Philadelphia
DESTINATION GUIDE WITH LEAH KAPLAN
Philadelphia Design City Guide: A Curated Journey with Leah Kaplan
Philadelphia is a city where history, materiality and creative experimentation converge, shaping an aesthetic that is grounded, thoughtful and quietly expressive. This guide explores a place defined by landmark architecture, world-class museums and a deeply rooted craft tradition, where art and design are woven into the fabric of everyday life rather than placed on display.
With a legacy shaped by visionary collectors and a strong curatorial culture, Philadelphia continues to assert itself as a serious cultural capital, offering moments of both grandeur and intimacy. From sculptural gardens and modernist collections to design-led dining and carefully restored spaces, the city rewards a slower, more considered way of looking.
Guided by Leah Kaplan, this journey uncovers a Philadelphia rooted in materiality, craftsmanship and curatorial intelligence. Known for her discerning eye and thoughtful approach to art and design, Kaplan brings an insider’s perspective to the galleries, institutions and spaces that shape the city’s creative rhythm, revealing a Philadelphia that is both deeply layered and quietly compelling.
December 2025
Words: designeers and Leah Kaplan
A breakfast and coffee stop:
K’far
Award-winning chef Michael Solomonov serves up modern Middle Eastern brunch at K’far, an all-day café known for its relaxed yet refined approach to flavour. The menu features flaky borekas, chocolate rugelach, vibrant grain bowls and seasonal salads, all best enjoyed with aromatic Yemenite coffee. Set within a jewel-box interior of pink marble and warm gold accents, K’far seamlessly blends design and cuisine, making it a standout destination for design-led Middle Eastern dining.
favourite design museum:
The Barnes Foundation
Home to one of the world’s most remarkable collections of modern European painting, The Barnes Foundation pairs masterpieces by Renoir, Cézanne and Matisse with African art, Native American artefacts and Greek antiquities. The works are displayed according to the idiosyncratic hanging principles of Dr Albert C. Barnes, creating an immersive, unconventional and deeply engaging viewing experience that blurs the boundaries between art, design and curation.
favourite art gallery:
Locks Gallery
Overlooking Washington Square, Locks Gallery presents a thoughtfully curated programme of established international artists alongside emerging voices, spanning a range of media with exhibitions that change monthly. Guided by gallerist Sueyun Locks’ discerning eye, the gallery consistently delivers sharp, considered shows. Housed within a three-storey renovated Italianate palazzo, complete with a rooftop terrace, the space itself is as compelling as the art it showcases.
A LUNCH TO INDULGE INTO:
Suraya
An urban oasis in Philadelphia’s Fishtown, Suraya draws guests in with its lofty open interiors, patterned cement tiles and dramatic lighting. The atmosphere sets the stage, but it’s the Levant-inspired menu, from freshly baked flatbreads to kebabs, lamb and beautifully prepared fish dishes, that keeps diners returning for long, leisurely lunches.
A FINE DINING RESTAURANT:
Kalaya
A celebrated destination for refined Thai cuisine, Kalaya is known for its fearlessly spicy dishes and bold, soulful flavours. The experience is heightened by a striking interior of towering palm trees and dramatic abstract works created specifically for the space by Thai artist Be Chanida, resulting in a dining room where art, atmosphere and gastronomy converge seamlessly.
A cocktail or wine bar:
Enswell
A European-inspired wine bar and bottle shop, Enswell pairs an Art Deco, Gatsby-esque interior with an inventive programme of thoughtfully crafted cocktails and an extensive wine list. Stylish yet relaxed, it’s a go-to spot for an effortlessly chic evening drink.
a design hotel to stay in:
Anna & Bel
Set within an 18th-century former women’s asylum, Anna & Bel has been sensitively reimagined as a design-forward hotel offering luxurious 21st-century rooms and amenities. A seasonal pool and patio, cocktail lounge and restaurant sit alongside preserved architectural details, allowing the building’s historic character and quiet charm to remain firmly intact.
A place to find art, furniture and design objects:
Moderne Gallery
A textural feast of materiality, Moderne Gallery specialises in 20th- and 21st-century art, furniture and design objects, presented within a sleek, expansive space. The gallery champions master woodworkers such as George Nakashima, alongside world-renowned ceramicists, making it a definitive destination for collectible design and craftsmanship.
a place to adventure out of town:
Wharton Esherick Museum
A rewarding out-of-town design pilgrimage, the Wharton Esherick Museum offers rare access to the visionary artist’s studio and home. Booking well in advance is essential to experience this hidden gem, where everything from the furniture to the door handles is masterfully carved from locally grown timber, resulting in organic, sculptural forms that blur the line between art, architecture and function.
A must-visit street or neighbourhood for design lovers:
“Old City does double duty as a design-rich neighbourhood of galleries and boutiques, while also showcasing. Philadelphia’s most historic streets. On North Third Street, you will find the Museum for Art in Wood, design showroom Minima and art gallery Pentimenti, among other singular stops. For history buffs, the neighborhood is best explored on foot, the better for wandering its narrow cobblestoned streets and mews. When you are ready to refuel, Old City is chock full of bakeries, cafes and patisseries, from Tartes Pastry Shop to ICI Macarons.”
An iconic architectural landmark:
Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
Anchoring Broad Street’s “Avenue of the Arts,” the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts is defined by its soaring glass atrium, which encloses an indoor plaza and two distinctive, world-class performance halls. Monumental yet inviting, the building is as rewarding to explore for its architecture and spatial drama as it is for its cultural programme, even for those not attending a performance.
Favourite garden for a moment of tranquillity:
Anne D’Harnoncourt Sculpture Garden
Open from sunrise to sunset, the Anne d’Harnoncourt Sculpture Garden offers a quiet moment of calm beside the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Spanning an acre of landscaped terraces, the garden is punctuated by monumental works by artists including Claes Oldenburg and Ellsworth Kelly, creating a serene dialogue between art, landscape and architecture.
The best spot for a sunset view:
Sky High
Perched at the top of the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia, Sky High is the city’s loftiest bar and lounge, offering panoramic sunset views over the skyline. The experience begins with a glass-walled elevator ride, rising 60 storeys and unfolding the city below, before giving way to an elevated setting defined by quiet luxury and cinematic vistas.
Photography Credits
The Barnes Foundation TOM CRANE
Anna & Bel Jason Varney
Anne D’Harnoncourt Sculpture Garden Jeffrey Totaro
Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts rafael viñoly architects
More from Leah Kaplan
Leah Kaplan: Sculpting Light and Form in Porcelain
Leah Kaplan’s porcelain vessels evoke a quiet, numinous presence—where light, texture, and form converge in perfect balance. Based in Philadelphia, the artist distills over 30 years of mastery into hand-built works that feel both ethereal and grounded.
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