The baristas’ friendly demeanor rivals the sweetness of the sugar you heap into your mug. And the Beggle — an oft-scarfed sandwich of hard-boiled egg, cheddar, and fig-arugula spread — puts the caffeine crank-a-puss at ease.
The Lola Bean, 1325 Frankford Avenue (215-634-5652 or thelolabean.com).
Hate getting the stink eye when you request a soy latte? Grindcore House is 100 percent vegan. Lighten your coffee with nondairy milk (rice, almond) and borrow a title from the bookshelf of radical literature while you sip.
Grindcore House, 1515 South Fourth Street (215-839-3333 or grindcorehouse.com).
At the Fishtown staple, hipsters while away their days typing on laptops and munching local snacks. Art shows and furniture made of bike parts fit the neighborhood’s indie vibe.
The Rocket Cat Cafe, 2001 Frankford Avenue (215-739-4526).
Regulars frequent the Locust Street location for poetry readings, concerts, and to glance at the rotating art on its walls. They also go for the iced coffee, which has a sweet, never-acidic taste, thanks to a cold-brewing method.
Green Line Cafe, 4426 Locust Street (215-222-0799 or greenlinecafe.com).
Java aficionados crave Stumptown Coffee Roasters espresso. Local food favorites like Betty’s Speakeasy and Green Aisle Grocers provide the treats.
Bodhi Coffee, 410 South Second Street (267-239-2928 or bodhicoffeephila.com).
Turkish coffee (try the sahlab, a warm drink made with milk, orchid root, nuts, raisin, and cinnamon) and vegetarian snacks are made in-house at Mazag Cafe. Procrastinate over Oum Ali, a creamy filo dough treat.
Mazag Cafe, 1001 South Tenth Street (215-925-1842).
The busy cafe sells a variety of locally roasted blends, brewed fresh daily.
La Colombe, 130 South 19th Street (215-563-0860 or lacolombe.com).
Mugshots uses wind power and biodegradable materials and composts its waste, so you can reduce your carbon footprint as you savor a cup of joe.
Mugshots, 2100 Fairmount Avenue (267-514-7145 or mugshotscoffeehouse.com).
Since fancy-pants Parc gets swamped on Saturdays and Sundays, go for a leisurely visit during the week. Watching working stiffs scurry to the office will make you feel like you’re on a mini vacation (and the complimentary gourmet cookie with each espresso is quite a treat).
Parc, 227 South 18th Street (215-545-2262 or parc-restaurant.com).
The music selection is good (The Books to Franz Ferdinand) and plays at a low volume, the seats are comf, and the staff is really nice. Chapterhouse Cafe’s joe ain’t bad either.
Chapterhouse Cafe & Gallery, 620 South Ninth Street (215-238-2626).
If tossing cup after cup into the trash has you feeling a little guilty, head to Good Karma Cafe. The ecofriendly joint uses corn-based plastics to contain your fair trade and certified organic sips.
Good Karma Cafe, 331 South 22nd Street (215-546-1479); 928 Pine Street (267-519-8860 or thegoodkarmacafe.com).
On top of the coffee, a huge Cuban sandwich, empanadas, tabbouleh, and, according to one bespectacled cutie who works at Cafe Cláve, reliable Wi-Fi make the spot worth frequenting.
Cafe Cláve, 4305 Locust Street (215-386-3436 or cafeclave.com).
Don’t be fooled by the laid-back atmosphere at Beauty Shop Cafe. Owner Jon Adler is tops at pulling the perfect espresso shot. Plus, his bartender-like talent for remembering your order will have you going back again and again.
Beauty Shop Cafe, 2001 Fitzwater Street (215-546-1002).
The cafe has coffee, espresso drinks, and cheap breakfast options, as well as a rotating schedule of fun, free events.
Black N Brew, 1523 East Passyunk Avenue (267-639-6070 or blackbrew.net).
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