Bars, Restaurants & Dining
For a morning jolt, Chestnut Hill Coffee Company, which roasts beans itself, takes pride in its espresso drinks, while also offering a collection of pastries, desserts and soups. There’s also a Starbucks conveniently located near the SEPTA Regional Rail station.
Cake offers a simple-but-refined breakfast of brioche French toast topped with honey butter and pecans, a quiche of the day, vegetable frittata or a smoked salmon plate - though don’t leave without picking up a carrot cake to take a fork to later. An island breakfast is served at Louie’s Little Hut, with breakfast quesadillas and burritos, waffle sandwiches and a breakfast burger with avocado. Barry’s Buns makes rotating varieties of sticky buns and cinnamon rolls from scratch.
Samosas, chicken tikka masala and shrimp curry are on the menu at Indian restaurant Banjara, with right-priced combo platters for lunch. Primo Hoagies operates one of its coveted sandwich locations out of the neighborhood, and Fiesta Pizza offers the usual pizza and stromboli options but, also, gems like a chickpea spread, baked feta, spanakopita and an abundance of salad options. For a sit-down lunch affair, Chestnut Grill on Germantown Avenue perfects brunch on weekends with options like a lamb burger and huevos rancheros, best scarfed down with an Old Bay Bloody Mary waiting in the wings on a nearby coaster.
Mica Restaurant, a cozy BYOB that only serves dinner and has an ever-evolving menu, is inspired by seasonal produce and takes small liberties with classic dishes - like a moulard duck with turnips and grilled onions that’s dressed in juniper honey. CinCin is a beloved pan-Asian spot for quality saute, lo mein, orange beef and other Chinese recipes. Paris Bistro shines with its truffled goat cheese burger, trout and duck cassoulet with garlic sausage.
Locals also love to hit up Trolley Car Diner for casual eats any time of day - inside a 1952 Mt. Airy trolley car. For a nightcap, head to El Poquito for mezcal and fresh-juiced margaritas, or McNally’s for a beer and a “Schmitter.”
Night Kitchen Bakery and Cafe nails cakes, pies and puddings for dessert; Bredenbeck’s Bakery & Ice Cream Parlor is where to pick up Bassetts ice cream without making the trip to Reading Terminal Market.