The Resy Hit List: Where In Philadelphia You’ll Want to Eat Right Now
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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.
Consider it your essential resource for dining in Philadelphia: a monthly-updated guide to the restaurants that you won’t want to miss — tonight or any night.
Four Things In Philadelphia Not to Miss This Month
- Gluten-Free Guide: We love it when restaurants make an effort to meet guests’ needs – it’s one of the clearest signs of real hospitality. Options for gluten-free diners have expanded significantly in recent years, from off-menu pizza dough at Corio in University City and newcomer Barclay Pies in Cherry Hill to pasta at Tulip Pasta & Wine Bar and both of those carby favorites at Prunella. And at Mission Taqueria, the entire menu is gluten-free, right down to the churros.
- Plan Ahead: One of our favorite openings of last year, Dancerobot recently introduced brunch service. Book a table to try Justin Bachrach and Jesse Ito’s Japanese takes on breakfast, like bacon, egg, and cheese onigiri or honey butter toast on caramelized milk bread. And if you’re all-in on Japanese cuisine, reserve a spot at Philly Sushi Con on April 12, a “blade to plate” experience featuring a bluefin cutting demo from Kevin Yanaga, otoro and chutoro tastings, sushi robots rolling maki, a grill station, and sake and whiskey tastings. Find more events like this here.
- Now Open: As spring picks up, so do new openings around town. After finding success in D.C., chef Roberto Santibañez’s Mi Vida has opened in the former Mulherin’s Pizzeria space across from the Fashion District. Piccolina has taken over the restaurant at Society Hill Hotel in Old City, and Wissahickon Brewing Company has opened a new outpost in Maple Glen. In South Jersey, we’re especially excited about Bar Tacconelli in Maple Shade, a new cocktail bar from the Tacconelli’s Pizzeria family, and Vino 61, a wine and cocktail bar in Mount Holly. Read all about it in New on Resy.
- Alfresco Adventures: Outdoor dining season is almost here, and after a rough winter, we’re more than ready. Booker’s in West Philly has an especially charming sidewalk setup, with colorful decor and comfort food to match. In the suburbs, Cornerstone in Wayne offers plenty of alfresco space for lingering over a cheese board and oyster platter. In the heart of Center City, Rouge has the distinction of helping put outdoor dining on the Philly map and remains one of its iconic places to do it. Want more? We’ve got you covered.
New to the Hit List (April 2026)
Booker’s Restaurant & Bar, Enza, Madis Coffee Roasters, Ripplewood Whiskey & Craft, Sidecar, Sky Cafe Philly.
1. Bomb Bomb Lower Moyamensing
South Philly has no shortage of wild stories, including the one about the corner bar that was bombed twice by a rival in the 1930s. It survived, rebranded as Bomb Bomb, and kept going. Now it enters a new chapter under Joey Baldino — the chef behind Palizzi Social Club and Zeppoli in Collingswood — who has taken over operations with an assist from Max Hachey, previously sous chef at Friday Saturday Sunday, as chef de cuisine. A South Philly native, Baldino brings his refined Italian American cooking to this red-and-white-checkered institution. The $62 prix fixe moves through seafood hits like a showstopping lobster Française, clams casino, mussels fra diavolo, and squid ink spaghetti, with a vanilla sundae to close out the rich meal. A separate entrance leads to the bar, where the menu shifts to sandwiches and fried mozz.
2. Dancerobot Rittenhouse
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. The dynamic duo recently launched brunch, featuring teishoku, a traditional Japanese breakfast, sweet and savory toasts, and cold brew cocktails.
3. Mish Mish East Passyunk
First, Alex Tewfik ate everywhere, as food editor at Philadelphia Magazine. Then he took what he loved most about his favorite restaurants and poured it into Mish Mish. The result remains as cozy and welcoming as ever, with a great playlist, dim lighting, a strong wine list, and shareable dishes that encourage lingering. Chef Zev Flores pairs local ingredients with Middle Eastern flavors in craveable dishes like fried sunchokes with Aleppo pepper glaze or smoked purple beets with grapes, tehina mustard, and dill oil. Fried string cheese is a must-order. You’ll find it under the giant apricot on East Passyunk Avenue, one of Philly’s most food-obsessed stretches.
4. Emilia Fishtown-East Kensington
One of the most exciting openings of 2026, Emilia marks celebrated restaurateur Greg Vernick’s first venture outside Center City. With chef de cuisine Meredith Medoway cooking over a charcoal- and oak wood-fired grill, the Italian restaurant is already booking weeks in advance. The menu draws on travels through Italy — from Vernick’s food tours with Jeff Michaud of Osteria to Medoway’s time living in Modena. Expect tortellini en brodo or rigatoni in chicken ragù bianco inspired by an R&D trip to Rome. Pastas are handmade, proteins and vegetables are fire-kissed, and spritzes flow in the 20-seat lounge, where walk-ins can sometimes snag a seat.
5. Maison Lotus Wayne
The first thing to know about Maison Lotus is that it’s a stunner. Across three levels, rich green, polished gold, and warm tan tones meet botanical wallpaper, leather banquettes, and monstera-leaf sconces. From the owners of Blue Elephant and Mikado Thai Pepper, this Main Line destination focuses on French-Vietnamese dishes like spicy coconut crab dip, phở-spiced French onion soup, and soy-braised short ribs. The expansive space also houses a bakery and a speakeasy, Jade Rabbit.
6. Wine Dive Rittenhouse
When it comes to chill places to drink and meet up with friends, Chris Fetfatzes and Heather Annechiarico are unmatched. The duo behind Grace & Proper and Sonny’s Cocktail Joint (and formerly neighborhood favorite Hawthornes), with their longtime business partner Susan Freeman, are experts at crafting new bars that feel like they’ve been there forever. Wine Dive — yes, a wine-focused dive bar — recently reopened in a new location. They’re calling it “Old Hollywood meets Atlantic City,” which feels fitting for a place lined with tufted banquettes, 20 top-notch wines by-the-glass, chicken cutlets, loaded baked potatoes, and cheeky soft serve flavors like “McDonald’s apple pie.” It’s walk-in only and open until 2 a.m.
Find more info here.
7. Amma’s South Indian Cuisine Center City
Partners Sathish Varadhan and Balakrishnan Duraisamy are clearly on a growth track with Amma’s South Indian Cuisine. Named for the Tamil word for mother, Amma’s now counts a half-dozen locations across the city and suburbs. The new Chestnut Street outpost features a spacious dining room and bar, making it especially well-suited for groups. Start with crispy onion samosas, fritters, or shredded flatbread, then move on to ghee-roasted goat, tandoori chicken, fragrant biryanis, and crisp dosas, alongside plenty of vegetarian options. With such a broad menu, it’s the kind of place that rewards repeat visits.
Find more info here.
8. Banshee Graduate Hospital
Something exciting has taken over the former Tio Flores space. Banshee comes from Ben Puchowitz and Shawn Darragh, the team behind influential (and much-missed) Cheu Noodle Bar, Bing Bing Dim Sum, and Nunu, along with brothers Kyle and Bryan Donovan, longtime members of those operations. Here, the group pushes its style in a new direction, drawing on Spanish, French, and American influences. The menu moves comfortably from tarte flambée with maitakes to mussels in harissa, roasted chicken with marcona almonds, and patatas bravas. Familiar Asian notes still tie it all together with ingredients like Kyoto carrots, Thai basil, togarashi, and koji butter.
9. Booker's Restaurant & Bar West Philadelphia
Named for Civil Rights era Mississippi restaurant server Booker Wright, Booker’s has been a neighborhood mainstay since Saba Tedla opened it in 2017. Now owned by Cheri and Tracey Syphax, the Baltimore Avenue restaurant is known for Southern-leaning comfort food and a full bar. Think hot chicken sliders, vegan jambalaya, blackened catfish, and bread pudding. Brunch is especially popular, thanks to dishes like fried chicken and shrimp and waffles with strawberry butter, plus cheesecake French toast. It also happens to be one of our favorite spots for outdoor dining — as mentioned above.
10. Pizzeria Beddia Fishtown
Beddia made the news recently when Michelin named it a Bib Gourmand, but we’ve been unwavering about it from the start. That goes all the way back to the days when Joe Beddia was slinging pies for anyone committed enough to stand in lines down Frankford Avenue, long before it became the full-fledged restaurant it is today. From spicy arrabbiata to white pies topped with greens — or roasted potato or corn, depending on the season — to the classic cheese, it’s a treat to eat these thin, crispy-crust pizzas whenever the craving hits. Best enjoyed with a glass of natural wine, judión beans and burrata on the side, and 1-900-ICE-CREAM soft serve for dessert, with or without a shot of amaro.
11. Ripplewood Whiskey & Craft Ardmore
The Main Line town that seems to have it all — great shopping, live music, and good food — is also home to Ripplewood. This whiskey bar punches above its weight, with playful takes on classics like pretzel-style Parker House rolls with truffle butter, plus a menu that pulls from all over, with dishes like soup dumpling lasagna and mahi tacos with plantain crust. Take note of the daily happy hour from 3 to 5 p.m., when Manhattans and old fashioneds are $8 and cheese-covered Ripp Fries with brisket and jalapeño go for $7. And if you’re feeling fancy, the group’s cocktail bar Izzy’s is right next door.
12. Li Beirut Collingswood
In Collingswood, a small town with an outsized dining scene, Tony and Patricia Massoud opened Li Beirut as a tribute to loved ones in their Lebanese hometown. The welcoming restaurant is built for sharing. Start with dips — silky labneh, hummus, nutty muhammara, and baba ghanoush — then move on to grape leaves, warm garlicky white beans, and charred, tender filet kebab. For dessert, order pistachio baklava and Ghazal Beirut, a playful halva cotton candy. It’s also notably vegan-friendly and offers well-priced bottles of wine. Worth noting: This place is vegan-friendly and offers reasonably priced bottles of wine.
13. Sky Cafe Philly South Philly
Tucked into a South Philly strip mall, Sky Cafe has been serving Indonesian food since 2010. The menu is long, but helpfully organized into sections like noodles and rice, with photos that make it easier for first-timers to decide. Start with the fried soy-garlic chicken wings, fried wontons, or saucy pork skewers, then move on to nasi lemak — a banana leaf-wrapped rice packet with coconut-braised beef rendang, chicken, or seafood — or egg noodles with chicken, barbecue pork, and meatballs. It’s the kind of place that calls for repeat visits.
Find more info here.
14. The Sidecar Bar & Grille Graduate Hospital
As Philly’s dining scene has filled out with elegant, high-profile restaurants, neighborhood standbys like Sidecar have kept doing what they do best: taking care of locals in search of a reliably good meal. Despite some changes in ownership, it has held that role in Graduate Hospital since 2005. This is the kind of place where one person can order a double smash burger loaded up on a brioche bun while another goes for monkfish piccata with sautéed kale and artichoke hearts. Kids will be happy with a hot dog and fries or Detroit-style pizza topped with pepperoni or Buffalo chicken. It’s flexible in the best way, with lunch, dinner, happy hour, and weekend brunch all in the mix.
15. Huda Burger Fishtown
Yehuda Sichel perfected house-baked milk buns at his sandwich destination, Huda, in Rittenhouse. There, the former Abe Fisher chef stacks uber-crunchy spicy chicken, fall-apart brisket, burgers, and grilled swordfish on the sweet, pillowy, Japanese-style buns. Now he’s doubling down on smash burgers with a new storefront in Fishtown, as one dows. At Huda Burger, crispy-edged smash burgers overflow from sesame-seeded milk buns, curly fries come with housemade dipping sauce, and soft serve ice cream means you can have a black-and-white milkshake with this classic meal. Avoiding gluten? Get your burger over a salad or fries.
Find more info here.
16. Enza Wyndmoor
Just a few minutes from Chestnut Hill, Wyndmoor has a charming little business strip anchored by Enza, a sleek Italian spot from the team behind the former Center City restaurants Zavino and Tredici Enoteca. The bubbly pizza is an easy choice, but don’t skip the shrimp scampi over saffron bucatini in a creamy, garlicky sauce. Roasted cauliflower with pistachio pesto and lemon yogurt is another crowd-pleaser. Speaking of crowds, Enza is especially good for families, with small pizzas and pasta options for kids, and it’s also open for Sunday brunch.
17. Mana Philly Northern Liberties
When Mana opened last year, social media lit up with photos of its “carrot bloom” dessert — carrot cake shaped like actual carrots set over chocolate “dirt” — and the “lychee bloom,” a bouquet-like arrangement that’s actually fried shrimp mousse. We appreciate a photogenic moment as much as anyone, but don’t overlook the rest of the menu. The BYOB from Tom Lau and chef Mana Shi is also drawing attention for sweet-and-sour braised pork ribs dusted with pistachios, rainbow soup dumplings, and deeply flavored curry duck.
18. Triangle Tavern East Passyunk
Standing on its corner since 1933, Triangle Tavern reopened under new ownership about a decade ago and remains a casual, welcoming bar-restaurant. Yes, you’ll find the classics — mozzarella sticks, burgers, and seitan wings that won PETA’s award for best wings — but the Italian side of the menu is just as compelling. Think pizza, chicken Parm, mussels in red sauce over linguine, and crisp polenta fries. About half the menu is vegetarian or vegan, which is part of what makes Triangle such a neighborhood staple. Add a boozy “wooder ice” and you’ve got a meal that feels distinctly, delightfully Philly.
Find more info here.
19. Madis Coffee Roasters Center City, Old City, University City
Madis Coffee is serious about its beans, roasting carefully sourced blends fresh for service in its three cafes and brewing them with reverse osmosis water calibrated for balanced pH and minerals. Come for the coffee, but don’t stop there. Order a cruffin — a croissant-muffin hybrid — filled with raspberry jam, or a sandwich on a fresh baguette with crispy potatoes on the side. The bright, airy spaces make easy settings for coffee meetings, laptop workdays, or relaxed brunches. At the Old City location, be sure to peek at the Tiffany glass “The Dream Garden” mural in the Curtis Center lobby just outside the cafe — one of Philly’s most underrated attractions.
Find more info here.
20. Rittenhouse Grill Rittenhouse Square
When was the last time you got dressed up and went to a proper steakhouse? Rittenhouse Grill delivers the full experience, with art deco flourishes from leopard-print carpet to live piano every night. Tucked inside the Warwick Hotel, longtime locals may remember the room from its years as The Prime Rib. The name has changed, but the spirit remains classic. Order accordingly: oysters Rockefeller, a wedge salad, succulent prime rib, creamed spinach, and béarnaise, au poivre, or blue cheese sauce. Owner Garth Weldon, who began his career as a busboy, plays the consummate host. For a little extra flourish, book Broadway Cabaret nights to see Tony winners up close.
