Best cafés in Philadelphia

22 people recommend, 4 warn against itvia r/philadelphia, r/philly

Most people recommend Elixr. A few call it their favorite roaster and a couple more say they like its coffee. Elixr has several shops. Views of the cold brew differ by location: two people found a cold brew watered down or awful, one reply suggests that may be specific to the Goldtex shop, saying the Film Center shop is consistently solid. One person calls the coffee so-so, another finds it underwhelming, and a third met a long line and no seating on one visit. One commenter notes it is known for light, fruity third-wave roasts. Two commenters point to its Rittenhouse shop, one saying it is worth the walk, and another recommends the Sydenham Street shop over the Goldtex one.

Rittenhouse

20 people recommendvia r/philly, r/philadelphia

Most people who name Thank You Thank You recommend it, mainly for its coffee. A few put its espresso among the best in the city, and one commenter knows nowhere else doing handpours as well. It is the roaster's own coffee shop on Jewelers Row, and the roaster's beans are sold there. Caveats: one commenter says the space is tiny and lacks a community atmosphere, one diner found it middling, and one commenter says it is not what everyone looks for in a coffee shop.

20 people recommendvia r/philadelphia, r/philly

Most people who mention Ultimo recommend it, and several praise the coffee: one calls it some of the best in the city, another finds its medium-roast beans consistent and easy to drink, and one says it was their favorite. A few name the 15th Street shop as a place to spend time, one calling it low-key. Ultimo has other branches, and the location shown here is the 15th and Mifflin one. One person calls it just okay and prefers another shop.

15th

16 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/philadelphia, r/philly

Many people recommend Rival Bros, a local coffee bar with several shops. The location shown here is the Brewerytown one, which a couple of commenters call nice or easy to park near. Many others simply name Rival Bros as an option, and others mention its beans or rank it among local roasters. Caveats: one visitor says the other branches gave a weaker experience than the Kensington shop, one says the East Passyunk branch is almost always full, and one found the food only so-so.

Brewerytown

14 people recommendvia r/philadelphia, r/philly

Most people who name La Colombe recommend it. It has several shops and most commenters do not say which; the location shown here is the Fishtown cafe, which some commenters name: one says the coffee is incredible, the food really good and the space roomy, another calls it a great spot with no art inside, and a third suggests it to anyone willing to go beyond Northern Liberties. Several point to its darker, more traditional roasts as a fit for Italian-style espresso, and one suggests the shop near Rittenhouse might suit those wanting more seating and a cozy feel. Caveats: one commenter warns it gets busy.

Fishtown

14 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/philadelphia, r/philly, X

Most people who mention Caphe Roasters recommend it. Several call it a favorite or the best coffee in the city, and some welcomed its expansion, with one noting it is always busy on weekends. Caveats: one commenter says finding a table at the original shop has long been hard, one says it does not feel cozy, and one says it can be a trek depending where you start.

Kensington

13 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/philadelphia, r/philly

Most people who mention Solar Myth recommend it, and several say it works for reading, writing or laptop work. One diner describes comfortable seating and lighting that suits reading yet still feels cozy, and several say it is a place to go late for coffee. It is also a bar: several people note that, and one says it is mostly wine in practice, though coffee can still be ordered. Caveats: one visitor found it very dark and said a laptop charger did not fit the recessed outlets, another says seats can be hard to find late at night, and one warns it gets very busy at happy hour.

13 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/philadelphia, r/philly

Many people recommend Herman's in South Philly, and a couple name it as a place to buy beans. One person likes it mostly for its drip coffee and points to other spots for espresso, while another calls it the best in the city in their opinion. Two people are less impressed with the espresso: one did not like it and another says its shots are pretty bad. One person says it has plenty of quieter times, especially afternoons, while another loves it but says it is always mobbed.

13 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/philadelphia, r/philly

Most people who name Chapterhouse recommend it, and a few suggest it for working or studying. A couple describe a college-library feel, one pointing to the roomy basement, and one commenter calls it a cafe and gallery. One commenter praises its plant-filled back room and patio. Caveats: one commenter says it fills up at peak times such as weekend noons, one says the Wi-Fi is poor, one finds it dusty, and one prefers booth seating.

9th and Bainbridge

12 people recommendvia r/philly, r/philadelphia

Most people who weigh in recommend Vibrant. It has two shops, in Rittenhouse and at 6th and Lombard. Several like its coffee: a couple enjoy the pistachio latte, and one suggests it for fans of old-school espresso. Some like its pastries and cinnamon-roll buns, and one suggests it for a coffee to sit with in Rittenhouse Square. The main caveat is cost: two commenters call the beans pricey, one saying the pricing can come as a surprise.

12 people recommendvia r/philadelphia, r/philly

People recommend Higher Grounds in Northern Liberties on 3rd Street, and many simply name it when asked for cozy, low-key or atmospheric coffee shops. A couple of commenters call it cozy, one says it has a good atmosphere and espresso drinks, and another likes its relaxed feel, seating and decent food. One commenter says it is the best coffee shop in Philly in their view.

Northern Liberties

12 people recommendvia r/philadelphia, r/philly

Many people recommend Forin. It has more than one cafe, so the spots mentioned differ: one commenter's favorite is the Coral Street cafe, one says the Frankford Avenue one becomes a bar and cafe in the evening, and a couple point to the one at the Yowie hotel near South Street. One commenter says both its Fishtown shops are amazing. A couple of commenters say its coffee is good, and a few suggest it as a place to work or read.

11 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/philadelphia, r/philly

Most commenters recommend Reanimator, and several name it a favorite: one calls it a close second, and another puts it among their top roasters. One commenter says the Master Street shop shown here is always full of people working remotely, and another lists a West Philadelphia shop. Caveats: one commenter found a cold brew weak and watery, and another sees it as a reliable pick whose best drinks do not reach the highest level.

10 people recommendvia r/philly, r/philadelphia

People recommend One Shot Coffee in Northern Liberties, and several single out the upstairs as a hidden gem, a favorite, cozy or good for working. One commenter finds its New Orleans-style coffee decent. Caveats: one commenter says the second floor gets crowded on weekends, and another says it is somewhat out of the way depending on where you are in Fishtown.

Northern Liberties

10 people recommendvia r/philly, r/philadelphia

Many people recommend High Point, a Mount Airy cafe with more than one location. One commenter says the train-station one has a small parking lot with street spots nearby. One diner calls High Point fantastic and another the perfect cafe. One praises its blends and another names the Jumping Goat as a favorite, and two say the half-caf is not fruity; one adds it is sold in person but seems to be missing from the website.

Mt Airy

10 people recommendvia r/philadelphia, r/philly

Many people recommend Musette in Fairmount. One diner calls the espresso really tasty, another calls it the definition of a neighborhood coffee spot, one suggests it for working and another calls it a great spot to hang out. Most other mentions are short names in lists.

Fairmount

9 people recommendvia r/philly

Most commenters recommend the Red Hook Cafe at 4th and Catherine on Fabric Row. A couple describe it as cozy and a couple praise its espresso. A few like the food: one calls the Lil' Goat sandwich incredible and another calls the food phenomenal, while one finds the food just okay for the price.

4th and Catherine

9 people recommendvia r/philadelphia, r/philly

Many people recommend Green Street Coffee, and the praise is about the coffee itself. Two diners point to its range of single-origin beans, and one of them adds that, in their view, the house blends are consistently good. One diner rates its shots as among the city's best, while another calls it their top pick on flavor alone. One visitor calls it a personal go-to.

8 people recommendvia r/philly

People recommend The Ground, a coffee shop close to Rittenhouse Square, with one diner calling it a good spot for wandering around Rittenhouse. Two diners praise the drinks, one calling the coffees innovative and another the lavender coffee terrific. A few commenters mention its mugs, and a couple of diners find the atmosphere pleasant, though one says it does not look like the photo someone had posted.

Rittenhouse

8 people recommendvia r/philadelphia, r/philly

Many commenters recommend Ox, and a couple place it in Queen Village. One diner says its espresso uses a medium-dark roast, and another calls the coffee delicious. One commenter counts it a personal go-to alongside Green Street. Most other mentions are short and say little about the room or the food.

Queen Village

7 people recommendvia r/philly

Haraz is a Yemeni-style coffee house that several commenters recommend, and several name it as a late-evening option. It has Fishtown and University City shops, and a couple of commenters name the Fishtown one for late evenings. One commenter, asked about a low-pressure coffee invite, calls it the best, and one adds that the University City crowd may skew younger.

Fishtown

7 people recommendvia r/philadelphia, r/philly

Many people recommend Gran Caffe L'Aquila, and several point to its Italian-style espresso. One diner calls it solid and praises the gelato, though they say it is pricey. Another says it has a similar feel to a bar-cafe they like, only a bit livelier, and serves coffee until near closing. A commenter notes it is not strictly a coffee shop.

7 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/philly, r/philadelphia

Many people recommend Madis Coffee Roasters, which has more than one cafe; the location shown here is the University City one, which one commenter loves. Several call it great: one says its coffee is on par with La Colombe, with Wi-Fi and comfortable seating, another praises the BEC croissant, and another likes the Curtis Building cafe. One says it is fast becoming a Philly classic. Caveats: one diner finds it pricey and busy and wishes it had couches, and one says the products do not hold up across so many locations.

6 people recommendvia r/philadelphia

Nook is a cafe that people recommend for its coffee. Two diners single out the cold brew, with one calling it very strong, and one says they stay loyal to its beans even with plenty of other good coffee around. One visitor is enthusiastic about the cinnamon buns, and another says the food is great too.

5 people recommendvia r/philly, r/philadelphia

Some people name Rally when asked for coffee beans or cafe suggestions. One describes the 7th and Bainbridge shop as solid and cozy, and another calls it a great spot but with a different vibe from the photo someone had posted.

5 people recommendvia r/philadelphia, r/philly

People recommend Vineyards Cafe in Francisville. Two diners praise the coffee, and one diner says the basement seating area has great wifi. Another calls it a nice, relaxed place to study and says the crepes are good.

5 people recommendvia r/philadelphia, r/philly

People recommend Menagerie; the location shown here is the Old City shop, which a couple of commenters name. Several speak well of the coffee, and one who had a shot at the Old City shop says the espresso was good.

Old City