Did you get it on that Ben Franklin was a big coffee nerd ? Yep , Philadelphia ’s plant father was once quoted as allege that coffee was the most valuable luxury useable on the board ( they spoke like that back then ) . So it ’s no surprisal that Philadelphians are as as enthusiastic about the caffeinated swallow . From the black dome behemoth La Colombe to micro - roasteries to diehard vegan spot , Philly is pouring some severely good coffee . Here are 11 of our favorite lieu around town to try some of the urban center ’s best .
Chapterhouse
When we have to get stuff done and actually rivet ( or at least look really busy while shop Facebook ) , Chapterhouse is one of our favorite java shops to do it . There ’s a ton of infinite , rich natural visible light on the first floor , and friendly baristas . The coffee is all constituent , fair - trade , and it also has a funky caffe latte menu with options like the Mexican mocha coffee and black & tan , made with peanut butter and chocolate .
Rival Bros.
Started by lifelong friends and native Philadelphians Jonathan Adams and Damien Pileggi , Rival Bros is the brick and mortar location of its roasting operation ( there used to also be a roving food hand truck ) . At Rival Bros. , expect the standards : traditional drip mould coffee berry , a Chemex bar , and a variety of your standard espresso beverages . All of the coffee is disposed using noggin roasted daily at its Frankford roastery and the shop also dish moolah from High Street on Market .
Ox Coffee
A short clitoris bait off South Street , Queen Village ’s Ox Coffee is a throwback to what coffee tree shops used to be : a office where you could hang out with your friends and get a good cup of coffee without having to fight over a table with someone on their first loving cup and eighth hour of figurer - time ( there ’s no Wi - Fi at Ox anyway ) . Started by two friends , Ox concenter on serving high-pitched - timbre coffee that is glean , processed , and roasted using sustainable organic practices . Ox has also recently start up sell its own line of micro - roast coffee tree for the DIY coffee fans .
ReAnimator
Located in the site of a former lift factory , ReAnimator ’s Kensington cafe and roastery is a coffee lover ’s dream . The rehabbed space is completely open , allowing client to see ( and smell ) the entire roasting mental process . And while the space itself is cool , it ’s the coffee that really makes ReAnimator stick out . Every year , the ReAnimator squad travels to locus like Ethiopia , Guatemala , and Costa Rica to converge with its producers , factor , and importers for tops - tangled timbre control .
Old City Coffee
You could call Old City Coffee a hidden gem … it is , after all , moderately damn heavy to find , even if you live in Old City . The 25 - prat coffee berry shop of the same name is situate on a diminutive alleyway north of Market St between Second and Third Sts , and only dish mickle - roasted Arabica coffee and Chest Teas , with a penchant toward hard flavors . Prices are also some of the lowest in the domain too , with an XL coffee setting you back around $ 3.00 .
La Colombe
With 18 shops around the body politic , La Colombe has to be one of Philly ’s most famous ( and successful ) solid food exports . Of the five local shops around Ithiel Town , our favorite is the flagship cafe in Fishtown . Inside a former warehouse ( we ’re sense a theme here … ) , the cafe includes a coffee laboratory where owner Todd Carmichael invented the draft caffe latte and a micro - still , where La Colombe produces Different Drum rummy , a coffee - infused craftiness sipping rummy . Pick your poison on how you need to get your buzz .
Elixr
Unlike some of the other roasters on the listing that favor darker , bolder blending , Rittenhouse ’s Elixir is about the unaccented roasts , resulting in a less bitter , but slightly more acidic cup of chocolate . If that sounds a fiddling too hipster - coffee berry nerd for you , then you may stick by to your cup of WaWa Kona . The rest of us will be revel a hand - pour at Elixr , stroking our well - dress beard , listening to the late Radiohead album .
Greenstreet
prize coffee has always been at the spine of Greenstreet – owners ( and crony ) Tom and Chris Molieri first started as java roasters , only to open up up a coffee shop when they realized how much they loved teaching newfangled people about java . So at this Washington Square West coffee shop , do n’t be afraid to ask questions . The Molieri blood brother will be happy to facilitate you observe the double-dyed cup .
Grindcore House
Turns out , vegan ( and vegetarian ) stuff is n’t half bad , which is what first generate us sneak on Pennsport ’s Grindcore House . Located on the ground floor of a row house , the vegan coffee shop is dripping with nerveless – there ’s dark wood , tin roof , and a heavy alloy and hardcore soundtrack on gyration at all times . And since it ’s a vegan shop , there ’s every option of non - dairy milk you could need : soy , almond , Elmer Reizenstein , coconut .
Menagerie
IfBon Appétiteditors are get coffee swallow from here , you should believably follow suit of clothes . Menagerie swear out up a fine cupful of artisanal coffee and beverages – think cautiously selected espresso portmanteau word and paw - pours . There is n’t the most available seating room , but if you do nab a spot at one of the blonde wood board or tree pulpit in the front window , you ’ll be treat to a tranquil timberland vibration – an appreciated reprieve from urban center life with a neat cup of java to ruminate over .
Anthony’s Italian Coffee & Chocolate House
Like most place in the Italian Market , Anthony ’s has a story that traces back a few generation . The java shop class and chocolate house is in the same smear where Anthony ’s grandfather operate Anastasio ’s & Sons Produce for well-nigh 50 years . It timelessly focuses on the uncomplicated things done well : good espresso and Italian roasted umber . umber , cookies , and other signature tune sweets . We ’re jolly sure it ’s a spot that our grandad would have like to snap up a loving cup of coffee at 50 years ago , too . Sign up herefor our everyday Philly email and be the first to get all the food / drunkenness / fun in town .
Menagerie|Courtesy of Menagerie
Rival Bros. Coffee
Ox Coffee|Courtesy of Ox Coffee
Reanimator|Courtesy of Reanimator
La Colombe|Courtesy of La Colombe
Greenstreet|Courtesy of Greenstreet
Menagerie|Courtesy of Menagerie
