Booker’s owner Saba Tedla says she opened her restaurant in 2017 in part because there just weren’t enough options for dining out in the neighborhood, particularly the kind of eclectic American cuisine she found her West Philadelphia community craved. That means you’ll find dishes such as fried calamari, fish and chips, and black bean burgers. There’s a Southern-inspired side of the menu, too, with fried chicken and blackened catfish.

For a true, tongue-tingling taste of Sichuan, Philadelphians seek out EMei, a restaurant known for expertly replicating the spicy flavors of the southwestern Chinese province. A favorite of Philadelphia Inquirer critic Craig LaBan, the restaurant renovated its dining room in late 2019. Must-orders include the mapo tofu, Chongqing spicy chicken, and an order of cold sesame noodles to counter some of the heat.

The vibrant green building that houses Bar Bombón is fitting. Known for its plant-based, Latin-inspired menu, the restaurant is loved for a wide variety of flavorful vegan options. Owner and veteran vegan chef Nicole Marquis draws on her Puerto Rican heritage to create vegetable-forward dishes that include Philly “steak” empanadas, Latin chop salad with blackened chick’n and cilantro dressing, and tostones.

This longstanding Italian restaurant epitomizes what Philadelphians love about their BYOBs. Menu favorites, such as the PEI mussels in red or white sauce, gnocchi pesto, and lobster ravioli, persist year after year. Bistro La Baia offers great hospitality at an affordable price point in an intimate and cozy dining room, with most of the generously sized entrees priced under $30. At lunch time, look for the chicken parmigiana with linguine in marinara for a hearty Philly meal.

Named for chef and co-owner Marcie Turney’s grandparents, Bud & Marylin’s pays tribute to Turney’s Midwestern upbringing in Ripon, Wisconsin. The American restaurant in Midtown Village attracts its fair share of visitors, but happy hour is packed with regulars who live and work nearby. Expect generous portions of comforting dishes such as short rib stroganoff and fontina-stuffed meatloaf. The whimsical, retro dining room is a welcoming place to linger.

A dual specialist in sushi and ramen, this intimate Old City gem attracts superfans of raw fish and brothy bowls. But the dumplings, shrimp shumai, and buns on the menu are another good reason to go. In addition to stellar meat and fish dishes, every section of the menu boasts many creative plant-based options, such as a vegan red dragon roll topped with eggplant and a veggie poke bowl. There’s no better place in town to feast on a vegan sushi platter.

This family-friendly riverside restaurant wows with its menu of Neapolitan-style pizzas cooked in a wood-burning oven. Keep it classic with a pepperoni pie, or sample something a little different with the burrata pizza with garlic spinach and balsamic onions. Housemade pastas are also exceptional. Try the tagliatelle with roast pork, broccoli, and white beans. There’s a food-friendly wine list with new and old world options, plus craft beers from Italy and cocktails, too.

The completion of the Comcast Technology Center in 2018 brought thousands of new tech workers and residents to the Logan Square section in Center City. Thanal co-owner Hariharan Karmegam meets this new demand with an expansive menu of Indian dishes and a bustling lunch service. Indian railway peppers (battered and fried chiles) and the Thanal special goat curry are a couple of menu standouts. Equipped with a full bar, Thanal is also a busy happy hour hangout.

A Korean-inspired gastro pub in the Graduate Hospital area, Southgate offers a crowd-pleasing selection of inventive fusion plates. Neighbors frequent the spot for a drink from the great selection of craft beer, wine, and spirits. Crowds also flock here for the beloved Korean fried chicken, which is available in sweet or spicy versions (or both). Bao buns, filled with bulgogi beef, spicy pork, tofu, or mushrooms, are another can’t-miss snack.

This family-owned Baltimore Avenue stalwart is a go-to place for Eritrean and Ethiopian food. Dahlak has been a staple since 1987, and now it’s in the capable hands of the founders’ son, Ephream Amare Seyoum. The menu’s stews fill the calm dining room with the scents of ginger, cinnamon, and garlic (ingredients that are part of the family’s trademark berbere spice blend). The spongy, tangy injera is made in-house and not to be missed.