11 Iconic Philadelphia Foods & Must-Have Philly Eats

Philly’s most iconic food is, of course, the cheesesteak. Invented by Pat Olivieri of Pat’s King of Steaks in 1930, a traditional cheesesteak is simply a crusty roll filled with thin-sliced beef and a choice of cheese — provolone, American or Cheez Whiz (with or without grilled onions).

The across-the-street rivalry between Pat’s and Geno’s Steaks draws throngs to East Passyunk for taste-offs, but beloved steak jawns are found across the city including Dalessandro’s Steaks and Hoagies, Joe’s Steaks + Soda Shop, Steve’s Prince of Steaks, Campo’s Philly Cheesesteaks, and Chubby’s Steaks.

Philly’s answer to the sub or hero, a classic hoagie consists of meat, cheese, veggies and a spread on a long roll (fresh from bakeries like Amoroso’s or Sarcone’s).

Philly is also awash in amazing neighborhood hoagie shops like Cosmi’s Deli, Angelo’s Pizzeria South Philly, Woodrow’s Sandwich Shop, Liberty Kitchen PHL, Fink’s Hoagies and Martha Kensington, while local chain Primo Hoagies has a small empire with over 40 shops throughout the city and countryside.

For a more extreme variety, Pizzeria Beddia has a secret hoagie room groups can reserve for a “hoagie omakase” tasting menu experience.

Though not as famous as the cheesesteak or hoagie, the roast pork sandwich — a regional Italian American standout — is the true signature Philly sandwich for many locals, consisting of tender oven-roasted pork shoulder (shaved or chopped) layered with melted sharp provolone and garlicky sautéed broccoli rabe on an Italian roll.

John’s Roast Pork is the go-to for many, but stellar roast porks can be found throughout Philly at stops like George’s Sandwich Shop, Tommy Dinic’s Roast Pork at Reading Terminal Market, Shank’s Original Pier 40, Poe’s Sandwich Joint, Old Original Nick’s Roast Beef and Tony and Nick’s Steaks.

Figure-eight shaped, joined together in fives and slightly moist (so the salt melts), Philly soft pretzels are not the twists you’re used to. But once you taste, you’ll understand why Philadelphians eat 12 times as many pretzels as the average American.

The best pretzels can be had from street vendors, neighborhood corner stores or bakeries like Center City Pretzel Co., Tasty Twisters Bakery or one of the nearly 30 Philly Pretzel Factory locations in the city and countryside. Don’t forget the spicy brown mustard.

It’s a somewhat confusing name, but water ice (locally pronounced as “wooder ice”) is the perfect summer treat. Similar to Italian ice, the simple combination of fruit or syrup with finely shaved ice can be found at traditional shops like John’s Water Ice, Rose’s Real Italian Water Ice, Morrone’s Water Ice, Pop’s Homemade Italian Ice and suburban Yardley Ice House.

For creative flavors like strawberry daiquiri and cantaloupe, check out Siddiq’s Water Ice, and for gourmet options stop by D’Emilio’s Old World Ice Treats. And don’t sleep on Philly’s ubiquitous Rita’s Water Ice (nearly 100 local locations!).

Visitors would be hard-pressed to find a Philadelphian who doesn’t have nice things to say about their favorite variety of Tastykakes snack cakes. From Butterscotch Krimpets and Peanut Butter Kandy Kakes to Chocolate Juniors and Creme Filled Chocolate Cupcakes (and dozens of more varieties), Tastykakes have been Philadelphia’s sweet snack of choice for more than a century.

Ordered directly from the bakery or found in nearly every local convenience store — including at popular chain Wawa — nobody bakes a cake as tasty as a Tastykake.

A mixture of pork, spices and cornmeal sliced then pan-fried, scrapple is a salty-crispy breakfast meat introduced to the region by Pennsylvania Dutch immigrants.

Today, scrapple — often from local purveyors like Godshall’s, Habbersett and Hatfield Quality Meats — can be found on breakfast sandwiches or served as a side dish (try it with syrup) in greasy spoon diners and brunch joints around the Philly area such as Front Street Café, Silk City Diner, Sulimay’s Restaurant, Penrose Diner, Stockyard Sandwich Co., and long-time Reading Terminal Market eateries Dutch Eating Place and Down Home Diner.

It’s kind of like pizza, but also not at all. A Philly region party staple, tomato pie is thick, spongy, focaccia-like dough baked rectangle flat with fresh tomato sauce, a hint of grated pecorino Romano or Parmesan and oregano, served chilled or room temperature.

The dish can be found at many South Philly institutions like Sarcone’s Bakery, Cacia’s Bakery and Carangi Baking Company; other city shops like Gaeta’s Tomato Pies, Marchiano’s Bakery and Pizza Shackamaxon; and in the suburbs at Conshohocken Italian Bakery or Corropolese Italian Bakery.

There’s something supremely comforting about homemade Italian red gravy (South Philly for “sauce”) served over fresh pasta. Given the rich Italian-American heritage of Philadelphia, it’s no surprise some of the best red sauce joints are found here.

In South Philly’s Italian Market, you’ll find some of the most authentic ristorantes and trattorias like Villa di Roma, Dante & Luigi’s, Fiorella Pasta and Ralph’s Italian Restaurant (around since 1900). Among spots elsewhere worth a visit are A Mano, Vetri Cucina and Osteria, and for dinner and a show, do not miss the singing servers at The Victor Café.

The quintessential Philly candy confection, Goldenberg Peanut Chews are dense but gooey bars of nuts and sweet syrupy molasses enrobed in chocolate.

First issued in 1890 by Romanian immigrant David Goldenberg, this chocolate treat — available at many grocery stores and convenience stores in the region — has become a mainstay of regional trick-or-treat bags, summer backyard gatherings and Eagles Super Bowl parties.

Popularized in Philly during the 19th century, pork roll is a sausage-like breakfast meat often sliced into rounds, grilled until it splits and served on a bagel, Kaiser roll or English muffin with egg and cheese. This Philly favorite (also beloved by New Jerseyans, many of whom call it “Taylor ham”) rivals scrapple as the breakfast meat of choice.

Find it on a breakfast sandwich or simply on the side at brunch spots and diners throughout the region, from Rowhome Coffee and Lennie’s Hoagies to New Hope Star Diner and Middle Child.

Take it from us: Philly does food really, really well. All the Philly classic eateries above live alongside some of the best restaurants in the country. Don’t take our word, just ask the prestigious James Beard Awards who have honored nearly 40 Philly establishments in recent years (including 2019 Outstanding Restaurant winner Zahav and 5-time Outstanding Restaurateur winner Stephen Starr) which added 2023 award winners Friday Saturday Sunday for Outstanding Restaurant, Kalaya for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic and Outstanding Restaurateur Ellen Yin of Fork, a.kitchen + bar and High Street Philly.

Check out more restaurants with international best-of accolades like Laser Wolf, Irwin’s and Pizzeria Beddia, plus lots (and lots and lots) of spots to grab a drink, and you’ll have only touched on some of the best places to eat and drink in Philadelphia.