This is the Philadelphia BYOB post in our series: ‘Favorite BYOB Restaurants in Cities Around the U.S.’.
With an abundance of BYOB restaurants in Philadelphia, it was nearly impossible to narrow down a list of our favorites, so we highlighted one restaurant from each major dining category. Like we mentioned in the initial post in our BYOB series, this list is not meant to be comprehensive, and if you’d like to share your thoughts and favorites, you can do so on our Facebook page.
. 4Monsu: Canoli with Marmalade and Pistachios
Monsu: Non-traditional Italian
- Address: 901 Christian Street
- No Corkage Fee, Cash Only
- Do the tasting menu, we promise, for $40. You’ll leave satisfied after four courses.
- Highlights: You won’t find spaghetti and meatballs here, as this is not a traditional Italian spot. This tiny corner restaurant delivers bold flavors, drawing inspiration from Sicily in dishes that range from out of the box to over the top.
- Bring along any bold Italian wine, like a Brunello di Montalcino.
Porcini: Traditional Italian
- Address: 2048 Sansom Street
- No Corkage Fee, Accepts Credit Cards
- Highlights: Owned and operated by two brothers, these guys fare on the traditional Italian side with menu items like ravioli ossobucco and fettuccini bolognese. The quaint restaurant and authentic tastes will make you feel like you’re dining in a little bistro in the heart of Italy.
- Bring along a bottle of Chianti Classico.
Marrakesh: Moroccan/Mediterranean
- Address: 517 South Leithgow Street
- No Corkage Fee, Cash Only
- Highlights: You’ll feel like you were transported into another country, as the food here is served family-style and eaten by hand. $25 will get you seven courses and an experience you won’t soon forget.
- Bring along a Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, or Rioja.
Bleu Sushi: Sushi and Sashimi
- Address: 262 South 10th Street
- No Corkage Fee, Accepts Credit Cards
- Highlights: With a lot of the rolls named after Philly sites, it’s a fun place to dine. The sushi and sashimi is fresh and the kimchi fries come highly recommended.
- Bring along a bottle of Chablis or Riesling.
Jaxon BYOB: American
- Address: 701 North 3rd Street
- No Corkage Fee, Accepts Credit Cards
- Highlights: Cozy restaurant with a small and diverse seasonal menu. From grilled octopus to southern fried pork loin with grilled plums and buttermilk, this place is great to dine alfresco or inside, where you’ll share a room with their tiny kitchen.
- Bring along a Pinot Noir or Pinot Grigio.
Tandoor: Indian
- Address: 1832 North Front Street
- No Corkage Fee, Accepts Credit Cards
- Highlights: Here, you’ll definitely feel like you’re eating outside in the city, as it’s located under the subway. You can expect high quality, classic Indian dishes and amazing customer service. If you’re not sure what to order when eating Indian cuisine, this establishment is extremely helpful, and with their large menu there is something for everyone.
- Bring along a bottle of Pinot Noir or something Sparkling.
Pizza Brain: Pizza
- Address: 2313 Frankford Avenue
- No Corkage Fee, Accepts Credit Cards
- Highlights: Using unique and upscale ingredients, you can grab just a slice or a whole pie at this former doctors office turned Pizza Museum. Don’t miss out on the ice cream shop next door, also BYOB, serving up flavors like BBQ or Pizza Ice Cream.
- Bring a bottle of Barbera or Sangiovese.
Honey’s Sit-N-Eat: Brunch
- Multiple locations. We love the original, located at 800 North 4th Street.
- No Corkage Fee, Cash Only
- Highlights: Check out the hours on their weekday Bargain Breakfast, it’s quick, delicious, and a bargain! Make sure to get a latke to pair with their fresh jams, and while this place is not entirely vegetarian, it’s definitely vegetarian-friendly and has a constantly-changing, locally-sourced specials menu.
- Bring along a bottle to make a mimosa with their fresh squeezed OJ!
Bistro 7: French
- Address: 7 North 3rd Street
- No Corkage Fee, Accepts Credit Cards
- Highlights: Intimate restaurant serving creative farm-to-table small plates.
- Bring along a bottle of Sancerre or Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Nine Ting: Korean BBQ
- Address: 926 Race Street
- No Corkage Fee, Accepts Credit Cards
- Highlights: If you’ve never had Korean BBQ before, this is a fun place to try. It’s all-you-can-eat, and you cook your food directly in front of you, on your table’s own grill. The food is fresh, and they have a serve-yourself condiment bar with anything you would want.
- Bring along a bottle of Pouilly-Fumé or Syrah.
Like this post? Be sure to check out the rest of the series here, which includes BYOBs in New York City!