Reading Terminal Market is a labyrinth of culinary history and flavor. While Miller’s Twist is an absolute essential for pretzel lovers, the market is packed with over 80 merchants offering some of the best bites in the city.
If you are building a must-eat itinerary for the market, here are the heavy hitters you simply cannot skip:
Tommy DiNic’s
While tourists often flock to Philly for cheesesteaks, locals know that the roast pork sandwich is the true sandwich of the city. DiNic’s famously won the title of “Best Sandwich in America” from the Travel Channel. They take thinly sliced, juicy slow-roasted pork and pile it onto a crusty Italian roll with sharp provolone and bright, bitter broccoli rabe. There is almost always a line, but watching the carvers work the steaming briskets and pork roasts is part of the experience.
Beiler’s Doughnuts
Just follow the smell of frying dough and the massive crowd gathered around the glass partition. Run by a Pennsylvania Dutch family, Beiler’s makes over 50 varieties of doughnuts from scratch every single day. You can watch them hand-roll, fry, fill, and glaze the doughnuts right in front of you.
Dutch Eating Place
Tucked into the Amish corner of the market, this classic Pennsylvania Dutch diner is a breakfast institution. Seating is elbow-to-elbow at a classic diner counter, and the warm, welcoming staff pour endless cups of coffee. If you go for breakfast, their plate-sized blueberry pancakes and apple-cinnamon French toast are legendary. For lunch, you can grab comfort classics like hot turkey sandwiches or chicken pot pie soup. (Note: They are closed on Sundays and Mondays, so plan accordingly!)
Hershel’s East Side Deli
When you need a classic, sky-high Jewish deli sandwich, Hershel’s is widely considered to serve the best hand-carved pastrami and corned beef in Philadelphia. You can spot the stall by the expert carvers slicing steaming hot briskets by hand directly behind the counter.
Bassetts Ice Cream
For dessert, you have to visit a true piece of Philadelphia history. Bassetts was the very first merchant to sign a lease at Reading Terminal Market when it opened in 1892. It is America’s oldest ice cream company and is still owned and operated by the original family.
Follow Us!