If you’re a fan of J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, chances are you've wondered what the popular Butterbeer actually tastes like. After all, it's a favorite drink, and if you love butterscotch, it certainly sounds tempting! While it's a fictitious drink, one dessert cafe has perfected a copycat recipe, and you can now order butterbeer in Philadelphia.
Happily Ever After Dessert Cafe is located at 230 Market St., Philadelphia, PA.
Butterbeer is a drink enjoyed by the characters in the Harry Potter series - and Happily Ever After has created their own recipe to bring magic to the Muggle world.
Head to Happily Ever After and try something new - whether it's Butterbeer or a sweet, ice cream topped waffle, you'll certainly leave with a smile on your face.
Brunch might just be the perfect meal - you get to sleep in on a weekend and still enjoy a delicious breakfast, mixed with a little bit of lunch, and served with a mimosa or a Bloody Mary to help wake you up for the productive (or lazy) day that awaits. There are plenty of mouthwatering brunch spots in Philadelphia, but if it's a spicy drink you seek, try each of these eight places to see who really makes the best Bloody Mary in Philadelphia.
Brunch at Prohibition Taproom is always a guarantee that you'll get some great food and a delicious drink. They serve mimosas as well, but those in the know will choose their tasty,
perfectly mixed Bloody Mary every time.Address: 501 N 13th St., Philadelphia, PA 19123
Royal Tavern is sort of a local secret - Bella Vista residents flock here for great drinks and one of the better brunches in the city. Be sure to try the Bacon Bloody Mary! Heading to Royal Tavern after the Mummers Parade for a Bloody Mary is a tradition for many South Philadelphians.Address: 937 E Passyunk Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19147
This Old City staple has one of the better DIY Bloody Mary bars in the city, and you can't beat the atmosphere. The historic bank building really makes this a unique place to grab a drink.Address: 22 S 3rd St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106
The City's best bacon bloody mary is probably at Interstate Drafthouse. The bacon vodka is the secret - not just the topping! The pickled vegetables and spicy kick make this a favorite of those who love a little heat.Address: 1235 E Palmer St., Philadelphia, PA 19125
Irish Pub is a Philly landmark at either location, and you can be sure that you'll find one of the best Bloody Marys in Philly when you walk into this rowdy bar for brunch. You can ask for it extra spicy, if you dare.Address: 1123 Walnut St. & 2007 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19107 & 19103
The Sidecar Bar is a trendy grad hospital spot that serves up delicious drinks and mouthwatering brunch dishes on the weekends. Their Bloody Mary is rich and flavorful, and you'll love the relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Address: 2201 Christian Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146
The Standard Tap's housemade pickled vegetables make all the difference, and they're what sets this hearty bloody mary apart from the rest. Enjoy it with some sort of fried brunch food and you'll be feeling ready to start the day in no time.Address: Poplar St. & N 2nd St., Philadelphia, PA 19123
The Pub & Kitchen is famous for being the home of the "pabbit" - half pig, half rabbit. Their funny mascot does nothing to distract you from the reason you should walk in these doors, though: the most mouthwatering brunch burger in Philly, a welcoming atmosphere, and one of the best bloody marys you'll ever taste. Address: 1946 Lombard St., Philadelphia, PA 19146
Old Original Bookbinders, known now as The Olde Bar, can trace its history back to 1893, when Samuel Bookbinder opened an oyster house on Fifth and South. A few years later, in 1989, Bookbinder moved his oyster house to 125 Market Street to be closer to the docks that brought his oysters in from the Delaware Bay. After many, many successful years at the same location, the restaurant ran into trouble and faced bankruptcy, forcing it to close. In 2015, restaurateur Jose Garces stepped in to re-open this timeless Philadelphia restaurant, and now everyone can enjoy Bookbinders as it was meant to be enjoyed - as the city's best oyster house!
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Jose Garces is committed to preserving the history of this timeless Philadelphia restaurant.
According to The Olde Bar's website, it's important to Garces and the restaurant to pay homage to the original traditions that made Bookbinder’s such a Philadelphia legend. Garces set out to recreate the experience of an early 20th century oyster bar, with a modern spin - and he could not have done a better job.
The Olde Bar looks very much like, well, an old bar. The tasteful decor will bring you back to the days when this was the top spot for oysters in Philadelphia.
They frequently have "buck-a-shuck" specials, and the happy hour is one of the best in the city, with traditional drinks and unusual "snacks" for just $5. Try the beef fat fries or the battered shrimp for a real treat.
The incredible entrees here will blow you away. Chef Jose Garces is one of the best restaurateurs in the city, and you can be sure that quality is oh so important to The Olde Bar.
Garces won a James Beard Award for the "Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic" in 2009, and is also an Iron Chef. He fills all of his restaurants with top notch staff that will make this one unforgettable dining experience.
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Of course, the star here is the extensive raw bar.
Bookbinder's was founded in the late 1800s as an oyster bar, and it remains the best place in the city to feast on these treats. If you need an excuse to visit this timeless Philadelphia restaurant, the second week of September is the Philly's restaurant week! Check out The Olde Bar's restaurant week menu to see the delicious dishes awaiting you. For just $35 per person, you'll enjoy Chef Garces' selection of oysters, housemade rolls, and chilled shrimp to start, and your choice of second course, third course, and delicious dessert.
Order up - they serve oysters from all over the country! (I am partial to Delaware oysters myself).
Shucking oysters at The Olde Bar actually benefits the environment as well - they proudly participate in the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary's oyster recycling program. Every baby oyster needs an old oyster shell to attach to in order to survive, and the program works hard to return oyster shells to the bay so that new oysters can thrive. This, in turn, also helps to protect the shorelines and natural habitats for many native species.
Have you visited The Olde Bar to indulge in their famous oysters? If you have yet to go, you're missing out - add this awesome spot to your restaurant bucket list!
