The Philly Good-Ass Shrimp Guide

A great man once said that shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it. Shrimp kabobs, deep fried, stir-fried. There's pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, shrimp salad, shrimp sandwich, and good-ass shrimp.

Okay, so Bubba from Forrest Gump didn’t say the last part. We did. From a classic cocktail to a spicy bang bang, we can’t get enough of this tasty pink crustacean. We rounded up a list of the very best shrimp dishes in Philly, whether you’re in the mood for something down and dirty, elaborate and elegant, or just want to channel your inner shrimp boat captain.

THE SHRIMP

Mawn

Located in Bella Vista , Mawn is a small Cambodian restaurant with some of our favorite food in town. But it’s their head-on soft shell shrimp that we keep talking to our neighbors, Uber drivers, and strangers in line at PennDot about. Each bite into the shell gives a satisfying crunch, the Bird's Eye chili gives it a peppery kick, and the Thai basil and fish sauce caramel is the perfect balance between sweet and earthy. Order a bowl for the table, and then order 10 more.

Indian Char House

West Philly's Indian Char House is our top Indian spot in Philly, so it's no surprise that we're considering getting a tattoo of their shrimp tikka. The smoky shrimp has a bed of nicely charred onions and peppers. We’ve had it a few times (okay, an embarrassing amount), and it’s always had the magic of being both crisp and juicy. Each bit has that traditional curry flavor but a hint of spice that gives it a little edge. And since the portions here are humongous, you can always save some for tomorrow's lunch and experience it all over again.

Sid Booker's Famous Shrimp

Philadelphians have been lining up at this North Philly corner shrimp spot ever since it opened in 1966. The “Colonel of Shrimp” serves every batch just one way: fried in a batter that’s perfectly seasoned with a hint of sweetness. Getting your hands on a dozen of these golden crispy shrimp fresh out of the fryer will leave you feeling more triumphant than finding an open parking spot on your first whip around Broad and Wyoming.

My Loup

This cozy Rittenhouse spot specializes in irresistible French food and good vibes. And while shrimp is incredible on its own, My Loup pickles them and serves them with creamy aioli and saltines. Whether you go the standard route and lay the shrimp on the cracker with a dollop of the garlicky spread, or you make a mini sandwich out of it, each bite will blow every other shrimp dish you’ve ever had out of the water (pun very much intended). The blend of tanginess, saltiness, and crispness is just too good. And we’ll add it to the list of the 100 reasons (and counting) why we’d come here every day if we could.

Tamalex Bar & Grill

Similar to the original South Philly location, Headhouse Square’s Tamalex serves great, affordable Mexican food in a space that’s casual enough to walk in with a few friends on a weeknight. While we love the tamarind margarita and tasty chicken enchiladas, the shrimp tacos have us fantasizing about a personal taco eating contest. Topped with pickled cabbage, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime, they are crisp, citrusy, and tangy. You can get them with the fiery roja salsa or a tamer, earthy verde. Either way, you'll be mopping up every last piece of it on your plate.

Rex At The Royal

This South Street Low Country cuisine spot is a place that works just as well for dates as it does for a live music hangout or a weekend brunch. And even though you’ll want a plate of crab fondue and smoked short rib, skipping the shrimp and grits would be a huge mistake. It has eight jumbo shrimp sitting on a pillow grits. The dish is coated with a shellfish gravy and smoked tomato jam that gives each spoonful a flawless balance of rich creaminess and butteriness. Within a few bites, you’ll be slotting this dish into your weekly routine, like searching for that dream house on Zillow you can’t afford.

LMNO

When you’re heading to Fishtown’s LMNO, the key priorities are to drink near the neon-lit bar, people watch, and listen to music. But that’s why the fried cucarachas (yes, it’s shrimp) at the Mexican restaurant are the perfect things to go for. They’re small, crispy, and perfect to snack on between dancing to Doja Cat and waving to your friends (who can’t hear you). They come with an addictive chili dipping sauce and are indeed jumbo, so they’ll work as a shareable for any group you bring here.

Shana's Caribbean Cafe

Shana’s is a bright orange Jamaican spot in the Northeast that usually has a group of old men out front drinking Tings on a sunny day. In between sips, that crew and most of the people inside are scarfing down a platter of curry shrimp. The shrimp are sauteed in a peppery and earthy curry sauce they’re drenched in. Served with stewed green peppers and onions and two sides—we go for the sweet yams and gooey mac and cheese—it's a tangy dish that has us standing in line longer than when Costco gives away free cupcakes (yes, this is a thing).

Korea Taqueria

This casual, takeout-only counter-service shop in Gray’s Ferry is easy to find. When you walk up, you’ll see the bright white sign and people lining up like it’s game one at The Linc (we suggest ordering ahead). Their menu has lots of great dishes—like kimchi fries and a Korean beef cheesesteak —but it’s their sesame garlic shrimp burrito that we eat in slow motion just to make the bites last longer. It has sesame white rice, creamy black beans, crisp pico de gallo, cheese, and sesame garlic shrimp all wrapped in a soft flour tortilla blanket. Topped with cilantro, you should dip it in their gochujang chipotle mayo to make each bite spicier than the last.

Sally

The charcoal grilled shrimp at Sally are lemony, smoky, and completely unforgettable. Covered in a peppery chili oil, sprinkles of lemon, and parsley flakes, they’re the ideal way to start a night at this Fitler Square pizzeria, whether it’s while your group waits for entrees, or with a glass of wine on a simple solo night. While pizza is the main attraction here–it’s one of the best spots in the city to get it—the plump shrimp with great char lines and a campfire taste are making a bid to be the next headliner.

Nepali Momo Kitchen

Fairmount's Nepali Momo House is one of the best places to eat momos or anything in town . And when you're there, you're going to want the Himalayan shrimp chili momo. These baby-shrimp stuffed momos come in a tomato sauce that blends peppery ghost chilis, Szechuan peppercorns, and honey to balance out all of the heat. After reading that, you’ll think, well, that’s a lot of spice. But have no fear; the spice level is more likely to have you grabbing for a mango lassi than an extinguisher.