Two Fishtown restaurants, Bastia and Amy’s Pastelillos, have earned spots on Esquire’s prestigious 2024 list of the “Best Restaurants in America.”
The list highlights 35 standout establishments across 17 states and Washington, D.C., recognizing unique culinary experiences that reshape how Americans think about food.
Bastia Fishtown, located in the sleek new Hotel Anna & Bel, opened its doors in August and has quickly gained praise for its Mediterranean menu inspired by Corsican and Sardinian cuisine.
Led by chef Tyler Akin, you’ll find bold and unexpected flavors that surprise at Bastia.
Esquire contributor Joshua David Stein called the sea urchin tartine—a toast topped with uni butter and fried squash blossoms stuffed with ricotta—the “single best bite” he’s had this year.
The menu also features highlights like grilled lobster, braised veal, and grass-fed steak, giving Philadelphians a taste of Mediterranean refinement.
Though Bastia isn’t Akin’s first success in Philadelphia. Known for his work at Stock and Res Ipsa, he returned to open one of the most celebrated Fishtown restaurants to date.
His vision, inspired by travels to Corsica and Sardinia, fits perfectly with the modern and stylish design of Hotel Anna & Bel. And publications like The Wall Street Journal have also praised Bastia for redefining the concept of hotel dining.
Not far from Bastia, Amy’s Pastelillos brings Puerto Rican comfort food to the forefront.
The takeout-only spot, which opened in March, is run by Amaryllis Rivera Nassar and is already regarded as one of the best restaurants in America.
And the pastelillos—fried, crescent-shaped pastries stuffed with fillings like shredded chicken, guava barbecue pork, and queso—have captured the attention of diners and critics.
Stein praised the dishes as “fresh like a favorite thing, as welcome as a love letter,” bursting with vibrant, carefully crafted flavors.
Rivera Nassar, who started serving Puerto Rican fare in 2018, sees the recognition as a celebration of Puerto Rican cuisine on a larger stage.
Beyond pastelillos, Amy’s Pastelillos offers rice bowls, tostones, fried cheese, and Puerto Rican-themed retail items, adding even more character to the thriving Fishtown food scene.
Both Bastia Fishtown and Amy’s Pastelillos embody the creative energy and culinary diversity that make Philadelphia’s food scene stand out.
Being part of the best restaurants in America puts Fishtown even more firmly on the map as a dining hotspot, where passionate cooking steals the show.
