Best Casual Restaurants in Fishtown

We enjoyed our time here. It definitely the time to make a reservation!! We each had 2 of the specialty cocktails & they were delicious! Got the nutcracker old fashioned, fireside chat, snowglobe spritz and an Ornament globe. We got the fried pickles as an appetizer to share which were good. lightly coated to go with the spicy aioli! for our entrees, we got the lasagna burger (which sounds crazy but definitely taste like it) and the parisian sandwich which was fried chicken with a brie&cranberry aioli, gruyere cheese, apples on a croissant bun! their menu states that 20% gratuity is automatically added and then they charge a credit card processing fee as well.

We headed to El Vez for brunch, and let me start by saying: make a reservation. This spot is popular—and for good reason. While dinner reservations can be hard to snag, brunch turned out to be the perfect choice. The moment we walked in, we were transported. The decor is warm, colorful, and vibrant—everything you’d hope for in a great Mexican restaurant. There’s a cozy, welcoming vibe, but it’s also lively and buzzing with energy. The eclectic touches, like the low-rider bike suspended over the dining area, add just the right amount of whimsy without feeling over the top. It’s the kind of space that makes you want to stay and soak it all in. Now, onto the food—because wow. We started with the Macho Nachos, and let me just say, these are nachos done right. Served on a pizza-style pan, every single chip was covered in toppings—no sad, bare nachos at the bottom here. We went with chicken and chorizo for our proteins, and the combination was perfect. The chicken was tender and flavorful, the chorizo added a spicy kick, and everything was brought together with gooey melted cheese, fresh guacamole, and tangy salsa. It’s easily one of the best nacho dishes I’ve ever had. For the main course, we ordered the Steak Burrito and Huevos Rancheros. The burrito was phenomenal—the steak inside was unbelievably tender, and you could taste the care that went into seasoning it just right. Each bite melted in your mouth. The huevos rancheros were just as impressive, with eggs so fresh they practically stole the show. Paired with the perfect mix of beans, tortillas, and salsa, it was hearty and satisfying without being too heavy. We couldn’t resist trying their Blood Orange Margaritas, which were as refreshing as they were delicious. They were perfectly balanced—tangy, sweet, and just strong enough to keep us in that happy brunch mood. The service at El Vez was another highlight. The staff were warm, friendly, and attentive without being overbearing. They made us feel right at home

Charming re-creation of an English Pub. English Pub food has gotten much better than it once was, and The Dandelion's food was excellent. From the Dandelion salad to the Root vegetable soup to the Rabbit Pie, all excellent. Our server (I regret I've forgotten her name) was perfect - friendly, efficient, professional. Only negative (for us) was the noise level - we ate upstairs during the lunch rush, and it was busy and noisy with energetic conversations with several tables of 6 or so surrounding us, which of course has pros and cons. But still highly recommended. We did not inquire if a quieter table was available - I think it may have been.

Wow! I walked past this resto so many times, and, from the outside, it looked average. However, as soon as you walk in the front door, you know that you are some place special. The ambience is great, but, more importantly, the food was exquisite. Yes, it was expensive, but the experience was worth every penny. To start, we ordered rolls with chive butter, and, for an entrée, had pumpkin ravioli with walnuts, apples, onions, and ricotta cheese--yum! The food was so good that we decided to order dessert, an apple tartan which was equally delicious. On top of that, our server was excellent, very helpful, and friendly. You have to try this place at least once!