Food

Low Cost Lunch with the Conference

Each day we offer lunch at the Arch Street United Methodist Church at the corner of Broad and Arch street for a suggested donation of $1 or more (no one turned away for lack of funds).  The lunch is in the basement so if stair mobilty is an issue please let out Accessibility Liaison (at the registration desk) know and they will make sure that a lunch is delived to the convention center for you. We offer nut-free, gluten-free, vegetarian and meat options at each meal.  Unfortunately we are not able to provide kosher or halal meals due to cost.
 

 

Reading Terminal Market

The famous Reading Terminal Market is located across the street from the Convention Center where you can find almost any type of food imaginable for reasonable prices (approximately $5.00-$10.00 per person).

 


Chinatown Dining

  • Melting Pot, 1219 Filbert Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2818,(215) 922-7002 (European/French; $10-15 entrees)
  • Maggiano's Little Italy, 1201 Filbert Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2818, (215) 567-2020 (Italian; $10-15 entrees)
  • Vietnam Restaurant, 221 North 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA‎ - (215) 592-1163 (Vietnamese/Seafood; $10-15 entrees)‎
  • Vietnam Palace, 222 North 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA‎ - (215) 592-9596 (Vietnamese; $10-15 entrees)‎
  • Kingdom of Vegetarians Restaurant (Kosher), 129 North 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, 215-413-2290 (Chinese/Vietnamese; $10-15 entrees)
  • New Harmony Vegetarian (Kosher), 135 North 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, 215-627-4520 (Chinese)
  • Singapore Kosher Vegetarian (Kosher), 1006 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, 215-922-3288 (Chinese/Asian; $10-15 entrees)

 


Fast Food

  • Reading Terminal Market is across the street from the convention center.
  • McDonald's: 1401 Arch Street (2 blocks) or 942 Market Street (3 blocks)
  • Food Court and Vendors at Market East: There are various vendors at the Gallery at Market East (runs from 9th to 11th St between Market St and Filbert St -- with concourse access to Reading Terminal Market and the Market East SEPTA station.
  • Wendy's: 1101 Walnut St (4 blocks) or 42 South 15th St (4 blocks)

 


Favorite Desserts

  • Capogiro, 119 South 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA‎ - (215) 351-0900‎ (HIGHLY recommended gelato -- Italian ice cream... only amazing)
  • More Than Just Ice Cream, 1119 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA‎ -(215) 574-0586 (gayborhood ice cream parlor, apple pie is notable)

 


Kosher and Halal Dining

Unfortunately, we are not aware of any kosher or halal establishments in the Reading Terminal Market. Due to cost and the particular facilities used, we are unable to provide kosher or halal assurances in our affordable lunch program. However, listed below are several local kosher establishments, many of which may also be of interest for vegetarian and halal options.

  • Maccabeam Restaurant
    128 South 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
    215-922-5922
    Supervision: Community Kashrus of Philadelphia
    “Simple, spicy and inexpensive Middle Eastern vegetarian dishes such as falafel, hummus, baba ghanoush and shakshuka (scrambled egg mixed with tomatoes, parsley, cardamom and hot sauce). There are also tasty beef and chicken shish kebobs.”
  • Maoz Vegetarian Restaurant
    1115 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
    215-922-3409
    Supervision: Ko Kosher Supervision
    “The salad bar is so extensive you can order a pita without falafel and fill it -- and yourself -- with just salads and sauces.”
  • Kingdom of Vegetarians Restaurant
    129 North 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
    215-413-2290
    Supervision: Rabbinical Assembly
    “Long known as a haven by vegetarians, this Chinatown restaurant has been serving kosher and vegan delights with amazing consistency since 1994. The expansive menu features dim sum, soups, imitation pork, chicken, seafood and beef entrees, plus vegetable dishes and fried rice.”
  • New Harmony Vegetarian
    135 North 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
    215-627-4520
    Supervision: Rabbinical Assembly
    “Full-service vegetarian restaurant in Chinatown, serving vegan and kosher.”
  • New Samosa Multicultural Vegetarian Restaurant
    1214 Walnut Street, Philadlephia, PA 19107
    215-546-2009
    Supervision: Ko Kosher Supervision
    “Walnut Street Indian institution Samosa closed and changed hands before re-emerging as New Samosa, promising a “multicultural” spin featuring West Indian and Italian dishes added to the mix.”
  • Singapore Kosher Vegetarian
    1006 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
    215-922-3288
    Supervision: Rabbinical Assembly
    “Nominated for Best Vegetarian Restaurant for recreating meat dishes with creative assemblages of Chinese vegetables.”
  • For more options further afield, Google “UPenn Hillel Kosher”
    or go to http://pennhillel.org/kosher-dining-around-town.

 


Other Popular Options

  • Hard Rock Cafe, 1131 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA‎ -(215) 238-1000 (American/ Burgers; $10-15 entrees)
  • White Dog Cafe - 3420 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19104, (215) 386-9224 (Located in West Philadelphia on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania)

 


Vegetarian Dining

  • Kingdom of Vegetarians Restaurant (Kosher), 129 North 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, 215-413-2290 (Chinese/Vietnamese; $10-15 entrees)
  • New Harmony Vegetarian (Kosher), 135 North 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, 215-627-4520 (Chinese)
  • Singapore Kosher Vegetarian (Kosher), 1006 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, 215-922-3288 (Chinese/Asian; $10-15 entrees)
  • Maoz Vegetarian Restaurant (Kosher), 1115 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, 215-922-3409
  • New Samosa Multicultural Vegetarian Restaurant (Kosher), 1214 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, 215-546-2009
  • Mama's Vegetarian, 18 S. 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, 215-751-0477
  • Veggie Lovers, 225 N 11th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, 215-226-6688
  • Banana Leaf, 1009 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, (215) 592-8288
  • Charles Plaza, 234 N 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107 (215) 829-4383
  • Govinda's, 1408 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19146, (215) 545-5452
  • Farmicia, 15 S 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106, (215) 627-7885
  • Sugar Mom's, 225 Church St, Philadelphia, PA 19106, (215) 925-8219
  • Santa Fe Burrito Company, 212 S 11th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, (215) 413-2378
  • Su Xing House, 1508 Sansom St., Philadelphia, PA, (215) 564-1419
  • Mi Lah, 218 S 16th St, Philadelphia, PA 19102, 215-732-8888
  • Maru Global, 255 S 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, 267-273-0567
  • Urban Spoon has a variety of restaurant suggestions in Philadelphia, including maps and filters for Chinatown, Rittenhouse Square, and more
  • Veg Guide has a variety of restaurant suggestions in Metro Philadelphia, including maps and filters for Center City, Chinatown, Rittenhouse Square, and others.
  • Happy Cow provides similar information for Philadelphia

Grocery Stores

  • Whole Foods (2001 Pennsylvania Ave - 1 mile or via the 33 bus at Market St)
  • Trader Joe's (2121 Market St - 1 mile or via the 10 or 11 bus at Market St; also by trolley or subway),
  • SuperFresh (1001 South St - 1 mile or via the 23 bus down 12th St)