Philadelphia's Best New Restaurants for Summer 2026

The Cult of Cream Puff has arrived.

Beard Papa’s — Japan’s wildly popular pastry brand — has opened its first store in Chinatown, bringing its crunchy, flaky and oh-so tasty choux pastries to the City of Brotherly Love.

The shop (Beard Papa’s 578th overall) is known for its cream-filled eclairs, and offers crowd-pleasing flavor bombs like the vanilla bean, Oreo cookie crumble, strawberry and chocolate eclairs, along with limited-time seasonal flavs like ube. The thin and airy pastries stand out due to their pie crust bottoms and delicately sweet custard fillings (made fresh on site).

Authentic Indian street food is just a trip to Bengaluru away — the restaurant, not the city. Inspired by the capital of Karnataka, India, this Northern Liberties eatery serves up plates stacked high with traditional South Indian snacks and shareables — all 100% vegetarian, with a ton of awesome vegan options mixed in.

Crispy masala dosas, vibrant chutneys and savory vada pavs (a deep-fried and stuffed potato dumpling) are joined on the menu by a lineup of delicious bevvies and desserts, including aromatic filtered coffee, rose and mango lassis, and gadbud ice cream.

Get ready for sweet plantains and smoky jollof rice.

Chef-owner Ifeoma “Eephee” Ugorji brings the bold, vibrant flavors of Nigeria to East Falls after building a cult following at her first restaurant inside the Voorhees Town Center shopping mall. With Igbo style guiding a varied menu, Eephee’s Cafe is the comfort food of your dreams — if those dreams were lullabied in spice.

From stewed goat and Nigerian shawarma to curry beef and wings (sprinkled with a hint of West African spice), these are lingering flavors of love.

Buttery, crumbly and gluten-free, Flakely’s baked goods are a universal crowd favorite for sweet tooths and pastry lovers of all stripes. Since its inception, the bakery — one of the best gluten-free bakeshops in the nation, per USA Today — has been a 100% takeout operation, satisfying diners’ cravings with frozen bake-at-home pastries exclusively.

That is, until now. Owner and pastry chef Lila Collelo — who herself has celiac disease — is trading in her Manayunk takeout window for a full-fledged Main Line brick-and-mortar, allowing Flakely fans (and fiends) to experience the bakery’s rare gluten-free croissants, decadent cupcakes and homemade Pop-Tarts in all their glory.

A former dive bar gets a sleek revamp in Kensington.

ILU brings Spanish tapas and modern Martinis to the one-time divey home of Old Philadelphia Bar near Martha and Dauphin streets. Helmed by Vintage Syndicate — the hospitality group behind popping party concepts like Time and Garage — this new bar promises elevated cocktails, like the Lifetime Ban: navy-strength gin, Dolin Blanc, Fino sherry, mint and a lemon twist.

The name ILU was lovingly inspired by co-owner Patrick Iselin’s grandmother, Iluminada, and the food menu has roots in the culinary capital of Madrid. ¡Salud!

Honest cooking and simple ingredients are the calling cards at this new Queen Village spot, with an all-day menu and serious BYOB cred.

Setting up shop inside the former Isot Turkish Cuisine home, KOR Mediterranean Table stays true to classic Mezze dishes, highlighted by its create-your-own KOR Tasting Board, which allows guests to choose from hummus, muhammara, tzatziki, baba ganoush, etc.

Grilled meats are a staple of any authentic Mediterranean and Turkish restaurant, although KOR also caters to non-carnivores. The Vegan Fest Bowl (falafel, mixed veggies and stuffed vine leaf over rice pilaf with shepherd salad) hits the mark.

Opening its second location in the Philadelphia area — and following the success of its first outpost in Lafayette Hill — Lassan Indian Traditional takes pride in using bold flavors and timeless recipes. For example, black lassan lamb chops get seared over hot coals, then lowered from a rope straight into a silver bowl before being marinated aggressively in ginger paste and black garlic.

Co-owners Pema Lama and Shyan Dimdung bring more than 30 years of combined Nepalese chef experience to the table, working in top Indian kitchens like Saffron Indian Kitchen and Tiffin.

Scratch-made comfort food and small-batch wines under one roof? Yes, please. The brainchild of husband-wife team Justice Figueras and Shannon Leocata Figueras, this new Fishtown concept — inspired by their family lineages from Spain and Italy — seeks to shatter preconceived “snobbish wine conceptions” by blending a casual 85-seat restaurant with a fully-working winery.

Both spaces live independently, yet in perfect harmony, beckoning guests into a living room where old church pews and communal tables beg people to linger longer and sip smarter.

Broken burrata was something you never knew you needed. At Liguria, the new Fishtown spot from pizza-making brothers Amro and Sherif Nagud, specialty pies are lathered in scamorza (cow’s milk cheese) and kissed with San Marzano tomatoes, among other recipes inspired by the Italian Riviera.

As the Inquirer pointed out, be sure to try the luxurious Broken Burrata pizza, featuring spooned stracciatella, arugula and six-year-aged balsamic. Crusts are airy and light.

Liguria also features a killer cheesesteak, drawing on the owner’s experiences at suburban cult-favorite shop Verona Pizza in Maple Glen, Pennsylvania.

The Fat Lady continues to sing. Well, kind of.

Located in downtown Manayunk, in the former Fat Lady Brewing space, owners Kevin and Melissa Walter debut the second edition of Callowhill favorite Love City Brewing. Beloved in the craft beer industry, Kevin — a one-time lead brewer at Iron Hill Brewery — pours dialed-in versions of approachable ales, like Love City Lager and Eraserhood IPA.

It’s a welcoming place with serious sudsy street cred — as evidenced by an outpouring of support from journalists at the recent Craft Brewers Conference in Philadelphia.

Quack *checks notes* quack. Lucky Duck — a brand spankin’ new bar and restaurant along the Delaware River — is much more than the sum of its parts.

The second brainchild of Libertee Grounds owners Priyank Rambhia, Sanil Shah and Kanay Patel, this tavern-style American bistro dishes out the pub grub you’d expect (crispy pizzas, Cooper Sharp burgers, salads), as well as a number of surprise entrees like duck bolognese and oysters with mango mignonette.

When the weather warms up, bring your craft cocktails and draft pours out to the patio and enjoy that sweet, sweet backdrop of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.

African cuisine has found a new home at LynUp Cafe & Lounge just outside of Mayfair.

The fashionable Northeast Philly BYOB specializes in homestyle cooking inspired by the spices, flavors and traditional recipes of West Africa, with a menu of flavorful soups, yummy stews and hearty entrees.

Dig into crispy snapper served with sweet fried plantain, tender lamb paired with attieke (cassava couscous), savory goat meat pepper soup and fufu, and more.

Did someone say riverside romance? New Hope knows a little something about that, with a charming lineup of dining, shopping, galleries and more located just a stone’s throw from the Delaware River. The gem of Bucks County adds another waterfront destination to its collection with Maddy Rose at the Landing.

The new restaurant invokes the fresh flavors and effortless vibes of a coastal retreat with stunning waterfront views and a menu of steaks, seafood, sushi and specialty craft cocktails. With sophisticated seating indoors and out, the restaurant is a picture-perfect year-round getaway.

Who wouldn’t want dinner in a dramatic, enchanted forest? Embark on a whimsical and flavorful adventure into Mexican cuisine at chef Roberto Santibañez’s upscale restaurant.

The first Philly outpost of the James Beard semifinalist’s uber-popular Washington D.C. spot, Mi Vida features an immersive, colorful interior channeling the kinetic energy and magic of the chef’s native Mexico City. The menu boasts a lineup of bold regional specialties, reimagined street food and vibrant cocktails, plus tasty moles, homemade tortillas and more.

You know the old adage: Taters gonna tate.

Chef Ange Branca’s pop-up potato concept ushers in a new era on South Street. Based on her formative experiences studying in Scotland, Mod Spuds delivers “comfort food with a passport” as crispy, salt-rubbed potato skins get pumped full of sweet and savory fillings like chili con carne, pulled barbecue jackfruit and chicken tikka masala.

Yes, there is a strong Southeast Asian influence on a tight menu of surefire hits, but subtle nods to Philly make the fast-casual restaurant stand out. Try the Philly Spud (cheesesteak and pepper relish) and wash it down with a housemade Shirley Temple or Malaysian iced tea.

Piccolina, the latest culinary foray from Cafe Lift and Prohibition Taproom restaurateurs Michael and Jeniphur Pasquarello, marries the seafood of the 19th-century oyster bar’s former life with the pastas and pizzas of its new owners’ youth.

Not your average red-gravy Italian restaurant, the intimate corner spot features a menu of oysters on ice, housemade pastas, Neapolitan pizza and elevated Italian classics inspired by the duo’s shared South Philly upbringing. (The couple grew up only two blocks away from one another.)

Diners and drinkers can also expect an impressive Negroni menu, a solid selection of zero-proof cocktails, an all-Italian wine list and more. Piccolina is open daily for dinner, with lunch available during the week and brunch on Saturday and Sunday.

Bagel lovers, rejoice! TikTok’s favorite bagel shop, PopUp Bagels, has officially made its Philly-area debut, bringing its cult-favorite doughy delights to Suburban Square in Ardmore.

For the uninitiated, PopUp Bagels is the hottest next-gen New York-style bagelry on the scene (despite technically being a Connecticut export). Sold whole, hot out of the oven — but never toasted — and by the bag, the shops’ small-batch bagels come in plain, salted, sesame, poppy and everything varieties, with a small army of smears, like scallion and Guinness chocolate cake at the ready.

You will find neither a sandwich nor a slice at this shop; instead, the order of operations for consumption is grip, rip, tear, eat, repeat.

Philly goes hard behind our pretzels. Our penchant for the simple snack is well-known (second only to our love for a certain sandwich), so when a new player arrives on the scene, the city takes notice.

Originally a passion project for Philly native Jim Mueller, Pretzel Day Pretzels got its start as a pop-up and delivery business pushing hand-rolled, small-batch soft pretzels. Now, the fun side quest has officially graduated to a legit South Philly storefront, serving the tried-and-true Bavarian baked good, plus less-familiar German styles; pretzels stuffed with long hots and provolone, chilli, and more; and other fun takes on the local favorite.

A new brick-and-mortar bakery in Queen Village is whipping up a seriously delicious blend of flavors.

Creole-Jewish bakery Rougarou Baking — named for a swamp werewolf from Louisiana folklore with a penchant for sweets — is a love letter to the culinary traditions of wife-and-husband bakers Paige and Zach Wernick, featuring sweet and savory breads, pastries, and other baked goods.

Items like the jambalaya-stuffed hand pies and king cake are a call back to Paige’s Cajun flavors, while goods like chocolate babka and challah are part of Zach’s Jewish heritage. The menu changes daily, and the couple aims to host community events and promos — like grab-and-go beignet days — in the near future.

Philly’s first Indian fusion cafe routinely spills out fun vibes on Instagram, where they post videos of high-energy DJ sets, charm-making workshops and hand-sketched wall art.

Located in Manayunk, the menu centers around Indian street food — think: chaat papri (perfectly spiced veggie curry with buttery rolls) and vada pav (a deep-fried potato dumpling on a soft bread bun) — amid a sea of viral espresso and matcha drinks. One early highlight: Parle-G ice cream sandwiches, featuring the world’s best-selling biscuit brand as the gatekeepers to flavor.

Get a taste of the high life at this brand-new double-decker dining destination from the team behind Philly’s liveliest cheesesteak bar, Taste.

Inspired by the kinetic energy and flair of Miami and New York City, Savú features a seasonal menu of elevated New American bites, like caviar bumps paired with fries and champagne and Maryland blue crab-stuffed egg rolls. An illuminated, 30-foot-long bar serves as the centerpiece of the stylishly casual first floor, while upstairs sets a luxe vibe with burnt-orange velvet seating and rustic wood paneling.

Thursday through Saturday, the restaurant flips into an after-hours lounge with live DJ sets and impeccable vibes from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m.

While Philly may be new to Yemen’s coffee game, the Arab nation’s been at it since, well, forever as the birthplace of the caffeinated classic as we know it. Shibam Coffee in University City is the latest cafe to bring Yemeni-style coffee — marked by its rustic flavor and natural sweetness — to the City of Brotherly Love.

Sporting later-than-most hours and a sophisticated, minimalist design, the spot is perfect for morning meetings, late-night hangs and everything in between. Take your pick from a menu of Yemeni classics, like Adeni chais and Saudi coffees; universal coffee house staples, like pistachio lattes and matcha lattes; fresh pastries; housemade halal sandwiches; and more.

What’s behind that shiny, new set of navy doors where Bistrot La Minette used to be? That, our foodie friends, would be Side Eye, Queen Village’s newest French-ish restaurant.

You could say that owner Hank Allingham and executive chef Finn Connors have big, fancy, Frenchy shoes to fill — but that’s not the goal. Instead, the duo has their side eyes set on building Philly’s next great neighborhood restaurant for beer and a bite.

Its menu of “Philly French” cuisine features housemade breads, pastries, pastas, desserts and French-inspired entrees — like the beef tartare or the green peppercorn brioche burger topped with Camembert — plus cocktails, drafts and wine.

With Michelin-starred chef Laurent Tourondel at the helm, you know it’s gotta be good.

This brand-new steakhouse in Northern Liberties sports a sophisticated menu, classy decor, and global inspirations spanning Italy, Asia and the Mediterranean. The elevated food offerings riff on beloved favorites and add a few surprises into the mix, with items like Japanese-inspired lemon chicken parm sandwiches, wood-fired whole branzino and ice cream sundaes (just because).

Plus, the eatery features a robust wine list, an impressive roster of signature cocktails like the Golden Hour (white raspberry gin with Noveis Antico bitter liqueur and lemon-infused vermouth), and a full brunch menu.

It’s been a long week … Treat Yo’ Self, with an ice cream buzz. Tipsy Scoop’s first Philly “Barlour” offers up liquor-infused sundaes and boozy scoops, in collaboration with innovative local distiller BOTLD.

First established in New York City in 2014, this buzzy concept traces its roots back to Scotland (via Italy), where owner Melissa Tavss’ great-great-great-grandfather started slinging homemade gelato from a pushcart.

Its new Rittenhouse Square location features Philly-inspired flavors like Bird Gang Blitz and Philly Phreeze (a spiked water ice), classic fan favorites like the soft serve margarita, and non-alcoholic flavors for the kiddos.

There’s one more lively corner in Northeast Philly these days, as the former stomping grounds of The Mill Pub take on a new life as The Point.

Your classic, cozy neighborhood bar, The Point offers TVs for gameday watching and a steady stream of drafts, cocktails, shots and other bevvies, with events, giveaways and food specials on deck ($1 wing Thursdays, anyone?) throughout the year.

The menu? The gang’s all here with pub grub like flatbread pizzas, chicken parm sandwiches and cheesesteak eggrolls, plus a limited brunch menu including $6 breakfast sandwiches and French toast dippers.

Philly’s lesbian nightlife scene has seen some hard losses in recent years, but then came Val’s Lesbian Bar, Philly’s newest LGBTQ+ watering hole on the block — and the only lesbian bar in the city since the Toasted Walnut closed three years ago.

Across two bars, the Valentine-esque, double-decker spot on South Street pours up a menu of alcoholic and nonalcoholic cocktails, like the cranberry vodka-based cocktail, the Big Guy, and the pineapple-flavored zero-proof bevvy, the Day Off. Also on deck: elevated bar snacks and an ever-growing calendar of events.

This new Italian-American charmer in South Philly injects a double dose of Waltz-y wisdom, paying tribute to the Whitman neighborhood (near the Walt Whitman Bridge) where the restaurant sits and the romantic ballroom dance of the same name.

Serving hand-extruded pastas and wood-fired pizzas — plus whole branzino in tomato and caper vinaigrette — Waltz is a local joint that exudes old-world charm.

Pro tip: Grab a hand-crafted cocktail, like the Fluffy Negroni Sour or Pepperonicini Tini, and people-watch the usual suspects at the bar while listening to daily live music.

Philadelphia has long been one of the best restaurant cities in the world, and we’ve got the international acclaim to prove it.

Three restaurants gained Philly its first-ever stars, plus 10 restaurants have received a Bib Gourmand for great food at a great value, 20 restaurants have earned the Recommended honor (with cuisine spanning elevated French to classic cheesesteaks) and one restaurant has received the rare Green Star for sustainability.

See which eateries made the list in our guide to Philly’s Michelin-honored restaurants.

Philadelphia is home to some of the best restaurants, chefs and bar programs in the country — and many of those establishments have been recognized over the years by the James Beard Foundation.

Iconic culinary names in Philadelphia, like Kalaya and Royal Sushi & Izakaya, are multi-time honorees; High Street Hospitality and some of its critically acclaimed holdings have been recognized; and more recently honored restaurants like Honeysuckle, Her Place Supper Club and Royal Sushi & Izakaya show off the amazing flavor and incredible value that Philly’s new class of restaurants are bringing to the city.

For more, check out our guide highlighting the restaurants and chefs that have been honored in the foundation’s annual long list of semifinalists, nominees and winners.

Why go home after dinner? Book the Visit Philly Overnight Package and get free hotel parking and tickets to five major attractions in Greater Philadelphia — a perfect pairing if you ask us.

Reimagined for Philly’s biggest year yet — America’s 250th Anniversary — this is Philly’s biggest deal yet. In addition to free hotel parking, the super-sized package of perks gets you two complimentary tickets to Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition at The Franklin Institute, the Mercer Museum in Bucks County, Longwood Gardens in Chester County, the Brandywine Museum of Art in Delaware County and Elmwood Park Zoo in Montgomery County — a $446 value!

Now that you’ve got your dining plans settled, pair a stellar meal with one of the region’s best museums and attractions or a street festival or big event. For more things to do in Philly (and there are always more things to do), click here.