City Cast Philly logo

Say Hello to These New Philly Restaurants

Posted on December 7, 2023   |   Updated on September 30, 2025
Abby Fritz

Abby Fritz

Hello Hey Philly readers, Abby Fritz here! While you can usually catch me producing for the City Cast Philly pod, I’m going to be stopping by every once in a while to share news and interviews about food and booze in the city. This week, I have two new spots for you to visit, and one to look forward to in 2024!

Three chefs known for their panzerotti (kinda like a calzone, but deep-fried) pop-ups across the city now have a permanent home. Paffuto, which means plump in Italian, perfectly describes the menu full of “gluttonous” sandwiches and in-house baked pastries like maritozzi, a type of Italian cream bun.

🌐 Bella Vista

⏰ Open now!

Tap your foot to some tunes while sipping a cocktail in this self-proclaimed “audiophile lounge,” featuring an extensive vinyl collection and a sound system to match. The team behind Sassafras opened this new music-centered bar yesterday with plans for events such as Hi-Fi Tea on Sundays and member-only nights.

🌐 Old City

⏰ Open now!

Kampar (Bella Vista)

From the chef behind Saté Kampar, a wildly popular Malaysian restaurant that closed in 2020, comes a new restaurant called, simply, Kampar. The new 7th Street location will be more than twice the size of chef Ange Branca’s earlier storefront and will support cooking over open fire — think whole fish slow-cooked over charcoal — YUM!

🌐 Bella Vista

⏰ Coming in early 2024

Send me all your Philly foodie recs and favorite characters, and you may just find them featured here one day! Cheers! 🥂

Share article

Hey Philly

Stay connected to City Cast Philly and get ready to join the local conversation.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

The latest in Philly

Sponsored

Moving to Philadelphia? What to Check Before You Pick a Neighborhood, Book a Truck, and Sign a Lease

With this guide, you can move to Philadelphia, move from another place to Philadelphia, or just see if living in Philadelphia fits your d...

Wellknown Moving Company Logo
Philly, ExplainedSeptember 18

Prove Your Weekly Philly Knowledge

How well do you know Philly's latest headlines and historical facts? Try your hand at this quiz to find out!

A golden statue of a woman with wings holding up a globe is in the foreground, with an Emmy Awards sign and foliage in the background.
Keep It LocalSeptember 17

Philly Spirits Worth Trying (and Bringing Home)

Philadelphia has a long tradition of distilling that has evolved from colonial rum and whiskey-making into a new generation of small prod...

Two blue glass bottles of Philadelphia Distilling Co.’s Bluecoat American Dry Gin are displayed on a bar counter inside the distillery alongside a glass of the gin with an orange peel.
Keep It LocalSeptember 17

Philly Quiz: How Well Do You Know Local Liquors?

Test out your local Philadelphia business knowledge with this quiz.

New Liberty Distillery’s Kinsey line of spirits shows a bottle of bourbon whiskey, American whiskey, and rye whiskey.
Philly, ExplainedSeptember 11

Play Our Philly Crossword Puzzle

This mini-crossword is filled with clues on Philly history and headlines.

City Cast Philly Crossword
Keep It LocalSeptember 10

Where to Shop for Eagles Gear Locally

Philly takes its Eagles fandom seriously, and thankfully, you don’t have to settle for the same jersey or sweatshirt everyone else is wea...

A display of Philadelphia and Eagles-themed T-shirts and crew necks on the wall and on a shelf at Hey There Philly in East Passyunk.
Keep It LocalSeptember 10

The Philly Streetwear Brand That Gets Eagles Culture

The list of current and former Philadelphia pro sports players, staff, and celebrities who have worn Jay Pross’ designs is long and inclu...

Art History 101 Founder and Creative Director Jay Pross likes to capture moments from Philly sports on T-shirts, like this one of Eagles running back Saquon Barkley. (Courtesy Art History 101)
Philly, ExplainedSeptember 8

How To Help Promote Literacy in Philly

Learn more about the organizations in Philly that work to improve literacy among children and adults, and how you can get involved.

Four children sitting at a table reading, with bookshelves in the background.