Explore New Businesses in West Philly
Local and national retailers and restaurants view University City as a prime market due to an eclectic mix of employees, commuters, college students, and residents. Below, take a look at new restaurants, retail locations, and shops that have opened in our neighborhood over the past year, or are opening soon.
Amma’s South Indian Cuisine
A new branch of the popular South Indian restaurant specializing in recipes passed down through generations. Amma, which means “mother,” fuels their intent to serve tasty food like the owners’ mother used to make for them.
Brooklyn Dumpling Shop
A second Philadelphia location for pandemic-born Brooklyn Dumpling Shop will open early in 2023 on Lancaster Avenue, delivering flavors like pastrami, Mac N Cheese, chicken parmesan, and veggie options in grab and go dumplings. The shop will work like an old-school Automat, allowing customers to scan a QR code to open a food locker where their dumplings are kept.
Carbon Copy
Philadelphia’s first brewery/winery combination sees two brewers with over 20 years in the beer and wine industries bringing a new concept to the former Dock Street West location. The 50-seat bar and restaurant will serve pizza and sandwiches to go along with locally produced beer and wine when they open this fall.
Cleo’s Bagels
Cleo’s, formerly known as Dodo’s, grew from an underground bagel service into a brick-and-mortar on Baltimore Avenue after serving 10,000 bagels in West Philadelphia since 2016. The shop, opening soon, will feature high quality fresh baked bagels, creative sandwiches, and more.
Deame's Bettah Buttahs
Beauty salon offering all-natural, handmade products for skin, hair, and home. Stop in to purchase body butters, candles, or hair products, or for hair services including color, braids, cuts, locs, weaves, lashes, and more.
Doro Bet
Ethiopian chicken house from the owners of Best of Philly winner Alif Brew and Mini Mart. Serving gluten-free fried chicken, crinkle fries, shawarma, and vegan options.
Freebird Greenery
This ground floor storefront in the Garden Court Plaza building includes house plants, pots, and a locally made “propagation wall,” for starting plant cuttings. Owner Adrienne Williams plans to offer free and paid plant classes, too, for budding botanists.
Garces Trading Company
James Beard Award winning, Iron Chef Jose Garces has brought his popular all-day café, bar, and market back to the former JG Domestic space within the Cira Centre. The menu features fresh, seasonal favorites for dining in, plus grab-and-go options for breakfast and lunch.
Honeysuckle Provisions
A family owned & operated afrocentric grocery cafe in West Philly created by Chefs Cybille & Omar Tate, industry pros with a shared goal of approaching cuisine through the lens of contemporary Black America.
Irie Entrée
Take a vacation to Jamaica without leaving West Philadelphia! At Irie Entrée, you can enjoy authentic dishes and drinks from Jamaica on two gorgeous floors or in a cozy and expansive outdoor area.
KPOD
KPOD translates Korean ingenuity into a singular dining experience with subtle Seoul-inspired touches. The clean and contemporary space is the ideal showcase for chef Peter Serpico, who channels his Korean-American heritage to craft a knowledgeable but non-traditional take on the cuisine.
LaScala’s Fire
Enjoy Italian favorites at this latest entry in the LaScala family empire. Built upon award-winning pizza dough that’s a four time Best of Philly winner, LaScala brings classic apps, pizzas, pastas, and salads.
Lil Sum Sum
Part event venue, part café, Lil Sum Sum from Dim Sum House Owners Jane Guo and Jackson Fu offers coffee, baked goods, snacks during the day before transforming into a private space for special events and weddings on nights and weekends.
The Lucky Well
Pizza and BBQ are the stars at The Lucky Well, offering 8-by-12 inch “grandma” pies and BBQ platters and sandwiches from Texas, Kansas City, and Memphis. Stop by for happy hour and grab a University City burger with Cooper Sharp Cheddar, red onion, Memphis pepper relish, housemade pickles, and onion.
Misconduct Tavern
A third location of the popular local pub offers craft beer, seasonal cocktails, upscale bar food, and TVs featuring all the local sports teams. Stop by for happy hour or dinner andenjoy beer buckets, wings, burgers, and more.
Rabbit Ear Tattoo
West Philadelphia resident Justin Turkis’ Rabbit Ear is a private tattoo studio offering holistic tattoos. Sign up for alerts when appointments open to get on the wait list for this renowned artist.
Raising Cane’s
The first Philadelphia location of the popular Louisiana fast food chain offers chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, coleslaw, Texas toast, and a signature “Cane’s sauce” that inspires a group of fans known as “Caniacs.”
Soul Greedy
Family-owned and run company serving traditional soul food dishes like collard greens and cabbage, pastas, seafood, and vegetarian options like fried cauliflower and barbecue jackfruit sliders. Soul Greedy’s new storefront offers indoor seating for diners, as well as fast-casual and takeout options.