Where is Philadelphia the most "Philadelphia"? Where can you see "real" Philadelphians out doing Philadelphia "things"? I'd argue it's South Philadelphia along the East Passyunk Avenue. The area has distinct Philadelphia homes. Distinct Philadelphia eateries. There are always people out having a good time. If it's a sunny fall or spring day, you can't beat an afternoon in South Philly.
Great spot to walk through during the day...
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then again at night when the stores are all lit up.
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THE ITALIAN MARKET...AND THE VIETNAMESE MARKET...AND THE MEXICAN MARKET
Philadelphia's Italian Market starts at 9th and Christian and continues a few blocks south to Washington Avenue, a major South Philly thoroughfare. The Italian Market is an old-school market - it's the oldest outdoor market in the US - and it has not changed much over the years. There's still butchers, bakeries, and specialty cheese stops. Festivals and a complete list of shops can be viewed at the Italian Market's Official Website.
Washington Avenue is home to a Vietnamese community quasi-bookended by Huong Vong Market at 11th Street and the First Oriental Market at 6th Street. South of Washington, 9th Street turns into a Mexican Market.
Aisles of hot sauce...durians...Asia? Nope, just South Philly.
Philadelphia's Italian Market starts at 9th and Christian and continues a few blocks south to Washington Avenue, a major South Philly thoroughfare. The Italian Market is an old-school market - it's the oldest outdoor market in the US - and it has not changed much over the years. There's still butchers, bakeries, and specialty cheese stops. Festivals and a complete list of shops can be viewed at the Italian Market's Official Website.
Washington Avenue is home to a Vietnamese community quasi-bookended by Huong Vong Market at 11th Street and the First Oriental Market at 6th Street. South of Washington, 9th Street turns into a Mexican Market.
Aisles of hot sauce...durians...Asia? Nope, just South Philly.
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CAPITOLO PLAYGROUND - PAT'S AND GENO'S
Whether or not Pat's and Geno's is on the Philadelphia itinerary, one thing is for certain, the intersection of 9th and Passyunk is rocking. The area one block north of Pat's and Geno's is home to a series of Mexican restuarants. On the weekend the Capitolo Playground is filled with youth soccer games with a striking skyline view in the background. Pat's and Geno's have their pros and cons. Neither is a great place to get a cheesesteak. South Philadelphia is also home to John's Roast Pork and Tony Luke's, both of which serve far superior roast pork sandwiches. However, Pat's IS the original home of the cheesesteak. From an historical perspective it's difficult to pass up the opportunity to eat here on a Philly visit. Garage is a solid bar with outdoor seating and perfectly positioned to sit and watch all the activity.
Whether or not Pat's and Geno's is on the Philadelphia itinerary, one thing is for certain, the intersection of 9th and Passyunk is rocking. The area one block north of Pat's and Geno's is home to a series of Mexican restuarants. On the weekend the Capitolo Playground is filled with youth soccer games with a striking skyline view in the background. Pat's and Geno's have their pros and cons. Neither is a great place to get a cheesesteak. South Philadelphia is also home to John's Roast Pork and Tony Luke's, both of which serve far superior roast pork sandwiches. However, Pat's IS the original home of the cheesesteak. From an historical perspective it's difficult to pass up the opportunity to eat here on a Philly visit. Garage is a solid bar with outdoor seating and perfectly positioned to sit and watch all the activity.
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There are perfect backdrops throughout this area. Pat's and Geno's may be a bit touristy but the locals are out and about making this a unique and authentic Philly experience if you stick around.
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Philadelphia is home to more murals than any other city in the U.S. The mural art isn’t limited to paintings. If you are heading to Pat’s or Geno’s for a late night meal, it’s worth a quick walk south down 9th Street to the Percy Street Project, which is a neon light mural. The lights flash and change colors. This mural is still relatively under the radar as I do not see it too often on Instagram or in Visit Philadelphia promotional materials. I think if it were in a more easily accessible location, it’d be more popular because I’m not sure if it’s worth a nighttime visit on its own but its proximity to Pat’s and Geno’s as well as the East Passyunk corridor should see its popularity rise.
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EAST PASSYUNK
I'm not sure when it happened but as of November 2016 the East Passyunk corridor, from Dickinson Street in the North to Broad Street in the South has become the go to place for hot restaurants. Fishtown gets more press, however, East Passyunk has more originality. There's great new Asian restaurants (Perla, Sate Kampar, Bing Bing Dim Sum) to complement the established Italian restaurants and new American restaurants opening every week. Bing Bing Dim Sum has a roast pork bao that is the perfect South Philly Asian fusion. For more detailed analysis and dining options see Craig Laban's Article.
I'm not sure when it happened but as of November 2016 the East Passyunk corridor, from Dickinson Street in the North to Broad Street in the South has become the go to place for hot restaurants. Fishtown gets more press, however, East Passyunk has more originality. There's great new Asian restaurants (Perla, Sate Kampar, Bing Bing Dim Sum) to complement the established Italian restaurants and new American restaurants opening every week. Bing Bing Dim Sum has a roast pork bao that is the perfect South Philly Asian fusion. For more detailed analysis and dining options see Craig Laban's Article.
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The commercial scene has a way to go to catch up with the dining scene - the dining scene sets a high bar. The neighborhood needs a few more places like Urban Jungle.
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BOK AND BOK BAR - 1901 S. 9th STREET
If there's a cooler, more "Instagrammy" spot in Philadelphia than Bok Bar, I don't know what it is...maybe Spruce Street Harbor Park but once you see the views of Philadelphia from Bok's rooftop all thoughts of Spruce Street disappear.
The Edward W. Bok Technical High School is a massive, eight story high school that belongs to a begone era. Bok's glory days are well behind it, however, the building has recently been transformed into a co-working space including a rooftop bar, Bok-Bar. I don't know what it says about Philadelphia, that one of it's greatest schools has been shuttered and it's now not much more than a rooftop bar, but I'll enjoy the experience regardless. Walking through the school and seeing the fountains and murals just as they were when students attended is a surreal feeling before the alcohol starts to take effect.
If there's a cooler, more "Instagrammy" spot in Philadelphia than Bok Bar, I don't know what it is...maybe Spruce Street Harbor Park but once you see the views of Philadelphia from Bok's rooftop all thoughts of Spruce Street disappear.
The Edward W. Bok Technical High School is a massive, eight story high school that belongs to a begone era. Bok's glory days are well behind it, however, the building has recently been transformed into a co-working space including a rooftop bar, Bok-Bar. I don't know what it says about Philadelphia, that one of it's greatest schools has been shuttered and it's now not much more than a rooftop bar, but I'll enjoy the experience regardless. Walking through the school and seeing the fountains and murals just as they were when students attended is a surreal feeling before the alcohol starts to take effect.
Water fountains...school murals...haven't been touched.
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Philadelphia has a long boxing tradition but the thought rarely occurs to go see a match. Arena 2300 fills the void - can't go wrong with a roast pork sandwich from John's before the fights start.
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The Miracle on 13th Street is a Chirstmas light display where all the residents on the 1600 block of S. 13th Street decorate their homes wih Christmas lights. The lights get a lot of hype. Worth checking out once, then grabbing a meal in the area.
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This neighborhood (and a few blocks across Broad) is home to two hole-in-the-wall restaurants serving up James Beard acknowledged cuisine. South Philly Barbacoa is rarely open (Saturday and Sunday only), starts slinging the meat at 5am, and usually sells out before its 3pm closing time. It's chef, Christina Martinez, has a great Netflix chef episode about her life.
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Hardena serves Indonesian food in another local spot. It's also received James Beard nominations.
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