Caroline’s guidebook
Neighborhoods
East Passyunk Avenue (pronounced “Pashyunk” by locals) is one of few diagonal streets cutting through Philadelphia, making our neighborhood of East Passyunk unique. This highly walkable, restaurant packed (named one of the 10 Best Foodie Streets in America by Food & Wine), family friendly South Philly neighborhood is one of the best the city has to offer. The historically Italian neighborhood is home to the oldest continuously operating outdoor market (The Italian Market), the world famous Philly Cheesesteaks (Pats & Ginos), and has old school charm like no other.
Be sure to check the East Passyunk Instagram (@eastpassyunk) to see what local events, live music, and festivals are going on!
24 locals recommend
East Passyunk Avenue
East Passyunk AvenueEast Passyunk Avenue (pronounced “Pashyunk” by locals) is one of few diagonal streets cutting through Philadelphia, making our neighborhood of East Passyunk unique. This highly walkable, restaurant packed (named one of the 10 Best Foodie Streets in America by Food & Wine), family friendly South Philly neighborhood is one of the best the city has to offer. The historically Italian neighborhood is home to the oldest continuously operating outdoor market (The Italian Market), the world famous Philly Cheesesteaks (Pats & Ginos), and has old school charm like no other.
Be sure to check the East Passyunk Instagram (@eastpassyunk) to see what local events, live music, and festivals are going on!
Shopping
East Passyunk Farmer Market – seasonally; Wednesday from 3-7PM at the South Philadelphia Older Adult Center (Dickinson & Passyunk)
South Philadelphia Older Adult Center
1430 East Passyunk AvenueEast Passyunk Farmer Market – seasonally; Wednesday from 3-7PM at the South Philadelphia Older Adult Center (Dickinson & Passyunk)
Italian Market – fresh produce, fish, and meat; there’s also a ton of low-key delicious Italian, Mexican, and seafood restaurants here! (9th Street between Wharton & Fitzwater)
South 9th Street & Fitzwater Street
Italian Market – fresh produce, fish, and meat; there’s also a ton of low-key delicious Italian, Mexican, and seafood restaurants here! (9th Street between Wharton & Fitzwater)
ACME Markets
1400 E Passyunk AveGrocery – ACME @ Reed & Passyunk (5 min walk)
Dickinson Street & South 10th Street
Post Office – Dickinson St. between 9th & 10th (3 min walk)
South 10th Street & Reed Street
CVS – 10th & Reed (5 min walk)
Rite Aid
2301 Walnut StRite Aid – 6th & Dickinson (4 min walk)
Amelie's Bark Shop
1600 E Passyunk AveBoutique, handmade pet treats
Occasionette
1825 E Passyunk AvePhilly themed gifts and décor; think brick & mortar Etsy
South Fellini
1507 E Passyunk AveHipster style Philly shop with stickers, tees, bags, and other cool stuff
Urban Jungle
1526 E Passyunk AveGarden center with unique accessories & a wide variety of plants
Sightseeing
A Novel Idea on Passyunk
1726 East Passyunk AvenueIndie bookstore selling new and used books
Food scene
Pats & Gino’s Cheesesteak (try one of each & let me know which is better!!)
23 locals recommend
South Philadelphia
Pats & Gino’s Cheesesteak (try one of each & let me know which is better!!)
A little walk away, but definitely worth it! My favorite water ice (Italian Ice for those not from Philly) in the city
35 locals recommend
John's Water Ice
701 Christian StA little walk away, but definitely worth it! My favorite water ice (Italian Ice for those not from Philly) in the city
D’Emilio’s Old World Ice Treats
1928 E Passyunk AveCrazy flavors of water ice & ice cream with wide variety of toppings
The only Insomnia cookie speakeasy, this is a regular cookie shop storefront with a hidden dessert bar behind a bookcase serving customized cookies and milkshakes; you’ll need the secret password from their Instagram account to enter the secret room!
Insomnia Cookies CookieLab
833 Wharton StreetThe only Insomnia cookie speakeasy, this is a regular cookie shop storefront with a hidden dessert bar behind a bookcase serving customized cookies and milkshakes; you’ll need the secret password from their Instagram account to enter the secret room!
Black N Brew
1523 E Passyunk AveSmoothies, coffee, and good lunch menu!
B2 Cafe
1500 E Passyunk AveCoffee, juices, free wifi, and featured work from local artists!
Grab a coffee to go & cross the street to enjoy near the Singing Fountain!
42 locals recommend
Rival Bros Coffee Bar
2400 Lombard StGrab a coffee to go & cross the street to enjoy near the Singing Fountain!
My Favorites
Cantina Los Caballitos
1651 E Passyunk AveCasual Mexican with great margaritas!
The Dutch
1537 S 4th StBEST waffles around with clever sweet & savory toppings!
Craving a true South Philly hoagie? Cosmi’s has great corner deli food & takeout for a night in!
17 locals recommend
Cosmi's Deli
1501 S 8th StCraving a true South Philly hoagie? Cosmi’s has great corner deli food & takeout for a night in!
A little bit of everything (pizza, muscles, vegan options) and nothing disappoints!
26 locals recommend
Triangle Tavern
1338 S 10th StA little bit of everything (pizza, muscles, vegan options) and nothing disappoints!
AMAZING views of Philadelphia from the rooftop of an old school turned business incubator; snacks and drinks
62 locals recommend
Bok Bar
800 Mifflin StAMAZING views of Philadelphia from the rooftop of an old school turned business incubator; snacks and drinks
Green space & Parks
Columbus Square
1200 Wharton StFields & a good dog park (12th & Reed)
4 acre park with basketball, fields, and playground (9th & Wharton)
6 locals recommend
Capitolo Playground
900 Federal St4 acre park with basketball, fields, and playground (9th & Wharton)
Restaurants
Laurel
1617 E Passyunk AveUpscale French; reservation recommended.
Perla
1535 S 11th StThe Victor Café
1303 Dickinson StreetItalian with opera singers
Bing Bing Dim Sum
1648 E Passyunk AveAsian fusion with unique dishes
BYO Brunch; you bring the prosecco & they’ll provide the OJ; There’s always a wait & they don’t take reservations, so get there early
265 locals recommend
Green Eggs Café
212 S 13th StBYO Brunch; you bring the prosecco & they’ll provide the OJ; There’s always a wait & they don’t take reservations, so get there early
Mike's BBQ
1703 S 11th StGreat BBQ, but they only serve until they run out so get there early
The Palace of Indian
1533 S 11th StStaple Indian food
Tapas; you’ll want to try dish on their menu; reservation recommended
42 locals recommend
Barcelona Wine Bar
1709 E Passyunk AveTapas; you’ll want to try dish on their menu; reservation recommended
Classic Italian with expansive wine list & large outdoor patio; reservation recommended
37 locals recommend
Le Virtù
1927 E Passyunk AveClassic Italian with expansive wine list & large outdoor patio; reservation recommended
Fountain Porter
1601 S 10th StCorner bar with good tap list & music played from a turn table
The Tasty
1401 S 12th StFully vegan brunch/lunch spot
Lucky 13 Pub
1820 S 13th StRocker themed dive with bar food & good beer list
Bar focusing on microbrews; pretty good food for a corner bar
87 locals recommend
Pub On Passyunk East - POPE
1501 E Passyunk AveBar focusing on microbrews; pretty good food for a corner bar
Run by classic South Philly Italians, this spot is a great place to see the old-time Italian locals
27 locals recommend
Stogie Joe's Tavern
1801 E Passyunk AveRun by classic South Philly Italians, this spot is a great place to see the old-time Italian locals
Famous Jewish bakery; there’s almost always a line to grab breakfast or a fresh load of challah
12 locals recommend
Essen Bakery
1437 E Passyunk AveFamous Jewish bakery; there’s almost always a line to grab breakfast or a fresh load of challah