Your New Office: Philly’s Best Coffee Shops for Getting Work Done
Wi-fi, snacks, comfortable chairs, plenty of outlets, and no annoying cubicle neighbors to be found.
The cafe space in Kensington / Photograph courtesy of Càphê Roasters
Sometimes you need to get out of the house for a couple of hours in order to be productive. That’s one of the big perks to coffee shops. They’re third spaces — places that aren’t your home, but have the same kind of chill, homey vibes where you can hang out, relax, or get some work done.
Whether you’re running from your roommate on their very loud Zoom call or that pile of laundry waiting to be folded, a couple of hours spent working in a new place can do wonders for your brain and your morale. Here’s where to go when you need wi-fi, strong coffee, an outlet, and probably a snack or two while you work.
Càphê Roasters, Kensington
Going to Càphê Roasters is like receiving a reward. The food is so good, whether you go sweet with an ice-cream parfait or savory with a fried-chicken bánh mì, and the feel of this place is, simply put, lovely. No matter the season, the light flows in through the windows in a way that would take anyone out of a work slump. Schedule a lunch meeting here, then spend the rest of the day cranking away in this little oasis. 3400 J Street, G1.
Knockbox Cafe, West Philly
Where sometimes coffee shops can feel sterile and impersonal, Knockbox is cozy and comfortable, with a decent amount of indoor and outdoor tables, as well as comforting food like bagel sandwiches and grilled cheeses. Plus: pellet ice in all of their iced drinks. 405 South 45th Street.
Alchemy Coffee, Rittenhouse
When you need to clear your mind, head to Alchemy Coffee. The cafe is decorated with a calming, minimalist vibe that is sure to help you focus on what you need to do, and the well-made espresso drinks (they’re also known for making great matcha) will help you fuel up. It’s a go-to for remote workers in the area, so you’ll be surrounded by other laptop-ed-up workers for extra motivation. 119 South 21st Street.
Essen North, Kensington
Numerous studies have been done on how happiness increases productivity. Regardless of whether or not there is a direct correlation between having a positive disposition and becoming the ultimate taskmaster, we do know this: babka from Essen makes us happy. And that’s as good a reason as any to slide into one of the picnic tables in the back, crack open our laptops, and hammer out that article that was due last week. 110 West Berks Street.
Jezabel’s, West Philly
If you’re not a coffee-and-croissant person, go to this Argentine bakery for tea and empanadas in a very cozy dining room that somehow makes a hectic morning of emails and paperwork feel like a respite from the outside world. 206-208 45th Street.
An assortment of pastries from Machine Shop. / Photograph by Kae Lani Palmisano
Machine Shop and Two Persons Coffee, East Passyunk
Most coffee shops and bakeries are good at either the coffee part or the bread part, but Machine Shop and Two Persons Coffee are right next to each other in the Bok building, so you can have both at the same time. At Machine Shop, you’ll find some of the best French-inspired pastries in the city (think croissants of all kinds, seasonal tarts topped with figs, and savory danishes full of jiggly egg), while you can rely on Two Persons for excellent espresso in the space across the way. Go back and forth all day for the perfect balance of caffeine and sugar. (There is also strong wi-fi and a good number of plugs.) 1901 South 9th Street.
Mighty Bread Co., East Passyunk
There’s so much that we love about Mighty Bread. But the refills on drip coffee, the skylight, and the fact that they’re open on Mondays all come to mind. We also love that they’re just as good at breakfast (quiche, avocado toast, croissants) as they are at lunch (kale salad, lentil soup, ham-and-butter baguette). Stay all day, just as long as you’re eating and tipping. 1211 Gerritt Street.
Elixr Coffee Roasters, multiple locations
Elixr has a handful of locations around Center City (and a spot at 36th and Market in University City), all of which are set up for spending a couple of hours getting some work done. Their spaces tend to be on the smaller side, with a few pastry options rather than offering a full savory lunch menu. So go here for a couple of hours before or after lunch, and it’ll be perfect for what you need.
Vernick Coffee Bar / Photograph by Clay Williams
Vernick Coffee Bar, Logan Square
Some of our most in-the-know friends count Vernick Coffee Bar in the Comcast Technology Center among their favorite restaurants in the city, which is impressive for a coffee shop. But spend any time here, and you’ll realize it’s not a coffee shop at all — it’s a daytime restaurant masquerading as a coffee shop. Pull up a stool around the brightly lit coffee bar and consider your options on the menu, which includes everything from lemon buttermilk scones to quiche, salad, and a warm soft pretzel. Expect plenty of outlets and people watching. 1800 Arch Street.
Ultimo Coffee, multiple locations
Many coffee shops have two essential problems: they close in the middle of the afternoon (which can really throw off your productivity if you’re in a groove) and they’re closed at least one weekday. Ultimo has neither of those problems, and that’s why it’s worth knowing about. Their cafes stay open every day until 6 p.m., the chairs are always comfortable, and the plug-ins are bountiful.
A latte from Forîn / Photograph by Mike Prince
Forin Cafe, Kensington and South Street
With locations on Frankford Ave., Coral Street, and newly inside South Street’s ultracool Yowie hotel, Forin is the place to go if you’re in need of a little inspiration. The coffee is great, as are the food options (fresh bagels, treats from Darnel’s Cakes, peanut butter brownies, etc.), but the real draw is their always-changing pop-ups with local cooks, designers, bakers, and other talented people. 2525 Frankford Avenue; 2041 Coral Street, Suite 2; 226 South Street.
Middle Child Clubhouse, Fishtown
Clubhouse gets a lot of hype for its nighttime scene, but the daytime situation is just as good and also calmer. Expect wi-fi and coffee, as well as a whole lot of seating. Plus the unimpeachable sandwiches, which will keep you nicely fueled all day. Heads up: the kitchen closes between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., and the place is closed on Mondays. 1232 North Front Street.
Cafe Ole In The Valley, Huntington Valley
For a suburban option, Cafe Ole In The Valley offers a rich menu of breakfast, lunch, espresso drinks, smoothies, and snacks. Find plenty of parking and big tables to spread out if you’re having a meeting. You could hang here all day. Ukrainian sisters recently took over the cafe but kept the previous owners’ Middle Eastern specialties, including a few shakshuka varieties and shawarma. There are also waffles, bagels, and more cafe classics. 1051 County Line Road, Huntingdon Valley. 1051 County Line Road.
