Pennsylvania Convention Center – Dining

The Pennsylvania Convention Center sits in an ideal spot for those seeking quality culinary destinations. It’s in the middle of Chinatown and connected to Reading Terminal Market. Whether you enjoy Asian cuisine or want an endless amount of options, this area of Philadelphia will meet your dining needs.

Within Reading Terminal Market, foodies have the opportunity to take a food tour that can rival any other. It’s conveniently attached to the Pennsylvania Convention Center and has existed since 1893. One of the largest and oldest public markets, Reading Terminal Market sits in a National Historical Landmark building. They’re open every day of the week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and feature more than 50 vendors. Many of these vendors are family-owned and operated food stalls, making Reading Terminal Market a must-see for new, hungry visitors to Philadelphia.

Through this guide we attempt to narrow down the options but can only scratch the surface. Dining choices truly unfold in front of you the moment you step outside the Pennsylvania Convention Center. You can find information on all the restaurants and eateries featured in Reading Terminal Market on their website, but we’ve created a quick guide to serve as an overview of your options.

Beck’s Cajun Cafe

Beck’s Cajun Cafe brings north the authentic flavors of Cajun and Creole food for Philadelphia visitors to enjoy for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. This stall stands out in the busy market, not only for its Southern spice but because of its three-time Best of Philly winning chef, Bill Beck. Chow down on classic Cajun dishes such as jambalaya and gumbo, try Beck’s deep-fried mac and cheese, or dive into some shrimp and crawdad pasta.

Beiler’s Bakery

In need of a sweet treat? Beiler’s Bakery is the perfect place to get freshly baked goods like cupcakes, bread, cookies, and pies. The same Pennsylvania Dutch family has been operating this stand since 1984, as well as the nearby doughnut and salad stand. It may be hard to resist the smell of this bakery, since the family does all their baking on-site using all-natural ingredients. Go ahead and indulge!

Carmen’s Famous Italian Hoagies & Cheesesteaks

Those who don’t want to get involved in the Pat’s vs. Geno’s cheesesteak rivalry can get an equally delicious signature sandwich at Carmen’s Famous Italian Hoagies & Cheesesteaks. This family-owned and operated stand has been serving customers fresh cheesesteaks since 1983.

Carmen’s also offers their own unique versions of the classic dish. They created the Franklin, which comes with American cheese and Philadelphia cream cheese, the Kamikaze, torched with hot peppers and sauce, and even a vegetarian cheesesteak with seitan. It’s possible Carmen’s will become your go-to place for cheesesteak, and it’s right outside the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

By George! Pizza, Pasta & Cheesesteaks

By George! Pizza, Pasta & Cheesesteaks is the perfect place to satisfy a craving for Italian food. This stand will hook you up with favorites such as brick oven pizza, eggplant Parmesan, stromboli, and baked ziti. One of the most impressive parts of By George! is their freshly made pasta, which is cut to order for you to take home. Grab a jar of their homemade sauces as well, and you’ll have an unforgettable Italian meal to go.

Dienner’s Bar-B-Q Chicken

There’s no shortage of Amish eateries in Pennsylvania, and that’s true for Reading Terminal Market as well. Dienner’s Bar-B-Q Chicken has been serving Amish-style rotisserie chicken and wings since 1980. They’re committed to freshness and receive their chicken each morning from Philadelphia-area farms.

You have many options to satisfy your craving for barbecue chicken. Dienner’s offers three types of wings, chicken sandwiches, smoked legs, and whole or half rotisserie chickens. In addition, you can grab some homemade sauces to enjoy later.

DiNic’s

Culinary excellence runs in Chef Tommy Nicolosi’s family, as his grandfather founded a successful Philadelphia butcher shop in 1918. It’s been four generations since then, and the family has perfected their craft.

DiNic’s Roast Pork Sandwich was named Travel Channel’s Best Sandwich America in 2013. DiNic’s also offers a variety of Italian sandwiches, all made from scratch. The stand maintains its generational success through their slow-cooking process, attention to detail, and high standard for ingredients. Stop by to experience a nationally acclaimed sandwich in this modest stand.

Down Home Diner

Down Home Diner lives up to its name by providing a quintessential diner experience. In the midst of a busy market, this sit-down establishment surrounds patrons with a retro atmosphere. Whether you’re ordering at a booth or posted up at the counter, you’ll have the pleasure of locally sourced food made from scratch.

Chef Jack McDavid understands the importance of supporting his neighbors in Reading Terminal Market, and so sources all his ground meat and other ingredients from fellow vendors. Every dish, down to the biscuits and jam, is made from scratch on premises.

Dutch Eating Place

Reading Terminal Market refers to Dutch Eating Place as one of its “most iconic eateries.” Their dishes are by no means out of the ordinary, but the Dutch Eating Place creates their food with such care and quality that they’re unforgettable.

This stand is bustling at breakfast, with a sea of visitors and locals alike gathering to grab delicious pancakes, french toast, fresh juice, and sizzling bacon. Dutch Eating Place is an eatery able to make a memorable meal out of dishes you’ve had hundreds of times before.

Fox & Son Fancy Corndogs

A classic carnival snack gets the VIP treatment at Fox & Son Fancy Corndogs, where owners Rebecca Foxman and Ezekial Ferguson turn this humble fare into a gourmet dish. Their creative corn dog flavors include sweet potato chorizo, and cheddar jalapeno, and hot dogs can be swapped out for turkey or a vegan option.

In addition to corn dogs, Fox & Son serves other carnival-themed dishes such as cheese curds and funnel cake. Their menu is completely gluten free and contains vegetarian and vegan options, in addition to being allergen-friendly.

Hunger Burger

Hunger Burger has plenty of hearty dishes to fill you right up. Their black Angus beef is sourced completely from the United States, and is always hormone and antibiotics-free. In addition to their responsibly sourced hamburgers, Hunger Burger serves burgers made with chicken, turkey, and veggies.

Patrons can also enjoy scalloped potatoes, mac and cheese with or without lobster, ice cream shakes, and more. It’s all but guaranteed that Hunger Burger will fill you right up.

Keven Parker’s Soul Food Cafe

Fans of Southern comfort food unite at Keven Parker’s Soul Food Cafe. The menu contains the expected dishes such as ribs, catfish, candied yams, mac and cheese, and collard greens along with its award-winning fried chicken.

Keven Parker, a native Philadelphian, began his culinary career in 2011 when he opened Ms. Tootsie’s on South Street. He then expanded into Reading Terminal Market to serve his crowd-pleasing food to a wider audience. Visit Keven Parker’s Soul Food Cafe and slip into what feels like an upscale soul food restaurant.

Yakitori Boy

Since the Pennsylvania Convention Center sits in Chinatown, it’s necessary to mention an establishment serving up delicious Asian cuisine. Yakitori Boy specializes in Japanese fare and is a popular destination for those who want a quality meal along with a memorable night out. Yakitori Boy is considered a Japanese pub and known for its meat skewers.

The yakitori skewers are the most talked-about dish on the menu, and with 30 different kinds, can satisfy any taste. Yakitori Boy also offers unique drinks, including a selection of Japanese beer, whisky, and sake. If you need to let loose after a long day at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Yakitori Boy hosts outstandingly popular, stress-relieving karaoke. You can either join in at the open karaoke lounge, or rent out one of eight private karaoke rooms that fit from six to 20 people.

Bank & Bourbon

For those interested in quality, hand-crafted cocktails along with an upscale menu, Bank & Bourbon is the perfect destination. Bank & Bourbon serves seasonally inspired American dishes created with fresh ingredients. Not only do they serve incredible food like a grilled ahi tuna sandwich, oysters, artisan cheese boards, and truffled pappardelle, but house-aged spirits as well. Bank & Bourbon is proud to serve customers their carefully barrel-aged liquor. They also have a Bourbon Master and specially trained mixologists on staff to share their expertise with customers.

The restaurant is located on the ground floor of the former Philadelphia Savings Fund Society, the first savings bank in the United States. This luxurious dining experience is only a four-minute walk from the Pennsylvania Convention Center.