Staff Picks: Our Favorite Local Eateries in Philly

Whether you’re new in town or just visiting for the weekend, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by Philly’s extensive food scene. To help you find the locally loved favorites, we turned to our best resource – the staff here at Spruce Street Commons.

From bars and bakeries to cafes and cold brews, here are our staff picks for local eateries here in Philly:

Rival Bros Coffee

Founded by two best friends and lifelong Philadelphians, Rival Bros Coffee is a small batch coffee roaster with a big local following. Along with their three cafes in the city, Rival Bros also sells pastries from local bakeries plus bags of beans for you to create the perfect brew at home. 

Metropolitan Bakery

Metropolitan Bakery is our favorite spot for freshly made bread, croissants, and other baked goods. The shop is also known for their addictive granola. We recommend picking up a few treats to share with friends and enjoying them al fresco with a picnic in Rittenhouse or Filter Square.

Spread Bagelry

Bagels can be a contested culinary category in Philly, but the Spruce Street staff is undivided about our love for Spread Bagelry. Their Montreal-style, wood-fired bagels are a fan favorite amongst our team, and thanks to their convenient Rittenhouse location, a bagel-wich breakfast sandwich is never more than a few blocks away.

Pizzeria Vetri

While there is no shortage of pizza in the city, Pizzeria Vetri is our pick for an authentic, Neapolitan-style pie. The wood-fired pizzeria is committed to the art of authentic pizza making, and you can taste their commitment to fresh ingredients in every slice. Give one of their seasonal pizzas a try.

Bar Bombon

When it comes to Latin American cuisine, you can’t go wrong with Bar Bombon. The tapas restaurant and tequila bar serves up authentic, Puerto Rican recipes with a plant-based twist and was even ranked as one of the top 50 restaurants for vegetarians in the country. 

Monk’s Café

Located just around the corner from The Touraine, Monk’s Café is a Belgian brewpub that never disappoints. Beer enthusiasts love Monk’s for their impressive brew list featuring beers from across the country and worldwide. The gastropub also attracts foodies who flock to the restaurant for their delicious mussels and fries.

Bob and Barbara’s

Bob and Barbara’s Lounge has been a destination for live music, fun drink specials, and good times since 1969. While the lounge hosts jazz musicians and drag performers, the stage welcomes musicians of all genres and even holds karaoke nights. We recommend starting your night with “the special”: a beer and a shot combo that is sure to get the party started.

We hope you found some new spots to add to your Philly culinary bucket list! Many of these spots are just a few blocks from The Touraine and Annex, perfect for our residents and travel apartment guests. If you do happen to try one of our recommendations, be sure to tag us on Instagram so we can feature you on our page. Have fun and happy eating!