Old City Coffee

Philadelphia, United States

3.9

Closed now

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 215-592-1897
Website:
oldcitycoffee.com
Address:
1136 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA, 19107
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
420 ftJefferson Station
560 ftMarket East
670 ftArch St & 10th St
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Bussiness info

Take-out
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Parking
Street
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Outdoor Seating
No
Wi-Fi
No
Good for Working
Yes

Today

Today 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Closed now
Local time (Philadelphia) 22:31 Thursday, 28 November 2024

Business hours

Monday 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Tuesday 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Wednesday 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Thursday 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Description

Specialties

We are a 100% Philadelphia-​metro operated business with dedicated, knowledgeable staff here to help you choose varieties, roasts, and brewing techniques.

We roast only the high grade Arabica high grown coffee. We buy smartly so that you can drink well; our prices are among the lowest because we avoid the steps of using a commercial roaster and wholesaler. Our coffee is guaranteed to be the freshest available because we roast tiny batches.

History

Established in 1985.

Old City Coffee, Inc. was founded in 1984 as a one-​person operation, by Ruth Isaac. The original location at 221 Church Street in Philadelphia offered freshly-​roasted, Arabican coffee beans, brewed coffee, espresso drinks and brewing accessories. Old City Coffee’s original mission to supply the public with the freshest, highest-​grade coffees, combined with excellent service and competitive pricing has not changed since the store’s opening. This simple but successful formula has been the framework for our continued growth.

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20 reviews of Old City Coffee

No registration required
Place rating: 5
Philadelphia, PA
Excellent coffee brewed on premises. This was a great discovery just when I was leaving the Market to head home.
I had a cup of the coffee of the day — distinctive, balanced, excellent coffee. Informative signs (for the coffee varieties) and friendly service added to the experience. There was a short line and I actually didn’t mind since it gave me time to look at the coffee varieties available. This is better then you’re everyday Starbucks.
There are many other options of things to choose from in the the little bakery they have.
Place rating: 5
Columbus, MS
This is by far the BEST coffee I’ve ever had! OMG the cappuccino with almond milk was just perfectly made. If you are in downtown Philly, do yourself a favor, skip the Starbucks and the Dunkin’ Donuts and head over to Old City Coffee. Not only will you get some fabulous coffee, but the market itself is a sight to see!
Place rating: 5
Philadelphia, PA
Unlike larger coffee chains, Old City Coffee offers no-​nonsense, espresso drinks that are truly Pope-​worthy. Whether you go to the Arch Street pad location or the main location closer to the southwest entrance, there’s a consistency to the quality of the drinks that keeps me coming back for more. It’s clear that the baristas are well-​trained and take pride in their product. Old City Coffee also focuses on sustainably produced coffee and fair business practices with small farmers. Keep up the great work, Old City Coffee!
Place rating: 3
The Heights, Houston, TX
I bought a Chai tea latte and sadly I threw it away. It was made with water instead of milk. The hot apple Cider was good.
Place rating: 4
Philadelphia, PA
Rich espresso from manual machines in the reading terminal market. Ordered a double espresso and it could have knocked me from here to next Thursday if I had pounded it. Great place to jump start on a dreary Philadelphia day.
Place rating: 1
Philadelphia, PA
Don’t understand how an establishment would promote a certain type of roast yet not have any brewed or willing to make any when asked. How are the consumers to know if they like the product much less purchase the item blindly. Purchasing coffee beans is a big deal for coffee consumers like myself who seeks the best beans for my morning, noon and nightly brews!
Place rating: 4
Albany, NY
Can’t say too much about this little shop. The barista wasn’t too helpful as I tried to decipher their menu. I settled in on a hazelnut macchiato with almond milk. The coffee was perfect. This place grinds the coffee fresh in small batches everyday. For sure worth the four hour drive from Albany.
Place rating: 4
Houston, TX
Wish they had more options, but very friendly staff and great tasting coffee!
Place rating: 4
Kennett Square, PA
One of the best in the city. Café Au Lait is well crafted. Best selection of beans you will find. Grind per person so alll fresh.
Place rating: 4
Nanuet, NY
If you can’t go to la Colombe this is a great coffee place to go to. Went to the one in reading terminal market and was not disappointed. Would definitely go back and recommend to others
Place rating: 5
Philadelphia, PA
Old City Coffee’s Six Bean Espresso is definitely one of the most flavorful espresso shots I have ever had. It was much sweeter compared to normal espresso shots, and you can really taste how the different beans complement each other.
When I talked to the general manager, one amazing thing he mentioned was that they really try to match the bean to the roast in order to bring out the flavor of the bean. This is definitely true having tasted their medium roast Ethiopia beans as well. Most of my friends who do not drink coffee on a regular basis were able to drink this coffee dark. It was that good.
Place rating: 3
New York, NY
There are two locations within Reading Terminal: one by the Arch Street entrance and another closer to the southwest entrance.
Good cup of coffee. ‘Nuff said.
Place rating: 5
Washington, DC
How is this place only 3.5 stars?! We both got iced lattes, but my partner went with almond milk and I chose soy. Both drinks were incredibly good, the espresso is strong and well balanced. We also purchased the San Francisco blend to grind at home, can’t wait to try it!
Place rating: 3
Philadelphia, PA
Old city coffee used to be my goto spot when I’m in the area and swore by it.
It’s been awhile since I’ve had a cup and I decided to get a cup. The coffee was really really hot. So hot that I couldn’t even hold the cup despite having a sleeve. This was a bad sign as coffee shouldn’t be served our even brewed with this type of heat.
I take my coffee black, so there was a slight burnt and acidic taste. I thought it would be worse, but it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be – but still borderline ”unacceptable” for a local coffee joint. Philly is getting competitive in their coffee culture so I hope they start stepping up their game.
Another knock was the price. $ 2.50 for a cup of pre-​brewed. I can get a pour over at other places for $ 3. It is reading terminal market though.
Place rating: 5
Quincy, MA
I am a coffee snob. I hate DD coffee (which I think is against the law in MA) and I typically make my coffee at home because then I know it will be good. When traveling I am a S’Bucks person.
Not in Philadelphia now that I have found the joy of Old City Coffee. Giant to go options to get you through the day of adventure and TASTY coffee. They get it all right. Staff is quick and friendly. I was here Saturday and Sunday morning there was barely a wait … four or five people in line, a few minutes for a drip coffee. (I suggest going over to Profi’s Creperie after, but that is another review)
SO COFFEE DRINKERS/​LOVERS!!! forget all the nasty chains, get your butt to Old City Coffee you will NOT be disappointed
Place rating: 3
Philadelphia, PA
Excellent coffee drinks and a particularly delicious cup of iced coffee are all served at this fantastic spot. When I need a pick me up on the way back to the apartment, this place is a definite go-​to.
Keep in mind that this location is take-​away only. So, the service is prompt and courteous but nothing to write home about.
Place rating: 5
Philadelphia, PA
I only buy brewed coffee here. And the occasional whole beans by the pound for use at home. Their brewed coffee is strong. It’s good. You’ll be back for more. They also carry Chemex filters if you’re in the market.
Place rating: 2
New York, NY
The coffee here is pretty solid. I went here two mornings in a row because I wasn’t going to battle the people at the Convention Center for coffee. Actually, on my last day at the Convention Center, the EcoCoffee ran out of espresso so I’m glad Old City Coffee was on hand.
I took off three stars because it’s what Unilocal says — Meh, I’ve experienced better. I’m not a coffee connoisseur by any rights. I just really enjoy a good cup of coffee. The coffee here wasn’t anything special — so why is it so expensive to have a latte?
The service was also pretty lackluster — I think there’s definitely not enough workers to deal with the sheer amount of people coming here for coffee from the Convention Center. I also know it’s early in the morning, but there’s no need to be grumpy. We’re all tired too. A few of us didn’t get much sleep because of conferences at the Convention Center. We just want coffee.
Place rating: 4
Ridgewood, NJ
Solid service, paid careful attention to my ask. Coffee nice and smooth w milk steamed just right. Next door is Metropolitan Bakery to get a breakfast nosh.
4 for me means this place is a keeper; go in corner door past golden fish and turn left.
Place rating: 4
Philadelphia, PA
I first discovered Old City Coffee at its original location more than 20 years ago, and it has offered consistently good coffee beverages over the years.
Much has already been written about RTM’s Old City by fellow Unilocalers so I will simply highlight my favorite drink: an iced latte that has been whirled in a blender. When done right, the resulting beverage has the consistency of a frappé with almost none of the calories. I have not found anyone else in the City who is willing to blenderize a latte. On a hot day, few things are more cooling and satisfying than this drink. «Try it; You’ll like it.»