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The Italian Market
A South Philadelphia mainstay since the 19th Century
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A fishmonger at South Philadelphia's famous Italian Market
Photo by B. Krist for GPTMC
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Market (and nearby) Highlights
Specialty: Di Bruno Bros., Claudio’s, Talluto’s, Bakeries: Sarcone’s, Iannelli’s, Isgro Pastries; Butchers: Eposito’s, D’Angelo Bros, Cannuli’s, Orlando’s; Seafood: Anastasi Seafood, Micali Fish; Restaurants: Ralph’s, Sabrina’s Café, Butcher’s Café, Dante and Luigi’s, Villa di Roma, Pif, Vesuvio; Mexican: La Lupe, Taqueria La Veracruzana, Los Taquitos de Puebla, Restaurant Acapulco; Asian: O Sandwiches, Cafe Houng Lan, Pho 75, Nam Phoung, Porky & Porkie, Café de Laos, Cheesesteaks, Hoagies, etc.: Pat’s King of Steaks, Geno’s Steaks, Sarcone’s Deli, Chickie's
Philadelphia’s Italian Market, which runs along approximately ten city blocks of Ninth Street in South Philadelphia, is one of the oldest and largest open-air markets in America.
You can literally find almost anything at the market. Dozens of vendors line the street, selling the freshest vegetables, fish, meats, spices and produce from their stalls, while gourmet shops and restaurants occupy storefronts in between.
These butcher shops, bakeries and other specialty shops are throwbacks to another time, long before the advent of super markets. Stepping inside one of these establishments, you will truly marvel at the amazing array of products on display — and at the whole experience of it all.
In addition to the vendors and shops, countless mouth-watering restaurants have located (very wisely, one might add) either along the market itself or within a stone’s throw of it. So there's absolutely no chance you'll leave hungry.
And while the Italian Market has an incredibly strong Italian heritage — which can still be seen today throughout the stores, restaurants and neighborhood in general — an exciting surge of international flavors has given the Italian Market new life over the past decade.
Now, just as many people visit the market for Mexican food (there are several delicious taquerias as well as a few bodegas), Vietnamese fare (pho [soup] and banh mi [hoagie] are very popular), Korean barbecue and other cuisines from Asian countries like Thailand, China and Laos.
Oh and did we mention cheesesteaks? The Italian Market is home to the two most famous purveyors of cheesesteaks in the world: Pat’s and Geno’s. (You can read more about authentic Philly Cheesesteaks in our section devoted to the famous Philadelphia sandwich.)
There are so many more great places to mention by name, but we simply don’t have enough space. But just know that wherever you visit on your trip to the Italian Market, you will leave you with a very memorable taste in your mouth.
Happy Eating!
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