Honeysuckle Provisions
Honeysuckle Provisions is the cafe that’ll have you searching for a reason to stop by four times a week. It could be for sandwiches like the Haitian, with tasso ham, fried Haitian pork, a layer of brie and Creole mustard, topped with vinegary pikliz. Maybe it’s for the house-made guava croissants, or the hand-size pop-tarts and some fresh sorrel juice or Kreyol limeade. No matter the reason, their commitment to supporting local farmers and staying true to the shop’s Afro-centric roots makes this one of the best new openings West Philly has seen in a long time. 310 South 48th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19143, honeysuckleprovisions.com.
Pupuseria Sabor Latino #2
This Salvadoran spot serves five varieties of pupusas — firm, cheesy, warm and always fresh. Order pollo con queso or frijoles con queso, or “the fajita mix,” a combination of chicken, shrimp and steak over rice and herbs and beans. And the homemade horchata is probably the best in Philly. They pour it out of two-gallon jugs. 1446 East Hunting Park Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19124, pupuseria-sabor-latino.negocio.site.
Boricua #2
The original shop in Northern Liberties is more of a takeout place, but with his new spot in Port Richmond, owner Hector Serrano encourages customers to sit in the dining room. Order the Boricua platter, with arroz con gandules (yellow rice and beans), pollo guisado with potato salad, and some pastelillos and relleno de papas, too. Before you leave, get some kola champagne from the fridge. It’s the soda you find around the way at the papi store. 3843 Aramingo Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19137, .
Brazas BBQ Chicken
Who would have thought the search for the city’s best Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken would end at a former Primo Hoagies on South Street? But that’s exactly where you gotta go — to chef-owner Juan Placencia’s celebration of Peruvian party food in general and pollo a la brasa in particular. Brined for 48 hours, marinated in chili, garlic and vinegar, then spit-roasted until they’re tender and juicy all the way to the bone, his birds are a marvel. 326 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, brazasbbq.net.
Caribbean Style Cuisine
Walk into this one-table takeout spot in Delco, and behind a steam table of various Caribbean and soul-food delights, you’ll see an artist at work. A woman simply known as Nandi rolls out and makes every flaky roti to order, using flour, water, salt, a little sugar, a lot of love and kneading, and, she says, the perfect-temperature griddle — “hot, but not too hot!” Rotis have been in her family for generations, both from her native Guyana and also from her ancestors in India; “My roti have a little of all of that,” she says. They’re perfect for scooping up mounds of rich and spicy goat curry and snapper stew. 200 Long Lane, Upper Darby, PA 19082, .
El Chapulin
In case you’re wondering how many times we visit a restaurant before bestowing such an honor, in the instance of this bright and cheery Delco taqueria, we probably went 10 times — not just for due diligence, but also because we love it so much. From the birria to the tamales to the taco platters to the shrimp cocktail to the occasional appearance of menudo, we can’t wait to eat it all again. 8901 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby, PA 19082, .
Philly Drag Mafia's Drag Brunches
Nightclub drag shows can be a lot. When you’re looking for something that’s fun but a bit less bawdy and in-your-face, consider one of the Philly Drag Mafia’s many brunches throughout the region. The hosts tailor the show a bit according to who turns up — i.e., the straight-up raunch becomes double-entendre if the kids are in tow. phillydragmafia.com.
Room Shop
Take the fantastical vibe of Willy Wonka, mix in some wild Alice in Wonderland-type proportions, add a dose of Y2K nostalgia, and you’ll get something like Shelly Horst’s small-batch accessories brand. Her appointment-only Bok-based company whips up statement-making satin bags and whimsical hair accessories like huge satin scrunchies, clips with supersize bows or sweet rosettes, and giant “cloud” scrunchies made from puffs of billowing organza, each one a delightful piece of fashion magic. 1901 South 9th Street, room 315B, Philadelphia, PA 19148, roomshop.us.
Underdog Apparel
Jason Kelce, left, and teammate Fletcher Cox show off the goods. / Photograph courtesy of Underdog Apparel Inspired by his epic 2018 Super Bowl championship parade speech, the Eagles center last fall launched a collection of t-shirts, hats and bags for all genders that nods to the Philly spirit. (The “It’s the Whole Team” line sold out during the Birds’ 2023 Super Bowl run; the “Hungry Dogs Run Faster” collection remains ever-popular.) Keep an eye out for new designs, all by Philly artists. Proceeds go to Kelce’s (Be)Philly foundation, which benefits organizations that help K-12 students in Philly schools. underdogphl.com.
Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia
If you’re saying “I do” here, there’s no reason to have your surrounding festivities anywhere else. After all, the sky-high hotel is a trip in its own right. Director of catering Robin Ewing will help you custom-create an itinerary, from a welcome reception on the main ballroom’s outdoor terrace to a post-wedding brunch at Vernick Fish. If you’re really looking to party, you could hold a wedding-inspired rock concert, like one local couple recently did. As for your honeymoon? Think about that 57th-floor infinity-edge pool. 1 North 19th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, fourseasons.com/philadelphia.
Snug Baby
For so long, we’ve needed a healthy middle ground between combing CVS displays for Essie polishes that’ll chip in a day and dropping 70 bucks at the salon for a fresh set. With its exceptionally smooth formula and wide selection of glittery iridescent and matte colors — all hand-poured, vegan and non-toxic, by the way — this queer- and disabled-owned brand based in South Philly has, ahem, nailed it. Etsy.com/shop/snugbabyarts.
Tiny Tildie's
If you: a) have a baby, b) know someone who’s having one, or c) just like looking at ridiculously adorable — and yes, tiny — things, head to this nearly year-old sister shop of Tildie’s Toy Box. It’s stocked with clothing and accessories for newborns up to size 3T (from brands like Posh Peanut and Quincy Mae, and expanding to size 6T in the fall), plus toys (we’re obsessed with Blabla’s hand-knitted dolls) and gear (like Mushie’s pastel silicone sippy cups and utensils). Need a baby-shower gift ASAP? They offer gratis gift-wrapping. 1833 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148, tildiestoybox.com/tiny-tildies.
Jo Jo’s Professional Auto Detailing
Whether it’s a wash-and-wax or you’re sick and tired of the lingering smell from the one time (just once!) your chain-smoking uncle borrowed your Honda, Jo Jo’s Professional Auto Detailing is the place to go. The Fuscellaro family will vacuum, shampoo, wax, shine, and work their general magic on your car or truck, all with upfront, reasonable pricing. We’re sure they’d even send the bill to your uncle if you asked nicely. 1913 South Bancroft Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148, jo-jos-pro-auto-detailing.business.site.
Dwell & Co.
Found an 18th-century barn you’d love to call home? Want to fix up the old Victorian you live in now so it will fetch a better price when you sell it? Dwell & Co. will turn that old place into a stunning new one and help you buy or sell it. Because it’s both a design/build construction firm and a real estate brokerage, all you need to get things going is a single email. dwellcompany.com.
Soul2Sole Bounce Fitness
Photograph by Jeff Fusco Some forms of cardio can be dreadful — and pretty rough on your body. That’s why we love buckling up the rebounding boots for Soul2Sole’s low-impact, out-of-the-box group workouts on all kinds of surfaces, from pavement to vinyl floors. You’ll be jumping like a kangaroo — while supporting your heart health and muscles, bones and joints — and loving every second of it. Goodbye, aching knees. soul2solebouncefitness.com.