Philadelphia's Best New Restaurants Of 2023
Keep Reading
Philadelphia's Best New Restaurants Of 2023
Where else on the planet can you BYO tequila, eat a tower of shaved ice with a banana cream center, and plausibly order a cheesesteak wrapped in a slice of pizza in one day? We do it all in this town. And, in 2023, Philly did restaurants right.
These are the new restaurants we can’t stop talking about, from a stunning Thai spot to a shop with doro wot that’s as genuinely delightful as the I-95 livestream. Whether you want an intimate BYOB for the perfect date night or a cemita paradise for one, you'll find Philly’s best new options below. Looking for the best places to eat in Philly, full stop? Check out our guide to the 25 highest-rated in town.
photo credit: Gab Bonghi
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
Walking through the carpeted doorway, stopping our internal “minutes without Kalaya” clock.
A Perfect Order For Your Annoying Friends From New York
Dumplings, gui chai, any stir fry (with a side of turmeric rice), and one fruity shaved ice.
The Best Time To Go
Saturday night, 8pm. Between the people-watching, sexy lounge music, and coconut milk-infused cocktails, you won’t even notice you’re waiting for a table.
Collective Team Visits
19
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
Walking through the carpeted doorway, stopping our internal “minutes without Kalaya” clock.
A Perfect Order For Your Annoying Friends From New York
Dumplings, gui chai, any stir fry (with a side of turmeric rice), and one fruity shaved ice.
The Best Time To Go
Saturday night, 8pm. Between the people-watching, sexy lounge music, and coconut milk-infused cocktails, you won’t even notice you’re waiting for a table.
photo credit: Nicole Guglielmo
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
Stevie Wonder playing. The sweet scent of plantains filling the air. Eating one of the best hoagies in town.
A Perfect Order For A Friends Brunch When You’re The One “Cooking”
A few breakfast sandwiches, creamy grits and eggs, Dolla Hoagies (would be anti-Philly not to have them), and the Honeysuckle At Home dinner for two (because you won’t be cooking later either).
The Best Time To Go
Before heading to the office on a weekday, or before 11am on the weekends when half of West Philly shows up.
Collective Team Visits
16
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
Stevie Wonder playing. The sweet scent of plantains filling the air. Eating one of the best hoagies in town.
A Perfect Order For A Friends Brunch When You’re The One “Cooking”
A few breakfast sandwiches, creamy grits and eggs, Dolla Hoagies (would be anti-Philly not to have them), and the Honeysuckle At Home dinner for two (because you won’t be cooking later either).
The Best Time To Go
Before heading to the office on a weekday, or before 11am on the weekends when half of West Philly shows up.
photo credit: Nicole Guglielmo
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
Eating the soft shell crab and feeling like every ounce of table decorum left our bodies. We’ve been chasing this seafood high ever since.
A Perfect Order For A Sexy Date Night
A round of Jack Rose’s, plateau fruits de mer, cold roast beef au poivre, fluke for two, and an ice cream sundae.
The Best Time To Go
If you don’t have a reservation, show up at 4:55pm and try your best to snag a bar seat. Otherwise, set up a permanent Resy notification and take what you can get.
Collective Team Visits
10
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
Eating the soft shell crab and feeling like every ounce of table decorum left our bodies. We’ve been chasing this seafood high ever since.
A Perfect Order For A Sexy Date Night
A round of Jack Rose’s, plateau fruits de mer, cold roast beef au poivre, fluke for two, and an ice cream sundae.
The Best Time To Go
If you don’t have a reservation, show up at 4:55pm and try your best to snag a bar seat. Otherwise, set up a permanent Resy notification and take what you can get.
photo credit: Gab Bonghi
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
After licking a plate of soft shell shrimp clean and sipping our BYOB pinot, we locked eyes with the chicken wearing a gold ankle bangle (in a painting). We knew we were home.
A Perfect Order For Two To Five People
Oysters, the perfect head-on soft shell shrimp, any noodle dish (the khao soi is our favorite), and the whole fish.
The Best Time To Go
Thursday around noon, when they have lunch and you stand a chance of getting in.
Collective Team Visits
13
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
After licking a plate of soft shell shrimp clean and sipping our BYOB pinot, we locked eyes with the chicken wearing a gold ankle bangle (in a painting). We knew we were home.
A Perfect Order For Two To Five People
Oysters, the perfect head-on soft shell shrimp, any noodle dish (the khao soi is our favorite), and the whole fish.
The Best Time To Go
Thursday around noon, when they have lunch and you stand a chance of getting in.
photo credit: Nicole Guglielmo
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
Eating a chicken cemita clásica under the cherry trees at the outdoor tables while "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom" by Selena was playing.
A Perfect Order For Dinner With Three Friends
Aguachile blanco, any cemita (preferably the clásica or birria), and a round of tacos.
The Best Time To Go
Early-ish dinner, Tuesday-Thursday night, so there’s not too much of a wait.
Collective Team Visits
11
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
Eating a chicken cemita clásica under the cherry trees at the outdoor tables while "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom" by Selena was playing.
A Perfect Order For Dinner With Three Friends
Aguachile blanco, any cemita (preferably the clásica or birria), and a round of tacos.
The Best Time To Go
Early-ish dinner, Tuesday-Thursday night, so there’s not too much of a wait.
photo credit: Nicole Guglielmo
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
When we forgot to BYOB and saw the glowing, well-stocked communal fridge.
A Perfect Order For A Comfort Meal After A Long Week
Starter sampler (so you don’t have to pick), pork adobo, pancit palabok, fluffy garlic rice, and South Philly laing.
The Best Time To Go
Despite always feeling busy, it’s not too tough to get a reservation here, so check out what’s available on Resy.
Collective Team Visits
9
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
When we forgot to BYOB and saw the glowing, well-stocked communal fridge.
A Perfect Order For A Comfort Meal After A Long Week
Starter sampler (so you don’t have to pick), pork adobo, pancit palabok, fluffy garlic rice, and South Philly laing.
The Best Time To Go
Despite always feeling busy, it’s not too tough to get a reservation here, so check out what’s available on Resy.
photo credit: Nicole Guglielmo
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
Laughing at the table next to us fighting over their last bites of chocolate cream puff.
A Perfect Order For A Double Date With A Couple You Really Like
One of everything and two of the brown butter tart.
The Best Time To Go
Friday or Saturday night, 7-8pm (when it’s super busy). Walk to Bob & Barbara’s afterward for the live DJ and celebrate the best meal you’ve had in a while.
Collective Team Visits
The limit does not exist
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
Laughing at the table next to us fighting over their last bites of chocolate cream puff.
A Perfect Order For A Double Date With A Couple You Really Like
One of everything and two of the brown butter tart.
The Best Time To Go
Friday or Saturday night, 7-8pm (when it’s super busy). Walk to Bob & Barbara’s afterward for the live DJ and celebrate the best meal you’ve had in a while.
photo credit: Nicole Guglielmo
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
After a bite of the mac and cheese with a caramelized top, when we heard a Jazmine Sullivan ballad in our heads.
A Perfect Order For A Casual Catch Up
Awaze half chicken, doro wot, collard greens, Addis fries, and the mitmita aioli.
The Best Time To Go
Lunch after the Clark Park farmers market on Saturdays.
Collective Team Visits
12
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
After a bite of the mac and cheese with a caramelized top, when we heard a Jazmine Sullivan ballad in our heads.
A Perfect Order For A Casual Catch Up
Awaze half chicken, doro wot, collard greens, Addis fries, and the mitmita aioli.
The Best Time To Go
Lunch after the Clark Park farmers market on Saturdays.
photo credit: Gab Bonghi
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
Scarfing the Korean bulgogi beef cheesesteak in our car.
A Perfect Order For Movie-Night Takeout
Korean beef birria tacos, sesame garlic shrimp burrito, kimchi fries.
The Best Time To Go
Before a tailgate with your friend who can’t cook—the place is less than 10 minutes from the stadiums.
Collective Team Visits
6
The Moment We Knew We Loved It
Scarfing the Korean bulgogi beef cheesesteak in our car.
A Perfect Order For Movie-Night Takeout
Korean beef birria tacos, sesame garlic shrimp burrito, kimchi fries.
The Best Time To Go
Before a tailgate with your friend who can’t cook—the place is less than 10 minutes from the stadiums.