Some Great Coffee in Philadelphia

Posted on: 2016-07-29 9:35 AM

Did you know that Ben Franklin was a big coffee nerd? Yep, Philadelphia’s founding father was once quoted as saying that coffee was the most valuable luxury available on the table (they spoke like that back then). So it’s no surprise that Philadelphians are equally as enthusiastic about the caffeinated drink. From the black bean behemoth La Colombe to micro-roasteries to diehard vegan spots, Philly is pouring some seriously good coffee. Here are some of our favorite places around town to try some of the city’s best.
 
Chapter House
When we have to get stuff done and actually focus (or at least look really busy while browsing Facebook), Chapterhouse is one of our favorite coffee shops to do it. There’s a ton of space, ample natural light on the first floor, and friendly baristas. The coffee is all organic, fair-trade, and it also has a funky latte menu with options like the Mexican mocha and black & tan, made with peanut butter and chocolate.
 
Rival Bros Coffee
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 truck). At Rival Bros., expect the standards: traditional drip coffee, a Chemex bar, and a variety of your standard espresso beverages. All of the coffee is prepared using beans roasted daily at its Frankford roastery and the shop also serves breads from High Street on Market.
 
Ox Coffee
A short button hook off South Street, Queen Village’s Ox Coffee is a throwback to what coffee shops used to be: a place 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 cup and eighth hour of computer-time (there's no Wi-Fi at Ox anyway). Started by two friends, Ox focuses on serving high-quality coffee that is harvested, processed, and roasted using sustainable organic practices. Ox has also recently started selling its own line of micro-roasted coffees for the DIY coffee fans.