BE NUE
Forget the DIY Manic Panic dye jobs of your youth. Jennifer Bisicchia Farrell and Kait Gannon, who opened this petite luxury salon in 2021, are turning out rainbow locks in contrasting tones of the same color — making bold shades like flamingo pink, shimmering amethyst and steely blue-gray look totally grown-up. A vibrant crown of emerald green strands just may leave onlookers with a hint of envy. 401 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, msha.ke/benuestudio.
Rebel
In a post-pandemic world, cotton truly is the fabric of our lives. (Cue the maudlin ’90s jingle.) You’ll find a growing collection of finely fabricated threads from cool-girl labels like Stateside and Perfect White Tee at this store’s new Rittenhouse address. (It was previously located in Chestnut Hill.) Owner Sue Pinto still offers the same stellar sportswear brands that first put Rebel on the retail map in 2016: Splits59, PE Nation and Year of Ours. 116 South 19th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, shoprebelactive.com.
Nuele
Imagine a world where curly-haired beauties only need two or three products for a successful wash day. Enter Nuele, a scientist-founded, 100 percent natural hair-care company with an award-winning line of serums that imbue your locks with ultra-clean ingredients. No parabens, no sulfates, no bathroom counter overflowing with useless goops. nuelehair.com.
Sue’s Art Class
From candy sushi modeling to clothes for American Girl dolls to the most creative self-portraits you’ve seen, upbeat owner Sue Puchowitz keeps her art classes focused on the journey, not the end result. (Fun fact: Her son is Cheu Noodle Bar co-owner/chef Ben.) 2119 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, suesartclass.com/sue.
Rue Landau and Nina Ahmad
Cherelle Parker wasn’t the only ground-breaking “first” to emerge from our primaries. Landau and Ahmad made some hard-to-believe history with their victories in the City Council at-large race. Landau will become, shockingly, the first openly LGBTQ candidate to win a City Council seat. And Ahmad will become the first South Asian and immigrant elected. Both communities have fought for decades to be represented within City Hall — we’re excited to see how they’ll impact change now that they’re finally there.
Oyster House
From Wellfleets on the half shell to a classic fisherman's stew to inventive specials like mint-flecked calamari with pine nuts and Israeli couscous, the Mink family has restored this Philly icon to impeccably consistent excellence. 1516 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, oysterhousephilly.com.
Gnocchi Sardi at Res Ipsa Cafe
There is literally no difference between Michael Vincent Ferreri’s gnocchi sardi (longish nubs of pasta in a chunky sauce of eggplant, tomato and chili) and the gnocchi sardi you’ll eat in southern Italy. 2218 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, resipsaphilly.com.
South Philly Smökhaus
You can smell Smökhaus owner Eric Daelhousen’s ’cue cred before you’ve even walked through the doors of BOK. Get the chicken salad. Trust us. 821 Dudley Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148, southphillysmokhaus.com.
Kermit's Bake Shoppe
A flaky pouch filled with eggs and your choice of sausage, mushrooms or leeks: Kermit's should sue Hot Pockets for abusing the name. (You'll find these breakfast treats at the Rittenhouse DiBruno's, too.) 2204 Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19146, kermitsbakeshoppe.com.
The Bike Stop
One of the last gay bars in Philly yet to be infiltrated by the straights, with gay porn images on the TVs, nearly nude bartenders in leather chaps, weekly underwear nights (exactly what they sound like), and open make-out sessions, well, everywhere. 204 South Quince Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, thebikestop.com.
Hai Thai/TechCycle
Comcast software engineer Hai Thai spends his spare time fixing up old laptops and donating them to those in need (including nuns!) through a program called TechCycle. The Upper Darby High and Temple grad welcomes donations, tech help, and suggestions for deserving recipients.
Pho Saigon
With immaculate herbs, terrific shrimp with sugar cane, and a dynamite bun bo hue that proves pho isn't the only noodle soup in the Vietnamese arsenal, it's no wonder this newcomer keeps drawing converts to a Columbus Avenue strip mall. 1100 South Columbus Boulevard, #22, Philadelphia, PA 19147, .
Haven Wellness Center
This wellness center is exactly what its name implies. Offering myofascial release and Swedish massage, Haven’s specialists, whose backgrounds range from traditional PT and functional movement to digestive health, listen to your body’s natural cues, leaving your muscles relaxed, relieved and restored. 1639 North Hancock Street unit 102, Philadelphia, PA 19122, havenwellnessphilly.com.
Sarah Bloom
After a Daily Mail story ran in January, this 46-year-old suburban mom's stunning nude self-portraits set in abandoned buildings went viral -- and we haven't been able to divert our attention since. Invest now: Sales at her recent local shows have been brisk. Sarahrbloom.com.
Cookies by Diane
A mound of smooth peanut butter mousse sandwiched between two peanut butter wafers, then coated in dark chocolate and sprinkled with nuts, won our cookie-loving hearts this year. As one of our tasters put it: "Diane, you had us at peanut butter." 204 Ballymore Road, Springfield, PA 19064, cookiesbydiane.com.