The Best Coffee Shops in Philadelphia
One Shot Café
Northern Liberties | 217 West George Street
Tucked in a rehabbed Victorian rowhome, One Shot is possibly the prettiest spot in the city to sip coffee. But that’s only one of the reasons why owners Melissa and Rebecca Baruno have built such a loyal clientele: Their beans are from rare-in-Philly cult roaster Stumptown; the second-floor library has live acoustic music (Jason Mraz strummed there recently); and the Mexican mocha is made with chocolate from Guatemala, two shots of espresso, steamed milk, cinnamon and cayenne. Now that they’re serving up quality eats, too, you’ll find yourself spending the entire day here. Again.
Go here for: Mingling with stylish urbanites.
Four Seasons
Logan Square | 1 Logan Square
It’s not your traditional coffeehouse, but with its crackling fireplace, discriminating clientele and endlessly attentive staff, high tea at Four Seasons is one of winter’s best ways to warm up. From 3 to 4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, enjoy a parade of treats like candied orange scones, lobster salad finger sandwiches and seasonal teas. Indulge by ordering the Royal Tea, and you’ll also get a glass of sparkling wine or a cocktail. Who needs Harrods?
Go here for: A mini staycation.
The Good Karma Café
Antique Row | 928 Pine Street
Some coffee shops are all about klatches; Good Karma’s east-of-Broad location is all about peace and quiet. With oodles of space, plenty of laptop-friendly electrical outlets and an impressive fresh sandwich selection, the spot is a haven for silence-seekers and mercifully soft-spoken students (who also make it quite the 20-something pickup place). Bonus: They’ll refill house mugs for only a buck.
Go here for: Alone time, with just the right amount of people-watching.
Town Hall Coffee
Merion Station | 358 Montgomery Avenue
Here, friendly baristas are veritable sommeliers of caffeine. With a serious focus on technique, Town Hall has the ethos of a West Coast beanery. Each cup or espresso is brewed to order by intriguing non-machines (pour-over cones, Chemex beakers, siphon brewers), with beans sourced from the country’s best roasters (Counter Culture, Intelligentsia). A Center City location opens this month at 9th and Chestnut.
Go here for: Coffee geek-ery minus the snobbery.
The Little Treehouse
Chestnut Hill | 10 West Gravers Lane
Even five minutes of uninterrupted adult conversation is nirvana to a parent, which is why this coffee shop/play-place concept is so brilliant. Linger with a mug of piping hot, locally roasted java while the little ones romp in the adjacent wooden-toy-filled playroom. (Older kids can head downstairs to the plush romper room.) When enough energy has been spent to ensure a tantrum-free bedtime, treat Junior to a hot chocolate.
Go here for: A moment of peace, even with kids in tow.
