Percy Diner & Bar — Restaurant in Philadelphia

A neighborhood gem with heart, soul, and serious flavor.

I started at the bar, which I highly recommend. Izzy, the bartender, was incredible—warm, attentive, and knowledgeable. She made fantastic cocktail suggestions that really set the tone for the evening. Their version of a gin martini was crisp, herbaceous, and beautifully balanced, while the “Maggie,” a tequila-based cocktail, was bright, citrus-forward, and absolutely crushable. Every drink was thoughtful and expertly made—you can tell the beverage program is taken just as seriously as the food.

I brought my family here while they were visiting from New York, and Percy absolutely delivered on all fronts. From the moment we walked in, the vibe was welcoming—relaxed but clearly intentional. It’s the kind of place that feels deeply rooted in the neighborhood, but with the polish and creativity of a chef-driven concept.

Speaking of food—everything we tried was on point. Approachable but smart. Comforting but not boring. We started with the buffalo chicken deviled eggs (perfectly creamy with a subtle kick), and a springy pea salad that was fresh, herbaceous, and amazing charred veg. The half chicken came with creamy polenta and broccolini and was a standout: juicy, well-seasoned, and comforting without being heavy. Also I recommend breakfast I’m still thinking about the pancakes—fluffy, golden, and just the right amount of sweet. Don’t skip the duck sausage—savory, slightly sweet, and a total sleeper hit on the menu. It’s rare to find a spot that nails both dinner and breakfast service, but Percy does it effortlessly.

The space itself is moody, nostalgic and welcoming—perfect for groups of friends, casual dates, or even a relaxed family meal. Plenty of families were dining when we visited, which speaks to its broad appeal. The staff were friendly and attentive without hovering—just the right touch of hospitality.

A special note: don’t miss the Listening Room. It’s a moody, intimate, tucked in the back—a total vibe. You can sip cocktails there or even dine fully. It’s a beautiful, immersive space and a rare find.

Overall, Percy is the kind of place that makes you want to become a regular. Thoughtful food, expertly made cocktails, and service that makes you feel genuinely taken care of. We’ll...

We finally got to Percy’s in our never-ending search for the city’s best pancakes, but we should have stopped there.

Everyone was super kind, (and later apologetic). We waited a bit for our table, which was fine since we were about 10 minutes late anyway. Once seated, I ordered coffee but never got a refill in over an hour.The latte was just average.

Since we had waited we knew what we wanted -- we put our full order in at once: latkes with gravlax, two egg platters, a salad, pancakes, and the lamb hash. We waited about 20 minutes before the first food arrived. The pancakes came out first and were excellent.

The latkes followed, also fine.

Then nothing for 25 minutes until the lamb arrived.

By then, when our server checked in, we had to remind her we were still waiting on entrées--she looked shocked.

Maybe they had been forgotten altogether. Another 20 minutes later, the two soggy breakfast platters finally showed up — eggs and bacon that we had waited over an hour for.

The braised lamb was supposed to have a chili-coffee jus, but it came out completely naked. It was the only reason I'm even writing a review -- totally gagworthy: slick, muttony, a soupy mess with a foul aftertaste. On top of that, it came with random stuff that did not work together: sweet potato chunks with the skin on, overcooked cabbage, and broccoli that tasted like it belonged in a stir fry.

The “salad” was supposed to be shaved crudité, fresh herbs, and sherry vinaigrette, but what showed up was spring mix and a few shaved radishes. We are not tools, so of course we did not send it back. We just pushed things aside and kept moving.

In the end, they comped the drinks and the lamb dish without prompting that's appreciated but we know how small businesses work, would have just preferred a -- we messed up, sorry we sent you an incomplete dish etc. But it was strange that no one ever named what went wrong. We left a 30% tip and headed out. Still we root for the small...

While Percy continues to show promise with a trendy vibe and excellent cocktails, recent experiences have highlighted significant inconsistencies, especially regarding the flavors and seasoning of their dishes. I'm hopeful they can refine their approach and return to the high standards I initially enjoyed.

Percy has been a spot I've visited multiple times, each offering a varied experience:

First Visit (Evening, at the bar) Creative cocktails Trendy décor Roasted carrot appetizer: savory, fresh, and memorable

Second Visit (Brunch) Ricotta Pancakes: moist, flavorful, perfectly sweetened Deviled Eggs: tasty and enjoyable

Third Visit (Thursday Evening) Excellent cocktails Noticeable kitchen delays Great atmosphere with lively music and a good vibe

Most Recent Brunch Visit Long wait (nearly two hours for a single person from start to finish). Meal consisted of a cappuccino, Spanish Omelet, and Potato Latke appetizer. Potato Latke: flavorful but excessively oily Spanish Omelet: visually interesting but not the expected classic omelet; more of a layered potato and egg cake, lacking in seasoning

Recent Lunch Visit (Burger) Roasted Carrot Appetizer: overly saturated in a heavy sauce, drowning out the natural flavor. Burger: disproportionately small patty, bland and poorly seasoned. Cheese: thick, overpowering yet bland Fries: well-seasoned and enjoyable

General Concern Kitchen Appreciation Fee: undisclosed until the check arrives, outdated and feels deceptive.

In a competitive neighborhood like Fishtown, Percy needs to urgently address these consistency and seasoning issues to avoid losing its appeal. There’s clear potential, especially evident in their cocktails and some standout dishes, but they need to make significant...