Where the Stars Eat in Philly: 22 Celebrity-Approved Restaurants & Eateries

Jason Segel

Perhaps no outsider has fallen in love with Philadelphia more than Jason Segel. The How I Met Your Mother star returned to TV in 2020 with Dispatches from Elsewhere, which was shot in Philly over a span of six months. One of Segel’s dining destinations was Rittenhouse Square’s a.kitchen + a.bar, where he joyously posed for photos with fans waiting outside. That was just one stop for the star, who also checked out Vernick Food & Drink (which he “really loved a lot”), The Dandelion (which he visited several times), Franklin Fountain (where he high-fived everyone in line) and Butcher & Singer (where he dined alone).

Ed Sheeran

In 2016, pop star Ed Sheeran stopped by Barclay Prime, Stephen Starr’s high-end Rittenhouse Square steakhouse, where he ordered the $140 Barclay Prime Cheesesteak, made with wagyu ribeye, foie gras and truffled cheese whiz. Not to be outdone, in 2023, Sheeran dropped into South Philly’s blue-collar SQ Philip’s Steaks to hop behind the grill and learn to make (regular) cheesesteaks, handing out his creations free to throngs of waiting fans.

Kendall Jenner

The youngest daughter of Kris and Caitlyn Jenner, sister of Kylie and half-sister to Kim, Khloe, and Kourtney Kardashian, Kendall Jenner has established herself as a supermodel and social media star. While dating ex-76er Ben Simmons, the influencer found herself at Stephen Starr’s Buddakan, an upscale Asian-fusion spot known for its giant golden Buddha. Jenner enjoyed an order of General Tso dumplings and lobster fried rice.

Anya Taylor-Joy

Born in Miami and raised in Buenos Aires and London, The Super Mario Bros. Movie and The Queen’s Gambit star Anya Taylor-Joy describes her upbringing as “nomadic.” It was during her filming of the M. Night Shyamalan films Glass and Split in Philadelphia that she called the city “one of the first places I called home.” Taylor-Joy fell for Philly and its stellar restaurant scene. One of her favorites: trendy Gayborhood bar Charlie was a sinner, which she described as “super sexy, and all of the food is incredibly rich and satisfying.”

Paul Rudd and Owen Wilson

With its iconic olive-on-a-toothpick art deco installation pointing out over 18th and Chestnut streets, The Continental Mid-town is hard to miss. The view is even more impressive from the retro diner’s indoor/outdoor roof deck, a spot that has attracted martini-seeking celebrities like actors Paul Rudd and Owen Wilson, who spent an evening in the lounge. The vibey Stephen Starr diner — which doubled as Jason Segel, Sally Field and Andre 3000’s hangout in Dispatches from Elsewhere — has also hosted A-listers like Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore and Sigourney Weaver.

Adam Sandler

While filming his 76ers-inspired Netflix film Hustle, Adam Sandler spent his Philadelphia residency eating like a local. While living on Philly’s Main Line, the star became a regular at Sichuan/Taiwanese restaurant DanDan in Wayne, where chefs whipped up a pork-free soup dumpling especially for him. Sandler patronized many restaurants while in the region, including Steak 48 in Center City, Savona Restaurant in Gulph Mills, King of Prussia’s Davio’s Steakhouse, Old City’s Tuna Bar, Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream in Berwyn, and South Philly’s John’s Water Ice and Ray’s Happy Birthday Bar.

Bradley Cooper    

As a proud native of Jenkintown in Montgomery County, Bradley Cooper knows a lot about Philly foods from pizza to hoagies. But when dining out fancy in Center City, the Germantown Academy grad likes to take his tastes across the pond to The Dandelion, Stephen Starr’s British-inspired high-end gastropub, where he’s kind of a regular. On the menu for the Silver Linings Playbook star is one of his favorite orders: fish and chips, cider-steamed mussels and house-made ricotta with dried herbs on toasted sourdough.

Jalen Hurts

Many Philadelphia athletes have staked a favorite cheesesteak joint, many with their own signature sandwiches. But only one quarterbacked his team to the Super Bowl. It was at FoodChasers’ Kitchen in Elkins Park, where Eagles’ quarterback Jalen Hurts crafted his own steak called “The Jalen Special,” consisting of seasoned steak, fried onions, Cooper Sharp cheese and mayo. During a Super Bowl press conference, Hurts discussed the creation, saying, “I put my little ingredients on it. I made it just right.” In the next five months, sales skyrocketed over 300 percent.

Drake

Yes, Center City Philadelphia, where the biggest rap stars in the world come to… bowl. Trendy gastropub Harp & Crown offers a little secret: a full-sized, two-lane bowling alley alongside its basement speakeasy cocktail lounge. That’s where Canadian superstar rapper Drake rolled a few frames with friends Meek Mill, Migos and Ben Simmons as the world’s most interesting pin pals snacked on cheddar parmesan mac and cheese, pizza and a plate of lamb meatballs while sipping from a bottle of premium 1942 tequila.

John Travolta

Nestled atop the 60-story Comcast Technology Center (the tallest building in the U.S. outside New York and Chicago) is the JG Skyhigh Lounge, the centerpiece of the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia‘s two-story sky lobby and the highest restaurant in the city. John Travolta, the Grease star and licensed pilot, once flew his own private jet into Philly for a meal at Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s specialty drink and snack café located one floor above sister restaurant Jean-Georges.

Rob McElhenney and Kaitlin Olsen

Paddy’s Pub may be a piece of television fiction, but you can visit the Philly bar actually owned by It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia stars (and real-life couple) Rob McElhenney and Kaitlin Olsen. Located in Old City, the owners have been spotted at their gastropub that serves beer, cocktails and wine in a much, much more upscale atmosphere than where they’re employed on TV. Soccer fans also caught McElhenney taking in a soccer game between the Philadelphia Union and his (and Ryan Reynolds’) Wrexham A.F.C. at Chester’s Subaru Park.

Mick Jagger

The Rolling Stones have played Philadelphia plenty of times, so it’s no surprise frontman Mick Jagger knows a thing or two about where to dine. The Stones were back in 2019 when Sir Mick hit up Stephen Starr’s Morimoto with his son James and a gaggle of friends. The group sat down to a family-style order of Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto’s rock shrimp tempura, Wagyu beef shabu shabu, spicy tuna temaki and sushi. During the same trip, Mick stopped by Starr’s Talula’s Garden and took a private tour of the Barnes Foundation.

Bella and Gigi Hadid

Quaint artist retreat and eclectic riverside shopping destination, Bucks County’s New Hope isn’t where you might normally spot famous supermodels. But spend enough time at charming Nina’s Waffles & Ice Cream on Main Street, and you might just spot two of the biggest. Bella Hadid and her sister Gigi are regulars at the tasty creamery, where the siblings often grab a to-go cup of homemade ice cream just a 15-minute drive from their mother Yolanda’s 32-acre, 250-year-old Solebury Township lavender farm.

Jessica Alba

When looking for a little piece of Europe while visiting Philly, many celebrities stop by Stephen Starr’s Parc, an authentic Parisian bistro in “the Frenchest American city.” One A-list visitor to the Rittenhouse Square brasserie includes Fantastic Four actor Jessica Alba, who stopped by on a Tuesday evening during a week where she also hit up Louie Louis (another French-inspired spot) and steakhouse Alpen Rose. Other celebs seen ordering haute cuisine items like steak frites and beef bourguignon at Parc include Jamie Foxx, Nick Jonas, Dev Patel, Denzel Washington and Reese Witherspoon.

Tina Fey

Upper Darby’s Tina Fey never misses an opportunity to profess her love of all things Philly and suburban Delaware County. This includes a deep devotion to her favorite Delco pizza jawn, Pica’s Restaurant. The former SNL star’s passion for Pica’s rectangular pizza runs so deep that the shop sent pizzas by train to New York for Fey to share with Jimmy Fallon live on The Tonight Show. Her first stops when she comes back home for a visit? “I go to Pica’s, I hit Wawa, I murder some Tastykakes.”

Taylor Swift

Having grown up in nearby Berks County and declaring “I’m from Philly!,” Taylor Swift certainly knows where to find good food in the city. Over the years (dating back to singing before a 76ers game at age 11), Tay Tay has hit up some of the city’s best eateries before and after shows. One notable late-night excursion was to Ralph’s Italian Restaurant, America’s oldest Italian restaurant. The singer (dining with Ed Sheeran and Austin Mahone) ordered herself the chicken parmigiana platter, and left the staff a $500 tip on an $800 dinner check.

Harrison Ford

Who has spent more years being cool than Harrison Ford? The Star Wars and Indiana Jones star is himself an old Hollywood vibe. Ford was spotted one evening at the sophisticated Euro-style Rittenhouse Square restaurant Rouge, sitting alone unassumingly in a back corner reading a book. After being shuffled out the back door, the Shrinking actor found his way to Iron Chef Jose Garces’ Village Whiskey, where he had an Aviation (gin, maraschino liqueur and lemon juice) shot.

Beyoncé and Jay-Z

Musical power couple Beyoncé and Jay-Z have been coming to Philly almost every Labor Day weekend since 2012 for the latter’s Made in America festival. And every time they hit town, the couple and their three little ones stop at the high-end American farm-to-table restaurant Talula’s Garden in Washington Square West. The family often drops by the Stephen Starr eatery for Sunday brunch, one time with daughter Blue Ivy showing off her best Whip/Nae Nae while dad sang Watch Me for the assembled diners.

Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez

Back in the halcyon days of the early twenty-teens, pop stars Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez were in the throes of a young relationship. During a Philly stop on Selena’s nationwide concert tour, The Biebs flew in to meet his girlfriend for dinner at James Beard Award-winning chef Marc Vetri’s Vetri Cucina. The eatery’s sole offering is the now-$165 fixed Quattro Piatti menu, where “Jelena” enjoyed lobster panzanella, dry-aged ribeye with grilled peaches, spinach gnocchi with brown butter, almond tortellini with white truffle, and chocolate polenta soufflé.

Sylvester Stallone

Many movie hounds come to Philadelphia looking to dine at Adrian’s Restaurant from the movies Rocky Balboa, Creed and Creed II. Sadly, Adrian’s isn’t real. But the good news is the eatery that stands in for Adrian’s in real life is old-school Italian restaurant The Victor Café. The better news is that Sylvester Stallone, Rocky himself, frequents the bistro whenever he’s in town. Hit up the Passyunk Square spot to look for the man himself, or just have a classic red sauce meal while singing waiters serenade you with an aria or two.

Harry Styles

Just when you couldn’t love colorful, carefree singer Harry Styles more, you find out he’s just like us. During a show at Wells Fargo Center, the former One Direction frontman proudly declared “You know what else is great about Philadelphia? Wawa, baby!” and also casually brought up the beloved local convenience chain in an interview. The Watermelon Sugar singer has also been captured making a Wawa run, where he posed with fans and signed autographs while ordering a tuna hoagie, a vegan cookie and a mocha.