This season’s hottest fruit? Bananas! Sweet, versatile, and having a major moment, the humble fruit is popping up everywhere from social media trends to creative cocktails, nostalgic desserts, and unexpected menu additions. In Philadelphia, local restaurants and bars are putting their own spin on the trend. Check out these banana-forward menu items at 48 Record Bar, Front Street Café, Red Owl Tavern, Sassafras, Square 1682, and Urban Farmer
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48 Record Bar, the high-tech listening room and cocktail bar perched above Old City’s legendary Sassafras Bar, is putting a boozy spin on the fruit with its King’s Stand ($17) from the Summer Cocktail menu. Made with Smith & Cross Rum, Campari, Cocchi Vermouth di Torino, Tempus Fugit Crème de Banane, and White Crème de Cacao, the spirit-forward sipper balances ripe banana flavor with Jamaican rum, bitter Campari, and rich cacao.
Hours of operation: Tuesday through Friday, 5PM–2AM; Saturday 4PM–2AM; Sunday 5PM–2AM
48 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 | 215.925.2317 | Website | Instagram | Spotify
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Front Street Café, the all-day café, restaurant and bar known for its farm-to-table approach, puts a playful spin on the fruit with its Fried Banana Bites ($16). Banana pieces are dipped in waffle batter, fried until golden, dusted with powdered sugar, and served with maple dip for a sweet, poppable treat. For a lighter option, the Acai Bowl ($14) features acai banana whip, fresh seasonal fruits, house-made nuts and seeds granola, and coconut for a refreshing, fruit-forward start to the day.
Reservations are encouraged and can be made via OpenTable.
Hours of operation: Breakfast/Brunch from 8am—4pm; Dinner served on Sunday and Tuesday through Thursday from 5pm—9pm, Friday and Saturday from 5pm—10pm; Happy hour Tuesday through Sunday from 4pm—7pm.
1253 N Front St, Philadelphia, PA | 215-515-3073 | Website | Instagram | Facebook
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Red Owl Tavern, the contemporary kitchen and bar located across from Independence Hall, brings tropical vacation vibes to the trend with its Hotel Nacional ($17). Made with Banana du Brésil, orgeat, pineapple lime, Planteray rum, and passion fruit, the vibrant cocktail offers a bright, refreshing way to sip into the banana craze. For something on the sweeter side, the Buttermilk Pancakes ($16) are served with salted Vermont butter and Grade A maple syrup, with the option to add banana for an additional $2.
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday 7:30am—10:45am, Saturday and Sunday 8am—10am (breakfast); Monday through Friday 11:30am—4:30pm (lunch); Monday through Friday 4:30pm—10pm, Saturday 5pm—10pm (dinner); and Saturday 10am—4pm and Sunday 10am—2pm (brunch).
433 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA | 215.923.2267 | Website | Instagram
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Sassafras, Old City’s “Grand Dame” of neighborhood bars, puts a sophisticated spin on the trend with its Psycho Killer ($17), an intricate, bittersweet cocktail derived from the Boulevardier. Featuring Glendalough Irish Whiskey, Cocoa Nib-Infused Campari, Crème de Cacao, Tempus Fugit Banane Liqueur, and Vieux Carré Absinthe, the cocktail layers caramelized banana and dark chocolate notes with the bitterness of Campari and absinthe.
Hours of operation: Monday–Tuesday 4pm–2am; Wednesday–Sunday 12pm–2am.
48 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 | 215.925.2317 | Instagram
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Square 1682, the modern American kitchen located on the ground level of Kimpton Hotel Palomar Philadelphia, puts a wholesome spin on the banana trend with its Superfood Bowl ($17). The breakfast favorite combines Greek yogurt, honey, berries, bananas, mandarin oranges, toasted coconut, chia seeds, and almonds for a fresh, colorful start to the day.
Reservations are highly encouraged and can be made via OpenTable.
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday 8 – 11 am (breakfast); Monday through Thursday 11:30 am – 2 pm, Friday 11:30 am – 3 pm (lunch); Tuesday through Thursday 5 – 10 pm, Friday and Saturday 5 – 11 pm (dinner); Friday and Saturday 3 – 5 pm (mid-day menu); Saturday 9 am – 3 pm, Sunday 9 am – 2 pm (brunch).
121 S 17th St., Philadelphia, PA | 215.563.5008 | Website | Instagram
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Urban Farmer, the modern American steakhouse located in The Logan Philadelphia and known for its locally sourced ingredients and in-house butcher shop, is embracing the love for all things banana with its Banana Pudding Cheesecake ($13). The indulgent dessert pairs creamy cheesecake with a crisp Nilla Florentine and rich banana rum caramel, offering an elevated take on the nostalgic flavors of classic banana pudding.
Reservations are highly recommended and can be made via OpenTable.
Hours of operation: Monday through Sunday, 7am – 2pm, and 4pm – 11:30pm
1850 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA | 215.963.2788 | Website | Instagram | Facebook