Up Your Coffee Game With 6 Cups From Around the World
From Mexico to India, let these Philly spots transport you.
Càphê Roasters | Photo by Tina Huynh
Welcome to latte season, folks. The cold temperatures have (finally) hit, and the appeal of hot coffee has returned. Before you reach for yet another oat milk latte, consider the world of coffee traditions that Philadelphia has to offer, and consider something new. From traditionally brewed Vietnamese coffee, to lattes inspired by the flavors of Yemen, these brews are sure to perk you right up. Happy caffeinating.
Vietnamese Coffee from Càphê Roasters, Various locations
Founded in 2018 by Raymond John and Thu Pham, Càphê Roasters is the only Philadelphia-based purveyor of beans sourced from Vietnam and Thailand. Their beans are for sale throughout the city, are served at several restaurants, and occasionally served at their pop-ups throughout the city (watch their Instagram for announcements). Stock serves a Vietnamese iced coffee with Càphê’s beans, and over at Queen and Rook Game Café, a traditional phin, or Vietnames coffee filter, is served to guests, allowing them to watch the coffee slowly drip over condensed milk for a super-traditional experience.
Yemenite Latte at K’Far, Rittenhouse
Amid the spoils of breakfast at K’Far, it’s easy to overlook the Yemenite latte – a rich cup of espresso and steamed milk spiced with cinnamon, ginger and cardamom for a perfectly autumnal beverage that pairs perfectly with the restaurants chocolate rugelach. Add it to the (already very long) list of reasons to go.
Kopitiam menu at Saté Kampar, East Passyunk
On Saturdays and Sundays, Philly’s best Malaysian restaurant is open 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., making it an ideal place to do brunch, away from bottomless mimosas and bacon-topped bloody marys. Instead, consult the restaurant’s visual menu of Kopitiam drinks (Kopi is Malay for Coffee and tiam is Kokkien for shop). I’m partial to classic Kopi, Malaysian milk coffee served hot and frothy, but there’s something for everyone.
Order Coffee and Tea the Malaysian way @satekamparphilly Open for brunch on Saturday and Sunday #coffeelingo #tehtarik #malaysian pic.twitter.com/V2oBNpArzk
— Saté Kampar (@satekampar) September 24, 2016
Horchata Latte at El Café, Rittenhouse
Toasted jasmine rice and cashews are blended with Saigon cinnamon, orange zest, agave, canela (a softer, more floral, variety of cinnamon) and hot water, then left to soften overnight and blended to create El Café’s horchata. Though the drink is traditionally enjoyed by itself, at El Café it becomes a perfect vehicle for espresso.
Photo courtesy of El Cafe
Mexican Hot Chocolate at Café y Chocolate, South Philly
South Philly’s beloved Café y Chocolate has moved to 16th and Snyder, but their beloved Café con Chocolate remains unchanged. Slightly spicy, lightly sweet, and very chocolatey, we’re relieved this beverage is back in time for fall.
Madras coffee at Amma’s South Indian Cuisine, Center City
At Amma’s South Indian cuisine, coffee is served milky and hot in a brass tumbler. Guests can sweeten to their taste, then watch as the coffee is poured back and forth between two vessels, cooling and aerating it into a frothy, buzz-inducing caffeine kick.
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