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As one of the oldest and largest public markets in the United States, the Reading Terminal Market has been a fixture in Philadelphia since 1892. This indoor food hall, farmer’s market, and marketplace are where visitors can not only do some shopping but also grab a bite to eat. Farmers, growers, producers, chefs, and small business owners occupy vendor stalls and areas with many products to browse and buy from.
The choices at this market are like what’s on a grocery store list - produce baked goods, meats, fish, prepared foods, and a lot more. Find restaurants here too, where you can pick up a breakfast, lunch, or dinner order. The market also has vendors who prepare and sell foods that are categorized as Pennsylvania Dutch, a regional cuisine based predominantly on the cultures of 18th-century German immigrants.
Iconic Food Stops: Reading Terminal's Best Eateries
DiNic’s: Serving The Yummiest Roast Pork Sandwich
This Italian family business has its roots dating to 1918 when Gaetano Nicolosi opened a butcher shop called "Nicolosi's” in South Philly. Today, the fourth generation of his lineage runs DiNic’s, a sandwich shop established in 1954 that is best known for its roast pork sandwich. This specialty order won the title of “Best Sandwich in America” in 2012 on the Travel Channel reality show of the same name hosted by Adam Richman.
Dutch Eating Place
Dutch Eating Place is a diner inside the Reading Terminal Market that makes for a great opportunity for first-timers to try Pennsylvania Dutch cooking. Run by Amish and Mennonite families, it is noted as a popular breakfast and lunch spot. You can start off your day here with perhaps a stack of pancakes or head here for lunch to order one of their sandwiches, burgers, or specials. But definitely treat yourself to their apple dumplings. These delectables are made from cored apples that get wrapped in pastry and then baked to become an apple cinnamon dessert that is served warm and paired with heavy cream.
Termini Brothers Bakery
With an outpost at the Reading Terminal Market, the Termini Brothers Bakery makes an assortment of cookies and cakes, but their cannoli get high marks in customer reviews. This third-generation run Sicilian pasticceria is said to be made with whipped ricotta cheese, chocolate, or vanilla cream. Shoppers can also find other Italian desserts such as biscotti, torrone (nougat candy studded with nuts), and sfogliatelle, a flaky shell-shaped filled pastry. Cookies, too, come in traditional flavors, including almond and orange.
Miller’s Twist
This pretzel stand sells what is referred to as “Amish Pretzels,” that are in-house made pretzels that are known for a rich buttery taste. It might be possible to watch Miller’s Twist workers rolling the dough to make these knot-shaped bread and then, once out of the oven, served slightly warm. During their morning hours, another order option is their breakfast rollups, an interesting take on an egg and cheese with a choice of meat combo that gets stuffed and served inside a pretzel!
Molly Malloy’s
This sit-down pub makes for a good stop to rest your feet after walking the streets of Philadelphia. Molly Malloy’s Kitchen and Bar is based within the Reading Terminal Market’s former beer garden and still keeps up part of that history with a rotating list of beers on tap. They also source products and ingredients from their market peers. Molly Malloy’s has an all-day breakfast menu with a flavor-changing homemade pop tart special. Lunch orders span from the Philly Cheesesteak to a Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich in a brioche bun.
Bassetts Ice Cream
Said to be America’s old ice cream company, Bassetts Ice Cream is also the first merchant to have signed a lease to have space at the Reading Public Market-way back in 1892! This frozen dessert distributor is also the last remaining original tenant but has also taken its ice cream across the country, in stores, and through mail delivery, and has gone international with their ice cream with retail locations in South Korea. At the Reading Terminal Market, visitors can order milkshakes, root beer floats, and vanilla and chocolate base flavors; their ice cream is made with over 16 percent butterfat.
Down Home Diner
Another sitdown spot, Down Home Diner, opened at the market in 1987, with an emphasis on bringing Virginian scratch-style country cooking to Philly. Along with omelets, pancakes, biscuits, sandwiches, and other classic American diner orders, Down Home Diner does offer a dish that has ties to Pennsylvania. Scrapple is a breakfast meat byproduct with a meatloaf-like base that’s traditionally made of pork scraps and trimmings and mixed with cornmeal or buckwheat flour and spices. At Down Home Diner, you can order it as part of your morning meal. Plus, the vintage setting is a throwback to diners of yesteryear.
Craving A Classic Cheesesteak? Try These Places
Of course, the Philly cheesesteak is a culinary symbol of the city, and the Reading Terminal Market has eateries specializing in it. Spataro’s Cheesesteaks sizzles with this specialty alongside other sandwiches and hoagies; they also make breakfast sandwiches in the morning.
By George’s menu includes cheesesteaks but also runs the gamut. Here, find brick oven pizza, fresh pasta, hold, and cold sandwiches, and Italian specialties and salads. The husband-and-wife-team of George and Kim Mickel, who runs By George, also has a second restaurant at Reading Terminal Market. It’s called Hunger Burger, a burger, fries, and shake joint. Yet, what really is nourishing at By George is that with every cheesesteak sold, a portion of their profits goes to feed a child in need.
Carmen’s Famous Italian Hoagies & Cheesesteaks does serve the classic version of the Philly Cheesesteak, but they do take some liberties in adapting its format. The Franklin includes Philadelphia cream cheese, and there’s a meat lovers version that adds in bacon and pepperoni. And the Kamikaze really heats up a cheesesteak with hot peppers and hot sauce.
International Fare: A Taste of Pennsylvania & The World
It’s good to check as many vendors at Reading Terminal Market as you can. There are options for vegetarian and vegan customers as well. Other noteworthy spots include these places.
Flying Monkey Bakery is known for their Whoopie pies. Run by Kamal AlBarouki and his wife, Esra, Kamal’s Middle Eastern Specialties sells falafel, honeyed pastries, shawarma, baba ganoush, hummus, and mezze. One thing to try is their lemonana, which is made with a blend of fresh lemon juice and mint plus a touch of rosewater. Texans: Visit These 10 Stunning Cities In Australia brings together the products of Commonwealth’s spirits, beer, mead, and wine producers in one setting.
Other vendors to check out include Careda’s Caribbean Cuisine, Beck’s Cajun Cafe, Little Thai Market, Luhv Vegan Deli, A Taste of Spain, and Nanee’s Kitchen.
Home Shopping: Items For Your House
The Reading Terminal Market has a few stores selling arts, crafts, and furnishings. Charita Powell, a silversmith, opened Amazulu in 1989 originally to showcase her work. Over time, Amazulu turned into an artists' collective of designs by metalworkers, displaying their pieces along with her jewelry designs. Powell's inventory may also include textiles and another decor.
Contessa’s French Linens sells these fabric household goods that grace our tables along with other housewares and accessories. Herbiary is an apothecary carrying herbs, crystals, candles, books, and other items for everyday practical magic. This business has been named in Philadelphia Magazine’s “Best of Philly 2022” as "Best Apothecary."
What To Know Before You Go
Most vendors at Reading Terminal Market accept cash and credit cards, so be sure to have both on hand. The market is open daily, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is closed on New Year’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Note that all the Pennsylvania Dutch merchants in the market have their shops closed on Sundays. It’s also best to check up on each vendor’s hours beforehand, as some may operate on differing business hours.
- Location: 1136 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107
- Website: https://readingterminalmarket.org