BY The Philadelphia Citizen Staff
May. 02, 2024
Those of us who’ve been around long enough might remember when Rouge became the first restaurant to get a modern permit for sidewalk dining. These days, Philly restaurants have gone far beyond the sidewalk. Some stretch onto the street, but also many into garden spaces, vacant spaces and rooftops to create al fresco dining rooms all over the city. Thanks to the ingenuity of our restaurateurs, eating out, outside is one of the best things to do in Philadelphia these days.
For this guide, we scoped out locally owned, fresh-air dining destinations that we feel embody the Philly spirit. (Want outdoor places to drink? We got you.)
Figure: Cantina “Calaca” Feliz.
A charming little courtyard stands alongside this contemporary Mexican spot in the heart of Fairmount has a menu of well-executed crowdpleasers and occasional surprises (bacon fig guacamole), and compelling tequila and margarita lists. 2321 Fairmount Avenue, (215) 787-9930
Figure: Garden Restaurant at the Barnes Foundation.
On the northwest side of this eminent art museum, a lovely, modern, tree-shaded patio serves elegant, seasonal lunches and brunches (no dinners!) Thursdays through Mondays — chopped salads, smoked turkey BLTs, smoked salmon omelets … wine. No admission required. 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, (215) 278-7070
Less a sushi bar, more a sushi lounge, this snazzy, just-off-13th Street joint has a not-so-secret back patio for sipping sake bombs and nibbling sashimi, maki and tempura. 1225 Sansom Street, (215) 238-1903
Figure: Photo by E. Mencher for Visit Philadelphia
The courtyard of chef Marcie Turney and Val Safran’s Gayborhood Italian restaurant hides beyond a dining room, protected by a canopy and brick walls. On the menu: traditional Italian comfort foods like spaghetti and meatballs in Sunday gravy, half a roasted chicken and eggplant and chicken parm. 1234 Locust Street, (215) 546-2100
Royal Boucherie‘s garden dining space sits atop the Old City brasserie. Exposed brick walls, hanging greenery, string lights, and a clandestine vibe make make Parisian steak tartare, trout almandine, steak frites, oysters on the half shell and French 52 somehow taste even better. 52 S. 2nd Street, (267) 606-6313
Inspired by co-owner Aimee Olexy’s rustic BYOB in Kennett Square, this farm-to-table spot (next door to Talula’s daytime market-cafe; across the street from Washington Square) is beloved for its cheese plate and extra fresh everything. Seats on the rustically planted courtyard are justly coveted. 210 W. Washington Square, (215) 592-7787
Rustic, geometric wooden panels separate the Canopy Hotel’s outdoor terrace from the busy Market East corridor, while deep planters seem and dim lighting muffle the din. The 30-seat American brasserie has one of the largest gin menus in Philly, not a bad prelude to lobster gribiche, ratatouille or a brioche-bunned cheeseburger, either. 1170 Ludlow Street, (215) 258-9430
At Old City’s Israeli James Beard winner, a charming patio welcomes by-reservation-only diners for a nosh (hummus for sure) and a cocktail, or a full, five-course menu. Your choice. 237 S. James Place, (215) 625-8800
Figure: Front Street Cafe. Photo by A. Ricketts for Visit Philadelphia.
Reliably open daily from 8am through most kids’ bedtimes, Front Street serves elevated basics — fried chicken, veggie burgers, flatbreads, salads, kombucha, mimosas — in the shadow of the El. 1253 N. Front Street, (215) 515-
This festive, Mexican-American Spring Garden joint has colorful seating, vibrant wall murals and kitschy decor like neon-lit signage and a large model ship. It’s pretty, too, brimming with trees and overhead flower boxes. Come here for frothy margaritas and guacamole, meat- and veggie-filled tacos and quesadillas. 1033 Spring Garden Street, (267) 639-2892
The back garden patio of this spunky Kensington restaubar is as cute as a button. Martha is known for its short-and-sweet menu of natural wine, draft cocktails, salads, hoagies, cold pizza and pickles. 2113 E York Street, (215) 867-8881
Figure: Pizzeria Beddia. Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia.
What began as a ridiculously popular pizza food truck now lets everybody in on the deliciousness of Joe Beddia’s straight up fabulous pies — made with whole milk mozz, Old Gold cheese — and natural wines, best enjoyed at a green picnic table on the back patio. 1313 Lee Street, (267) 928-2256
Figure: Photo courtesy Silk City Diner
The kitschy outdoor garden of this Spring Garden diner has a frozen drink machine cranking out boozy concoctions, plus Thai chili wings, spicy chicken sammies, disco fries and vegan fare. Open daily for dinner, weekends for brunch too. 435 Spring Garden Street, (215) 592-8838
An outdoor space of brightly-colored furniture under strings of white lights atop a green carpet seems the perfect spot to enjoy chef Alex Tellez’ vibrant, vegetarian-friendly, Mexican menu starring heirloom blue corn, fish tacos, pumpkin seeds — and mezcal. 1800 N. American Street. (215) 309-2582
Suraya‘s beautiful outdoor dining space reflects its Levantine heritage. A 5,000-square-foot, all-white outdoor lounge and garden has Persian ironwood trees, Arabic art, fountains, and a fire pit. Add an egg to your order of man’oushe, and don’t skip pastry. 1528 Frankford Avenue, (215) 302-1900
Open daily for lunch, brunch, dinner and drinks, Harper’s Garden is a verdant surprise attached to a ho-hum office tower. There’s lots good to eat, but you’ll also feel compelled to order from the cocktail (or mocktail) menu any time of day. 31 S. 18th Street, (267) 886-8552
Every day, morning through night, this boisterous brasserie across the street from a … park feels more like Paris than anywhere else in Philly. Have anything. It’s all delicieux. 227 S. 18th Street, (215) 545-2262
In 1998, this petite bistro launched Philly’s sidewalk cafe trend. Back then, martinis and cosmos were the thing. Today’s Rouge is twice the size, thanks to a lovely, year-round, ambient tent along 18th Street. Still on the menu: martinis, a Gruyère-topped burger, but also fresh juice cocktails and sparkling rosé. 205 S. 18th Street, (215) 732-6622
A papel picado-strung open-air dining room doubles the capacity of a beloved, seafood-forward and fresh juice BYOB. The sibling of nearby Marco’s Fish & Crab House, Alma’s is known for mango, avocado and blue point crab salad, great brunch, and frequent musical guests. 1007 S. 9th Street, (215) 644-8158
Figure: Photo courtesy Barcelona Wine Bar
Along busy E. Passyunk, a V of planters and trees conceal a small patio. Have the ham and manchego croquetas and fresh sardines — pretty much all the tapas are good, especially with a small-producer Cava or rosé. 1709 E. Passyunk Avenue, (215) 515-7900
Headhouse Square is as charming spot as any to sip delicious (no cap) local wines while nibbling lemon pepper wings and crispy Brussels sprouts at a sidewalk cafe. Dinner only from Wednesday through Sunday, plus weekend brunch. There’s a wine shop too. 414 S. 2nd Street, (267) 319-8018
Figure: Photo courtesy Blue Corn
An awning shades this family-run Italian Market spot, known for its tacos, tortas, burritos, ceviche, and huarache gratin, a thick tortilla topped with salsa verde, queso fresco, refried beans, onions, cactus, and chihuahua cheese. Also: margaritas. 940 S. 9th Street, (215) 925-1010
Figure: Catina Los Cabailitos.
It’s not fancy, but it’s always a good time on the gravel patio outside E.. Passyunk Avenue’s longstanding Mexican joint. Go for reliably good fajitas, burritos, tacos, and, if you must, a Mexican hot dog (bacon-wrapped with a pickled jalapeño, queso and pico). Margaritas come by the pitcher. 1651 E. Passyunk Avenue, (215) 755-3550
Figure: Chef-owner Cristina Martinez at Casa Mexico.
The younger sibling of South Philly Barbacoa, the second Mexican spot from activist chef Cristina Martinez does everything right — brunches of huevos a la Mexicana and chilaquiles; lunch: chile relleno, homemade chorizo tacos and Azteca soup; dinner: moles and ceviche. 1134 S. 9th Street, (267-) 470-1464
Chef Michael Vincent Ferreri is responsible for an elegant spread of modern Sicillian plates and fresh pasta: straightforward spaghetti and clams, gnocchi Sardi with eggplant and chili, seasonal mezze. The Bok Building, however, is responsible for the 8th-floor terrace views. 800 Mifflin Street, (215) 693-6206
Figure: Photo by A. Ricketts for Visit Philadelphia
Italy’s rugged Abruzzo region, birthplace of many older South Philly residents, inspired this elegant East Passyunk spot. An ample, partially-covered courtyard serves seafood stews, fresh pasta, great small plates and great wines, next to a mural of Abruzzo. 1927 E. Passyunk Avenue, (215) 271-5626
This neighborhood-beloved, Black-owned hotspot has a large, covered, lush outdoor dining room serving Southern-inspired food and drinks. Try a salmon burger, Buffalo cauliflower, Creole vegan jambalaya, short ribs, seafood mac — and anything from the brunch menu. Also, there’s kid’s menu, happy hour specials and live music events. 5021 Baltimore Avenue, (215) 883-0960
Figure: Photo by Katherine Rapin
The West Philly mainstay has a spacious, covered back patio, open rain or shine. Dahlak’s Eritrean-Ethiopian menu includes a savory stews: meats, veggies like okra, collards and spinach, lentils and chickpeas, eaten with spongy sour injera bread. Cocktails here come double-sized. 4708 Baltimore Avenue, (215) 726-6464
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