Your Guide to Philly Coffee Shops Serving Up Great Food
When you’re looking for more than a croissant to go with your caffeine boost, head to these Philly cafes.
Sandwiches and croffles from The Ground. / Photograph by Cody Aldrich Photography
Whether you’re looking for a quick cup of the house drip or a creamy draft latte, it’s easy to find a great coffee shop almost anywhere in Philly. But sometimes you’re craving a proper meal — breakfast, lunch, or otherwise — along with your cuppa, rather than a cellophane-wrapped bagel sandwich or a fossilized croissant. Here’s our list of the city’s best coffee shops and cafes that serve a solid menu alongside the caffeine you came for.
The Ground Coffee, Plants & Gifts, Kensington and Rittenhouse
Coffee shops often have the coolest collection of plants. But at The Ground, if you find a plant you like while ordering your iced mocha, you can add it to your order. In addition to being a combination coffee-and-plant shop, it’s also known for the “croffle,” a South Korean pastry that’s a cross between a croissant and a waffle. 2000 North 2nd Street C-1; 120 South 18th Street.
Grindcore House, Pennsport and West Philly
Both coffee shops (the one in West Philly is called Grindcore House West) are all-vegan, serving a selection of plant-based sandwiches and salads and easily some of the best vegan pastries in the whole city. 1515 South 4th Street; 4134 Chester Street.
Kaffa Crossing, Spruce Hill
Beyond a full menu of organic and fair trade coffee options, this Ethiopian coffee shop and eatery in West Philly offers smoothies and several authentic Ethiopian dishes. For breakfast, try the spiced scrambled eggs with beef, or the ful (crushed fava beans with a spicy Ethiopian sauce). Lunch options include a vegetarian tofu wat and injera wraps with meat or veggies. 4421 Chestnut Street.
Front Street Cafe, Fishtown
This spacious spot under the El boasts one of the most extensive menus of any cafe on this list, with a full selection of breakfast, lunch and dinner items with a plant-based twist. Think buffalo-cauliflower bites and mushroom scrapple. 1253 North Front Street.
One Shot Coffee, Northern Liberties
This coffee shop (one of the city’s prettiest, we might add) serves up a solid brunch menu, with hearty dishes like breakfast burritos, baked apple French toast, and a spinach, pesto and roasted tomato goat cheese omelet for when you’re feeling decadent. 217 West George Street.
Satellite Cafe, Cedar Park
Neighborhood regulars at West Philly’s anarchist coffee shop swear by the Bike Shop Bagel (made with pesto, spinach, roasted red peppers and your choice of real or vegan cream cheese) and the black bean wrap to accompany their kale smoothies. 4901-4999 Willows Avenue.
High Point Cafe, Chestnut Hill and Mt. Airy
Looking for gluten-free or vegan pastries? High Point has a whole line of them made in-house that change out daily, plus a slate of sweet and savory made-to-order crêpes and salads. 7210 Cresheim Road; 602 Carpenter Lane.
Ray’s Cafe & Tea House, Chinatown
Settle in at Ray’s Cafe for a cup of siphon coffee, made with an intricate, gorgeous contraption that drip-drops some of the best brews in the city. And here, the handmade dumplings are just an added (always welcome) bonus. 141 North 9th Street.
Alif Brew & Mini Mart, West Philly
Ethiopia has long grown some of the best coffee in the world, so it’s no surprise that this Ethiopian cafe brews an exceptional cup. Pair it with an injera roll stuffed with spicy chicken or beef. 4501 Baltimore Avenue.
Photograph courtesy of Almost Home General
Almost Home General, Old City and multiple locations in New Jersey
With dishes like tempura-fried scrapple with an olive oil-poached egg and lamb merguez with gorgonzola dolce on a hoagie roll, Almost Home General’s menu goes way beyond that of your average coffee shop. Between the wall of windows facing the Ben Franklin Bridge and the vibrant rainbow bookshelf is the best place to eat a scrapple sando between sips of Dirty Yoo Hoo. 205 Race Street.
Cafe Y Chocolate, Point Breeze
You can get a drip coffee at Cafe y Chocolate, but you can also get a Mexican hot chocolate or a cappuccino blended with creamy cajeta, paired with any number of Mexican brunch or lunch treats, including some of the city’s greatest tacos, tortas, burritos, and more. 1532 Snyder Avenue.
Rowhome Coffee, Fitler Square and Norris Square
We like the cozy, comfortable vibes and classic espresso drinks at Rowhome, but we also love their breakfast sandwiches made on Philly soft pretzels. 2536 Pine Street; 2152 North Front Street.
Herman’s Coffee, Pennsport
Herman’s is technically a coffee roaster, and their coffee is indeed very good. But they also have an incredible selection of carefully curated groceries that are just as nice for snacking on-site as for picnicking and stocking your pantry. Check their schedule for pop-ups hosting chefs for breakfast, lunch or dinner. 1313 South 3rd Street.
Vibrant Coffee Roasters, Rittenhouse
Vibrant specializes in all things sourdough. From bread and toast to cinnamon buns and croissants, everything is naturally leavened and always pairs well with seasonal coffee drinks made with house-roasted beans. 222 West Rittenhouse Square 1st Floor.
Càphê Roasters, Kensington
The first Vietnamese coffee roaster in Philadelphia, Càphê offers sandwiches, baked goods, and Vietnamese iced coffee. Inspired by the Vietnamese expression “đi uống cà phê” or “let’s get coffee,” their focus is on creating a welcoming space for the community to gather. It’s the perfect spot for a coffee meeting or a casual lunch over bánh mì sandwiches and tamarind fries. 3400 J Street.
K’far, Rittenhouse
Inspired by the warmth and energy of Israeli bakeries, K’far offers a variety of house-made pastries like chocolate rugelach and chocolate-coconut babka, alongside all-day savory options including Jerusalem bagel sandwiches, kubaneh toast, salads and grain bowls. 110 South 19th Street.
Vernick Coffee Bar, Logan Square
Tucked away inside the Comcast Technology Center’s upper lobby, Vernick Coffee Bar offers expertly brewed Caffè Umbria coffee alongside house-baked pastries and inventive sandwiches. Whether grabbing a coffee and pastry on-the-go or settling in for a full-service lunch, this is a great way to experience chef Greg Vernick’s culinary touch in a relaxed setting. 1800 Arch Street, second floor.
Arterial Coffee, University City
Located at 31st and Spring Garden streets, Arterial Coffee is a Black- and woman-owned coffee shop on a mission to create a positive impact in their community. Arterial offers a variety of coffee drinks alongside a selection of small bites, like avocado toast, wraps and salads. 3100 -3102 Spring Garden Street.
Red Hook Coffee and Tea, Rittenhouse
Known for its delicious coffee and tea alongside a tempting food menu, Red Hook offers breakfast and lunch sandwiches, wraps, salads and more. 765 South 4th Street.
