Philly’s Dining Scene Scores Major Praise in 2016

Philly’s Dining Scene Scores Major Media Praise from Bon Appétit, Travel + Leisure, Zagat and More

Philly’s dining scene has racked up loads of accolades and positive reviews from media heavy hitters such as Bon Appétit, Travel + Leisure and so many others in 2016. The city ranked #8 on Zagat’s “26 Hottest Food Cities of 2016,” took the #6 spot on The Washington Post’s “10 Best Food Cities in America Ranked” and claimed a place on Travel + Leisure’s “America’s Best Cities for Foodies.” Philadelphia also starred in a major New York Times feature entitled “A Four-Day Feast in Philadelphia.”

Here’s a look at some of the more than 380 articles and accolades highlighting the city’s food and dining scene that VISIT PHILADELPHIA^® collected over the past year:

Philly’s Dining Scene Food Accolades:

December 2016

• “The 27 Best Ramen Shops in America,” Thrillist – Cheu Noodle Bar (#5) and Terakawa Ramen (#16)

Cheu Noodle Bar, where the menu includes varieties ranging from ramen to hand-torn, matched with unexpected elements such as matzo balls, cauliflower and collard greens, is just one of many Philly eateries that received major praise in 2016.
Credit: Photo by C. Smyth for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®

November 2016

• “The 26 Hottest Food Cities of 2016,” Zagat – Philadelphia is #8

September 2016

• “The Best Farm-to-Table Restaurant in Every State,” Travel + Leisure – Vedge
• “The 10 Best Pepperoni Pizzas in America,” The Daily Meal – Pizza Brain is #9

August 2016

• “The 12 Best Places for Pasta Around the U.S.,” AFAR – Modo Mio
• “America’s Best Cities for Foodies,” Travel + Leisure
• “America’s 50 Best New Restaurants 2016,” Bon Appétit – South Philly Barbacoa and
  Wm. Mulherin’s Sons

Wm Mulherin’s Sons – Century-old former distillery houses an ambitious Italian bar with wood-fired grub, including pizza.

• “The 5 Best New Sandwiches in America,” Bon Appétit – Sandwich of the Year: The Classic Lox Sandwich from Philly Style Bagels

June 2016

• “50 Iconic Foods Across America That Demand a Road Trip,” MSN Foods – Philly cheesesteak is #5

April 2016

• “10 foodie vacations for every price point,” Canadian Living online
• “The top 10 restaurants in America, according to OpenTable,” Business Insider – Vetri is #10

Vetri Italian restaurant in Philadelphia

March 2016

• “11 of the Best US Cities for Vegans,” Matador Network – Philadelphia is #5
• “101 Best Restaurants in America 2016,” The Daily Meal – Zahav (#37) and Vetri (#82)
• “Best Airport Sitdown Dining,” USA Today’s 10Best – Local Tavern at Philadelphia International Airport is #7
• “5 Travel Destinations for Foodies,” Black Enterprise

February 2016

• 2016 Star Ratings, Forbes Travel Guide – Volvér named a five-star restaurant; Lacroix named a four-star restaurant

January 2016

• “The 50 foods that best represent the 50 states,” USA Today College – Cheesesteak is Pennsylvania’s
• “America’s 38 Essential Restaurants,” Eater – Zahav and Vedge

December 2015

• “The 10 Best Food Cities in America Ranked,” The Washington Post – Philly is #6
• “The 25 Best New Restaurants in America,” Gear Patrol – Neuf

Neuf restaurant – French Bistro with North African inspired food.

• “These Are the 10 Best Restaurants in America,” Elle Decor online – Vetri is #10

Philly’s Dining Scene: Great Food Destination Stories from 2016:

• 50 Best Places to Travel in 2017, Food & Wine, December 2016
  • Food & Wine picked up Travel + Leisure’s destination accolade about Philadelphia.
• Drop the Cheesesteak: These Are the Regional Foods You Have to Eat in Philadelphia,
  Bon Appétit, Alex Delany, December 13, 2016
  • “We’ve praised Philadelphia’s restaurant scene for a while here at Bon Appétit. Whether it’s pizza, bagels, or tacos, Philly knows how to cook.”
• Eat This Now: Philadelphia’s 30 Essential Dishes, Zagat, November 21, 2016
  • “From decades-old sandwich institutions to bright newcomers making national headlines, Philadelphia’s dining scene is positively booming.”
• A Four-Day Feast in Philadelphia, The New York Times, November 22, 2016
  • “Even leaving aside its indigenous cheesesteak sandwiches and soft pretzels, Philly as a culinary destination feels like an organic accomplishment — the natural outcome of being itself.”
• Philadelphia Food Freedom, Travel Industry Today (Canada), November 1, 2016
  • “My food intake reached the maximum levels even though I just scratched the surface of the incredible culinary scene from food trucks to food emporiums to gourmet restaurants.”.
• Great Restaurants in Philadelphia, Travel + Leisure, October 21, 2016
  • “Philadelphia isn’t some flashy food town easily swayed by passing trends. True to the spirit of its founding fathers, the city is a refuge for freethinking entrepreneurs who put their faith in community.”
• 11 Ideas For Your Next Weekend Getaway, Black Enterprise, August 31, 2016
  • “With over 200 BYOBs (bring your own whatever), it’s a perfect opportunity to taste test your way around the city.”
• The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in Philadelphia, Travel + Leisure, August 23, 2016
  • “Philly is home to world-class art museums, sprawling parks, and a buzzy restaurant scene that embraces everything from Israeli to specialties to funky vegan-meets-Mexican mash-ups.”
• How To Eat Fresh In Philly, Paste Magazine, August 23, 2016
  • “Philadelphia is a tinderbox of culinary creativity.”
• Philadelphia’s culinary and cultural convention bounce, Boston Globe, August 9, 2016
  • “The Democratic National Convention became much of the country’s excuse to visit the City of Brotherly Love, but Philly’s historical significance—and killer restaurant scene—will remain a worthy tourist destination well beyond this election cycle.”
• In Philly for the DNC? Dine Like a Political Power Player at These Restaurants, Vogue, July 27, 2016
  • Delegates and conventioneers will enjoy Philly’s “exceptional food scene.”
• 10 great places to eat in Philadelphia, for convention-goers and the rest of us, The Washington Post, July 12, 2016
  • “No contest. The clear winners in the 2016 presidential convention game are the Democrats.” (Thanks to Philly’s food scene.)
• Everything You Need to Know About Philly’s BYOB Scene, AFAR, June 10, 2016
  • “Only in Philly can you show up to dinner with a bottle of whiskey and be taken seriously.”
• In the City of the Cheese Steak, Vegans Feel at Home, The New York Times, May 4, 2016
  • “Philadelphia…has blossomed into a dynamic universe of vegan food.”
• 5 Travel Destinations For Foodies, Black Enterprise, March 10, 2016
  • “Philadelphia’s foodie scene is thriving with a new crop of restaurants, cafés and even food trucks.”

VISIT PHILADELPHIA^® is our name and our mission. As the region’s official tourism marketing agency, we build Greater Philadelphia’s image, drive visitation and boost the economy.

On Greater Philadelphia’s official visitor website and blog, visitphilly.com and uwishunu.com, visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Along with Visit Philly social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. Travelers can also call and stop into the Independence Visitor Center for additional information and tickets.

Visit Philadelphia and check out Philly’s dining scene this year.