Watch CBS News

Top Spots To Eat Near Citizens Bank Park

When you want to catch a concert or cheer on the Philadelphia Phillies, Citizens Bank Park, also known as CBP or simply The Bank, is the place to go. The award-winning baseball stadium fits more than 43,000 fans, which means plenty of seats to watch Chase Utley hit a home run and Ryan Howard do his stuff on first base. If all that cheering works up an appetite, a few pricy eateries are within the ballpark, or you can walk over to the Chickie's and Pete's chain. But for first-class eats, these five can't-miss restaurants are just a short drive from the action.

Creperie Beau Monde
624 S. 6th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 592-0656
www.creperie-beaumonde.com

For those looking to impress a date after sitting with a rowdy ballpark crowd, Creperie Beau Monde makes an intimate and sophisticated impression. The French creperie is a 10-minute drive from CBP and offers an elegant interior and perfectly prepared food. Choose from create-your-own savory buckwheat or sweet wheat crepes with fillings like flavored butters, shrimp, lemon and coconut, marinated chicken and chestnut cream. Any combination that suits your fancy can be on your plate, and there's a menu filled with other delectable dishes such as escargot, onion soup, pan seared duck breast salad and crepe Suzettes as well.

Related: Phillies' Ballpark To Offer New Variants On An Old Favorite This Season

John's Roast Pork
14 Snyder Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 463-1951
www.johnsroastpork.com

John's Roast Pork, also known as The Shack and John's Lunch, looks like a no-frills hole in the wall, but John Bucci serves up the best breakfast and lunch sandwiches in town. Featured on the Travel Channel, this tiny joint, just a seven-minute drive from CBP, has been around since 1930 with little more than a counter and outdoor seating. Locals love its scrumptious sharp provolone cheesesteaks oozing with melted cheese and long hots, which earned a spot on Adam Richman's "Best Sandwich in America" list. Of course, the tiny eatery is also home to the famous original pork roast sandwich, a delectable treat that's won all sorts of awards. Cold sandwiches, egg sandwiches and hoagies are also favorites on the budget-friendly menu.

Related: Top Summer Vacation Activities In Philadelphia

Marra's Italian Restaurant

1734 E. Passyunk Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 463-9249
www.marrasone.com

Boasting reasonable prices, an expansive menu, heaping portions and great service, Marra's is definitely worth the five-minute drive into deep South Philly. This popular family-owned eatery has been around since 1927 and makes the best brick oven, thin-crust pizza in town, hands down, as evidenced by the fact that past patrons include Frank Sinatra, Conan O'Brien and John Travolta. The restaurant's egg pastas are all homemade and delicious, but make it a point to try the manicotti stuffed with seasoned ricotta or the tortellini alfredo for an Italian slice of heaven. Bar and kids' menus are available, too.

Nam Phuong Restaurant
1100-1120 Washington Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 468-0410

www.namphuongphilly.com

If Vietnamese cuisine calls your name, Nam Phuong is South Philly's go-to restaurant. Just a six-minute drive to CBP, the restaurant is open 12 hours a day, seven days a week, offering more than 200 items on its budget-friendly menu. Attentive waitstaff can help you navigate the menu, but be sure to try the local favorite, the Three Delight, a savory summer roll with beef, shrimp and grilled meatballs. Bun (a rice-noodle dish with a selection of meats) and pho (soup) are always crowd pleasers, and the spare ribs and papaya salad are not to be missed. To avoid a wait, make online reservations a day or two in advance.

Sabrina's Cafe
910 Christian St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 574-1599
www.sabrinascafe.com

Tucked away in the Italian Market and just a seven-minute drive to CBP, Sabrina's Cafe is a great place to eat before an afternoon ballgame. This gem of a restaurant serves a variety of delicious breakfast and lunch dishes but is known for its super scrumptious, all-day brunch menu. Locals and visitors alike agree that the cafe's signature challah French toast stuffed with farmer's cream cheese and topped with bananas and vanilla bean syrup is simply to die for. Sabrina's cozy eatery also serves up oversized portions of soups, salads, wraps and sandwiches, including a meatball parm sandwich and a vegetarian Philly cheesesteak. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, but expect a wait on the weekends.

Susan DeFeo has been a professional writer since 1997. She served as a community events columnist for New Jersey's "Cape May County Herald" for more than a decade. A writer for numerous online publications, Susan has covered health, fitness, beauty and travel, all subjects that are near and dear to her as a married mother of seven children. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.