Michelle’s guidebook
Fishtown Scene
Fishtown Food, Nightlife, and shopping.
Recommendations from https://www.bonappetit.com/gallery/fishtown-philadelphia-big-fat-weekend
International Bar
If you’re doing pre-dinner drinks in Fishtown, you best head to International Bar. You’ll walk in, and say to yourself, “Oh, nice, this bar looks cool. Good list of beers and cocktails. Dude spinning vinyl. Awesome.” But then you’ll spot a weird, little carpeted staircase, and now you’re like, “Wait, there’s a second floor? And they have 20 bottles of vermouth on tap? And some of the best vintage bar memorabilia I’ve ever seen? And a bar made from airplane wings? And a right angle hand shuffleboard table? What is this place?!” Yeah, it’s pure radness. Be careful, this is the kind of spot you can spend a lot of your time—and unexpectedly end the night at too.
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The International Bar
1624 N Front StInternational Bar
If you’re doing pre-dinner drinks in Fishtown, you best head to International Bar. You’ll walk in, and say to yourself, “Oh, nice, this bar looks cool. Good list of beers and cocktails. Dude spinning vinyl. Awesome.” But then you’ll spot a weird, little carpeted staircase, and now you’re like, “Wait, there’s a second floor? And they have 20 bottles of vermouth on tap? And some of the best vintage bar memorabilia I’ve ever seen? And a bar made from airplane wings? And a right angle hand shuffleboard table? What is this place?!” Yeah, it’s pure radness. Be careful, this is the kind of spot you can spend a lot of your time—and unexpectedly end the night at too.
PIZZA
Catching a little buzz at the brewery calls for a slice of pizza, and the slices at PIZZA should be your first choice. Located in the old Pizzeria Beddia space on Gerard and Shackamaxon, the shop uses uses top-notch ingredients (including organic produce from Riverwards) on their pies. The slices are a little pricey (think $4 and up), but absolutely worth it. The plain slice is a crash-course in simple, responsible, perfect pizza.
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Pizzeria Beddia
1313 North Lee StreetPIZZA
Catching a little buzz at the brewery calls for a slice of pizza, and the slices at PIZZA should be your first choice. Located in the old Pizzeria Beddia space on Gerard and Shackamaxon, the shop uses uses top-notch ingredients (including organic produce from Riverwards) on their pies. The slices are a little pricey (think $4 and up), but absolutely worth it. The plain slice is a crash-course in simple, responsible, perfect pizza.
Fermentery Form
Saturday is your only shot at going to Kensington’s Fermentery Form (but look to IG for a surprise “We’re Open!” post on a Wednesday or Thursday night), and trust me, you want to get there for the beautiful, funky beers fermented in oak barrels that surround the taproom. I really love Form to Table, a bright, low-ABV table beer, as well as Formhouse, a tart farmhouse ale. Snag a couple bottles to bring back home with you. This stuff is impossible to find outside of Philly.
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Fermentery Form
1700 Palethorp StFermentery Form
Saturday is your only shot at going to Kensington’s Fermentery Form (but look to IG for a surprise “We’re Open!” post on a Wednesday or Thursday night), and trust me, you want to get there for the beautiful, funky beers fermented in oak barrels that surround the taproom. I really love Form to Table, a bright, low-ABV table beer, as well as Formhouse, a tart farmhouse ale. Snag a couple bottles to bring back home with you. This stuff is impossible to find outside of Philly.
Martha's: Take a post-dinner walk over to Martha to help with digestion. Then grab your natty Va La Vineyards rosato or your funky Fermetery Form farmhouse ale from the bar and head out to the side yard. If the weather’s right, folks will be playing bocce or sitting next to a welcoming bonfire. This Kensington bar is one of Philly’s great outdoor drinking spaces.
2113 E York St
2113 East York StreetMartha's: Take a post-dinner walk over to Martha to help with digestion. Then grab your natty Va La Vineyards rosato or your funky Fermetery Form farmhouse ale from the bar and head out to the side yard. If the weather’s right, folks will be playing bocce or sitting next to a welcoming bonfire. This Kensington bar is one of Philly’s great outdoor drinking spaces.
The Late-Night Dive Bar Crawl
Fishtown is a great place to drink, but more specifically, Fishtown is a great place to drink at dive bars. Start off a crawl at Johnny Brenda’s, a bar and concert venue with the same level of local name recognition as Mayor Kenney. If there’s a show going on upstairs, or someone spinning records, buy a ticket. If not, finish your round and head down Frankford Ave. to Fishtown Tavern. A $3 pint of Kenzinger is as mandatory as taking a picture of the “Fishtown” beer fridge. If you’re still thirsty, find Old Philadelphia or Les and Doreen’s Happy Tap. But be prepared to take some OG Philly attitude—these are true local joints.
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Fishtown Tavern
1301 Frankford AveThe Late-Night Dive Bar Crawl
Fishtown is a great place to drink, but more specifically, Fishtown is a great place to drink at dive bars. Start off a crawl at Johnny Brenda’s, a bar and concert venue with the same level of local name recognition as Mayor Kenney. If there’s a show going on upstairs, or someone spinning records, buy a ticket. If not, finish your round and head down Frankford Ave. to Fishtown Tavern. A $3 pint of Kenzinger is as mandatory as taking a picture of the “Fishtown” beer fridge. If you’re still thirsty, find Old Philadelphia or Les and Doreen’s Happy Tap. But be prepared to take some OG Philly attitude—these are true local joints.
This Front St. spot is a few different things. It’s a market, a sandwich shop, a pop-up kitchen space, and a deli. But what we love most about it is cheesemonger Matt Buddah’s selection of curds. Whether you’re looking for something funky, fresh, imported, or locally produced, you’ll be able to find the good stuff here.
Liberty Kitchen PHL
1400 N Front StThis Front St. spot is a few different things. It’s a market, a sandwich shop, a pop-up kitchen space, and a deli. But what we love most about it is cheesemonger Matt Buddah’s selection of curds. Whether you’re looking for something funky, fresh, imported, or locally produced, you’ll be able to find the good stuff here.
Suraya landed on our Top 50 Best New Restaurants last year, and remains one of our favorite stops for Lebanese breakfast. I always fill the whole table with a mezze plate, an order of hummus (with lamb or mushroom), the kafta kebab plate (the fries are seriously some of the best I’ve ever had), and something from the long list of man’oushe (flatbreads), like the tomato and kishik or the za’atar and cheese. If this doesn’t sound like breakfast to you, it’s about time you get on board.
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Suraya Restaurant
1528 Frankford AveSuraya landed on our Top 50 Best New Restaurants last year, and remains one of our favorite stops for Lebanese breakfast. I always fill the whole table with a mezze plate, an order of hummus (with lamb or mushroom), the kafta kebab plate (the fries are seriously some of the best I’ve ever had), and something from the long list of man’oushe (flatbreads), like the tomato and kishik or the za’atar and cheese. If this doesn’t sound like breakfast to you, it’s about time you get on board.
shopping
Vestige
I’ve never bought any of the womenswear in Vestige (more of a menswear guy myself), but I find myself stopping in anyway for some inspiration from whatever vintage clothes they have on the racks. The small retail space on Frankford Ave. is also sprinkled with cookbooks, jewelry, skincare goods, and ceramics—which is to say, whether you’re looking to update your wardrobe or grab a gift for a friend, you’re in the right spot.
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VESTIGE
2041 Frankford AveVestige
I’ve never bought any of the womenswear in Vestige (more of a menswear guy myself), but I find myself stopping in anyway for some inspiration from whatever vintage clothes they have on the racks. The small retail space on Frankford Ave. is also sprinkled with cookbooks, jewelry, skincare goods, and ceramics—which is to say, whether you’re looking to update your wardrobe or grab a gift for a friend, you’re in the right spot.
Field Plant and Supply
2032 Frankford Ave plants and local ceramics
Food scene
Okay, this stop isn’t technically in Fishtown or Kensington. It’s actually a bit further north in Port Richmond (attached to The Lunar Inn café), but if you’re in the area, it would be a shame to miss the selection of naturally fermented beer, wine, and cider from the likes of Franchere Wines, Partida Creus, Strohmeier, and Tired Hands Brewing—rare sights in Philly’s retail market. Tiny’s is the Philly bottle shop for those who are bored with California Cabs and oaky Chardonnays.
[recommendation from https://www.bonappetit.com/gallery/fishtown-philadelphia-big-fat-weekend]
Tinys Bottle Shop
3124 Richmond StreetOkay, this stop isn’t technically in Fishtown or Kensington. It’s actually a bit further north in Port Richmond (attached to The Lunar Inn café), but if you’re in the area, it would be a shame to miss the selection of naturally fermented beer, wine, and cider from the likes of Franchere Wines, Partida Creus, Strohmeier, and Tired Hands Brewing—rare sights in Philly’s retail market. Tiny’s is the Philly bottle shop for those who are bored with California Cabs and oaky Chardonnays.
[recommendation from https://www.bonappetit.com/gallery/fishtown-philadelphia-big-fat-weekend]
It’s called a hoagie, not a sub, and you should get one at Castellino’s Italian Market. This Italian market and grocery sells packaged goods like cheese, jams, pickles, oil, vinegar, and pasta, but the Italian sandwiches made behind the counter are the main attraction. The layers of sliced meats and cheese and shredded lettuce, all stacked between a soft-on-the-inside, crackly-on-the-outside Italian roll, are monumental. Be ready to take down a substantial sandwich. Or just get one to split. Either way, hit it with some banana peppers.
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Castellino's Italian Market
1255 E Palmer StIt’s called a hoagie, not a sub, and you should get one at Castellino’s Italian Market. This Italian market and grocery sells packaged goods like cheese, jams, pickles, oil, vinegar, and pasta, but the Italian sandwiches made behind the counter are the main attraction. The layers of sliced meats and cheese and shredded lettuce, all stacked between a soft-on-the-inside, crackly-on-the-outside Italian roll, are monumental. Be ready to take down a substantial sandwich. Or just get one to split. Either way, hit it with some banana peppers.
NOT ONLY A TAKE-OUT RETAIL SHOP, BOTTLE BAR EAST IS ALSO A PLACE TO HANG OUT WITH LOCALS AND BEER FANS ALIKE.
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Bottle Bar East
1308 Frankford AveNOT ONLY A TAKE-OUT RETAIL SHOP, BOTTLE BAR EAST IS ALSO A PLACE TO HANG OUT WITH LOCALS AND BEER FANS ALIKE.
Grocery
This beautiful corner grocer ticks all the right boxes: Local and organic goods. Produce from Pennsylvania and New Jersey farms. Meats from Philly’s best butcher, Primal Supply. Bread from Philly Bakery and Lost Bread. Cookbooks. Pantry staples. Charcuterie. Bulk bins. Baba’s Bucha PA-made kombucha. Riverwards Produce isn’t just a place where Fishtown’s homecooks go before making...exclusively Bon Appétit recipes. Local chefs, like the crew at PIZZA, source organic produce for their restaurants here too.
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Riverwards Produce Market
2200 E Norris StThis beautiful corner grocer ticks all the right boxes: Local and organic goods. Produce from Pennsylvania and New Jersey farms. Meats from Philly’s best butcher, Primal Supply. Bread from Philly Bakery and Lost Bread. Cookbooks. Pantry staples. Charcuterie. Bulk bins. Baba’s Bucha PA-made kombucha. Riverwards Produce isn’t just a place where Fishtown’s homecooks go before making...exclusively Bon Appétit recipes. Local chefs, like the crew at PIZZA, source organic produce for their restaurants here too.
Baked Goods
Alex Bois (a High Street on Market alum) set up shop in a warehouse on the border of Fishtown two years ago, and has been making the neighborhood’s best baked goods ever since. Lost Bread Co.’s country loaf is perfect dinner table bread, but don’t leave without a bag of the pretzel shortbread cookies. They’re sweet and salty and pretzel-y in the most unexpected ways. The hominy biscuit and malted chocolate chip cookies are not be missed either.
Lost Bread Co.
1313 N Howard StAlex Bois (a High Street on Market alum) set up shop in a warehouse on the border of Fishtown two years ago, and has been making the neighborhood’s best baked goods ever since. Lost Bread Co.’s country loaf is perfect dinner table bread, but don’t leave without a bag of the pretzel shortbread cookies. They’re sweet and salty and pretzel-y in the most unexpected ways. The hominy biscuit and malted chocolate chip cookies are not be missed either.
Philly Style Bagels is a take out-only place. Retail space is small, no chairs, no space to linger for too long. Line forms quickly! Check hours of operation before going.
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Philly Style Bagels
1451 E Columbia AvePhilly Style Bagels is a take out-only place. Retail space is small, no chairs, no space to linger for too long. Line forms quickly! Check hours of operation before going.