With Memorial Day just passed and city schools approaching the end of the year, some New Yorkers are traveling to Philadelphia for meals outside the five boroughs. The Amtrak concourse at Moynihan Train Hall saw steady groups boarding trains to 30th Street Station last weekend. Several travelers were carrying tote bags and checking train schedules, mentioning dinner plans at Philadelphia restaurants.
Philadelphia’s dining scene has drawn attention this season for its compact neighborhoods and lower price points. At Zahav, a reservation-only Israeli restaurant near Society Hill, diners reported two-hour waits on Saturday night. The check average for a full dinner, including drinks, remains under $100 per person—below comparable prix-fixe menus in Manhattan.
South Street’s outdoor seating was busy on Sunday afternoon. Staff at Angelo’s Pizzeria said they have noticed an uptick in customers with New York IDs since April. At Reading Terminal Market, lines formed at Beiler’s Donuts and DiNic’s Roast Pork before noon.
Restaurant workers in Philadelphia expect the pace to continue as summer festivals and college graduations bring more out-of-town visitors. For New Yorkers seeking a change of scenery, the trip remains under two hours by train and requires no advance planning beyond a dinner reservation.