New Wave Cafe

784 S 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19147, United States
+1 215-922-8484
$$$ Bar , American restaurant , Restaurant
(664 Reviews)
Price Range $20–30

New Wave Cafe sits comfortably in the heart of South Philadelphia as a spot that blends the atmosphere of a classic neighborhood bar with the satisfying depth of an American restaurant. It’s the kind of place where the bar stools are well-worn, the jukebox hums with a steady rotation of tunes (when the staff lets it), and the buzz of local regulars mixes easily with visitors looking for a welcoming spot to settle into.

The menu reflects its American bar-restaurant style with hearty, no-nonsense dishes that lean into comfort food done with some attention to detail. Think stacked short rib grilled cheese sandwiches, crispy onion-topped Salisbury steak paired with mashed potatoes and spinach, or a well-seasoned New Wave Burger customized with your choice of toppings. For lighter but still substantial sides, options like the wedge salad with crumbled bleu cheese or hand-cut fries keep things simple yet satisfying. The presence of plant-based choices, such as the Beyond Burger Open, shows that they’re tuned in to local diners looking for alternatives without compromising the casual vibe.

Service tends to be friendly and familiar, with staff who clearly know their regulars and keep the rhythms of the bar flowing smoothly. Some visitors have noted how a few staff quirks — like selective jukebox control — can stand out, but overall the atmosphere remains relaxed and inviting. Meals arrive hot and filling, often leaving you less inclined to order appetizers thanks to generous portion sizes.

New Wave Cafe works well any time you’re craving a laid-back spot for dinner or a casual night out accompanied by a solid lineup of beers and classic bar eats. Weeknights or weekend evenings can draw a mix of neighbors and small groups catching up over plates of crab fries, chicken wings, or the short rib grilled cheese. If you’re passing through the Italian Market area or looking for a place that doesn’t take itself too seriously but delivers on satisfying, well-prepared food, New Wave fits the bill without fuss.

Highlights
Has bar games
Has fast service
Has great beer selection
Serves great cocktails
Has quiz night
Good for watching sport
Popular for
Good for solo dining
What they serve
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves food
Serves food at bar
Serves happy-hour drinks
Serves happy-hour food
Serves spirits
Serves wine
Best for
Has seating
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
No wheelchair-accessible car park
Parking
Free of charge street parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

10:00 AM - 2:00 AM

Tuesday

10:00 AM - 2:00 AM

Wednesday

10:00 AM - 2:00 AM

Thursday

10:00 AM - 2:00 AM

Friday

10:00 AM - 2:00 AM

Saturday

10:00 AM - 2:00 AM

Sunday

10:00 AM - 2:00 AM

664 Reviews
BadGuyTez

04 Jan 2026

This chorizo burrito with the home fries did what it needed to do when I ordered it. Look delicious and it didn’t disappoint. Shout out to the staff.

Jay Bryant

29 Dec 2025

really good choices of food and beer. Classic neighborhood bar that’s worth a visit.

Juliana

29 Dec 2025

I love this place. The food has no business being as good as it is. They make so many of their dishes from scratch in house. The dishes are huge so you don’t need to order apps. I’ve tried the beyond burger, the bbq burger, the veggie sandwich, the turkey sandwich, the buttermilk chicken tenders, the Caesar salad, and the fried mozzerella. The only thing I would pass on is the veggie sandwich, there are just better veg options on the menu. The buttermilk chicken strips are made from scratch and are sooooo good. They are definitely marinating them overnight in buttermilk Red Rooster style but for half the price. I highly recommend upgrading to the sweet potato tots instead of fries, but the hand cut fries are good too. The service is always good and it’s never too crowded. The prices are great value for the quality and quantity of the food. I will keep coming back.

John (Johnny Baccala)

05 Nov 2025

female bartender was very friendly and welcoming, food was excellent! The misses and myself had their version of the impossible burger and the hummus platter and tater tots. The only bad experience was the male bartender who was working kept skipping over everyone's songs on the jukebox so he could play what he wanted to hear. Very unprofessional but we didn't let him ruin our night and we will definitely be back again! Ethan the bartender is amazing! Very friendly and knowledgeable about drinks and the menu when you are ready to order.

Patti P

08 Oct 2025

We got the nachos, Brussel sprouts, short rib grilled cheese and salmon salads. Salmon was cooked well and seasoned perfectly. Grilled cheese was delicious. I would have preferred the Brussel sprouts were crispy personally. Food was hot, however, and served in a timely manner. Service was good. We were greated quickly and the waitstaff was friendly. There were several options for gluten free and vegetarian which was helpful. Overall, good experience. I would recommend trying this restaurant out!

Johnny Novo

03 Oct 2025

New Wave Cafe was my first time going out to watch an Eagles game in Philly, and it was straight culture shock. I felt like I was watching a highly competitive college football game between two top 5 teams. On an 11 yard gain the bar would EXPLODE like a 60 yard TD run, so imagine how crazy they went when Saquon Barkley actually housed a 60 yard TD lol. It’s only week 3, I can’t imagine what it’s like come playoff time. New Wave pushed a TV up to the window for outdoor patrons, who didn't complain once about the glare that made the game borderline unwatchable. We sat in the sun and I ordered some buffalo wings and a couple aperol spritz's as I need to get my last few in as summer fades away. I was shocked at the quality of these wings. They were actually crack. The perfect amount of buffalo sauce, along with an ideal crisp on every bite. We almost ordered 10 more but had an early dinner, so we made a business decision. As the Eagles began to get the game under control, the desperate cries of "WHAT THE HELL SIRIANI" turned to "Okay, great win, but we need to stay focused for Tampa after what Atlanta did to us..." How can you not love Philly? IG @jnov_ Tiktok @jnov_reviews

Jim “The Cheesesteak Guy” Pappas

26 Sep 2025

Different Cheesesteak #1191. It's a sneaky good cheesesteak. If I were young and hip, I would be a regular at New Wave Cafe. The cheesesteak came with sneaky good French fries. It passed the eye test mostly due to the seeded roll, red peppers, and a big pile of french fries. Provolone cheese. Very well-melted provolone cheese. A sneaky good amount of well-melted provolone cheese added a hardiness to each bite. Nothing really stood out. This cheesesteak by itself may not win any awards. But, all things considered; prime rib, french fries, presentation, decor, and service; I really liked it!! You know I don’t like $17.

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