As the country’s coffee culture evolves, so do the number of spots to enjoy a great cup of java in Philadelphia. The city has seen an explosion of third wave coffee, where sustainable ethos, single origin sourcing, and attention to detail in the cup translates to a whole new world of caffeinating. Cafes embracing that ethos take their brews seriously, not unlike sommeliers with wine. A number of new coffee shops have opened during the pandemic, giving Philadelphians even more to love about the city’s coffee scene. Here are the decidedly excellent spots to drink coffee right now.
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The Top Spots in Philly for a Great Cup of Coffee
Specialty lattes, drip coffee, and beans to-go are just some of the highlights at these neighborhood coffee destinations

1. Avenues Café
Philadelphia, PA 19119
Mount Airy’s latest addition to the neighborhood’s thriving coffee culture is Avenues Cafe, right on Germantown Ave. There, you’ll find a cozy vibe and hot coffee, plus board games and weekend brunch events to round out the cafe offerings.
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2. Uncle Bobbie's Coffee & Books
Philadelphia, PA 19144
Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee & Books is a destination for folks in Northwest Philly (and beyond) who are looking for books written by people of color, and the wide selection on offer — for adults, teens, and kids — is inspiring. While browsing the shelves, customers can grab drip coffee, espresso, specialty lattes, and lemonades, plus baked goods from Au Fournil and Crust Vegan Bakery.
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3. Ultimo Coffee
Philadelphia, PA 19144
There’s the original Ultimo shop in Point Breeze, plus locations in Graduate Hospital, Germantown, and Rittenhouse, the latter being home to a custom powder-coated espresso machine. That machine isn’t just for looks — these coffee experts know how to pull a shot, and are among the best-trained baristas in the city. Pre-order online for pickup.
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4. Càphê Roasters
Philadelphia, PA 19134
Thu Pham has been roasting her specialty Vietnamese coffee to sell wholesale on J Street for over three years, but her full-service cafe was always the goal. There, coffee drinkers can indulge in strong Vietnamese lattes and co-work in a lovely space, while also ordering banh mi, breakfast sandwiches, and all kinds of magnificent lunch options, helmed by Jacob Trinh of Trinh Eats.
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5. Franny Lou's Porch
Philadelphia, PA 19125
All of Franny Lou’s Porch’s speciality lattes are named for leaders in the movement for liberation — like the Angela Davis lavender white mocha or the Fannie Lou Hamer graham cracker almond — and their sandwiches, like the Pro-Community vegan hummus sandwich or the Pro-Liberation grilled cheese, are made to match. You can preorder for pickup or delivery on Toast.
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6. ReAnimator Coffee
Philadelphia, PA 19134
With five destinations around Philly, Reanimator Coffee is a favorite of many of the city’s residents. The Port Richmond shop is just as airy and light as all of Reanimator’s cafes. Prefer to brew at home? Fans can order beans and merch to be delivered straight to their doors. Check social media for the rotating list of seasonal beans.
7. The Monkey & The Elephant
Philadelphia, PA 19130
This Brewerytown spot not only offers coffee and baked goods in a welcoming setting, it also has a mission worth supporting. The not-for-profit cafe employs former foster youth, so sipping a cortado also does good for the Philly community.
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8. Bold Coffee Bar
Philadelphia, PA 19130
This Francisville shop offers traditional drip coffee and espresso drinks alongside indulgent treats, like an Oreo Crumble Latte and an Iced Peanut Butter Cup Latte. Bold Coffee Bar uses Rittenhouse-based Vibrant Coffee beans. To eat, find an array of croissants and sweet pastries. Order online.
9. Peddler Coffee
Philadelphia, PA 19103
“We are simply the medium” is the mantra for this small batch single-origin roaster in Logan Square. Meaning: They’re just the conduit between good beans and the perfect sip. Famous for serving cold brew out of hand pumps on the back of tricycles, Peddler defines “boutique.” The vibes at the brick-and-mortar shop are decidedly retro-mad scientist. Try the cold brew, which uses multiple glass drip chambers. Order outside or on the Ritual app.
10. Ray's Cafe & Tea House
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Chinatown establishment Ray’s Cafe may be known for its strong siphon method coffee, but it also serves up Taiwanese comfort food to go along with your caffeine. Order dumplings and noodle soups, and don’t skip the tea — even coffee people will get a jolt from Ray’s triple greens.
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11. Green Line Cafe (multiple locations)
Philadelphia, PA 19104
In the last decade and a half, Green Line Cafe has grown to multiple locations all around the city. The family-owned business, which considers itself “West Philly’s Living Room,” serves the community fair-trade coffee and health-conscious food. Order online.
12. Mina's World
Philadelphia, PA 19143
Mina’s World in West Philly was open barely three weeks before the pandemic shut down much of the city’s restaurant scene, but the cafe’s dedicated owners kept pushing forward, doubling down on their efforts to make the coffee shop a community hub, safe space, and home to one of Philly’s many free fridges. You can order coffee drinks like the Pink Drink, a latte with rose syrup, or a tahini mocha online for pickup, or just walk up to the counter during business hours. Vegetarian samosas are a delightful pairing.
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13. Menagerie Coffee
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Opened by an Elixr and Bodhi Coffee alum in 2014, this airy-yet-cozy cafe serves Dogwood Coffee out of Minneapolis to adoring fans in Old City. It’s an outpost of good java in the tourist zone, and locals flock there for chill vibes and good sandwiches. You can preorder online.
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14. Elixr (multiple locations)
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Center City oasis Elixr is still kicking out some of the best pour overs in the city. The original shop on Sydenham Street is a go-to spot for high-quality cups. Find a stunner of a second shop, complete with an onsite roastery, in Callowhill, and a third location at 16th and Market. Order online for pickup.
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15. Greenstreet Cafe
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Sustainability and responsible sourcing are the buzz at Greenstreet, a cozy and funky roaster that goes to great lengths to secure the most ethical beans directly from producers. All that work and care translates to some of the best cups Philadelphia has to offer and should be on every coffeehead’s list. Even the shop’s website is thoughtful, offering useful how-tos and tips. There are two locations — one in Washington Square West and one in Point Breeze.
16. Jiggy Coffee
Philadelphia, PA 19107
One of those brave businesses that opened mid-pandemic, Jiggy Coffee serves Washington, D.C.-based Small Planes Coffee, organic tea, and pastries — both traditional and vegan. Order online, if you’d like.
17. Rally
Philadelphia, PA 19147
The beans at Rally Coffee are from local roaster Blind Tiger Coffee, plus Rally sells locally-made treats, including Weckerly’s ice cream sandwiches, High Fidelity baked goods, and Okie Dokie Donuts. There’s always something new happening here, so follow along on social media.
18. Function Coffee Labs
Philadelphia, PA 19147
Unlike most coffee shops in Philadelphia, Function Coffee Labs sources its beans from multiple roasters for an ever-changing single-origin lineup (it changes every one to two weeks). Meticulous care in brewing means Function is a coffee paradise, offering always-stimulating and seasonally fresh options. This shop also added an array of baked goods to its offerings in recent history. Think sourdough cinnamon buns; bacon, goat cheese, and onion biscuits; and more.
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19. Herman's Coffee
Philadelphia, PA 19147
Herman’s became a specialty grocery store, known for Philly’s best selection of imported tinned fish during the pandemic. The popular Pennsport shop, situated in a repurposed garage, has turned itself into a citywide destination by hosting regular pop-ups. Owner Mat Falco mans the onsite roaster. Try an espresso tonic: two shots of espresso with Fever Tree Tonic in rotating flavors, like the fan-favorite grapefruit sage. Order online or in person.
20. Grindcore House
Philadelphia, PA 19147
A vegan pioneer, Grindcore is a long-running hangout for South Philadelphians. The concept is simple: great coffee and a fantastic selection of vegan food in a cozy space, all set to an unusual soundtrack mixing grindcore, punk, and whatever else the baristas are in the mood for. There’s a second location, in partnership with Crust Vegan Bakery, in West Philly. Order online.