The 8 Most Anticipated Philly Restaurant Openings This Fall

The restaurant industry is ramping back up as fall promises to bring lots of new restaurants to Philadelphia.

A rendering of Prunella | Courtesy of Schulson Collective

A walk around just about any neighborhood in Philly will tell you the same story: There are a whole lot of empty storefronts in this city. The pandemic pummeled small businesses, but the good news is we’re starting to see new spots open once again. While the future of COVID remains unknown, Philly-area restaurateurs are diving in, ready to open new concepts this fall and winter all across the region. Here’s what we’re noticing: a lot of pizza (which is nothing new for Philly) and a lot of comfort food. Makes sense after the year we’ve just been through.

PrunellaCenter City
From Michael Schulson and Jeff Michaud, the team behind Via Locusta, comes another Italian spot: Prunella. Pizza will still be draw in the old Zavino space — this time focused on Roman tonda-style pizza, a super-thin, crispy pizza style, plus small plates and pasta. Word is the space will be centered around a large bar, with floor-to-ceiling windows that can be opened to the street on nice days. It’ll be open for lunch and dinner. Estimated arrival: late summer or early fall 2021.

 

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Middle Child Clubhouse, Fishtown
The Middle Child Clubhouse is a Restaurant with a capital R. It’s bigger than the original Middle Child, it’s open all day, and it has a bar. It’s serious business — but if we know anything about Middle Child’s owner Matt Cahn, we’re guessing this place, like the original on 11th Street, won’t take itself too seriously at all. Even if he’s he’s brought on Adam Sosnowik, ex of Rose’s Luxury in D.C., a James Beard award winner and Michelin star recipient, to run the kitchen. Estimated arrival: fall 2021.

 

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Hook & MasterFishtown
Garces is getting into the pizza game with Hook & Master, where you’ll eat Chicago, Brooklyn, and pan-style pizzas, plus seafood-focused small plates, and sip on tiki cocktails. Is it a curious amalgam of concepts? Yes it is. Does Jose Garces bring a high level of value and consideration to every restaurant he opens? He sure does. Estimated arrival: early fall 2021.

 

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Lark, Bala Cynwyd
During the pandemic, Nick Elmi and Fia Berisha signed a deal to open two restaurants in the redeveloped Pencoyd Ironworks in Bala Cynwyd. The Landing Kitchen opened in March (and they’re absolutely crushing it), but the more upscale space, Lark, is still forthcoming in all its seasonal and sustainable seafood glory. Estimated arrival: October 2021.

 

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LMNOFishtown
We reported way back in February 2020 that Stephen Starr was planning to open a new spot in Fishtown called LMNO. We still haven’t gotten much of an explanation of the name or the concept in full, but what we do know is that the food will be inspired by Baja cuisine, and that he’s working with NYC nightlife impresario Serge Becker. Estimated arrival: early fall 2021.

 

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Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream, Fishtown and Rittenhouse
We asked for more ice cream, and someone clearly heard us. James Beard Award winning Ice cream maker Jeni Britton-Bauer is opening not one, but two scoop shops in the city: one at the corner of 19th and Chestnut Streets, and another at 1322 Frankford Avenue. Estimated arrival: late fall or winter 2021.

 

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WilderRittenhouse
Nicole Barrick and Brett Naylor are finally a full-go on their years-long project of turning the former Philadelphia Academy of Dance into a sprawling restaurant. Food will be by Bob Truitt, a 2013 Food & Wine Best New Chef, with wood-fired pizzas, a raw bar, handmade pasta, seasonal vegetables and more. Estimated arrival: early fall 2021.

Vetri SteakhouseBryn Mawr
The Inquirer recently reported that Marc Vetri is taking over the now-closed Enoteca Tredici space with plans to open a steakhouse sometime this winter or early spring 2022. That’s all we know for now, but he says the vibe will be “fun.” Estimated arrival: winter 2021.