“All communities deserve nice things,” says Justin Moore, general manager of Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee & Books. “That was the impetus of Uncle Bobbie’s.” Named after the founder, Marc Lamont Hill’s uncle Bobbie, the mission of the Germantown coffee shop was to create a safe space for neighbors to enjoy coffee and have access to a curated collection of books about race and identity. “At its core, a coffee shop should serve as a community hub,” says Moore.

Grindcore House is an all-vegan cafe focused on creating community around art, music, and radical thinking. In addition to coffee and delicious vegan treats and sandwiches, they host art shows, play alternative music including grindcore and other forms of metal, and have a small library of zines and reformist books. The menu features hearty breakfast sandwiches, deli sandwiches, and baked goods, but the sleeper hit here is the bagels and the wide range of vegan spreads.

The South Philly location of the all-vegan cafe, with art shows, alternative music including grindcore and other forms of metal, and library of zines and reformist books.

The Independence Mall location of the iconic Philly coffee joint. Since being founded in 1994, the company has become one of the largest local coffee roasters, bringing beans and draft lattes to coffee shops throughout the city and beyond, including cities like Chicago, Boston, and even as far as San Diego.

The Fishtown location of the popular and iconic Philly cafe. As a coffee shop, La Colombe checks all the boxes: They’re conveniently located, the décor is comforting and welcoming, and the staff knows a lot about coffee.

The Rittenhouse location of the popular and iconic Philly coffee joint.

The City Hall location of the popular Philly coffee roasters and cafe is located near Dilworth Park.

The Bryn Mawr location of the popular Philly coffee shop.

A good cup of coffee relies on a multitude of variables, each their own art form. There’s the art of the roast, the art of the grind, and the art of the pour to name just a few. Ultimo has perfected the whole process from sourcing all the way to the pour. And, if you’ve never tried a pour over, this is the place to do it. Each cup is carefully poured by hand to bloom the coffee, helping to extract the most flavor from the grounds.

The Graduate Hospital location of the chic Philly roastery and cafe is a perfect spot to try a pour over.