13 Philly Spots Highlighted on NBC's Hit Travel Show 1st Look

Recognized by Esquire as one of the “100 Restaurants America Can’t Afford To Lose,” 2023 James Beard Award-winner Ellen Yin’s sleek concept in Philadelphia’s historic Old City neighborhood has been dazzling taste buds since the 1990s. The stylish New American bistro impresses for any occasion with favorites like the celery root rösti with caviar, créme fraîche, frisee and cornichons, or the seared scallop and squid with bacon, kale, sesame and apple. “Philadelphia has been growing as a culinary city and destination for 20-some years,” says Yin. “We all love it and we believe it has been world-class for a really long time.”

Anchored by fresh seasonal ingredients, chef Chad Williams’ eight-course tasting menu is expertly complemented by an optional wine pairing inside an intimate upstairs dining room in Philly’s Rittenhouse Square neighborhood. This much-raved-about fixed-menu spot nabbed its first-ever James Beard Award nomination (and a HUGE win) for Outstanding Restaurant in 2023. In fact, in 2023, Philly’s culinary scene won more James Beard awards than any other city. “Seeing the city finally get its recognition is incredible,” says Williams.

Named one of 2022’s best restaurants in America by Esquire and Bon Appétit, the food at Her Place Supper Club captures the whimsy, cozy vibes and vitality of the dinner parties James Beard Award-nominee Amanda Shulman used to throw in her apartment. “An experience at Her Place is like going to a fun dinner party that’s serving some serious food,” says Scoles. “What she cooks is what you get. And you always go home full.” The tiny Center City eatery offers just two seatings of 24 a night and a set menu with Italian, French and Jewish influences, all inspired by the best seasonal ingredients. Check out our guide for more on Philadelphia’s award-winning and critically acclaimed spots.

Touting itself as the inventor of the chicken cheesesteak, Ishkabibble’s throws out the cheesesteak rule book, letting you call the shots and the toppings. One bite and Scoles was “this close to moving to Philly.” (And it’s not the only place to get creative takes on the classic Philly sandwich.) Other Ishkabibble’s must-tries include Spanish fries (with hot peppers and onions), sweet potato cheese fries and the original Gremlin, a refreshing half-lemonade, half-grape-juice beverage.

With “faultless Thai food” that “shocks the hell out of you,” according to Condé Nast, it’s easy to see why Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon’s juggernaut Kalaya claimed the Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic crown at the 2023 James Beard Awards. “For me, as an immigrant that landed in Philadelphia, this city has just welcomed me with open arms,” says Nok. “The recognition means that I did something that I could give back to the city. It’s beyond a dream.” Chef Nok teams up with Los Angeles chef Justin Pichetrungsi for a special Thai dinner collab during Philly’s Voi•áge Dinner Series, October 16-17, 2023.

A renovated plumbing warehouse in Philly’s Olde Kensington neighborhood, Crane Arts is now a community of both emerging and established artists invested in the artistic development and creative economy of the city. “It’s this incubator for creativity,” says Philly Fashion Week creative director Prajjé O. Jean-Baptiste. Home to five floors of affordable studios and workspaces — along with several first-floor galleries (open to the public most Saturdays or by appointment) — Crane Arts creates space for artists, performers and entrepreneurs to thrive.

When she started her line of women’s clothing and accessories in 2017, Kimberly McGlonn prioritized three things: sourcing reclaimed fabrics, manufacturing exclusively in Philadelphia, and supporting incarcerated and returning citizens. And she’s just as committed to that mission today. At her new flagship in University City, devotees of the B-Corp-certified store can score fashion-forward skirt and crop top sets, denim, dresses and men’s clothing. “The city of Philadelphia has such a long history of not being afraid to be the first one to do what is the next best thing,” says McGlonn. “First zoo, first library — so much of the fabric of the city is ripe for reinvention and resistance.” McGlonn’s store is one of many Black-owned shops and boutiques making waves in Philly.

A Haitian-born fashion designer and contestant on Project Runway’s season 19 and season 20 (All Stars), Prajjé O. Jean-Baptiste operates his fashion house out of Philadelphia. Jean-Baptiste’s work demonstrates a commitment to tradition and savoir-faire by weaving simplicity and understated elegance with edgier, modern designs. When discussing Philly, Jean-Baptiste says, “There’s no box out here. It’s freedom.” The Prajjé Oscar label creates designs for women that are luxurious, modern and affordable (available online only).

Shannon Maldonado’s small collections boutique, started in 2016, has grown to include a new cafe and a full 15-suite invisible-service hotel. YOWIE’s colorful apartment-style suites include full kitchens and plenty of natural light, and the buzzy spot, sitting at the edges of Queen Village and historic Old City, features curated works by new and established artists and designers. “Not only do you get a great stay … you can literally purchase anything that’s in the room, including the paint on the walls,” says Scoles.

Recognized internationally as the “Mural Capital of the World,” much of Philadelphia’s street art can be credited to Mural Arts Philadelphia, the Association for Public Art (APA) and the city’s countless individual street artists. Towering displays like Untitled by Amy Sherald, Philadelphia Muses by Meg Saligman and The Past Supporting the Future (承前啓後) by Eurhi Jones, Chenlin Cai and Yvonne Lung offer a taste of the city’s massive outdoor art gallery. Philly is “a city for artists, a city of murals, a city of public art, and a city of great galleries and museums,” says curator Conrad Brenner. You can explore more murals during a Mural Arts walking tour or via APA’s robust selection of self-guided Philly art tours.

“The best way to get to the heart of this city is by pounding the pavement,” says Scoles. “And as home to a plethora of public art, it may also be the nation’s most photogenic city.” Voted “Most Walkable City” and “Best City for Street Art” in America by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, Philly’s art scene includes more than 4,000 vibrant murals, sculptures, installations and public art displays. Along with bigger pieces by Mural Arts Philadelphia, smaller works can be found everywhere, from permanent mini-murals like Philly’s Leaning Tower of Pisa bollard to temporary works like artist Amberella’s wheatpasted hearts and Streets Dept’s ever-changing Front Street Walls.

Philly is home to some of the most imaginative and groundbreaking acts in music — and draws big musical acts and festivals all year long. 1st Look highlights Philly’s hip-hop history, in particular, which has been thriving since the late 1970s. Philly rapper Lady B was one of the first female hip-hop artists on the scene, Schoolly D helped define the gangsta rap genre, and DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince (known these days as Will Smith) won the first-ever Grammy for best rap performance. Other Philly hip-hop icons include The Roots, Jill Scott, Beanie Sigel, Eve, Meek Mill, Lil Uzi Vert and many more.

Renowned for its live music scene, Philly’s vibrant rock, rap, jazz and pop venues showcase some of the world’s most buzzed-about musicians.“You can go to Northern Liberties — 2nd Street or 3rd Street — and there’s a strip of bars and locations that have rock bands, alternative, jazz, R&B and soul, poetry,” says 76ers host Christian Crosby. Massive venues like The Met Philadelphia, Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts, The Kimmel Center and The Fillmore, are right at home with more intimate venues like the Theatre of the Living Arts and The Fillmore’s club-within-a-club, The Foundry.