Philadelphia Dining Recommendations from a Local

American cuisine

Friday Saturday Sunday (261 S. 21st St; 215-546-4232)- A nice casual, traditional no gimmicks restaurant. Short cab ride from conference center.

Jones (700 Chestnut St ; 215-223-5663)- This is a nice place located steps from the Liberty Bell. Good American fare. Walkable but probably a short cab ride from conference center. (Fun drinks too.)

Continental Mid-Town (1801 Chestnut St; 215-567-1800)- Cool place, neat drinks. Location is corner of 18th and Chestnut ,which is a short walk from conference center.

Pietro's Pizza (1714 Walnut St; 215-735-8090)- Really a casual Italian food place, not just pizza. Nice location on Walnut between 17th and 18th. Walkable.

XIX Nineteen (200 S. Broad St; 215-790-1919)- This is upstairs at the Park Hyatt at the Bellevue Hotel. Fancy and probably expensive. Great views of city if you are near a window. Close to conference center. Location Broad and Walnut. Walkable.

Square 1682 (121 S. 17th St; 215-563-5008)- Inside the Hotel Palomar. 17th and Walnut is a good location! Walkable.

Supper (926 South St; 215-592-8180) - 5 minute cab ride: location South St. between 9th and 10th.

Hard Rock Cafe (1113-31 Market St; 215-238-1000)- Standard chain restaurant fare with music motiff but right around the corner from the conference center. 11th and Market. Actually you do not even have to go outside the CC to get in the Hard Rock — it's connected.

Matyson (37 S. 19th St; 215-564-2925)- BYOB. Between Market and Chestnut on 19th. Not right around the corner, but walkable.

Olive Garden on Chestnut between Juniper and Broad.

Fratelli's Italian Bistro on Chestnut between Juniper and Broad.

Maggiano's (1201 Filbert St; 215-567-2020)- Basic Italian literally right around the corner from the conference center and across the street from The Marriott. Walkable.

Vegetarian

Vedge (1221 Locust St; 215-320-7500)- Walkable on locust between 12th and 13th.

Seafood

Oyster House (1516 Sansom St; 215-567-7683)- Smallish and a little loud but really good seafood and oysters of course.

Devon Seafood Grill (225 S. 18th St.)- Great location by Rittenhouse Square.

McCormick and Schmicks (One S. Broad St; 215-568-6888)

Italian

Le Virtu (1927 East Passyunk Ave; 215-271-5626)- Many restaurants in this East Passyunk area, cool little area and about a 10 minute cab ride from center city proper.

Vertri (1312 Spruce St; 215-732-3478)- Among the universally acknowledged best restaurants in Philly. Good luck getting in, and if you do, bring your wallet!

Osteria (640 North Broad St; 215-763-0920)- Another cab ride up Broad Street and not the greatest area, but a real good restaurant that's expensive but not brutally expensive.

Steakhouse

Butcher and Singer (1500 Walnut St; 215-732-4444)- Like all the steak places, very expensive, but always great food. Short walk from conference center at 15th and Walnut.

Del Friscos (1426 Chestnut St; 215-246-0533)- Short walk from conference center at 15th and Chesnut.

Barbecue

Percy St BBQ (900 South St; 215-625-8510)- Good casual place for BBQ. Short cab ride.

British Pub

The Dandelion (124 South 18th St; 215-558-2500)- British fare in authentic British pub type atmosphere. Neat place to go. Great location near Rittenhouse Square. Short walk from conference center at 18th and Sansom.

Japanese

Morimoto (723 Chestnut St; 215-413-9070)- Never eaten here but a go-to place if you want Japanese. Cool-looking interior. Walk a block east after dinner and see the Liberty Bell at night from the street. Short cab ride.

Portuguese

Koo Zee Doo (614 N. 2nd St; 215-923-8080)- Never eaten here but consistently good reviews. A 10 minute or so cab ride from Center City, in the Northern Liberties neighborhood.

Asian Fusion

Buddakan (325 Chestnut St; 215-574-9440)- In the olde city (historic) section. Walkable, but probably short cab ride. On Chestnut between 3rd and 4th.

French

Bibou (1009 South 8th St; 215-965-8290)- Cash only! Note a long cab ride but a cab ride for sure.

Parc (227 S. 18th St; 215-545-2262)- Popular place in great neighborhood right across from Riitenhouse Square. Short cab ride or walk at 18th and Locust.

Middle Eastern

Zahav (237 St. James Place; 215-625-8800)- Isreali food well known as a great restaurant. Short cab ride.

Chinese

Han Dynasty (3711 Market St;215-222-3711) - There's 2 Han Dynasty's (other one about 2nd and Chestnut). 3711 Market is a 10 minute cab ride. On market between 37th and 38th.

Spanish

Amanda (217 Chestnut St; 215-625-2450)- Well known tapas small-plates type place always among the top rated Philly restaurants. Walkable, but probably short cab ride. On chestnut between 2nd and 3rd.

Jamonera (105 S. 13th St; 215-922-6061)- Another tapas place with good reviews. Nice location on 13th St, a vibrant street with lots of restaurants. Highly Walkable at 13th between Chestnut and Sansom.

Indian

Tashan (777 South Broad St; 267-687-2170) Cab ride.

Mediterranean

Barbuzzo (110 S. 13th St; 215-546-9300)-. On 13th St, fun location. Highly walkable at 13th around Sansom.

Cheesesteaks

Tony Jr's at 118 S. 18th (on 18th between Chestnut and Sansom)

Or do the real tourist experience and take a 10 minute cab to 9th and Passyunk and go to Pat's or Geno's which are right across from each other. At Pats or Genos, just get in line and go up, order your cheese (wiz, provolone, American, etc.), then say "wit" if you want onions and you're set to go!