Fishtown - Philadelphia, PA Area Guide

Originally part of Kensington and formed in the early 1700s by merchant Anthony Palmer, Fishtown distinguished itself culturally as a hub for commercial fishing. Many of the original fishing and shipbuilding industry leaders, including Palmer, are buried in Palmer Cemetery or the Kensington Burial Ground, located centrally in Fishtown. It was not until the late 20th and early 21st centuries that Fishtown began to see a revival with the influx of artists and other professionals and the opening of many new dining, entertainment and arts establishments. Residents whose families have been in Fishtown for generations co-mingle with artist transplants, leading to a diverse and unique population.

The arts have especially taken hold in Fishtown. Strolling down Frankford Avenue on First Friday serves as a popular activity, when many of the art galleries in the area open their doors at night for art exhibitions. Check out White Stone Gallery for a more traditional gallery experience or Fjord Gallery for a younger crowd and more experimental work.

In the fall, do not miss the RiverCity Festival at Penn Treaty Park, a one-day whirlwind of live music, food and drink, arts and crafts, and inflatable fun for the youngest attendees. Another highlight is the Fishtown Chili Cookoff in the spring, where amateur cooks and top Philadelphia chefs compete to see who can make the best bowl. Tickets include tastes of all the chili and beer from the Fishtown-based Philadelphia Brewing Company.

If you're craving a true multi-course Italian dining experience, hankering for a scoop of Cherry Hibiscus ice cream or wanting to get down and dirty with a PBR and some techno, Fishtown is your neighborhood. The most popular restaurants and bars lie around the intersection of Frankford and Girard Avenues, but keep traveling north up Frankford to find more to suit your appetite.

Come hungry to Modo Mio, a BYOB with the option of a four-course tasting menu of traditional Italian cuisine. Get ready to park yourself in your chair, because this gives you a true Italian dining experience. The owner wants patrons to feel like friends instead of customers, and he makes a point to stop by every table to see how things are going. The menu changes regularly, but the gnocchi is a house specialty and any main dish with veal impresses. Come on Sugo Sunday for a special tasting menu. You don't have to make any decisions, because everyone in the restaurant eats the same menu for the night.

For lunch, head across the street to Paesano’s, a sandwich shop run by the owner of Modo Mio. Renowned for its creative, Italian-inspired sandwiches, Modo Mio's chefs even won a throw down with Bobby Flay. Vegetarians and vegans, try the Panelle, a Sicilian chickpea pancake with fennel, roasted tomato, pepperoncini and special hot sauce in a flatbread. Otherwise, indulge in the signature Paesano sandwich, overflowing with beef brisket and stuffed with roasted tomatoes, melted sharp provolone, two fried eggs and horseradish mayo for a kick.

For a dessert in the hippest part of Fishtown, head up Frankford Ave and stop into Little Baby’s Ice Cream, where you'll find unique ice cream flavors like Rose Pistachio and Smoked Cinnamon. The shop also has a large selection of non-dairy frozen desserts for the lactose intolerant and vegan crowds. Try the Earl Grey Sriracha, which, according to the creators, tastes like “spicy Fruit Loops.”

The hallmark of the neighborhood's nightlife is its live music offerings. Local bands and DJs play at Johnny Brenda’s and Milkcrate Cafe. The El Bar is another great night time option in Fishtown. Whether you're looking to listen to tunes on the jukebox, or play a game of pool with some friends, The El Bar has you covered. With its intimate ambiance, a new music performance every night and cheap tickets, Kung Fu Necktie is a favorite bar among locals. Don't be afraid to order a beer from the “shelf of shame” for a cheap libation.

It's easy to get around Fishtown by foot or bike due to its convenient location around many convenience stores, shops and restaurants. Frankford Avenue is a bike-friendly road and Delaware Avenue to the east offers dedicated bike lanes; bikers should still take caution because Fishtown has fairly high traffic. To get around the rest of the city, the most popular option is SEPTA’s Market-Frankford subway line. The line runs from Frankford in the northeast and cuts down and across the center of Philadelphia all the way to 69th street in West Philadelphia. Trolley’s also stop in Fishtown and bring riders west along Girard Avenue in the north.

Cabs are easier to find along the popular Girard Avenue, and Uber picks up riders throughout the city. Street parking can be hard to come by, but residents with a permit have greater options. One or two parking garages lie nearby, including Quality Park. The I-95 highway has an exit right onto Girard Avenue in Fishtown for easy commuting to suburbs in the northeast or down to Center City and South Philadelphia.

Penn Treaty Park delivers as the most frequented park in Fishtown. Located on the riverfront, this free park has seven acres of green space with picnic areas, playground equipment and events like the annual Champagne in the Park, where jazz, food and conversation bring residents together. The park is dog-friendly and even has doggy litter bag dispensers. Smaller parks include Palmer Park, near the Palmer Cemetery, and Konrad Square, a little further north just off of Frankford Avenue.

Cost of living is on the rise in Fishtown, with the typical rent for a 1-bedroom apartment at $1,667 per month, higher than the average for the rest of Philadelphia. This has definitely been affected by the establishment of hot new food and entertainment spots, but prices at these locations are comparable, if not cheaper, than similar spots in Center City.

In addition to its arts and dining activities, Frankford Ave in Fishtown serves as a hotspot for shopping. Several boutiques and specialty stores draw customers of all tastes inside. Locals find deals on home goods from the '50s-'70s at the Mid-Century Furniture Warehouse on North 2nd Street, the perfect place to decorate your rehabbed warehouse loft.

If you need a new outfit, check out Smak Parlour. Located in the nearby Old City neighborhood, this boutique is housed in an antique building that looks like a quaint pink dollhouse, and the options inside are fun and stunning. Shoppers can find a range of indie and in-house designers.

Liberty Lands Park Farmers Market, the closest market to this area, lies in the nearby Northern Liberties neighborhood of Philadelphia. It has seasonal hours from May to November.