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Visiting Philadelphia’s famous Italian Market is one of the best things to do in the city. It’s over 150 years old and home to so many delicious restaurants, food stores, cafes, and street food carts that it’s hard to know where to begin!
The Italian market runs along a stretch of 9th Street in South Philadelphia. It’s where Sylvester Stallone’s character goes on his training runs in the Rocky movies!
We visit the Italian market every time we’re in Philadelphia, and love checking out all of the bars, restaurants, and cheese stores here! That’s why we’ve written this guide on visiting the Italian market so that you can make the most out of your trip here.
1. About the Italian Market in Philadelphia
The Italian Market has been around for over 150 years, starting out in the 1880s when an Italian immigrant opened a boarding house in the area for fellow Italians. As a result, Italian restaurants and shops sprang up along South Street, encouraging more Italians to settle in the area. By the early 1900s, the area was flourishing and over the course of the 20th century, more Hispanic and Asian people began to settle here too, so the market is now a vibrant melting pot of culture, although it still feels distinctly Italian.
The market even appeared in the first two Rocky movies, as Rocky famously runs through the area while local vendors throw fruit to one another. Funnily enough, the Italian Market still looks pretty much the same today as it did in the 1970s!
What we love about the Italian Market is that it’s reminiscent of a time before big supermarkets, when everyone shopped locally! You can enjoy a fantastic meal at one of the restaurants, or if we’re staying somewhere with a kitchen we also like grabbing quality produce and cooking up something delicious at home.
2. Where is the Italian Market?
The Italian Market is located in South Philadelphia. It runs along 9th Street, between Wharton St and Fitzwater St. It covers about 10 city blocks or a stretch of around 0.6 miles (1 kilometer). It takes about 15 minutes to walk from one end to the other – although, of course, you’ll need longer to eat your way through it!
It takes about 10 minutes to drive here from the center of Philly, or we also enjoy walking here, which takes about 30 minutes.
3. When is the best time to visit the Italian Market in Philadelphia?
We love going to the Italian Market in the morning because this is when the market stalls and curbside vendors are open. Plus, our favorite part of visiting the market is hopping between the cute cafes, so the morning is the ideal time to go and get your caffeine fix.
The afternoon is also a nice time to visit the market, though, and it’s the perfect time to grab a glass of wine or cheeky cocktail from Grace and Proper!
And if you’re just here for the famous Philly cheesesteaks, then come anytime, because these restaurants are open pretty much 24/7.
Related Read: If you need help planning a Philly trip, our 3-day Philadelphia Itinerary is full of ideas!
4. What are the best tours of the Italian Market in Philadelphia?
Italian Market Food Tour with a Chef
The best way to visit the Italian Market has to be with a chef, and you can do just that on this food tour! Chef Jackie will take you to a local favorite cheese shop where you can stuff yourself with samples, and you’ll also get to try tomato pie (which I found surprisingly good!) at one of Philadelphia’s top pizzerias, as well as authentic Mexican tortillas, and even some wine. A piece of advice from us: arrive hungry!
One thing that we liked about this tour – apart from all of the food – is the fact that it was well-paced, so we got to explore the market in depth without feeling rushed. It runs from Wednesday to Sunday and for $90 USD per person, we think it’s good value for money given just how much food you get to eat. Plus, we found it super interesting to hear about the Italian Market from a professional chef.
Read the HUNDREDS of 5-star reviews and book this chef-led food tour here!
Italian Market Food Tour with Top Philly Food Journalist
We love the unique concept behind this Italian market food tour. The tour company was founded by a local food journalist who interviewed many chefs and business owners and will share their stories with you as you explore the neighborhood. We found this made the tour feel so much more personal, and made us appreciate the market’s heritage and character.
The guides themselves are also locals with a strong connection to the area, and after the tour wraps up they’ll give you their secret cheat sheet of locally approved bars, restaurants, and things to do in Philly. We thought this was such a nice touch because we value local recommendations. We also loved the fact that the tour covers such a range of food, from Vietnamese sandwiches to tacos and indulgent Italian desserts.
This tour costs $95 USD and runs from Fridays to Sundays at 11 am – just in time for brunch! We think it’s a fantastic way to support local businesses and get a real sense of what the Italian Market is all about. It’s best to book in advance, and you get free cancellation when you book through Viator below. It also caters well to dietary requirements, as long as you let the company know once you’ve booked!
Book this food tour here for FREE cancellation!
Philadelphia Italian Market Walking Tour
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly tour of the market, we recommend booking this walking tour. Food is on your own account, so it means that you won’t waste money if there’s something you don’t like, but you’ve still got a guide to show you all of the best spots. For $35 USD, you can’t go wrong!
We really like this tour’s itinerary, because it covers some of the Italian Market’s most beloved spots. There’s the famous Sarcone’s bakery, which is home to one of Philly’s best tomato pies, a tasting in an olive oil and vinegar taproom, and a stop at Paesano’s, which ended up being one of our favorite sandwich spots in the city.
This tour runs daily at 12 pm, so it’s easy to fit into your Philly itinerary. It lasts for about 2 hours, and it ends next to Pat’s and Geno’s, which is ideal if you ask us because you can then tick off another Philadelphia must-do by sampling cheesesteaks from these rival restaurants!
Book this budget-friendly food tour here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
Related Read: For more tour recommendations, check out our picks for the best history tours in Philadelphia or if you need evening plans, these night tours fit the bill!
5. Where are the best places to eat at the Italian Market in Philadelphia?
Anthony’s Italian Coffee & Chocolate House
Sightseeing can be tiring, so we always stop by Anthony’s for a pick-me-up with one of their super strong coffee shots. Trust me, it’s the perfect energy boost! And even better, they make some amazing chocolates here which are so delicious, and they’ve got lots of unique flavors. Chocolate-covered bacon, anyone?
Paesano’s
Believe it or not, sometimes when we’re in Philadelphia we do get to the point where we’ve had enough of Philly cheesesteaks. I know, I know, it’s sacrilege. But when this happens, we always head to Paesano’s for delicious Italian-style hoagies. They serve delicious gourmet sandwiches here and they’re sooo good, with fillings like fresh mozzarella and sweet fig jam, or suckling pig with sharp provolone.
Alma del Mar
Alma del Mar is a casual Mexican restaurant that serves delicious tacos, fruit pancakes, and waffles. Personally, we love their pork carnitas tacos, but you can also choose fillings like salmon, octopus, or shrimp if you prefer, so there is something for everyone! It’s also worth checking out their special menu items, which often include soups, burgers, and salads.
South Philly Barbacoa
We were so excited to find a barbacoa spot in Philly! In case you didn’t know, barbacoa is a Mexican style of cooking that involves cooking meat in an underground oven, which makes it really tender and flavorsome. The tacos at South Philly Barbacoa are to die for, and they’ve also got vegan options. We enjoy the atmosphere here because it feels like a proper Mexican-style hole in the wall.
Philly Cannoli King
If you’re after some classic Italian fare, head to Philly Cannoli King for a delicious dessert. Cannoli are tubes of fried pastry dough, with a sweet filling made out of ricotta cheese, so they’re very decadent and tasty! But it’s not all about the sugar rush – we find that the staff here are also very friendly and welcoming. It’s worth asking them for a recommendation because it can be difficult to choose from all of the different flavors on offer.
RIM Cafe
RIM Cafe is over the top – but we mean that in the best way. With its eclectic decor, and extremely decadent coffees, hot chocolates, and desserts, this is THE place to satisfy your sweet tooth at Philadelphia’s Italian Market. We especially love coming here to warm up on a colder day. In fact, if you order a hot chocolate it will be made right in front of you and it’s a bit of a spectacle!
6. What are the best cheesesteaks in the Italian Market?
Pat’s
Pat’s – or Pat’s King of Steaks, to give the shop its official title – is the original Philly cheesesteak spot! It’s also one half of Philadelphia’s famous cheesesteak rivalry, along with Geno’s, which we’ll talk about below.
Naturally, visiting the birthplace of the Philly cheesesteak is a very popular thing to do, so this place is always busy. Expect to wait, and read the instructions on the wall carefully (or check them out online before you go) because anyone who’s taking too long to order will be sent to the back of the line.
Personally, we found the cheesesteak itself a little greasy (sorry, Pat!) but we still enjoyed it and going to the shop itself was a fun experience.
Geno’s
Geno’s is to Pat’s what the Yankees are to the Red Sox. If you don’t know anything about baseball, that basically means they’ve got an iconic rivalry going on, which wins a lot of publicity for both sides. The two owners even ended up on Dr. Phil to try and talk things through!
You’ve got to get a Philly cheesesteak from both Pat’s and Geno’s to find out which is better because everyone in Philly has their favorite! Personally, we found the cheesesteaks at Geno’s were less greasy and more generous in terms of meat, although Pat’s won out, flavor-wise. They’re right opposite each other anyway, so we figure you might as well compare the two when you’re already at the Italian Market!
Angelo’s Pizzeria
Okay, so Pat’s and Geno’s are very touristy spots, but Angelo’s is the place to go if you want to get off the tourist trail. This place is still really popular, but it caters more to locals than tourists, so of course we had to try it out, and it ended up being our favorite!
We love the fact that they use quality steak in the sandwiches here, as well as delicious fresh bread, and they have a few different types of cheeses to pick from. Despite the high-quality ingredients, this place is decidedly no-frills. It’s cash-only, take-out only, and everyone has to wait their turn (including Bradley Cooper, a famous Philly local who’s often been spotted here!).
7. Is the Italian Market in Philadelphia safe?
Yes, it’s a super safe area and there’s nothing to worry about when visiting here. It’s fine to explore whether you’re on your own or in a group. We’ve never had any issues!
8. Is visiting the Italian Market in Philadelphia worth it?
Yes, absolutely! It’s an iconic part of the city, and a really fun and vibrant area to explore. We love coming here to grab a coffee and then enjoy a leisurely stroll. Make sure you stop at some local specialty stores, too, and of course, you’ve got to enjoy a Philly cheesesteak or a slice of tomato pie while you’re here.
Related Read: Another must in the city, read our tips on visiting the Museum of the American Revolution here!
Other Activities to do While You’re in Philadelphia
Going to the Italian Market is awesome, but it’s not the only thing you should do in the City of Brotherly Love! There are plenty of fun activities in Philadelphia. So, if you’re looking to fill that itinerary, check out some of my favorite options below.
- Go for cocktails – Philly is home to awesome cocktail bars like the Ranstead Room, which is a candlelit speakeasy and South 2nd Street is good for bar hopping (head to Sassafras!). Or, join this small group cocktail tour which takes you to 4-5 bars that you’d probably never find by yourself.
- See Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens – Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens is, indeed, magical! This open-air gallery on South Street is known for its mosaics, which remind me a bit of Gaudi. It’s a great example of local art and the perfect destination to snap Instagram-worthy photos. You can also book this art tour that visits the Magic Gardens along with the city’s top murals.
- Take a nighttime ghost tour – If you like dark history, try this adult nighttime walking tour. We wrote a full review of this dark Philly tour, where we describe how it delves into Philadelphia’s creepier past – including the city’s original red light district, execution sites, and haunted spots. Along the way, you’ll hear tales about the city’s vampires, ghosts, and pirates … oh my!
- Ride on a hop-on, hop-off bus – To see all the city’s top sights, check out this hop-on, hop-off bus. It has a super comprehensive route that takes you to a ton of places, including City Hall, Rittenhouse Square, Love Park, Chinatown, and more! You get guided commentary but can still explore at your own pace.
- Go up the City Hall Tower – Not everyone knows you can go up to the very top of the City Hall Tower, where you’ll get epic 360-degree views! You do need to book this tour well in advance as there are only a few spaces available per day. It only costs $16 USD per person and lasts for about 30 minutes, so it’s easy to fit into a busy sightseeing itinerary.
Where to Stay in Philadelphia, USA
Philadelphia is a big city, and deciding where to stay can be overwhelming. Luckily, we’ve narrowed it down to our top choices for each budget range. So keep reading to find the best accommodations for you!
The Rittenhouse Hotel – $$$
The Rittenhouse Hotel is a centrally located, award-winning accommodation. It has that old-school Philadelphia feel with modern amenities. They offer a gym, an indoor heated pool, a sun terrace, and a fabulous restaurant. You can also enjoy British tea and cocktails in their tea room, which is connected to a gorgeous garden.
Prices range from $350 – $1,000 USD depending on the type of room and your dates. You can check prices and availability online here.
Element Philadelphia Downtown – $$
The Element Philadelphia Downtown is just a block from City Hall. It has a fitness center, an on-site restaurant, a shared lounge, and free bikes. The place has modern, well-equipped rooms, friendly staff, and a decent continental breakfast. Request a room higher up for an awesome city view.
This place is a great value for money, with prices starting as low as $160 USD when you book in advance.
Apple Hostels of Philadelphia – $
Apple Hostels of Philadelphia is my favorite budget accommodation in Philadelphia. It’s located in the Old City, within walking distance of the Liberty Bell and Center City. This hostel has it all, including a shared kitchen, laundry, pool table, foosball, Xbox, computers/iPads, and guitars. You won’t have any trouble socializing, and they even offer free drinks and dinner sometimes. It’s clean, comfy, and has a great vibe.
Shared rooms start at $34 USD, and private rooms begin at $85 USD. You can book your stay on Booking.com or through Hostelworld.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
The Italian Market in Philly ranks high on our list of must-do things. Not only is it fun to wander around this area, but it easily has some of the best food in the city. While taking a food tour here helped us make the most of our visit, visiting on your own is great too – we’ve done both!
Before you go, have a look at some of our other Philly blogs or guides to destinations in the USA. Here are a few popular ones I think you might like:
30 BEST Free and Cheap Things to do in Philadelphia
10 BEST Tours in Philadelphia for Food, History, and Hidden Gems
8 Things to Know BEFORE Visiting Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia