South Philly dominates Zagat’s list of Philly’s Top 50 Restaurants

With staples and standouts up and down E. Passyunk Ave., it’s no secret that South Philadelphia is rapidly becoming the place to dine in the city.

Zagat just released their list of the Top 50 Restaurants in Philadelphia and South Philly takes up 30%, 15 out of 50 spots, on it. Let’s see the results.

Coming in at #4 on the list, the highest rated restaurant in South Philly is Bibou at 1009 S. 8th St. Zagat raves about the cuisine, saying it’s the “gold standard” of classic French bistro cooking and highly recommends the $45 Sunday prix fix. Top Chef Nicholas Elmi’s Laurel at 1617 E. Passyunk Ave. came in at #6, with Noord at #9  and followed by neighboring Fond to round out the top 10.

It’s not much of a surprise that a French spot took the highest ranking. Food critic Craig LaBan recently profiled the French food scene on and around E. Passyunk Ave., noting that French cuisine was “pronounced, pretty much globally, to be dead and irrelevant.” That is, of course, until places like Laurel (#6 on Zagat’s list), Fond (#10) and Will BYOB (#35) helped to bring it back to the forefront.

We’ve compiled the South Philly spots onto one easy to read list, but do give the rest of the Top 50 a look as well. The top dishes are in parenthesis.  Also, feel free to drop us a comment to tell us why your favorite restaurant should have made the cut!

Bella Vista:

• #4 Bibou (Escargot)
• #24 Serpico (Hamachi and cobia tartare)
• #38 Dante & Luigi’s (Eggplant rollantini)
• #39 Little Fish BYOB (Hamachi)

East Passyunk Crossing

• #6 Laurel (Foie Gras and Cocoa Torchon)
• #9 Noord (Smorrebord)
• #35 Will BYOB (Foie gras and rabbit terrine)

Hawthorne

• #33 Tashan (Gol gappa)

Passyunk Square

• #10 Fond (Seared foie gras)
• #46 August (Lobster bruschetta)

Queen Village

• #42 Bistro La Minette (Escargot la Bourguignonne)
• #45 Cochon (Frogs’ legs)

South Philadelphia

• Scannichio’s (Stuffed artichoke)

Southwest Center City

• #40 The Sidecar Bar & Grille (Clam chowder gnocchi)

West Passyunk Avenue

• Old Original Nick’s Roast Beef (Roast beef sandwich)