Mawn

"If you hear someone complaining about being bored of their restaurant routine in Philly these days, send them to Mawn and just smile smugly. This BYOB Cambodian noodle house only has 10 or so tables inside, so while you can walk in without a reservation, we wouldn’t recommend it. Mawn serves unforgettable Southeast Asian dishes, including soft-shell shrimp, khao soi with punchy pickled greens, juicy whole fish, and marinated, citrus-y ribeye skewers. If you’re free during the day, this BYOB is open for lunch on Thursday through Saturdays between 11am-2:30pm—and this may be your best bet at actually getting in. When it comes to dinner, they release reservations every 30 days. If you don’t find success there, you can always try to walk in with a few strangers, grab a table as the last guests are leaving, and exclaim “Finders Keepers!” when you sit down." - alison kessler, candis mclean

"If you spot a group of Philadelphians in the wild, odds are they're headed to a BYOB. Right now, the BYOB that best encompasses Philly is Mawn. Not only does this Cambodian noodle shop in Bella Vista make soups, skewers, and soft-shell shrimp deserving of their own murals, but the varied menu works as an ode to the city’s Southeast Asian communities. Also, the owner talks to tables in his thick South Philly accent. No other city in the world could replicate this meal. If you’re free during the day, this BYOB is open for lunch on Thursday through Saturdays between 11am-2:30pm—and this may be your best bet at actually getting in. When it comes to dinner, they release reservations every 30 days. If you don’t find success there, you can always try to walk in with a few strangers, grab a table as the last guests are leaving, and exclaim “Finders Keepers!” when you sit down." - candis mclean

"This Cambodian noodle shop could only exist in Philly. The small Bella Vista BYOB has walls covered in old rugs, mirrors that the host of Antique Roadshow would drool over, and dishes that we think about more than the Eagles winning the Super Bowl. The menu is heavily influenced by the chef/owner’s Cambodian heritage, but you’ll find soups, noodles, and skewers from all over Southeast Asia. We always get the head-on soft-shell shrimp with fish sauce caramel, and tell everyone we know to do the same. If you’re free during the day, this BYOB is open for lunch on Thursday through Saturdays between 11am-2:30pm—and this may be your best bet at actually getting in. When it comes to dinner, they release reservations every 30 days. If you don’t find success there, you can always try to walk in with a few strangers, grab a table as the last guests are leaving, and exclaim “Finders Keepers!” when you sit down." - candis mclean, alison kessler

"A restaurant in Philadelphia recognized for its innovative dishes by chef Phila Lorn." - Melissa McCart

"The hottest new BYOB to enter Philly in years, this Cambodian restaurant serves excellent fare at one of the hardest reservations to get in town. Don’t miss Phila Lorn’s noodle soups, the tangy zest of his standout Burmese ginger and melon salad, and the spicy jolt of his immaculate fried chicken." - Eater Staff, Ernest Owens