LeBron James is officially a 76er. To celebrate his regular-season debut with the Philly sports team, we asked locals where he should visit first. – Photo courtesy of Bill Streicher, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Well, Philly — it’s finally happening. NBA superstar LeBron James is set to play his first regular-season game as a Sixer tonight, and while the veteran is kicking off his season at Madison Square Garden in a matchup against the New York Knicks, don’t worry — he’ll be back on Broad Street soon enough.
While James is reported to base his permanent residence in New York City and commute (by helicopter, no less) to Philadelphia for practice and game days, he’ll still be spending much more time in “The City of Brotherly Love.” And who knows — a few Philly cheesesteaks from Angelo’s might convert him into a full-time homeowner; I’ve seen people move for much less.
Ahead of his new gig, we did what any good neighbor would do: we asked locals where a Philadelphia newcomer needs to eat, stay, and visit for a proper taste of the city. From chefs and food critics to tourism pros and people who’ve called Philly home for decades, our sources told us their go-to Philly spots, their perfect food days, and the places they’d be most upset to see left off any Philadelphia travel guide.
Some answers came up again and again (spoiler: you’re not going to want to miss Readers’ Choice Award-winner Reading Terminal Market), while others were the kind of neighborhood gems you spend years searching for — only to serendipitously discover on a random stroll (or in a random guide).
Here’s the city according to the people who know it best — whether you’re a four-time NBA champ or in town for a brief stay:
Reading Terminal Market is the one place every local told us to go to
If there’s one thing that Philadelphians seem to agree on — besides their love of the Eagles and their hatred of Dallas — it’s that the Reading Terminal Market is a must-see.
Eight of the Philly experts I connected with named the market, which has been feeding the city since the ’80s and features more than 80 merchants under one roof; Melanie Musson, a travel insurance expert and Northeast Philly native, didn’t mince her words: “I’d disregard the guide entirely if it didn’t include Reading Terminal Market.”
The historic Reading Terminal Market is a 10BEST Readers’ Choice Award winner for the best public market in 2026. – Photo courtesy of Gab Bonghi
What locals order at Reading Terminal Market
Anne Ryan, Pennsylvania’s deputy secretary of tourism, treats it “like a progressive meal,” while Svetlana Yazaovskikh of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau says to “arrive hungry, take a lap around the market first, and don’t commit to just one thing.” Consider me convinced!
Here’s a more specific ordering guide:
Beiler’s: Donuts (the maple bacon in particular) and a whoopie pie, which Ryan calls her “favorite Pennsylvania delicacy.”
Tommy DiNic’s: This roast pork sandwich is so delicious, locals argue it rivals the famous Philly cheesesteak (yes, really).
Miller’s Twist: Regarded as the “best pretzels ever,” per Musson.
Saami Somi: Meet a Georgian cheese boat that is absolutely as rich and flavorful as it sounds.
Termini Bros.: Close out your Reading Market Terminal laps with a yummy cannoli treat.
Where locals actually get their cheesesteak (and what else to order)
Elephant in the room: nobody we asked recommended Pat’s or Geno’s (gasp!). They did have some thoughts about where to go instead. Among the favorites:
Angelo’s Pizzeria: This spot was the most popular of the bunch. Courtney Gilronan of Kimpton Hotel Palomar Philadelphia calls it her personal favorite, and if the line’s too long (as it often is), The Infatuation’s Alison Kessler has a backup: “…head to Del Rossi’s instead.”
John’s Roast Pork: Bracken Petroviak, who lives in East Passyunk, is a loyalist to this local haunt. “Every single time. While Pat’s and Geno’s might get all the attention from visitors, I’d encourage anyone looking for the real deal to venture beyond the famous cheesesteak corner.”
Street vendor cheesesteaks: And perhaps the hottest take of all, from Musson: “Street vendor cheesesteaks are where it’s at. You can’t beat the price.”
Alternatively, Kessler — a food critic and native Philadelphian — argues that “Coming to Philly just for cheesesteaks is like going to a concert and leaving after the opening act.” Her headliner picks:
Philly locals love starting their mornings with Isgro Pastries; don’t miss the cannolis. – Photo courtesy of Isgro Pastries
Best breakfast, coffee, and bakeries, according to locals
Wondering where to start your day in Philly? You’re in luck; not only has Philadelphia became a hub for cool coffee shops, but according to Kessler, the city is “in the middle of a full-blown bakery renaissance.”
Thank You Thank You: James Beard Award-winning restauranteur Ellen Yin and Pizzeria Beddia founder Joe Beddia both said they start their day here; Kessler grabs an “unnecessarily elaborate espresso drink” and sips it on a bench in Washington Square Park.
Sulimay’s: An old-school Fishtown diner that’s “been around long before Fishtown got trendy,” says Yazaovskikh. Feeling brave? The Eggs Bensington comes with scrapple: “consider it your official initiation into Pennsylvania!”
Artisan Boulanger Patissier: Petroviak’s favorite is a French Vietnamese bakery in South Philly, “run by the sweetest woman,” with a bacon, egg, and cheese croissant and a standout tofu banh mi. (Pro tip: bring cash).
Termini Brothers Bakery and Isgro Pastries: “Coming from an Italian family with South Philly roots,” Gilronan calls these two must-visits. While you’re at it, try tomato pie from Cacia’s or Sarcone’s.
Where to eat dinner in Philly
There are a couple things to know about dinner in Philly. Namely, that BYOB’s are a big deal in the city. “Dinner’s got to be a BYOB, because that’s part of what makes Philly’s dining scene so unique,” says Lonely Planet’s Deepka Lakshmin.
Additionally, Fishtown is where a lot of the action is; in fact, Yazovskikh — who has lived there since 2010 — says it still has its old-school bars and family-run businesses “alongside some of Philly’s most exciting new restaurants.” Here are the most recommended spots:
Little Fish: Lakshmin’s pick for BYOB seafood.
Kalaya: Ryan calls Chef Nok Suntaranon’s Southern Thai spot in Fishtown “the meal I tell everyone to plan their trip around.”
Fiorella: Gilronan and Yin both love this pasta spot in the Italian Market.
Murph’s Bar: It looks like an Irish pub — but it isn’t (at least not really). “Dive a little deeper and you’ll find some of the best homemade Italian food in the neighborhood hiding in the back!” says Yazovskikh. “That’s Philly for you!”
Vernick Fish: Kessler’s go-to move is cocktails at JG SkyHigh, 60 floors up, then “downstairs to Vernick Fish for an epic seafood feast.”
Philly history
Philly is the birthplace of the nation, so yes — history should be a part of your city visit. Musson suggests making Old City “a couple-day destination,” with Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the National Constitution Center, and the Museum of the American Revolution all within a few blocks. You can tour these iconic sites with GetYourGuide.
But if you want to see the side of the city that doesn’t get printed on postcards, Ryan has recommendations:
Elfreth’s Alley: Dating to 1703, it’s a National Historic Landmark where people still live today. The craftspeople and tradespeople who kept the colonial city running lived here.
Carpenters’ Hall: Where the First Continental Congress met in 1774, and where Benjamin Franklin met secretly with a French envoy in 1775. It’s one of Ryan’s favorite places in the city.
Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church: Founded by Richard Allen in 1787, on what’s believed to be the oldest parcel of land in the country continuously owned by African Americans. The Richard Allen Museum is downstairs.
“Independence Hall shows you where the nation was founded,” Ryan says, “but these three places show you who built it, who plotted it, and who was here while it happened.”
