50 Best Cafes in Philadelphia

“This is exactly what you want from a small counter service shop. The pastries and menu items are unique to the area and very flavorful. Items marked spicy are truly spicy, so be careful if you're sensitive to spice. The dining area is cozy but not cramped. Food and drinks are ready fast, and the staff is friendly and attentive.“

“Everyone loved every bite! One of my favorite brunch places in and around the city. Awesome food, and attentive service! #lEtsreAlesTate“

“Gran Caffe L’Aquila has a beautiful atmosphere and some genuinely excellent products. The latte was expertly made with gorgeous latte art, and both the coffee and gelato were absolutely delicious. You can tell they take pride in the quality of what they serve.
Unfortunately, the service did not match the quality of the food and drinks. Most of the staff came across as dismissive and unfriendly, which took away from what could have been a wonderful experience.
The only one exception to this was Luca, who was welcoming, professional, genuinely kind, and knowledgeable. He made us feel appreciated as guests and stood out in the best way possible.
At the end of the day, hospitality is about making people feel welcome.
The rest of the team could certainly take note. If the level of service matched the quality of the coffee and gelato, this would easily be a five-star experience.“

“Amazing pastries and coffee! Came in for a quick bfast and enjoyed lots of new flavors.“

“The service was great and the women behind the counter were amazing! I will definitely come back when I am in the area again.“

“Whatever you’ve heard, this place is better. Beautiful building, wonderful staff, unique menu. The execution is absolutely incredible. They have the best breakfast sandwich AND the best coffee I’ve ever had.
This is not a place that got IG famous because they’re quirky. Every menu item is well thought out and approachable without being boring.
Absolutely worth your time and money. Try everything!“

“Loved dropping in here on a Saturday. Very relaxed vibes walking in here, perfect for a relaxed meet up, coffee or quick bite. My wife and I ordered the Ume Plum Tea, Vietnamese Latte, Khang’s Special Banh Mi, Crispy Tofu Banh Mi, and Doenjang Butter Fries. The Ume Plum Tea is so unique, and their Vietnamese Latte is the best I’ve had. Their food portions are big, and will definitely leave you full. Highly recommend this place!“

“This place is unreal. I ordered the bulgogi banh mi and breakfast burrito to go. I was blown away by how delicious the food was. Best burrito and banh mi ever. The coconut matcha was legit too. Unfortunately, I don’t live here. I’m so jealous of Philly locals!“

“We love Herman’s Coffee both as a business and a customer. They have good coffee and a great environment to start your day!!! +love their collaborations with small businesses 🤩“

“Great place. This is my go to for some good food when I am in the area hands down. Great customer service, they really make you feel welcomed when you come to their establishment. I eat here on a regular basis. Great food. Everything i have had here has been delicious. From the smoothies to the food. I highly recommend stopping by to check them out.“

“I recommend everything! 5 stars“

“First time there this morning. My dad and I got coffees & cinnamon danish. Browsed the books & bought a few plus a shirt. Love the vibe & ambiance.“

“Excellent coffee. Friendly helpful staff, and I say that not as a throw-away easy compliment. Out of a total of three visits I can think of the barista being unexpectedly kind each time.

On one occasion my partner rushed in to let our toddler use the toilet then offered to buy something but was met with reassurances there was no need. He gave her a free coffee.

Decor and vibes not my vibe. This is why I drink my coffee at home.“

“Love the breakfast basket!“

“Some of the best black coffee I’ve had! I’m originally from Illinois. While the cafes I’ve been to in that state are good, this place didn’t water it down, and I didn’t even ask for strong black coffee like I normally would in Illinois. Very polite people! Got my drink in like a minute or two. Went well with my walk around the area!“

“Best shortbreads in Philadelphia.“

“Awesome food Fun place First time here as we visit Philadelphia“

“Best coffee shop in Philly!! A must-stop when in the city.“

“The place was crowded on a Friday eve. They were out of ube ice cream. I got the matcha soft serve instead which was pretty good. They have generic flimsy plastic spoon utensils that you just grab - wish they have more hygienic ones that they give to you in your ice cream or those sealed single use wooden ice cream scoopers.

The place is nothing fancy and not for a quiet sit down but you can get your ice cream or drink here to go.“

“the best and delicious dishes in south philly“

“I’ve been getting banh mi from Cafe Cuong for over 15 years, they have the best banh mi in town. However, last time I went in 2025, the young guy at the counter overcharged $5…this is not about the 5 bucks that he try to steal, it’s about even with loyal customers, he’s still trying to to screw over. Really smart running the business..I stop going!“

“I love just love this place and their cakes. Very tasty beautiful and great served. Thank god they are 40 minutes away from me. Otherwise I would be there every day.“

“A wonderful place for many coffee and tea choices, croissant sandwiches, bagel sandwiches, muffins, fritters, et cetera.
Very relaxing,books available to read, and comfortable seating to read and enjoy your coffee, tea, or smoothie. Smoothies are absolutely refreshing and delicious!
All bakery items are fresh and all sandwiches are made to order.
The staff is very friendly and very helpful.
I absolutely love this wonderful place!“

“My waiter Chad was awesome“

“My husband and I stopped in here for the first time tonight. The milkshakes are insane and super thick! The mousse was delicious and had toppings throughout the cup, not just on top! People working were awesome, so nice. We'll definitely be frequenting this location for the summer!“

“Came here with friends after England vs Norway; it made the night even better. The pistachio chocolate cake was delicious, my friends loved it too. The service was amazing with complimentary watermelon and Turkish tea. We look forward to coming back in the future.“

“The space is beautiful and thoughtfully curated. I ordered a tea and rather than being handed a cup of hot water with a tea bag in it, the tea was properly steeped with the tea bag removed so that I could enjoy without worrying about it being oversteeped—such a helpful touch!!“

“Great coffee in a really cool setting! All kinds of original artwork and friendly staff (that was Jeff today)!“

“Best chocolate peanut butter banana smoothie I’ve ever had“

“Beautiful shop, vibe matches the coffee. 10/10 taste /presentation/ barista. A nice stop for coffee truly.“

“I love Adelie Coffee House. The coffee is simply delicious! It's rich, smooth, aromatic, soothing - like a warm blanket fresh out of the dryer. I've only tried the cheese danish. It was very good. The baristas are great - all of them. The coffee house itself is bare bones, yet clean and cozy. You have the option to sit outside if you like. I'm so glad this little gem is right down the street from my house.💜“

“great place good vibes good food great customer service“

“🥰Frieda: one of my most treasured places. I love its casual sophistication, delicious European-inspired food, and charming, considerate personnel.“

“OMGGGGG TRIED THE BUTTERCAKE FOR THE FIRST TIME TODAY! AMAZING!!!!!“

“Finally, a talented chef cooking healthy food in Philly! Whole foods, grass-fed, grass-finished ingredients, and you can tell by who eats here. A triumphantly masculine man walked in after us with his beautiful wife, kids, and mother—and he clearly eats here all the time. But the food was the star of the show: delicious, clean, and so good you'd swear your Italian mom made it. A rare find these days.“

“This place is AMAZING!!!!! Wilcaf will be the first place I go when I'm back on campus!“

“The owner is a huge supporter of local music. The food is great, the musical talent they bring in is awesome. What more can you ask for???“

“We just had the best breakfast here - amazing food, even better service. A true hole in the wall spot (because it’s tiny but so cute, lots of character!). I got eggs benedict and my husband got a breakfast burrito. We cleaned our plates! We’re from out of town, headed back to the airpot later, and our server offered to fill up our water bottles too. She was a delight. I thanked her for being so lovely and without missing a beat she said “I’ve learned that being mean to people doesn’t make me any taller!”“

“We were in PA for a graduation and before leaving, we were fortunate to eat at Café Tolia for Mother's Day Breakfast. I had the Egg and Cheese Breakfast Sandwich with Smoked Salmon and OMG the Brioche Bun, everything, was DELICIOUS!

The staff was so friendly and patient with our party of 7 and our orders :) and pulling together the tables to seat us.

LOVED the decor!

It was a perfect way to spend our Mother's Day morning. Thank You.“

“If you’re looking for a great latte,coffee,breakfast sandwich or dessert look no more because the Great Awakening has the best, the vibe inside is so welcoming and all the workers make you feel like family it’s truly a hidden gem. I look forward to seeing everyone at the cafe and enjoy the awesome coffee they make.“

“got a vanilla latte, black coffee, spinach thing, pesto melt, and chocolate chip cookie! the vanilla latte was delicious as well as the spinach thing but it was all great. love a small business and highly recommend you go support <3 also had good area to do work was nice/spacious/quiet“

“Very good sandwiches and selection.Plus they stock a really good Australian ginger beer.“

“We randomly stopped at this place for brunch after a concert. Food was delicious with very unique options. Sweet chili pork roll is great!“

“The Love. was simply incredible! We came here with our 6 year old son. Our waiter was fabulous and very accommodating to our 6 year old which you don’t always find in Rittenhouse. The atmosphere was light and airy and the food was great! Make sure to try their Dubai Chocolate Sundae and if you’re going with children they do have special kids cups and will accommodate the menu for them.“

“*4.5/5 Stars*

I recently discovered Good Karma Cafe and I'm hooked! This charming spot exceeded my expectations with its warm atmosphere, top-notch service, and delicious food.

The staff were incredibly welcoming and helpful, happily answering our questions about the menu. We indulged in their mouthwatering chicken sandwiches on sourdough bread, paired with refreshing lemonade and iced tea. The cozy back dining room, adorned with vibrant art and lush greenery, made for a pleasant dining experience.

Their breakfast and brunch menu boasts an array of tempting options, making me eager to return. Standouts include the Colonel Mustard sandwich and almond croissant.

Good Karma Cafe excels in:

- Friendly, attentive staff
- Beautiful decor
- Excellent selection of hot and cold beverages
- Tasty sandwiches and pastries
- Ample seating
- Convenient WiFi and water for customers

Minor drawbacks:

- Limited outdoor seating
- Coffee (large latte) was bitter and milk was over-steamed (though smoothies were great!)

Overall, Good Karma Cafe is an ideal spot for a satisfying breakfast or lunch. I'll definitely be back for more!

Parking: Usually you can find a spot pretty close by“

“Always my 1st stop when I'm out and about.“

“Have been longing for a good cup of drip coffee and kept being told WaWa was the best coffee around. (No.😫) Was served a cup from this roaster at Bake Life and it is 💯. Thank God for them, honestly.“

“I walked in to get a coffee and ended up staying for about a half hour 45 minutes. Had lunch and ordered stuff to go. Great staff, great coffee. ☕️“