The 8 Best Chefs in Philadelphia

These nationally revered chefs are bringing their culinary expertise to Philadelphia.

Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon, @kuhnnok
Named Best Chef Mid-Atlantic by the James Beard Foundation in 2023, Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon forged her own way. The talented chef’s Thai restaurant Kalaya features flavor-forward cuisine, and her knowledge about travel and international dishes comes from her past as a flight attendant.

Colin Henderson, @colinhenderson77
Joining the Jean-Georges Philadelphia team in April, Colin Henderson is making his mark as the new chef de cuisine. Born and raised in Canada, Henderson made his way to the States and worked at the Michelin-starred restaurant Quince in San Francisco.

Cristina Martínez, @barbacoachef
Originally from Capulhauc, Mexico, chef Cristina Marínez went from cooking barbacoa out of her apartment with her husband to winning the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic. Her restaurant, South Philly Barbacoa, serves her signature barbacoa, while her other restaurant, Casa Mexico, focuses on family-style dishes.

Greg Vernick, @vernickphilly
Greg Vernick got his start in the kitchen very early on, following in his grandfather and mother’s footsteps, and hasn’t looked back since. In 2012, he opened the doors to Vernick Food & Drink, a now nationally recognized restaurant known for its American cuisine. In 2017, he was awarded Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic by the James Beard Foundation and has only grown since then, opening more spots like Vernick Coffee Bar and Vernick Fish.

Jesse Ito, @jesseito
Known for his expertise in sushi and authentic Japanese cuisine, Jesse Ito is the chef and co-owner of Royal Sushi and Izakaya in Queen Village. The local star has also been nominated for the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic and Emerging Chef.

Jose Garces, @chefjosegarces
Jose Garces wears many hats, including Iron Chef, Ecuadorian chef, restaurant owner and James Beard Award winner. His restaurant Amada serves traditional Spanish tapas and small plates with a modern twist, while The Olde Bar features contemporary American dishes, seafood and signature cocktails.

Marc Vetri, @marcvetri
Marc Vetri’s restaurant, Vetri Cucina, perfectly encapsulates his love for cooking and Italian fare. The seasonal multi-course tasting menu features both classic Italian meals and the Vetri team’s extensive knowledge of global cuisine. The James Beard Award winner also owns Pizzeria Vetri, Osteria, Amis and more across Philly.

Nicholas Elmi, @nicholaselmi
Top Chef winner and owner of some of Philadelphia’s top restaurants, Nicholas Elmi, has certainly made a name for himself. Laurel and In the Valley both feature delectable dishes, with Laurel snagging a nomination by the James Beard Foundation for “Best New Restaurants” in America.