The 7 Best Coffee Shops In Philadelphia

Philadelphia has seen an explosion of third wave coffee in recent years, with independent coffee shops springing up all over the city. From an Australian flat white to carefully made cold brew, caffeine addicts are in safe hands here.

But where to find the very best beanz? We’ve got the suss on all things coffee in Philly with our list of the need-to-know coffee shops.

The 7 Best Coffee Shops In Philadelphia, How do these rankings work?

1. La Colombe

Philly’s first wave of coffee began with La Colombe, which remains the go-to spot for rich Italian-style espressos and excellent macchiatos. Head to La Colombe’s gorgeous Fishtown headquarters or one of its four other cafes around the city, where they do lattes on tap.

2. Elixr

The eco-friendly wood paneling and cool marble countertops are only a backdrop for the main event at Elixr Coffee: the superb Synesso Hydra-brewed espresso. Elixr specialises in lighter-roasted unique coffee blends, which you can enjoy at any of its three Philly locations.

3. Herman’s Coffee

Make your way to the sleepy neighbourhood of Pennsport for this great coffee spot. The small-batch roastery and coffee shop opened in 2017, using the bays of a former auto repair shop to create an open-concept space that spills onto the sidewalk.

4. Function Coffee Labs

Not just your average local coffee shop, Function Coffee Labs located in the Bella Vista neighbourhood aims to above and beyond with their coffee. As well as their house coffee blend, they serve one higher quality, complex, and dynamic single origin coffee that changes once per week.

5. Rival Bros. 

Taste freshly roasted beans in drip, chemex, and espresso forms at its three coffee bars in the city. Don’t miss out on the nitro coffee — cold-brew coffee that’s pressurised with nitrogen and served on tap to create a creamy, almost Guinness-like pour.

6. Greenstreet Coffee Roasters

The tiny Spruce Street shop of Greenstreet Coffee Roasters is just like its ethos: small and sustainable. The single-origin, responsibly sourced coffees are roasted in the company’s South Philly headquarters. As well as their great cafe, they also do cupping classes, with one free public cupping once a month.

7. Square One Coffee

A micro-roaster with a farmer-focused approach, Square One Coffee has two Center City locations. Sip on small-batch coffees from Ethiopia, Colombia, Ecuador made by expert – and super friendly – baristas.