From iconic cheesesteaks to award-winning restaurants, Philadelphia offers food that runs the gamut for groups
Bring up Philadelphia food to someone who’s never been, and odds are cheesesteaks and soft pretzels will lead the discussion. With many award-winning chefs calling the City of Brotherly love home, as well as an abundance of authentic global restaurants, Philadelphia is much more than its beloved signature dishes. Rather, Philly offers an assortment of interesting culinary experiences for visitors to the city, including those in groups. Visitors are encouraged to set aside multiple days to explore Philadelphia’s ever-growing culinary experiences and dining options. . Oh, and come hungry.
The best way for groups to explore Philadelphia’s iconic food scene is with a food tour. StrEATS of Philly Food Tour is run by a Philadelphia-born chef who creates memorable, unique and delicious experiences for groups of up to 30 people. Visit one of the country’s oldest outdoor markets, the Italian Market, or opt for a more refined tour with a visit to South Philly’s Restaurant Row on East Passyunk Avenue. Custom menus, meet-and-greets with chefs and cooking demos can also be included, as well as vegetarian and gluten-free options.
WeVenture, a national tour company that uses local guides with 10 cities under its purview, offers a “Best of Philadelphia Food Tour” that accommodates groups of any size. The culinary tour of Philadelphia starts at the city’s iconic Masonic Temple before heading to explore — and eat! — at a variety of the city’s epic food offerings, from signature classics to of-the-moment favorites. Plus, guests can visit the iconic Reading Terminal Market where large groups have the option to be divided into smaller groups for intimate tours through the market.
Philadelphia is home to an abundance of great spots to eat, including this Italian market. Photo by Kyle Huff for PHLCVB.
Learn about the history and concept of eating
Looking to dig a bit deeper into the concept of eating? The Penn Museum, an archaeology and anthropology museum located on the University of Pennsylvania’s campus, offers a tour called “We Are What We Eat.” Exploring how food culture helps us understand our identities in the past, present and future, this unique 75-minute tour delves into the phrase “we are what we eat,” discussing questions ranging from who is the “we” to how food was made. Additional topics explored across multiple museum galleries include food and food production, economics, religion and spirituality, class, gender and community.
Excellent cheesesteaks, like this one from Campo’s, can be found across the city. Photo by Kyle Huff for PHLCVB.
Satisfy your thirst for alcohol knowledge with the Penn Museum’s ancient alcohol tour, “A Taste of Bygone Booze and Beer Tasting.” This spirited tour explores how our ancestors imbibed in 5000 BC. Visitors can learn about early drinking vessels that were key to ancient Greek drinking games and the beverage served at a feast hosted by King Midas. Another aspect of the tour is an up-close look at a queen’s golden beer straw, one of the world’s oldest wine jars, as well as ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs depicting alcohol rations for those in the afterlife. Another fascinating aspect of this tour explores the studies of a Penn Museum biomolecular archaeologist who collected samples of fermented beverages from ancient vessels and brought some of these potent historic samples back to life utilizing chemical analysis. Following the tour, reward your new knowledge with a visit to the Museum Café and enjoy a glass of Flying Fish Exit 3 Blueberry Braggot, a beer that tastes very similar to an ancient recipe discovered by a Penn biomolecular archaeologist.
From tasty food tours and intriguing culinary-centric museum experiences to an abundance of iconic and new restaurants, Philadelphia is a food-lover’s paradise. Start planning your next group tour to Philadelphia at DiscoverPHL.com/Group-Tour.
Philadelphia CVB
Annie Jirapatnakul
215-636-3405 (O)
484-995-7457 (C)
Annie@Discoverphl.com
