Things to Do in Philly
To Eat:
Bar Lesieur
We went here shortly after the place opened and had a truly stunning meal. The French-inspired menu is nothing short of beautiful, and the space reminds us of an old wine cellar. Service was also impeccable! It’s the kind of place you go to for a “special date night” meal. We recommend ordering a bottle of wine and enjoy one of the best new restaurants in Philadelphia. Note: it’s a hot spot, so we recommend making a reservation pretty far in advance.
The Good King Tavern
If you’re looking for something a bit more casual but still French, Good King Tavern is your best bet. It bills itself as “French Tavern Fair” and has an awesome atmosphere. We recommend the socca. After your meal, you can head upstairs to their wine bar Le Caveau for a nightcap.
EMei
Alex has been a fan of EMei since he moved to Philadelphia. If you’re looking for some good Szechuan food, hit up EMei. While you’re up there, check out the rest of Chinatown, one of the gems of Philadelphia.
Via Locusta
Via Locusta is a great place to grab some housemade pasta and a glass of wine on a chilly winter day. The dining room is cozy and elegant, and they have a great happy hour. Plus, it’s just around the corner from Rittenhouse Square, which has a great farmer’s market on Saturdays.
Ba Le Bakery
If you’re looking for a cheesesteak, we can’t really give you a recommendation, as Kristy doesn’t eat beef or pork and Alex hasn’t found one “that’s any good” yet. And while Philly may be known for it’s cheesesteaks, we think it really ought to be known for it’s Vietnamese food. We recommend you skip the chaos of Pat’s and Geno’s and head a few blocks northeast to Ba Le Bakery, where you can get some of the best bánh mì sandwiches in the city. Anything on the menu is guaranteed to blow you away.
Pho 75
February and Pho, a match made in heaven. One of the best bowls of Pho (and hangover cures) you can find in Philly. Cash only, but there’s an ATM available.
To drink:
Tavern on Camac
An amazing piano bar with an excellent happy hour. We like to come here and listen to piano music with a cocktail.
Fergie’s
An old-school, no-frills Irish pub with a ton of charm. No TV’s, a solid tap menu, a cozy spot to find refuge in the cold.
Fountain Porter
Alex wants me to tell you to get in an uber, head down to Fountain Porter (our neck of the woods), and grab yourself a glass of natural wine or a craft beer and “the best burger in the city.”
Dirty Frank’s
An old mummers bar and a staple of Philadelphia. It’s cash-only and nothing fancy, but does feature local artists all over the walls.
Charlie Was a Sinner.
Great cocktails and a full vegan menu. They even make vegan cocktails! If you don’t drink, they also have a solid mocktail menu.
For Fun:
Philadelphia Museum of Art
We love to spend a rainy or cold day here. It’s huge, and has everything from suits of armor to impressionism to modern art. Alex and I love museums and this is definitely one not to miss! If it’s nice, you can go walk along Boathouse Row afterward, which is essentially right behind the museum and gives you a nice walk along the Schuylkill (pronounced “Skoo-kill”) River.
Reading Terminal Market
As foodies, we love to wander the Reading Terminal Market, a big indoor food market that showcases local foods such as Bassets Ice Cream and roast pork sandwiches, as well as Amish treats. Alex is particularly a fan of the jerky booth.
The Fabric Workshop and Museum
It’s a small museum, but there’s some great work in there that you don’t necessarily see at your “classic” museum. It features largely local artists and you can spend a lot of time here if you give the art the attention it deserves.