Fishtown is the Brooklyn of Philadelphia.
Fishtown named the Brooklyn of Philadelphia
August 4, 2026 - Brooklyn Of (brooklynof.com), a travel publication that names the coolest neighborhood in more than 150 cities worldwide, has named Fishtown the Brooklyn of Philadelphia.
The "Brooklyn of" a city is a metaphor, of course: shorthand for the coolest neighborhood in town, the one where independent culture, serious coffee, and creative energy define the character. Not the old town, not where the hop-on-hop-off bus goes. Every big enough city has one, and the site names exactly one per city. In many cities the pick is close to consensus, the name locals would give without hesitating. In others it picks a side. Philadelphia's verdict went to Fishtown ahead of Northern Liberties, East Passyunk and Brewerytown, which take the runner-up positions.
"We named Fishtown the Brooklyn of Philadelphia. The old neighborhood bars never left and the natural wine and coffee people simply moved in next door, so it still sounds like Philly while eating like somewhere ambitious. Philadelphians are welcome to tell us we are wrong," says Per, creator of Brooklyn Of.
The verdict comes with a guide to Fishtown's independent hotels, cafes, restaurants, bars and shops: no big chains, nothing sponsored, and placements are not for sale. Selections draw on research and local tastemakers in each city, and readers who disagree are invited to make their case.
The full Philadelphia verdict: brooklynof.com/philadelphia
Press contact: Per, creator of Brooklyn Of, hello [at] brooklynof.com
Press kit and images: brooklynof.com/press/philadelphia
Runner-up neighborhoods: Northern Liberties, East Passyunk, Brewerytown
Free for editorial use in coverage of brooklynof.com. Credit: brooklynof.com.
hello [at] brooklynof.com · Per is available for interviews, quotes, and written commentary on this and every city in the index.