Fishtown Neighborhood Guide
By Todd Hovanec on March 30, 2020
Don’t let the name fool you, there’s much more to Fishtown than fish! While the neighborhood indeed got its name from its founding industries — fishing and shipbuilding — it has since become a robust, modern suburb known for its bold and eclectic mix of residents.
From its working-class roots, the neighborhood has emerged as a major Philadelphia hub, attracting professionals and creatives of all ages and backgrounds. Forbes even hailed Fishtown as "America’s Hottest New Neighborhood" in 2018.
So, what’s it like living in Fishtown? We’ve rounded up some of the key trends and characteristics in our Fishtown Neighborhood Guide.
Where is Fishtown in Philadelphia?
Fishtown sits in the northeast section of Philadelphia, along the Delaware River. It’s sandwiched between Olde Kensington and Olde Richmond (and yes, the spellings illustrate the historic nature of this area) and abuts Northern Liberties.
Architectural Appeal
Fishtown real estate tends to consist of historic Philadelphia townhouses. The neighborhood’s rowhomes typically have two stories of living space — kitchen, dining, and living area below, and bedrooms above — along with basements underneath. The setup provides ample space for storage and a variety of other household needs.
The original townhouses from the late 1800s are what give the neighborhood its charm, and can be recognized by their characteristic brick exteriors and architectural details such as the decorative corbels you might find near the roof-line.
While most townhouses in Fishtown have kept their traditional brick facades, each home is as individual as its occupants. Personalized touches like bright doors and eye-catching trim set each apart from its neighbors.
Browse homes for sale in Fishtown
Getting Around Fishtown
Getting around Fishtown is made easier thanks to its array of public transportation options. There are bus routes, train lines, and an elevated subway that all pass through or near Fishtown. There’s also the Route-15 trolley.
But back to the subway, known locally as "the El." This is one of the oldest elevated subways in the country, and a main mode of transport for many. It links Fishtown to downtown Philly with a quick ride that takes less than 10 minutes, and makes it possible for commuters to get around easily without a car — which is great because parking in Fishtown is notoriously challenging.
For travelers coming from out of town, the Philadelphia International Airport is about 14 miles away from Fishtown. This is about 20 minutes by car, or up to an hour via public transportation.
Drinking & Dining
Let’s be honest; food plays a major role in our overall wellbeing and happiness. So, it stands to reason that it should be a strong consideration when thinking about where to settle down.
Fortunately, Fishtown’s food scene is as lively as its overall culture. Here we’ve rounded up some of the top spots to check out.
When looking up the top restaurants in Fishtown, Suraya overwhelmingly takes the lead. Voted as the Best New Restaurant of 2018 by Philadelphia Magazine, Suraya features an all-day Lebanese market, cafe, sit-down restaurant and outdoor garden.
The menu includes lunch staples, brunch, dinner, drinks, and desserts. Try the Taste of Suraya for a mix of shareable favorites. Finish the meal with an arak cocktail, made with a distinctive anise-flavored aperitif.
- Aether
For seafood lovers (and really, if you’re going to live in a place called Fishtown, you should really check out the seafood scene!), Aether is hard to beat.
With a raw bar filled with local favorites that vary seasonally, and a full dinner and brunch menu, there’s something to suit all tastes. The Philly Jawn Beignets are a must-try!
There’s also a full wine and cocktail menu and Happy Hour specials.
- Castellino’s
Every neighborhood needs an Italian market. Castellino’s is the place you’ll find fresh Italian meats and cheeses, double-decker sandwiches, pasta, bread, and a range of spreads.
Where else are you going to find chocolate espresso beans in Philadelphia? Or maple onion bacon jam, for that matter? Castellino’s is an eclectic mix of flavors that mostly stays true to its Italian roots, with a few creative exceptions.
When pulling together a list of drinking and dining establishments, it’s great to have options that are known for both. Johnny Brenda’s is known for its food and bar scene, but more than that, it’s known for its music.
A world-class performance space, Johnny Brenda’s has a calendar of live music events that draw quite a crowd. Take in a show while sipping a draft brew. The beverage menu features a number of options from local distilleries, and the food is a mix of bar favorites.
Best Cheesesteak in Fishtown
Joe’s on the corner of Frankford and Girard. Classic style in a cool retro diner vibe plus an awesome pickle and peppers bar! What’s not to love. Don’t forget to try the milkshakes for dessert!
Things to Do
Visit a Museum…
We considered including Pizza Brain in our Drinking & Dining section, but felt it warranted more than a meal break. Pizza Brain is a pizzeria as well as a fully-fledged pizza museum (and has a Guinness World Record to prove it!). Stop by for a full array of pizza-themed memorabilia and history.
Walk around Penn Treaty Park…
Take in the fresh air at Penn Treaty Park. With seven acres of greenspace that features picnic tables, playgrounds, and seasonal events, there’s always something to do in the park. Go fishing, fly a kite, or even host your own event out in the sunshine — every neighborhood benefits from a local park.
Grab a cup of coffee…
La Colombe’s flagship cafe is located in Fishtown and is situated in an amazing rehabbed warehouse space. Go for the coffee and stay for the ambiance and good vibes!
Market Snapshot
While pricing in Fishtown has ascended rapidly over the past 10 years, there are still properties available for most budgets.
Here are a four properties for sale in Fishtown that recently caught our eye:
Interested in buying a home in Fishtown? Browse listings and see how much you could save with Prevu’s Smart Buyer commission rebate in Philadelphia.
