Philadelphia is getting two new additions to its culinary landscape: Wonder Food Hall and Gather Food Hall. But what exactly is a food hall? Are they just upgraded food courts, or do they offer something truly special? Experts and locals alike are watching to see how these new food halls in Philadelphia will shape the dining scene.

Story Highlights

• Wonder Food Hall: Fully integrated kitchens, delivery via app, mix-and-match cuisines, rapid expansion.

• Gather Food Hall: Six curated vendors, focus on local and immigrant-owned businesses, affordable pricing, University City location.

• Philadelphia Dining Scene: Food halls vary widely; Reading Terminal Market remains an iconic benchmark.

• Community Impact: Gather provides meals to food-insecure students; Wonder emphasizes convenience and variety.

What Makes a Food Hall?

Annie Allman, CEO of Reading Terminal Market, explains:

“A food hall is a collection of prepared food or dining operators that operate in a shared space.”

While Reading Terminal is technically a public market, Allman’s insight applies broadly. She emphasizes quality, authenticity, consistency, and value as the hallmarks of a successful food hall.

“There’s really only one Reading Terminal Market, and we both constantly evolve and yet always maintain tradition,” Allman said.

Wonder Food Hall: Convenience and Variety

Wonder Food Hall is rapidly expanding in Philly, with locations in Fishtown, South Philly, University City, and Rittenhouse. Founder Mark Lore, a serial entrepreneur, has developed a model unlike traditional food halls: all food is prepared in fully integrated kitchens under Wonder’s supervision.

“Everyone wants something different,” said Jason Rusk, Wonder’s EVP of restaurant operations.
“Some people want pizza, others want Thai, and some want a salad. We give all of that in one order.”

Wonder allows diners to mix and match cuisines — from burgers at Burger Baby to spiced fries from Maydan — all through its app. Celebrity chefs, including Bobby Flay and José Andrés, have helped test and develop menu items.

“When you think about why you go on Amazon, it’s because you can get anything there,” Rusk explained.
“We wanted to create the same experience in food — all variety, all in one place.”

Wonder operates like a ghost kitchen with a physical dine-in space, prioritizing convenience and speed, with most orders delivered under an hour.

Gather Food Hall: Curated Choices and Community

Gather Food Hall, located in the historic Bulletin Building near 30th Street Station, takes a different approach. With six curated vendors, Gather highlights local and immigrant-owned businesses. Featured vendors include Mucho Perú, Sahbyy Food, El Mictlan, Federal Donuts, and Bowl’d Masala.

“Having a variety of options in one central location is ideal for people to explore foods they might not usually eat,” said Emily Uliano, Gather’s PR representative.
“You can walk around on your lunch break and experience a mix of locally rooted international vendors.”

Gather also partners with Believe in Students to provide 5,000 free meals for food-insecure students. Menu items are priced as low as $12 to make them accessible.

“It’s like a culinary destination in University City,” Uliano added.
“People can feel comfortable, safe, and part of a vibrant environment while trying new foods.”

Hospitality HQ co-founders Michael Wetherbee and Chef Akhtar Nawab emphasize supporting first-time and minority business owners.

“Success isn’t always about opening multiple locations,” Wetherbee said.
“It’s about helping local vendors thrive and giving them a platform they couldn’t otherwise afford.”

Challenges for Food Halls

While both Wonder and Gather are optimistic, food halls in Philadelphia face challenges. High operating costs, rising rents, and post-COVID recovery are major hurdles. New York City has seen closures of several food halls in recent years, including Williamsburg Food Hall and Gotham West Market.

“Operating costs have spiked coming out of COVID,” said Allman of Reading Terminal Market.
“We’ve had to focus on fundraising to maintain operations.”

The Future of Philly Food Halls

Despite challenges, Wonder and Gather are carving out distinct niches. Wonder appeals to diners seeking convenience and variety, while Gather emphasizes local culture, affordability, and community engagement.

Reading Terminal Market remains a benchmark, reminding Philadelphia diners that food halls can differ widely in concept, quality, and impact.

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