50 Best Coffee Shops in Philadelphia

“First time there, excellent food.“

“SUPERB - great coffee, worth supporting!“

“Located in the heart of Chinatown, another establishment that doesn't take credit cards. Instead payment is via Venmo. So I guess that great since you don't need to pay tax. They have a limited selection of baked goods (see photos) and drinks. Menu is a bit chaotic to read (but this is Chinatown). Baked items are very fresh. Limited seating inside though. Prices are cheap for this economy.“

“We ate outdoors in front of the restaurant. Unfortunately, a millennial was shouting over his phone and broadcasting his call at the very next table over (why is it that people are too lazy to hold the phone next to their ears and feel compelled to share their conversations and music with the rest of us who don't care to listen to them?). Spoiled an otherwise excellent meal.“

“Food is great very creative I’d recommend the shrimp taco, new favorite place drinks are good too not watered down like other places. Service here is awesome. Leah is great our second visit she remembered my name she treats her regulars like we visit everyday. At one point I thought she was the owner bc she does such a great job running the place. This is now my favorite place to go.“

“Great coffees and super friendly owner/ baristas!“

“the food was delicious and the service was GREAT IN MY TONY THE TIGER VOICE“

“Love The Kettle Black! Amazing vegan croissants, bagels & other treats! Their cold brew is always on point! Super friendly and talented folks!“

“Great coffee, great staff, and books! It is an unbeatable combination to de stress and unwind. Keep it up!“

“An amazing place. Great way to find unique gifts“

“The breakfast burrito was so good“

“The desserts were delicious. I had two; mango mousse and lychee panna cotta. Both delicious. They both come with ice cream. Service was excellent!“

“I've always had good baked goods here - it's becoming a traditional stop when we come to the city! Best things I've had here are the maple oatmeal scones and the brown butter pound cake - phenomenal! What baked goods are supposed to taste like!“

“Delicious mocha and espresso. One of the best espressos I’ve had in the city. Cute atmosphere. Def recommend“

“A neighborhood staple, and a great example of how a cultural melting pot like South Philly offers a cross sample of delicious food from different parts of the world. Neighborhood family-owned and operated. The sausage egg and cheese croissant and fruit pastries are a “

“Great dim sum! And baby bok choy, spice eggplant and soup dumplings!“

“I revisit Joy Cafe (which is the newest name/incarnation for Soy Cafe) whenever I'm in NoLibs. It always leaves me feeling incredibly healthy and happy. Soy/Joy Cafe is in my top two vegan restaurants in all of Philly. My favorite dish here is the ramen with BBQ seitan. The seitan is just so very tasty. Everything here, from the seitan, to the vegan cream cheese, is homemade. My husband gets the carrot lox sandwich which includes the housemade cream cheeze along with red onions, carrot lox, and more, on many choices of really excellent bread. Don't leave without getting a smoothie! I tend to get the Green Giant, but the Coco Loco is also really yummy. Eat in the back garden on a nice day!“

“Everything about Winkel was amazing: gluten free options, friendly staff, and tastes that had our table quiet due to the savoring. My niece loved the giant hot chocolate and waffle. My sister had the eggs Benedict with artichokes (can't remember its menu name), and she couldn't get over how many artichokes were included--and she thought the hollandaise was perfect. I had a breakfast sandwich one day and the Waldorf salad the next day. The salad dressing - a mustard vinegarette was tangy and delicious. The gluten free bread on my breakfast sandwich was like BREAD and the eggs, gouda, and thick-cut bacon were an amazing combo with the potatoes and salad. The Waldorf salad was flavorful and amazing. We went to Winkel two days in a row because we loved it so much. Get there if you're in Philly!“

“Everything prepared with amazing attention to detail. LOVED the oysters with caviar and the house burger is a stand-out!“

“My favorite coffee place in the gayborhood. They make artisan coffee and eve have ethically sourced brews easily available. Habit has the kindest staff who are incredibly patient and understanding . Dogs are allowed inside which is a huge plus and the pastries are “

“Great coffee. Great staff.“

“i am gonna just say that i don't how i became super sensitive to caffeine since i used to drink ungodly amounts of it when i was younger but at some point i just started reacting somewhat adverse to it. i think it may have had something to do with do it and smoking at the same time. but whatever since quitting smoking i have been getting back into caffeine and it's been going better than it has in some time although i still can't handle too much. and i have been searching for the best i can find locally which brought me here after checking out a few other places around town. This store close to my favorite part of south Philly is really nice despite the construction on the corner. The space is very clean, well furnished with a nice back room which was packed on a wednesday afternoon and had a steady stream of patrons coming in and out which is always a good sign. I ordered a hot latte and a bag of their champion roast beans to go. I sat down at a table read some emails and enjoyed the cup, it was a cold day and the perfectly brewed coup which was not too hot like many other places make went down very nicely. it was very well balanced and although i did leave a bit shake it was like the perfect amount of caffeine for me not too much not too little it was actually about as much as i could comfortably take without being to speedy. The beans i brought home have been great also and deliver similar results no tart or sour flavors and just all in all a great experience and probably what will become my regular local provider.“

“Not sure how to put into words how much I love it here. The folks who work here are warm, friendly, and hilarious. It is awesome to see them every day. I am truly at a loss of how anyone could give them anything less than five stars, but also realize that some customers often treat people in food service like mannequins to take out their personal issues on.10/10 on everything from me.“

“Found this place by accident on Monday. Serendipity!It’s tiny so if it’s crowded it gets noisy.It’s charming, with friendly efficient staff, and delicious food! We had avocado toast with turkey bacon and fried eggs, and scrambled eggs with cheese with French toast and bacon. Real maple syrup for a small upcharge. Everything was so good! We sat in the back in a sweet little patio.My husband went there the next day and had French toast stuffed with eggs and cheese. Also yummy.This could easily be our new go to for our favorite meal out - brunch!“

“What a Gem!!! Everything was fantastic. But really sets the cafe apart from ALL others is the Barista. A true ambassador of the Nona and Pops but also of Termini. I wish I had asked her name. She is the epitome of customer service and quite evident she loves her job and her employer. Give her a big raise, elevate her within the company to customer service trainer for all of your new employees.“

“My partner and I bought a house on the 1800 block of S Hicks Street in 2022, and a major factor in that decision was being around the corner from a *union* coffee shop that has become a neighborhood institution. Since moving in, we’ve patronized the shop almost daily, so the boycott has been particularly disruptive to our routine. Here’s hoping that the Ultimos decide to bargain in good faith with their employees.Solidarity forever.“

“I just moved in the neighborhood a couple doors down and I tried one of their pastries. It was a cream raspberry filled donut. I had a favorite donut shop back in bucks county that closed down...and this was even better. I haven't tried their coffee because I make my own. But i'm sure to come back to this place a lot.“

“after long morning of walking, finding Federal Donuts open with some seats open was the welcome sign i needed. the coffee is served hot which was much needed on a a particularly cold winter day. paired that coffee with an old fashioned glazed doughnut. the coffee was standard good coffee, fresh drip coffee is always a win in my book. the doughnut had the right amount of sweetness and softness without being saccharine or mushy. the space is very clean and neat. there’s seatings for groups as well as these old school classroom type seats for solos. the vibe by staff was friendly and welcoming. doughnut + coffee + being off my feet for 15 minutes was just what i needed to recharge for exploring the vastness of Philadelphia.“

“Ultimo has great lattes, unique coffees and friendly service. They have free wifi and a restroom and its a good place to sit and do work for a bit. they have nice outdoor seating as well. For gf snacks, they have a gluten free chia seed pudding with blueberries and nut butter that is delicious; they usually also have a orange polenta cake that is gluten free and or a peanut butter cookie that is gf.“

“I love Essen Bakery! They used to just serve out of a small window, but they recently opened a small indoor dining space with a counter with seating and a small cafe table, so you walk inside to order now. The baked goods are always fresh. My favorites are the homemade pop tarts, black and white cookies, bagel and lox, and caramelized onion focaccia. Try to get there earlier in the day, as they generally run out of most things in the afternoon. I would also recommend ordering online in advance if you know you can't make it there in the morning.“

“Federal Donuts are multiple steps above. Anything else you may have tried before. They are across between cakes and donuts such that the flavor of the don't you pick is embedded within the dough. While there is flavor glazing on the top, what sets these donuts apart is the fruit and other things that you find inside increasingly intensity of the flavor. Duck Donuts don't even come close the federal doughnuts.“

“Great coffee beverages and tea“

“Delicious bread and baked goods!! I can’t go back to grocery store bread after having theirs. The staff are all so friendly and helpful, especially when I can’t decide what to get. Prices are reasonable for how incredible their products are.“

“My first time at this restaurant and will definitely be back! Super interesting menu!! I had scallops on top of spaghetti squash with sweet potatoes ...really amazing! Our server was very attentive.“

“Accidentally came to this one instead of another location after a long day outside—and I’m so glad I did. The people here are SO nice. (What a wonderful representation of Philly’s kind, generous spirit.) I had a doughnut and it was better than I remembered.“

“The actual fabrication of the bagels isn't great - they're kind of like the Wonder bread of bagels: overly soft and doughy yet oddly satisfying for kind of the same reason - but they are good at seasoning them. Their pastrami is very good (not surprising considering the company is from Montreal). The cream cheese is heavily whipped, which gives it a lighter, airier mouth feel but also makes it more prone to squish out from the opposite end of the bagel when you bite it.I went at a somewhat off-hour, there was no line and my bagels were ready in no more than 5 minutes.“

“Il Sorriso is a hidden gem tucked away in the heart of the city. The moment you step in, you're greeted by the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee. The cozy ambiance and friendly staff make it the perfect spot to unwind or catch up with friends. Their espresso is bold and flavorful, and their pastries are delectable. Whether you're a coffee aficionado or just looking for a relaxing atmosphere, Il Sorriso never disappoints.“

“This is one of my favorite places to get work done near Penn/Drexel’s campus. The atmosphere is great, with a mix of sunlight and greenery as well as areas that are more removed for a less distracting environment. Would definitely reccomend the food, as well. Especially an egg white and cheese croissant!“

“I think this might be my favorite café on the east coast?Every once in a while I stumble upon a coffee gem randomly and that’s exactly what happened on this Philly trip.Ordered a pour over and asked the staff to make me whatever they suggest. I was not expecting to have one of the best cups of coffee I’ve ever had. When the staff mentioned, “notes of bergamot,” I didn’t take him seriously but my mind was seriously blown on the first sip. Never had that flavor in a coffee before (I drink and try a lot of coffee) and I’ve been thinking about it for the past week. Loved it so much, had to order something else.Also got a cinnamon roll because I saw people loved it. Thought it was good, but also thought it was like any other laminated pastry LOL will probably order it again though.What I loved about the staff was their knowledge and interest in coffee. In fact, I just went to a cafe in nyc hoping for the same experience. Ordered a coffee tasting flight, but got no explanation about what was from where or anything else and kept comparing it to my time at Thank You Thank You.If you love coffee, this is your spot.“

“Have seen a lot of people say “delightful” and that’s an apt description. Family shop that you can tell, but what they’ve built is absolutely a marvel. Beautiful place, tons of coffee options, generous sizes without sacrificing it looking/being nice, food’s great too and rotating and actual thought seems to have gone into it rather than just pumping out 15 different croissants or something.“

“Update: originally posted my unfortunate experience and the owners response here was prompt and understanding. I am amending my review in light of their response because it shows that they do care for patrons and our concerns. i will not contact further because i did not post the review for some freebies but for the principle of appropriate response to customer concerns.I recommend ANY of their cupcakes because they are always on point. their cookies are big and beautifully delicious. cinnamon roll is good. iced coffee hits the spot!i’ve had the hangover sandwich, the mccrumb, waffle hash and breakfast burrito and i just find it really awesome that they feature other vegan restaurants food. that’s innovative and great for trying different options with each bakery purchase.if you love cannolis get the large otherwise the mini will do the trick!chocolate and confetti cake are a GREAT gift for any last minute parties!parking sucks but there’s nothing the business can do about it. i would do dine in more often if there was easier parking in the area because the decor is very fun. they take apple pay.Snippet of my original review:i buy here very often. i buy cakes for birthdays, uber eats for delivery and do pick up.for the first time, i had an issue and i told an employee and their response was indifferent. […] my solution: use the BOGO on uber eats when selling treats that their quality might not be up to par with usual standard and take customers concerns seriously.Vegetarian options: all vegan!!!Parking: parking is the worst. i would go there more often if parking was accessible.“

“Cherry Street Cafe has the kindest, most attentive people working there. I have constant stomach troubles and the staff has always been attentive and adaptive when it comes to the foods I can eat/modifying dishes so I can still enjoy them.Dietary restrictions: The crew behind the counter will sub in anything you think you might need, and has even been so kind as to remember my substitutions when I forgot to mention them! Thanks guys!“

“A good Baget to start the day is in this place, recommended for all the family and friends, they also have a special variety and a delicious coffee. I assure you that you will return and you will not be able to start with the service of the Friendly and Fun staff.“

“Love the concept of this coffee shop! Interior has a Scandinavian design touch and builds on cleanliness and simplicity. Also, there’s plenty of seating and enough plug-ins in case you plan to work from here. The turmeric ginger tea that I got was great. Strongly recommend this coffee shop :)“

“Clean minimal shop with quality matcha products and great ice cream.Strawberry and earl grey swirl are my current go to after dinner in Chinatown, however it is a seasonal flavor so get it while you can. I’ve also had the hojicha float which was refreshing and had a deep roasted nutty flavor with an edge of bitterness.What I enjoy most about this place is the typical Asian compliment when it comes to dessert “not so sweet”.Surreal is quite trendy but I find myself becoming quickly tired of it due to amount, all the toppings, and just the overall sweetness of the ice cream whereas matcha Maiko has the perfect amount of sweetness to remind you it’s a treat but not to the point where halfway through you feel like need water or tea to tone down the sugar“

“I had the early gray milk tea with pearl boba and milk foam. It was amazing and they even put it in my reusable 16oz coffee cup!The place is so clean and the gentleman behind the counter was super helpful. I will for sure be back to try other flavors.“

“I lived in Seattle for almost two decades and will admit to being a bit of a coffee shop snob. The Nook hits so many of my high points. Extremely good locally roasted coffee (in-house!). Amazing baked goods. The cocoa coffee bread must be tried, but leave me a slice! Great staff. If I ever move out of the neighborhood, I'll journey to the Nook for a great cup and bite.“

“The desserts were delicious. I had two; mango mousse and lychee panna cotta. Both delicious. They both come with ice cream. Service was excellent!“

“Excellent bagels, but at times Nick is out of certain selections, especially when busy.“

“Everyone working there is Super friendly. Today I got a healthier version of a rice crispy and it blew my mind. One day I’ll make it there early enough to get a donut!! Can’t wait. Fresh coffee“