Classic Coachwork Main Line
It’s like the crew here has some sort of magic time machine that can bring a car that’s experienced an unfortunate turn of fate back to looking like it just drove out of the dealership. 228 East Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, PA 19087, classiccoachwork.com/main-line.
Taffets Bakery
Soft, chewy gluten-free loaves, rolls, focaccia, baguettes and bagels that don't taste anything like a brick—yes, it's a GF-eater's dream come true. 1024 South 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, taffets.com.
The Katacomb: Vintage
For some, the search is the best part of shopping vintage. For everyone else, there's Brooke Dillon's appointment-only boutique, where the best stuff (read: Chanel and YSL and Oscar) has already been found and dry-cleaned for you. 1514 Pine Street, 1st Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102, thekatacomb.blogspot.com.
Majolica
When every table you pass in a cute little BYO on a teeny main street in suburbia features diners ignoring the cheese tray and attacking plates of grilled octopus ... well, you know it must be some swell octopus. And it is. 258 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, PA 19460, majolicarestaurant.com.
Avril 50
Around since the ’80s, this hole-in-the-wall purveyor of avant-garde art magazines, exotic cigars and loose tobacco was cool long before studied hipsters infiltrated the ’hood. 3406 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, avril50.com.
Madalynne Intimates
You can be underwire-free! Local maker Maddie Flanigan’s comfy, sexy, stretchy-yet-supportive Barrett bralettes fit up to a 48.5-inch bust and come with matching panties. madalynne.com.
Chick Invitations
Why wait a few weeks for some Etsy vendor in Moscow to make your monogrammed totes when Robyn Platoni can etch, embroider and foil-stamp her adorable goods in just a few days? 241 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, Shopchickphilly.com.
Cultured Couture
It's unexpected (weathered Louis Vuitton luggage, vintage Hermés ties — on Girard?), unassuming (owner Erik Honesty knows everything about the history of menswear, but he's never snobby or pushy), and, when it comes to selection and style, unparalleled. 703 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19123, culturedcouturegallery.com.
Scotland Run
What, you can't get into Pine Valley? Who cares? This highly rated nearby course was built around a sand quarry, which provides epic views, challenging holes and a unique topography. 2626 Fries Mill Road, Williamstown, NJ 08094, scotlandrun.com.
Nectar
Yes, cheese on an Asian menu seems odd, until you learn that chef Patrick Feury is like a Chester County cheese ambassador. He works directly with farmers and ages some of the offerings himself. 1091 East Lancaster Avenue, Berwyn, PA 19312, tastenectar.com.
Jose Pistola's
Jose Pistola's is about as down-to-earth as it gets, with good drink specials ($15 happy-hour marg pitchers), craft brews, a kitchen that's open until 1 a.m., live music, and a come-as-you-are attitude. 263 South 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, josepistolas.com.
Sullivan Owen Floral and Event Design
If Anthropologie and Martha Stewart got together and had babies, and those babies were flowers, they would look like the arrangements coming out of the charming Queen Village studio of this new talent. 510 Bainbridge Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, sullivanowen.com.
Charlie's Pizzeria
Though all the love these days goes to gourmet pies with imported toppings, Charlie's is an archetype for the kind of place we hope never vanishes the classic American neighborhood shop serving crisp, sweet slices. 107 West Germantown Pike, Norristown, PA 19401, pizzacharlies.com.
Rustica
Some swear by the exotically topped brick-oven beauties at Frank Maimone's Rustica, in NoLibs (cheesesteak pizza?), but the classic red adorned with Claudio's mozzarella and a naturally sweet tomato sauce is hard to beat. 903 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, rusticaphilly.com.
Johnny Brenda’s
Though mostly known for its burgers and beer, Johnny Brenda’s is actually doing some of the best cheffy vegetables in the city–marinated snap peas on a bed of homemade ricotta, and grilled local asparagus with slivers of cured salmon 1201 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, johnnybrendas.com.