Taste Our Global Flavors

African Diaspora Flavors

Delicious aromas emanate from kitchens found in Philadelphia, so grab a fork and venture off the beaten path. Head to Warmdaddy’s on the waterfront for a plate of down-home decadence, including fried fish and black-eyed peas. Meet friends for happy hour and snack on sweet potato fries at Reef Caribbean Lounge on South Street and Ms. Tootsie’s Soul Food Café for turkey chops, sweet potato cheesecake, and other signature dishes rated “Best Soul Food” by Black Enterprise magazine. At the other end of South Street, sit on the veranda or picnic tables at the Jamaican Jerk Hut, made famous in the movie “In Her Shoes,” and hear a reggae jam band. Head to Northern Liberties for dessert and get your fix at the Brown Betty Dessert Boutique, where a tempting array of specialty cakes named after the owners’ sassy female ancestors are showcased.

Asian Flavors

Feast on Thai, Malaysian, Burmese, Szechuan, Mandarin, Hunan, Filipino, Indian and Vietnamese cuisine in Philadelphia. Plenty of restaurants have tailored their menus to cater to vegetarians. Sip tapioca bubble tea for a refreshing treat and plan your midnight meal after a late night out on the town- after all, some restaurants are open until 2 a.m.! Stop by Fuji Mountain Restaurant for sushi and singing- karaoke is available in the upstairs bar area. Tempt your tastebuds in Old City and stop in to restaurants such as Hikaru and Buddakan for contemporary Asian fusion, hibachi or sushi dishes that make dining in Philadelphia an eclectic experience.
Dig Dim sum? The thrill of the unknown delicacies found in small bamboo steamers are a perfect idea for a light bite. Ocean Harbor is one of the Chinatown restaurants serving dim sum daily, while Sunrise restaurant offers Cantonese-style dim sum. Reserve your spot on chef Joseph’s Poon’s Wok N Walk Tour, where you can hear about the preservation of many Chinatown traditions while learning a few culinary techniques you can show off back home.  

Latin American & Caribbean Flavors

Traditional and contemporary Latin American and Caribbean cuisine abounds in Philadelphia. Aromatic dishes from Cuba, Colombia, Mexico and Puerto Rico are a cinch to spot on local menus. Tapas bars are the perfect option for the patron who wants to create a custom assortment of decadent nibbles. Start at Las Cazuelas, Chifa, Tierra Colombiana, Amada, or Basque-inspired Tinto. Step inside the Arbol Café for Paraguyan cuisine, or Alma de Cuba for a taste of Havana, and Tequilas for regional Mexican fare. Churrascarias are all the rage and both Chima and Fogo de Chao are a delight for the senses, with chefs carving skewered cuts of meat tableside in the Gaucho tradition. When it’s time for dessert, whether you’re searching for cuernos de azucar-croissants dusted in sugar- or bunuelos, flan, or macaroons, you’ll find them here. Panaderias La Fogogapa, Delicias & Deli, and the Colombian Bakery all offer indulgent goodies unique to Latin American and Caribbean cultures using guava and other authentic ingredients.