The Best Caviar and Tinned Fish in Philly
The growing popularity of tinned fish and caviar has created a cultural moment that may not end soon. In Philadelphia, specialty markets and restaurants are leaning heavily into this trend. Here you can find shops that stock a wide variety, with many focusing on sustainable and ethical brands.
The growing popularity of tinned fish and caviar has created a cultural moment that may not end soon. In Philadelphia, specialty markets and restaurants are leaning heavily into this trend. Here you can find shops that stock a wide variety, with many focusing on sustainable and ethical brands. At the same time, restaurants are finding new and interesting ways to incorporate them into their menus, from breakfast favorites like eggs and hash browns to small plates like tostadas and oysters. If you wish to expand your tinned fish and caviar knowledge, just stop by one of these spots to try or sample something new.
Fishtown Seafood
This charming Philadelphia market, which considers itself a “new school fish shop,” plans to open a second location in Fitler Square this year. Its focus on sustainability extends to its stock of tinned fish, where it strives to be intentional about selecting brands that align with this mission.
Gilda
This Fishtown cafe serves up some of Philly’s best pasteis de natas and other Portuguese pastries. It also has a market with a nice collection of tinned fish, just stop by to see the current offerings.
Small World Seafood
Small World Seafood’s business model is easy to love: just ern Liberties storefront or one of its other pop-up locations in the city. Although its inventory changes regularly, it often keeps caviar and tinned fish in stock, with past items including trout roe and wasabi tobikko, a Japanese roe perfect for sushi and poke bowls.
SkyHigh
Dine in glamor while taking in views of the city from its tallest tower, sipping on top-shelf cocktails, and enjoying delectable plates at JG Skyhigh. Caviar lovers hit the jackpot here, as it is effortlessly infused into light bites like the egg toast and hashbrowns with smoked salmon, as well as breakfast dishes like softly scrambled eggs.
My Loup
Chefs Alex Kemp and Amanda Shulman opened their restaurant in Rittenhouse Square in 2023, and it has already earned them a James Beard Award semifinalist nomination for Best New Restaurant. The menu is full of modern takes on French cuisine, with caviar making well-received appearances on their smoked fish, trout roe, and pommes anna small plate, as well as an optional addition on their cod cheeks.
Steak 48
One of Center City’s most popular steakhouses, Steak 48, is an experience of dining in decadence, with a lavish seafood tower, the finest cuts of steaks, and superb desserts. Its caviar service has three options of pure ossetra sturgeon (regarded as some of the world’s most revered), all of which are sustainably and ethically raised and imported from Poland and Italy.
Biederman’s Specialty Foods
This specialty fish market and deli in the Italian Market opened its doors during the pandemic and prides itself on its collection of smoked and cured fish, bagels, olives, and more. It also carries over a dozen varieties of caviar, ranging in price, type, and origin from trout, salmon, and sturgeon to those imported from Italy and the Netherlands. Orders can be placed online for pick up or delivery, or you can visit them to learn more before making a purchase.
Grace & Proper
This South Philly gem likes to switch its menu up frequently, serving a mix of small plates to be enjoyed alongside fantastic cocktails and quality wines imported from Europe. Here, tinned fish is regularly incorporated into dishes like sardine tostadas and mussels in escabeche.
Herman’s Coffee
Many may be surprised to learn that this beloved neighborhood coffee roaster stocks one of the largest inventories of tinned fish in the city. Carrying over 200 types of tinned fish in its South Philly market, Herman’s Coffee is the perfect place to explore the expansive world of tinned fish.
River Twice
James Beard nominated chef Randy Rucker, is no stranger to inventive takes on American fare at his South Philadelphia restaurant, and caviar has been a key ingredient on his four-course tasting menu. While the menu can change daily, he’s been applauded for dishes like the oysters Rockefeller toast soldier, soft shell crab cooked over charcoal, and even a tomato sandwich all of which feature golden ossetra caviar.