By Brenda Hillegas
Once overlooked, pears are now taking the spotlight this year as a trending, seasonal ingredient in Philadelphia restaurants.
Chefs and bartenders across the city are leaning into the fruit’s quiet complexity, showcasing it in everything from cozy desserts and unexpected pizzas to elegant cocktails and zero-proof sips.
“Pear is trending right now because it’s a versatile ingredient,” explains John Kim, Lead Bartender at Leo Restaurant. “It helps to bring a subtle sweetness that balances stronger elements of a beverage, like tart or sour flavors.”
If you’re ready to taste pear in all its forms, here are a few standout dishes and drinks around the city worth seeking out.
Leo Restaurant
Inside the Kimmel Center at 1414 Spruce St., Leo Restaurant is spotlighting pear in its popular Down in Margaritaville mocktail. The vibrant, refreshing drink blends Seedlip Notes de Agave with grapefruit, lime, and prickly pear, creating a layered, alcohol-free option that feels anything but an afterthought ($11).
“It’s one of my favorite seasonal ingredients to use when creating drinks, because it brings out fruity flavor without overpowering it,” says Leo Restaurant’s John Kim. “In the mocktail, Down in Margaritaville, pear is put in the spotlight with Seedlip Notes de Agave, a prickly pear-flavored non-alcoholic spirit, alongside grapefruit and lime. All of the flavors in the drink are familiar, but when brought together, there’s a surprise in each sip.”
Andra Hem
At Andra Hem (218 S. 16th St.), a Scandinavian-inspired cocktail lounge in Center City, pear plays a supporting—but memorable—role in Kirby’s BBL. The cocktail combines brown butter–washed Laird’s apple brandy with pear, amaro, and citrus for a rich, warming drink that feels both refined and indulgent ($18).
Southwark
For dessert lovers, Southwark at 701 S. 4th St. offers a comforting, elegant take on the fruit with its Ginger Mascarpone Mousse. The dish pairs silky mousse with elderflower sponge cake and caramelized pears, letting their natural sweetness shine ($12).
Barbuzzo
At Barbuzzo (110 S. 13th St.), the beloved Pera Pizza layers bosc pears with gorgonzola dolce, house white sauce, arugula, walnuts, and vin cotto, striking that irresistible balance of sweet, salty, and savory that keeps locals coming back ($18).
Corio
And over in University City, Corio (3675 Market St.) offers a bold, crave-worthy option with its Pear & Blue Cheese Pizza. Asian pears meet Point Reyes blue, maple reduction, arbol, and parmesan, resulting in a slice that’s equal parts cozy and adventurous ($20).