Roxborough Neighborhood Guide
By Todd Hovanec on May 17, 2020
Located adjacent to Manayunk in the northwest of Philadelphia, Roxborough’s most active history of settlement dates to the mid-1800s when many of the wealthy owners of the nearby Manayunk mills moved into the area. As a result there was considerable investment into the community, including parks, schools and beautiful manses.
Today, Roxborough remains a terrific option for anyone looking for a small town vibe within close proximity to Center City, Philadelphia. The neighborhood offers slightly lower density housing with more trees and greenery relative to other parts of Philadelphia. Further, anyone looking for easy access to the Wissahickon Valley Park will find Roxborough’s locale ideal. Roxborough is also great for anyone who needs to commute to Conshohocken or the Main Line.
Where is Roxborough in Philadelphia?
Roxborough is situated northeast of Manayunk, southwest of the Wissahickon Creek area of Fairmount Park, and northwest of East Falls. When looking at a map, the neighborhood is bounded by Terrace and Silverwood Streets on the west side, Henry Ave. on the east side, the Montgomery County line on the north, and Lincoln Drive on the south.
Architectural Appeal
Roxborough offers a little bit of everything! While condo buildings are less common than in Center City, there are some wonderful loft options if you’re looking for a flat with high ceilings and open space in an old repurposed building!
Roxborough also features plenty of blocks of standard Philly rowhomes as well as some twins and fully detached single family houses. As in most parts of the city, new construction has started to creep into the area, a sign that real estate developers are bullish on this great enclave.
Browse homes for sale in Roxborough
Getting Around Roxborough
Roxborough is accessible via SEPTA Route 9, 27 and 32 buses as well as the SEPTA Manayunk/Norristown line, making it convenient and easy to get to Center City and other environs. While extremely hilly in certain parts, Roxborough and neighboring Manayunk are very popular among bicyclers.
Drinking & Dining
Like everywhere else in Philadelphia, great dining options are always close by when in Roxborough.
This beloved neighborhood local serves up excellent bar food and is well known for its burgers and wings. Grab a pint of Guinness poured the proper way too, for a special flare! When the weather permits, the relaxes and casual outdoor seating options are the perfect place to while away a few hours with friends and family (and a few cocktails)!
If you’re yearning for a piece of the Southwest or some tasty, sizzling Al Pastor Fajitas with all the fixins, Adobe is your spot. It’s tucked away on a quiet block of a residential section of Roxborough so it offers a true local vibe without feeling exclusive or unwelcoming.
This is Philly’s original Tibetan restauran, or so this delicious restaurant proclaims! The reviews will corroborate that the White Yak is all that and more! Make sure to try the chicken momos (or veggie) and the shatrak, which is Tibetan sautéed beef served with ginger, garlic, onion, bok choy and peppers.
Best Cheesesteak in Roxborough
Dalessandro’s is not only one of the best steaks in Roxborough but is likely one of the best steak joints in the entire region! That said, Chubby’s across the street is another good option if you can’t get a seat at Dalesandro’s.
Dalessandro’s is always packed and there is no bathroom but don’t let that stop you from squeezing onto one of the tiny stools for counter service if you can get one. Try to go there on the early side of lunch (11 am) or right before the schools let out at 3-4 pm as if not the place will be packed and you’ll have to eat the steak on the roof of your car on busy Henry Ave. Which we have done countless times and have savored every time!
The Pizza Steak is legit here too if that’s your thing but of course the whiz wit and American options are always heavenly too.
Things to Do
Go for a scenic hike or jog…
The Wissahickon Valley Park is a Philadelphia region treasure. It’s a 1,250 acre natural oasis in the heart of one of the biggest cities in the country and is the perfect spot to get some exercise while clearing your mind and ruminating on life. The park is a no-car zone, so expect to see bikes, horses and plenty of joggers.
Visit the main street...
Ridge Avenue has great shops and a small town Main Street feel, so make sure to get to the First Fridays and Farmers Market in the adorable Pocket Park on Ridge. In the fall, the annual Rroxtoberfest is a delightful food, beer and music festival that draws visitors from all over Philadelphia and beyond.
Market Snapshot
Roxborough’s pricing has recently started to creep up, much like most sections of Philadelphia. It makes perfect sense because it’s a wonderful place that straddles a small town feel while still very much being "Philly" and gritty!
Here are four homes for sale in Roxborough that recently caught our eye:
Interested in buying a home in Roxborough? Browse listings and see how much you could save with Prevu’s Smart Buyer commission rebate in Philadelphia.
