Dining in Fishtown is a rustic, unpretentious and delicious experience. With budget friendly pricing and beer available everywhere, Fishtown is quickly gaining notoriety as foodie-paradise. Keep reading for a list of our 10 favorite spots to eat in Fishtown, Philadelphia.
Fette Sau in Fishtown is a must see Brooklyn inspired BBQ. The refurbished picnic tables give the restaurant a casual communal atmosphere, the floors are cement and the ceiling made of exposed beams. To maintain the casual ambience, Fette Sau does not accept reservations, so be prepared to wait. Meats from the menu are sourced locally and smoked in-house, giving the newest Stephen Starr restaurant real authenticity.
El Camino brings you a truly hipster taco and margarita experience. This restaurant is a smokehouse barbeque decorated with beer flags hanging from the awning and picnic table sidewalk seating. Indoors, the restaurant is all wood with a collection of mismatched wooden chairs and window art. Lauded for its strong margaritas, a trendy atmosphere, and a menu comprised of fresh ingredients, you will find that El Camino is frequently packed with Philadelphia locals. Warmer weather is the prime visiting time for this joint. Order a famous pulled pork sandwich and margarita, sit out at the Piazza and enjoy the crowd.
Johnny Brenda’s is one of Philadelphia’s most well known venues, specifically for the music and nightlife, but also for their classic American menu. Johnny Brenda’s is bi-level, with an upstairs balcony and first-floor bar. Menu options include oysters, salads, and sandwiches, but the menu changes seasonally and the restaurant offers daily specials. Food is fresh and often locally sourced, as is the extensive beer menu, in a commitment to contribute to the community. Any music loving individual should make a stop at Johhny Brenda’s when in the neighborhood.
This small French bistro is owned and operated by chef duo Daniela D’Ambrosio and Todd Braley out of a small refurbished Fishtown home. Two winning details about this quaint bistro are their BYO policy and the collaboration with local farmers, with whom the restaurant maintains close relations with, to supply menu ingredients. The menu offers small seasonal dishes, with appetizers like moules frites or white bean soup and entree dishes such as the delicious pan seared duck breast.
Pizza Brain serves up some of the best pizza in Philadelphia. Not only does Pizza Brain serve delicious pizza, it also serves vegan options, is BYOB, and like a good neighbor it also serves Little Baby’s ice cream from next door. Pizza Brain operates in a truly quirky Fishtown fashion, it’s the holder of the Guinness World Record for most pizza memorabilia. True to the award, Pizza Brain decor is made up of pizza comics, museum style, so treat yourself to a slice or two of the famed Forbes Waggensense pie and sit back Fishtown style. The beer selection isn’t too shabby either.
N. 3rd is housed in a red brick building with a funky and eclectic atmosphere. The interior is comprised of images of the female form, masks on the walls, and twinkle lights. N. 3rd prides itself on the menu, from unique salad selections like the Bibb salad to drool worthy sandwiches like the fried fish BLT. It isn’t Fishtown without a long selection of draft beer, a wine menu, and a good list of cocktails. Outdoor seating is available in warmer months and you will find N. 3rd to be a phenomenal stop if you’re looking for a casual, inexpensive meal with friends, good for dinner or brunch.
Cantina Dos Segundos is vibrant with color, from the orange ceilings and walls to the colorful menu. Bottomless boxes attached to the walls contain the restaurant’s liquor supply. If the atmosphere and hipster crowd doesn’t seduce you, the unending supply of chips and salsa will. From the Spanish menu, you have a delicious choice of tacos, fajitas, enchiladas and more with vegetarian and vegan options. In compliment to the food menu, the restaurant offers a long list of tequilas and cocktails.
Stock is a tiny restaurant in Fishtown with an 18 person capacity that guarantees an intimate atmosphere. Stock offers casual dining, walk-in only, and BYO. The menu consists of (free-range) chicken pho, vegan pho, and pork pho along with an array of other southeast Asian dishes. For dessert, the restaurant offers a coconut chia seed pudding. Though there may be a wait for entry, the dinner will leave you feeling pleasantly satisfied but not too full. This is definitely a Fishtown must for all pho lovers, with a Philadelphia touch.
Cedar Point Bar and Kitchen is housed in a lovely exposed brick building complete with a deck, in the center of Fishtown. The restaurant is dedicated to positively contributing to the community by using local ingredients, displaying the works of local artists, and by including local breweries on the beer menu. The supper menu includes retro-American dishes with a soulful twist like the fried pickles or the cauliflower fritters on the ‘small stuff’ section, and the ‘bigger stuff’ section which includes fried chicken and waffles and a shepherds pie. Cedar Point Bar and Kitchen offers vegetarian options and a selection of cocktails, beer, and wine as well. For a restaurant with a neat vibe and delicious food, albeit not light food, this is your stop.
Kraftwork was opened in 2010 by Adam Ritter and quickly won over the neighborhood. With a dedication to providing the best selection of beer from around the globe and a tasty selection of daily bites, Kraftwork offers a five-star Fishtown dining experience. The must haves from the Kraftwork menu are the beer can chicken sandwich, the roasted beet and goat cheese fritter salad, and the pierogies. The atmosphere is cozy, like many Fishtown restaurants it is industrial, and the exposed brick walls give a rustic feeling to the room. Any beer loving foodie will certainly feel at home here.
