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Looking for a late-night bite? Philadelphia is full of restaurants and bars that keep the kitchen open until 1 a.m. and later, so you can eat before and after a night on the town.
As Philadelphia’s dining scene continues to grow, the city’s bistros, pubs, brasseries, eateries, diners and fast-food spots have also grown by … hours.
By law in Philly, last call at the bar happens at 2 a.m. Last call for food, however, is anywhere from 11 p.m. to never.
Restaurants like Royal Tavern and Standard Tap offer pierogies, burgers and other delicious bar food well into the wee hours — or food-seekers can always head to South Philadelphia for a 3 a.m. cheesesteak at Pat’s or Geno’s.
So no matter how late the night or how strong the craving, there are plenty of ways to get a late-night snack.
Read on for our list of the hottest, coolest and coziest spots to nibble, nosh, gobble and dine well into the early-morning hours.
Note: Schedules do change, so if you plan to hit up one of these awesome spots, check online or with the restaurant or bar to ensure it’s serving food late.
Not fancy, but certainly friendly, the well-located Broad Street Diner serves as a post-party pit stop for night owls in transit between Center City and South Philly. Best to stick to the basics here: They’re known for their omelets, hash browns and hot coffee.
Where: Broad Street Diner, 1135 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
The slogan at the Melrose Diner, a 70-plus-year-old South Philly institution, is “Everybody who knows goes to the Melrose.” On weekend nights, it seems like every Philadelphian does. Counter seats are many; pies are homemade; and the servers are no-nonsense.
Where: Melrose Diner, 1501 Snyder Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Midtown III Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge, Center City’s last bastion of all-night diner food, attracts all kinds of eaters with an assortment of omelets, open-faced tuna melts, homemade vanilla shakes and other rib-sticking fare.
Where: Midtown III Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge, 28 S. 18th Street, Philadelphia, PA
By 2:15 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s Steaks, across-the-street rivals, get slammed. “Originator” Pat’s, with its notoriously sloppy Cheez Whiz topping, and blindingly neon bright Geno’s, with its fancy provolone, draw crowds that meet in the avenue’s center, often stopping traffic just before dawn. Both iconic cheesesteak spots are open 24/7, every day of the week.
Where: Pat's King of Steaks and Geno's Steaks, Between Wharton and Federal streets on E. Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
A well-known spot for Philly’s post-shift restaurant workers for years, David’s Mai Lai Wah offers budget-friendly late-night eats. While the experience is no-frills, the salt and pepper chicken wings, roast pork noodle bowls and walnut shrimp provide tasty sustenance.
Where: David's Mai Lai Wah, 1001 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA
For those in need of a late-night or early-morning sugar fix, Insomnia Cookies offers fresh-baked cookies in all sorts of varieties — chocolate chunk, peanut butter, oatmeal raisin, sugar, snickerdoodle and many more mouthwatering flavors. Cravings can be satisfied at any of the eight storefronts across the city or by ordering delivery.
Where: Insomnia Cookies, Various locations including 135 S. 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Grace Tavern serves its full menu of solid bar fare to 2 a.m. every night. The Grace Burger, with lettuce, tomato, onion and Swiss cheese, is an indisputable favorite. The sausage sandwiches, the jambalaya and the chicken fingers are all great as well.
Where: Grace Tavern, 2229 Grays Ferry Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Open daily until 2 a.m., Tai Lake takes care of the tardiest Cantonese seafood-loving visitors. Dishes to try here include fish maw soup, clams in black bean sauce and lobster with ginger and scallions.
Where: Tai Lake Restaurant, 134 N. 10th Street, Philadelphia, PA
A nautical theme and upscale bar food are offered at both locations of the refined-yet-fun Misconduct Tavern, where the fare centers around approachable comfort dishes such as beer-battered pickle chips, salmon burger sliders and grilled cheese with bacon and guacamole.
Where: Misconduct Tavern, 1511 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA
Point Breeze’s American Sardine Bar is the place to be for unpretentious, crave-inspiring eats. Night owls come for the canned beer, 16 drafts, garlic Parmesan wings and, naturally, sardines every which way.
Where: American Sardine Bar, 1800 Federal Street, Philadelphia, PA
The Northern Liberties location of the two-cantina chain, Cantina Dos Segundos bustles through the night. Fresh juice margaritas, tacos and plenty of vegetarian options make it a favorite among the nocturnal crowd.
Where: Cantina Dos Segundos, 931 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
As the first of the two cantinas, Cantina Los Caballitos set a high standard for quality Mexican food with a contemporary approach. The fun atmosphere, excellent drinks and solid cooking draw patrons past traditional dinner times.
Where: Cantina Los Caballitos, 1651 E. Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Sophisticated petite restaubar Charlie was a sinner provides a great meatless alternative to diners any time of the evening every day of the week. The kitchen turns out seasonal dishes plus faves like zucchini crab cake sliders and bucatini and meatballs until the witching hour.
Where: Charlie was a sinner, 131 S. 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Jane G’s West Philly outpost Dim Sum House marries Chinese cuisine with cocktail culture. The result is a late-night party with drinks such as sake sangria and Cantonese- and Shanghai-style snacks (buns, dumplings, turnip cakes) until the kitchen closes.
Where: Dim Sum House, 3939 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
The formula for East Passyunk neighbor Fountain Porter is quite simple: Serve a wealth of craft beers on tap, plus five-dollar cheeseburgers and a small menu of other eats until closing.
Where: Fountain Porter, 1601 S. 10th Street, Philadelphia, PA
A major renovation has spruced up the cozy and convivial tavern Good Dog Bar, restoring the original roll-top bar without disturbing the neighborhood pub feel. The kitchen is known for its creamy mac and cheese, juicy burgers and delicious daily specials.
Where: Good Dog Bar, 224 S. 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Chalkboard specials supplement the regular menu at Johnny Brenda’s, a corner hangout in Fishtown popular for its live music shows. Think fun but seasonal fare and taps with locally brewed beer.
Where: Johnny Brenda's, 1201 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Southern-fried cuisine with vegan options and a superior beer list make Old City’s Khyber Pass Pub a mainstay for late eaters. On any given night, platters of smoked BBQ pork, ribs and brisket and po’boys steadily roll out of its kitchen.
Where: Khyber Pass Pub, 56 S. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
Dinner can rightfully be ordered at the Loco Pez in Fishtown until the last call at the bar. That includes the volcano burrito, chorizo quesadillas and bacon-wrapped street dogs.
Where: Loco Pez - Fishtown, 2401 E. Norris Street, Philadelphia, PA
There’s no rush to catch the last call at Kensington watering hole Martha. The full menu of quirky hoagies, pickled veggies and delectable specials runs through nearly to closing.
Where: Martha, 2113 E. York Street, Philadelphia, PA
It’s one of the oldest taverns in the country, but as far as McGillin’s Olde Ale House is concerned, the night is always young. Drop-ins can indulge in straight-up bar food such as fried shrimp, nachos and mile-high meatloaf.
Where: McGillin's Olde Ale House, 1310 Drury Street, Philadelphia, PA
Craft beer, cocktails and comfort food until 1 a.m. — including bestselling blackened chicken pesto gnocchi and a rice bowl, served veggie-only or with chicken, shrimp or steak — satisfy guests at Moonshine, a friendly, casual spot in Pennsport.
Where: Moonshine, 1825 E. Moyamensing Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
South Philly beer hall Pub on Passyunk East (a.k.a. the P.O.P.E.) packs eaters (and drinkers) in, night after night. Fourteen taps and a mega-list of bottles accompany vegan cheesesteaks, burgers with grilled red onion, fried green tomato and basil mayo and spicy wings.
Where: The Pub on Passyunk East, 1501 E. Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Royal Boucherie, chef Nick Elmi’s handsome Old City tavern specializes in house-cured charcuterie, oysters and other raw bar specialties, various terrines and decadent burgers.
Where: Royal Boucherie, 52 S. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
Like a traditional izakaya, Royal Izakaya offers convivial Japanese snacks, sushi and sake in a dimly lit setting. It may well be the only place in town to score tsukemono (preserved vegetables), chicken gizzard yakitori (skewered) and chashu (stewed pork) buns until 1 a.m.
Where: Royal Izakaya, 780 S. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
With a jukebox stocked with indie hits, Bella Vista’s Royal Tavern plays host to a devoted crowd who come for pints of microbrews, meatloaf sandwiches, duck-confit potato skins and multifarious vegan noshes.
Where: Royal Tavern, 937 E. Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
An old stainless steel car houses the always-popular late-night diner Silk City. Here, a global menu of Thai chili wings, shrimp burgers with Sriracha aioli, pork belly empanadas and fried chicken brings a contemporary spin to down-home cooking.
Where: Silk City, 435 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA
South Philadelphia Tap Room, a corner bar located near the East Passyunk neighborhood, serves its super eclectic cuisine — salt-and-vinegar fries, wild boar tacos and fried PB&J — nearly as long as it serves its fantastic selection of beer.
Where: South Philadelphia Tap Room, 1509 Mifflin Street, Philadelphia, PA
Having paved the way for decades of gastropubs to follow, Northern Liberties’ Standard Tap knows just what its clientele wants. Bowls of mussels and sausage, chicken pie and pulled pork sandwiches perfectly complement the noteworthy local beer list.
Where: Standard Tap, 901 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
South Philly’s Triangle Tavern has been smartly updated to accommodate vegans and hipsters, but the flavors are still rooted in the neighborhood. The institution serves beers high and low, red sauce mussels, meatless roast beef and Parmesan platters.
Where: Triangle Tavern, 1338 S. 10th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Sunday-Thursday: Serves until 1 a.m. Friday-Saturday: Serves until 3 a.m.
A South Street institution for decades, Jim’s makes one of Philly’s finest cheesesteaks. That means there’s often a line, but don’t worry – it moves quickly. Plus, the intoxicating smell of the ribeye steaks and sizzling onions on the grill will keep you focused while you wait.
Where: Jim's Steaks, 400 South Street, Philadelphia, PA
With a name that makes sense in South Philly only, Prima actually only offers tacos — and seriously great ones. Wildly accommodating hours and a super affordable price-point make this storefront a late-night must.
Where: Prima Pizza Taqueria, 1104 S. 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Tuesday-Thursday & Sundays: Serves until 2 a.m. Friday-Saturday: Serves until 3 a.m.
Chinatown eatery Shiao Lan Kung hosts the post-bar crowd on a nightly basis. Hot pots, salt-baked squid and pan-fried beef noodles hit the spot.
Where: Shiao Lan Kung, 930 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA
The Visit Philly Overnight Package — booked more than 190,000 times since 2001 — comes with free hotel parking (worth up to $100 in Center City Philadelphia), overnight hotel accommodations and choose-your-own-adventure perks.
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