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    Pearl
    The Tasty, Restaurant in Philadelphia
    Restaurant150Points

    The Tasty

    Wharton, Philadelphia

    Restaurant in Philadelphia, United States

    The Read

    Dress

    Casual

    Why go

    The Tasty is a South Philadelphia neighborhood spot at 1401 S 12th St that rewards repeat visitors more than first-timers. Walk-ins are easy, the drinks program is the main reason to show up, it sits in one of the city's most reliable blocks for a low-key evening out. Go back, go with a plan.

    About The Tasty

    Is The Tasty worth booking for a night out in South Philadelphia?

    Yes, if you're after a neighborhood spot at 1401 S 12th St that earns repeat visits. The Tasty sits in South Philly's tight grid of rowhouses and corner bars, its address alone puts it close to some of the city's most consistent casual dining. For anyone who's been once and is weighing whether to return, the short answer is: go back, go intentionally.

    With the venue's data still being compiled in full, the clearest thing to say is this: South Philadelphia rewards the regulars. The neighborhood around S 12th St has a bar culture built on loyalty rather than hype, spots that survive here tend to do so by keeping the drinks program consistent and the room comfortable enough that you want to stay. If the cocktail or drinks side of things is your reason for showing up, that's a sensible instinct for this part of the city.

    For your second visit, focus less on exploring the menu broadly and more on identifying what the bar does well and ordering around it. South Philly bar programs in this zip code tend toward the approachable end: well-executed classics over elaborate seasonal lists. If you found something that worked on your first visit, it's likely still there and probably still good.

    Booking is easy. This is not a reservation-required situation; walk-in access is realistic for most nights. If you're coming with a group larger than four, a quick call or message ahead is sensible rather than essential.

    For the full picture of what's happening in Philadelphia dining right now, our full Philadelphia restaurants guide covers the city's strongest options across every neighborhood. If you're also planning around where to stay, the Philadelphia hotels guide is worth a look, for after-dinner options, the Philadelphia bars guide will point you toward the city's most consistent rooms.

    Elsewhere in South Philly, South Philly Barbacoa remains one of the neighborhood's most compelling reasons to make the trip south of Washington Ave. For a broader sense of what Philadelphia's independent dining scene can do, Mawn and My Loup are both worth knowing. If you're benchmarking against the city's more formal end, Fork and Friday Saturday Sunday are the two names that consistently come up.

    Know Before You Go

    • Address: 1401 S 12th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
    • Neighborhood: South Philadelphia
    • Booking difficulty: Easy; walk-ins are realistic most nights
    • Leading for: Repeat visitors, neighborhood bar nights, small groups
    • Group size note: Parties of 5+ should call ahead as a precaution
    • Useful links: Philadelphia experiences · Philadelphia wineries
    The takeThe Tasty is best for low-key outings—brunches, after-work dinners and casual meals with friends or family. Its menu highlights vegetarian-friendly comfort items (Vegan Breakfast Burrito, Tofu Scramble, Biscuits and Gravy) that make it an easy pick for weekend mornings and midweek dinners alike. Solo diners and regulars feel equally at home; the restaurant’s identity is shaped by return visits rather than one-off, special-occasion experiences. If you want unfussy cooking and a familiar neighborhood rhythm—arrive for brunch staples or drop in on a weeknight to blend in with the steady local crowd.
    Venue detailsCozy
    Also considerAlternatives
    Restaurant contextPhiladelphia, United States
    Explore PhiladelphiaNearby

    Planning details

    Location
    1401 S 12th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
    Website
    thetastyphilly.com
    Phone
    +1 267 457 5670
    Around this placeMore Pearl picks
    The take

    The Take

    The Vibe

    The Tasty reads like a neighborhood fixture: unpretentious, dependable and quietly confident. Located on South 12th Street in East Passyunk, it trades trend-chasing for steady service and repeat visits, the kind of place where regulars form the core audience. The tone is relaxed and casual rather than showy, and the restaurant’s charm comes from its everyday reliability rather than a curated dining spectacle. For diners looking for a warm, unfussy meal in a familiar, community-minded setting, The Tasty offers a straightforward welcome and the sort of neighborhood credibility that earns loyalty over time.

    Best For

    The Tasty is best for low-key outings—brunches, after-work dinners and casual meals with friends or family. Its menu highlights vegetarian-friendly comfort items (Vegan Breakfast Burrito, Tofu Scramble, Biscuits and Gravy) that make it an easy pick for weekend mornings and midweek dinners alike. Solo diners and regulars feel equally at home; the restaurant’s identity is shaped by return visits rather than one-off, special-occasion experiences. If you want unfussy cooking and a familiar neighborhood rhythm—arrive for brunch staples or drop in on a weeknight to blend in with the steady local crowd.

    Ordering Tips

    Stick to the signatures when you visit: the Vegan Breakfast Burrito and Tofu Scramble are natural choices at brunch, while the Fried Chicken Sandwich and Waffle Fries suit a casual midday or evening meal. Save room for the Strawberry Buttercream Dessert if you want a sweet finish. Biscuits and Gravy appear on the list of standouts and are worth ordering for a classic, comforting plate. Given the restaurant’s neighborhood focus, coming on a weeknight often delivers the most representative experience—unfussy, reliably prepared food enjoyed amid regulars.

    Venue details

    Ambiance

    Retro old-school diner aesthetic with vintage tables and decor; warm, friendly, and relaxed neighborhood atmosphere with a cozy, intimate feel despite the cramped space.

    Tags

    Vibe

    CozyClassicHidden Gem

    Best For

    BrunchCasual HangoutSolo

    Experience

    Standalone

    At the Table

    Dress Code
    Casual
    Noise Level
    Conversational
    Service Style
    Counter Service
    Meal Pacing
    Quick Bite
    Capacity
    Small

    Signature Dishes

    • Vegan Breakfast Burrito
    • Fried Chicken Sandwich
    • Waffle Fries
    • Strawberry Buttercream Dessert
    • Tofu Scramble
    • Biscuits and Gravy
    Planning details

    Location

    1401 S 12th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147 · Directions

    +1 267 457 5670

    thetastyphilly.com

    Also consider

    Also Consider

    Restaurant context

    The Tasty operates in a different register from most of Philadelphia's well-known dining destinations, which makes direct comparison tricky but useful. If you're deciding between a South Philly neighborhood visit and a more deliberate dining experience, Friday Saturday Sunday is the clearest upgrade in terms of kitchen ambition and cocktail program depth; it's harder to book and costs more, but it's the right call if you want the bar experience to be as considered as the food. Fork sits at a similar tier of intention, with Old City polish and a wine list that justifies the extra spend.

    For value in the same South Philly geography, South Philly Barbacoa is in a class of its own for what it delivers per dollar; the queue is the cost of entry rather than a reservation system, it's worth it. Helm is the pick if you want something more chef-driven with a genuine point of view. Jean-Georges Philadelphia is for a different night entirely: formal, expensive, best when someone else is paying. The Tasty fits best when the goal is a relaxed return visit with no booking stress; it's the easiest option in this group to walk into, sometimes that's exactly what the evening calls for.

    Explore Philadelphia
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    Unlock the full The Tasty guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.

    Compare The Tasty
    Price vs. Value: The Tasty
    VenueBooking DifficultyAwards
    The TastyEasyNo published awards
    Friday Saturday SundayUnknown
    2026 North America's 50 Best Restaurants · #402026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #1232025 World's 50 North America's Best Restaurants · #162025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #2602025 James Beard Award Semifinalists2025 Michelin 1 Star2024 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #1462023 James Beard Awards · #12023 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Highly Recommended
    ForkUnknown
    2026 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence2024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #6652023 James Beard Awards · #12023 OAD Casual in North America Recommended
    South Philly BarbacoaUnknown
    2026 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Recommended2025 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #237Chef's Table Featured Restaurants · 20252024 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #2312023 OAD Cheap Eats in North America in Recommended2022 James Beard Awards
    Jean-Georges PhiladelphiaUnknown
    2026 Forbes 5-Star2026 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence2026 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #2042025 AAA 5 Diamond Restaurant2025 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 Forbes 5-Star2024 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #2152023 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Highly Recommended
    HelmUnknown
    2026 Michelin 1 Star2026 La Liste Top RestaurantsTatler Best Restaurants Asia-Pacific 2025

    A quick look at how The Tasty measures up.

    FAQ

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Where is The Tasty located?

    The Tasty is located in Philadelphia, at 1401 S 12th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147.