We’ve all been at the mercy of a late-night food search. You’re out for an after-hours meetup with a friend or refreshing your timeline on the couch, and just when you think about ditching your group to watch the latest Christmas rom-com (spoiler: they end up together) or you’ve hit your “Dallas Sucks” tweet limit, your stomach calls. And due to all the dining restrictions over the past few days and weeks, knowing where to grab a bite to eat is tougher than ever. From loaded shrimp tacos to eggs benedict, here are 12 spots in the city to hit up if you’re a part of the post-10pm crew.
The Spots
Open daily until 12:30am
You can always find great late-night options in Chinatown, and Yakitori Boy, a Japanese spot and karaoke bar, is one of the best. One of our favorites here is the takoyaki with tender octopus that melts in your mouth with each crispy bite of the deep-fried cake. Topped with a sweet mayo sauce and a Worcestershire sauce-like glaze, the blend is a lot better than the failed Whitney Houston high notes that are usually coming from the second floor.
Open Sunday-Thursday until 10pm, Friday and Saturday until 10:30pm
On Friday and Saturday, you can get El Vez for takeout until 10:30pm. The popular Mexican restaurant has amazing food and cocktails available daily, like the Pink Cadillac margarita (offered to-go 12-ounce or 24-ounce containers) and some spicy and tangy shrimp tacos that come with salsa de arbol and cotija cheese.
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Sid Booker's Famous Shrimp
Open Sunday-Thursday until 2am, Friday and Saturday until 4am
Philadelphians have been lining up at this North Philly corner shrimp spot ever since it opened in 1966. The “Colonel of Shrimp” serves each batch one way: fried with a batter that’s perfectly seasoned and has a hint of sweetness to it. Getting your hands on a golden crispy dozen, fresh out of the fryer will leave you feeling more triumphant than finding an open parking spot in your first whip around Broad and Wyoming.
Open Monday-Saturday until 11pm, Sunday until 10pm
We’re gonna be real here - when we get a late-night craving, it’s never our first thought to order a kale salad or avocado toast. We want a slice of pizza, a satisfying burger, or more importantly, tacos. Tio Flores has you covered on the last front, specifically the ones they fill with the tremendous blackened mahi. The fish is juicy and smoky, and the chipotle sauce and avocado add some creaminess.
Open Monday-Thursday until 10pm, Friday and Saturday until 11pm
The closest I’ve come to cooking “traditional” Italian food late at night during quarantine was adding diced garlic to some store-bought sauce. Thankfully, I won’t be forced to huddle around a spice rack to jazz up some Preggo anymore since Mercato is open until 11pm on the weekends. The Center City Italian spot has a memorable bolognese with savory tomato sauce that’s mixed with herb-flavored creamy ricotta cheese.
Lou Bird's
Open Monday-Friday until 11pm, Saturday and Sunday until 12am
Before the pandemic, neighborhood corner bar Lou Bird’s was the perfect place to kick back with some friends, watch a game, and eat some tasty food. Thankfully, they still serve the excellent chicken Milanese to go. Although the cutlet is breaded and crunchy, it retains its juiciness and comes topped with shaved parmesan. This thing is so good that you might even forget the Sixers president said we should stop saying Philly and use “New Philadelphia” instead.
Open daily until 11pm
We’ve waited many times on the sidewalk just to get a massive slice of Lorenzo’s pizza. And while the wait may produce some odd sights (we once saw Elmo walk into Passional Boutique next door), it’s so worth it. The cheese slice is always piping hot and has a rewarding level of melting cheese. Whether you’re there to get a classic slice or to get one element of the questionable Philly taco, you’ll leave satisfied.
The Royal Indian Cuisine
Open Sunday-Thursday until 10pm, Friday and Saturday until 10:30pm
Honestly, any time of day is perfect for a veggie samosa and mixed pakora. Thankfully, you won’t have to struggle to find either after Cartoon Network’s late run of Rick and Morty at The Royal Indian Cuisine. Another dish you should try is the gobi Manchurian. Each piece of fried cauliflower is covered with a mix of chilli and sweet Manchurian sauce that makes the whole thing tangy and spicy.
Open Tuesday-Saturday until 11pm
At this Logan Square steakhouse, you can get fine-dining options, and a great burger, for takeout until an hour before midnight. The tender patty is topped with tart white cheddar and spicy aioli sauce, and is perfect if you like a juicy burger. Served on an English muffin, the burger is a great way to end or, depending on your schedule, begin your day.
Sutton’s
At Sutton’s, you can kick back with a beer outside on their heated patio. With coconut shrimp as impressive as Gritty’s marketing team, it’s definitely one of the dishes you should try at the neighborhood pub regardless if you’re dining outside or getting takeout. The crunchy jumbo shrimp is nicely seasoned and served with sweet chili sauce, and each bite has a perfect blend of sweetness and saltiness.
PHL Guide
Where To Eat Outside In Philly When It’s Cold & Rainy
Open Sunday-Thursday until 10 pm, Friday and Saturday until 11pm
Anybody going to Chickie’s & Pete’s could probably just order by saying the famous Marshawn Lynch quote, “you know why I’m here.” Their crab-seasoned fries, without or without the melting cheese sauce, and dry rub wings taste great at any hour. Whether you’re picking up or the need to watch Desus & Mero live has forced you to hit up delivery, you can’t go wrong with grabbing one of the most popular duos in the city.
Open daily until 11pm
I’m from New Jersey. The Jersey Shore and diners, that’s what we do. So if I say to head down the boulevard (without getting a ticket) to the Ritz Diner, just know you’re gonna get some top-tier home fries and all-day breakfast. One of my favorite dishes to get here is the eggs benedict. The eggs are always firm yet maintain their gooey center, and come served over crispy Canadian bacon and home fries that are light but not so soft that you think you’re eating fried mash potatoes.
