Black Turtle Coffee

Nice enough cafe to get some work done. Its biggest benefit is that it is open the latest out of any cafe I've seen so far (8 PM). They have several small tables upstairs and some more seating downstairs (a couple couches, a few medium tables). The downstairs seating area is kind of a dark basement — it is well lit but the walls are black. It could be nicer, but I like it anyway. I did see a mouse run across the floor of the basement once. Eep. Staff was really nice about it when I told them (and I have returned since then, shrug, I still like the cafe). The food is okay. They have a selection of sandwiches, breakfast, and pastries.

I come here when I need to work late, not really for the food, drink, or ambience, but I still like it well enough. You should also know that the cafe offers a discount if you show them that you rated them 5 stars on Google, so their rating might be inflated.

Update: I like the tropical refresher but I saw yet another mouse skitter across the floor... looks like they haven't fixed the pest problem in the last several months. Decreased one star because of it. I keep coming back because this place is one of the few cafes open past 3 PM...

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 4

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Fig & Brie Chicken Sandwich

Cool interior. Coffee is fine for a chain place.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 3

Ordered an oat macchiato ($5.50) and was disappointed. Excited to support a new small business but this drink doesn’t stack up to the competition in the area. I had the same drink from Elixr and it was cheaper and significantly more delicious. This had very little flavor and was much bigger than it should’ve been. It was at least 6 ounces whereas other spots serve it in 3-4.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 5

Busy corner spot with limited seating. Went there for a speciality latte and it was the best I have had in awhile. Definitely recommend for coffee.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Cozy place for coffee glad to find out in center city

Signature lattes are great.

Food: 5

Service: 5

Best cafe in Philly - hands down. Wonderful environment and perfect coffee, treats. Recommended highly

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Muffin

Amazing and quick service!!! Ericka made one of the best banana nut lattes I’ve ever had along with a warm croissant!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Ordered an apple chai which is on the menu and the barista had no idea how to make it (literally heard him ask the owner how to make it who also didn’t seem to know how to make it). It was completely un-drinkable. The drink was extremely chalky and had a terrible texture. Service and vibes were weird.

I was very disappointed with my visit to Black Turtle coffee today. I was excited to visit a locally owned coffee shop and support a small business. We arrived, ordered drinks, and sat down to enjoy our yummy drinks (barista was great and very nice!).

About 30 minutes into sitting and chatting and enjoying our drinks, the person sitting at the next table turned around, and interrupted our conversation to tell us to quiet down as they had a phone call/zoom call. The person identified themselves as the owner - Gabriella. We told them we were having a conversation at a normal volume and we shouldn’t be expected to speak quieter due to someone else’s phone call. Gabriella doubled down and told us we needed to be quieter and began verbally attacking us and continuing to insist we were being too loud, so we told her she was being unwelcoming and rude to her customers. We then left the establishment since we were hurt, frustrated, and feeling attacked for doing nothing wrong.

I have never had an experience like this before and had to share it. It did not feel good to be treated like this as a paying patron of a coffee shop. I don’t recommend Black Turtle Coffee and will not return.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 5

Service: 1

Awesome little coffee shop to try! I’m usually the type to want coffee around 5pm and instead of going to the Starbucks around the corner, I ended here giving this shop a shot. I don’t regret it one bit. They had lots of food and drink options! Staff was friendly and prices are reasonable.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Drip Coffee

Delicious coffee and egg and cheese breakfast sandwich. The kook sauce is the bomb! Staff was super friendly.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Food and coffee is great but they serve the coffee in disposable paper cups and the food comes in a “to-go” box. Personally if I’m going out somewhere for coffee I want to have it in a real mug not a disposable one.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Great spot! Barista was really friendly and the cold brew was very good.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Good flavors and cool staff

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5