Palizzi Social Club is a members-only spot in East Passyunk. It’s hard to get a membership, but it’s worth it since the Italian food is so good.

Aether is a seafood restaurant in Fishtown with a solid raw bar and wine list, but not much else.

Even though you might wait a while at Circles + Squares in Fishtown, it’s worth it to get the best pizza in Philly.

Wm. Mulherin’s Sons is an Italian restaurant in Fishtown where you should go for a date or a nicer-than-usual weeknight dinner.

Hiroki is a dark sushi restaurant in Fishtown with a 9-course omakase menu for $135.

Zeppoli is an Italian BYOB in Collingswood that’s worth leaving the city for.

Angelo’s is a counter-service pizza shop in Bella Vista with an excellent Detroit-style “Upside Down Jawn” pizza.

Pizza Shackamaxon is a slice shop on Girard with big, floppy pizzas and excellent tomato pie.

Rione serves Roman-style square pizza by the slice, and it’s the best of its kind in Philly.

Kalaya is a 30-seat BYOB in Bella Vista that serves the best Thai food in the city.

Talula’s Garden is a good back-pocket spot in Washington Square West that serves seasonal American food and has a great patio.

Pizzeria Beddia is a sit-down pizza spot in Fishtown with arguably the best pizza in the city, plus a natural wine list and excellent soft serve.

Southwark is a bar and restaurant in Queen Village that’s basically a 3-in-1, with a cocktail bar, a dressy dining room, and a casual back patio.

Alpen Rose is a small steakhouse in Midtown Village that looks like the inside of a retired Harvard professor’s personal library.

Da-Wa is a small, casual sushi spot with a solid omakase offering under the El on Front Street.

Jaxon is a neighborhood BYOB in Northern Liberties with a small, seasonal menu that’s great for both a special occasion or a casual weeknight dinner.