The following is Vivian Tseng WG25’s personal guide to some of the best places for students to dine in Philadelphia.
Food, for me, is a powerful medium of connection that bridges cultural divides. Sharing a meal creates an intimate space where stories are told, and communities are built. Each dish carries tradition and personal history, inviting people to understand one another beyond surface differences. When we gather around a table and share food, we turn strangers into friends, transforming individual experiences into a collective narrative of warmth and understanding.
One of the highlights of living in Philadelphia is its food scene. It’s a delicious microcosm of the city’s soul—a place where flavors tell stories, and every meal is an adventure. From street corners to upscale dining rooms, these restaurants aren’t just serving food; they’re serving up the heart and history of the city, one dish at a time. Enjoying Philly’s many restaurants is one major way that I’ve been able to meet new people at Wharton and strengthen my community. Here are five places that I’ve had the pleasure of eating at in the last quarter.
Hardena
Tucked in a corner of South Philly, Hardena is an incredible Indonesian spot that does more than just serve amazing food. During a South East Asia (SEA) Club small group activity, I experienced how a simple meal can bring people together. The restaurant’s unassuming space became a gathering point where new friendships formed over shared plates of traditional dishes. The rendang, a slow-cooked beef braised in a symphony of coconut milk and spices, became a conversation starter, drawing people together and breaking down barriers. I realized that Hardena offers more than just a meal—it provides a space for community, understanding, and shared culinary discovery. If you’re looking to dive into authentic Indonesian cuisine and maybe make some new friends, this place is your perfect go-to.
Almyra
Following the success of the Wharton Women in Business (WWIB) Women’s Summit, our conference team chose Almyra as a place to reconnect—and what a perfect choice it was. Nestled in the heart of Philadelphia, the restaurant brings Mediterranean flavors to life. The space gave us just the right setting to decompress and celebrate our wins without the conference-planning stress. It felt like taking a mini vacation right in the middle of Philadelphia, trading conference talk for genuine conversations and incredible food. The menu at Almyra offered a delightful exploration of Mediterranean cuisine. To start, the spreads we selected, including the spicy feta and edamame hummus, were creamy, flavorful, and perfect for sharing. The crisp pita bread provided the ideal vessel for scooping up every last bite. For our main dishes, the lavraki, a whole roasted European seabass, was a standout. The fish was cooked to perfection, with a delicate, flaky texture and bright, Mediterranean flavors from the lemon, capers, and herbs. The modern space and incredible dishes felt like a reward for our collective effort—each bite told a story of teamwork, friendship, and the joy of bringing something meaningful to life together.
Osteria
Situated along North Broad Street, Osteria became a sanctuary from our typically hectic lives. Amidst the restaurant’s rustic space, with its exposed brick and warm lighting, my friends and I carved out a moment to truly connect. The menu highlighted Osteria’s commitment to homemade pastas and wood-fired pizzas, and we dove in enthusiastically. The Funghi pizza, topped with oyster mushrooms, truffle béchamel, caramelized onions, and melty taleggio, was an earthy, decadent delight. The Parma pizza, featuring prosciutto, fontina, and peppery arugula, offered a perfect balance of salty and peppery flavors. Beyond the pizza, the Baked Ricotta was a standout – a creamy, lemon-kissed ricotta served with grilled focaccia for dipping. And the Rigatoni, tossed with rich chicken liver, sweet cipollini onions, and fragrant sage, was a comforting pasta dish that warmed the soul. We spent the evening catching up, laughing, and remembering why we became friends in the first place. Each bite felt like a reminder that life isn’t just about assignments and deadlines—it’s about these moments of connection.
Perla
The Food Club’s restaurant takeover at Perla was a culinary journey into Filipino tradition through their spectacular Kamayan feast. Spread out on banana leaves, the communal-style meal was a vibrant explosion of flavors that told a story with every bite. The chicken inasal was impossibly tender, while the lechon kawali offered that irresistible crispy pork that crackled with each bite. Lumpia rolled with ground pork, carrots, and shiitake mushrooms provided a perfect appetizer, and the whole fried pompano was a showstopper. The ginataan—a medley of eggplant, long beans, cauliflower, and zucchini—brought a rich balance to the spread. We ate with our hands, connecting not just with the food but with each other, transforming the meal into a shared experience. I bumped into friends I hadn’t seen in a while and met new club members, all while exploring these incredible flavor combinations. Perla proved that food is about so much more than just eating—it’s about creating connections, sharing stories, and building community.
Rex at the Royal
Our Learning Team’s brunch at Rex at the Royal was filled with good food and even better company. The restaurant’s warm, rustic space provided the perfect backdrop for catching up with teammates I hadn’t seen in some time. I ordered the Cheesy Egg Hash Skillet, a hearty combination of home fries, sautéed onions and peppers, melted cheddar-jack cheese, and perfectly cooked over-easy eggs was both comforting and crave-worthy. But beyond the food, this brunch was really about reconnecting with my learning team. As we shared stories, laughed, and reminisced about our time together, Rex became more than just a restaurant – it was our temporary home base, a space where we could truly enjoy each other’s company and remember why our team works so well together.
–Vivian Tseng, WG25
Posted: February 18, 2025
