Newsroom Philly is the Philadelphia outpost of a Japanese fusion speakeasy concept that started in New York, led by chef Nobu Hamazaki. The entrance is disguised as a vintage Diet 7UP vending machine, opening into a library-inspired room built around handcrafted bookshelves stocked with real books, a hand-painted geisha mural, and a glowing Japanese sunset worked into the design.
The menu runs through Japanese-inspired small plates, sushi rolls, and large plates built on flavors like chili-garlic, yuzu, truffle, and tobanjan mayo. Signature dishes include wagyu gyoza, yellowtail tiradito, and spicy tuna crispy rice, alongside rolls featuring wagyu and black cod, crispy branzino with coconut curry, and skewers served with fried rice, paired with a cocktail program built to match.
Regulars point to the service and the room itself — the decor, the theatrics, the drinks — as the draw, with occasional live aerialist performances adding a theatrical layer on top of the food. Opinions on the food itself tend to vary more than the rest of the experience.
The menu runs through Japanese-inspired small plates, sushi rolls, and large plates built on flavors like chili-garlic, yuzu, truffle, and tobanjan mayo. Signature dishes include wagyu gyoza, yellowtail tiradito, and spicy tuna crispy rice, alongside rolls featuring wagyu and black cod, crispy branzino with coconut curry, and skewers served with fried rice, paired with a cocktail program built to match.
Regulars point to the service and the room itself — the decor, the theatrics, the drinks — as the draw, with occasional live aerialist performances adding a theatrical layer on top of the food. Opinions on the food itself tend to vary more than the rest of the experience.