17 Places You Won’t Believe Are in Philly

Philadelphia has one of the most diverse food scenes of any city in the world. These are just a few of dozens of spots with dining experiences authentic to the global cities and lands that inspire their menus.

• Marrakesh: In eclectic Queen Village a block north of South Street, Marrakesh offers an ultra-authentic Moroccan menu — served family style and sans utensils — filled with bona fide fare like savory b’stella chicken and lamb tajine, alongside extensive vegetarian options and a full bar. Enjoy the genuine culinary experience while surrounded by rug-covered banquets, silky pillows and belly dancers (on weekends) performing their raqs sharqi dances tableside.
• Perla: Set inside a skinny South Philly rowhome across from East Passyunk’s Singing Fountain, Perla opened in 2016 as the city’s first restaurant extending a contemporary take on traditional cuisine from the Philippines. Manila-born chef-owner Lou Boquila interprets classic dishes from his homeland for modern eaters, offered in traditional Kamayan (Filipino for “eating with the hands”) style on banana leaf-lined tables.
• Royal Sushi Omakase and Royal Izakaya: Straight from the bustling streets of Tokyo, Royal Sushi Omakase and Royal Izakaya is James Beard Award nominee Jesse Ito’s dual experiential Japanese sushiya in Queen Village. Casual Royal Izakaya (walk-ins only) offers a la carte sushi, sashimi, soups, salads and buns. Meanwhile, eight-seat Royal Sushi Omakase offers 17 courses of nigirizushi and temaki for $300 (reservations — which can be difficult to get — are required).
• Suraya: Romantic glittering lights, a garden fountain, Persian ironwoods and classical Arabic music filling a 5,000-square-foot outdoor terrace. Are you on a far-off Middle Eastern vacation? Nope. It’s alfresco dining in Fishtown at The Garden at Suraya. Enjoy selections from a small mezze plate menu of Levant cuisine at communal tables by the fire pit while imbibing on cocktails from the dedicated outdoor bar.
• The Victor Café: Perhaps the most Old World Italian dining experience in America can be found at South Philly’s century-old The Victor Café. Besides serving squisito classics like vegetable risotto and spaghetti rusticana, every 15 to 20 minutes the waitstaff — also classically trained opera singers — emerge to perform traditional a capella arias for diners. And if the space looks familiar, the trattoria doubled as “Adrian’s Restaurant” in Creed and Rocky Balboa.