Summer 2019 has proven itself to be an explosive time for the Philly restaurant scene. The long–awaited K’Far Cafe has opened, along with a bunch of new neighborhood spots that have livened up otherwise sleepy parts of Philadelphia. With everything from brunch, to Thai, to pizza that’s been dubbed "The World's Best" by Bon Appétit, you have a lot of catching up to do once you’re back on campus. Here’s where to start.
If you’re craving tacos, Don Barriga is the place to go for tacos near campus. Located on 45th and Spruce in the old Rx The Farmacy building, this family–owned and operated taco joint opened back in June and has been getting rave reviews from critics and locals alike. They have all the Mexican classics, including amazing (and rare) lamb barbacoa and different types of enchiladas. Along with their beloved savory dishes, they have a good selection of sweet dishes like flan and fresas con crema (strawberries and cream).
Another place that opened up in June, Kalaya is a Thai BYOB located in the residential neighborhood of Bella Vista in South Philly. While it’s not the kind of place that’ll host you for a 20–person BYO, it’s classy, casual, and authentic—which means no pad thai. From their fish cakes to their yum nua ma kua poa (beef salad), nearly everything is infused with classic Thai flavors and spice. They even have Thai tea—which will help you cool down after what’s sure to be an amazing and spicy meal.
Located on the second floor of Di Bruno Bros. in Rittenhouse, this all–day cafe and bar serves up drinks, sandwiches, and Roman–style pizza. It’s the perfect place to get a quick and relaxed bite after a day of shopping or strolling near Rittenhouse Square. Better still, you can get your grocery shopping done on the first floor.
If you’re over going to Green Eggs in the Gayborhood for brunch, check out this new brunch spot in the same area. Winkel, which means "little shop" in Dutch, serves up Dutch breakfast foods in a BYOB setting. With six different kinds of omelets along with french toast, shakshuka, and uitsmijters (the Dutch version of the Croque Monsieur), the selection looks great and is a welcome change from Philly's long–standing brunch spots.
The long–awaited Pizzeria Beddia is here, and while they showed up on the scene towards the end of spring semester, it’s worth giving them a visit now that they’ve been in business a couple months. With what’s known as the best pizza in America, you can’t go wrong.
Whether you’re trekking out to the other side of the city or staying close, new restaurants have popped up all over the city and are worth the visit for any foodies coming back to campus. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you’ll have options for any time and any mood.
