The Bakeshop on 20th

★★★★★ 4.6 (430) • $

"I'll say it: living in close proximity to The Bakeshop and trying to live a healthy lifestyle is hell. What's a girl to do when one of Yelp's top chocolate chip cookies in the COUNTRY is steps away, calling my name after any minor inconvenience I encounter? I am a mere cookie-loving mortal!Everything is so good here you're not gonna go wrong. There's probably going to be a line whenever you go (and there is a 100% chance of a line on weekend mornings) but don't let that deter you! It moves very quickly and you can even order online for pickup if you're looking for added ease. I tried their BEC for the first time, ordering it ahead and enjoying it on a park bench in the square, a course of action I highly recommend. The staff here is as sweet as the baked goods and truly nothing I've tried has missed.The classic chocolate chip is the star of the show but my underrated favorite is the gorgeous lemon ricotta cookie. Next on the must try list? Breakfast items like sticky buns and their lunchtime sandwiches. Thank you for existing, Bakeshop on 20th!"

Napoletano Brothers

★★★★★ 4.9 (58) • $$

"Years ago bought fresh pasta when it was called Springfield Ravioli. Since then another good pasta place opened closer to me(Ridley) so haven't been here in a bit. I was looking for good breakfast sandwich in area. Web search, their name came up multiple times. Got scrapple , egg, cheese & son got red pepper, egg and cheese. Heard coffee was good. The sandwiches were great & quickly made. The coffee was fantastic, among best I've ever had. There were two types, a dark roast and a medium roast called "420". I believe locally roasted."

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."

The Biscuit Lady

★★★★★ 4.6 (95)

"This JOINT is exactly what PM needed! Biscuit Lady takes her talents outside Philly and CRUSHED her opening day. Was happy to be 4th in line! She and her staff are SO welcoming and were ready for the rush. What we snagged:-The Susie (egg and cheese on a biscuit) -The Jannie (bacon egg and cheese)Both sandys were Fire. So flavorful on the freshest biscuit we've ever had. -Assorted Holly Donuts. (All the flavors were SO darn good) We'll 100% be back as we're right down the road! Congrats to your Biscuit Lady!"

White Horse Coffee & Creamery

★★★★☆ 4.4 (82) • $$

"This coffee is ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!!! Found this when my daughter was at Abington hospital having our first grandchild... love Jenkintown, my first apt was there years ago ... needed a good cold brew and hubby found this place ... it was the best ... always told everyone about this gem in Jenkintown, made me wanna move back to the neighborhood lol anyway I'm up in Bucks County and saw they now sell the brand at Bolton's Turkey farm market which is so close to me .... I was THRILLED! Made my first batch of cold brew with it and it was awesome !!! Thanks for having it available there ,"

Red Hook Coffee & Tea

★★★★★ 4.5 (218) • $$

"Made a special trip to this new-to-me spot in QV and really enjoyed my time! Had a 3 star experience during my visit, but I think we caught the staff here on an off day and that it isn't normally as chaotic as what we experienced. It was President's Day so lots of folks were off and looking for their coffee / sandwich fix. I will go back during a less hectic time and hope to update!A few things to note:+ Music in here is a little too loud to work or study, for my taste.+ Go early if you want something specific. Most bagels were out of stock by the time I ordered, and I ordered a sesame but still got served a whole wheat that was...a little suspect and not my first choice. Super dry (though the sandwich itself was bomb) and would have been nice to be alerted that what they told me they had available they did, in fact, have available. + Staff could not keep up with the orders that were coming in and it lead to a really unpleasant ordering experience. The team here was part gossiping, part taking phone orders, part handling incoming online tickets, and part taking our orders. I had some questions about the menu that ultimately weren't answered but a good lesson for myself to come better prepared next time!+ The cold brew here was either way oversteeped or whatever beans they use are simply not too my taste. I LOVE a strong and bold cold brew, but this packed a punch to the point of being really unpleasant. Even when my partner diluted with milk it was more or less undrinkable and we ended up tossing it.All that being said, the sandwiches are phenomenal! My boyfriend had a breakfast burrito that was one of the best he's had and my BEC was jam-packed with goodness and Heinz ketchup was readily available - which I always appreciate. The side of potato salad is a nice touch and really good as well.I am looking forward to a return trip next time I find myself bopping around QV!"

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."

Matcha Cafe Maiko

★★★★☆ 4.4 (145) • $$

"Cute little shop ice cream was delicious would definitely bring my friends from out of town to try"

Enswell

★★★★★ 4.6 (41)

"Finally took an afternoon coffee break at Enswell after wanting to try since they opened, and am so glad I did! A lot to love here:1) One of the most beautiful cafe settings I've been to. It's like being transported to somewhere in Europe - muted rococo but somehow modern? I love every design choice from the lighting fixtures to the bar stools to the color palette and everything in between.2) Every staff member I encountered was kind, helpful, and quick with a recommendation or explanation.3) Coffee menu is all Rival Bros (a favorite of mine) and you can even get their canned options if you're on the go. My chai was lovely!I do wish there was bit more depth to the daytime food menu. I love an all day cafe but would love to see more robust food options beyond pastry, even if just grab and go, for the daytime/lunch hours. The dinner menu looks good, with some smaller and larger plate options available, as well as a full bar. I look forward to returning and am so grateful to have this gem of a shop on Spruce!"

Ultimo Coffee

★★★★☆ 4.1 (101)

"Five stars for the black drip coffee I enjoyed on a sunny Saturday at this beautiful Ultimo location! Steps from Rittenhouse Square, this is an awesome spot to fuel up before your weekend adventure. I took a bar-style spot at the window to journal and enjoy my coffee, which made for amazing people watching and good vibes all around. This is a perfect spot to cozy up and work, read, study, write, or have a chat, but know that it does get fairly busy and finding a spot inside can be cutthroat. Another special shoutout for the pastry case, which had a really nice variety of breads, cookies, and the like. I went with a piece of lemon poppyseed bread and it was very tasty. I can see myself stopping here for cold brew on my way to hang in the park, or treating myself to working in their bright environment. I look forward to grabbing their beans for my coffee maker at home and checking out some more of their locations in the very near future."

Essen Bakery

★★★★★ 4.7 (138) • $$

"tl;dr the iconic babka is more than just hype -- a whole loaf is the surest way to become the most popular person at your next partySouth Philadelphia is no stranger to fabulous bakeries, and Essen Bakery on East Passyunk is no exception. Similarly, Chef and Owner Tova du Plessis is no stranger to fabulous baking -- she was recognized as a James Beard Foundation semi-finalist back in 2020, and, more recently, she won Beat Bobby Flay on the merit of her Jewish apple cake. But the real draw at Essen is Plessis' iconic Chocolate Halva Babka.Her intimate Jewish bakery no longer offers indoor service, you can still order takeout from the commercial-grade window built into the white-brick building. Wooden patio furniture is arranged outside if you're intent on digging in ASAP.My partner and I arrived for weekend lunch, and a queue trailed down the block. The trim menu is geared toward being prepared quickly, so the staff steadily churned through the line. Unsurprisingly, we loved our slice of babka -- despite the dense, chewy texture, it pulled apart with ease, and each fold was generously laced with rich dark chocolate. We also enjoyed the Za'atar Crossaint, served cold and layered with tangy labneh and a sliced hard-boiled egg. The croissant itself had a flaky exterior but a flat, somewhat dense interior. While I enjoyed the strong flavor profile, my partner commented that the combination was about as simplistic as a DIY avocado toast.Our bill worked out to just over $10, and we agreed that splitting the small items left us both hungry. Nonetheless, the stellar babka is reason enough to visit Essen. If I had the time and/or appetite, I would strongly consider investing in a whole loaf just for myself."

Fuel

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (292) • $$

"Wow. Delicious food and juice smoothies. I saw the write up in the paper about healthy food 500 calories or less for $10 or less. I met my friend and we enjoyed a couple hours chanting as we accessed the east order menu at the kiosk and viola, tasty salads, and drinks appears as time passed. The staff is great, very helpful and the food is fresh like it was picked that morning. The flavors are well thought out and very satisfying. I got green juice smooths with kale, banana and pineapple- so yummy , and a Greek salad. Fuel did not disappoint. I highly recommend."

Cafe Ole In The Valley

★★★★☆ 4.2 (61)

"I think I am just someone who loves coffee shops and cafe. I really enjoy chilling and enjoying my food and coffee here. First impression when I stepped in already feels relaxing, maybe it's the lighting and color tone they used. I could probably spend a good few hours here if I have my laptop with me. I also like how they have a little kiddie stuff to keep my little monster busy and entertain. Their food was pretty good and tasty. My little one actually prefers the brisket shakshuka over my avocado toast with smoke salmon on the side. Husband said house coffee was alright and I really like my mochaccino. I know if I find a time, I would probably want to come back with my other girl. She probably will like this place too. Definitely a place to come back to chill and spend/kill time, hahaa."

'feine

★★★★☆ 4.2 (204) • $

"This is always a consistently decent coffee shop. if you are looking for super reliable then this is the perfect place. They have some snacks they've added in additional food items which is very nice and convenient. Very cute spot to hang out inside or even outback"

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!"

Pho Ngon

★★★★☆ 4.2 (22)

"I got the lunch special pho. You get to choose any regular pho and it comes with choice of Tom yum or wonton soup and egg roll or summer roll and 2 dumplings. Thai iced tea was $2. I got the Tom yum soup which I actually thought was the best thing of the meal. It had a really good flavor that I feel like most Thai restaurants lack. The summer roll was fine but missing the peanut sauce. It only had the other sauce that you use for fried dumplings. The dumplings were okay. I got the beef ball pho. I know a lot of places generally don't give many beef balls but this bowl was so sad looking. I think it might have been 2 beef balls cut in half for 4 pieces. The soup flavor was a little off, tasted a little too sweet for me and didn't have the depth that I was looking for. I'll give them another chance and try of the rice dishes next time."

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."

Hobbs

★★★★☆ 3.9 (87) • $$

"SO GOOD BAGEL YUUUMYUUUM. seriously one of the best bagels i've ever had in my life. vibe very cozy coffee shop. love it"

Kismet Bagels Luncheonette

★★★★☆ 4.2 (31)

"I had heard a good deal about Kismet's Luncheonette, and had watched them convert the longtime Gin Za Japanese Restaurant space, making it their own. After the excitement of opening passed, I decided to stop in one day while running errands. I came in during the 'in between' time for breakfast and lunch, so it was not nearly as crowded, which is fine by me. The space is beautifully changed into a 1960s/70s feel restaurant, with bright clean lines, a dining counter and some tables in a 'dining area'. They've added windows too. The whole effect is of a retro space with tons of light. This is a quick-serve place. There is no table service. I looked over their menu above the order counter, choosing a chicken salad sandwich and an order of a 1/2 dozen bagels. As it was past the morning rush there were some bagel varieties sold out, however two of my three favorites were not, so yay! The staff were friendly and efficient. I waited only about 10 minutes for my sandwich. As I was running errands, I took my lunch with me. The chicken salad was good, lots of chicken in the salad, and the bread was soft. I felt it was a wee bit bland, nothing that s & p could not handle though. The bagels were ... interesting. This is the first time I've seen bagels with seed topping all over the roll - top, bottom, sides - and quite densely. These are definitely NY style - smaller, denser, chewier than what passes for a bagel elsewhere. I thought they were good, though not quite good enough to buy from them vs. my favorite bagel place on City Ave. I found the complete coating of seeds to be...messy. Parking was easy, they have a private lot and good access to Montgomery Avenue. They had a small part of the lot blocked off for outdoor dining, and since my visit I believe they've added late afternoon/early evening soft serve ice cream to their offerings. I would visit again, more for the sandwiches than the bagels. They're a welcome addition to our local dining scene."

High Point Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.2 (136)

"This place has great hippie vibes. We started with dirty chai that was light on the sweetness which is actually how I like it. Service was friendly and brought out our crepe shortly after. We got the apple cheddar crepe and they were happy to add spinach for us. Delicious! Seems like this place can get pretty busy on a nice Saturday but they have indoor and outdoor seating and they're quick!"

Oui

★★★★☆ 4.3 (77) • $$

"Had a strawberry croissant and iced coffee. Loved both! Would definitely come back and try more."

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."

Jiggy Coffee

★★★★★ 4.9 (74) • $$

"I ordered something called a dirty sesame latte. It was milk, black sesame paste, and a shot of espresso. It was delicious. There's not much seating here, so I'd recommend you get your drink to go like I did since the few c seats were filled on my visit. They were cool about using my travel mug, which I appreciate. The space is simple and focused on serving up good coffee for the neighborhood. I like it."

Alchemy Coffee

★★★★★ 4.6 (69)

"I thought I have been hitting up really great java spots here in Philly but this one, this one here is a winner. The vibe is clean, bright with minimalist decor. It reminded me of the coffee shops in Seoul, Korea. Lots of UPenn students working on their laptops here as well as locals. I love mint and the word Shakerato intrigued me...Fresh Mint Shakerato it is. While I waited for my drink, I looked up what a Shakerato was. It is a chilled espresso drink that is shaken in a tumbler for 15 seconds along with ice cubes and simple syrup. The espresso part becomes frothy. The thick froth floats on top when poured. This is perfect on a hot summer day. It's weird for me to say but this is the most "refreshing" and unique coffee drink I have ever had. It's chilled like a cocktail and gave it a seltzer feel. The frothy part reminded me of an egg cream soda. I LOVED EVERY SIP!!I couldn't help but notice their cool logo. It's a motif of the Adinkra heart symbol for Sankofa. Sankofa is part of the Twi language of Ghana. They used Sankofa Gold House Blend. It's a balanced, robust flavor that pairs very well with any milk options or by itself. Please support this local Black-owned business. Seriously the BEST COFFEE in Philly. Their strong 5 solid stars on Yelp speaks for itself."

El Café

★★★★☆ 4.4 (14)

"Really solid spot based on my first visit. I'd say it's one of the best new spots to have opened up recently. The staff of El Cafe and the POD hotel (where El Cafe is located in) were all extremely nice. The actual area where you order is pretty small but once you walk further back it's a huge open space where you can pretty much sit anywhere. The space across from the bar/Condesa is really chill, and honestly seems like it could be a good study or work spot to post up at. In terms of the food I only got the chorizo breakfast taco and a horchata latte. Both were really good, but I'd say the taco ($5.50 for the chorizo one) is relatively small. For the quality of the ingredients the price makes sense, but you'll definitely want to get two tacos or one of their pastries if you're hungry. Will definitely be back to try some of their other stuff."

Be Well Bakery & Cafe

★★★★★ 4.6 (424) • $$

"This is absolutely one of the best breakfast spots around! The staff is nice enough and they have outdoor dining on those nice days you feel like some fresh air with your food. Their fresh squeezed orange juice is a favorite of mine. They have a lot of healthy options and the pricing is reasonable. I love coming here."

Cafe Vinh Long

★★★★★ 4.6 (9)

"Yum! A friend just introduced me to this spot and their wet cakes. Hot BBQ pork banh mi and the pork buns are delicious too! So tasty and really reasonably priced!"

Gryphon Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.2 (51) • $

"Spontaneous morning. Decided to just randomly ventured out my vicinity and counted on Yelp for a good cup of jo. The Mister was a bit skeptical, but we both ended enjoying our coffees. For sure met our expectations better than we both had anticipated. Light roast with hint of sweetness and not too overly heavy with their flavor syrups. Lavender was a hit for me! Cafe was very clean and with simple decor atmosphere. Love the displays of local artworks hanging on the walls. A little kink on customer service as it was quite busy. However, non the less will be patronizing again."

Vessel Coffee Collective

★★★★★ 4.9 (8)

"Vessel Coffee is at the tip and face of Philadelphia's own iron building! Service was friendly and quick. I love the fig trees nestled in every corner. There's plenty of sunshine seeping through the glass windows. I love the quaint and simple design of the coffee shop. They also have some savory items and the pastries were fully stocked around 9am. Also, the music is very subtle so I would recommend this coffee shop to do work in. Iced Coffee / drip coffee - reasonably priced and standard!"

On The Right Track

★★★★★ 4.9 (14)

"Glenside is not a normal part of my breakfast turf, but it could become an integral piece of my morning routine if On the Right Track proves consistently a wonderful place for coffee and wholesome early meals. Housed in the former Ardsley Septa train station, this memory of the late 19th/early 20th Century greater Philadelphia transportation network retains all the charm and even some of the inconveniences of life at that stage of American history. The Warminster line still stops here, bellowing its outlandishly loud horn right next to the wood framed structure, offering a noisy reminder of what has been and still can be on its reduced schedule. I was sitting outside under a large yellow tarp when the single car electric train pulled to a stop right next to me, practically blowing me out of my chair. Much more effective than the good java I was sipping to wake me up. This was a modern day Thomas boisterously saying hello. Back at ya! But, most memorable was the quality of the breakfast (Veggie Omelet, Rye Toast), and the natural warm hospitality provided by Vicki and Geaton, the owners/hands-on operators of this timeless kitchen. They served me an overstuffed omelet filled with every vegetable in their inventory, plus a handful of home fries when I asked. It was immense and seemed made of 4 eggs, not the expected 3. It was delicious and enough food for the rest of the day. Although coffee was self serve when I arrived, after being seated along the rail, both Vicki and Geaton came out to check on me and refilled my coffee mug. The price was lower than anticipated. Only $9 for all that, when it could easily been dollars more. This is a locals place, where the customers were regulars and accustomed to hanging out with friends. Still, they had no issue with me joining them this morning, and sharing this magical place."

Backyard Beans Coffee - Ambler

★★★★★ 4.8 (40) • $$

"Love this adorable local coffee shop!I am doing a show at a theater a few blocks away and this has become a go-to for me and my cast. The service is always fast, there are a good amount of seating options, and everything I tried is delish! It is a great spot to grab a coffee, bring your laptop, and get some work done. I had the iced latte and avocado ricotta toast at my most recent visit. The latte was great as always. I LOVE their avocado ricotta toast! The olive oil and red pepper flakes are a nice addition and it is beautifully presented. I would get this again and again!"

Gregorys Coffee

★★★★★ 4.8 (5)

"I recently found out all of the malls operated by the Simon Property replaces all Starbucks with Gregory's. This was my first time trying Greogory's and I do have to say I enjoyed their coffee and pastry. The service was "okay", a bit chaotic behind the counter (maybe they were training new employees), and the counter some tables and napkin/condiment counter was not wiped. I would like to think maybe they had a busy time and didn't to clean the mess. I will go back again for sure since the drinks were good."

Sweet Java Cafe

★★★★★ 5 (3)

"Super friendly and efficient service, a delicious latte, a freshly made sausage croissant sandwich, and a clean, spacious dining area with good music. Happy to have tried this spot!"

Sunny Side Breakfast & Lunch

★★★★☆ 4 (23)

"Sitting mid block on Ogontz Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia, Sunny Side Breakfast & Lunch is a Korean owned old school urban restaurant with six tables and a large takeout business. It is geared to the neighborhood, with only hit or miss street parking nearby. I found a spot on a side street, about a three minute walk to the front door. Certainly worth the hunt and stroll. Service was provided by the bright and cheery Melina, who guided me through the offerings and knew exactly how to suggest possible ways to accessorize the Veggie Omelet, Home Fries and Rye Toast I wanted. These included swapping spinach for broccoli in the omelet, adding cheddar cheese for comforting sharp meltiness, mixing grilled onions & green pepper on top of well done taters to add more texture and subtle flavor, and securing rye toast even though it was not on the menu. The small upcharges were well worth it. Even the large coffee in the take out container was only around two bucks and had the strong kick I desired. Loved everything. Omelet was substantial, moist and a pleasant chew. Special kudos to their home fries, which were crisp and delicious with the extra savories on top. True, they had a bit of grease cooked in, but the taste was amazing, and were about the best of breed I've had the pleasure to consume around these parts. I will probably return just to eat those boys again. If you like a little urban adventure with great grub at the end of the rainbow, come to the Sunny Side of life."

J’aime French Café

★★★★★ 4.7 (15)

"A GEM for pastries from a French baker!!!! Perfect crusts and delicious coffees!!!! LOVE this cute little small business!!"