Retrospect Vintage (@retrospectvintage)
Every day, more than 6,000 followers race to claim the vintage home goods this South Street vintage shop posts on its Instagram feed. The items range from antique treasures to kitschy curiosities (rattan peacock chairs, velvet paintings and Victorian settees have all cropped up), and all are priced to sell, well, instantly 508 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, retrospectvintage215.com.
Lapstone & Hammer
What happens when a painfully cool mens-wear boutique exhausts standard offerings? It joins forces with equally cool brands. In the past year, this shop has rolled out destructed denim hats from old-school sports mecca Mitchell & Ness and a recent 100-piece denim collection with Fishtown menswear brand Gentry + Rose. 1106 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, lapstoneandhammer.com.
Tacos California
This is one of the only shops in town serving tacos de canasta, a typical Mexican street food atypical to Philly’s food scene.Small corn tortillas (stuffed with taco fillings) are stacked in a basket, doused in seasoned hot oil, then steamed. The result is a plate of light, crispy, almost pierogi-like tacos. Treat ’em like fries and order a bunch for the table. 1030 South 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, .
Style Camp
Owned by mom-daughter duo Bitsy and Natalie Rhoda, this year-old shop, which recently settled into a bigger location at the top of Germantown Avenue, is sort of like an Instagram filter: The clothes and accessories in it from both revered and indie brands, like Kowtow, Saint James and Paper Denim make you look chicer than you might actually be. 8433 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118, style-camp.com/#!.
Greendesign
Even if youre the type to turn up your nose at hippie-dippie eco-stores, this year-old shop might have you on Al Gores side. The sister store to a Princeton flagship eschews bad design (who needs a shirt made from a recycled burlap sack?) in favor of minimalist bamboo serving wares, reclaimed wood furniture, ridiculously cozy organic-latex pillows, and adorable stationery (printed with soy-based ink on recycled paper, of course). 8434 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118, greendesigncorp.com.
Yoshi
Sushi and sashimi started out as fast food-quick snacks to be gotten outside the walls of ancient Edo by businessmen on the run. Yoshi returns sushi to its rightful place by offering a shop inside Suburban Station where hungry commuters can pick up a fast tray of fresh, inexpensive maki to go. Oh, and did we mention that all the sushi is made by robots? 1617 JFK Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19103, yogurtsushi.com.
Casa Papel
On a side street in the Marais, you might expect a shop like this one, so petite and pretty, with papers and envelopes in exotic colors and embossed designs that you'd like to wear, if one wore paper. But here, on a busy Northern Liberties thoroughfare, this small spot where the invitations are to die for, and yes, they can make your baby book out of that amazing Chiyogami feels entirely unexpected, like a best-possible surprise. 804 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, casapapel.com.
Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House
During the week, it sometimes seems Del Frisco's isn't a lofty steakhouse at all, but rather a cocktail party hosted by Michael Nutter. The Mayor works the room with flair, visiting tables filled with power lawyers, City Council members and business honchos who are talking shop and foraging through the expansive wine list. (Pay no attention to the lash-batting ladies at the bar ... or do.) 1426-28 Chesnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, delfriscos.com/location/philadelphia.
Note to Self
The vision behind Note to Self — the women-owned mini spa that opened in November? Slowing down with your wellness. That’s why there’s a menu of restorative services (relaxing massages, nurturing facials, acupuncture, an energy-healing experience) plus beauty services from waxing to makeup sessions. You’ll come in for one treatment, then add on another and another and another until before you know it, you’ve passed the whole day in pure bliss. 1401 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19122, notetoselfwellness.com.
Nakashima Woodworkers
George Nakashima was one of the best woodworkers and furniture designers of the 20th century. He was born in 1905 in Spokane, where he began his career, and in the ’40s relocated to New Hope, where he set up shop and produced some of his finest creations. Nakashima died in 1990, but his daughter keeps his legacy alive at his workshop, where the craft continues to this day. Tours of it and the grounds are available by appointment only. 1847 Aquetong Road, New Hope, PA 18938, nakashimawoodworkers.com.
Farina Di Vita
Since evolving from an online operation to a brick-and-mortar, Farina Di Vita — which translates to “flour of life,” and rightfully so — has quickly earned a rep as the new Italian-grocery darling. The shop sells everything from a very good tuna hoagie to olives and peppers to portioned entrées like handmade stuffed shells and what are easily some of the best chicken cutlets around. 250 Catharine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, instagram.com/farinadivita.
Marshall Roy at RISE Gym
If your main gym objective is to get jacked, Roy's your guy. The competitive power lifter left his job as an NYC Equinox trainer to open a no-frills shop dedicated to weightlifting, where you can grunt like you're Schwarzenegger, under the watchful eye of a trainer who won't let you slack off not even for a second. 486 South Henderson Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406, risegym.com.
NaturAll Club
This Philly-based brand creates hair products specifically for women with natural hair that are packed with nutrient-rich ingredients like avocado, shea butter and essential oils — and each product is so fresh, it has to be refrigerated. Shop online, or join NaturAll’s club and get your favorite products delivered to you each month. naturallclub.com.
United By Blue
UBB’s woodsy new flagship is thrice as big as its former location, so you’ll want to devote serious time to shopping its coveted supply of urban-lumberjack goods, like durable bags, clothing, tents, paddles and enamelware. Fuel up mid-visit at the in-store coffee bar (which looks like a cabin), and pretend – if just for an afternoon – that you’re out in Mother Nature and not, you know, smack in the middle of Old City. 205 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, unitedbyblue.com.
Atlantic
If we had known that Chestnut Hill resident Colleen Darby Wurts moonlights as the owner of Nantucket’s vaunted Atlantic boutique, we would have begged her to open a Philly location years ago. Thankfully, she has, and her shop mixes relaxed, beachy appeal with just-edgy-enough pieces she specially commissions for her shelves. 8434 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118, .