Philly’s Fresh Plates: A Guide to the City’s Exciting New Restaurants

Philadelphia’s dining scene is constantly evolving, a dynamic landscape where innovative concepts and beloved traditions collide. In recent months, a fresh wave of restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and bars have opened their doors, adding even more flavor and excitement to the city’s already impressive culinary tapestry. From globally inspired eateries to cozy neighborhood spots and unique concept bars, there’s something new for every palate. This article provides a glimpse into some of Philadelphia’s notable newcomers.

Philadelphia’s new openings showcase an incredible diversity of global cuisines:

• Levantine & Mediterranean: Emmett (Girard Ave) offers wood-fired Levantine cuisine infused with Mediterranean, French, Italian, North African, and Middle Eastern influences. Mona (Chestnut St) presents an ever-changing Greek, Mediterranean, and island-inspired dinner menu. Dear Daphni (S. 20th St), from the Schulson Collective, features Mediterranean dishes like lamb kofta and swordfish. Majdal Bakery (S. 5th St) brings the specific flavors of the Golan Heights with traditional Levantine pastries and breads.
• Asian & Asian Fusion: Bao & Bun Studio brings Asian street food to Reading Terminal Market with a rotating menu of bao buns. DaVinci & Yu (E. Passyunk Ave) offers a unique Italian-Asian (Itameshi) fusion. Feng Hotpot (Walnut St) turns up the heat with Szechuan hotpot broths. TingTing’s Cafe (Chinatown), from the team behind EMei, reimagines comfort foods with a Hong Kong cafe-style Asian flare.
• Italian & Italian-American: Amalfi Ristorante (Bustleton Ave) transports diners to the Italian coast with classic pastas and seafood in a welcoming BYOB setting. Scampi (S. 3rd St), formerly Neighborhood Ramen, now features chef Liz Grothe’s Italian-American prix-fixe menu, including her acclaimed culurgiones.
• Filipino & Vietnamese-American: Baby’s Kusina + Market (W. Girard Ave) brings chef Raquel Villanueva Dang’s beloved Filipino supper club concept to a brick-and-mortar space. Hannah K Cafe (Point Breeze Ave) dishes out Vietnamese-American comfort foods for breakfast and lunch.
• Indonesian & Georgian: Indo Spice Restaurant (W. Passyunk Ave) serves traditional Indonesian staples like satay and rendang. Megobari Cafe (Philmont Ave) offers traditional Georgian cuisine like khachapuri and khinkali in a homey setting.