Cafe Culture Philadelphia
By Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady
 Philly has no shortage of Starbucks: Still, the coolest
sources for a caffeine fix are its independent coffee shops. Chief among cafes
is the Rittenhouse Square outpost of Philadelphia roaster La Colombe, where
bohemian artists, society dowagers, university students, big-wig attorneys,
ballerinas and bike messengers mix over the East Coast’s best espresso. Tucked
along narrow, historic Church Street is serene Old City Coffee, another
small-batch, superior quality roaster. Fair trade coffees and completely edgy
art are for sale at hipster-driven, one-year-old Chapterhouse, just a block from
South Philly’s Italian Market. Deeper into South Philly, cozy, quirky Benna’s
Café provides respite from the crowds at Pat’s and Geno’s cheesesteak stands
with floral teas and thick, pre-sweetened cappuccinos. If you want to see what
Philadelphia’s future looks like, head to the Rocket Cat Café in Fishtown, just
north of uber-trendy Northern Liberties. Bryn Mawr’s new MilkBoy Coffee is a
trendy suburban spot located inside the Bryn Mawr Film Institute where coffee
lovers can chill and listen to live music, while New Hope’s Organic Coffee Bar
is a haven for artsy types.
Café Culture Address Book
 La Colombe, 130 S. 19th Street, (215) 563-0860; 4360 Main
Street, Manayunk, (215) 483-4580,
www.lacolombe.com
Old City Coffee, 221 Church Street, (215) 629-9292; Reading
Terminal Market,
1136 Arch Street, (215) 592-1897,
www.oldcitycoffee.com
Chapterhouse, 620 S. 9th Street, (215) 238-2626,
www.chapterhousecafe.org
Benna’s Cafe, 1236 S. 8th Street, (215) 334-1502,
www.bennascafe.com
Rocket Cat Café, 2001 Franford Avenue, (215) 739-4526
MilkBoy Coffee, 824 W. Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, (610)
527-6627;
2 E. Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, (610) 645-5269;
www.milkboycoffee.com
Organic Coffee Bar, 111 S. Main Street, New Hope, (215)
862-1073
WHAT TO DO BETWEEN CUPS OF COFFEE
FOR MORE INFORMATION
visit
www.gophila.com and check out the blog
www.uwishunu.com
Philadelphia Independence Visitor Center (800) 537-7676.
GREAT SAVINGS
www.citypass.com
WHERE TO STAY
 Radisson Plaza-Warwick Hotel
1701 Locust Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Tel: (215) 735-6000
Fax: (215) 789-6105
www.radisson.com
Embassy Suites Philadelphia - Center City
1776 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103.
Embassy Suites Center City
(215) 561-1776
www.PhiladelphiaCenterCity.Embsuites.com
1-800-Embassy for reservations
WHERE TO EAT
Philly Falafel Vegetarian
1740 Sansom Street
215-569-8999
Each very reasonably priced entrée allows the diner unlimited trips to the fresh
flavorful salad bar with fried cauliflower, minted carrots, coleslaw, beets,
pickles, and much more.
(and dining here will absolve you of any guilt for indulging in a decadent
chocolate dessert at the nearby places suggested below.)
BEST DESSERTS
Naked Chocolate Café
1317 Walnut Street
Philadelphia. PA 19107
www.nakedchocolatecafe.com
215-735-7310
Open Monday to Thursday 10AM-11PM
Friday and Saturday 10AM to 11:30PM
Sunday 11 AM to 9PM
Maron Chocolates
1734 Chestnut Street
215-988-9992
www.maronchocolates.com
BEST PLACE TO GET CONNECTED
Ing Direct does more than just save you money. It gives you
a free wireless internet connection. They even have about a dozen computers you
can use for free to surf if you are in the neighborhood without your computer.
1636 Walnut Street
FAVORITE STORES
P.H.A.G
Philadelphia Home Art Garden
1225 Walnut Street
215-627-0461
www.thephagshop.com
Show of Hands
a collection of crafts
1006 Pine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-592-4010
Showofhandsphila@aol.com
GREAT GUIDEBOOKS
ACCESS PHILADELPHIA
By Beth D’Addono
Harper Resource
www.harpercollins.com
THE THIRTEEN COLONIES
Travel Historic America
Fodor’s
www.fodors.com
Madelyn Miller is a travel and food writer who likes iced
coffee with real cream and lots of sweetner. Read her stories on
www.travellady.com,
www.carladynews.com,
www.chocolateatlas.com,
www.cocktailatlas.com,
www.teaAtlas.com and
www.coffeeatlas.com |
