Jaffa Bar
Oyster bar restaurant · Olde Kensington ·
Oysters, scallops, burgers, and citrus cocktails
Oysters, scallops, burgers, and citrus cocktails
"The cocktails at Jaffa Bar are so good, you could come to Kensington for them alone. But if there’s a rumbling in your stomach like Philly Elmo’s drum, place an order for two things: the burger and some oysters. There’s a selection of PEI, Maine, and Massachusetts oysters, and even an oyster shooter when you want to go straight to boozy oyster town. No matter which way you go, there’s an herby schug mignonette, sweet passion fruit mignonette, and a smoky cocktail sauce on standby to liven things up. Yes, there’s a $2 oyster happy hour daily Get The Green Eyed Lady Instead" - candis mclean
"Are you over bars with secret doors and passwords to get in? Us too. Head to Jaffa Bar instead. The laidback, bi-level spot in Kensington has two enormous bars on the first floor, complete with stools with cushiony backs (vital) and six martinis on the menu. All of the drinks are well blended (we’re fans of the No Call, No Show), and go great with the burger and a platter of oysters. You may have a hard time grabbing a spot on a Thursday night, but it’s worth it, if only to avoid cringing at bartenders in prohibition attire." - candis mclean
"Our favorite thing at Jaffa Bar, in addition to the towers of oysters and the smoky-spicy Green Eyed Lady, is the double smashburger. It’s topped with a potent, drippy mix of green chiles, grilled onions, and a bright shabazi mayo. It’s up there with the best of Philly’s thick boys, and if we lived in Kensington, we’d eat it on the regular." - candis mclean, alison kessler
"Jaffa Bar in Kensington is good for a handful of things: oysters, drinks, and a burger you’ll be thinking about for a few days after eating it. This buzzy spot serves its signature double smashburger covered in a potent, drippy mix of green chiles, grilled onions, and a bright shabazi mayo. It's served on a sweet, squishy bun, and the meaty creation is always perfectly pink in the center. Jaffa Bar can get packed on the weekends, so when the craving hits, we suggest walking in and eating at the bar. It’s just as good there, even if you have to share counterspace custody with a stranger." - candis mclean
"It’s rather surprising that Michael Solomonov’s new restaurant’s top dish is a burger, since he’s mostly known for Israeli dishes. But the burger comes topped with green chilis for a bright punch, plenty of melty American cheese, and the restaurant’s signature shabazi mayonnaise." - Maddy Sweitzer-Lamme
