Eat + Drink

Northwest Philly is not on the tourist trail, which is exactly why the food here is good. Almost everything below is independent, most of it is family-run, and a fair amount of it has been in the same spot for decades.

These are pulled from the neighborhood guides. Each section links back to the full write-up.

Chestnut Hill

• McNally’s Tavern, 8634 Germantown Ave — family-run pub over 100 years old. Famous for The Schmitter.
• Bredenbeck’s Bakery & Ice Cream Parlor, 8126 Germantown Ave — a Chestnut Hill institution since 1889.
• Adelina’s, 8235 Germantown Ave — upscale Italian. The pasta specials are the move.
• CinCin, 7838 Germantown Ave — modern Asian-inspired, elegant room.
• El Poquito, 8049 Germantown Ave — excellent tacos, lively room.
• Char & Stave — cafe by day, cocktail bar by night.
• Baker Street Bread Co. — reliable morning stop.
• Valley Green Inn, Wissahickon Valley Park — historic inn on the creek. The Sunday brunch is legendary.

Full Chestnut Hill guide →

Mt. Airy

• Zsa’s Ice Cream, 6616 Germantown Ave — from-scratch, rotating seasonal flavors, worth the wait.
• McMenamin’s Tavern, 7170 Germantown Ave — the quintessential neighborhood bar.
• Malelani Cafe, 6734 Germantown Ave — Mediterranean-inspired, live music most weekends.
• Bar Lizette, 7150 Germantown Ave — natural wines and small plates.
• Toska Restaurant & Brewery, 7136 Germantown Ave — Mt. Airy’s own brewery.
• High Point Cafe, 474 Carpenter Lane — famous for hand-crafted crepes.
• Downtime Bakery — bagels, pies, pastries. Get there early.

Full Mt. Airy guide →

Germantown

• Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee & Books — Black-owned coffee shop and bookstore, and the heart of the neighborhood.
• Das Good Cafe, 322 W. Chelten Ave — all-day cafe and BYOB with Southeast Asian and Hawaiian flair.
• Weavers Way Co-op, 328 W. Chelten Ave — the co-op’s Germantown branch.

Full Germantown guide →

Roxborough

• Dalessandro’s Steaks, Henry Ave — sixty-six years in, Michelin Bib Gourmand.
• Chubby’s Steaks, Henry Ave — the other half of the rivalry, directly across the street.
• White Yak, Ridge Ave — authentic Tibetan, an only-in-Philadelphia surprise.
• New Ridge Brewing Co., Ridge Ave — neighborhood brewery and taproom.
• T&F Farmers’ Pride, Ridge Ave — longtime Italian deli.

Full Roxborough guide →

Manayunk

• Mia Ragazza, Main St — solid Italian, a go-to for date night.
• Lucky’s Last Chance, Main St — award-winning burgers.
• The Union Tap House, Main St — whiskey selection, rotating drafts, board games.
• Pilgrim Roasters, Main St — small-batch Scandinavian-style roasting.
• Volo Coffeehouse, Main St — breakfast sandwiches, relaxed.
• Marchiano’s Bakery, Main St — the tomato pies have a following.
• Taqueria Amor, Main St — themed margaritas, lively room.

Full Manayunk guide →

East Falls

• Le Bus East Falls, Ridge Ave — from-scratch comfort food and artisan bread. One of the best brunches in NW Philly.
• In Riva, 4116 Ridge Ave — upscale Neapolitan pizza.
• Fiorino, Conrad St — cozy Italian BYOB. Reservations are a must.
• Wissahickon Brewing Company, 3705 W. School House Lane — family-owned brewery and taproom.
• Billy Murphy’s Irish Saloon, 3333 Conrad St — old-school, cash only, unpretentious.
• Thunder Mug Cafe, 4233 Ridge Ave — Black and woman-owned neighborhood anchor.
• Vault + Vine, 3507 Midvale Ave — cafe, plant shop, and florist in one.

Full East Falls guide →