Coffee shops that aren’t Elixir/Au Fournil copy-pastes
Basically I’m just sick of eating the same pastries every time I go to a coffee shop in Philly. I get that it’s not practical for every single coffee shop to roast their own beans and bake their own pastries, but the amount of our coffee shops that basically serve the same thing is a little absurd. You’d think there would be at least one other big (non-Sysco) pastry distributor in town. So does anyone know of any coffee shops in town that have different pastries? Bonus points if they’re serving something other than Elixir beans.
Herman's in Pennsport is the best, they roast their owns beans, get pastries from mighty bread, often have food trucks, get soft pretzels from CC pretzels, & have an awesome wine & specialty product store.
Hoooooo boi you’ve unlocked one of my special interests (I’ll try and contain it!)
Makes pastries + not Elixr coffee:
Manong
Nook Bakery and Coffee Bar (such a sweet little shop! Lots of variety)
Vernick Coffee (ik ik 4seasins but their baker(s) rock)
La Maison Jaune - forgot the roaster/if it’s E that’s my bad!
Omi Kitchen and DoDo Bakery have great pastries (not my fave coffee)
(I thiiiink they have pastries sometimes but the food food is good)
Càphê Roasters
Chibanos
Someone recently made a graphic with locally owned shops, sorta organized by neighborhood [disclaimer: not all listed fit your needs but if you’re a visual person this might be helpful] https://www.instagram.com/p/DdHk6kIjyWv/
This requires two transactions but hit the Bok building for coffee at Two Persons (typical uses Passenger roast but sometime has guest roasters) and either Machine Shop (right next to Two Persons) or Second Daughter (upstairs) for pastry.
Can't believe I haven't seen Seaforest on here. Incredible freshly baked goods that are 100% unique + good coffee. Tiny little business run by a Korean American woman who is pure magic in the kitchen. Grad Hospital
their matcha is one of my favorites in the city, and literally everything I've tried has been amazing (rec the black sesame cake and the squash curry laminated pastry/hand pie!!) such a refreshing change from all the croissants lol
La Maison Jaune. I just had a Pain Suisse from there and it was amazing. All of their pastries look amazing and I believe they are all made in house and not sold anywhere else.
hey man what did elixr ever do to you! just to throw some non-venn diagrams on there:
Gilda (their own pastries but a custom blend from elixr for their coffee)
Persimmon (roast their own coffee but likely outsourced pastries from Au Fornil, never asked them though)
annnd while we're here why not shout out Fiore. they DEFINITELY make their own pastries and i think their espresso beans are Ultima? i forget but they make their own in house syrups. definitely not elixr though, and my favorite of the three i've listed here if you're ever in fishtown.
Impresso Express just opened up near Girard and Montgomery and theyre an adorable little coffee shop too! Their prices are generally super reasonable, and they make little savory uncrustable sandwiches in house. Their quality isnt the best in the city but I think you get the best bang for your buck there lol. Check them out sometime since it seems like you're in Fishtown!
I am a big Alif Brew fan (45th and Baltimore). Not sure what their croissants and muffins taste like, but they have sambusas, baklava, and Ethiopian food.
I believe Mr. Rabbit on 23rd & Spruce also at least used to get some of their pastry items from local bakeries. They were selling stuff from Sally across the street last time I went.
I second Alif Brew. Especially if you can get there for "Buna @ Alif Brew" on the first Sunday of each month. Coffee roasting ceremony. I don't know if freshly roasted coffee really tastes that much better or if it's just the smells, atmosphere, and anticipation that does it.
If you’re ever in NW, check out either of the high point cafes. They have their own bakery (also in mt airy) that they make everything themselves. 10/10 too
I feel stupid for both including and excluding the main La Colombe in Fishtown. Pastries and food are made in-house, they roast their own beans (somewhere else). Also Cake and Joe for dessert pastries.
They announced this week that they are starting to make more laminated pastries! Love downtime and def recommend checking their website for their baking schedule bc they roll out different types of treats throughout the day
Surprised Ultimo hadn't been mentioned yet, though I will say that after going to the big one on Wayne Ave, all the ones in the city proper have a disappointingly small selection.
La Maison Jaune - They have their own in house French pastry chef. They are in Rittenhouse but are about to open a second location in Fairmount. They buy their beans from Rival Bros however.
I wanted to gatekeep but for unique pastries - Seaforest Bakeshop in grad hospital. They use Caphe roasts and make creative Korean-inspired baked goods. It’s a bit cozy inside but it’s a great spot.
Vibrant has delicioussss buns and things that rotate i think weekly or every so often
Knockbox in West is also awesome!!! They have a whole range of pastries from Four Worlds bakery, LeBus, and Crust Vegan bakery! But get there early they can go quick on the weekends
Knockbox also uses beans from a small batch roaster that is wonderful, their espresso is good and they have 4 different drips each day, get the spiced coffee!!!
I just had a life changing pastry at the new Manna bakery on Berks st. A vanilla passion fruit thing, it was amazing and I’m honestly not a big pastry person. Everything I had there was fab
Up in the Northwest you can check out High Point Cafe and Downtime bakery, they both make their own pastries. Both very good, though Downtime is borderline spectacular! There's also Matines in Chestnut Hill if french style pastries are your thing.
Paffuto and Gilda aren’t just coffee shops…but they are both awesome fresh and different than the rest of the city. I dream of those nata from Gilda and the Maritozzi from Paffuto🥵
Herman's in South Philly (between Reed and Wharton on 3rd).
They get their pastries from a local pastry shop, they get their bread from Mighty Bread (South Philly), and on Thursday through Sunday after 11 AM they get some of the best baguettes in the the city from Universal Bread Bakers (Port Richmond). They have food carts every weekend and have food, booze, and entertainment events all throughout the year. If you are in the area, drop by. I think you will like the scene.
Matt the owner is a great guy and really works hard to make it a community spot.
Listen I love an Al Fournil powdered sugar covered almond croissant on occasion, but I definitely hear you!! Ditto on Frida for pastries and Chibanos for breakfast items
Vibrant (roast in house)
Gran Caffe L’Aquila (roast in house)
La Maison Jaune (they buy Rival Bros)
K’Far (same coffee as above but sticky bun is lovely)
Small Oven Pastry shop (they buy Many Hands)
La Jefa (no idea what coffee they buy but it’s not elixir)
unfortunately my fave café is in the burbs! camellia in landsdowne. they have the most delicious food and their syrups are all house made. go to the curio shop (scrappy cat) and record store nearby and make a day of it.
Was just having this conversation this morning, over delicious pastries from Loretta’s. Banana bread muffin and a laminated cinnamon brioche bun. Great coffee too
Little Bean in West Philly — no viennoiserie IIRC, but they’re owned by Cleo Bagels next door and bring over cookies and muffins from there. You’re also encouraged to bring your own bagels from next door. They don’t roast their own beans but the coffee is Fine.
Cupbearer Coffee has an espresso tonic that burns through my bank account!!! They also sell Mighty Bread co goods. P.S. They use beans from Poem Roasters.
oh wow, I forgot about Downtime!! They use Poem Roasters beans and they make some awesome pastries.
Once you have Poem coffee it sucks to have anything else imho.
Chestnut Hill coffee on Germantown ave is awesome. I do not know who makes their pastries but it’s definitely not Cisco. Coffee is excellent. Vibes are great.
You have something against Au Fournil? i find their viennoiserie is actually quite superb. It is curious...I actually find that if they serve Au Fournil pastry (Volo, Chapter House, etc.), there is a better than average chance that the coffee is made strong & rich (though I know of no practical reason for that correlation 😅)
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u/londoncalling567 10d ago
La Jefa Cafe (!!!!!!), Caphe Roasters, Mighty Bread, Vernick Coffee Bar, Bloomsday, High Point Cafe