AtMLA Visitor’s Guide to Philadelphia
Eating:
Philadelphia is a sprawling, exciting city with numerous neighborhoods boasting their own unique character and restaurant scene. The area immediately surrounding Temple’s main campus is not one we strongly recommend for eating out, but a short ride on Septa (the bus or subway) will take you to neighborhoods with restaurants that have been recommended by Temple University Libraries staff:
Cicala—upscale Italian cuisine, reservations recommended
699 N. Broad St.
30-minute walk or 2 stops on the subway (Broad Street Line)
Osteria—more upscale Italian cuisine
640 N. Broad St.
30-minute walk or 2 stops on the subway (Broad Street Line)
South Restaurant & Jazz Club—“America’s original music meets southern heritage cuisine”
600 N. Broad St
30-minute walk or 3 stops on the subway (Broad Street Line)
***check out their website to see who’s performing at the jazz club that weekend!
Prohibition Taproom—casual gastropub featuring burgers and cheesesteak
501 N. 13th St.
30-minute walk or 3 stops on the subway (Broad Street Line)
Cheu Fishtown & nunu—two restaurants in one, noodle bar and sushi, reservations recommended
1416 Frankford Ave.
35-minute walk or 25-minute bus ride (#3)
Hiroki—omakase style sushi restaurant, reservations recommended
Corner of Lee & Master St.
35-minute walk or 25-minute bus ride (#3)
La Chingonita—casual, authentic Mexican food
413 E. Girard Ave.
40-minute walk or 30-minute bus ride (#3)
Reading Terminal Market—Not to be missed! Famous indoor farmer’s market featuring diverse food options. ***closes at 6pm Mon–Sun
1136 Arch St.
40-minute walk or 20-minute bus ride (#23)
For additional restaurant recommendations in other neighborhoods, check out Eater Philly! (philly.eater.com)
Getting around:
When traveling between neighborhoods in Philadelphia, consider using our public transportation service, SEPTA, which includes the bus, trolley, subway, and regional rail. SEPTA cards can be purchased at subway station fare kiosks, and bus fare is $2 with one free transfer.
***more information on using SEPTA: https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/attractions/septa/
If you’re interested in visiting some of Philadelphia’s more interesting neighborhoods, here are a few you might want to check out:
Center City: Center City is the bustling “downtown” of Philadelphia, encompassing the historical Old City and Society Hill, Chinatown, Rittenhouse Square, and more. You’ll find plenty of restaurants, bars, cafes, and nightlife in Center City, along with the “Avenue of Arts” (home of the Philadelphia Orchestra). Center City is bounded by Philadelphia’s two rivers—the Delaware to the east and the Schuykill to the west—and Spring Garden Street to the north and South Street to the south.
Fairmount: Fairmount is known as the home of the renowned Philadelphia Museum of Art and the “Rocky steps,” along with the Franklin Institute, Rodin Museum, and Barnes Foundation. For that reason it is also known as the “Art Museum Area.” Along with being more residential than Center City, Fairmount also boasts the beautiful and enormous Fairmount Park and Schuykill River Trail, both great places for a run or a bike ride on a sunny day.
Fishtown: Northeast of Temple, along the Delaware River, lies one of Philadelphia’s hippest neighborhoods. Named for its origin as the epicenter of the commercial shad-fishing industry, Fishtown is an up-and-coming neighborhood featuring bars, restaurants, music venues, studios, galleries, and more.
East Passyunk: A walkable diagonal street cutting through South Philadelphia, East Passyunk (pronounced Pashyunk) has been named one of Food and Wine’s 10 Best Foodie Streets in America. You can find cheesesteak all over the city, but you’ll find the most famous spots here, along with indie boutiques, bars, cafes, and traditional Italian restaurants. On 9th street, only a few blocks from Passyunk Avenue, you’ll find the famous Italian Market.
University City: Visit our neighboring institutions, University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University, in the heart of West Philadelphia.
Concerts this weekend:
Rite of Swing Jazz Café—Sept. 29, 4:30pm, feat. Larry Fuller trio
Temple University Symphony Orchestra—Sept. 30, 7:30pm, feat. Beethoven Symphony no. 1 and Mahler Symphony no. 1
Philadelphia Orchestra—Oct. 2, 8pm, feat. Daniil Trifonov
List of live jazz venues to check out: https://www.visitphilly.com/articles/philadelphia/top-places-to-listen-to-live-jazz-music-in-philadelphia/#chris-jazz-cafe