Just a very chill neighborhood coffee shop that serves the neighborhood instead of corporate greed. Unlike the large corporate backed cookie cutter coffee shops that are popping up every where, this shop is owned and run by great people that actually live in the neighborhood. The shop is quirky and has a soul. Staff is fantastic and fun to actually have a meaningful conversation with (when they’re not busy). We must protect small local businesses at all costs.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sara Saveanu
Really cool eclectic coffee shop with great espresso and cold brew and food and pasties to match! Excellent vibes for hanging with friends or doing work. Been coming here for a while Tony and Chris are the best!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kevin McGehrin
I love coming to this place. It gives me the laid back vibe that I’m searching for in an otherwise hectic city life. I don’t come here to rush. In fact, I come here specifically NOT to rush. If you are going with the flow, this is a spot you can enjoy. If you want slam bam thank you ma’am, Dunkin is just around the corner. This is a place to enjoy life and take notice of the details all around you.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Eyrie
Great drinks, excellent service. I love supporting this neighborhood institution.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Diana Nest
Very disorganized for how slow it was when we came in to get our drinks. We waited 25 minutes for two drinks, and they only started making it when we checked in to see when we would get our order. Since I guess they were rushing they made our order wrong too- I had regular milk instead of oat milk and my friends drink was iced instead of hot Hopefully you have a better time if you decide to go here- they were telling people the food wait would be a long time but it didn’t seem that busy so I don’t know what was going on there either.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Tommy D
Customer service is truly bottom of the barrel here - don’t waste time or money at this place
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
Alice Berry
It’s such a shame that this coffee shop is staffed by some of the least friendly citizens around. The coffee is good and the environment is inviting, but those elements are ruined by the incredibly unfriendly staff. The owners will bark at you when you’re ordering and make it clear you’re not welcome. On each visit I have felt that I am definitely not wanted at my own local cafe. Last visit I was unable to order food because the proprietor was so rude to me and rang me up so quickly and with such finality that I dared not speak. Save your money and visit another local coffee shop where they want you to come. Hopefully the owners either improve their treatment of guests or go out of business and let better people take the space.
slick slack
The pastries I've tried have been yummy. The drinks I've had have been good, though I'll note it's best to stick to the menú.
Love the whole vibe, with comfy chair, plus tables, plus art.
I think the lady I usually see must be the owner. She's great; efficient & friendly, asks all the right questions if you fail to specify. The other guy I sometimes see isn't bad either, though he might benefit from a quick brush up.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 4
Sara Delmoral
Starting with the name alone, Higher Grounds Café instantly won me over. As a big Star Wars fan, I couldn’t help but think of Obi-Wan’s legendary line—so naturally, I had to check it out. Nerdiness aside, the moment you step inside, you’re transported into one of the most indie, artsy cafés I’ve seen in Philly. There’s a little bit of everything: stickers, artwork, handmade jewelry—you name it. It’s like a curated treasure hunt with every visit.
The lighting is warm and dim, adding a cozy vibe that makes you want to stay a while. I couldn’t stop looking around because every corner is filled with something interesting. I’ve been twice so far, and both times I had the same super chill barista, which made it feel even more like a neighborhood spot.
The first time, I tried the strawberry matcha—which was surprisingly warm instead of iced—but honestly, it was delicious either way. I also got the French toast bagel, but that one didn’t quite hit the mark for me. It didn’t really taste like French toast, so I’ll have to deduct a few Gryffindor points there 🧙♂️.
On my second visit, I got an everything bagel and it totally redeemed things. As a Jersey girl, I have high bagel standards—and this justttt one passed the vibe check. My friend and I even took some pics in the back of the café, which was nice and quiet, so we didn’t feel like we were bothering anyone.
If I could make this a daily stop, I would. Whether you’re in it for the drinks, the vibe, or a new favorite cozy corner, I totally recommend checking out Higher Grounds!
I flew in to Philadelphia early this morning to.catch a bus to delaware, and along the way I stopped here to grab a cofee and kill some time while I waited on the bus. The owner/barista was super nice. The coffee is good and cheap. I didnt get food so cant speak to that. But yall this place has the chillest most relaxed vibe. I love it. I highly recommend checking it out. The decor is awesome.
Cori Berlin
Finally, a real coffee shop! My Black Sesame Vanilla Latte and Everything Bagel(sausage, egg, pepper Jack, spinach and garlic butter) were so yum! This space reminds me of your classic 90’s coffee shop, with offerings of a community space, art shows and a maybe a guy playing acoustic guitar in the corner. Stoked to have a comfy, cozy local spot to work and get my caffeine and snack fix!
Lina Rush
Great coffee no options for gluten free food
Nick Klein
Super cute spot. Turkey and brie sandwich is great!
William Farlow
Great old-school funky coffee shop. Good coffee, fast friendly service. The perfect antidote to the corporate blah of Starbucks.
Just a very chill neighborhood coffee shop that serves the neighborhood instead of corporate greed. Unlike the large corporate backed cookie cutter coffee shops that are popping up every where, this shop is owned and run by great people that actually live in the neighborhood. The shop is quirky and has a soul. Staff is fantastic and fun to actually have a meaningful conversation with (when they’re not busy). We must protect small local businesses at all costs.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Really cool eclectic coffee shop with great espresso and cold brew and food and pasties to match! Excellent vibes for hanging with friends or doing work. Been coming here for a while Tony and Chris are the best!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I love coming to this place. It gives me the laid back vibe that I’m searching for in an otherwise hectic city life. I don’t come here to rush. In fact, I come here specifically NOT to rush. If you are going with the flow, this is a spot you can enjoy. If you want slam bam thank you ma’am, Dunkin is just around the corner. This is a place to enjoy life and take notice of the details all around you.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great drinks, excellent service. I love supporting this neighborhood institution.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very disorganized for how slow it was when we came in to get our drinks. We waited 25 minutes for two drinks, and they only started making it when we checked in to see when we would get our order. Since I guess they were rushing they made our order wrong too- I had regular milk instead of oat milk and my friends drink was iced instead of hot Hopefully you have a better time if you decide to go here- they were telling people the food wait would be a long time but it didn’t seem that busy so I don’t know what was going on there either.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Customer service is truly bottom of the barrel here - don’t waste time or money at this place
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
It’s such a shame that this coffee shop is staffed by some of the least friendly citizens around. The coffee is good and the environment is inviting, but those elements are ruined by the incredibly unfriendly staff. The owners will bark at you when you’re ordering and make it clear you’re not welcome. On each visit I have felt that I am definitely not wanted at my own local cafe. Last visit I was unable to order food because the proprietor was so rude to me and rang me up so quickly and with such finality that I dared not speak. Save your money and visit another local coffee shop where they want you to come. Hopefully the owners either improve their treatment of guests or go out of business and let better people take the space.
The pastries I've tried have been yummy. The drinks I've had have been good, though I'll note it's best to stick to the menú.
Love the whole vibe, with comfy chair, plus tables, plus art.
I think the lady I usually see must be the owner. She's great; efficient & friendly, asks all the right questions if you fail to specify. The other guy I sometimes see isn't bad either, though he might benefit from a quick brush up.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 4
Starting with the name alone, Higher Grounds Café instantly won me over. As a big Star Wars fan, I couldn’t help but think of Obi-Wan’s legendary line—so naturally, I had to check it out. Nerdiness aside, the moment you step inside, you’re transported into one of the most indie, artsy cafés I’ve seen in Philly. There’s a little bit of everything: stickers, artwork, handmade jewelry—you name it. It’s like a curated treasure hunt with every visit.
The lighting is warm and dim, adding a cozy vibe that makes you want to stay a while. I couldn’t stop looking around because every corner is filled with something interesting. I’ve been twice so far, and both times I had the same super chill barista, which made it feel even more like a neighborhood spot.
The first time, I tried the strawberry matcha—which was surprisingly warm instead of iced—but honestly, it was delicious either way. I also got the French toast bagel, but that one didn’t quite hit the mark for me. It didn’t really taste like French toast, so I’ll have to deduct a few Gryffindor points there 🧙♂️.
On my second visit, I got an everything bagel and it totally redeemed things. As a Jersey girl, I have high bagel standards—and this justttt one passed the vibe check. My friend and I even took some pics in the back of the café, which was nice and quiet, so we didn’t feel like we were bothering anyone.
If I could make this a daily stop, I would. Whether you’re in it for the drinks, the vibe, or a new favorite cozy corner, I totally recommend checking out Higher Grounds!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Interesting neighborhood coffee shop. Chill vibes, reasonable prices.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
I flew in to Philadelphia early this morning to.catch a bus to delaware, and along the way I stopped here to grab a cofee and kill some time while I waited on the bus. The owner/barista was super nice. The coffee is good and cheap. I didnt get food so cant speak to that. But yall this place has the chillest most relaxed vibe. I love it. I highly recommend checking it out. The decor is awesome.
Finally, a real coffee shop! My Black Sesame Vanilla Latte and Everything Bagel(sausage, egg, pepper Jack, spinach and garlic butter) were so yum! This space reminds me of your classic 90’s coffee shop, with offerings of a community space, art shows and a maybe a guy playing acoustic guitar in the corner. Stoked to have a comfy, cozy local spot to work and get my caffeine and snack fix!
Great coffee no options for gluten free food
Super cute spot. Turkey and brie sandwich is great!
Great old-school funky coffee shop. Good coffee, fast friendly service. The perfect antidote to the corporate blah of Starbucks.
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