Vegan
Indian
Organic
Asian
Fusion
Middle Eastern
Gluten-free
Latin
Health-forward vegan restaurant with global influences and locally sourced ingredients. Open Wed-Thu 5:00pm-9:00pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am-3:30pm, 5:00pm-9:30pm, Sun 11:00am-4:00pm.
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161 W Girard Ave, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, 19123
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- Reservations required
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 04 May 2024 by geometric-noise
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Added by jkconroy4 on 13 Nov 2021
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18 Reviews
First Review by path217
StaciA
Points +101
Fire flavors - Edit
Each item on menu had so many thoughtful components put together to create delicious dishes. The greens and caperberries chosen for the Caesar, the tamari marinated boiled peanuts in the cucumber salad, the smoked kimchi and candied black walnuts in the Korean green bean polenta and finally the mushroom grilled cheese. It is obvious the chef isn’t afraid to play with flavors and out of the box combinations. Super Impressed!!!
Read morePros: Incredible food, Great service , Incredible food
Guest
Cobwebs64
Points +54
What a welcome oasis! - Edit
WE came in to Philly from out of town, a 4.5 hour drive, too see classical guitarist David Russell a Saturday night in April 2024. Naturally, we were craving a delightful dinner to precede the concert, but really didn't want tavern food or veganized comfort food. We wanted a real meal menu, one that would be creative and filled with choices that included fresh ingredients. Enter Primary! We made reservations just in case (though, ha ha, reservations for a parking spot anywhere in Philly would probably be more important) and got there on time to be seated and relax from the short but um... exciting... drive from our B&B about 20 minutes away.
Read moreThe wait staff was knowledgeable, friendly and efficient for our visit (the only visit we've ever had) and our waitress was happy to point out what items had soy and which ones were GF (I have intolerances to both, while hub doesn't. Yes he's vegan, too.)
For starters, we got the Golden Beets and the Corned Bread, both were excellent. I particularly was taken with the corn bread because I have always loved "the genre." For our meals, my husband got the Yeuben, which he still talks about, and I got the Roasted Brussels Sprouts. There was enough food to satisfy us and not too much that we would fall asleep at the concert later!
I'm sorry I waited this long to post our review (no choice, actually, life takes over some times) because I've lost details already. In any case, please DO visit Primary, it's well worth the hunt for a parking spot! If ever in Philly again, we will return without hesitation. Good, fresh, inventive, creative food is hard to find!
Pros: Small but varied menu offerings, waitstaff, Pleasant atmosphere
Cons: On street parking difficulties, oh well.....
Guest
MichelleKelley
Points +19
Fantastic all plant based - Edit
Mark and his team do a great job coming up with great creations. I love the Yeuben and my husband is hooked on the brussel sprouts. Great food and lots of it!
Read moreGuest
p.wobble
Points +30
Excellent vegan food in the heard of Philly - Edit
Primary is what vegan food should aspire towards. They’ve not only succeeded in their delicious vegan offerings, but created a space that is not centered on meat consumption, a space where plants and veggies are the stars of the show, a space that takes the dining experience to new heights. So-called vegan restaurants in the area should take note and beware.
Read moreThe sopes were phenomenal. The Caesar salad was incredible. The cheesesteak was the best vegan cheesesteak we’ve ever had. The churros tasted like the ones from back home. If they have a free spot open on a weekend or you want to floor your [censored] friend that’s pressuring you to eat meat again, go here. Or keep it a secret. Either way, support them with your likes, follows and money.
Guest
melsoy
Points +159
THE BEST - Edit
The food here is amazing!!! The menu is always changing & I’ve never had a dish I didn’t love. Obsessed with the staff & the chefs. Such a cozy lovely vibe inside. EAT HERE!
Read morePros: Vegetable forwars dishes , Outdoor seating , Seasonal menu
Guest
BillBraile
Points +172
Delicious food great staff - Edit
Nice, welcoming spot with a friendly helpful staff. The food was on point. We ordered 2 starters 2 sandwiches and dessert. Everything looked great and tasted amazing.
Read morePrimary is now in our rotation!
Updated from previous review on 2023-10-01
Guest
hohuho
Points +44
Decent eats but overpriced - Edit
Been a couple times, and it’s been fine but not worth the high price tag. I love a burger but the style and meat used in their umami burger totally missed the mark for me. I think they use Beyond or a similar style, and way too much of it so the aftertaste lingered forever. Cool atmosphere but I probably won’t be back anytime soon.
Read moreGuest
vegan.baddie
Points +719
Best vegan spot in the city - Edit
Honestly, this is the best veg restaurant in the city. Truly. It’s freaking amazing. and I’ve eaten at all of them many many times for the last 20 plus years haha. I was a huge fan of Mark’s food when he used to do the menu at the royal tavern, and primary is on another level. The food doesn’t disappoint and is even one of my absolute fave veg spots in the world (including London, Amsterdam, LA, Miami, NYC, Mexico City, Seattle). The service is amazing, the food is so thoughtful and complex. Mark McKinney is the real deal, what a gift we have in this city in his food! I just wish it wasn’t so far from me (haha) but it’s worth the trek! go here and eat all the food!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-04-03
Pros: Menu is creative, complex, and rotates regularly , Best vegan cheesesteak in the city :), Service is lovely and so kind
Guest
irise102
Points +926
Amazing food - can’t go wrong!! - Edit
Delicious plant based restaurant with great service and fun atmosphere. We had a group of 5 and everyone loved what they ordered. Our agreed upon favorite was the seitan flappers - their version of boneless wings. Personally, I don’t care for seitan but these were amazing. I enjoyed the umami burger. Others loved the parmigiana sandwich. The yeuben sandwich was their take on a Reuben and was very good too. The lentil hummus app was also really good and the presentation and assorted items that came with it were varied and plentiful. Then there was dessert - we loved the apple & walnut dump cake (a special for the day). The rice pudding was okay but the ice cream was delicious (brought in from a local ice cream shop - scoop de ville.) Overall - we thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience.
Read morePros: Excellent food, Excellent service
Cons: No cons!!
Guest
f33l.som3thing
Points +111
The best experience I've ever had in my entire life. - Edit
This isn't just a restaurant, it's a culinary experience. Every single bite is packed with flavor and it's a new and innovative cuisine that draws amazingly from multiple different cultures and brings them all together harmoniously. Portions are generous and I think this is the first food, as someone well versed in cooking, that I don't think I could ever recreate. I'm in awe of this place. It was actually recommended to me by someone who lives almost two hours from it but makes the drive out here regularly to go there, and I can see why. This place is easily on it's way to a Michelin star or some sort of widespread recognition. If you're between going here or somewhere else, Primary is the right answer. It's an experience I've never gotten anywhere else, purely through the flavors and textures alone.
Read morePros: The best food I've ever had in my entire life , Delicious, Friendly staff
Cons: On the pricier side
Guest
watasiblah
Points +128
Awesome philly steak - Edit
Really enjoyed in house sauce texture and flavor bought from native caribbean. Amazing!! Thank you
Read morePros: Delicious food, Good texture, Friendly staff
Cons: Wait time can be a little bit longer
Guest
Kolsen95
Points +20
Best Philly Vegan Spot - Edit
It's off Girard, low-key spot with indoor and outdoor seating. It's BYOB and the staff is super helpful and friendly. Never had a bad meal there, everything is super hand crafted and delicious. They regularly update their menu but never leave you hungry.
Read morePros: Good value, Original menu items, Friendly staff
Guest
SuzT
Points +937
Great options - Edit
Great restaurant for dine in or takeout. The staff was friendly and the atmosphere was very inviting. I ordered the mushroom and eggplant umami burger to go and it was delicious. Will definitely be back to try other items on the menu.
Read moreGuest
Amoskowitz
Points +34
I’ve been here twice now and have been blown away by the food. - Edit
Wide range of offerings. Great creative meals
Read morePros: Vegan, Fresh vegetable creations , Burgers and cheesesteaks
Cons: No bar, Limited seating if busy
Guest
SophiaTara
Points +102
✨Wishing I could eat here every week ✨ - Edit
Literally not a single bad dish. I would feel comfortable bringing non-vegans here and know they will enjoy their meal. Super accessible food, but also saucy & creative. Ugh, I just love it. Such a joy to be able to order well-cooked and inventive vegetable dishes and not have to be on some kind of waitlist. Well-seasoned and thoughtful food from a chef who clearly understands what foodies want to eat. Can’t wait to go back 💕
Read morePros: All vegan!
SophiaTara
Commenting to say I still eat here all the time and the price is absolutely fair for the quality of what you get. Obviously most of the reviewers here totally get it 😉 Gotta bring back that hummus though, it was fire!! Could make a full meal out of the hummus, buffalo flappers, and the cauliflower pakoras 🥰
Read moreGuest
MarcBannes
Points +155
One of the best meals I’ve ever had - Edit
Treated myself while on a work trip, and I’m so glad I chose Primary. The kimchi pancake and pan fried gnocchi were to die for. The gnocchi specifically was one of the richest meals I’ve had in recent memory. It’s pricey but worth it if you’re looking for a unique place, great atmosphere and high quality food.
Read morePros: All vegan
Cons: Expensive
Guest
NancyFlanagan
Points +74
Wow! - Edit
Wow! Just had dinner there and the food was outstanding! The service was wonderful, also. We went as our family of 4, including our two children, for a Saturday night dinner. The seitan flappers is were a big hit. I loved the mezze platter. As a vegan, I rarely get that feta cheese flavor and theirs was out of this world. We had 3 mains between us. The jackfruit dish was so good on a fresh seeded roll. The side was potato salad and that was also well loved by all. The hit for dessert was the apple fritters. So yummy! It may seem like a small thing, but I really appreciate when the leftovers are wrapped in the kitchen and I don’t have yo do it myself at the table. Love that. Would definitely recommend this place. It is right off the market Frankford line, but you can also drive and park. We went after a play in center city. Not too hard to get to at all.
Read morePros: All vegan food, Super friendly service, Down to earth food for even non-vegan people
Guest
path217
Points +67
Excellent! - Edit
Awesome food and great atmosphere. We had the kohlrabi hand pie and arepas to start. The hand pie was hot and savory and the arepas had just the right amount of spice. Both woke up our taste buds. For main dishes, she had the kebab sandwich and I had the maple glazed mushrooms. The mushrooms were definitely my fav of the night. Sweet and slightly smoking over the polenta. Highly recommend. The kebab sandwich was also really good (I barely got a taste). Chef Mark McKinney and his team has built a great restaurant. I’m sure they will soon require reservations in advance. Look forward to my next visit.
Read morePros: All vegan menu, Awesome food, Great atmosphere and service
Guest
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