The Brooklyn
of Philadelphia is
Fishtown.
The case for Fishtown
Fishtown is a former working-class neighborhood where the old Irish bars never left but the natural wine shops moved in next door. Everything runs along Frankford Avenue, a long, walkable strip where you'll pass a Lebanese restaurant that looks like a palace, a record shop, and three coffee roasters before lunch. It still feels like Philly here. People are loud and the food is serious.
Frankford Avenue packs more than 25 independent restaurants and bars into a 2-mile stretch through Fishtown alone.
Close contenders
Other cool neighborhoods in Philadelphia.
Northern Liberties
Northern Liberties got there first. A few more wine bars, a few more condos. Still has good bars on 2nd Street and the Piazza is worth a walk-through.
East Passyunk
East Passyunk is the South Philly answer. Italian roots run deep, but now there's Vietnamese, Mexican, and some of the best restaurants in the city along that diagonal avenue.
Brewerytown
Brewerytown is quieter and still figuring itself out. A handful of great breweries along Girard Avenue and cheaper rent. New restaurant permits and a string of recently opened storefronts suggest the tipping point is close.
Three sides of the neighborhood
Where to go in Fishtown.
All 24 spots mapped out
Fishtown, corner to corner.
Our 24 top picks
The Fishtown guide.
Practical info
Good to know.
The boring numbers that decide whether you stay three days or four.
| Currency | USD |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Cost level | $$$Moderate to expensive |
| Best months | May to June and September to October |
| Local time | UTC-4 |
| Plug type | US plug · 120V/60Hz |
| Emergency | 911 |
Local tip
Walk Frankford Ave from Girard to York on a Saturday afternoon. That twelve-block stretch is the whole neighborhood in miniature.
North America · USA
If you like Philadelphia, try one of these.
Head to head
How does Philadelphia stack up?
Common questions
Things to know about Fishtown.
What is the Brooklyn of Philadelphia?
The Brooklyn of Philadelphia is Fishtown. Fishtown is a former working-class neighborhood where the old Irish bars never left but the natural wine shops moved in next door. Frankford Avenue packs more than 25 independent restaurants and bars into a 2-mile stretch through Fishtown alone.
What is the coolest neighborhood in Philadelphia?
Fishtown is widely considered the coolest neighborhood in Philadelphia. Fishtown is a former working-class neighborhood where the old Irish bars never left but the natural wine shops moved in next door. Everything runs along Frankford Avenue, a long, walkable strip where you'll pass a Lebanese restaurant that looks like a palace, a record shop, and three coffee roasters before lunch. It still feels like Philly here. People are loud and the food is serious.
What is the hippest neighborhood in Philadelphia?
Fishtown is the hippest neighborhood in Philadelphia. Old Irish bars share a block with natural wine shops along Frankford Avenue, where craft beer, live music, and three coffee roasters before lunch tell you everything.
What is the trendiest neighborhood in Philadelphia?
Fishtown is Philadelphia's trendiest neighborhood right now. The neighborhood is still emerging in real time, with new coffee roasters, record shops, and a Lebanese restaurant that looks like a palace pulling people deeper down Frankford.
Where do creatives live in Philadelphia?
Fishtown. This former working-class neighborhood off Frankford Avenue is where the artists landed, settling alongside the old Irish bars that never left. The strip runs walkable from Girard to York, lined with record shops, coffee roasters, and bookshops. It still feels like Philly. People are loud and the food is serious.
What is the most bohemian neighborhood in Philadelphia?
Fishtown is Philadelphia's most bohemian neighborhood. Natural wine shops moved in next to the dive bars, and a twelve-block walk down Frankford Avenue gives you coffee, records, and live music most nights. More than 25 independent restaurants and bars pack a two-mile stretch. Old palace-like restaurants sit beside roasters. The mix earns the name.
Where should I stay in Fishtown, Philadelphia?
The best boutique hotels in Fishtown include Wm. Mulherin’s Sons, Lokal Hotel, and Anna & Bel. A restored 1880s whiskey blending house with just four loft-style rooms above the restaurant.
Is Fishtown in Philadelphia safe at night?
Fishtown is a lived-in creative neighborhood, not a tourist compound. Bars and restaurants here stay busy late, which keeps streets active. Use normal city awareness.
Is Philadelphia expensive?
Philadelphia rates $$$ on a global travel scale. Moderate to expensive, but Fishtown's independent spots offer better value than tourist areas.
When is the best time to visit Philadelphia?
Hit Philadelphia in May and June or September and October, when highs land between 18 and 26C and the humidity backs off. Spring puts cherry blossoms along the river; fall is prime for biking and patio sitting. Skip July and August, which turn hot and sticky above 32C with thunderstorms, and winter, which is cold and damp without dependable snow.
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