People relax on a grassy riverbank beneath blooming cherry blossom trees, with a city skyline and bridge visible in the background.

Photo of cherry blossoms on Kelly Drive by R. Rabena for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®

 

April is one of our favorite times here in Philadelphia. The weather starts thawing, the trees begin greening, the flowers are blooming, and (finally!) the Phillies come back out to play. It’s just the best. It’s also Earth Month, which gives us a great, timely reason to call out some of our favorite local, eco-friendly businesses—restaurants, shops, and salons—who run their businesses all year round with the Earth in mind.

It’s a mission we take seriously at Guild House. For one thing? We’ve nixed plastic bottles from our offerings—it’s just glassware in our kitchenettes and refillable bottles in each room and our Tap Room, and a great many of our partners who help make our little historic boutique hotel what it is—the folks who make and supply our coffees; our teas; our custom clean soaps, lotions and shower products; and our snacks and treats—are, by intention, eco-friendly, sustainable businesses. (Also, please note if you’re staying here at Guild House Hotel: No cars needed! We’re in one of the most walkable neighborhoods in what might be the most walkable city in America—and we’re just feet away from all manner of public transit stops and an Indego bike dock.)

But enough about us. Let us now point you to some of our favorite Philly restaurants, shops and salons that are excellent at what they do … and also excellent to the planet. We’re talking coffee shops, critically beloved dining hotspots, nail- and hair- salons, eclectic boutiques and more—all eco-friendly, sustainable, green, responsible enterprises. Go forth and enjoy … and have a happy Earth month, all!

 

 

EATING

A table setting with a glass of white wine, a small dish of caviar in a white bowl, a plate with butter, a tray of bread pieces, a candle, and cutlery on a wooden surface.

Photo of Little Water by Ted Nghiem, courtesy Little Water

 

For: A Seafood Feast

Try: Little Water, a bright and beautiful spot focused on coastal cuisine. The place is owned and run by James-Beard-nominated chef Randy Rucker and his partner/wife, Amanda Rucker—the brilliant duo behind East Passyunk’s River Twice. Both the food (which is sustainably sourced, and, in some cases, locally caught) and design of the place focus on eco-friendliness and sustainability. (Amanda, who has a background in interior and environmental design, designed the restaurant herself.)

Location: Little Water is in the Rittenhouse neighborhood, roughly a 15-minute walk from Guild House Hotel.

 

 

People walking on a city street in front of a brick alehouse with signs. There are two flags, a bicycle, and a lamppost. The building has arched windows and ivy around the entrance.

Photo of McGillin’s Old Ale House by J. Fusco for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®

 

For: A Pint and a Bite

Try: McGillin’s Old Ale House, a classic 165-year-old Philly bar with a surprisingly green ethos. This place, which is famous for being the oldest continually run Irish pub in Philly, also bills itself as “the greenest Irish pub in America,” thanks efforts than range from recycling and composting to using biodegradable, compostable straws to offering loads of locally brewed beers (which makes for lower emissions) to upgrading mechanical systems to save water and energy. Also? It’s just a really fun, laid-back, popular hang. (PS. Try the shepherd’s pie!)

Location: Really close to Guild House Hotel! McGillin’s is pretty much just around the corner from us in Washington Square West / the Gayborhood … a 5-minute walk.

 

 

People dining at outdoor tables in a green, leafy setting. Some are eating, some holding drinks. A waiter in the background carries a tray.

Photo of Talula’s Garden by J. Fusco for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®

 

For: A Garden Brunch

Try: Talula’s Garden, one of Philly’s best-known farm-to-table eateries. (And while brunch is particularly lovely, you should also know that they serve dinner, too.) Here, you’ll find a gorgeous menu full of seasonal, local ingredients and feature sustainable spirits. The cheese boards alone are worth the visit, as is the outdoor seating, a lush and verdant patio space that feels like you’re dining in, well … a garden.

Location: Right off Washington Square, a 12-minute walk from Guild House Hotel.

 

 

Coffee shop interior with a cozy atmosphere, featuring a menu board, counter with various drinks and snacks, overhead greenery, and refrigerated display cases.

Photo courtesy Good Karma Cafe

 

For: A Coffee and a Bagel

Try: Good Karma Cafe. There are three outposts of this cozy, locally owned coffee shop—the closest one being just steps away from our historic boutique hotel. The coffee is organic and fair-trade (roasted by the Boston-based worker-owned coop Equal Exchange), the plastics are corn-based, and their mission is very clear: to run a coffee shop that does that does “everything right … in line with our personal values of economic parity, sustainable ecology, and genuine relationships.”

Location: Of the three locations, the closest one is at 13th and Pine, an 11-minute walk from Guild House Hotel.

 

 

Aerial view of a table with plates of salads, grilled meat, pasta, and a glass of white wine on a marble surface.

Photo of Kiddo by Neal Santos, courtesy of Kiddo

 

For: A “Veg-Forward” Dinner

Try: Kiddo, the Gayborhood fave known for thoughtful dinner and brunch menus that let seasonal, sustainably sourced ingredients shine. (That’s not to mention the eco-conscious practices —composting and recycling—and eco-friendly design, which includes upcycled art, per the Inky’s Craig LaBan.) It’s not ALL vegetarian—there’s meat here!—but veg (and dessert) really shine. (PS. They also serve an amazing brunch.)

Location: Kiddo is yet another Guild House neighbor… roughly a seven-minute walk from our front door.

 

 

SHOPPING & BEAUTY

Brick storefront of Greene Street clothing store with large sign, glass entrance, and visible window displays. Bright pink clothing donation bin labeled Get Good Stuff, Do Good Stuff is outside.

Photo courtesy of Greene Street Consignment

 

For: Fun Thrifting

Try: Greene Street Consignment, a bright, airy, and popular secondhand shop full of hidden treasures. You might find Vince or Balenciaga or Rag & Bone, or any number of vintage gems… plus friendly staff to boot. they take their commitment to the earth and helping conserve it seriously– one of their outposts even has a pollinator garden.

Location: There are seven outposts locally; the closest, on South Street, is a 20-minute walk.

 

 

Hands with pastel swirl nail art rest near a sunflower on a marble surface.

Spring nails at Raw Lab, courtesy of Raw Lab

 

For: Clean, Eco-Friendly Manis and Pedis

Try: Raw Lab Spa isn’t the only natural nail spa in the city, but it’s the one we’re lucky enough to have just up the street from Guild House Hotel… and it’s a great one. (We like the shellac gel mani!) Here, you’ll find an array of natural and eco-friendly products, an ethos of sustainability, and a super-friendly staff.

Location: This place is literally right up the street from us… a quick four-minute walk.

 

 

Front view of a storefront named Moon + Arrow with large windows displaying various items and a hanging star-shaped light above the door.

Photo of Moon + Arrow courtesy of Moon + Arrow

 

For: Charming Boutique Shopping

Try: Moon + Arrow, which centers sustainability in its mission—and its shows. Everything here is handcrafted, eco-conscious, sustainably sourced (and much locally made)… and it is ALL fun to browse. You’ll find earth-conscious homewares, clothing, jewelry, an amazing range of apothecary offerings, and more: It’s just a very cool shop.

Location: Located in the city’s Queen Village neighborhood, Moon + Arrow is just over a mile away from Guild House Hotel …a lovely 29-minute walk that takes you through a charming part of Philadelphia.

 

 

Cozy shop interior with vintage decor, wooden furniture, and plants. Large windowed door opens to a street view. A bicycle and people are visible outside. Warm lighting enhances the ambiance.

Photo of Juju courtesy of Juju Salon

 

For: A Cut and Color

Try: Juju Salon, whose mission is “to help people live healthier, minimize their carbon footprint, and think sustainably without having to sacrifice a great look and style.” This salon is also just really good at what they do, from haircuts and styling to waxing and brow-shaping (and tinting). They also have their own award-winning line of clean, handmade hair-care products. Fun fact: The salon is 100 percent wind-powered.

Location: Another Queen Village destination, Juju is just over a mile away—you can get there in about 28 minutes by foot.

 

 

A display of various bath bombs in metal buckets and glass jars, with additional colorful rubber ducks and plastic containers around them on a wooden surface.

Photo of Duross & Langel soaps by J. Smith for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®

 

For: Soaps, Skincare, Candles and Gifts

Try: Duross & Langel, a longtime Gayborhood go-to that sells custom, locally made natural bath products and skincare, and offers some compostable packaging, as well as bags and boxes made from recycled paper—and everything in the store is recyclable. (They also offer refillable 64-ounce jugs for soaps designed to cut down on plastic.) The place also smells SO good—and local devotees swear by their body products.

Location: Duross & Langel is just a quick jaunt up the street from Guild House Hotel, roughly a 5-minute walk.

 

Want to book a room or suite at Guild House, a historic Philadelphia hotel in the heart of the city? Click here to plan your stay!