Philly’s premier downtown area, the Center City District is home to more than half-dozen neighborhoods, including some of its most historic, Old City and Society Hill. In addition to tourist attractions like Independence Mall, Center City boasts an assortment of restaurants, shops, hotels, theaters, and parks that keep locals happy.
Places to Eat in Center City
Center City is the crux of Philly’s diverse dining scene, with more restaurants, bars, and cafes than any other part of the city. The variety of restaurants includes outdoor cafés, global cuisine, street food, over 300 BYOB restaurants, bars with actually great food, vegan options, and more.
Located on South Street, this cozy Graduate Hospital neighborhood eatery and coffee shop serves breakfast all day. Miles Table’s fresh brunch staples include avocado toast, tres leches French toast, and a build-your-own omelet. Go on a weekday from 8-10 am for all-you-can-eat pancakes for just five bucks!
Enjoy single-origin, hand-poured brews and espresso drinks at Elixr Coffee. This neighborhood gem is the Cheers of coffee shops, where locals are likely to run into someone they know. The dark interior’s wood floors and distressed walls provide an intimate ambiance for working on your laptop, minus loud coffeehouse tunes. Get the Guatemala coffee paired with a pastry.
When you don’t want to cook but a Wawa sandwich won’t do, grab a growler and a gourmet hoagie from The Foodery in Rittenhouse. The rustic deli and eatery offers creative sandwiches and housemade charcuterie, plus a selection of over 600 beers! If your cravings are more on the Asian side, grab some dumplings and scallion pancakes to-go from Tom’s Dim Sum.
For all your cheesy cravings, head to Mac Mart Cart. This self-proclaimed “Mac n’ Cheesery” offers nearly 20 different varieties of mac and cheese. Topped with everything from buffalo chicken, bacon, crab, and even cheesesteak, the grub at this spot is not for the health-conscious eater.
Where to Drink in Center City
Center City has no shortage of watering holes that cater to locals and visitors alike. Skip the more touristy ones and head to these instead.
Power-brunch and people watch on the patio at Parc in Rittenhouse Square. If you can score a seat at one of the much sought-after tables, order mimosas, some fruits de mer, like the lobster cocktail, and the steak frites.
via Positano 
If that’s too bougie, head to Positano Coast in Old City for $14 endless mimosas or sangria on their outdoor deck.
Head to the always-busy Center City staple Oscar’s Tavern to enjoy a cheap beer with the regulars. The old-school haunt is basically a long, windowless room, sporting red vinyl booths, wood-paneled walls, and a jukebox. This dive has a strange pub grub special: Order any cheesesteak after 4pm and you’ll get another half cheesesteak for free. We’re not complaining, though.
For natural wine, cocktails, beer, ciders, meads, and house-made vermouth, check out Bloomsday Café in Headhouse Square. The staff here enjoys the place as much as anyone else, so you’re sure to have a good time here.
Entertainment / Things to Do
Knock yourself out shopping in one of Center City’s many shopping districts—clothing and shoe sales are tax-free! Shop high-end labels along Rittenhouse Row, indie stores in Midtown Village, and fashionable boutiques in Old City.
Several important art, history, and science museums call Center City home, including Independence National Historical Park, which features more than two dozen places of historic significance. Encompassing the theater district south of City Hall, the Avenue of the Arts is the city’s designated arts cultural district. The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts is home to the renowned Philadelphia Orchestra, while the Academy of Music is the oldest opera house in the US. Theater-goers can enjoy a touring Broadway show at the Merriam Theater.
The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) is the first and oldest art museum and art school in the country. Head to Old City on the first Friday of the month to sample its eclectic galleries. One of America’s largest and oldest public markets, Reading Terminal Market offers an incredible selection of locally sourced produce, meats, seafood, cheeses, and baked goods. Plus, it has the widest variety of restaurants under one roof. Philadelphia’s most popular town square, Rittenhouse Square is a handsome tree-filled park, surrounded by highrises, fancy restaurants, and upscale retail.
LOVE Park, aka JFK Plaza, is so dubbed due to the reproduction of Robert Indiana’s LOVE sculpture, which overlooks the plaza. This postage-stamp-sized park features views of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and City Hall. It has green areas, walking paths, and open paved areas for festivals and events. LOVE park is also a skateboarder mecca.
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