P-com Visitors Guide Events

Antique Row

The true antique afficionado will enjoy the many shops on Antique Row, running along Pine Street between 9th to 12th Streets. From Colonial-era furniture to custom-designed glass to rare books, there is always a treasure waiting for the distinguishing collector.

The Italian Market

Philadelphia’s Italian Market, which runs along approximately ten city blocks of Ninth Street in South Philadelphia, is one of the oldest and largest open-air markets in America.

You can literally find almost anything at the market. Dozens of vendors line the street, selling the freshest vegetables, fish, meats, spices and produce from their stalls, while gourmet shops and restaurants occupy storefronts in between.

These butcher shops, bakeries and other specialty shops are throwbacks to another time, long before the advent of super markets. Stepping inside one of these establishments, you will truly marvel at the amazing array of products on display — and at the whole experience of it all.

In addition to the vendors and shops, countless mouth-watering restaurants have located (very wisely, one might add) either along the market itself or within a stone’s throw of it. So there's absolutely no chance you'll leave hungry.

And while the Italian Market has an incredibly strong Italian heritage — which can still be seen today throughout the stores, restaurants and neighborhood in general — an exciting surge of international flavors has given the Italian Market new life over the past decade.

Now, just as many people visit the market for Mexican food (there are several delicious taquerias as well as a few bodegas), Vietnamese fare (pho [soup] and banh mi [hoagie] are very popular), Korean barbecue and other cuisines from Asian countries like Thailand, China and Laos.

Oh and did we mention cheesesteaks? The Italian Market is home to the two most famous purveyors of cheesesteaks in the world: Pat’s and Geno’s. (You can read more about authentic Philly Cheesesteaks in our section devoted to the famous Philadelphia sandwich.)

There are so many more great places to mention by name, but we simply don’t have enough space. But just know that wherever you visit on your trip to the Italian Market, you will leave you with a very memorable taste in your mouth.

Happy Eating!

DiBruno Bros.

The Di Bruno Bros. specialty store on Chestnut Street is an absolute must-see if you appreciate food. At all.

Seriously. This place is very close to a boutique foodies heaven.

The exciting new store boasts a 300-square foot cheese cave and two temperature and moisture-controlled aging rooms, allowing Di Bruno’s to offer the area’s largest selection of international cheeses — in excess of 500 varieties.

But the cheese is just the tip of the iceberg. There’s an extensive selection of specialty products from around the world. The charcuterie department offers a vast selection of gourmet meats, pates and prepared foods as well as a delectable selection of smoked fish and caviar. The recently-added seafood and butchery wing is a veritable star for fish fans and landlubbers alike.

And before you buy anything, go ahead and taste it. There are samples in just about every corner of the space. Moreover, the ultra-friendly staff behind the various counters at Di Bruno Bros. couldn’t be more knowledgeable and willing to help. So whether you’re looking for a few new cheeses that will take your next pasta dinner to sublime levels, or for a variety of treats to compose the ultimate antipasto for your next party, the staff at Di Bruno Bros. is there for you.

Meanwhile, on the second floor, “Upstairs at Di Bruno’s” there’s an upscale casual café offering daily lunch service and weekend brunch. There’s a rotisserie, a pizza oven and a gourmet kitchen that prepares everything from grilled kobe burgers to sushi and salads.

Independent Party

When Tom Jefferson and Ben Franklin and the boys were tromping around Old City, shouting and writing about liberty and all that, 231 years ago this week, they might well have been thinking about how to celebrate it.

All that jazz, & more

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