If you’re only heading into Pennsport to hit the shopping centers on Columbus Boulevard, reconsider. The next time you’re on your way to Home Depot for a can of paint or to Target, everyone’s favorite retail store, rethink your itinerary and check out what you’ve been missing! This blossoming neighborhood has to offer plenty to offer, and, with more and more business owners flocking to the area, we’d be willing to make a friendly wager that this happening ‘hood is about to explode!
Pennsport sits on the Delaware River Waterfront – just east of Passyunk Square between Queen Village and Snyder Avenue. Home to the Mummers, Pennsport caters to a large population of working class Irish-Americans who give the area its distinctive community vibe. Grittier than Rittenhouse and more eclectic than Fishtown, the area is a backdrop to a growing number of restaurants, bars, and parks that bring new life to what was once a locals-only neighborhood. Now a destination for both visitors and city inhabitants, Pennsport is worth venturing off the beaten path for. Check out some of our favorite go-to spots:
Backed by the rich history of the once beloved Kennett Cafė, Kennett is a staple eatery and historic landmark in the neighborhood. This building has been standing since 1924, and though it’s seen a few renovations, its most recent incarnation serves up wood fired pizza, charcuterie, local cheeses, and an assortment of tasty small plates. Don’t miss their Sunday brunch menu – especially their bacon pancakes! Who can say no to homemade cornmeal loaded with house cured bacon, cooked in bacon fat, and topped with two fried eggs?
This hotspot has been getting plenty of local attention since their launch in June 2012… and we’re not surprised. The Industry is a favorite amongst Philly’s most beloved drink slingers. Every day of the week, industry peeps get 20% off! Even if you’re not one of their server/bartender regulars, the prices are reasonable and the service is what you’d expect from a place that caters to hospitality workers: quick, cheerful, and laidback.
If that wasn’t enough, they have a killer happy hour with extended hours, so you can actually make it there after work for more than one reduced-price cocktail. Take advantage of their 3-4-5 special, which includes $3 local drafts, $4 house wines, and $5 cocktails. The Industry has been featured nationally for their yummy cocktails; the aptly named, Mummer’s Punch caught Cosmopolitan magazine’s eye with their pink-hued rum, citrus, and pineapple concoction.
To get the best sense of their menu, stop in Sunday through Wednesday for their 4-course tasting menu. The deal includes a rotation of their hearty, signature dishes like Wild Boar Ragu, Mac & Cheese Croquettes, The General’s Wings, and Korean BBQ Pork Belly sandwich, all for $40!
Pennsport Beer Boutique is so brandspankin’ new that they don’t even have a working website at the moment. Until they’re up and running, follow them on Facebook for the latest news! After their soft opening last weekend, it’s clear that their bottleshop is their main attraction. But once they’re in full swing, you can enjoy a game of bocce, chill out in their beer garden, or grab a snack. Their sister property, Caffe Valentino, just won the Open Table Diner’s Choice Award for 2015, so they’re no stranger to the Philly food scene.
Located, of course, on the corner of Fourth and Cross, this cash-only spot serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The farm-to-table BYO diner is bright and cheerful, boasting a menu that showcases the simplicity of their premium ingredients. Owned by Andrew Michaels (whose culinary resume includes Rouge, Di Bruno Bros., Magnolia Cafe, and Sabrina’s Cafe), Fourth and Cross promises straightforward dishes at a price point that just might turn you into a regular.
Another Open Table Diner’s Choice Award Winner, Moonshine offers live music, great food, and a solid variety of cocktails, wine, and beer. While this neighborhood hotspot serves up traditional bar fare like wings and loaded cheese fries, they’ve added a few eclectic items to keep things interesting. Check out the Spanish Heirinchini, Shrimp & Spinach Enchiladas, or their saucy Pork Verde – a braised pork shoulder served with black beans, rice, and fried plantains.
Unveiled to the public on October 1, Pier 68 is Philly’s newest public pier park. With sweeping views of the Delaware River, a public fishing area, a picnic grove, and plenty of open, green space, Pier 68 is one of three pier redesigns headed by the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC). An added bonus: this half-acre park is just a few blocks from Washington Avenue Pier and Washington Avenue Green. Who says you can’t enjoy the outdoors in the midst of the city hubbub?
And… if you’re considering moving into the neighborhood, there will soon be plenty of awesome new places on the market. According to Philly Mag, 400 Reed Street, a vacant building that formerly housed the Mount Sinai Hospital, may soon be redeveloped into some pretty swanky houses. In an attempt to breathe new life into the neighborhood, developers hope to receive city approval to build 95 new construction townhomes. The luxe units will each include a two-car garage, community rain gardens, and a rooftop deck that should boast a killer skyline and waterfront view.
What’s your favorite place to visit in Pennsport? Share your top spots in the comments!
