Irwin’s
Remember how excited you were when BOK Bar first opened, with its cool unfinished vibe and expansive views? Well, this is just like that — only with excellent cocktails, Mediterranean small plates and table service. 800 Mifflin Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148, irwinsupstairs.com.
Neighborhood Ramen
Lines out the door, graffiti on the walls, hip-hop on the playlist, and some of the most inspired ramen and gyoza you’ll find anywhere. Rumor is they don’t let you take leftovers. Who knows if it’s true? We’ve never had to ask. 617 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, neighborhoodramen.com.
Lipkin’s Bakery
The Lipkin family’s first bakery was in South Philly, but they left for the Northeast almost 50 years ago. Well, they’re baaaacck. And their knishes, bagels, and poppy seed hamantaschen are better than ever. 2153 South Hancock Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148, lipkinsoriginalbakery.com.
Schulson Collective Restaurants
The restaurateur knocks post-work deals out of the park at most of his spots, from the $6 Neapolitan pies at Osteria to the $5 handrolls at Double Knot to the deeply discounted Negronis and tomato pie upstairs at Giuseppe & Sons. michaelschulson.com.
Dim Sum House
Definitely not the rolling-cart, warehouse-like dining rooms in Chinatown, this UCity spot (from the Jane G’s crew) has Shanghai and Cantonese dim sum, full-size mains, a bar and pool tables. The slick, glossy space really picks up when the bar and college crowds roll in late at night. 3939 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, dimsum.house.
Questlove’s Cheesesteak
If anyone could make a meat-free cheesesteak fly at a sports stadium, it’s the Roots drummer. Citizens Bank Park, 1 Citizens Bank Way, Philadelphia, PA 19148, .
Fill A Bagel & Breads
Fill A Bagel & Breads. Photograph by Stuart Goldenberg A bacon, egg and cheese breakfast sandwich on a fresh NYC-style everything bagel and a cup of La Colombe coffee to go? Breakfast (or lunch) handled. Additional location in Oreland. 424 Old York Road, Jenkintown, PA 19046, fillabagel.com.
JaZams
You’ll feel like Tom Hanks in Big when you walk into this Peddler’s Village stalwart. Peddler's Village, Route 263, Lahaska, PA 18938, jazams.com.
Sanctuary on 2nd
Über-ubiquitous CBD is effective for easing muscle soreness and reducing inflammation, and the CBD massage at this laid-back spa is the best way to find that sweet relief. 752 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, sanctuaryon2nd.com.
The Boardwalk Extension
A.C. has been building out the northern end of its boardwalk for the past several years to provide relief from the bustle of casino central. The stretch that extends past Ocean Casino Resort and then banks to the left along Gardner’s Basin is serene, commercially undeveloped and postcard-perfect.
Mickey’s Tavern
This Delco watering hole attracts all types at its every-other-Friday events, so you might hear Guns N’ Roses followed by Whitney Houston followed by Miley Cyrus and — since we are in Delco — a little Sinatra. 129 South State Road, Upper Darby, PA 19082, .
Orchestra
You’d be crazy not to join the membership club at the first U.S. location of this chic French brand. A $10 annual fee gets you half off Orchestra’s trendy children’s clothes – making all those adorable but oft-ruined outfits you buy for your kids infinitely replaceable. 160 North Gulph Road, Suite 2143, King of Prussia, PA 19406, us.shop-orchestra.com.
Architeqt Salon & Gallery
Super-precise dry cuts – as in: no shampoo or rinse necessary – mean you’ll be in and out within your lunch break. 265 S 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, architeqtsalon.com.
Juna Beauty Spa
Ditch the mascara after getting an eyelash extension from the wizards at Rittenhouse’s Juna Beauty Spa. They’ll apply a faux mink addition to each one of your lashes, giving you fuller, natural-looking fringe. 2020 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, junabeautyspa.com.
Dream Garage Remodeling
With Superman-like clairvoyance, owner Lenny Kelman will survey your mounds of clutter and instantly know where everything should go. Then he’ll cleverly install just the right racks, hooks, bins and shelves in just the right places, and you’ll never be embarrassed to open your garage door again. Services Philadelphia, Bucks and Montgomery counties. garagesolutionsphiladelphia.com.