Best of Philly

Best Soft Pretzel

2026 Best Soft Pretzel

Pretzel Day

We’ve always been under the impression that Philadelphia soft pretzels are perfect as is. Then we tried Pretzel Day, and our long-held beliefs went out the window. After five years as a cult-favorite pop-up, the sunny bakery opened earlier this year, turning out hand-rolled pretzels, properly chewy and finished with just enough salt. Order a row of standard figure-eights, of course, but do not leave without adding whatever other delicious, genre-bending treats are on offer that day, from cinnamon sugar to provolone and long hot to plum and chèvre. 1501 South 5th Street, Pennsport. Read More »

1501 South 5th Street, Philadelphia, PA Website

2024 Best Soft Pretzel

Center City Soft Pretzel Co.

After enduring an 18-month struggle following a devastating fire, East Passyunk’s Center City Soft Pretzel Co. reopened its doors, inviting locals to savor, yet again, the warm and doughy embrace of Philly’s Best Soft Pretzel. (And it’s expanding its offerings — just peep the new collaborations with Queen Village sandwich champs Farina Di Vita.) Read More »

816 Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, PA Website

2014 Best Pretzel

Stoltzfus Bakery

There's a time and place for the Philly-style pretzel. But this hand-rolled Amish version is always appropriate: buttery, airy, salty, silky and, often, hot from the oven. Read More »

120 Coulter Avenue, Ardmore, PA | 610-549-2954 | Website

2012 Best Pretzel

Alla Spina

Couple the best pretzel bites with the best beer-and-cheese sauce we've ever had and you've got something truly special. Read More »

1410 Mount Vernon Street, Philadelphia, PA | 215-600-0017 | Website

2011 Best Soft Pretzel

Mart Pretzel

Crackly crust, dense doughy insides when you break one of these open, you can feel the steamy warmth. In a city as pretzel-obsessed as Philly, you'd be amazed how rare that is. You'll be more amazed to learn it's a New Jersey pretzel shop that's showing us how it's done. Read More »

202 Route 130 North, Cinnaminson, NJ | 856-829-0012

2010 Best Pretzel

Brauhaus Schmitz

This house-made ber-pretzel is served with salted radishes and mustard, but we recommend you ditch all that and dip it in Brauhaus's parsley-chive-and-dill-flecked butter (it comes with bread service, but if you ask for it with the pretzel, they'll accommodate you) instead. Read More »

718 South Street, Philadelphia, PA | 267-909-8814 | Website

2009 Best Specialty Pretzel

10 Arts

Perfect-for-popping nuggets of buttery, warm, salty soft pretzel are served with a trio of cheddar, jalapeo jam and traditional Dijon mustard sauces to mix-and-match. This is the goodness that happens when Eric Ripert reinvents a Philly classic. Read More »

Broad and Chesnut Streets, Philadelphia, PA | 215-523-8273 | Website

2009 Best Soft Pretzel

Miller’s Twist

Miller's Twist has picked up where perennial BOP winner Fisher's has left off at Reading Terminal. The big, buttery, brown, salty soft pretzels fresh dough is made, rolled and baked daily, on-site provide perfect carb-y sustenance for a long day shopping the market's stalls. Read More »

Reading Terminal Market, 12th and Arch Streets, Philadelphia, PA | 215-923-1723 | Website