Two Delaware County restaurants made it to The Philadelphia Inquirer’s new annual list of the 76 most vital restaurants in the Philadelphia region.

The list defines what it means to be part of the Philly food culture in 2024.

A restaurant’s food, service, and vibe were all taken into account.

Like the vibe at the Original Clam Tavern in Clifton Heights, reported by Inquirer food critic Michael Klein.

The modest corner bar can be found via a candy-stripe lighthouse on the roof and there’s a porthole window in the front door.

“The 1960s kitsch — complete with an aquarium running the length of the dining room — is only the cover for Tony “the Clam” Blanche’s sterling suburban seafood destination, with food that’s as lively as the salt-of-the-earth staff serving it,” Klein writes.

Ridley Park’s Rosemary, with its blonde wood dining room, green house, and outdoor tables also made the list, reviewed by Inquirer food critic Craig LaBan.

“Philip Breen’s stylish makeover of an old-school Ridley Park tavern has become a draw for southern Delaware County, where there are too few options for ambitious date-night destinations,” LaBan writes.

He also credited current chef George Sabatino with refining the modern American menu.

See the entire list of 76 restaurants in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Editor’s Note: This post first appeared on DELCO Today in October 2024.