This National Soft Pretzel Day (April 26), feast on Philadelphia’s carefully curated pretzel dishes—both sweet and savory lovers will be left wanting more.
National Soft Pretzel Day will not be complete without a slice, or two, of White Dog Cafe’s housemade soft pretzel bread with spinach-artichoke spread and honey butter
1. White Dog Cafe
Crispy French and Italian bread usually takes center stage, but not at White Dog Cafe. Here, soft, housemade pretzel bread, topped with spinach artichoke spread and honey butter, is the star. Order for the group, or savor it at a table for one, before slicing into more farm-to-table plates in the chic, artistic cafe. Customers can also dine guilt-free, knowing the restaurant promotes environmental sustainability, naturally sourced ingredients and organically certified products. 3420 Sansom St., 215.386.9224, whitedog.com
2. Rowhome Coffee
If you have never tried your morning brew with a side of pretzel, you’re in for a treat. Rowhome Coffee, a local artisan coffee shop in downtown Philadelphia, is soft pretzel heaven for all salty lovers. Breakfast pretzels, deli pretzel subs and Rowhome’s famous all-day breakfast pretzel sandwiches, topped off with two eggs and Cooper sharp cheese, are sure to have every customer drooling. Rowhome’s award-winning La Colombe coffee may be worth the trip to the antique brew shop, but the pretzel dishes are sure to be the cherry on top. 2536 Pine St., rowhomecoffee.com
Brunch at Emmy Squared is elevated with a pretzel bun burger.
3. Chestnut Hill Brewing Company
What’s on tap? The Chestnut Hill Brewing Company has it all, from beer brewed on-site to mouthwatering dishes like the soft pretzel trio. Topped with Dijon mustard and spicy vegan beer cheese, this signature bite is sure to add a bit of tang to the traditional savory snack. The pub also offers 10 woodfired, Neapolitan pizzas and up to 10 selections of draft beers as well as gluten-free and vegan options, so no one has to miss out on the fun. Multiple locations, 215.247.0330, chestnuthillbrewingcompany.com
At Chestnut Hill Brewing Company, the soft pretzel trio with spicy vegan beer cheese and Dijon mustard is a must for those who like a little heat.
4. Emmy Squared
Ever wonder what the secret is to making the perfect burger? Emmy Squared dresses up its Le Big Matt in a savory pretzel bun with all the fixins in between: Think a doublestack of Pat LaFrieda grass-fed beef patties, American cheese, Sammy Sauce, greens and pickles. With 16 locations across the country, this juicy dish has been voted the best burger in Nashville and NYC by multiple publications, so you won’t be disappointed. And for those craving a pretzel bun at brunch, the breakfast burger is topped with a seared grassfed beef patty, cheese, lettuce, bacon, fried egg and Emmy Sauce. 632 S. Fifth St., 267.551.3669, emmysquaredpizza.com
5. Vedge Philadelphia
Pretzels are more than a brewery snack at Vedge Philadelphia, thanks to James Beard-nominated chefs Rich Landau and Kate Jacoby. Perched in the historic Tiger Building in City Center, this eatery is taking the salty snack to a gourmet level: Start with the soft pretzel, served with rutabaga fondue, for the perfect combination of salty and sweet. Or go right for dessert with the Chocolate Uber Chunk—a malt custard pretzel and stout ice cream dish. 1221 Locust St., 215.320.7500, vedgerestaurant.com
Photography by: Alexandra Jade Tringali; Kelli Lamantia; Daniel Berret
