We stopped in for a quick drink before having a late dinner around the corner. We were pleasantly surprised! Drinks were good, price was right, great ambiance. The food coming to tables around us smelled amazing! Next time we'll plan to order food there. read more

New Wave Cafe - Drinks on the bar - American Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

See all

A nice standby in queen Village. A great selection of beer on tap and also have televisions to show sporting events. A friendly bar staff, makes sitting at the bar enjoyable. I found the menu offerings to be somewhat lacking. Although I did enjoy the chicken fingers that I had. read more

Love this local establishment. It has such a neighborhood feel and the outside dining is set up so thoughtfully put together. I was MOSTLY impressed with the number of gluten-free options!!! read more

I went with a couple of friends after exploring South Street's mosaics. They had a great selection of draft beer, and their fries were yummy. The atmosphere was ok, just a little too loud since we were seated by the bar. There was also outdoor seating, but it was too hot that day. Service was great though. read more

New Wave Cafe - Cayuga cruiser - American Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I, too, was one of the Yelpers corralled to New Wave after the Cavanaugh's event last Thursday. Based on the name (cafe??) I didn't know what we were in for, but it turned out to be a great place for a late night gathering. Like Lindsay V., I also purchased a Dogfish Pumpkin Ale and was impressed with the bathroom situation, as well as the efficient and nice bartenders despite a packed house. I also was being a huge fan of "back corners" that night for whatever reason, and found a nice, cozy back corner near the pool table that happened to have a TV showing the Flyers game. If I'm holding a beer, I tend to suddenly become a sports fan, so it was exciting to have prime viewing! (I believe the Flyers won. They did get a goal while I watched. So that was good.) If ever in the area again, I'd definitely stop back in -- perhaps earlier in the night to try their food! read more

My wife and I came in here tonight for dinner and where wonderfully surprised. The menu had great variety and we started with the hummus, definitely homemade with whole wheat pita bread. Then my wife got the veggie burger and I ordered the fish and chips. The veggie burger was awesome, and I really don't like veggie burgers. The fish and chips were great, had a nice thin batter and the taste was great. Our wonderful waitress Kyle was so friendly and such a great server. Thanks you for the awesome service. Great overall experience and will definitely come back again. Sincerely read more

Decent local bar, good for catching the game and some snacks. The kitchen is open late every day, which is something that isn't always easy to find. The beer selection is pretty solid. Friends and I stopped in on Thursday night for some beers and snacks. We ordered cheese fries, cheesesteak egg rolls and a chicken quesadilla. The food was good enough for late night munchies, but I probably wouldn't seek out New Wave for a regular meal. That said, I'd be fine with popping in while in the neighborhood to view a game and enjoy a cold one. read more

I used to go here all the time after work. It''s nestled among trees and brownstones in Society Hill, and mostly quiet outside. They have the best chicken fingers here, but the rest of their menu is very gastropub (but good). Grab a table outside in the warmer weather. We've rented this place out before for parties . . . there is a pool table in the back, too. read more

New Wave Cafe - American Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I have been going to New Wave for over a year and have had very good meals but last week they had a scallops dinner that was beyond amazing. I think scallops are one of the hardest things to cook so I was a bit skeptical but I was absolutely blown away. I love this place. It's friendly and relaxing and the staff are awesome - highest recommended! read more

Dive bar vibes, great food and good service. I'd go ahead and ignore the negative comments. If you're looking for solid bar food and good beer this is a great spot. read more

My daughter and I have been going there regularly for 13 years. We regularly supported 'our spot' during the pandemic by grabbing take out (at least weekly.) Tonight we went...& there was a mouse. Another woman yelled & I looked up and saw the mouse. I have PTSD from mice. So I stood up to leave, I did stop at the cashier to let him know to cancel our order. We both ordered dinner (neither meal came...it was not even three minutes before the Rodent). I had ordered and was served a glass of wine that was touched but barely. Do you know they Charged ME for the glass of wine & apparently a cancellation fee??? I am heart broken, but we agreed (my daughter is now 17) that we can find a new regular spot. We are going to miss our favorite waitress ever! (She was not there this evening but she know our order by heart...& she would have been so kind). MICE SEEN & STILL CHARGED = A HUGE NOPE! read more

I do Door Dash sometimes and I had a dash here. Businesses need to not accept DoorDash orders if they do not have someone designated to take care of them. It is unfair to any human being, to have to fight with the rest of the customers at the bar to get a bartenders attention to get a delivery order. If you're going to serve food have someone that attends to the orders. To add insult to injury it seems like they did not even have that order in the system yet, after I already had waited 20 minutes after asking someone if the order was ready and them telling me "It seems like that order is still being prepared." It never was being prepared! A customer is still a customer rather they're ordering through door dash or they're dining in. The customer said that they ordered two hours ago. Just like your staff is working. I am working and you're killing my money because of your poorly ran establishment. Its not right and it's not fair that you made me miss a whole hour of work waiting on 1 order. I don't think any of your employees would like to work for free! I would never eat here I probably would be served cold food and have to wait 3 hrs to get a cup of water. I don't care if there's a game or not. Hiring more staff on game nights and holding training is always a option. read more

Ok. So I've been here a few times. But today, myself and 17 friends showed up for brunch. And New Wave Cafe did such a great job. Firstly, they allowed for me to make a large party brunch reservation. Secondly, they let us be incredibly annoying and move their tables together however we wanted. Their service was friendly and accommodating. There were a few small things that could have been more efficient, but with a party of almost 20 people, that's to be expected. The food was good. The drinks were good. The coffees stayed full. They even let us get split checks (offered to split them!!!). And the owner personally thanked us for coming before we left. Thanks for taking such a difficult group for brunch and treating us kindly. I can't say I'd have been as welcoming to a group like us when I was a serving. A+ read more

I ordered through caviar during the pandemic. I have never been here or eaten here. The crab mac and cheese was to die for. They use spicy cheese and tons of crab. Highly recommend. read more

The other night we ordered via uber eats. The food arrived cold and burnt and uber eats didn't care. THIS RESTAURANT CARES! we called to let them know especially because the food has always been good. THEY WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND not only did they replace the food a gentleman drove it over to us PERSONALLY! I am sorry I didn't remember his name but he was awesome this was on sat 7/31/21 .we will keep coming because of such good customer service and yummy food read more

Local bar with great food, tons of options, reasonable pricing. Large quantities, I always have leftovers. Covid- I've been here tons of times but went for the first time since the pandemic and I am pleased to report how safe I felt. We sat outside, tables are ample distance apart, servers all wearing masks and never got too close, paper menus to discard when you were finished. Very pleased! Tip them well!! read more

I just love this place. The staff is so nice and the atmosphere is so easy. I like their hummus and their burgers.

A decent joint for food, I am sure the experience may or may not be enhanced if you stay for a drink. We just got take out on a Wednesday afternoon - a burger and a salad for lunch while we were working at a house in the neighborhood. Now, maybe it was a poor choice to get a salad from a bar - at lunch - as takeout - but I don't seriously regret my choice. It was a Cobb that had thick pieces of bacon, chunks of blue cheese and a decent amount of grilled chicken. Veggies were fresh enough - got to love that chunky iceberg lettuce! Nothing too special, and didn't particularly love the blue cheese dressing I requested to go with it. Coworker got the burger with bacon and cheddar and said he enjoyed it. He did remark, however, that while we requested it be cooked medium, it was well done, if not slightly charred. The service over the phone was polite, a bit cooler in person, but I paid our bill and tipped a bit and headed out of there with a to go cup of Coke (with no lid!) Hit the restroom while I was there, which, for what appeared to be a kind of divey place, was pretty clean and in good shape. Wouldn't say we'd be back here for lunch again, but I would stop by for a drink and an app to see what that's like! read more

I gave this place another chance last night hoping the shortcomings from last time were because I ordered a salad. I really wanted to like this place considering it's generally in my neighborhood, so this time I ordered a burger and fries since I figured you can't really go wrong with that at a bar. However, I was pretty disappointed, which sucks, considering the inside of the place feels like a really nice, friendly homey bar that would crank out great bar food. For one, there's no hostess so it was a kind of guessing game as to if we should seat ourselves when walking in. The service wasn't bad but it wasn't good either - kind of apathetic and no mention of specials or anything like that. BF got the buffalo wings since last time we really enjoyed their chicken fingers in buffalo sauce. Wings were great and so is the sauce - kicking myself for not ordering that. I ordered the burger that came with blue cheese, bacon and caramelized onions with fries on the side. When the server brought it out, I was impressed with the sheer size of the burger, but the plate they gave me was the same size plate as my BF's appetizer wing plate and I had no room at all to place the burger down without making a royal mess. As for the burger, it was cooked a perfect medium, there was tons of blue cheese and the bacon was crispy - the good flavors were all there. But the "caramelized" onions were slimy, COLD and barely caramelized. It was off-putting. The lackluster bun completely disintegrated in my hands with all the toppings plus the lettuce and tomato, so that it became a mushy mess and I ended up eating just the meat since so much of the bun fell off. The fries were the worst part. On the plate, they looked so good. But upon touching and eating them, I realized they were rubbery and underdone, soggy and laden with grease - not crispy, crunchy or salty at all. Very disappointing. If the fries were good, I could have given them the benefit of the doubt - but how do you screw up the most basic side ingredient? Daily drink specials seem decent and the menu is varied but I don't see myself returning any time soon except maybe ordering takeout for those wings. read more

Just had a great time Day Drinking at the New Wave Cafe. Wonderful place. Nate and the team are doing a great job. Covered outside seating. Awesome food. Visit and help these nice people by patronizing there establishment. You won't be disappointed. I promise. read more

New Wave is best neighborhood bar in Philly! It's a great place to grab a beer, watch a game and have a good meal with friends. They have a pool table too! read more

Great food and great energy place was filled with people great music not to loud and I ordered the brisket grilled cheese was filled with meat and cheese bread was toasted and the sweet potatoes tater tots where so fresh and good this really is a hidden gem read more

Nothing special about the food if you're looking for a bar restaurant go somewhere else in the neighborhood.

Went there with a few buddies after an all-day mummers experience. First time there and we're thinking we've found a new go-to option along with some of our other south Philly favorites. The owner talked to us for an hour or so as we were hanging, then bought us a few rounds. He is a really cool guy with a good knowledge of his customer base, both young and older. Place is a bit roomier than it appears. I haven't tried the food yet - will do soon. read more

In my three hour long adventure for some basic French toast and side of bacon, I witnessed more service atrocities at New Wave than I can remember anywhere else. So here I have compiled a list of Basic Rules which the staff at New Wave should follow. I recommend a full day training course. 1. If you're completely slammed, it would be nice to let people know that when you get there, to avoid people leaving while waiting the two hours it will take to get their food. 2. If it's 50 degrees and raining, there is no need for air conditioning. 3. If you plan to put the hostess in charge of clearing tables, please make sure that she is capable of doing this quickly enough that she can seat people who have been waiting an hour for those tables to be cleared. Also, be sure that if she is going to put place settings down, that she can count out silverware and napkins without needing a calculator. 4. If a customer asks a server, "hey can you check on my food?" the appropriate response is NOT, "yeah, everyone else is complaining too." Please take note of the ONE waitress who actually went into the kitchen to check for us, and then offered up an appetizer. 5. If customers are waiting two hours for their food, it would be nice to check in, offer to refill their drinks, apologize for the wait, etc. 6. Finally, if someone orders a Bloody Mary "not too spicy," that is not invitation to pour the whole bottle of tobasco in, and then roll your eyes and say "that's just how I make it." Why the New Wave gets two stars is because the manager was kind enough to slash our bill, one waitress actually wasn't rude, and the food was pretty good. Getting an apology from the douchebag hostess was too little too late, but she didn't seem to be in rush to do anything else so I'm not too shocked. read more

The New Wave Cafe is one of those places I will stop by while in the neighborhood, but like the neighborhood itself (sorry, QV-ers), it's generally unremarkable. A great selection of beers, for sure, and a friendly staff to back it up. Once a friend and I played a game of Scrabble at the bar, and got some tips from the staff and patrons alike. It was the most participatory game of Scrabble I've ever played. The decor is so-so - along with the jukebox, which was one of those expensive computer kinds. The New Wave isn't terrible by any means - it just doesn't do much for me. read more

The bathrooms are dank. The characters I've met here were beyond seedy. I have bad memories of this place. Bad, bad memories. Also: they should really start checking IDs. read more

5 years later and this is still my go-to bar. I come here so much that I almost feel like it's my home; I'm friends with the bartenders and servers and know the owners very well. I always get a friendly greeting when I step inside and I can always sit here for hours. The food is always great and I love their constantly rotating draft beers as well as their staple beer cans and bottles. I always end up making a new friend and/or talking to someone interesting. I love the atmosphere, the little xmas lights around the liquor bottle shelf and the copper top bar. I love you, New Wave Cafe! read more

I have been to the New Wave enough times that I'm probably paying for the owners' kids' college educations. Check out the Megatouch machine at the front of the bar and just try to beat my Photohunt score. There are many thing to love about this place. One could spend hours looking at the autographs collected over the years by one of the owners, Sam. Monday night's Quizo, hosted by Pat Hines, is among the best in the city: challenging but not impossible. Going on vacation? Bring the New Wave the ugliest magnet you can find, and Aly's likely to give you a beer on the house. The staff at the New Wave is great, and a big reason I keep coming back. The addition of more outside seating, plus new tables and windows, and a refurbished pool/dart room, have been big improvements this year. My one quibble with the New Wave is the food. While it's almost always very good, they need a bit more variety. The same specials stay on the chalkboards for weeks, sometimes months. Don't they cease being "special" by that point? Ok, maybe I have another minor quibble: that jukebox. Ugh. Also: I wish they would get an ATM machine. However, these minor minor complaints aren't things that would keep me away. It's my neighborhood bar, my Cheers. read more

The fries are good. The television is massive, and the employees and patrons alike are friendly and always ready for a conversation. They have a good selection of bottles (try La Fin Du Monde if you have a healthy wallet) and the atmosphere manages to be lively without being obnoxious. Oh, and did I mentioned the fries? They are GOOD. Also, the pita and hummus is a great cheap way to fill your vegetarian stomach or tease your vegetarian friend (due to personality issues, I am usually able to do both, even when alone). The juke box is the usual fare, the pool table gets the job done, and the plentiful bar and table seating makes the place good for a loner, a couple, or a rowdy reunion of felonious frolickers. Sorry, lost myself there for a moment. Only complaint: Get a lock on the Men's Room door. For balls sake, there's nothing like getting walked in on 5 or 6 times during a single pee session. Not to mention that courtesy flimsy-wooden-thing that blocks the interloper from actually spying your junk looks like it's about to fall out of the wall any minute. Guard my urination, New Wave, and I will be yours for life. read more

This review is for drinks only. New Wave has quite a good selection of beer at reasonable prices. Seems to be a solid, dependable but otherwise unspectacular neighborhood place. The menu is predictable and even if they execute their food well it doesn't really interest me enough to try anything. Perhaps I've been spoiled by gastropubs, and/or have grown too attached to the idea of them. I'm trying to figure out how "New Wave" could at all be an apt name for this place. It looks like a typical Philly quasi-sports bar, busily decorated with much sports and music memorabilia (Bon Jovi and the like), magazine covers, etc. There was a pretty good crowd on a Thursday night, made up of a variety of folks and decidedly non-hipstery. Bonus points for that. A Bell's Two-Hearted can be found on tap 5.50. Not too bad, and I was glad to see my favorite beer from my midwest days. At the end of the second one the bartender started to take my glass away and I insisted that I take the last little gulplet. "Really?" she said. She thought she was being clever. Yes, REALLY. I love alcohol almost as much as life itself. I want to drink every last drop, and don't question me. The men's bathroom has a problem and deserves special mention: There is both a urinal and a toilet in it. The urinal has a wood panel to one side so no one can see a man's cocked facade if the door is opened. But then there is no stall around the toilet, so there's really no point in having this being a potentially shared bathroom. And weirdest of all, there is *no lock* on the door. This is ok if you're using the urinal, but I would like to issue a warning to anyone taking a dump in the New Wave men's bathroom: anyone could walk in while you're doing your business and you'd be out in the open and shit out of luck, so to speak. I think that any bathroom that opens up the potential for that sort of situation should have a lock on the door. That is all. read more

This place falls under the category: "Tired and Old Philadelphia Institution that needs to just Go" Yes a lengthy title but this place is seriously old and tired. I only go here because I am forced to go here but the food and the service...well to be honest - it just is not that great anymore. Once upon a time in a galaxy far far away it was a decent place but now? Seems like the just like taking your money and that is about it... read more

The penne pasta dish with meatball. Yes one meatball is a deal for just $8! and quite tasty and Mostly consistent. I used to come here when it was a small dive. Its now grown. But the drunks are still there and have no problem coming up to me and bothering me whilst I eat. Some things never change. read more

I've been here for brunch a few times. Once we had to make reservations, and once was on a Saturday morning at around 10:30 AM, and we were the only people there. Both times, the food was great and the service was friendly. They have a menu with lots of variety, from the regular eggs-any-style/pancakes/french toast to more unique offerings like a granola/yogurt/fruit bowl and juevos rancheros. I'd definitely recommend it but since some other reviewers said it was crowded, maybe you want to call ahead. I was also there for quizzo once on a Monday night, and drinks once on a Saturday, and both times it was fun. read more

Over-Priced. Okay, I don't own a restaurant or anything, but I certainly have been to a lot of restaurants, and I have noticed (after all these years) that some charge small amounts of money and some charge large amounts of money. And all for the same thing. I was at a bar in Long Island where I purchased a six pack of Miller Highlife for $4.50. At the New Wave, I paid $4.75 for one Miller Highlife. THIS IS A TRUE STORY. I have had food at New Wave. Some of it was good, some of it was weak. I could take it or leave it. I'm going to leave it, though. I'll march down the street to any number of bars and get the same Tofu Scramble for brunch at half the price. Just to set the record straight, I don't have a deep rooted hatred for New Wave. I don't go around slandering it or anything (which is nice of me, since I DO do that about other things), but I just don't understand the pricing system in bars and restaurants. I guess if you can hike up your prices, go for it. But I'd rather sling a $4 long island at Dirty Franks than a cursed $4.75 Highlife at New Wave. read more

Ate here for brunch. It was pretty good; nice atmosphere, pleasant servers, and good food. I got an omlete with homefries and toast, which was very good. However, the food took a little while to come. Overall, pretty good, despite the wait. Hope to be returning here soon. read more

New Wave Cafe - Omlette with homefries - American Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Great neighborhood place where my friends and I usually end up late at night. There is one dart board and one pool table, so we try to grab one or the other if there is not a game on. But the dart board is very close to the pool table, so it's in your best interest to make friends with the people playing pool, just in case you accidentally impale them. New Wave has a respectable number of tvs, but if you don't get there on the early side for a big game, you might be craning your neck a little. Fairly decent brunch and I'm a fan of the bloody marys. Other than brunch, I've mainly stuck to the small bar plates, wings, hummus, etc., occasionally branching out to a burger here and there, and the food is consistently good. Brunch is best in the warmer weather when you can sit outside and enjoy the quaint Queen Village neighborhood. I'm not a fan of the dining area (feels too removed and I like to be in the middle of things), and always sit at a high top or at the bar when inside. The beer selection is respectable and can satisfy the beer snob as well as those who only drink Miller Lite. The crowd is mainly local neighborhood folks and very friendly, as are the bartenders - the wait staff is a bit hit or miss. It can get very busy on the weekends and for games, but you can still usually snag a bit of the bar or a windowsill.... Oh, and the bathrooms here are always remarkably clean. read more

I see why people like this place, it's neighborhoody the kind of place where the bartenders know the regulars. I am not a regular, but I would not be opposed to heading back again for a number of reasons...the highlight reel: Tots. Order them, the online menu says they're served with marinara but that's a lie, they were served with a smokey cheesey sauce, LOVE. Salmon Salad? Meh....alright at best, certainly not inedible, just a little blah. The menu said it came with a horseradish dressing, but it was lacking in the arena of horseradish UMPH. My friend said his meatball parm sandwich was really enjoyable though, maybe I just ordered too on the healthy side for bar food to be "woo'd". Beer...it's fall, I wanted something pumpkin, helloooo Smuttynose on tap. People say there's a quality beer selection, but I was on a mission...maybe after baseball season's over I'll get back here and spend a Sunday afternoon exploring the rest of my options. Bar sponsored activities. New Wave sponsors a team of patrons that play softball and soccer against other quality city bars including Dirty Franks, P.O.P.E., and Standard Tap to name a few. They also apparently have a pool league, dart league, and drum roll please.....QUIZZO! Monday nights from 9-11, first place team gets $50 off their evenings tab with second place taking $25 off. Not too shabby and the kind of place that gets the entire downstairs dining room/bar in on the action. Doesn't matter where you sit, the quiz master reads aloud over a PA system that cuts through the music so everyone can hear. I'll be back, yet another establishment to add to the growing list of neighborhood watering holes deserving of my hard earned shekels. read more

My new fave brunch spot, south of south street. Met the owner. Very chill dude. The Iil Italian waitress was a cutie and very accommodating. My homegurl's French toast was deeelish and she destroyed it in 0.00009867 seconds. My lox platter (yah, I'm a Jewish-Pacific Islander) was savory...the cucumbers and tomatoes were fresh and the bagel, although small, was nicely toasted. Depeche Mode The Cure New Order Thompson Twins Pet Shop Boys Tears For Fears OMD ...yah, New Wave, mofos read more

I went to the New Wave Cafe for the first time last night to meet some friends for dinner. I had pretty high expectations of it considering that I had heard rave reviews of this joint from a few friends. I wound up being greatly disappointed. The only good thing that I can say about the New Wave is that the service is friendly and fast, and I always had a new beer coming my way after I emptied the glass of the brewski I was working on. I ordered the turkey burrito, which looked scrumptious when it was placed in front of me. One bite into it, though, and I realized that it was the blandest thing that I may have ever eaten. Sure, it was packed with fresh turkey, black beans, corn, tomato, and cheese --- but it severely lacked in the seasonings department. I have two words for the New Wave Cafe: Cayenne pepper or maybe just... Hot sauce. Either one of those would have done the trick. read more