Three Philly-area restaurants named ‘Restaurants of the Year’ by USA Today

Philly’s food scene is garnering more and more attention as it climbs to the top of a prestigious awards list, is highlighted by a national newspaper of record, and receives a nod from the Michelin Guide.

USA Today recently named three restaurants from the Philadelphia region as “2024 Restaurants of the Year.” They are a West Philly Ethiopian chicken house, a New Hope cafe, and a Delaware steakhouse. A Vietnamese cafe in the middle of Pennsylvania also made the list.

USA Today selected 47 spots chosen by journalists working at USA Today Network newspapers across the country. Here are the restaurants in the Philly region that made the list.

Philadelphia, Pa.

The Ali family began its West Philly Ethiopian empire with a cafe, Alif Brew & Mini Mart, four years ago, cementing their almost fully vegan menu in the minds of Philadelphians. A year after the coffee shop opened, Salam Cafe became the family’s second restaurant, opening in 2021 with Middle Eastern and Ethiopian fare. It has a breakfast sandwich that has been deemed one of Philly’s best. Doro Bet, the third location, is the culmination of everything the Ali family has built so far, with gluten-free fried chicken that is also a Philly favorite and is delivered in a fast-casual setting.

📍 4533 Baltimore Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19143, 📞 215-921-6558, 🌐 alifamilyrestaurants.com, @dorobetphl

New Hope, Pa.

The Speckled Egg Cafe makes seriously clever, tasty food. The restaurant knows how to make food fun again with cute and delectable breakfast sandwiches and a diverse menu of hot dogs, from tomato-topped dogs and poppy seed rolls to muffuletta wieners and a “South Philly hotdog” with broccoli rabe and sharp provolone. There are chicken shwarma burgers, classic banh mi, kimchi egg and cheeses, and crispy sesame chicken with creamy tahini dressing. It’s always a surprise at the Speckled Egg.

📍 6326 Greenhill Road, New Hope, PA 18938, 🌐 thespeckledegg.net, @thespeckledeggcafe

Wilmington, Del.

Harry’s Savoy Grill is a premier steakhouse with 45-day-aged 18 oz. ribeyes, an award-winning prime rib au jus, and options, such as vegan-stuffed acorn squash, for plant-based eaters . It’s been a staple to the area known as Brandywine Hundred for the last three decades and offers a wine menu with hundreds of choices.

📍 2020 Naamans Road, Wilmington, DE 19810, 📞 302-475-3000, 🌐 harryshospitalitygroup.com/harrys-savoy-grill

York, Pa.

While Viet Thai Cafe is not near Philly, it needs to be acknowledged. This rural area is the home base for some of the state’s biggest snack manufacturers, including Snyder’s of Hanovers and Martin’s Snacks. For the last two decades, it’s also been home to Viet Thai Cafe, offering authentic Vietnamese food with fresh ingredients, creative plating, and a cozy interior.. If Philadelphians finds themselves out that way, this is a must-visit stop on that trip.

📍 2535 E. Market St., York, PA 17402, 📞 717-846-9302, 🌐 vietthaimarketstreetcafe.com