Dear Daphni is a glamorous restaurant in a dramatic space whose culinary vision is largely imported from other restaurants. Unfortunately, it's also better at other restaurants.

The arrival of Andrew Wood at Le Virtù has both revitalized one of the city's most essential Italian restaurants and inspired the veteran chef to cook the best food of his career.

Madness of Masala, opened by a pair of software engineers, is inspired by regional specialties from the South Indian states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. It also makes the region's best samosas.

In just two years, snagging a pie from John Bisceglie at Johnny's Pizza has become a challenge at prime time, while the cheesesteaks are inspiring pilgrimages from across the region.

Randy and Amanda Rucker have followed up River Twice with a more accessible modern seafood restaurant in Rittenhouse Square that channels their personal histories with regional coastal waters.

Black Dragon is the product of Kurt Evans' distinct vision, paying homage to the role of Chinese American takeout in Black neighborhoods and aiming to fill the hole left by their decline.

At Bastia and companion bar Caletta inside Fishtown's boutique Hotel Anna & Bel, chef Tyler Akin draws inspiration from the neighboring islands of Sardinia and Corsica.

Here are more than 30 special dishes that defined Philly’s food story in 2024.