The Resy Hit List: Where In Philadelphia You’ll Want to Eat in Oct. 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 expanded!) guide to the restaurants you won’t want to miss — tonight or any night.
Four Things In Philadelphia Not to Miss This Month
- Mark Your Calendar: Though Oct. 14’s Resy-powered Kalaya x Royal Izakaya dinner sold out in seconds, this month offers plenty of can’t-miss events. For example: My Loup’s Duos Series, also powered by Resy, which kicks off Oct. 13 with a Lutèce collab dinner. Find more special events on Resy here.
- Bivalves and Bubbly: Sea Philly, a custom restored Chris Craft, has launched an onboard oyster tasting with Gary McCready, a master shucker at Oyster House. For $1,500, you and five guests get Champagne, appetizers, and a dozen oysters each with wine pairings. A chunk of the profits from these cruises support Jetty Rock Foundation, which looks out for oceans and waterways.
- Tea Time: Bloomsday offers an adorable monthly high tea event, with a decidedly Philly twist. Each month, a different bakery partners to offer a signature sweet. On Oct. 5, it’s Franklin Fountain. Expect a pot of tea — caffeinated or not — to accompany a soup course, a tiered tray of savory and sweet treats, and dessert. Everything is served on mismatched china, upping the whimsy factor.
- Empanada Extravaganza: Jezabel Careaga will lead a BYOB empanada class at her eponymous Northwest Argentinian cafe on Oct. 10. You’ll learn her technique and then get to enjoy plenty of empanadas, side dishes, and a surprise dessert.
New to the Hit List (Oct. 2024)
Black Dragon Takeout, La Baja, Rex at the Royal, Yanaga Kappo-Izakaya, Irwins.
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
We’re never not up for Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook’s Zahav, and for sure Philly’s standard-bearer of Israeli and Middle Eastern cuisine will return to the Hit List. But we’re still feeling those warm(ish) evenings, and are very content to 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 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 — the kind 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. 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 understands our fondness for the Gallic good things — not just at GKT but also at her two wine bars, Le Caveau and Superfolie.
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.
7. Yanaga Kappo-Izakaya Northern Liberties
Wherever Kevin Yanaga is making sushi, we’ll go. Known as the Sushi Whisperer, Yanaga has worked everywhere: Double Knot, Pod, Morimoto, Zama, and most recently, as an owner-operator. At Yanaga Kappo-Izakaya, he combines dive bar vibes with the master-level raw fish creations he’s known for, like a toro scallion roll or a kani ponzu butter roll. Rumor has it that a secret omakase room is on the way. Cult favorite 1-900-Ice-Cream is for dessert.
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. Black Dragon Takeout West Philly
We’ve been waiting on this one for a while. Kurt Evans has worked at some of the city’s top restaurants and earned extra respect through his End Mass Incarceration dinner series. Now, Evans has hung his own shingle with Black Dragon Takeout, which evokes his memories of Chinese takeout restaurants in mostly Black neighborhoods, like the West Philly one he grew up in. His menu combines both cultures with dishes like collard green egg rolls, oxtail rangoon, macaroni and cheese dumplings, and sweet potato sour chicken.
Find more info here.
12. Irwin’s South Philadelphia
Chef Michael Vincent Fererri has been cooking top-notch Silician food for most of his career in Philly. He’s known for family recipes and fresh spins on classic Italian dishes — and for his spectacular hand with pasta, whether it’s hand-rolled gnocchi sardi with eggplant, or spaghetti with clams. The view from here on top of Bok Building, a former public high school, is a stunner — and adds to what’s always a special time. And if you want to plus-up that specialness even more, you can book Salvatore’s Counter, named after Fererri’s late father; it’s an intimate four-seat experience with a never-repeated 10-course menu, every other Sunday.
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 Supper Club 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. We’ve got some tips on how to get in here.
17. La Baja Ambler
Dionicio Jiménez, known for Cantina La Martina in Kensington, has a new opening in the charming small town of Ambler. Unlike his inaugural restaurant, which leans casual with absolutely delicious tacos and a full bar, this venture is taking on the form of a classic BYOB with white tablecloths and upscale dishes inspired by Mexico’s borders. Don’t miss: Burrata over a rich black mole made with 15 ingredients, elote-style corn with walnut cream, and a whole duck with plantains and bao buns. Jiménez’s unique sauces star throughout this menu.
18. 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.
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. Rex at the Royal Graduate Hospital
Southern food is delicious, and yet Philly doesn’t have much to offer. Hence, Rex at the Royal remains your best option for cornbread, okra, and shrimp and grits. What’s especially cool right now? They’re working with Samuels & Son to combat blue catfish — an invasive species that’s heading our way from the Chesapeake Bay — by cooking it. It’s mild, flaky, and tastes like striped bass. Look out for catfish and waffles and, coming soon, catfish tenders.
