PHLGuide
The Best Pop-Ups In Philly Right Now
photo credit: Stuart Goldberg
Perhaps you’re sick of being boxed in by one cuisine or want a mash-up between some of the city’s best chefs. Or maybe the idea of anything that’s limited-time-only is too good to resist. Whatever your reason, there are some exciting new collaborations that you need to know about. These are the best pop-ups right now, each offering a fresh, creative, and adventurous dining experience in Philly. We’ll be updating this guide throughout the month.
May 1- May 31
photo credit: Chibanos
Chibanos @ Forîn / May 3, 6-9pm and May 4, 11:30am-2:30pm
Chibanos, the Chinese-Cuban sandwich shop, will be taking over Forîn in Kensington. Expect DJs and a menu of roast pork sandwiches, braised jackfruit sandwiches with a spicy black bean chili spread, and plantain chips.
Southeast Asian Market @ FDR Park / Opens May 4
The time has come to head to FDR Park for Pad Thai, stuffed chicken wings, and Cambodian-style lemongrass beef skewers at the Southeast Asian Market. There are 70-80 vendors to choose from. Bring your appetite and cash; there’s no ATM on site, and not every stall takes cards.
photo credit: GAB BONGHI
Chef Tae Strain @ Little Fish / May 4-May 5
In celebration of AAPI month, Chef Tae Strain from The Progress in San Francisco will be at Bella Vista’s Little Fish. Book a reservation for an eight-course spread of lime leaf cured hamachi loin and clam toast topped with ramps, garlic, sausage, and smoked clam butter.
photo credit: GAB BONGHI
Miss Rachel’s Pantry @ Primary Plant Based / May 5th
Fishtown’s Primary Plant Based continues its Sunday Dinner series with Rachel Klein of Miss Rachel’s Pantry. The dinner remains BYOB, so bring a bottle, a few friends, and prepare for a meal of asparagus based dishes.
photo credit: Stuart Goldberg
Bastia @ a.kitchen and Laurel / May 7, 5-9pm (a.kitchen) and May 14, 5-9pm (Laurel)
Bastia is a new Mediterranean restaurant coming to Fishtown. Chef Tyler Akin will be previewing his talents at a.kitchen and Laurel this month. You’ll see scallops with strawberry and avocado, grilled lobster with a saffron stew, and a few other seafood-leaning dishes throughout the evening.
My Loup @ Fiore / May 9, 5:30-9pm
One of our favorites is linking up with another. My Loup’s Chef Alex Kemp will be at Fiore in Kensington, serving a $125 per person dinner. There are two seating options, and it’s BYOB, although after-dinner drinks are provided. You’ll be in for a night of sweetbreads with ramp ranch and caviar, lobster cake with sauce Americaine, a roasted pork rack, and dessert.
Sammy Jammy @ Post Haste / River Twice on May 8, Pietramala on May 15, El Chingon on May 22, and Post Haste on May 29
Each Wednesday in May, Kensington’s Post Haste invites a new chef into its space to offer their take on a ham sandwich. Teams from River Twice, Pietramala, and El Chingon will all be stopping by. Grab a reservation ASAP.
photo credit: Cory Sharber
Southeast Asian Market @ Bok Bar / May 22, 6pm
Vendors from the Southeast Asian Market will be at our favorite summer rooftop serving a seven-course dinner for $150 per person. Each ticket comes with drinks from Philadelphia Distilling and Two Robbers, too.
