Philadelphia’s picturesque Chestnut Hill neighborhood is known for its Germantown Avenue, canopy walkway, and Harry Potter Festival. Also called the Garden District, you’ll walk among Grand Victorian mansions and townhouses as you tour this charming area’s art galleries, antique shops, farmers’ markets, and tearooms.
This photo-worthy community also boasts many world-class restaurants, as well as countless secret spots cherished by locals. Make your way through leafy streets and rows of historic buildings as you discover these seven hidden gem eateries in Chestnut Hill.
Chestnut Hill Brewing Company
Excellent beer paired with Neapolitan pizza is the raved-about combo at Chestnut Hill Brewing Company.
All of Chestnut Hill Brewing Company’s high-quality beer is brewed in small batches onsite, and the brewery offers around eight draft beers at any given time, plus a guest cider tap. Some of the most popular beers are the west-coast style IPA and a sweet-and-tart stout.
Cooked in a wood-fired oven, the Neapolitan pizzas are all made to order with local and organic ingredients. The Presto Bianca is a standout choice, featuring a fresh garlic base, a mozzarella, parmesan, ricotta, and pecorino romano cheese mix, and arugula pesto and pine nut topping.
If you’re not in the mood for pizza, the brewery’s Taproom Kitchen also offers appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and entrees. There’s even an outdoor beer garden to make your dining experience even more memorable!
Chestnut Hill Brewing Company offers the best craft beers and brick oven pizzas in the area!
CinCin
CinCin serves up mouth-watering Pan-Asian food paired with carefully selected wines and cocktails.
CinCin’s close-knit group of chefs and servers have been collaborating for decades and have made it their focus to create crave-worthy dishes matched with wonderful alcoholic beverages.
You’ll find a fusion of Chinese and Asian cuisines at CinCin, with a touch of French influence. Some of their most interesting dishes include their Chinese Pizza, Crab Meat and Asparagus Salad, Shrimp with Honey Walnuts, and Wok Lamb and Chinese Eggplant.
CinCin also has a fine selection of handpicked wines and handcrafted cocktails. Their staff is renowned for recommending beverages that pair perfectly with their specific lunch and dinner menus.
For an Asian-fusion menu that’s sure to surprise you, spend an evening dining at CinCin.
Cake
Treat yourself to delectable baked goods at Cake’s greenhouse eatery in Germantown!
Housed in a building that was once a conservatory, Cake is a one-of-a-kind bakery environment. Not only can you dine surrounded by beautiful gardens and greenery, but you’ll bask in the warmth of the sunshine streaming in through the greenhouse windows.
This bakery makes all of its cakes to order and offers an assortment of cakes for purchase daily. All cakes come in three layers, with your choice of vanilla, chocolate, lemon, carrot cake, and chocolate decadence. The three-layer cakes also contain two layers of filling, which can be lemon curd, chocolate, raspberry, or mocha mousse. Icing choices include chocolate ganache, Italian buttercream, or cream cheese icing.
If a whole cake is too much, Cake offers mouth-watering pastries such as croissants, breakfast biscuits, and scones. Apart from homemade baked treats, Cake also serves lunch, dinner, and their beloved Sunday brunch.
With its freshly baked goods served in a greenhouse setting, Cake is iconic of the Garden District’s historic hideaways.
Chestnut Hill Grill & Sidewalk Cafe
Chestnut Hill Grill & Sidewalk Cafe is a beloved European-style sidewalk cafe serving up American bistro cuisine.
Located in the boutique Chestnut Hill Hotel, this eatery has delightful outdoor seating and exquisitely landscaped gardens. Enjoy drinks and appetizers during the restaurant’s weekday Happy Hour from 4 pm to 6 pm while you people-watch.
There’s a wide range of flavorsome dishes to choose from at Chestnut Hill Grill & Sidewalk Cafe. Whether it be a crunchy Caesar salad, tender grilled lamb chops, or a juicy burger, you’re bound to find something on the menu that catches your eye.
This Germantown restaurant has a spectacular bar, too. Treat yourself to some sparkling wine or a bottle of red or white. They also do great classic cocktails — like mules and martinis — and have a variety of draft beers.
When the weather’s worth savoring, Chestnut Hill Grill & Sidewalk Cafe is the premier outdoor dining destination in the area.
Baker Street Bread Co.
Germantown Avenue’s premier artisan bread and pastry shop is Baker Street Bread Co.
Founded in 1992, this family-owned bakery and cafe hand makes its dough using wholesome ingredients. From its quaint storefront, Baker Street Bread Co. serves award-winning bread, croissants, rolls, scones, and cookies. If you’re sitting down for brunch, some of the bakery’s most beloved dishes include its avocado toast, grilled cheese, and steamed scrambled egg sandwiches.
Baker Street Bread Co. also has high coffee standards and serves up La Colombe coffee and espresso to pair with its homemade baked items. Choose from drip coffee, cappuccinos, lattes, and cold brew. Non-caffeinated beverages include teas, hot chocolate, and smoothies.
Baker Street Bread Co.’s commitment to excellence has been praised by numerous big-name publications. The eatery was named one of “America’s Best Bread Bakeries” by Bon Appétit, “Best of Philly” by Philadelphia Magazine, and “The Toast of the Town” by USA TODAY.
Be sure to stop by Baker Street Bread Co. for the most authentic European-style bread and pastries in the Garden District.
El Poquito
Taco truck meets classic cantina at El Poquito. A vibrant spot amid Chestnut Hill’s brick-lined streets, El Poquito restaurant is influenced by the taquerías and cantinas commonly seen on Mexico’s beaches.
El Poquito’s menu offers a refreshed take on classic Mexican dishes like tacos, enchiladas, and fajitas. Creative, house-made salsas with chips are a fan favorite. This taquería uses local and sustainable ingredients for all of its dishes and can make special accommodations for gluten-free and vegetarian guests. El Poquito also holds a fantastic Taco Tuesday, with different taco specials like carne asada, grilled shrimp, swordfish, and carnitas.
El Poquito curates a fine selection of tequilas and mezcals, too. Want a freshly juiced or frozen margarita to go with your Mexican meal? Head over to El Poquito for drink specials on Margarita Monday — El Poquito’s lit-up outdoor patio makes this cantina even more fun and festive.
Immerse yourself in Mexican cuisine and culture as you enjoy tacos and margaritas at El Poquito!
McNally’s Tavern
Family-owned and operated since 1921, McNally’s Tavern is an iconic Philadelphia landmark.
Rose McNally first opened McNally’s Quick Lunch eatery for Philadelphia Rapid Transit workers — like her husband — to take a much-needed lunch break. Her tasty, homey food quickly became popular among local workers and the community. Now known as McNally’s Tavern, this family-friendly pub is run by Rose’s great-granddaughters Anne and Meg.
This historic pub makes all kinds of soups, salads, and sandwiches based on the same recipes from a century ago - with some minor updates, of course. McNally’s also offers its famous crab cakes every Friday and chicken corn chowder on the weekends.
McNally’s most legendary menu item, however, is the Schmitter. Created by Rose’s grandson Hugh James McNally, this sandwich has been referred to as “The Ultimate Cheesesteak” and “The Planet’s Greatest Sandwich” by The Press. The Schmitter features sliced beef with cheese, fried onions, tomato, grilled salami, and the pub’s signature sauce, all on a flash-broiled Kaiser roll. It’s even been recognized on the Food Network show “The Best Thing I Ever Ate!”
Visit the iconic McNally’s Tavern for one of the most famous dishes invented in Philadelphia.
Chestnut Hill Real Estate
Looking to buy, sell, or lease a property in Philadelphia’s Garden District? Get in touch with The Baer Group! This knowledgeable and friendly duo has over 20 years of experience in the real estate industry. Whether it be a purchase, sale, or lease, Daniel Baer and Jennifer McClay will guide you through the process with confidence.