Lilly's Ferry Replaces The Victoria Freehouse in Old City

Lilly's Ferry is now open at 10 S. Front Street in Old City. Middle Eastern-style restaurant Lilly's Ferry is the latest in a series of successful restaurants serving Middle Eastern cuisine around the city.

Anas Hamad is the owner of this business. He was born in Jerusalem and moved to the United States with his family when he turned 14 years old. Hamad moved to the United States from Maryland in 2020 and settled in Philadelphia. Hamad felt he could not enjoy the same food in Philadelphia as in Maryland, so he bought the former Victoria's Freehouse to transform into Lilly's Ferry.

Lilly, Hamad's four-year-old girl, inspired the name. Hamad said, "I brought her to the restaurant for the first time." She pointed out a ferry, whose name was born from that moment. "I always wanted to call my business after her. The Ferry was an addition at the last minute, which I used because it was so cute."

The menu includes specials like Sheppard's Pie Chicken Pot Pie and Vegan Tiki Marsala. There are also Family Combos for eight people), four people, two people, or one person. These combos come with Kufta Kebabs (beef sate patty), Lamb Chops, Beef Sate Patty, and a side dish of Hummus, Salad Pickles, and Rice.

Christopher Zografos created the beverage menu to give a Philly vibe to Middle Eastern food since Middle Eastern countries don't typically drink alcohol. The specialty cocktails will rotate seasonally.

Lilly's Ferry opens Tuesday and Wednesday at 11 am and closes at 11 pm, Thursday and Friday from 11 am and midnight, Saturday and Sunday between 10 am-2 am, with the kitchen closing by 10:30 pm.

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