By Elizabeth Scinta By Elizabeth Scinta | October 28, 2021 | Food & Drink,
The hustle and bustle of in-person nine to five jobs is back, which means the struggle of finding a restaurant for lunch has returned. From Mexican cuisine at Café Ynez to southern style hush puppies at The Love, Philadelphia has a variety of lunch spots to explore.
The Bourse
Eight restaurants in one convenient location. What’s better than that? The Bourse is an artisanal food hall with various cuisines, including Mexican at Rebel Taco and Hawaiian at Abunai Poke. All of this is inside the historic Bourse building, which was the first in the world to simultaneously house a stock exchange, maritime exchange and grain-trading exchange. The Bourse has an extensive dining area, perfect for businessmen and women to grab a bite and relax. 111 S. Independence Mall E., 212.625.0300, theboursephilly.com
Urban Farmer
Picture a steakhouse. Now take away the white tablecloths and black tie servers, and you’ve got Urban Farmer, a modern steakhouse. Focusing more on the “house” part of “steakhouse,” they want their customers to feel comfortable, but in a sophisticated way. Relax in a semi-circle booth and marvel at the farmhouse-chic interior. Corral some co-workers and share a charcuterie board, pal-no-ma mocktail and steak frites before heading back to work.. 1850 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 215.963.2788, urbanfarmsteakhouse.com
Café Ynez
Located in South Philadelphia, Café Ynez is inspired by Mexico City diners. For those seeking a midday pick-me-up, bring a favorite spirit and they’ll pair it with a mixer to make a foolproof cocktail. The menu includes both modern and authentic Mexican cuisine, such as the taco de camarones, a shrimp taco with adobo sauce, and pollo enchiladas with a side of rice and beans. 2025 Washington Ave., 215.278.7579, cafeynez.com
Stir
Take a quick trip into the world of art when you visit Stir, located inside the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Designed by world renowned architect Frank Gehry, Stir is one of Philadelphia’s must-visit contemporary lunch spots. The menu is seasonally curated with locally sourced ingredients that make up delectable dishes like the Snow Leopard melon salad with cucumber, radish, gem lettuce and lemon mint dressing. Be sure to take a walk around the museum before or after your meal. 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 215.763.8100, philamuseum.org
Marra’s
Located on one of the top ten foodie streets in America, Marra’s is a spot you won’t want to miss. Run by over three generations for more than 90 years, Marra’s has award-winning pizza cooked in their original brick oven, which is made up of bricks brought back from Mt. Vesuvius in Rome. Try the pizza palermitana topped with pepperoni, roasted peppers, onions, tomato, olives and hot pepper. Finish the meal with homemade cannoli or tiramisu. 1734 East Passyunk Ave., 215.463.9249, marrasone.com
Square 1682
Sometimes all one needs is some classic American cuisine. Take a break from your daily stressors at this lively restaurant in Center City. Order Executive Chef Mackenson Horebe’s wagyu burger, lobster bisque or tomato soup and grilled cheese made from locally sourced produce. Square 1962 was even voted one of the seven hottest hotel restaurants in Philadelphia and best hotel bar in America. 121 S. 17 St., 215.563.5008, square1682.com
Milkboy Philly
Milkboy is for those craving a little spunk during their lunchtime hour. Breakfast is served until 3 p.m. and includes items like the egg sandwich and omelet du jour. For lunch, order the caulisteak sandwich with mushroom, onion, cheese and roasted garlic aioli. Grab a seat at the bar, one of the tables inside or revel in the cool autumnal weather at a table on their al fresco sidewalk patio. 1100 Chestnut St. 215.925.6455, milkboy.tv
Talula’s Daily
Talula’s Daily is ideal for those constantly on the go. Popular plates include the spicy ranch chicken sandwich with pickled red onion, pepper jack cheese and romaine; and the soba noodle and vegetable salad with kale, cashews, cucumber, bell pepper and sesame-ginger vinaigrette. Don’t forget to stop at the coffee and espresso bar for a midday pick-me-up before heading out. If you can’t make it out of the office, consider getting Talula’s delivered. 208 W. Washington Square, 215.592.6555, talulasdaily.com
Red Owl Tavern
Across from the Liberty Bell sits Red Owl, a sophisticated tavern with delectable eats. Choose to sit inside or on the extensive outdoor sidewalk patio to munch on eggs benedict, burrata toast or the tavern burger. Get in the fall spirit by sipping on a campfire old fashioned or the flannel and shorts rum cocktail made with aged white rum, ginger beer and Goslings black seal rum. 433 Chestnut St., 215.923.2267, redowltavern.com
The Love
Whether one chooses to sit downstairs, in the loft or outside, the ambiance at The Love will make any workday blues melt away. Delve into the one-of-a-kind beverage menu inspired by trips to vineyards, breweries and cideries in the region. Try the straight arrow alcohol-free margarita or the extra mile espresso martini. For bites, order The Love’s signature “take me away” hot Nashville fried chicken with pickles and comeback sauce on a griddled brioche bun. 130 S. 18 St., 215.433.1555, theloverestaurant.com
Sabrina’s Cafe
Robert and Raquel DeAbreu opened Sabrina’s in 2001 and named it after their newborn daughter. They strived for a welcoming, homey environment where anyone could savor a tasty breakfast and lunch. Try the challah french toast, BYO burger or mum mum’s chicken noodle soup while sipping on an iced caramel latte. Multiple locations, sabrinascafe.com
Dolce Italian
Channeling the atmosphere and timeless spirit of Federico Fellini’s film La Dolce Vita, customers feel transported back in time to Rome in the 1960s. Indulge in the tuna tartare to start, then get the truffled spinach ricotta ravioli with brown butter sage sauce as an entree and the ricotta cheesecake for dessert. The bar is open all day, meticulously hand-crafting cocktails, mocktails and espresso drinks—the options are endless. 1437 Chestnut St., dolceitalianrestaurant.com
Photography by: Courtesy of The Bourse; Danya Henninger; Courtesy of Marra's; KC Tinari; Courtesy of Red Owl Tavern; Dominic Episcopo; Briana Balducci