Five Top Picks for Late-Night Eats in Philadelphia

The technicolor neon signs of David’s Mai Lai Wah welcome late-night guests with the promise of traditional noodz, trendy cocktails and the “best food in town.”

Hong Kong native David Chan opened his Chinatown eatery in 1982, introducing generations of Philadelphians to his dumplings, duck and — my personal favorite — salt and pepper wings (hold the jalapeños).

Know before you go: After a six year hiatus, the eatery’s cozy dining room — now under the watchful eye of David’s daughter — is open once again for your dining pleasure. Formerly cash-only, the spot now takes credit card.  

Join the in-the-know Center City workers and weekend revelers turning to Masala Kitchen for Indian street eats late into the night. 

On the menu: kati rolls filled with your choice of protein (like chicken masala or lamb kebab); spicy platters of marinated chicken, lamb, paneer or veggies; and homemade lassis. Masala Kitchen has multiple locations, but the Midtown Village spot stays open the latest, not closing until 3:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Don’t miss: My go-to: the chicken masala kati roll

This Gayborhood pizzeria goes by many names. To some, it’s Pizzeria Cappelli. To others, it’s Gay Pizza. The late, late-night counter-service joint embraces its many alter egos, answering to them all.

Dishing out traditional thin-crusted pizzas — plus a few funky options — by the slice or the pie, the pizza shop stays open till 4 a.m. seven days a week.

Another great option for your nighttime pizza cravings: Lorenzo & Sons Pizza on South Street (open till 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday).

Good for: Refueling after a night of nonstop dancing at Tavern on Camac, Voyeur Night Club or Woody’s

Scroll TikTok or Instagram, and the videos hit you like a pound of frijoles. That’s a good thing.

Mexican-Honduran couple Carlos Gomez and Zeina Carolina Rodriguez’s La Catrachita pays homage to Tijuana-style tacos. With storefronts and food trucks sprinkled across Philadelphia, hours vary depending on the location, but the Italian Market spot is open 24 hours a day, and its Old City storefront is open until 5 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Don’t miss: Some of the best birria tacos in Philly, according to the influencer crowd

SQ Philip’s Steaks is what you’d expect from a South Philly steak joint: a boxy, nostalgic building with a 24-hour walk-up window, fluorescent outdoor lights, a bright red roof and a checkerboard exterior with no seating. 

Opened in 1983 by “Suzie Q” (as in SQ), the spot offers neighborhood steaks — including the Old Fashion Steak with provolone, grilled tomato, long hots and more — for take-out or to be devoured standing at chest-level metal shelves along the sidewalk. 

Know before you go: Steak shops are the OG post-party let-out. Other options include Oregon Steaks in South Philly (open 24 hours), Geno’s Steaks and Pat’s King of Steaks in East Passyunk (open 24 hours), and Oh Brother’s Old City location (open till 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday).

What happens if you give a Philadelphian a cookie? Let’s find out. 

Insomnia Cookies — as you may have guessed by the name — dishes out warm chocolate chip, M&M and oatmeal raisin cookies, plus cold scoops of ice cream, till the early morning hours. Talk about the cherry on top of an amazing night out.