Best of Philadelphia 2026
From the culinary to the cultural and beyond, we celebrate the city’s many oases for the mind, body, and spirit.
Philadelphia is a city of neighborhoods—some posh and urbane, others gritty, some more like a village-like, others far more metropolitan. Each part of the city offers plenty of reasons to warrant a visit; in truth, it’s nearly impossible to choose the “best” of Philadelphia considering its multitude of charms. But we at least have to try, don’t we? Following are 12 of our favorite destinations in the city—culinary, cultural, and beyond—oases for the mind, body, and spirit.
Philly is a pizza city—as much as New York or Chicago, no matter how vehemently their residents disagree—with some supreme pies. Among the best we’ve tried is Char, located in the liminal space between Northern Liberties and Kensington. Our favorite: the “New School Tomato Pie,” made even better with Calabrian chilis. While we haven’t had them, we also hear great things about the pork-and-beef meatballs. char.pizza
Whether it’s restaurants, culture, shopping, or people watching, the neighborhood of Chestnut Hill has it all. The center of the neighborhood’s universe, located a stone’s throw from the line where city meets suburbs, features just about anything a visitor might want to experience, including the recently expanded Woodmere Art Museum. Suggestion: Pair a weekend lunch at one of the many spots along Germantown Avenue with a visit to nearby Wissahickon Valley Park to enjoy some of the area’s best hiking trails. chestnuthillpa.com
Of the many festivals and special events hosted by Philadelphia, the Chinese Lantern Festival is perhaps the most dramatic. What to expect from this year’s festival, which runs from late June to early August: spectacular lantern-filled landscapes and illuminated works of art, stage performances, and cuisine, all inspired by Chinese traditions. It’s best to be experienced rather than described. phillychineselanternfestival.com
It seems strange to recommend visiting a place that is essentially in ruins, but a day at Eastern State Penitentiary in Fairmount is well worth the trip. Go there to learn about Eastern State’s most notorious residents, as well the history of the penitentiary and the U.S. prison system as a whole. Eastern State takes on a spookier aura around Halloween, but we prefer a quiet day touring the abandoned remains of an institution rife with stories about the people who resided behind its walls from 1829 to 1970. easternstate.org
Isgro Pastries is as integral to South Philly as Pat’s, Geno’s, and the 9th Street Italian Market. Family run since the early 1900s, Isgro Pastries is now run by the third and fourth generations of the Sarno family. You can taste the tradition in each cannoli, ricotta cookie, and éclair, not to mention every other baked good in the display cases of this Christian Street icon. isgropastries.com
The world needs more establishments like the Mayfair Diner in Northeast Philadelphia. A staple of the neighborhood since the 1930s, this Frankford Avenue institution offers all the traditional breakfast and lunch basics, with some surprises to boot. Like every noteworthy diner, the Mayfair Diner is all about the vibe; it’s like stepping back into the 1950s, with a side of Philly’s trademark grit. mayfairdiner.com
Simon & Garfunkel once said, “it’s all happening at the zoo.” They might have been referring to Philadelphia Zoo, not only America’s first but also one of its finest. Guests have more opportunities than ever to get up close and personal with all kinds of wildlife, from Francis J. Carey Bear Country to the Giraffe Experience to Lemur Island. People of all ages have the opportunity to witness some of the world’s most beautiful creatures and play a role in ensuring that these animals remain part of the wild landscape for future generations. philadelphiazoo.org
Among the Philadelphia area’s dwindling population of strictly plant-based restaurants, there are several bright spots. Northern Liberties’ Pietramala is one of the brightest. If you follow a plant-based lifestyle, you should absolutely go. If you don’t follow a plant-based lifestyle, you should absolutely go. When it earned Michelin honors in 2025, we weren’t surprised; the service is more than attentive, the vibe is cozy-meets-upscale, and the cuisine rocks without fail. pietramalaphl.com
Philly has long struggled to make the most of its outdoor spaces along the Delaware River. Spruce Street Harbor Park is an obvious exception. It’s a destination designed to help locals and visitors enjoy the waterfront, with dining options, cocktails, and entertainment galore; catch live jazz or energetic rock music from the likes of Iron Chic, Oso Oso, and Wild Pink, perhaps from the comfort of one of the park’s many available hammocks. delawareriverwaterfront.com
So-called “spooky season” remains several months away, but horror is a year-round pursuit for an increasing number of rabid readers. Manayunk’s Thrillerdelphia is the area’s best (and perhaps only) bookstore devoted to all things horror—books, DVDs, gifts, etc.—including thrillers and true crime. Check out Thrillerdelphia’s frighteningly good events calendar: workshops, author signings, and in-store appearances from some of the biggest names in the genre. thrillerdelphia.com
Head to the Piazza in NoLibs for Urban Village Brewing Co., where you can imbibe exceptional house-brewed IPAs, pilsners, and barrel-aged stouts, among other styles. If beer is not your thing, opt for a house cocktail or one of the wines on tap. To go with your libation of choice, Urban Village has a bangin’ food menu, including some seriously good pizzas, nearly all of which bear familiar names, such as the Stella, the Cecilia, the Betty White, and the Meadow Soprano. urbanvillagebrewing.com
Zahav in Old City seems like it’s been around forever, but it remains fresh and exciting—a good reason why reservations are not only a must but also rarely easy to get. Zahav serves the cuisine of the Middle East, specifically Israel, with some of the most exquisite hummus and haloumi, among other dishes, you’ll ever have. Zahav doesn’t just create meals; it crafts an unforgettable culinary experience rooted in intense flavor, warm ambiance, and have-it-before-you-need-it service. zahavrestaurant.com
More to Love in Philly
These professionals and service providers add to the one-of-a-kind fabric of Philadelphia: J. Fine Law (jfinelaw.com), The Gold Law Firm (discrimlaw.net), Kaminsky Dental Associates (ruflossing.com), Jefferson Health (jeffersonhealth.org), Tiger Adjusters (tigeradjusters.com), The Tox Philadelphia – Rittenhouse (thetoxtechnique.com), Tucker Law Group (tlgattorneys.com), Wells Fargo Advisors (wellsfargoadvisors.com), van der Veen, Hartshorn & Levin (mtvlaw.com), and You & Me Matchmaking Service (youandmematchmaker.com).
These professionals and service providers add to the one-of-a-kind fabric of Philadelphia: J. Fine Law (jfinelaw.com), The Gold Law Firm (discrimlaw.net), Kaminsky Dental Associates (ruflossing.com), Jefferson Health (jeffersonhealth.org), Tiger Adjusters (tigeradjusters.com), The Tox Philadelphia – Rittenhouse (thetoxtechnique.com), Tucker Law Group (tlgattorneys.com), Wells Fargo Advisors (wellsfargoadvisors.com), van der Veen, Hartshorn & Levin (mtvlaw.com), and You & Me Matchmaking Service (youandmematchmaker.com).
Photo by C. Smyth for Visit Philadelphia
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Life, June 2026.
