The Philadelphia Restaurant That’s One Of The Most Unique In America

The Moshulu was a German ship originally named "Kurt," and she set sail for the first time in 1904.

For ten years, the ship moved coal from Wales to South America and from Australia to Chile, nitrate from Chile to Germany, and coke and patent fuel from Germany to Mexico.

In 1914, the ship sailed to Oregon and was docked in Astoria. When the United States entered World War I in 1917, the ship was seized and renamed Dreadnought; however, that name was already registered to another vessel, and the name Moshulu was chosen. In the Seneca language, it means "one who fears nothing." Then First Lady of the United States, Edith Wilson, picked out her name. Until 1920, Moshulu was owned by the U.S. Shipping Board and was responsible for shipping wool and chrome between North America, the Philippines, and Australia.

From the 1920s until the 1960s, Moshulu was based in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, British Columbia, Port Victoria, and several other ports in Europe. She became a Swedish ship in the late 1930s. At one point, she won the very last race of square-rigged sailing ships between Australia and Europe!

In 1940, the ship was seized by the Germans, capsized in a storm close to shore in 1947, used as a grain store in Stockholm, and rebuilt as a merchant marine cargo ship. In 1953 Moshulu was sold to the Swedish Farmers' State Union to be used as a floating warehouse.

In 1970, the ship was bought by the American Specialty Restaurants Corporation, who eventually towed her to New York City's South Street Seaport. She is the largest remaining windjammer ship, and she moved to Philadelphia to become a restaurant in 1975.

Walk down to Front Street and you can't miss it - or plug 401 S Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19106 into your GPS.

Moshulu serves dinner from 5pm to 10pm Sunday through Thursday, and until 11pm on Friday and Saturdays. Their Sunday Brunch, which features a $35 buffet and a $12 unlimited mimosa add-on, runs from 10 am to 2:30 pm. Happy Hour below deck runs from 4pm to 6pm on weeknights. Reservations are recommended.

The more casual deck is open daily and features a separate menu and does not take reservations. The Deck's hours as as follows: Monday - Thursday from 3 pm to 10 pm; Friday - Saturday from 12pm to 11pm; Sunday from 10am to 10pm.