Dear Freshmen (and Transfer Students),
I don’t know about you, but when I first got to Penn I was overwhelmed by everything that both the school and Philly had to offer. Over and over again I got: “Philly has the best restaurants. You HAVE to try ALL of them!”
However, figuring out even the basics of Penn in complicated and time consuming. I was too preoccupied with figuring out how to navigate Penn In Touch and meet with my advisor – I had no time to even think about figuring out which restaurants to try first. While upperclassmen swarmed around me talking about “the f-ing amazing budino from Barbuzzo,” or “the perfect hangover cure at Metro,” I ate salads at Commons, dreaming about the delicious food I could be eating somewhere else, and wishing someone would just give me a guide with which restaurants to try first.
Which is why I made this list for you, today is your lucky day! Here are 10 of my favorite restaurants that I insist you try before your first year at Penn is over! Enjoy and you’re welcome!
1. Greek Lady
Where: 222 S. 40th Street
Perfect For: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Must Try: Grilled Chicken Platter
2. Metropolitan Bakery (Metro)
Where: 4013 Walnut Street
Perfect For: Breakfast
Must Try: Any Egg Wrap of Your Choice
3. Distrito
Where: 3945 Chestnut Street
Perfect For: Dinner
Must Try: Guacamole and Mahi Mahi Tacos
4. Harvest
Where: 200 S. 40th Street
When: Dinner
Must Try: Spicy Tofu Stir Fry
5. Hip City Veg
Where: 214 S. 40th Street
When: Dinner
Must Try: The Groothie, Banana Whips and Arugala Taco Salad
Ed. Note: the sweet potato fries omg
6. Zavino
Where: 3200 Chestnut Street
When: Dinner
Must Try: Spaghetti Squash and Brussels Sprouts
7. Parc
Where: 227 S. 18th Street
When: Brunch
Must Try: Oatmeal Brulée
8. Green Eggs Café
Where: 212 S. 13th Street
When: Brunch
Must Try: Any Omelete of Your Choice and Red Velvet Pancakes
9. Barbuzzo
Where: 110 S. 13th Street
When: Dinner
Must Try: Verdure Pizza and Salted Caramel Budino
10. Audrey Claire
Where: 276 S. 20th Street
When: Dinner
Must Try: Brussels Sprouts and Salmon