4 Eastern PA Restaurants Nominated For Prestigious James Beard Awards

PHILADELPHIA — The culinary scene in Philadelphia is well-represented in the 2025 Restaurant and Chef Awards nominees announced Wednesday by the James Beard Foundation.

2025 is an important milestone for the James Beard Foundation: It’s the 35th anniversary of the awards, considered to be among the nation’s most prestigious honors. Awards will be presented in 25 categories this year, with an expanded focus on cocktail and beverage service.

Below are Philadelphia's James Beard Award nominees this year:

• Phila Lorn, Mawn — Emerging Chef
• The Lovers Bar at Friday Saturday Sunday — Outstanding Bar
• Jesse Ito, Royal Sushi & Izakaya — Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA)
• Amanda Shulman, Her Place Supper Club — Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA)

The four Philadelphia nominees were among a class of 14 other eastern Pennsylvania chefs and restaurants that were named semifinalists in January.

Also named a nominee is Fet-Fisk in Pittsburgh, which was nominated for the Best New Restaurant award.

The James Beard Awards, first presented in 1991, recognize exceptional talent in the culinary and food media industries and are often regarded as the “Oscars of culinary arts.” They recognize a range of experiences, from fine-dining restaurants to casual gems, in 22 categories.

Winners will be announced Monday, June 16, in a ceremony at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Past James Beard Award winners from the area include Bolo, Cantina La Martina, Royal Sushi, Gabriella’s Vietnam, Andiario, Cicala, Le Caveau and more.