October 8, 2021 — It’s back to the grind of working in the office, and one of the most important aspects of the 9 – 5 life is where to find a stellar spot to spend one’s lunch break. We’ve gathered a slew of Philadelphia locales with fab breakfast and lunch offerings – ideal for grabbing a bite to-go, or enjoying a sit-down meal in-between work meetings and day-to-day tasks.
From various restaurants on East Passyunk Avenue, to Old City’s The Bourse Food Hall, to bustling Center City restaurants Square 1682 and MilkBoy, there is something for everyone, and is sure to make the return to the office a bit more enticing.
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The Bourse, Old City’s modern artisanal food hall, is a no-brainer for the standard grab-and-go, quick-and-easy option with a bevy of vendors open for service including coffee and pastries from Menagerie Coffee, fresh and healthy poke bowls from Abunai Pokè, classic Philly cheesesteaks from The Marino Bros, street tacos from Rebel Taco, a sweet, icy treat from Scoop DeVille, and more.
Additionally, The Bourse Food Hall offers an expansive first floor dining area for businessmen-and-women to pull up a chair, dig into the delicious fare, and relax during a well-deserved breakfast and lunch experience.
Opening hours: Monday through Saturday from 7 am – 10 pm and Sunday from 9 am – 6 pm
111 S Independence Mall E | 215.625.0300 | http://www.theboursephilly.com
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Café Ynez, the Mexico City-inspired all-day diner located on Washington Avenue in South Philly, provides both authentic and modern Mexico City cuisine, helmed by Executive Chef Gabriel Romero, to residents of nearby neighborhoods Point Breeze and Graduate Hospital who looking for a diverse and delicious weekday lunch to refuel during a hard day’s work.
All-day dining includes freshly baked pastries, coffee and espresso-based beverages, horchata, tacos, burritos, eggs and chilaquiles, tortas, soups and salads, and much more.
Diners can enjoy one fulfilling lunch break either by dining on-site – indoors and al fresco – or delivery via Caviar and Grubhub.
Standard hours of operation are Tuesday through Thursday from 10am – 9pm, Friday through Saturday 10am – 10pm, and brunch service Tuesday through Saturday from 10am – 3pm. Closed Sunday and Monday.
2025 Washington Ave | 215.278.7579 | www.cafeynez.com
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East Passyunk Avenue, home to more than 160 independently owned businesses in South Philadelphia, offers locals and visitors a stacked line-up of noted restaurants open for weekday lunch, with a variety of diverse, flavorful offerings including the elevated Italian and French-inspired eatery Noir, Southern comfort-focused Flannel, Mexican cantina’s Pistolas Del Sur and Cantina Los Caballitos, iconic, almost 100-year-old Marra’s Italian Restaurant, burger joint P’unk Burger, and crowd-neighborhood go-to for pub fare Stogie Joe’s.
Check out the respective businesses’ websites for hours of operation.
1904 E. Passyunk Avenue | http://www.visiteastpassyunk.com/
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MilkBoy Philly, the landmark locale of the iconic Philadelphia-born brand located in Center City, wakes at 7am for what’s known as “third shift”, a happy hour for the Jefferson Health employees, and remains open well into the night with breakfast served till 3pm, mid-day lunch offerings, and a robust dinner menu in addition to a killer libation selection with craft brews, seasonal tipples, wines, and more.
For lunch, diners can choose from breakfast items including Egg Sandwich, Omelette du Jour, and Steak and Eggs, as well as lunch bites such as Mac & Cheese, signature Cheeseburger or Veggie Burger, Fried Chicken Sandwich, Fried Brussels, and Loaded Fries.
Guests can snag a seat at the bar or take part in table service at one of the plethora of indoor/outdoor seats. The al fresco sidewalk patio is ideal for enjoying lunch with co-workers while taking in the autumn breeze and cooler temps.
Hours of operation: MilkBoy Philly: daily from 7am – 2am
1100 Chestnut Street | 215.925.6455 | https://www.milkboy.tv/
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Red Owl Tavern, the modern American tavern on Independence Mall, is the go-to destination for lunch in Old City, with an expansive first and second floor dining room and sweeping outdoor sidewalk patio, in addition robust breakfast and lunch menus featuring elevated, satiating appetizers and entrées including Eggs Benedict, Buttermilk Pancakes, Fish N’ Chips, Tavern Burger, Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich, Burrata Toast, Pierogis, and much more.
Hours of operation are Monday from 8am – 9pm, Tuesday and Wednesday from 8am – 3pm, Thursday and Friday from 8am – 10pm, Saturday from 9am – 10pm, and Sunday from 9am – 3pm.
433 Chestnut St | 215.923.2267 | https://redowltavern.com/
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Sabrina’s Café, the locally grown group of popular breakfast, lunch and (in one case) dinner restaurants, offers a line-up of superb breakfast and lunch fare fit to please an array of taste buds and preferences – from carnivore, to vegan, to gluten-free.
A staple for spending lunch with coworkers in the Fairmount and University City neighborhoods, Sabrina’s Café boasts savory and sweet dishes including Stuffed Challah French Toast, BYO Burger, Mel’s Chicken Cutlet sandwich, Veggie Philly Cheesesteak, Soup and ½ Sandwich Combo, and an ever-evolving menu of specialty fare, in addition to a bevy of libations such as coffee, lattes, freshly squeezed orange juice, house-made lemonade, and herbal teas.
Both locations offer spacious indoor seating and recently revamped outdoor patios for dining al fresco this fall season.
Fairmount | 1804 Callowhill St | 215.636.9061 | https://www.sabrinascafe.com/
University City | 227 N 34th St | 215.222.1022 | https://www.sabrinascafe.com/
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Square 1682, the modern American kitchen located at the intersection of 17 and Sansom streets, recently relaunched a weekday café menu brimming with breakfast offerings and traditional lunch fare such as soups, salads, sandwiches, etc.
Located in Rittenhouse Square, businessmen-and-women can enjoy lunch just a short trek from the office and indulge in signature dishes including Lobster Bisque, Beet Salad, Rittenhouse Omelet, Wagyu Burger, and Croque Madame, while sipping on freshly brewed coffee and cold pressed juice made daily.
Hours of operation: breakfast and lunch served Tuesday – Friday from 9am – 2pm, dinner served from 5 – 10pm, weekend brunch served Saturday and Sunday from 9am – 2pm, and dinner served on Saturday from 5 – 11pm. Closed for dinner service on Sunday and all-day Monday.
121 South 17th Street | 215.563.5008 | https://square1682.com/
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Urban Farmer, Logan Square’s modern American steakhouse, is a meat-lovers dream destination for weekday breakfast and lunch spent in the city, with a jam-packed menu of high-quality, locally-sourced meats and farm-fresh ingredients. Some of Urban Farmer’s featured morning bites include Lobster Avocado Benedict, Crab Omelet, and Vanilla Yogurt Panna Cotta, in addition to delightful mid-day dishes such as The Farm Burger, Steak Frites, Charcuterie Boards and Cheese Plates, Grilled Chicken Breast Sandwich, and a smattering of top-tier steak offerings with Dry Aged, Ribeye, New York Steak, Filet, etc.
Hours of operation: Tuesday through Saturday from 8am – 9pm, and Sunday from 8am – 3pm
1850 Benjamin Franklin Parkway | 215.963.2788 | https://www.urbanfarmersteakhouse.com/philadelphia-happenings/
-Nicole Schofield