White Dog Café has been offering an endlessly evolving menu since 1983. It’s one of the first farm-to-table spots in Philly, known for sourcing sustainable, organic and local ingredients from nearby farms.
The house-made breads are an absolute must (they often sell out on the weekends, so get there early if it’s on your to-devour list), as are the White Dog double cheddar burger, slathered with bacon mayo and served with truffle-Parmesan fries, and the goat cheese whipped ricotta, crowned with rotating seasonal accompaniments, like roasted pears and spiced hazelnuts.
For brunch, the pork belly benedict with rosemary-maple cream sauce and pickled onions will blow you away at first bite. You also can’t go wrong with the avocado BLT, piled high with smoked bacon, or any stuffed French toast (previous variations include pumpkin cheesecake with gingersnap crumbs and s’mores).
The vibe: Elevated neighborhood bar meets tastefully decorated, cozy-yet-chic brownstone
The food: Modern American classics made with impeccably sourced, farm-to-table ingredients
The drink: Seasonal cocktails that are not to be missed, plus wine and beer
Time Out tip: You can often get lucky as a walk-in here for brunch, but it’s safest to make a reservation a few days ahead. Tables can fill up in a flash.