PHILADELPHIA, PA - Every January, we talk about "Dry January" and "Healthy Eating." But let’s be real: in Philadelphia, we talk about what opened while we were on holiday break.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - Every January, we talk about "Dry January" and "Healthy Eating." But let’s be real: in Philadelphia, we talk about what opened while we were on holiday break.
The start of 2026 has brought a wave of high-concept, high-design openings that are already impossible to get into. From Rittenhouse cocktail dens to a "reality show" restaurant on Broad Street, here is the new "Class of '26" you need to know about.
1. Liquorette (Rittenhouse)
- The Vibe: European luxury meets "I know a guy."
- The Story: Located above the popular Wine Dive, this is the latest project from the power couple behind Sonny’s and Wine Dive (Chris Fetfatzes and Heather Annechiarico).
- Why Go: It’s a "cocktail bar" that feels like a hotel lobby in Paris. Expect table service, rare spirits, and a level of polish that makes it the perfect "date night" upgrade from the dive bar downstairs.
2. Banshee (South Street)
- The Vibe: Scandinavian cool meets Asian-Euro fusion.
- The Story: The team that gave us Cheu Noodle Bar and Bing Bing is back. Ben Puchowitz and Shawn Darragh have taken over a space on South Street and turned it into something entirely new.
- The Menu: Think "Baked Alaska" for dessert and grilled carrots with Kyoto flavors for dinner. It’s weird, it’s loud, and it’s exactly the kind of "genre-bending" cooking Philly does better than anyone.
3. Recipe Philly (Broad & Arch)
- The Vibe: "Is there a camera on me?"
- The Story: Set to open fully this spring but teasing pop-ups now, this is a unique concept where the menu is crowdsourced from amateur chefs and tied to a reality competition series.
- Why Go: Curiosity. It’s located right on the Avenue of the Arts, making it a prime pre-theater spot, assuming the "winning recipes" are actually good.
4. Lucky Duck (Northern Liberties)
- The Vibe: The "Third Place" you have been looking for.
- The Story: From the creative minds behind Libertee Grounds (the mini-golf bar), this spot on the ground floor of the Rivermark apartments is designed to be a "hangout" first and a restaurant second.
- Why Go: It’s filling the void for a casual, community-focused spot on the Delaware River waterfront, which is desperately needing more "locals" joints amidst the luxury high-rises.
5. Opus (Kennett Square)
- The Vibe: Art gallery meets farm-to-table.
- The Story: Okay, it’s a drive, but it’s worth it. The Square Roots Collective is transforming the old Hank’s Place site into an American restaurant with a second-floor cocktail bar that doubles as an art installation.
- Why Go: Kennett Square is booming, and this is set to be the anchor of its 2026 revival.
The Takeaway: The "Post-Pandemic" recovery phase is over. 2026 is the "Ambition Phase." Restaurateurs are taking big swings again—complicated menus, expensive fit-outs, and specific concepts. If you want a table at Liquorette or Banshee this weekend, stop reading and open Resy now.