LA in Flight's Coffee Shop Report: Philadelphia

Some of the best coffee shops in Philadelphia that are not to be missed! I like to explore a new coffee shop at least 1-2x per day when traveling, whether it's for work or relaxation, so these are denoted if they're ideal for digital nomads and those who #WorkFromAnywhere.

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Ray's Cafe & Tea House

@LAinFlight

Enjoy the OG syphon coffee in Philly, at a small, family-run establishment that serves all kinds of Chinese and Taiwanese dishes, as well as western breakfast if you're feeling a hashbrown (pro tip: get anything BUT a western breakfast). Their specialty is the syphon coffee: a process that uses 2 chambers & is particularly popular in Japan. There is merch, plus coffee bags and tea bags for sale. Our order for a party of 5 included: dumpling sampler, cold sesame noodles, shrimp spring rolls, Taiwanese beef noodle soup, veggie dumplings, vanilla hazelnut siphon coffee, Ray's house blend siphon coffee, and sumiyaki Japanese charcoal roasted coffee (specialty!)

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Bold Coffee Bar

@LAinFlight

Black-owned coffee bar serving up a variety of coffees! Merch including beans are sold, limited bar seating, located in a great, walkable neighborhood.

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Elixr Coffee Roasters

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A local super favorite - Imagine having “Business Insider 50 Best US Cafes” and “Best Coldbrew in America” to your name ✔️✔️ Elixr Coffee doesn’t have to imagine ☕️ the accolades are hard work manifested and a dream come true. Specializing in lighter-roasted unique and exquisite coffees, with several locations around Philly, 1 in Nash, and 1 in state college, the menu is as unique as the surroundings. You’ll never want to leave once you enter. The Sydenham location is the OG, while the Callowhill location has the roastery.

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Southeast Asian Market (Saturday & Sunday)

@LAinFlight

Every Saturday and Sunday from 10am- 6pm, from April - October, the Southeast Asian Market is open featuring food, drink, and retails vendors with a Southeast Asian background.

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Federal Donuts & Chicken Center City

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Coffee ☕️ Donuts 🍩 chicken 🍗 That was the whole & only premise of Federal Donuts when it was created. I mean, is it not THE perfect combo? ✅ You got your savory, your sweet, and your energy (caffeine!) What’s SO special about Federal Donuts? Dough is made with Middle Eastern aromatics, more specifically “baharat”. The donut menu also changes daily, but some of the classic flavors are kept the same. Our crew tried the following donuts: peach ring, old fashioned, and blueberry crumble ‼️ My favorite was hands down the peach 🍑 ring 🍩 As for the chicken sandwich 🍗🥪 these are the words exactly from @thenextsomewhere’s mouth: “It’s the best chicken sandwich I’ve ever eaten, better than any one I’ve had in Korea” 😳😳😳 It’s made with twice-fried boneless chicken! 📍11 locations around Philadelphia

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Thank You Thank You

@LAinFlight

A coffee snob's favorite, this cafe sources and brews beans from around the world. Staff is incredibly knowledgable and drinks are made quickly by the experts. Since it's a small shop with limited space, takeout is recommended - I ordered on my walk to Old City!

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La Colombe Coffee Roasters

@LAinFlight

From Philadelphia to the World, La Colombe is credited as the brand that started the third wave of coffee that commenced in the 90's. "Third Wave" meaning elevated, more locally sourced, and premium. The Oatmilk draft lattes on tap are my go-to order every time I step foot in a La Colombe Cafe! Visit the flagship cafe in Fishtown,

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ReAnimator Coffee

@LAinFlight

Dedicated to the craft of coffee, ReAnimator's beans are carefully sourced, roasted to perfection and served up flawlessly in any of their cafes. Head to the Kensington Roastery location to experience more!

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Càphê Roasters

@LAinFlight

Arguably the best coffee in the city, this Vietnamese specialty coffee roaster and cafe is the first of its kind in the city and is proudly woman-owned.

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Coffee Cream & Dreams

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A black-owned and women-owned establishment, Coffee Cream & Dreams has abundant pastries, the perfect environment for working remotely, and delicious coffee in a walkable neighborhood.

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Bower Cafe 1213

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Another one of Philly's excellent black-owned cafes serving up full breakfast, brunch, lunch, and coffee!

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The Monkey & The Elephant

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This wonderful cafe is a non-profit that employs former foster youth. It's women-owned and serves delicious food as well. Enjoy your coffee & breakfast outside on their patio out back!

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Cake and Joe

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Following the success of its first location in Pennsport, Asian-owned and women-owned establishment Cake & Joe opened their second location in Fishtown. Both women grew up near Beijing and aim to bring delight to their customers by providing the highest quality baked goods and coffee drinks.

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Rival Bros Coffee Bar

@LAinFlight

You know the coffee will be good when the roastery and cafes are owned by two Philly locals: one being a former chef and one who's a La Colombe alum. According to 2 Foodtrippers, all drinks are served as a double shot. Food available at all 3 locations!

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Herman's Coffee

@LAinFlight

This retro spot is housed in a former auto-body shop with ample seating inside and outside. There is also a small but cool market inside that carries specialty goods.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Leah Arao | @LAinFlight

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Hello & Mabuhay! My name is Leah, aka LA in Flight: a self-proclaimed bougie backpacker who is obsessed with coffee + wine, football (soccer), public transportation, seafood, and chasing summer. I live for slow travel and community immersion via food, dance, and sports, fueled by finding the coolest views and best places to have coffee in each place visited. My goal is to ensure everyone has incredible, life-changing experiences from their own hometown to across the globe. My podcast, Ticket 2 Anywhere, is your first stop to infinite travel: a visual medium on travel essentials including the gear, tips, stories, & tricks to help you live a more travel-filled life! Having previously settled in Las Vegas, all over South America, and in Melbourne, Australia as an expat and digital nomad, I now use my hometown of Los Angeles as a jump off point to work and explore the globe. My specialties include Southern California, The Philippines, Latin America, and in and around Melbourne, Australia! Let's get your next trip planned!

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Philadelphia, PA, USA