppresata, burrata, or blush sauce. Co-owners Jason Okdeh and Brandlyn Luis Ortiz know that bread is make-or-break in the sandwich game, which is why they rely on brick-oven, seeded rolls from South Philly’s family-run Cacia’s Bakery.

Find more info here.

West Philly became the lucky beneficiary last summer of Corio, a new Italian spot by three Vernick Food & Drink alums. Chef David Feola — who also has experience cooking at Ember & Ash, Hearthside, and Southgate — is making fresh pizza and pasta dreams come true for University City’s busy population. Try Corio’s Chicken Riggies, a classic from Feola’s childhood in Central New York, or go a little fancier with gemelli with Parmesan, black pepper, sesame seeds, and pecorino. This place is family-friendly (think margherita pizzas and highchairs) and flexible with takeout. You’ll also see a mini wine shop and a full bar, led by sommelier and former Vernick bar director James Smith.

Anything that Chris Fetfatzes and Heather Annechiarico create, you can count on being very cool. The couple — known for their recently-closed Hawthornes Cafe and hopping nearby European-style bar Grace and Proper — had to shutter Sonny’s Cocktail Joint due to a fire shortly after it opened. Now it’s back, with the same come-as-you-are attitude and adorable back patio. There’s pizza on the menu, along with tricked-out bar food, like bang bang cauliflower, chicken-fried shrimp, and a daily hot dog special. At the bar, find wine on tap, cans of Natty Boh, splits of Laurent Perrier, and intricate cocktails you’d never expect to find at a haunt this fun. 

Find more info here.

Mission Taqueria is looking ahead to its 10th anniversary in 2026, and it’s easy to see why it’s lasted. Owner Daniel McLaughlin’s spot above Oyster House is consistently one of the most joyful and delicious Mexican restaurants in town. It’s known for fresh-pressed tortillas made with fresh masa from heirloom Mexican corn, churros, incredible tortilla soup, frozen margs, and green or yellow juice. Go for a great lunch, happy hour (when tacos are $3.50), and or gluten-free dining. Everything — even the churros — are gluten-free! The restaurant also leans into its playful side with regular drag parties and themed events. Following along on social is the best way to catch what’s next.

After running kitchens for Stephen Starr’s LMNO and Parc, chef Frankie Ramirez was ready to take the leap into ownership in a big way. He recently opened Amá, to the delight of Mexican food lovers everywhere. Even with 120 seats, Ramirez’s new restaurant has quickly become one of the toughest tables in town to snag. They’re coming for wood-fired octopus with black fried rice, shareable, seasonal tlayudas, make-your-own lamb neck birria tacos with consommé on the side, and giant curly churros with chocolate sauce and caramel-esque cajeta. Book it early and often; this place is just getting started.

After a fire and major renovation, David Suro’s long-running Tequilas reopened this year – now three concepts in one. The original Tequilas, with its refined takes on Guadalajaran classics, still anchors the front. In back, La Jefa and its Milpa Bar (with a separate Latimer Street entrance) cover it all starting at 8 a.m. — with coffee, breakfast, brunch (think barbacoa sandwiches and chilaquiles), and lunch. Dinner runs Wednesday through Sunday, with the same menu whether you’re in bright, airy La Jefa or dark, sexy Milpa Bar. Expect black quesadillas with calamari, fried poblano tacos, and shrimp aguachile — everything with top-notch sauces and lots of vegetarian options. Each space has its own bar menu, but the standout is Milpa, co-created by James Beard Award winner Danny Childs, every drink intensely crafted and served in a different glass.

From the team behind the three über-hip Forîn cafes around town comes this new neighborhood restaurant with midcentury vibes. Percy is a one-stop shop for coffee, brunch, lunch, dinner, and fancy drinks. Chef Jack Smith’s menu is familiar, but dotted with local and seasonal ingredients. Think ricotta pancakes with cinnamon sugar whipped compound butter at breakfast and crispy barramundi in a cilantro and charred onion curry for dinner. Everything at the bar — wine, beer, liquor — comes from our fair state. We’re into a cocktail called Surfin that combines rum, amaro, caramelized banana syrup, honey wine, and lime. We’re even more into Percy’s swanky, music-oriented lounge, with swivel chairs and a fireplace.

A husband-and-wife team run the Italian restaurant in Philly’s storied (and stunning) Divine Lorraine building, but this is no mom-and-pop operation. Plush round banquettes, crisp white tablecloths, and elaborate chandeliers fill the large, airy dining room. The wine list highlights Italian varietals from regions like Sicily and Sardinia. And Joe and Angela Cicala are not only deeply connected to Italy, but travel there frequently for inspiration. It shows. Joe brings that inspiration to dishes like Neapolitan-style meatballs, fried ricotta-stuffed squash blossoms, Amalfi-style fettuccine with eggplant and San Marzano tomatoes, and char-grilled whole Mediterranean dorade. Angela handles desserts, which change seasonally, but don’t miss “The Green Gold”: pistachio gelato with Trapanese sea salt and Sicilian extra virgin olive oil. 

Since opening in 2022 on East Passyunk, Carlos Aparicio’s El Chingón has been a go-to for top-tier Mexican sandwiches and tacos. Now, the former Vetri and Starr chef has brought the magic to Fishtown, taking over the old Heffe Tacos space with a bright, casual stand on a prime Frankford Avenue corner. The menu mirrors the South Philly original — cemitas, tacos, and all the hits — with seating at picnic tables or a street-facing counter. The twist? Jardin de Agave, a pop-up bar tucked around back in partnership with Bluebird Distilling, serving frozen margaritas in a string-lit, semi-enclosed space that feels miles from Philly. 

No reservations. Find more info here.

When you hear about this Scandinavian-inspired bar in Rittenhouse, chances are you’re not picturing the place as it is. Far from the traditionally sparse aesthetic of northern Europe, this cocktail lounge is saturated in color and patterns throughout two floors. With moody vibes and fashionable clientele, you’ll feel like you’re in a James Bond movie scene. Get in the mood with one of two dozen well-made cocktails with fun names, like Red Hatorade, which is like a negroni with aquavit. A tight food menu follows the Scandinavian theme with dishes like smoked salmon on sourdough and snacks like seasonal pickles, but we’re pretty into the potato chips and sturgeon caviar if you don’t mind dropping $35.

Chad Durkin has been making some of Philly’s best pork sandwiches since he opened Small Oven Pastry Shop and Porco’s Porchetteria on Washington Avenue in 2019. The signature porchetta combines juicy porky deliciousness with crunchy cracklings into a stellar sandwich. Only now, Durkin is changing up the bread it’s served on. Say farewell to ciabatta and hello to a new seeded long roll that took him six months to perfect, in collaboration with neighbor Baker Street Bread. It’s all mahogany -toned outside and jus-soaked inside, just like we like it. 

Find more info here.

Chef George Sabatino is back in his own restaurant — which is reason to celebrate. Longtime Philly diners know him from Fork, Barbuzzo, Stateside, and his first solo spot, Aldine. He’s one of the most respected chefs in town, known for spotlighting seasonal, local ingredients to create elegant dishes. At Fleur’s, that translates to sea scallop gratin with green chile butter, cabbage a l’orange, and pork and pistachio terrine with plum preserves. Situated in a former Kensington furniture store, this 140-seat French restaurant has a central raw bar and chef’s counter in the main dining room. Co-owners Josh Mann (Starr, Defined Hospitality) and Graham Gernsheimer (Vetri, Loco Pez) bring serious hospitality and bartending chops to this big operation.

You probably know Lauren Biederman from her namesake appetizing shop in the Italian Market — a go-to for bagel lovers and smoked fish obsessives, offering everything from gravlax and kippered salmon to golden osetra caviar (four ounces for $425). Now, she’s leveled up with a liquor license and a new oyster bar on Dickinson Street. Chef Michael Valent (formerly of Zahav and The Good King Tavern) turns out small plates made for sharing: think broiled oysters with Calabrian chile butter, or crispy potatoes topped with whitefish aioli and trout roe (or caviar, if you’re feeling flush). Those luxe fish eggs make a cameo on the cocktail list, too — try them stuffed into an olive, or keep it classic with the blue cheese version in an olive oil-washed martini. 

Calling all seafood lovers: Tai Lake in Chinatown has been the go-to for ultra-fresh Cantonese-style crab, lobster, fish, and more since 1988. It’s deliciously old-school — your dinner waits in tanks up front, and lazy Susans make it easy to share across linen-draped tables. A recent Inquirer review raved about the whole lobster with sticky rice, crispy flounder, Dungeness crab, spicy clams with pork, congee, and steamed oysters in black bean sauce. It’s BYOB with no corkage, or you can order from the bar. And if someone in your group isn’t into seafood, Peking duck (brought in from Siu Kee across the street) is the answer. 

Find more info here.

Mother-and-son duo Nhan Vo and Andrew Dinh Vo proudly describe their Vietnamese restaurant as a “hole in the wall.” Maybe so, but since 2014, it has gone big on flavor — and found a devoted following not only locally but beyond — in its signature bún bò Huế, Central Vietnam’s lemongrassy noodle soup that’s similar to phở, with more spice and funk. The pork blood cubes are a popular add-in. You can also get traditional phở here, plus a variety of banh mi, ultra-crunchy chicken wings (perfect for game day!), summer rolls stuffed with meat, veggies, and noodles, and marinated, grilled pork over rice. 

Find more info here.