Norristown is a riverside community of Philadelphia where you’ll be welcomed by friendly people who are proud to call it home. Its proximity to a large metropolis has led to a varied culinary scene ranging from local specialities to upscale restaurants. Here’s our top 10 favorites for eating out in Norristown.
Corropolese Bakery & Deli is a no frills establishment specializing in a local favorite known as the tomato pie. To outsiders looking in, the tomato pie might seem like a mere pizza made without cheese or toppings. But, the tomato pie is often made with a focaccia crust, and the cheese and toppings are put on the pizza first, followed by the tomato sauce, which is slathered on top. Corropolese’s award winning tomato pie is made fresh daily. For dessert, be sure to save room for the cannoli dip.
Via Vento Pizza is a friendly, neighborhood pizza shop that serves gooey, decadent pizzas and other Italian classics. Some pizza options include the white ricotta Sicilian, bruschetta, caprese, the meat lover’s, and the buffalo wing pizza. Here you can find chicken wings, cheesesteaks, Stromboli, deli sandwiches, garlic knots, calzones, and French fries, too. Finish off the meal with cannoli or another local treat known as water ice, which is like a slushy flavored with colorful syrups. The unpretentious interior is neat and spacious, and the staff are convivial and cheerful.
Zachary’s BBQ Southern Comfort & Catering serves up Memphis-style barbecue in a vibrant locale. The menu features ribs, barbecued andouille and chicken, voodoo shrimp, beef brisket, fried catfish, and even paella. All meals are accompanied with phenomenal homemade sides including collard greens, BBQ baked beans, mac and cheese, and maple mashed yams. Plus, each order comes with complementary cornbread. They offer an awesome selection of specially made barbecue sauces including jerk sauce, vinegar, hot sauce and mustard. For dessert, try the chocolate bread pudding.
For those looking to satisfy their sweet tooth, head over to Zwahlen’s Ice Cream, which is much more than an ice cream shop. Located in an Alpine-style lodge, Zwahlen’s is also known for their wide selection of quality chocolates, and everything is made in-house each day. There is an outdoor patio and seating area that is perfect for enjoying an ice cream on a warm day. There’s also a selection of waffles and crepes. Not to mention, Zwahlen’s is also known for their delightfully creative candy apples.
Capone’s is a bar and restaurant that serves traditional American fare with a penchant for great beers. There is an excellent selection of craft brews on tap, and beer flights are a hot commodity here. In fact, there is even a beer store where growlers and bottles are available for purchase to take home. The owner, Matt, is friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about beer. He will help guide even the newbies in the right direction. Pair your beer with a plate of wings, prosciutto rollups, mussels, and French onion soup. For more substantial dishes, there are lots of pastas, burgers, and sandwiches to choose from too.
For the sushi aficionados, expect an all-you-can-eat extravaganza of sashimi, nigiri, and more when you visit Minado Japanese Seafood Buffet Restaurant. The range of sushi on offer truly stretches as far as the eye can see, so be sure to come hungry. In addition to sushi, other Asian dishes are available, too. These include red snapper, oysters, seafood salads, pork rib, and soba noodles.
Taqueria La Michoacana is the perfect place to get a Mexican food fix. La Michoacana does all the usual stuff like guacamole, enchiladas, Cubanos, poblanos, nachos, tacos, tamales, mole, and gorditas, all with a quality and authenticity that can be hard to find for Mexicana in this region of the country. Finish the meal with some homemade flan, tres leches, horchata, or fried ice cream. Plus, it’s BYOB, and they serve a complementary margarita with every entrée. This is a great local gem with a festive, welcoming ambiance.
Gangster Vegan Organics is a hip juice bar specializing in raw vegan food. They serve imaginative salads, vegan cheesecakes, veggie pastas, flatbread sandwiches, and juices. You can buy your juice pre-packaged from the fridges, or made to order. Try the ODB burger, OG Kush kale chips, the Do The Right Thing vegan pizza, or the popular green juice called Flava In Ya Ear. As for the desserts, the raw sweet potato pie and the caramel apple cheesecake are two of many that are worth trying.
Lou’s Sandwich Shop serves hoagie sandwiches and cheesesteaks as well as a variety of other Italian-American classics. Their real specialty, however, is the Zep. For those who are unfamiliar, the Zep is a Norristown original sandwich made with salami, provolone, raw onion and tomato. They can also customize your Zep with their phenomenal hot pepper relish. If you prefer you can swap out the salami for other sandwich fillings like tuna fish. There is bar style seating in an unpretentious, friendly interior.
August Moon is an upscale family restaurant that serves Asian fusion dishes with an emphasis on Japanese and Korean cuisine. Sushi, bento boxes, bibimbap, Korean barbecue, and noodle dishes are most popular here. Try pairing a Korean entrée with a set of Korean side dishes known as banchun. August Moon is equipped with a full bar, where they serve martinis and other fancy cocktails. They often host live jazz musicians to accompany the dining ambiance. The warm color scheme of pale pinks and oranges helps to create a sultry, almost dreamlike atmosphere inside.
