Philadelphia’s dining scene is buzzing with fresh arrivals, where bold flavors meet thoughtful design and a sense of place. From seafood-driven menus to inventive cocktails to interiors that balance edge with elegance, these new openings give locals and visitors plenty to talk about.
Whether you’re in the mood for innovative Levantine cuisine, a lively oyster bar or soulful Polish fare, there’s a fresh spot waiting to impress — each with its own story, spirit and singular dishes.
Forest-green walls, caramel-hued banquettes, a live-edge wood bar and vintage chandeliers set the scene at Emmett, an intimate Levantine-inspired restaurant that opened January 2025 on the edge of Philadelphia’s buzzing Fishtown neighborhood. Behind the à la carte and tasting menus is chef-partner Evan Snyder, who takes diners on an eclectic journey across the Eastern Mediterranean, with a few nods to French and Italian cuisines for good measure.
Don’t be surprised if you’re still thinking about many of Emmett’s dishes long after your meal. Take, for instance, the warm sesame madeleines served with dense, savory ras el hanout butter and a strawberry-rhubarb marmalade that evokes Pennsylvania summers. These nutty, spongy shells work surprisingly well as an appetizer and augur well for the creativity to come.
Veer back into savory territory with the wagyu tartlet topped with zippy horseradish shavings. This superb bite is rivaled only by the sunchoke agnolotti, where a rich mushroom cream coats pillowy stuffed pasta. Heftier plates include a crispy aged duck with fennel and foie malfouf (a Lebanese cabbage roll stuffed with foie gras) and smoked short rib with broccoli baba ghanoush — each boldly flavored and beautifully plated. A moist date cake comes drenched in coffee caramel for dessert, while parsnip-flavored soft serve cuts through the richness.
All the while, the bar team brings playfulness and polish with cocktails like The Krisha (feta-washed vodka, leek vermouth, green olive). Even the wine list shines, featuring surprising Pennsylvania pours by the glass.
Opened in October 2024, Little Water puts regional seafood front and center in a casual, lively setting in Rittenhouse Square. The brainchild of designer-owner Amanda and chef-owner Randy Rucker — the duo behind the more formal River Twice in East Passyunk — this modern seafood bistro is an ode to the ocean’s bounty, with a special focus on ingredients from the Gulf Coast, New England and Mid-Atlantic regions, accompanied by preservation techniques like pickling and fermentation.
Oysters, uni, snow crab, scallops, kelp, nori, trout — it’s a seafood bounty. While the menu shifts seasonally, a few highlights include the fluffy sourdough with lemon-kissed white anchovies, oysters with creamy Alabama white sauce and golden Ossetra caviar, raw sweet shrimp with melt-in-your-mouth Maine uni and a decadent lobster toast in a vin jaune white wine sauce.
For larger plates, don’t miss the whole fried black sea bass or the chicken-fried quail drenched in caviar-studded buttermilk. Pair it all with a glass of crémant or a Yuzu Swizzle (blanco tequila, kombu, yuzu kosho and pineapple), and soak in the upbeat atmosphere.
For dessert, there are few things as satisfying as a sharp and smooth Key lime pie — and citrus lovers won’t be disappointed with Little Water’s mouth-puckering rendition, which is large enough to share with a group of four.
At Hotel Anna & Bel, a beautifully designed boutique hotel that opened in August 2024 in Fishtown, diners are in for a treat. With vaulted ceilings, understated earth tones and a homey fireplace as a backdrop, Bastia transports guests to the sun-soaked shores of the Mediterranean with a menu full of warm, bright flavors and fresh seafood — much of it sourced from the Mid-Atlantic.
Chef-partner Tyler Akin drew inspiration from travels through Corsica and Sardinia to create a menu rich with inviting, shareable dishes. Highlights include the refreshing shaved artichoke salad, dayboat scallop escabeche and skate cheeks with heirloom white polenta. The seasonally rotating menu also features a few standout pastas, from fluffy storzapretti (Corsican-style ricotta dumplings) to foglie di ulivo (olive leaf-shaped discs) with peppery nettle pesto.
From Bastia’s long bar, topped with a slab of striking green marble, come playful riffs on classic spritzes, excellent champagne cocktails (try the Corsican for a savory spin on the French 75), small-batch spirits and natural wines, plus an impressive selection of amari for post-dinner sipping.
And when it comes to dessert, the olive oil cake, topped with glossy candied cherry sauce and creamy pistachio gelato, makes for a delicious Mediterranean finale. Should you have a little extra time before or after your meal, check out sister bar Caletta, right down the hall, where a pretty patio and moody indoor lounge accompany ever-more inventive cocktails.
A glowing neon pierogi sign marks this cozy Polish-American tavern in East Kensington, about 15 minutes northeast of Center City. Opened in June 2024 by chef-owner Michael Brenfleck, Little Walter’s makes you feel right at home with its warm walls, wooden tables and an open kitchen where kielbasa is smoked and grilled to order on a massive black iron cooking line.
This custom-designed setup combines a smoker box, flat-top griddle, French flat top and grill grate — an all-in-one workhorse that plays a role in every dish. The 32-seat spot has quickly made a name for itself with contemporary takes on Polish classics and time-intensive creations, including nutty sourdough rye served with dill butter and pork crackle-studded lard.
The drinks are a labor of love, too. Start with a Polish-inspired cocktail like the Pszczelarz, a gin sour-style drink made with house-infused Krupnik (spiced honey liqueur), or the Lekarz, a mezcal Negroni riff served in lovely etched glassware.
Then, it’s time for the main event. Opt for the chef’s menu or sample standout dishes like the golden, blistered pierogi ruskie filled with creamy potatoes and farmer’s cheese; char-grilled kielbasa paired with an airy mustard spread; and wieprzowina z rożna (rotisserie pork shoulder) anchored by herbaceous potatoes and tangy sauerkraut. Word to the wise: Be sure to order the palate-cleansing trio of pickled salads (surówka), which adds brightness between bites.
If you still have room, finish with a seasonal Lód Wodny (a soft-serve-style frozen treat) topped with crispy puffed rye alongside a small pour of housemade nalewka, a Polish fruit liqueur that goes down like a dream.
Step through a narrow brick entrance and into a seafood paradise. Once a 19th-century firehouse, this architectural gem bordering Fishtown is now Jaffa Bar, a fall 2024-opened oyster bar and Israeli-inspired seafood restaurant from the team behind local hot spots Zahav and Laser Wolf.
Original tile floors, exposed pipes and soaring ceilings set the tone across the restaurant’s two levels — downstairs offers a low-lit, casual vibe with twin bars, while the sprawling upper floor invites lingering meals amid citrus-splashed brick and bistro tables.
Oysters are the star of the show. Fresh, sweet and briny, they’re complemented by the housemade schug mignonette and one of the classic martinis. As you bask in shellfish heaven, we’d recommend sampling a few more dishes to share: the yellowtail pastrami with grilled and pickled cucumber is buttery and bright; the shabazi shrimp arrives fiery and fragrant with white beans and arak (a Levantine anise spirit); and the scallops with lamb merguez, potatoes and harissa are pure comfort.
A quartet of thick sandwiches offers a welcome diversion if you’re looking for something hearty. The fried chicken sandwich lands with oozy American cheese and honey mustard, while the signature Jaffa Burger stacks twin patties, green chiles, grilled onions, American cheese and shabazi mayo on a sesame-flecked potato roll. For dessert, the creamy yet sharp Key lime bar under a swirling cap of meringue is a delightful way to end the meal.
Uncle Gus’ Steaks at Reading Terminal Market
You can’t visit Philly without trying a cheesesteak — the city’s most iconic sandwich. While locals may debate who does it best, a new contender at Reading Terminal Market, Uncle Gus’ Steaks, is here to satisfy your cravings as you explore the beloved 19th-century landmark.
Opened in January, this new spot has generated quite the buzz thanks to the powerhouse team from Tommy DiNic’s, Pearl’s Oyster Bar and Angelo’s Pizzeria working together to perfect the art of the cheesesteak.
At its bustling corner stall, Uncle Gus’ keeps it simple with a short-but-serious menu of 12-inch sandwiches loaded with chopped steak and gooey cheese on crisp, seedy rolls. Pick your cheese (whiz, Cooper sharp or provolone) and toppings (go for the caramelized onions and grilled long hots) to build your ideal bite.
As you dig in, take a moment to soak up the historic surroundings. Dating back to 1893, the Reading Terminal Market has long been a hub for local and regional purveyors — think fresh produce, bakeries, diners, handcrafted jewelry, fresh flowers and art — and you can still spot original details throughout, including wooden signage, steel hooks and market carts.
