The Best New Restaurants in Philly to Try in February 2025
Philadelphia’s food scene is constantly evolving, with new restaurants offering everything from upscale dining to casual comfort food. Whether you’re craving seafood, steak, or global flavors, these new openings are already making a splash.
Rooster’s Glenside (Glenside)
This polished pub from Stove and Co. Restaurant Group serves elevated comfort food like pastrami and Swiss egg rolls, blackened salmon BLTs, and braised short rib shepherd’s pie. It’s quickly becoming a neighborhood favorite.
Picnic (East Kensington)
From the team behind Pizzeria Beddia, this backyard-style eatery is perfect for relaxed gatherings over East Coast oysters, wood-fired rotisserie, potato gratin, and pork schnitzel with apple and walnut.
Pearl’s on the Corner (Fishtown)
A cozy new cocktail bar serving seafood and comfort bites. Don’t miss the Smooth Operator, a creative espresso martini riff made with Hennessy, Averna, Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur, and cold brew.
Uncle Gus’ Steaks (Reading Terminal Market)
A new cheesesteak hotspot from the teams behind Angelo’s Pizzeria, Pearl’s Oyster Bar, and Tommy DiNic’s. Expect 12-inch cheesesteaks served on Danny DiGiampietro’s legendary homemade bread.
Dear Daphni (Rittenhouse)
Michael Schulson’s Eastern Mediterranean restaurant features dishes like Moroccan meatballs, Turkish dumplings, saganaki, and whole branzino with lemon and dill—all in a colorful, maximalist dining space.
Almanac (Old City)
Tucked above Ogawa Sushi & Kappo, this Japanese-American bar offers inventive bites like karaage octopus, wasabi fries, miso-glazed chicken wings, and wagyu hot dogs, plus craft cocktails by bartender Rob Scott.
Little Water (Rittenhouse Square)
This seafood-focused spot from James Beard-nominated chef Randy Rucker highlights coastal flavors from New England to the Gulf Coast, with bluefin tuna, caviar with hush puppies, swordfish Milanese, and peekytoe crab-topped hash browns.
A Man Full of Trouble (Society Hill)
A restored Revolutionary War-era tavern turned 25-seat tasting room, offering small-batch brews from Succession Fermentory and a museum upstairs showcasing Colonial artifacts.
Majdal Bakery (Queen Village)
This beloved Middle Eastern pop-up now has a permanent space, serving shakshuka flatbreads, tahini-maple babka muffins, and sumac chicken fatayer pies—open Thursday to Sunday.
Scampi (Queen Village)
Chef Liz Grothe’s long-awaited Italian restaurant delivers a five-course tasting menu ($115 per person, including tax and tip) with dishes like Caesar toast, pasta alla bomba, paella arancini, and her signature scampi.
Philadelphia’s restaurant scene is thriving, and these new openings prove there’s always something exciting to try. Whether you're in the mood for a cozy bar, upscale seafood, or the perfect cheesesteak, these spots are worth a visit.
