Philly's Best Eats & Drinks: Rittenhouse Square

Rittenhouse Square (Center City, West of Broad Street)

Breakfast:

• a.kitchen – Simple, modern food at the elegant, understated breakfast-through-dinner spot, known for its artisan bread program. Yes, Wi-Fi. 135 S. 18^th Street, (215) 825-7030, akitchenandbar.com
• Parc Brasserie – Parisian bistro bustles at lunch, happy hour, and dinner and offers quiet morning dining: eggs, cocotte, and bread baskets. Good for groups. No Wi-Fi. 227 S. 18^th Street, (215) 545-2262, parc-restaurant.com

Lunch:

• DanDan – Authentic Sichuan and Taiwanese food for savvy, spice-loving eaters. Gluten-free and veggie options available. No Wi-Fi. 126 S. 16^th Street, (215) 800-1165, dandanrestaurant.com
• Oyster House – Classic, fresh seafood, including impressive raw bar, fried oysters, and chicken salad (Philly). No Wi-Fi. 1516 Sansom Street, (215) 567-7683, oysterhousephilly.com
• V Street – Casual bistro and bar for global street food; all vegan. Have the Korean tempeh tacos and Peruvian fries—closed Monday. No Wi-Fi. 126 S. 19^th Street, (215) 278-7943, vstreetfood.com

Late-Night Eats:

• The Dandelion – Sprawling, handsome, Brit-inspired pub pours Harp, Pimm’s Cups and bloodhounds, serves fish and chips, Welsh rarebit, deviled eggs, and shepherd’s pie. Good for groups. No Wi-Fi. Typically open until 11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; until midnight Friday and Saturday (hours extended for DNC). 124 S. 18^th Street, (215) 558-2500, thedandelionpub.com
• Little Pete’s – Classic 24-hour diner, popular after-hours for bacon cheeseburgers, fried chicken, eggs any way, and milkshakes. Cash only. No Wi-Fi. 219 S. 17^thStreet, (215) 545-5508
• Village Whiskey –Worth braving the crowds for a massive Whiskey King burger and a bourbon. No Wi-Fi. Typically open until 11 p.m. Monday; midnight Tuesday-Thursday; 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday (hours extended for DNC). 118 S. 20^th Street, (215) 665-1088, villagewhiskey.com

Late-Night Drinks:

• The Franklin Bar – Upstairs-downstairs speakeasy: 1970s at street level, literary cocktailer-y below ground. No vodka. No Wi-Fi. 5 p.m.-2 a.m. nightly. 112 S. 18^th Street, (267) 467-3277 thefranklinbar.com
• Oscar’s Tavern – Circa-1972 dive with deep booths, awesome jukebox, cheap Yuengling Lager, 23-ounce Long Island iced teas, chicken wings, and fries. Good for groups. 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Monday-Saturday; 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Sunday. 1524 Sansom Street, (215) 972-9938

You Gotta Try:

• Federal Donuts – Cinnamon spice, strawberry lavender, chocolate eclair, and other flavored doughnuts; also some of the best-fried chicken this side of Korea. More locations throughout Philly. No Wi-Fi. 1632 Sansom Street, (215) 665-1101, federaldonuts.com