Devil's Den
All drafts are half-price during happy hour and Great Lakes proves good things do come from Cleveland. 1148 South 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, devilsdenphilly.com.
And We Evolve
Why you love secondhand shopping: It’s sustainable and affordable. Why you hate it: hours of slogging through overstuffed racks. Well, Liz Funk’s Fairmount-based company plays the role of stylist for that which is slightly worn. Get handpicked J.Crew, Madewell, DVF and Boden delivered to your door monthly. andweevolve.com.
Saved Me
Need a quick puppy fix? Volunteer to walk a dog at Saved Me: There’s not much paperwork, so it’s perfect for those spur-of-the-moment urges for a stroll with a furry friend. 860-862 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, savedme.org.
Le Virtu
Pastry chef Angela Ranalli's seasonal, Italian-leaning desserts are both rustic (blueberry olive oil cake) and polished (topped with mascarpone thyme cream) but never cloying or expected. 1927 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148, levirtu.com.
The Breakfast Den
Ditch your usual BEC for one with house-made pickles, herbs and eggplant pâté on a baguette, a.k.a. a banh mi op la. Come back again and again to this homey spot showcasing American Vietnamese breakfast comfort food, for the chao ga (a rice porridge dish with a poached egg, bits of crispy chicken skin and fresh herbs), Momma’s egg rolls, and Caphe Roasters Vietnamese coffees. 1500 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, thebreakfastden.com.
Dr. Cycles
We know, we know: This ramshackle corner storefront doesn’t look like much. But! Pickup and delivery, plus coupons online, plus 10 percent off tune-ups for Penn and Drexel students and faculty, and—as the website notes—for anyone else who simply asks. 3601 Lancaster Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104, doctorcycles.com.
Le Virtu
Whether you want taccozzette as delicate as cashmere or a four-foot-long spaghetti tube with out-and-out bounce, Joe Cicala knows how to roll the dough. 1927 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148, levirtu.com.
Le Virtù
How can you choose between chef Luciana Spurio's fresh fazzoletti "handkerchiefs" with rich duck ragu, the feathery crepes layered with itty-bitty meatballs, or the paper-thin pappardelle? Take our advice: Bring a crowd, and order 'em all. 1927 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148, levirtu.com.
The Veda Den
Learn how to silence your mind and look within at this plant-laden oasis. The Veda Den runs workshops and mini retreats in various techniques — like guided meditation, yogic breathing, and primordial sound meditation, an ancient tradition that incorporates personal mantras — plus teacher trainings to help you deepen your practice. Click here for meditation tips from founder Nicoli Sinclair. 1115 Route 70 West, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002, thevedaden.com.
Smoking Darts at Bar Bombón
Smoking Darts at Bar Bombón. Photograph by Ted Nghiem Sure, most cocktails are vegan. But this one is a really good vegan cocktail — made with mezcal, rum, creme de violette and rose water — at a really good vegan bar. 133 South 18th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, barbombon.com.
Spa Terme Di Aroma
When your aching neck requires expert attention, like, now, hobble right past the generic walk-in places for the de-knotting wizards at Terme, who give 15-minute chair massages between their regular clients. Call ahead first, but you can usually score an appointment a mere 10 minutes in advance. 32 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, termediaroma.com.
The Pool at the Raven
The pool and swimwear may be small, but the pecs and scene are large at this venerable gay Xanadu, where the boys who've been at the gym all winter and the daddies who love to ogle them constantly converge, occasionally merge and continually fight the urge amid a sea of cocktails and Ban de Soleil. 385 West Bridge Street, New Hope, PA 18938, theravennewhope.com/pool.
Chris Fluck, Bikram Yoga Philadelphia
It's easy to forget yoga is good for the body as well as the mind. But Chris will teach you how to detox, de-stress and get in shape. His easygoing instruction (less hippie-dippie, more athletic) makes the 100-degree heat not only survivable but enjoyable. And trust us, tight abs are the ultimate soul soothers. 1520 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, bikramphiladelphia.com.
Valente’s Italian Specialties
Shopkeeper Marcello De Feo couldn’t find a place to get the Abruzzo-inspired fare he grew up eating, so he went ahead and opened one up. There’s fresh-made cheese, house-baked breads, handmade pastas, and a Vetri Family alum manning the pizza oven. 7 Kings Court, Haddonfield, NJ 08033, valentes.us.
The Piazza at Schmidts
Grab some Stupid Hot wings from Homeslice and a couple of Fleur de Lehigh ales from Gunners Run, and find yourself a seat among the outdoor tables. The same weather and camaraderie as the throngs enjoy at sold-out Citizens Bank, but you don't pay a penny for admission. North 2nd Street at Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19123, atthepiazza.com.