USA Guide
The Mid-Atlantic
Eating
1 Amada 217 Chestnut St 
215/625-2450 A dash of Spanish inspiration in Old City, with over 60 tapas dishes, great paella, and fine red or white sangria, all at reasonable prices.
2 Bistro Romano 120 Lombard St 215/925-8880 Quality Italian food is served in a converted 18th-century granary, with authentic pastas and other dishes costing under $20. There is a piano bar on Fri & Sat evenings.
3 Buddakan 325 Chestnut St 215/574-9440 Delicious pan-Asian fusion food and a family atmosphere make this a firm Philly favourite. Admire the 10ft gilded Buddha while dining.
4 City Tavern 138 S 2nd St 215/413-1443 Reconstructed 1773 tavern in INHP, familiar to the city's founders, and called by John Adams "the most genteel tavern in America." Chef Walter Staib cooks and costumed staff serve "olde style" food (pasties, turkey rarebit) to a harpsichord accompaniment – dinner entrees are mostly $20 and up.
5 London Grill 2301 Fairmount Ave 215/978-4545 This sophisticated establishment in the museum district serves delicious American and European cuisine at fair prices, with dishes such as duck confit going for $17.
6 Ocean City 234-6 N 9th St 215/829-0688 Huge Chinatown space specialising in fresh seafood, which is on display in tanks; also excellent dim sum before 3pm.
7 
Pat's King of Steaks 1237 E Passyunk Ave 215/468-1546 At this delightfully decrepit, outdoor-seating-only cheesesteak joint, take care to order correctly (there's a sign to help "rookies") or prepare yourself to be sent to the back of the line. The cheesesteaks here are the real deal. Opening time: 24hr
8 Rangoon 112 N 9th St 215/829-8939 Friendly and intimate Burmese joint, serving an authentic selection of curries and rice and noodle dishes at around $10–12; try the cheap lunch specials.
9 San Carlo 214 South St 215/592-9777 Excellent fresh pasta dishes, nice atmosphere, and attentive – if pushy – service at reasonable prices.
10 South Street Diner 140 South St 215/627-5258 Huge menu with great three-course dinner specials from $7.50. Opening time: 24hr
11 Tre Scalini 1533 S 11th St 215/551-3870 A taste of traditional South Philly Italian, with reasonably priced dishes and a low-key atmosphere.
12 White Dog Café 3420 Sansom St 215/386-9224 Delicious, creative food in three Victorian brownstones near the universities. Artsy, student crowd; lunch entrees $11–13, dinner double that; happy hour Sun– Thurs 10pm– midnight.