This vibrant East Coast city is currently overflowing with creative energy.

For years, visitors have flocked to Philadelphia to immerse themselves in its historic narratives: walking in the footsteps of Benjamin Franklin, witnessing the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence, and, of course, visiting that iconic cracked bell. However, the tales being written in Philly today reveal a dynamic and innovative city shaping its own present and future.

In 2023, Philadelphia secured more James Beard Awards than any other U.S. city, highlighting the extraordinary talent among its chefs and restaurateurs. The city’s art scene is also gaining recognition, not just for renowned institutions like the Barnes Foundation. With over 4,000 public artworks, murals can be found adorning walls from the charming cobblestones of Society Hill to the bustling Baltimore Avenue.

We chatted with four of the city's creative pioneers about the best ways for visitors to experience modern Philly: Chef Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon from Kalaya; Shannon Maldonado, who oversees Yowie, a boutique hotel and store; Conrad Benner, who captures Philly’s lively street-art scene; and Chef Chad Williams of Friday Saturday Sunday.

Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon

Chef & Owner, Kalaya

In 2023, the James Beard Foundation recognized Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon as the Best Mid-Atlantic Chef, honoring excellence in the culinary world. Before achieving success in the U.S. restaurant scene, she dedicated two decades to being a business-class flight attendant for Kuwait Airways and Thai Airways, all while managing a restaurant in Bangkok for six of those years. She relocated to the U.S. in 2010 to study at the French Culinary Institute in New York City. In 2019, she launched her intimate 32-seat Thai restaurant, Kalaya, in Philadelphia’s historic Italian Market, one of the nation’s oldest open-air markets. After navigating the challenges of the pandemic and serving thousands of dumplings, she expanded Kalaya to a spacious former warehouse in Fishtown in 2022.

“My love for Philly developed gradually. I moved here for my relationship and didn’t initially see it as my home, coming from Bangkok, where I had a rich life. In my hometown [Yan Ta Khao in southern Thailand], my family embodied hospitality and took care of everyone. It's in my blood.”

“When I envisioned Kalaya, I wanted to create a dining experience that reflected my home. All dishes would arrive simultaneously, served family-style. This is my food, the meals my family enjoys; it’s part of our culture. When you dine at Kalaya, you enter my home with my rules—we don’t alter our dishes to cater to different tastes. It’s up to you to step through our door and decide your experience. If you arrive with preconceived notions about 'ethnic food,' I can’t change that. My commitment is to remain authentic to myself.”

“Upon opening Kalaya in the Italian Market, I began fostering connections with my neighbors. The Philadelphia food scene has always motivated me, from chef Marc Vetri to restaurateur Ellen Yin and beyond. I can't envision a city that, despite its size, possesses such a vibrant character.”

“Philadelphia is bursting with potential, with each neighborhood offering its own charm. The locals support small businesses and understand what it means to lead a fulfilling life. Regardless of the challenges in Philly, we flourish; we are resilient and far from ordinary.”

Shannon Maldonado

Fashion Designer & Hotelier, Yowie

After spending ten years in the fashion industry in New York, working with brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, and American Eagle, Shannon Maldonado wanted to infuse her hometown with a sense of whimsy and creativity. She launched her housewares store, Yowie, online in 2016, followed by a physical store in 2018. Named after Australia’s version of the yeti, Yowie quickly earned praise for highlighting local artists and chic decor. In 2021, Maldonado and her partners acquired two adjoining row houses on South Street, transforming them into a 13-suite boutique hotel and store, along with a café named Wim.

“I was raised on Fourth Street and Dickinson in South Philly, where I developed a love for drawing and art. My mom, a skilled seamstress, never studied design but crafted her own clothes and our holiday outfits. She inspired me to start sewing at around age 10.”

“My mom would buy patterns from McCall’s and Butterick on Fourth Street, near an area known as Fabric Row. One of my favorite, now-closed shops sold ‘notions’ like zippers, buttons, and rhinestones. I was captivated by all the embellishments, the little details that make a product stand out.”

“While searching for a location for Yowie’s inaugural store, I stumbled upon a spot on Fourth Street and immediately knew it was right. Others suggested I consider other locations, but I firmly believed it was meant to be on Fabric Row. I have faith in serendipity and timing, and this felt like the perfect place, especially since I had spent so much time there as a child.”

“Elements from my childhood greatly influenced Yowie’s current aesthetic, which I define as minimal and uncluttered yet infused with bright primary colors. I believe that design can be both practical and whimsical. This balance is evident in the hotel rooms, which combine modern furniture from Blu Dot with striking ceramic artworks by artists like Sara Ekua Todd and Jeff Rubio.

“When I launched the shop in 2018, my goal was to foster a sense of community. This was somewhat selfish, as I was eager to make new friends. We strive to be more than just a place to sleep or shop; we want to create connections between our guests and the artists we collaborate with through events like craft workshops and multicourse dinners featuring local chefs.”

“One of the most significant ways I’ve found to build community is simply by being present. I attend neighborhood events regularly and participate in zoning hearings. Being there and supporting others has always been my approach.”

Conrad Benner

Founder, Streets Dept Blog

Conrad Benner, who grew up in the Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia, launched his blog Streets Dept in 2011. As an advocate for the city’s vibrant art and design scene, he has transformed his writing into advocacy efforts within the arts community and beyond, serving as a curator and organizer for voting rights initiatives, social justice groups, and civic organizations. In 2023, he introduced Art Outside, a podcast that highlights muralists across Philadelphia and explores the significance of public art.

“Although I grew up in Philly, I can probably count on one hand the number of times I visited the museums. I recall being in high school at the Philly Museum of Art and hearing terms I’d never encountered before. It made me feel inferior. Museum spaces can often feel exclusive and alienate some visitors.”

“When I started the Streets Dept blog in 2011, my goal was to become a storyteller. I wasn't sure if it would be a city blog, but I received valuable advice from friends: Check your camera roll for inspiration. I realized I was photographing street art and murals, which became my focus. I wasn't just documenting; I was also interviewing the artists behind the pieces. Philadelphia is a fantastic place for this work because the community actively supports the art.”

“The street art scene and the gallery exhibitions I visited in Old City felt distinct from formal institutions; they had a unique edge. There wasn’t a curator dictating what you were supposed to see.”

“Street art is immediate: you either appreciate it or you have feelings about it. You can take the same route home each day and discover new pieces along the way. It’s always unexpected. Street art eliminates barriers between the viewer and the artist.”

“Philadelphia is often hailed as the birthplace of modern graffiti. However, in the 1980s, murals were predominantly a community effort, chosen by committee. Neighbors would provide their input to shape a vision that the artist would then bring to life. Murals from that time tend to share a similar look and feel. Over the years, organizations like Mural Arts Philadelphia, the largest public art program in the country, have given artists much more creative freedom in public spaces.”

“At any given moment, you can stroll through the city and encounter countless original artworks. The walls around us narrate the story of our city—featuring a self-driven, resilient spirit.”

Chad Williams

Chef & Restaurateur, Friday Saturday Sunday

Chad and Hanna Williams, a husband-and-wife team, own Friday Saturday Sunday, a restaurant located in Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square. In June, it was awarded the James Beard Foundation’s Outstanding Restaurant of 2023. Chad, a true Philadelphian, developed his culinary skills in prestigious kitchens across the country, including Eleven Madison Park in New York and Saison in San Francisco, before making his way back home. In 2015, he and Hanna took over Friday Saturday Sunday, a beloved local spot since 1973. Today, diners eagerly add their names to extensive reservation lists to enjoy the restaurant’s creative American tasting menu.

“I have fond memories of being a kid in West Philly, where we had countless restaurants to visit on Sundays. That shaped my culinary upbringing here, the local eateries. Places like Big George’s felt like our own version of Sylvia’s [the iconic soul food restaurant in Harlem, New York]. Every Sunday at Big George’s, the line stretched down the block. It featured a massive buffet with 20 steam tables—it was truly remarkable. So, when I left Philly, I wasn't very familiar with the fine dining scene.”

“I never attended culinary school; my education came from hands-on experience. My career path hasn't been straightforward. I've worked in kitchens across New York, D.C., and the Bay Area. I knew I wanted to collaborate with the very best. I recall the old Food Arts magazine featuring an article on El Bulli [in Spain]. I thought, ‘These chefs are remarkable, offering 20-course tasting menus!’ I showed it to my chef at the time, who dismissed it as ‘nonsense.’ But I was captivated. Back then, we only had those magazines—no Instagram or social media to showcase this style of cooking. It opened my eyes to a whole new culinary world I hadn't known about.

“For a time, it was challenging to find quality ingredients in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania farmers were sending their produce to New York, where demand was higher. Then a shift occurred, and chefs started to embrace local and seasonal cooking. We began forging connections with our farmers instead of watching their goods leave the state. This has elevated our kitchen talent: there’s a bit more substance now. The city has witnessed a wonderful cycle of growth. In Philly, it’s somewhat easier to be young and ambitious.

“A few years ago, I visited Momofuku Ko [in New York City]. While seated at the bar, we mentioned, ‘We’re from Philly, yada yada.’ One of their chefs sneered and said, ‘I had decent bar food from there once.’ That sparked a fire in me. We’ve been lucky enough to demonstrate that our city offers more than just bar food. I’m committed to reshaping that narrative. This is my home.”