Ritual Shoppe
Ritual Shoppe. Photograph by Jillian Guyette Angela Monaco has moved her NoLibs shop to the fanciest square in town and created a pink-walled store that’s as dreamy as the fine rings, necklaces and earrings designed by her and other local artists. 2003 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, ritualshoppe.com.
Brandywine River Antiques Market
There’s a reason NYC dealers flock to this three-floor labyrinth that houses more than 40 vendors: It’s one of the best places in the country to shop for antiques. 878 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, PA 19317, brandywineriverantiques.com.
The Velvet Shoestring
Stunning pieces — cheetah-print ottomans made for tucking under a console table; a mid-century end table; stately leather armchairs — that are all cast-offs from Main Line neighbors populate this eclectic shop. 155 East Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, PA 19087, velvetshoestringmainline.com.
Eye Love Eyewear
High-end stunners from Dita, Prada and Gucci star at this new shop, but there are also stylish frames that cost as little as $60. And for every pair of glasses sold, ELE donates two pairs to those in need. 1318 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, eyeloveeyewear.com.
Bar Snacks at V Street
There are three snacks on the happy-hour menu: spicy cold chiu chow noodles, tacos with cured tofu and Peruvian chilies, and chocolate beignets. Order all three, then order them again. 124-126 South 19th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, vstreetfood.com.
Jezabel’s Argentine Cafe & Bakery
When Jezabel Careaga moved her Fitler Square Argentine cafe west, she combined it with a teahouse and retail shop, and it immediately became a hit — a place to eat, work, study, host events, and run into the neighbors. 206 South 45th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, jezabelscafe.com.
Cafe Clover
Cafe Clover’s taiyaki cone. Photograph by Stuart Goldenberg This Korean sweets/scoop shop is the only place in the region making taiyaki cones — fish-shaped, waffle-like baked shells that hold scoops of gelato in flavors like Oreo, Thai coconut and green tea. 1333 West Cheltenham Avenue, #103, Elkins Park, PA 19027, .
Revel Ride
It’s the best of both worlds: Locally owned Revel has all the high-end amenities and tech to rival the big studios — and the cycling-shoe rentals are free. 1632 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, revel-ride.com.
South Philly Barbacoa
What was once a popular sidewalk food cart in the Italian Market is now an even more popular storefront where the slow-cooked meat tacos (which are cut to order right before your eyes at the counter) are the stuff of legend. 1703 South 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148, facebook.com/chefmtz.
South Street Bagels
The bagels here have too many "Best of" wins to count, but now there's another reason to swing by this shop: red sauce and gooey cheese plopped right on top. Perfect at room temp. 613 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, southstphillybagel.com.
Rotisseur
If you wonder whether a hormone-, antibiotic- and cage-free chicken tastes better, the answer is "maybe." If it's had a slow spin on Rotisseur's spit, the answer is "yes" the skin is crisped and the meat is succulent. 102 South 21st Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, rotisseur.net.
Buckminster Green
Green but not too granola, Buckminster is the brains and brawn behind NoLibs' urban-rustic One Shot Coffee. (We'd move in if we could.) Happily, they do residential work, too. 958 North 5th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, buckminstergreen.com.
Pinocchio's Beer Garden To Go
More than 800 beers by the bottle plus 23 drafts by the growler make this Media shop a great place to stock up. And the reasonable prices and to-go pizzas next door make it worth a trip from downtown and beyond. 131 East Baltimore Pike, Media, PA 19063, pinbeer.com.
Philadelphia Runner
The helpful pros at this three-outpost local chain will get you suited upfrom shoes to sunscreenfor your first 5K or your 20th Broad Street Run. Running tips are on the house. 00000, philadelphiarunner.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.