Check out these 13 trendy Philly restaurants while everyone's at the beach

Editor's Note: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Elixr Coffee Roasters.

Chowing down on a lobster roll while lying on the beach as a warm, salty breeze cools you down sounds like a perfect summer moment.

But a trip across a bridge to Philadelphia might be even better.

Hear me out.

How about devouring square-shaped pies dripping in sticky, sweet hot honey sauce in between a few games of pool?

Or toasting the season with cocktails featuring house-infused citrus soju (a Korean distilled alcoholic beverage), sparkling wine and fruit boba, as you snack on spicy tuna and sea urchin handrolls plated on wooden stands?

Or perhaps enjoying an iced espresso and ginger beer concoction in a small coffee shop where friendly (and fashionable) owners serve drinks with a smile is your cup of joe?

No matter the mood you’re in, you can escape the crowds, sand-filled shoes and long boardwalk lines for boardwalk lines in favor of interesting eats and drinks in the City of Brotherly Love.

And we’ve got your guide to dining in the city. Here are a handful of spots we recommend:

Alif Brew & Mini Mart Inc.

If you're visiting West Philly on a Saturday, grab a couple of lentil sambusa (triangle flaky, fried dough stuffed with vegetables or meat and spices) and an iced coffee from this eatery, then head to the Clark Park farmers market.

Alif Brew & Mini Mart Inc. offers injera (fermented pancake-like flatbread) wraps filled with chicken, beef or veggies, foul medames (a stew of cooked fava beans, cumin, tomatoes and fresh herbs served with pita bread), platters and more.

Pantry items like pickled vegetables, lentils, canned foods and desserts also are available.

Be sure to try the Adeni tea and Alif special coffee.

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Go: 4501 Baltimore Ave., 215-315-8427; alif-brew-mini-mart-inc.business.site

Café La Maude

Imagine feasting on blueberry pancakes with raspberry cream, baklawa (or baklava) crumble, bananas and chopped nuts and drizzled with rose syrup.

Or digging into a big bowl of sautéed onions, peppers and green tomatoes mixed with spinach, kale, green fava beans, sweet potatoes and fried cauliflower. And don't sleep on the shakshuka, with its drizzle of carrot tahini sauce, toasted almonds, goat cheese, two eggs over easy and baguette slices.

This brunch spot might be the place to take your out-of-town guests, a date or your friends and family.

Treat them to French-Lebanese inspired dishes in a Parisian cafe setting.

Start with sweets like the Baklawa Pancakes, then move on to the signature dishes like the Green Shakshuka or the Mediterranean Platter (which comes with two eggs in any style, labneh or strained yogurt, hummus, grilled halloumi cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes and za’atar pita).

Omelets, Benedicts, salads and sandwiches also are available.

Be sure to order coffees and freshly squeezed juices to wash it all down.

Go: 816 N. 4th St., 267-318-7869; cafelamaude.com

Càphê Roasters

In the Kensington neighborhood, you can find Philadelphia's first and only Vietnamese specialty coffee roastery.

Walking in you’ll find a mid-century modern café with a variety of drinks from Egg Coffee (egg custard, condensed milk, cocoa powder and Vietnamese espresso) to Pandan Lychee Float (lychee syrup, black tea and topped with pandan soft serve).

Founder Thu Pham offers a menu of Korean and Vietnamese food mirroring the heritage of the roastery’s partners that guests can enjoy as they work, gather and dine.

Try the Tam Gia Vi Fries (crispy French fries tossed in eight-spice blend, topped with phở herb green goddess dressing, scallions and pickled jalapeños) for a hearty snack.

Or order the Banh Mi with your choice of cha lua or Vietnamese ham with chicken paté, fried chicken with gochu glaze or crispy tofu with sweet and sour canh chua (Vietnamese sour soup) sauce and topped with house mayo, pickled carrots and daikon, cucumber, jalapeño and herbs.

The Staple Egg Sando is their version of a classic egg and cheese sandwich from the many food trucks in Philadelphia. It’s filled with scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, hot pepper ketchup and served in a Merzbacher's sweet potato bun.

Finish off your visit with their condensed milk ice cream or pandan ice cream (a tropical vanilla flavor) — pandan leaves are steeped in coconut milk to mirror the taste associated with many Vietnamese desserts.

Go: 3400 J St., G1, 215-690-1268; capheroasters.com

Elixr Coffee Roasters

Whether you go to the Center City location or any of the others, there’s a coffee (or tea) for you.

Founded in 2010, Elixr specializes in lighter-roasted unique coffees. Order drip coffee, Americano, macchiato and cappuccino.

And be sure to try their specialty drinks like Strawberry Milk Matcha or Latte and Matcha Butterfly Lemonade.

A simple iced coffee is also a good companion as you explore the city.

Go: 3675 Market St., 207 S. Sydenham St., 1600 Market St., and 315 N. 12th St., 239-404-1730; elixrcoffee.com

Famous 4th Street Delicatessen

At Famous 4th Street Delicatessen, the menu is extensive.

There are overstuffed delicatessen sandwiches, Reubens and hot open sandwiches.

Guests also can order hot dogs and knishes, burgers, cheesesteaks, salad bowls and platters, cheese blintzes, potato pancakes, soups and smoked fish sandwiches and platters.

If you keep perusing the menu, you’ll find bagels and bialys, breakfast sandwiches, eggs or omelets with a side of smoked fish, cakes and other desserts and so much more.

We recommend their overstuffed tuna salad sandwich and a side of fries — warning, the sandwich is almost as big as your head.

Go: 700 S. 4th St., 215-922-3274; famous4thstreetdelicatessen.com

Kpod

This University City restaurant offers Korean American dishes in a Seoul-inspired space.

There are mushroom-shaped lamps adorning the tables, cute right?

Order a plate of honey butter fries and Korean fried cauliflower for the table to start. Add in a couple of Banchan dishes like cucumber kimchi and pickled daikon as well.

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Move on to the main meal with a variety of hand rolls, bibimbap (a sizzling Korean rice dish), bone-in short rib and more.

Be sure to order one of their many fun cocktails like the Green Lite, a house-infused citrus soju, (liquid) chlorophyll, spearmint, lime and yuzu soda.

Go: 3636 Sansom St., 215-387-1803; kpodrestaurant.com

Middle Child and Middle Child Clubhouse

Head to Fishtown’s neighborhood hangout and all-day bar brought to you by the creators of Middle Child — that place in Center City that’s all about mouth-watering sandwiches.

At Clubhouse, there’s the vegan sandwich, Nashville "Not Chick'n,” with crispy corn flake-fried tofu, Nashville hot sauce and sweet pickles — it comes on the spicier side but you can request to lower the heat.

The menu also offers the Salmon Crudo (made with caramelized coconut milk, smoked pineapple nuoc cham or a Vietnamese dipping sauce, peanut and shallot crumble) and the Fried Oyster Slider (with dill pickle spice, lemon garlic mayo, sour pickle, and house hot sauce).

Breakfast and lunch are served till 2 p.m. The staff takes a break and closes from 2 to 5 p.m. Dinner starts at 5 p.m. If you have a large party, definitely reserve your spot.

At Middle Child, breakfast (until 11 or 11:15 a.m. but never later) and sandwiches are the names of the game.

Try the corned beef, egg, and cheese (with fluffy eggs, Cooper sharp American cheese, house corned beef on rye), the Phoagie (with hoisin eggplant, avocado, fresh and frizzled onions, cilantro, pho sauce on a seeded hoagie) or the CSG Reuben (with Russian dressing, swiss cheese, kraut, your choice of house corned beef, house turkey or seasonal veggies on rye).

Regardless of location, you’re sure to get an experience. Reserve for Clubhouse on Resy.

Go: 248 S. 11th St., 267-930-8344 and 1232 N. Front St., 267-858-4325; middlechildphilly.com

Paulie Gee’s Soul City Slice Shop

How about trying a new pizza shop for a memorable night?

Paulie Gee’s has traditional New York-style square and round pies for sharing as well as slices for just you.

If you visit with some friends, there’s a pool table on one end and Pac-Man set up on the other. Play games or peruse the records available for purchase while you dine.

And the retro look — there are black-and-white titled floors and orange booths — will take you back in time.

Order the Freddy Prinze, an upside-down Sicilian pie with fresh mozzarella, tomato sauce, Pecorino Romano and a sesame seed bottom.

We recommend adding the hot honey sauce on top for a drippy, sticky sweet and spicy addition.

Go: 412 S. 13th St., 267-239-5761; pauliegee.com/soul-city

Persimmon Coffee

In July, Kai Talim, Chaereen Pak and Sawyer Beckley opened a small, community-oriented coffee shop on West Girard Avenue.

Espresso and drip drinks, matchas and seasonal offerings are offered with a reminder that “you are enough” as the neon sign in the shop reads at Persimmon Coffee.

The Cloud Dancer is their featured drink — made with espresso, tonic water, ginger beer, blueberry preserves and heavy cream over ice. A sprig of mint adds a pop of color on top.

A pretty, fizzy drink like the Cloud Dancer might be the perfect caffeinated beverage for the heat. Though an iced oat milk matcha is a good second option.

Go: 11 W. Girard Ave., persimmoncoffee.com

Sor Ynez

Order the Cucumber Jawn (blanco tequila, cucumber syrup, lime, celery shrub) cocktail, then dive into the Sikil Pak (Mayan pumpkin seed hummus, habañero, tomato, crudite) as you wait for the main meal.

Sor Ynez in Fishtown offers hearty Mexican dishes created by Chef Alex Tellez.

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Try the grilled watermelon ceviche, fish tacos and Enchiladas Estilo Michoacan (corn tortillas, guajillo pepper salsa, potatoes, queso Oaxaca, avocado, fried and marinated vegetable escabeche and rice) served in a colorful dish while taking in the contemporary Mexican design inspired by legacy artisanship like the plastered Casona walls by artist Luren Jenison of XOXO.

You can make reservations on OpenTable.

Go: 1800 N. American St., 215-309-2582; sorynez.com

Tina’s Tacos

Birria tacos? Say less!

Much like fictional restaurateur Bob Belcher from the hit show "Bob’s Burgers,'' Darshak Pendem of Tina’s Tacos believes his menu is one of a kind and isn’t afraid to offer a wide variety of tacos.

Pendem and his high school sweetheart and girlfriend Puja Gohil own and operate their restaurant in Fishtown.

"Bob’s Burgers'' is the couple’s favorite show; they’ve watched it for over 10 years. The inspiration for their restaurants is based on Tina Belcher, the daughter of main character Bob, who runs a burger shop.

“I think the inspiration comes from the concept of bringing to life, ‘What if Tina grew up and continued her dad’s legacy?'’ — she's a very simple person, yet fun, and very likable,” Pendem explained. “This is our take on what that experience would be if she did it herself.”

With only 30 seats total including at the bar, the restaurant offers an intimate dining experience.

The menu features birria boxes. The Belcher’s Box with a taco, a quesadilla and a chalupa taco and a cup of broth with cilantro, onion and jalapeño, while the Quesadilla Box, features birria meat in between two corn tortillas, loaded with cheese, and a cup of broth.

You'll also find birria ramen for noodle lovers, birria burritos, birria rice platters, and fish and chicken tacos.

Nasty Nachos are a good side to share for the table. And for something sweet, get the fried Oreos or churros.

Note: Tina's Tacos has a second location in Florence. They offer halal meat.

Go: 2327 E. York St., 814-343-3101; tinastacosphilly.com

The Breakfast Den, TBD

How about a Vietnamese brunch?

This quaint and colorful restaurant on South Street will satisfy your sweet and savory cravings with a variety of Vietnamese classics.

Order a banh mi stuffed with your choice of pulled pork, herby roasted chicken, crispy eggplant or crispy tofu, house pickles, cucumbers, jalapeno, TBD herbs, Viet aioli and eggplant pate. Or Morning TB Sammy with turkey bacon, egg whites, spinach and cucumbers with their secret sauce on a brioche bun with a side of home fries.

The TBD Breakfast Rice Bowl comes with two crispy sunny eggs, Momma’s eggroll (vegetarian), house slaw, TBD herbs, cucumbers and jasmine rice with house dressing.

For something sweet, try the Hannah Banana Cakes (four zesty lemon banana chocolate chips mini pancakes) or the ​​Mini Bacho cakes (four mini pancakes with bacon bits and chocolate chips).

The Chao Chay is a must-try. It’s a veggie broth rice porridge topped with fried shallots and green onions, TBD herbs and lemon on the side. Ask for some chili oil to pour on top.

Go: 1500 South St., 267-758-6008; thebreakfastden.com

The Continental Mid-town

Whether you’re looking for happy hour, dinner or desserts, The Continental in Center City has you covered.

Walking in, you’ll be greeted by friendly hosts who will walk you to your table. The restaurant has plenty of seating from comfortable booths in their lounge area to egg basket chairs hanging from the ceiling upstairs in the mezzanine. There’s also an airy rooftop patio and bar if you’re looking to dine with a view.

One thing you’re sure to notice is the colorful chandelier in the center of the restaurant.

Regardless of where you sit, the menu offers lunch, brunch, dinner, dessert and drinks.

The salmon poke bowl or shrimp pad Thai might be the move for lunch. Or try the Italian ham or grilled chicken sandwiches.

For dinner, share pork tacos with Korean barbecue sauce, French onion soup dumplings with Gruyere cheese or crispy Brussels sprouts with roasted garlic yogurt to start. Then, order lobster mac & cheese with orzo pasta, Gruyere and fontina cheese or chicken lettuce wraps with peanut hoisin, endive (a leafy veggie) and romaine for the main meal.

Finish off with the blueberry cake with yuzu curd and vanilla gelato or the Brookie, a warm deep-dish brownie-chocolate chip cookie topped with vanilla ice gelato.

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Happy hour is offered at the bar Monday to Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. Wine is $5 and beer is $4.

Cocktails are $6 — there’s the Frozen Astronaut (Peachka vodka, Triple sec, orgeat or sweet syrup made from almonds, and Tang); the Wooder-Melon Marg (Hornitos Plata tequila, Banhez mezcal, grapefruit and agave), and the Northern Lights (Faber gin, rosemary-infused sake, Combier mûre or Triple sec).

Snacks are offered for $6.

Go: 1801 Chestnut St., 215-567-1800; continentalmidtown.com

Hira Qureshi covers food and drink for South Jersey at the Courier Post, Burlington County Times and Daily Journal. She can be reached at HQureshi@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Philadelphia restaurants like Middle Child, Kpod to try this summer