Top Philadelphia Dining Experiences

At the Hard Rock Café Philadelphia, every meal is an experience, whether on the road or on a lunch break. Dine in style and feel like a star at this popular restaurant, located just a few blocks from Independence Hall and the birthplace of America. Choose from several main courses, including ribs, salmon, and a vegetarian option.

Come hungry and leave knowing exactly how to make a proper comfort-food feast from scratch. In a laid-back Philadelphia bar setting, you’ll begin by preparing fresh handmade pasta with 00 flour, eggs, salt and semolina, learning the basics of mixing, kneading, rolling and shaping dough without the intimidation factor. Then you’ll combine beef, pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, eggs, garlic, parsley, Italian herbs, milk and olive oil to shape juicy meatballs before cooking up a slow-simmered Sunday gravy with tomatoes, onion, garlic, red wine, oregano, basil and olive oil. Chef William brings more than 25 years in professional kitchens and formal culinary training, making each step practical, relaxed and easy to follow.

Satisfy your sweet tooth on a guided underground donut tour of Philadelphia. The sugary culinary walking experience is perfect for families and foodies alike. Stop at three to four of the city’s top spots for fried dough, including Federal Donuts and Beiler’s Donuts. The tour is also a great opportunity to orient yourself to the city, with stops in South Street and Reading Terminal Market.

If comfort food had a master class, this would be it. Set in a welcoming local venue, you'll learn how to prepare Gnocchi alla Romana completely from scratch using simple ingredients that transform into something seriously satisfying. You'll cook semolina with milk and salt, then stir in butter, eggs and Parmesan to create a silky dough before spreading, cooling and cutting it into perfectly shaped rounds. Learn how to layer the gnocchi in the traditional scalloped style, top everything with melted butter and a generous shower of Parmesan, then bake until bubbling with crispy golden edges and a creamy, tender center. Every step builds practical kitchen skills you can easily recreate at home, whether you're brand new to cooking or already love spending time in the kitchen. You'll leave with a comforting Roman recipe, new techniques and a dish you'll want to make again and again.

Roll up your sleeves — dinner is getting made from scratch. In a laid-back local venue, you’ll start by making fresh pasta dough, learning how to mix, knead and roll it until it’s ready to become delicate tagliatelle. You’ll cut and shape the pasta yourself, turning simple ingredients into ribbons ready for the pot. Then comes the good stuff: you’ll make a vibrant pesto di melanzane using eggplant, garlic, pine nuts and olive oil. You’ll cook the fresh tagliatelle, toss it through the silky eggplant pesto and finish it with Pecorino Romano for a salty, savory bite. You’ll learn hands-on pasta-making, shaping, cooking and sauce techniques without needing prior experience. Finish by enjoying your freshly prepared dish and the easygoing atmosphere around you — flour on your hands is basically part of the uniform.

See a perspective on Philadelphia that many visitors miss—and enjoy an indulgent meal simultaneously—on this lunchtime cruise of the Delaware River. Board the Spirit of Philidelphia at Penn’s Landing and settle in for a relaxed sightseeing tour. Admire the city’s skyline, learn about its key landmarks from the tour’s live narration, and help yourself to the wide-ranging buffet lunch offerings and bottomless non-alcoholic beverages, indulging how you like.

Set sail for a magical holiday with a memorable celebration aboard our Signature Philadelphia Christmas Day Cruises. Take in breathtaking views of Philadelphia’s iconic landmarks, such as the Ben Franklin Bridge, from inside or the open-air decks. This fun-filled holiday including a live DJ, dancing, games, a fully stocked cash bar. Revel in merriment and holiday cheer with this unforgettable brunch on the water! Join us December 3 - January 1st for an enchanting and immersive Winter Wonderland experience as City Cruises celebrates the holiday season in style! Step aboard our uniquely decorated yachts, where a whimsical, fun-filled atmosphere awaits. Surround yourself with twinkling lights, snow-covered trees, themed cocktails, seasonal menus, live entertainment, and of course, stunning views of Philadelphia’s skyline, perfectly complementing Philadelphia’s festive mix of holiday-themed attractions and restaurants.