Philadelphia is known for a lot of things, especially its deep love of food- from the Italian market to cheesesteaks. Every neighborhood has established its own food niche, so there are plenty of opportunities to indulge in new dishes. In addition to a wide variety of ethnic cuisine, Philly totes a plethora of restaurants with attitude - metal juke boxes, punk waiters, and dive-y atmospheres.
Sweetie's Pie Diner
Sweetie's Pie Diner is just that: a cute little restaurant that serves pie for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and (of course) dessert. Could anything be better? The charming little diner utilizes simplicity to make itself stand out in a city chock full of restaurants. Utilizing local and organic ingredients, the food always tastes fresh and guilt-free (yes, even the pumpkin cheesecake). The breakfast menu features some delicious, gluten-free options, including sweet-potato pancakes and frittata. Lunch and dinner offer savory pies, including a polenta tart with grilled vegetables and macaroni and cheese pie with tomatoes. Naturally, there is a long, tempting dessert menu, with such highlights as chocolate marble cheesecake and banana foster tart. Come with an appetite!
- Information
- Location: 1822 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Phone: 215-988-0230
- Hours: Tuesday through Sunday: 8am to 8pm
- Website: www.sweetiespiediner.com
Tattooed Mom's
On the busy, image-saturated South Street, Tattooed Mom's has muscled out the street-side competition with its eye-catching graphic window display. This flashiness is reflected throughout the bar, making a cozy dwelling holed out among decorations made by local artists. Tattooed Mom's attracts a crowd of regulars, punks, goths, artists, and more that flock from South Street. This crowd and the punk rock blurring from the jukebox shouldn't deter newcomers, as the restaurant is known for its laid-back, friendly vibe. The prices and menu selection, the usual array of bar food, are equally unpretentious. Tattooed Mom's offers all you need for a fun, relaxing night out: cheap drinks and good music.
- Information
- Location: 530 South Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Phone: 215-238-9880
- Hours: 12pm to 12am
- Website: www.myspace.com/tattooed_mom
Varga Bar
Varga Bar is a sleek, though not necessarily sophisticated, gastropub all dressed up for a night out on the town. The restaurant's pin-up girl theme is less of a gag and more of a strict guideline: diners are greeted with an endless sea of vintage-style portraits of 1940s sirens. In addition to a decor that is easy on the eyes, Varga Bar offers a wide selection of beers on tap, though the prices cater towards the higher-end clientele. The restaurant's good-humored side is more apparent in their menu selections, ranging from bowls of pickled vegetables, truffle mac and cheese, and breakfast cereal ice cream. Along with their amped-up decorations and meal choices, Varga Bar's prices are higher than other pub food locales, but are still friendly enough to attract a younger crowd.
- Information
- Location: 10th and Spruce, Philadelphia, PA
- Phone: 215-627-5200
- Website: www.vargabar.com
Marrakesh
The smells of jasmine incense and spices wafting from the kitchen welcome patrons into the warm embrace of Marrakesh. A resident of Philadelphia for over 30 years, Marrakesh continues to receive praise for offering a unique and delicious dining experience. As a traditional Moroccan restaurant, emphasis on traditional, Marrakesh strives to transport patrons into another time with its lush interior, filled with authentic rugs and vibrant pillows. Customers sit on rugs in front of low tables and eat their dishes with only their fingers. Marrakesh serves authentic Moroccan food, including lamb dishes and Moroccan pastries, and features a large selection of vegetarian entrees. For an even more exotic experience, customers can invite belly dancers to be their special dinner guests.
- Information
- Location: 517 S Leithgow St., Philadelphia,, PA
- Phone: 215-925-5929
- Note: Call for hours of operation and reservations (recommended)
- Website: www.marrakesheastcoast.com
Carman's Country Kitchen
The dive bar of diners, Carman's Country Kitchen is an eclectic, hole-in-the-wall breakfast place in South Philly. The cramped quarters are dripping with kitschy and frequently off-color decorations and the laid-back wait staff is typically covered in tattoos. Truly recreating the feel of eating in someone's kitchen, Carman, the owner, makes frequent appearances in the diner and comes up with four daily specials based on fresh ingredients from the farmer's market. In addition to the usual lavish breakfast options, Carman's offers an ever-changing array of inventive dishes including challah French toast, pancakes with M&Ms, and omelet with Ohio River turtle. Be sure to bring cash and to make reservations ahead to get one of the few available tables.
- Information
- Location: 1301 S 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Phone: 215-339-9613
Mixto
For a classy night out with a twist, try the unique South American fusion menu of Mixto restaurant. East of downtown, Mixto is located on antique row in a brick and exposed wood building. The classic and understated interior is geared towards the finer palette, while the menu features a mixture of exotic items for the more adventurous spirit. Mixing traditions from Cuban, Latin American, and Caribbean cuisine, Mixto's menu has a lengthy selection of appetizers, soups and salads, vegetarian options, and meat dishes. Some of the more exotic options include the Bandeja Tipica, Pollo Mareada, and Paelle Valenciana. To top off the meal, Mixto offers fresh fruit smoothies and juices, imported beers, and specialty cocktails (for morning or night). With entrees ranging from $12 to $32 and 'business casual' attire encouraged, make sure to make reservations and dress to impress for a night of alluring Latin fusion.
- Information
- Location: 1141 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Phone: 215-592-0363
- Website: www.tierramixtophilly.com
Kabul Afghan
Opening its doors in 1991, Kabul Afghan became the first, and still only, Afghan restaurant in Philadelphia. Kabul Afghan is committed to originality and tradition, earning itself an impressive reputation throughout the dining scene. Setting the scene with relaxing Afghan music, the restaurant is bedecked with Afghan rugs, artwork, and even costumes. Everything offered on the menu, including the breads and salad dressings, are prepared in the kitchen with fresh ingredients. Each dish is steeped in authenticity, with ample spices and herbs creating flavorful lamb and chicken dishes. For added fun, diners can call ahead to reserve a taqh, a low table surrounded with pillows and rugs for comfort. Those considering this as an impressive first date should keep in mind that traditional Afghan dining entails eating with your hands.
- Information
- Location: 106 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Phone: 215-922-3676
- Hours: Monday through Thursday: 4pm to 10pm, Friday and Saturday: 4pm to 11pm, Sunday: 3pm to 10pm
- Website: www.kabulafghancuisine.com/
The Ugly American
The Ugly American's name is a tongue-in-cheek homage to the French opinion of American cuisine. This playfulness is evident in every aspect of the restaurant, from the gaudy marquee to its inventive menu items. The Ugly American is dedicated to celebrating the oftentimes-underrated art of American food, taking traditional dishes, adding an interesting twist, and whipping them together with local ingredients. Surrounded by contemporary décor, patrons can dine on comfort food classics such as burgers, fries, mac and cheese, and roast beef. The twist is that the mac and cheese is loaded with carrots and peas, has a bread crumb crust, and comes at $19 a pop. Not all the menu prices are this intimidating, and the Ugly American offers a modestly-priced and extensive beer list for patrons stopping in for Happy Hour or Thursday night trivia nights with bar staple Johnny Goodtimes.
- Information
- Location: 1100 South Front Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Phone: 215-336-1100
- Website: www.uglyamericanphilly.com
Koo Zee Doo
The musical name of Koo Zee Doo references the Portuguese word for 'cooked', particularly to a traditional Portuguese dish, Cozido a Portuguesa. If you haven't already guessed it, Koo Zee Doo serves traditional Portuguese cuisine. While the culinary talents of Portugal are not often lauded, the country actually has a long, flavorful history. According to Koo Zee Doo's website, Portugal has absorbed culinary tips and tricks from other countries, creating a more robust dining experience. Portuguese emphasize hearty and spicy foods, like thick soups and breads and an array of seafood dishes. This history flavors Koo Zee Doo's menu and its rustic décor.
- Information
- Location: 614 N 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Phone: 215-923-8080
- Note: See website for meal times. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday
- Website: www.koozeedoo.com
MidAtlantic Restaurant
MidAtlantic Restaurant combines the modern innovation of a successful urban restaurant with traditional Pennsylvania Dutch flavors -- for appetizing results. A recent addition to University City, MidAtlantic Restaurant is the brainchild of well-known Philadelphia chef Daniel Stern. This concept restaurant is steeped in the understated elegance of Amish décor, creating a calm oasis in an otherwise busy city. The roaring fire pit outside the restaurant, though, speaks loudly enough to attract curious passer-bys. MidAtlantic's menu resurrects the time of thriving city markets, when patrons know where their produce came from. Its selection of traditional dishes typically feature fresh vegetables alongside a hearty serving of meat. A few surprises, like crab scrapple and Welsh rarebit fondue, are also thrown into the mix. Groups of people with a reason and the budget to celebrate extravagantly, yet elegantly, can indulge in communal dinners of several hearty dishes built around a central ingredient.
- Information
- Location: 3711 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Phone: 215-386-3711
- Note: Specific meal hours listed on the website.
- Website: www.midatlanticrestaurant.com
