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Philly is the No. 8 food and drink city in the U.S., Food & Wine says

Kalaya is also ranked at No. 8 among U.S. restaurants, the magazine says.

The gaeng pae, aka "jungle curry," served at Kalaya.
The gaeng pae, aka "jungle curry," served at Kalaya.Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff Photographer

Philadelphia’s reputation as a restaurant city picked up two more accolades Wednesday as Food & Wine named it one of the country’s top food-and-drink destinations for 2026 and placed Kalaya among the 10 best restaurants in the United States.

In the magazine’s annual Global Tastemakers rankings, Philadelphia came in at No. 8 on its list of the top U.S. cities for food and drink. Food & Wine credited the city’s immigrant-rooted food culture, neighborhood restaurants, and market tradition, pointing readers beyond cheesesteaks and soft pretzels to spots such as Mawn, Her Place Supper Club, and Pine Street Grill.

On a separate Food & Wine list, Kalaya ranked No. 8 among the top 10 U.S. restaurants in 2026. The magazine highlighted chef Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon’s southern Thai cooking and the restaurant’s evolution from a 32-seat South Philadelphia BYOB into its larger Fishtown destination, calling out dishes including gu chai, cod dumplings, whole branzino, and tom yum with jumbo river prawns.

The twin honors add to what has already been a strong spring for Philadelphia restaurants. On March 31, the city had seven finalists for the 2026 James Beard Foundation Awards, after first landing 13 semifinalists across eight categories.

Kalaya is among those finalists, nominated for Outstanding Restaurant. Also representing Philadelphia are Emmett for Best New Restaurant, Justine MacNeil of Fiore for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker, and Lovers Bar at Friday Saturday Sunday for Outstanding Bar, along with three local contenders in Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic. Oyster House had already given the city one Beard-related win this year when it was named an American Classic in February.

The latest recognition extends a broader run of national validation for Philadelphia as a dining destination. In November 2025, Travel + Leisure included Philadelphia on its list of the 14 best food cities in the United States, writing that “Philly gives New York a run for its money.”

Michelin, meanwhile, in January named Philadelphia among its North American destinations for food lovers in 2026. Also just today, Michelin featured six Philadelphia restaurants that have put the city on the map.