CNT Cafe

★★★★★ 4.8 (37)

"A good friend of mine told me about CNT last year, so I checked it out and was not disappointed.The quality and taste of the coffees and teas speak for themselves. I like the specialty lattes, and my go-to is the iced rose latte. These drinks are not cheap, but CNT also gives out punch cards. For every 10 drinks you buy, the 11th one is on the house, so it kinda evens out at the end. CNT is also dog friendly! They've got a basket of free dog biscuits on the counter for people who bring their dogs to the coffee shop, and these dog biscuits are huge! My dog and I are both fans of CNT."

Artisan Boulanger Patissier

★★★★★ 4.5 (236) • $

"tl;dr skip the oft-recommended pistachio croissant in favor of this inviting, family-run bakery's more savory optionsArtisan Boulanger Patissier is a popular French-Vietnamese bakery, opened back in 2002 ago by husband-and-wife team Andre Chin and Amanda Eap. A Cambodian refugee, Chin escaped to France and studied cooking and baking in Paris, before he and Eap wed and moved to South Philly. Over the years, the patisserie became most well known for the nut-flavored croissants and bread leaves, earning them multiple James Beard Award nominations.The shop is built into the corner of a side-street townhouse. A maroon-and-white awning hangs over the window planters and black metal patio furniture. The inside is bright and inviting. Floral-cushioned benches are built into the window alcoves. The pastries are meticulously arranged onto ornate dishware on the white-marble display counter. The chalkboard menu and a portrait of the late Chin hang on the subway-tiled wall behind the counter. Red-and-white woven chairs are pressed up to rounded marble tables at the far end of the room.When we arrived, one of the friendly staff members gave us a quick rundown of the entire pastry lineup. Enthused by all the options, we decided to dine in and split an assortment of items: an Almond Stick (the last one!), a Pistachio Croissant, and a special Ham and Cheese Croissant. My friend's favorite item was the almond stick: long, dense, and flaky, with an even layer of semisweet almond paste. Meanwhile, my partner and I preferred the ham and Swiss croissant was drizzled with rich bechamel sauce, toasted up, and served on a porcelain dish. While slightly soggy on the inside, the exterior was flaky, and the combination of flavors was absolutely delicious. The size and flavors felt hearty enough to be a standalone breakfast. Lastly, the pistachio croissant was the only letdown -- the pine-green filling was overwhelmingly sweet and only moderately reminiscent of pistachio.The bill ran a little under $20, and we were satisfied but not stuffed. While Artisan has to compete against some superstar South Philly bakeries, it nonetheless blends quality with comfortable, neighborhood-oriented service. While I wouldn't recommend the popular pistachio croissant, be sure to snatch up a ham and cheese one the next time they are on special."

Nom Wah Philadelphia

★★★★☆ 4 (544) • $$

"No frills, good quality. The siu mai had dense meat without chunks, which I didn't prefer since I like the texture of rough chopped pork, though the flavor was good. The har gow had a good texture and was plump. The chive dumpling was well-seasoned with a nice crisp. The chow fun had good wok hei but not much meat. The service was friendly. I don't prefer it over a lot of the spots in SF Chinatown, but it's on par with other dim sum spots in Philly Chinatown."

Cafe Clover

★★★★☆ 4.4 (115) • $$

"Bingsu is a must! Really soft snow and perfect amount of sweet for me. Mangos were crazy good, perfectly ripe! Condensed milk on the side so you can adjust sweetness as you wish. Pretty smart. I just wish mochi bits were on top instead of hidden on the bottom though. Plenty of seating and nice, clean interior. Staff were helpful answering our questions."

Ground Up Cafe & Coffee

★★★★★ 4.6 (48)

"Ground Up Cafe is a great neighborhood spot. I go regularly for their sandwiches. I like their chicken salad on either a wrap or croissant the best! I also order the tuna salad sandwich regularly. And sometimes I order the BLT or bacon, egg and cheese on a croissant...both of those sandwiches are good, too! The think I appreciate the most is the consistency of how the chicken salad and tuna salad are made. You always know what you're going to get. It's not like some places where the consistency or flavors change day by day. So hats off to the Ground Up team for doing what they do so well! Ground Up has a solid base of regular customers, which I think speaks highly of the cafe. Also, I like the music they play - Whoever picks the music has great taste!"

Mt Airy Coffee

★★★★★ 5 (6)

"This coffee shop is brand new, and already doing so well. I was there the other day, and it was really crowded, which was great to see. The perfect spot to do remote work in. The staff is great, and the most important part? The coffee and the blueberry tart I had were delicious. I obviously have to come back and try more, but I loved how extensive the menu is. You don't always get several food options from a coffee shop, so this is a huge bonus! I loved my experience here, and I'll be back really soon!Also, P.S. they are open 7 days a week!"

Cambridge St Coffee House

★★★★☆ 4.3 (30) • $$

"What a wonderful addition to the booming Francisville neighborhood. This is the perfect spot to grab take out or to relax on your own or with a couple of colleagues or friends. They have a great menu and the owner, manager, and all the employees were very friendly. Was served a perfect latte by Devon. This is my new favorite coffee shop in the area. I just wish I knew it existed sooner."

HAPP'S

★★★★★ 4.5 (31)

"It's a perfect spot. No kidding. Years ago it was a few blocks away. It's in new digs. Modem but old school. A few tables and a very limited menu but it's sublime. Just sandwiches and not that many of those. Breakfast sandwich is crazy good. Had a steak egg and cheese. It was huge and perfectly made. Friend had ham egg and cheese on a croissant. It was just right. The store is clean and minimalist. Coffee was very good. The whole bill was under $20 . I can't recommend more highly."

The Green Line Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.5 (209) • $

"Cold Brew Coffee Quest #7With the start of summer in Philly, my wife and I are determined to find the best Cold Brew Coffee that our city has to offer! No national chains allowed.-Overall Score: 3 out of 5-Pros: Prime location for West Philly Porchfest caffeine boost and airy + rustic café architecture-Cons: Singular dark + roasty flavor and served in a plastic cup"

Unity Java

★★★★☆ 4.3 (11)

"I am so glad to have such a nice local coffee shop in the area. The staff is always friendly and helpful. The ordering system is easy to use. I usually get an iced coffee drink and it is made just the way I want it. The place also has a great mission and has a community fridge for folks that might need. I look forward to my regular visits here."

Ice Moon

★★★★☆ 4 (42)

"Rolled ice cream is a work of art and this place knows how to make it! Topped with all kinds of lovely toppings, this is a delicious treat and enough for two to share in my opinion. We ordered the Brownie Boy; vanilla ice cream with bits of brownie chopped into it, flattened and rolled to perfection. Topped with whipped cream, strawberries, chocolate syrup, an Oreo and a little animal cracker! The place has some seating inside and a few tables on the outside. It's located on a busy corner, you'll have to find street parking. We arrived in the evening on a weekend night when it was busy but the orders came out in a timely manner."

Turning Point of Media

★★★★☆ 4 (123) • $$

"I stopped by here after my dentist appointment. Thankful my teeth were in great shape and since the place was nearby. I got French press toasted almond coffee. I accidentally spilled it like a fool on my way back- depending on the carry crate they provided for the cups. I should have just put them in the unused cup holders in the car to begin with. I called and said I was willing to pay for another (set of) cups again. They wouldn't charge me and I left a bigger tip instead. The waitress told me it wasn't necessary but I gave her the tip anyway. On a Monday, where it is typically not a bigger tip day sorta thing."

ReAnimator Coffee

★★★★☆ 4.2 (110) • $$

"Lots of indoor seating to come and do work or study. The only downside is that they close around 3pm. I tried the latte and the espresso quality was great. They also have a variety of baked goods including pastries, scones, bagels and bread. Come early though because once they sell out of any of the baked items they're gone for the day!"

Newbold Cafe

★★★★★ 5 (4)

"Just saw this place opened up and went in to grab a sandwich for the road. The woman behind the counter is friendly and thoughtful. When we told her we were driving, she gave us extra napkins and offered a drink carrier. Fast service. Solid lemonade. My boyfriend loved the bahn mi (and we're pretty picky with our bahn mis so this says something) on the seeded roll (which the woman there recommended) and I got a hoagie. Bread was solid, hoagie was thicc (she did NOT skimp on the meat and cheese) and ingredients were super fresh. We live a block away and will definitely be coming back to try their breakfasts, which sounded bomb. If you live in the area, check this place out! When everything opens up more, this will definitely be a popping spot for folks working on laptops and grabbing lunch."

Founding Farmers First Bake Cafe & Creamery

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (85) • $

"Attractive space in this King of Prussia mall location, is true even on a rain soaked Friday morning. Strong Java is likewise the case with obviously well curated and roasted beans to choose among. I bought a half dozen (vanilla, maple, strawberry & cream, banana foster) for a king's ransom, thinking I would be rewarded with excellence in donut baking skills. Well, not quite. Apparently, baked the day before, each was semi stale on first bite. There was little to distinguish between the vanilla and maple variants in flavor, and both textures were past their prime, drying and lacking freshness. The philo layered banana and strawberry pastries had a decent flavor with pleasant light creams, but the delicate layers were hardening and the bite was tougher than it should have been. Rather than cleaving smoothly, my teeth caused the structure to collapse. Disappointing. Flavor without proper texture is less than half satisfying. It teases of possibilities, but delivers only empty promises."

Rival Bros Coffee

★★★★★ 4.5 (175)

"Found this Nice little coffee spot just a few steps away from the Airbnb I was staying in. Owned by 2 Friends and Philly natives, they roast their own beans and craft some great coffee. Cappuccino was very good but the roasted drip was even better. A choice of two blends, I chose the revolver blend- smooth cocoa with warm spices. It was a nice way to start the day. Staff is super nice and friendly. Just an overall great neighborhood spot!"

Rival Bros Coffee

★★★★★ 4.7 (49)

"Rivals Bros Coffee is a cute little coffee shop in South Philly that sits off of Passyunk Ave. I came here because I was told by a friend of mine that they had the best coffee in Philly, and after my experience, I can see that it was no lie. Rival Bros has some of the best coffee I've drunk in a while. They have cute decor with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating as well as fast and friendly service. After looking over the menu I decided to order an iced mocha and a vanilla brioche donut. Whew, Chile! After drinking my iced Mocha, I can see why Rival Bros logos are a boxing ring and two men appearing as if they're about to fight. Their coffee is so strong it feels like someone punched you in the face every time you take a sip ... which is perfect for a 9th-grade teacher who has been run ragged because they've had to teach through a pandemic since March of 2020! Even after asking for extra chocolate in my Mocha, it was still some of the strongest coffee I've ever had, and I loved every bit of it. I'd like to add that my Mocha went perfectly with my vanilla brioche donut. All in all, I would like to say that Rival Bros Coffee will get you RIGHT if you have a long day ahead of you, and like my friend said, it is the best coffee in the Southside of Philly!"

The Bagel Place

★★★★☆ 4.2 (213) • $

"Everything I've had here was really good. The veggie cream cheese keeps me coming back."

Kc's Pastries Northeast

★★★★☆ 4 (31)

"Note: (1) Cash only (2) it's harder to order when you don't speak Chinese as their English is limited - you can always point at the displayI have been coming here for years as it's closer than going to Chinatown for some Chinese bakery goods. The place is always busy in the mornings and there are a few tables that are always occupied by people chatting with each other while sharing some breakfast. It doesn't look super clean and it's a bit old but it does the job as majority of the people take their stuff to go. There are a variety of buns that you can point to if you don't know the names but keep in mind that a lot of these customers cut in line so you must make haste. I usually get the egg tarts (classic favorites), pineapple bun and the corn bun. They're good when warm but you rarely get them warm. Stop by and try out the delicious buns! They're about $1.30-$1.50 each which has significantly increased since the pandemic."

Wirlybird Coffee

★★★★★ 5 (3)

"We love this coffee shop located inside Wissahickon brewing. The coffees are amazing and made by great baristas. They serve a varieties of pastries as well. There is tons of seating both indoors and outdoors (covered and uncovered)"

Mr. Rabbit

★★★★★ 4.6 (21)

"Great addition to the neighborhood! Coffee was delicious, tomato pie was incredible, pastries were wonderful. My only complaint was the WAIT. I was in line for 20 min, out the door. Something they need to figure out!"

Cafe Walnut

★★★★★ 4.5 (174) • $

"A nice little cafe near Washington Square. Korean and American breakfast/lunch food. Bulgogi, egg, and cheese--about as close to getting a Philly cheesesteak for breakfast, without actually getting a cheesesteak for breakfast. $0.60 credit card fee, which is mentioned on a sign at the register. Biggest downside: their storefront is confusing. They have two entrances. You wouldn't know it by looking at it, but you're supposed to use the basement entrance to get to the ordering area."

B2

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (207)

"Grabbed a coffee and a breakfast sandwich on a Sunday morning. Egg salad breakfast sandwich was excellent. The bread was perfect. Serving size was on the medium to small size I.e. it wasn't a monster sized sandwich. I would definitely come back again."

Southwark Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.2 (255) • $$$

"What an awesome dinner. Southwark had been on the list for a while and we were finally able to go. Perfect night to dig out back in the courtyard. Cocktails are great and clever. Wine list is small but solid and appropriate for the menu. The beef tartare toast appetizer was great, but the grated horseradish was a little too overpowering to appreciate the tartare. The duck was PERFECT. I say that rarely and it was perfect. Enough fat to want to eat the crisp. Little enough that fat wasn't your entire bite. Perfectly cooked. The chive mezze rigatoni was in a fantastic yet simple sauce, you'd want to drink it. The double cheeseburger was solid but the fries really stole the show. Ended the night with the corn soufflé cake which is both the weirdest and most delicious combination of flavors. So impressed with the meal. Can't wait to come back."

A La Mousse

★★★★★ 4.8 (104)

"Yooooooo! The dessert at this place are the real deal. It was my birthday so we made a special trip to A La Mousse and we're not disappointed. First-I appreciate they were open late so we got to experience this treat. The options were plentiful, involved true artistry, and had such a flavor variety. I chose the flourless chocolate plus mousse cake slice and it was so rich and decadent. My daughter chose the bear mousse and the hardest part was eating such a cute confection. You can't go wrong visiting this amazing place-oh and get a cappuccino-it was the perfect pairing."

Bagels & Co

★★☆☆☆ 1.8 (17)

"The egg bagel was fresh and no skimping on cream cheese!!! Coffee was decent. Also grabbed a variety of sandwiches for lunch and all were good quality, recommend!"

Vibrant Coffee Roasters & Bakery

★★★★☆ 4.4 (105) • $$

"If you're in the Rittenhouse Square area, Vibrant Coffee Roasters is THE PLACE to get your coffee (then walk it to the park if it's nice outside; this is not really a place you sit inside at, and while there are a few tables outside you're literally just a minute from a nicer atmosphere then "generic city sidewalk").I can't speak to any of the baked goods, there weren't any vegan options. The Signature Lattes are where they shine (seriously, look through other reviews), and they change with the season. When we first came it was early summer, and we tried the Cinnamon Toast Crunch Latte and Cookie Butter Latte both iced with oat milk and an extra shot of espresso. SO GOOD. When it comes to lattes, personally I think you've always got to add an extra shot (in this case, the drink as is comes with two shots - again, that's just not enough caffeine for me). It adds more of that coffee flavor (and Vibrant roasts an exceptional bean - I regret not buying a bag!) and cuts back on the sugaryness of the flavoring. The Cinnamon Toast Crunch Latte tasted like the milk leftover from a bowl of cereal! The Cookie Butter Latte was somehow both sweet AND savory, and for sure my favorite of the two. Our drinks took a little longer to come out than other folks in line (again, because of all the espresso) and there's no real place to wait, so we were just sort of in everyone's way. It seems like regulars here don't mind though, they're in and out so fast. I appreciate there was a bathroom to use while we waited too!"

Lu & Aug's

★★★★☆ 4.2 (35) • $$

"Five stars for the epic chocolate and coffee options, and five stars delicious ice cream and other desserts. Combine the two together like you would in one amazing affogato and I wish I could give Lu & Aug's a worthy ten stars!I've been curious about checking out Lu & Aug's since it opened over the summer. But it took a discussion about their decadent-sounding hot chocolate options and some generous coupons sent in the mail for me to get a group together for a proper try. And it beyond satisfied my sweet tooth!Whether you its a simple single flavor with one topping or going swirl and overboard on toppings, soft serve ice cream is easily one of the best simple pleasures in life. And my chocolate & vanilla swirl with caramel sauce, marshmallows, and graham cracker crumble was a lovely treat! I also respect that they have a vegan soft-serve ice cream for vegan and lactose-intolerant people.Hot chocolate was the main thing that brought us together, and between us, our table was very enamored with our Mexican drinking chocolate, lavender hot chocolate, and salted caramel hot chocolate. My salted caramel one was perfectly sweet when it needed to be with just the right amount of heat. It was also cool to see them carry that vegan trend forward with a plant-based hot chocolate.Toss in coffee from Ox, donuts from Yori's Church Street, Cookies from Famous 4th Street, and then some, and Lu & Aug's gives plenty of reasons to enjoy it that go beyond ice cream. And that's why I'm ready to go back for a Pecan Bacon Brittle soft serve ice cream, dirty chai affogato, and then some!"

A La Mousse

★★★★★ 4.5 (73)

"I've visited A La Mousse a couple more times since my first review and I can tell you that my opinion of their desserts has not changed. Their desserts are spot on! However, my Cherry Blossom Matcha Latte left a lot to be desired. The drink was too watery and not very sweet. For a bakery that claims to be all about sweet stuff, the drink was actually kind of bitter. I think they may have said that they didn't make enough of the cherry blossom part of it, I'm not sure, but if that's the case, maybe they should've made the drink again instead of giving it to me as it was. It wasn't very pleasant to drink at all, so I threw it out and feel I wasted my money on it. :("

Knockbox Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.1 (136) • $

"Cute little cafe in West Philly with good coffee. I tried their breakfast sandwich, which was a turkey sausage, egg and cheese, on what they call a "Philly muffin" in lieu of a bagel, which was pretty good, but not the best breakfast sandwich I've had. I think I was moreso expecting the saltiness of an everything bagel, and that's why I was a little let down. Still good, but not necessarily what I was expecting.Overall the inside is super cute, they have a nice outdoor seating space, and they have a decent list of coffee offerings, and more than two sizes for drinks. My friends live right around the corner so I'm sure I'll be back!"

Menagerie Coffee

★★★★☆ 4.4 (437) • $$

"Lovely little spot in downtown Philly where you can meet friends or enjoy a coffee in this cozy spot. My mocha iced latte was delicious with creamy milk and not overly sweet mocha syrup; you could really taste their espresso roast and savor the flavors. The staff were friendly, accommodating, and quick to deliver our order on a busy Saturday. The restroom is in the back and gender beauties. It was very clean. The seating is tight and it is a bit loud for studying or work, but if you get there when it isn't busy, you can tuck yourself away in a corner."

Nudy's Eastside Café

★★★★☆ 3.5 (253) • $$

"This is a nice Nudy's location in Devon/Strafford close to the Strafford train station and Whole Foods. It's located in a quiant old house. They have seating indoors and outside. The inside space is pretty small, so it's great they have the outdoors as well. They have a small parking lot and larger ones nearby. The breakfast foods are solid and so filling. I've loved Nudy's for years and am happy they are still just as good into the 2020s. The staff is really nice and helpful. They also play fun music near the kitchen.This is probably my favorite Nudy's location. Check it out!"

The Board & Brew

★★★★☆ 3.9 (82) • $$

"Came here again today and got the strawberry matcha which is favorable. It was really packed with travelers and students. That being said, I appreciated how the staff communicated the realistic timelines and admitted that the kitchen was backed up. Furthermore, what looked like a business owner, he was monitoring the situation and checked in with those in line or waiting for a drink. The staff today was exceptional as they kept their cool and maintained warmth, kindness despite being super busy!"

Batter & Crumbs Vegan Bakery and Cafe

★★★★★ 4.6 (123) • $$

"My son wanted a vegan cookie cake this year for his birthday instead of the traditional cake . His girlfriend doesn't handle dairy well and he wanted everyone to enjoy his sweet treat .After searching several websites this place definitely caught my attention so I went there and put my order in , the place is very clean and has a unique style .I must say the cookie cake was delicious I would definitely order it again !"

Gryphon Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.2 (226) • $

"Please disregard the (albeit few) bogus reviews on yelp, this cafe is consistently on point and the only one I patronize on the main line. I discovered this place years ago with my mom while visiting local thrift stores in the area. I happened to be in the area today, which is seldom for me but I made a point to visit Gryphon for a late breakfast/early lunch before an appointment. They were out of smoked salmon so i opted for a sesame bagel with hummus and tomato. Super ripe tomato sliced perfectly atop house made hummus that was expertly seasoned without garlic. I hate garlic heavy hummus so this was entirely satisfying. I love strong coffee in all forms but had had french press to begin the day so opted for an iced tea instead. The tea was black, perfectly brewed with a hint of fruit, of which i could not place but it was the perfect counterpoint to a balmy day. Other reviewers have mentioned that the cleanliness of the establishment left much to be desired but I observed the opposite. Also the baristas were professional, not too smiley (which I appreciate, having spent decades in the service industry) and were clearly enjoying the early afternoon and each-other's company. I will most certainly be back."