Welcome to Passyunk Square
A walkable community with lively attractions and exciting community festivals.
Photo courtesy of Eater Philly
The neighborhood of Passyunk Square in Philadelphia is appreciated throughout Philadelphia for its family-friendly feel and the East Passyunk Avenue corridor (which bisects the neighborhood from northeast to southwest). It’s also visited by tourists from all over the world for its destination restaurants. The area has a robust European immigrant history, dating back to the mid-1800s when Germans, Irish, and English moved into the neighborhood. Today Passyunk Square is known for its rich Italian heritage and cuisine.
If you appreciate residential neighborhoods with one main street, consider Passyunk Square as your next destination. With restaurants and bars to explore, galleries and shops to peruse, and plenty of parks and outdoor spaces to enjoy, this neighborhood combines a cosmopolitan sensitivity with a small-town feel. And with easy access to the city’s best sights and sounds, it’s the perfect base camp for a night out or to build a future.
The architecture in Passyunk Square is something to behold. The community has some of the oldest buildings and homes designed by celebrated architects from the 19th- and 20th-centuries. Many homes are brownstones and trinity-style with some new modern builds.
What to Love
- Lively and walkable community
- Lots of shops and entertainment
- Cheesesteaks and Italian restaurants
- Central location and close to downtown
Local Lifestyle
Passyunk Square is a section of the city with a walkable village feel, boutique shops, and a diverse collection of restaurants, bars, and cultural institutions. In recent years, the neighborhood has become a hot spot for young professionals and families alongside a host of new businesses and attractions.
The nerve center of Passyunk Square neighborhood is Easy Passyunk Avenue, a main street featuring delicious Italian restaurants, convenient shopping storefronts, and cafes. Meanwhile, the Passyunk Square of old remains a vital part of the city’s fabric and culture, and it’s worth experiencing.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Residents love the shops and restaurants in Passyunk Square. The neighborhood is home to some of Philadelphia’s best independent retailers and eateries, giving the community a unique and affluent vibe. Foremost are Pat’s and Geno’s, the neighboring cheesesteak makers that attract food tourists the world over. Their sandwiches are a mouthful, so if you want to try both, plan separate trips or split each cheesesteak with a friend!
Laurel is a luxury French-influenced American restaurant with a stylish dining area that serves sustainable and creative dishes and provides outdoor dining. Follow the East Passyunk corridor from north to south and you’ll find a murderer’s row of excellent old-school Italian restaurants: Mamma Mia Ristorante Italiano, Mr. Martino’s Trattoria, LaScala’s Birra, and Marra’s.
Mike’s B.B.Q. serves quality smoked meats and hearty sides in an intimate dining area. Pho 75 is a quick eatery that serves large portions of Vietnamese pho soups in a casual atmosphere.
Because of the neighborhood’s walkability, its local entertainment mostly revolves around a laidback restaurant and bar scene. The Pub on Passyunk East, also known as The P.O.P.E, is a relaxed pub that serves draft microbrews and American classics, like burgers and fries. Garage Passyunk serves beer and cocktails in a setting that resembles a garage. If the weather’s nice, pay a visit to Barcelona Wine Bar, which offers Spanish food and wine.
In terms of shopping, once again, you’ll want to head southwest on Easy Passyunk Avenue. In addition to insurance offices, hair salons, and pharmacies, you’ll also find family-owned shops and boutique storefronts. Easy Passyunk is noteworthy for its handmade crafts stores. Shoppers frequent Ocassionette for goods and gifts for all occasions, and people favor niche boutiques like Nice Things Handmade.
Things to Do
There is always something exciting to explore and discover in Passyunk Square, from the upcoming opening of a new restaurant to the latest art exhibit to festivals and community events. Regular events like Second Saturdays and the weekly seasonal farmers market serve as hubs for the community. Meanwhile, the neighborhood hosts a few landmark annual events, including:
- Flavors on the Avenue is an annual food festival that showcases several blocks of street food, drinks, live music, vendors, and more. Residents in Passyunk Square also enjoy the annual Christmas lights on Miracle on 13th Street. The display features hundreds of lights, garlands, inflatables, and other decorations for residents to drive or walk down the street.
- The East Passyunk Car Show and Street Festival is a gathering of classic American cars for residents to enjoy. The festival also has music, food, vendors, and family entertainment like a bounce house and crafts.
Schools
The School District of Philadelphia serves Passyunk Square and more than 200,000 students in the greater Philadelphia area. The district focuses on early literacy and college and career readiness through personalized academic options. With more than 19,000 staff and teachers, the district strives to support each student and create a well-rounded education.
