We don’t need to tell you that Fishtown is a foodie’s paradise. From world-class dining rooms to beer gardens and casual spots for an excellent slice, this area has something to offer for everyone. We’ve spent lots of time eating our way around the neighborhood and created this road map to share some of our favorite restaurants in Fishtown. These are all places we’ve visited numerous times and never failed to have a great meal.
Our top choices include…For Mediterranean specialties, Wm. Mulherin’s Sons is an excellent choice. Suraya is great lovers of mezze, kebabs, and creative cocktails. Splurge on Thai dumplings at Kalaya. Don’t miss the fresh pasta at Tulip Pasta & Wine Bar, and the pizza at Pizzeria Beddia is a must. Keep reading for details and more recommendations.
Wm Mulherin’s Sons
This 100-year-old building that was once a whiskey blending and bottling facility is now a restaurant and boutique hotel serving some of the best pizza and pastas in the city. We love Mulherin’s Margherita pizza with buffala mozzarella and the dry aged ribeye with gnocchi alla romana.
For a sophisticated night out, enjoy a drink on a crushed velvet loveseat by the glow of the fireplace. If you’re looking for fresh air, Mulherin’s has two outdoor seating areas in the garden and on the sidewalk that are perfect for a nice night or for a relaxing place to have brunch.
Kalaya Thai Kitchen
Chef Nok Suntaranon’s traditional Thai dishes at Kalaya are executed with precision and creativity. Her inventive (and photogenic) dumplings are a signature that have helped earn the restaurant national accolades and are not to be missed. We love every iteration of the charcoal-grilled half chicken glazed with coconut–it has been tweaked a few times and remains excellent. The river prawn is another gem whether wok fried in brown butter or served tableside with fried shallots, peanuts, jasmine rice, and sauces. The menu here is packed with spice, but servers are happy to help guide you to milder dishes.
Kalaya is open daily for dinner and serves lunch on the weekends. Tables are sought after, so plan several weeks ahead if you’re hoping for a prime time weekend reservation. Their parking lot (shared with Suraya) at the corner of Front Street and Oxford Street is convenient.
Suraya
Suraya has gained a reputation as one of the city’s best restaurants with consistently excellent Levantine food at lunch, brunch, and dinner.
At dinner, we love the kafta kebabs and creamy labneh dip. If the fatteh is on the menu, don’t skip ordering this incredible dish of chickpeas, eggplant, and crispy pita topped with cashews–it’s addictive. If you visit for dinner on Friday or Saturday night, you’ll get the Taste of Suraya, which allows you to pick a little bit of everything for $75. On the weekends, try one of the best brunches in the city, which features many of their delicious mezze plus dishes like poached Turkish eggs and a Lebanese omelette. As noted above, the restaurant has a parking lot on Front Street and Oxford Street.
Pizzeria Beddia
Known for its incredible pizza and natural wine program, this neighborhood favorite has indoor and outdoor seating year-round behind a slightly hidden entrance (look for the neon green hand holding up 2 fingers). Everything we’ve ever had at Pizzeria Beddia is delicious. You can’t go wrong with judion beans, Caesar-topped roasted vegetables, and a pizza with toppings of your choice. In summer, the go-to is the special–a pie topped with local corn, cream, marinated cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Pure heaven.
Tulip Pasta & Wine Bar
The open kitchen at Tulip Pasta & Wine Bar produces fresh, modern Italian-inspired cuisine. There are heaps of handmade pastas and classics like foccacia and decadent stracciatella. The inventive fried cauliflower with crispy shallots and pecorino wiz was one of the best things I’ve had lately. I left wishing the wiz was sold by the gallon.
Tulip features wines from Wayvine Winery & Vineyard in Chester County, which far exceeded expectations, along with a limited menu of PA spirits and beers. We enjoy this place so much that we’ve even ordered Thanksgiving dinner from them.
Middle Child Clubhouse
Underneath the Market-Frankford El, Middle Child Clubhouse is the type of place you want to hang out all day. It’s casual with lots of space to relax, the bartenders are friendly, and there’s even a pool table to enjoy.
Beyond the ambiance, Middle Child Clubhouse is one of the best places for sandwiches in the city. Their breakfast sandwiches with fluffy eggs are legendary, and house-smoked pastrami draws rave reviews. In the summer, diners (myself included) come in droves when the BLTs with local heirloom tomatoes are available. At dinner, the menu is eclectic, featuring everything from oysters to latkes served with unagi. The brick chicken and the cheeseburger are always home runs. Plus, plenty of gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan choices are available all day.
LMNO
LMNO is a Mexican restaurant with a massive dining room, patio, and counter peering right into the kitchen. There’s even a bookshop and art gallery to browse once you’ve finished your tacos and margaritas.
The Baja-inspired menu includes aguachiles, tostadas, and nachos. The larger dishes are designed to share and feature several make-your-own tacos options, including a whole pan fried lobster. Some of our favorites include the carne asada tacos with delicious chimichurri and the snapper chicharron with salsa verde Italiano. At brunch, don’t miss the birria Benedict and tres leches French toast. The seafood aquachiles are the perfect combination of vinegar and spice, and they’re a good value with lots of seafood at a reasonable price.
Bastia
Bastia is an exceptional new addition to the Fishtown dining scene. Set in the Anna & Bel hotel, the Mediterranean restaurant is inspired by the flavors of Corsica and Sardinia. One of the pricier spots in the neighborhood, we reserve it for a special night out, and it is special. We love the monkfish cheeks over polenta and the hearty storzapretti ricotta dumplings with guanciale. The malloreddus with wild boar and the swordfish have made us huge fans.
Pizza Shackamaxon
Home of the mega-slice, Pizza Shackamaxon is a winner every time. The thin crust pizza comes in one of four ways: plain, pepperoni, red tomato pie, and the weekly special (which can include options like roasted mushroom with basil cream, burrata, or BLT). Whole pies are also available, and you can now order online for pickup and delivery from their sister location Pizza Richmond.
Joe’s Steaks + Soda Shop
Its nostalgic décor and affordable, tasty food make Joe’s Steaks + Shake Shop a popular choice in Fishtown. As the name says, Joe’s is most known for its cheesesteaks stuffed full of prime ribeye on a hard roll. Add in whiz and onions, and you can’t beat it.
But there’s more to Joe’s than cheesesteaks. Other top dishes include burgers, the hot sausage, and numerous milkshakes and sundaes. They’re open daily and you can get something delicious until midnight on Friday and Saturday.
Frankford Hall
Embrace Philly’s German roots with a cold stein and a hearty bratwurst to soak up the suds. Frankford Hall–a German-style, open-air beer garden–is the perfect spot for happy hour, complete with picnic tables and all the Old World charm you can handle. We’re big fans of the giant Bavarian pretzel and cheese dip. It is generally busy on weekend evenings and doesn’t take reservations, so prepare for a wait, especially if you have a larger group.