clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
A tightly wrapped tangle of spaghetti with three meatballs.
Spaghetti and meatballs from Charlie Was a Sinner.
Charlie Was a Sinner/Facebook

Essential Philly Late-Night Eats

Bars and restaurants where you can dine well from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m.

View as Map
Spaghetti and meatballs from Charlie Was a Sinner.
| Charlie Was a Sinner/Facebook

Philadelphia isn’t much of a late-night city, but night owls can still eat well. The after-hours food scene goes beyond Philly’s beloved diners and 24-hour cheesesteak joints to a wide range of cuisines in bars and restaurants, from burgers to Indian to vegan fare with cocktails.

Here are 15 of Philly’s best late-night restaurants that serve food between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m.

If we missed your favorite late-night spot, let us know on the tipline.

Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Kabobeesh

Copy Link

West Philly’s Kabobeesh stays open until 11:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, serving Pakistani and Indian dishes to hungry students after a night out or a long study session. The casual spot is known for its kebabs, rice dishes, and fresh naan.

Grace Tavern

Copy Link

The kitchen is open until 11:15 p.m. every day at this Graduate Hospital tavern. Grace’s bartenders stock a wonderful beer collection, and those in the know order blackened green beans alongside their grilled Grace burgers.

American Sardine Bar

Copy Link

There’s not much else around Point Breeze’s American Sardine Bar, but it’s worth the detour for the bar’s great beer list and tight, rotating menu of perfectly executed beer-friendly food, served until midnight daily. Patrons can take their time even after the kitchen closes since the restaurant stays open until 2 a.m.

Good Dog Bar

Copy Link

A real bar with a real food menu is just the ticket at the end of a night and that’s where this Center City District restaurant comes in. Order from the full menu of impeccable bar food — including the popular burger — until 1 a.m. daily. Try to catch one of executive chef Carolynn Angle’s luxe daily specials, which currently include chicken and liver pate as well as tacos de lengua (beef tongue). An Atlantic City sibling of the same name should open later in 2023.

McGillin's Olde Ale House

Copy Link

Philly’s oldest bar is known as a late-night drinking spot, but McGillin’s also serves its full menu of comfort food until 1 a.m. every day of the week. Mile-high meatloaf, shepherd’s pie, wings, and nachos are a great way to wrap up a night at this Midtown Village classic.

In Center City, Time keeps its kitchen open until 1 a.m., serving cheffy snacks and entrees including white mussels, shrimp and grits, filet mignon, crab cake sandwiches, and an eponymous burger. The food’s a lovely foil for the bar’s popular live music and whiskey selection.

Charlie Was a Sinner

Copy Link

Charlie Was a Sinner, a vegan cocktail bar in a narrow Gayborhood/Midtown Village space, provides superb cocktails and lively conversation until 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays, but the kitchen closes at 11 p.m. Before time’s up, order some zucchini “crab” cake sliders, pumpkin gnocchi, and butternut squash with shiitake ramen — elegant small plates that pack in flavor sans animal products.

Triangle Tavern

Copy Link

A bowl of mussels, a massive portion of eggplant parm, maybe a plate of the day’s bruschetta — these are all the makings of a great late-night dinner in true South Philly fashion. Red-gravy joint Triangle Tavern was a neighborhood staple in its heyday and now, reopened and serving food until 1 a.m., it has become one again.

Taqueria La Prima

Copy Link

This tiny taqueria in the Italian Market has done wonders for Philly’s restaurant workers and others who get off the clock late and need tasty tacos after a shift. Arrive by 3 a.m. and you can order your fill of them. (Note that this used to be named Prima Pizza Taqueria Mexicana. It doesn’t serve pizza.)

David's Mai Lai Wah

Copy Link

In Chinatown, David’s Mai Lah Wah is the late-night capital of Philadelphia, staying open until 3 a.m. This is by no means the best Chinese food in Philly, but as other options dwindle, it definitely hits the spot. Come for the fried dumplings and salt-and-pepper wings, stay for the people-watching.

Southwark

Copy Link

Not many places in Philly serve a fancy after-hours meal. Sure, there are plenty of late-night burgers, cheesesteaks, and tacos, but chicken liver mousse toast with almonds, pickled sunchokes, crispy rosemary, and burnt pear? That’s a hard ask outside of Southwark. For its category, this Queen Village charmer stays open late, putting out some excellent bar snacks until midnight. And on Mondays, the sommelier holds court at the bar until 1 a.m., pouring exclusive selections from the restaurant’s cellar.

Casey Robinson

Silk City

Copy Link

Quirky Silk City in Northern Liberties is half nightclub and half diner, creating the perfect mash-up for hungry partiers seeking comfort food classics after getting sweaty on the dance floor. The diner stays open until midnight Fridays, while the seasonal beer garden goes till midnight Fridays and Saturdays, so you can order buttermilk fried chicken, mac and cheese, turkey BLTs, and more.

Khyber Pass Pub

Copy Link

Late nights in Old City, especially on weekends, can be downright chaotic. But in the middle of it all, there’s Khyber, an oasis on Second Street with an excellent beer list and Southern and Creole cooking. The kitchen is open until 1 a.m.

North Third

Copy Link

Consistency is key when it comes to late-night eating, and North Third’s got it down pat. Reasonable prices, friendly vibes, and the evidence that someone’s making a real effort in the kitchen maintain the beloved status of this long-running Northern Liberties gastropub. The wings? They’re as good as everyone says they are — crispy, saucy, sticky, and just right after a night out on the town. The bar is open until midnight Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays but the kitchen closes at 11 p.m.

North Third [official]

Johnny Brenda's

Copy Link

One of Philly’s favorite local music venues in Fishtown has dinner and a show for night owls several days per week. The kitchen at Johnny Brenda’s stays open until 11:30 p.m. to satisfy late-night hunger with burgers, fries, snacks, and some impressive veggie dishes.

Kabobeesh

West Philly’s Kabobeesh stays open until 11:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, serving Pakistani and Indian dishes to hungry students after a night out or a long study session. The casual spot is known for its kebabs, rice dishes, and fresh naan.

Grace Tavern

The kitchen is open until 11:15 p.m. every day at this Graduate Hospital tavern. Grace’s bartenders stock a wonderful beer collection, and those in the know order blackened green beans alongside their grilled Grace burgers.

American Sardine Bar

There’s not much else around Point Breeze’s American Sardine Bar, but it’s worth the detour for the bar’s great beer list and tight, rotating menu of perfectly executed beer-friendly food, served until midnight daily. Patrons can take their time even after the kitchen closes since the restaurant stays open until 2 a.m.

Good Dog Bar

A real bar with a real food menu is just the ticket at the end of a night and that’s where this Center City District restaurant comes in. Order from the full menu of impeccable bar food — including the popular burger — until 1 a.m. daily. Try to catch one of executive chef Carolynn Angle’s luxe daily specials, which currently include chicken and liver pate as well as tacos de lengua (beef tongue). An Atlantic City sibling of the same name should open later in 2023.

McGillin's Olde Ale House

Philly’s oldest bar is known as a late-night drinking spot, but McGillin’s also serves its full menu of comfort food until 1 a.m. every day of the week. Mile-high meatloaf, shepherd’s pie, wings, and nachos are a great way to wrap up a night at this Midtown Village classic.

Time

In Center City, Time keeps its kitchen open until 1 a.m., serving cheffy snacks and entrees including white mussels, shrimp and grits, filet mignon, crab cake sandwiches, and an eponymous burger. The food’s a lovely foil for the bar’s popular live music and whiskey selection.

Charlie Was a Sinner

Charlie Was a Sinner, a vegan cocktail bar in a narrow Gayborhood/Midtown Village space, provides superb cocktails and lively conversation until 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays, but the kitchen closes at 11 p.m. Before time’s up, order some zucchini “crab” cake sliders, pumpkin gnocchi, and butternut squash with shiitake ramen — elegant small plates that pack in flavor sans animal products.

Triangle Tavern

A bowl of mussels, a massive portion of eggplant parm, maybe a plate of the day’s bruschetta — these are all the makings of a great late-night dinner in true South Philly fashion. Red-gravy joint Triangle Tavern was a neighborhood staple in its heyday and now, reopened and serving food until 1 a.m., it has become one again.

Taqueria La Prima

This tiny taqueria in the Italian Market has done wonders for Philly’s restaurant workers and others who get off the clock late and need tasty tacos after a shift. Arrive by 3 a.m. and you can order your fill of them. (Note that this used to be named Prima Pizza Taqueria Mexicana. It doesn’t serve pizza.)

David's Mai Lai Wah

In Chinatown, David’s Mai Lah Wah is the late-night capital of Philadelphia, staying open until 3 a.m. This is by no means the best Chinese food in Philly, but as other options dwindle, it definitely hits the spot. Come for the fried dumplings and salt-and-pepper wings, stay for the people-watching.

Southwark

Not many places in Philly serve a fancy after-hours meal. Sure, there are plenty of late-night burgers, cheesesteaks, and tacos, but chicken liver mousse toast with almonds, pickled sunchokes, crispy rosemary, and burnt pear? That’s a hard ask outside of Southwark. For its category, this Queen Village charmer stays open late, putting out some excellent bar snacks until midnight. And on Mondays, the sommelier holds court at the bar until 1 a.m., pouring exclusive selections from the restaurant’s cellar.

Casey Robinson

Silk City

Quirky Silk City in Northern Liberties is half nightclub and half diner, creating the perfect mash-up for hungry partiers seeking comfort food classics after getting sweaty on the dance floor. The diner stays open until midnight Fridays, while the seasonal beer garden goes till midnight Fridays and Saturdays, so you can order buttermilk fried chicken, mac and cheese, turkey BLTs, and more.

Khyber Pass Pub

Late nights in Old City, especially on weekends, can be downright chaotic. But in the middle of it all, there’s Khyber, an oasis on Second Street with an excellent beer list and Southern and Creole cooking. The kitchen is open until 1 a.m.

North Third

Consistency is key when it comes to late-night eating, and North Third’s got it down pat. Reasonable prices, friendly vibes, and the evidence that someone’s making a real effort in the kitchen maintain the beloved status of this long-running Northern Liberties gastropub. The wings? They’re as good as everyone says they are — crispy, saucy, sticky, and just right after a night out on the town. The bar is open until midnight Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays but the kitchen closes at 11 p.m.

North Third [official]

Johnny Brenda's

One of Philly’s favorite local music venues in Fishtown has dinner and a show for night owls several days per week. The kitchen at Johnny Brenda’s stays open until 11:30 p.m. to satisfy late-night hunger with burgers, fries, snacks, and some impressive veggie dishes.

Related Maps