Philadelphia Restaurant Guide: Where to Eat the Best Latin Food in Philly 

 

Philadelphia’s food star has been rising steadily for several years, thanks largely to its restaurants’ numerous James Beard Award nominations and extensive media recognition. (In 2016, two of its restaurants landed on Bon Appetit’s 50 Best New Restaurants list.) 

 

As for Latin food, Philly’s got game. Below are the Latin restaurants we love in the City of Brotherly Love.

 

 

A few blocks east of East Passyunk is the real South Philly, where you’ll find the much lauded South Philly Barbacoa serving authentic Mexican barbacoa at its best. No cheese, no sour cream, no crazy accoutrements; just tender lamb and crisp-edged pork served in corn tortillas nixtamalized on-site in a wet-stone mill from Mexico. Be advised: Get here early when they’re serving tacos (Monday to Friday). They close cuando se acabo.

 

photo: Amanda Cargill

 

 

photo: Amanda Cargill

 

 

 

Check out this spot for happy hour. Dinner is fantastic, but it’s the $5 Basque tapas, served Monday to Friday between 5pm and 7pm, that we’re crazy for. Don’t miss the chorizo a la plantxa – grill-fired adn paprika-spiced to perfection – and be sure to sit at the cozy candlelit bar. Props to Anthony, Tinto’s exceptional barman, for his Las Rosas recommendation (see above) and encyclopedic knowledge of Philly history.

photo: Amanda Cargill

 

 

 

Text A crazy name – crazy fish? – belies some seriously comforting food and drink at this pub meets taqueria mashup. A late night favorite among its artsy Fishtown neighbors – it’s open until 3am Saturday and Sunday – Loco Pez serves LA-style street food inspired by Baja and mainland Mexican sabor. Better still, it also serves more than 25 tequilas.

 

 

Photo: M. Kennedy for VISIT PHILADElPHIA-TM

 

 

 

Cuba Libre is pure fun. Part bar, part restaurant, part dance hall, its combination of Criollo Cuban home-style cooking and regional Latin food is best represented in classics like tostones, ceviche, ropa vieja, and pressed Cuban sandwiches. The Guava BBQ Ribs, slow-cooked pork ribs bathed in a sweet guave BBQ glaze and topped with pineapple and sliced pickles, are a happy hour must.

Ask any Philly foodie their fave Latin restaurants and El Vez will surely be on the list. Comforting and consistent with a relaxed vibe and convenient Center City location, guacamole, nachos, and margaritas are its stock in trade.

Photo: M. Kennedy for VISIT PHILADElPHIA-TM