Queen Village Neighborhood Guide
By Todd Hovanec on April 15, 2020
Queen Village is a neighborhood along the eastern section of Philadelphia, immediately south of Society Hill along the Delaware River. The neighborhood’s history dates back as one of Philadelphia’s early suburbs during colonial times.
Today, Queen Village is known for the chic galleries and new-age dining along Fabric Row (the nickname for a portion of 4th Street), as well as hip bars along South Street - including open mic nights at MilkBoy. This easily accessible and connected enclave is one of the most popular searches in the city.
Let’s take a look why.
Where is Queen Village in Philadelphia?
Queen Village is located to the south of Society Hill, to the east of Bella Vista, and to the north of Pennsport. When looking at a map, Queen Village is bounded by Lombard Street on the north side, Washington Avenue on the south side, S 6th Street on the west side, and Columbus Blvd. and the Delaware River to the east.
Architectural Appeal
The best way to describe Queen Village is a beautiful collection of colonial homes and mature trees mixed among new age dining and shopping. That’s not to say there aren’t modern, new construction homes, however the aesthetic of Queen Village favors more historic brick than metal and glass.
Browse homes for sale in Queen Village
Getting Around Queen Village
Narrow streets featuring mostly street-level garages can make parking a challenge for some residents. Visitors planning shorter-term visits for shopping or dining can make use of available lots along Front Street and metered parking on South Street.
Public transportation is an option for Queen Village access including SEPTA bus routes 12 and 57. Also, given a general lack of parking, it is not uncommon to see bikes as a preferred form of transport.
Drinking & Dining
For Italian food lovers, there’s no better combination than pasta and wine, and Cry Baby does it better than the rest. The Cry Baby Pasta menu ranges from classics, such as Tagliatelle Bolognese, to their more adventurous Creste de Gallo, featuring squid, mussels, fra diavalo and saffron.
They do offer more than just pasta with a wide selection of appetizers, bruschettas, and main dishes. Most notably, they make an eggplant parm that would even make an Italian grandmother ask for more.
If you like Italian wine, Cry Baby Pasta has a well curated list from the top regions, and at very approachable prices by the bottle.
On South Sixth Street, Bistrot La Minette offers classic French fare that would bring back warm memories of Parisian brasseries you may have visited on vacation. Chef Peter Woolsey is one the best in Philadelphia. Having studied culinary arts at Le Cordon Bleu in France and worked in Paris’ three-michelin starred Lucas Carton, Chef Woolsey’s deep knowledge of French cuisine is evident in every dish served here.
There are two main dishes you should check out at Bistrot Minette. First, the Cassoulet Toulouse is a lamb and tomato stew you will definitely recommend to your friends. Second, the Lapin Roti a La Moutarde is a mustard-braised rabbit with house-made tagliatelle and rabbit jus.
Best Cheesesteak in Queen Village
Jim’s Steaks on South Street is the best cheesesteak in QueenVillage and would definitely be near the top of the list for best cheesesteaks in Philadelphia. Jim’s offers an old-school, retro vibe and a classic spin on the meaty, cheesy deliciousness.
There’s usually a line for counter service, but it’s well worth the wait. A local trick to avoid waiting in line is to grab a drink across the street at Milkboy and order your Jim’s cheesesteak from there. The owners struck a deal to have the famous sandwich on the Milkboy menu.
Things to Do
Check out Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens...
Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens is a non-profit organization focused on art and creativity with gallery space located on South Street. The group is most famous for its art installation by Isaiah Zagar - featuring his mosaic art and public murals. If you are inspired by creativity, this is a must visit for locals and tourists alike.
Visit Headhouse Square…
If you are looking to source fresh produce and support local purveyors, then you need to stop by the Headhouse Farmers Market. Located at 2nd and Lombard on Sundays between 10am and 10pm, you will find a rotation of 50 vendors selling their local produce, prepared foods, wine, ice cream, and much more. Go for the goods, stay for the samples.
Explore Fabric Row…
Fabric Row is Philadelphia’s famous garment district located on South 4th Street between Bainbridge and Catherine. The area finds its roots in the late 1800’s when textile merchants began setting up shop, and in 1996 the merchants successfully lobbied the stretch of 4th Street to be designated "Fabric Row" officially.
Market Snapshot
Queen Village has seen its fair share of price appreciation in the past decade. With its close proximity to center city and flourishing dining and shopping scene, Queen Village has been among the most sought after in recent years.
If you are attracted to the look and charm of colonial Philadelphia homes on the outside with tasteful renovations on the inside, you will find what you are looking for in Queen Village.
Here are 4 properties for sale in Queen Village, Philadelphia that caught our eye:
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