“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.

The South Philly location of the popular Philly roastery and cafe is located in Newbold.

The Germantown location of the popular Philly cafe, which also has locations in Rittenhouse, South Philly, and Graduate Hospital.

For balanced blends of small batch coffee roasts, Rival Bros. pours unique coffees where seemingly opposing flavors come together. Whistle & Cus has notes of malted dark chocolate and citrus while the Champion Blend marries fruity berry with shortbread and a hint of ginger. They’re all loud flavors on their own, but, despite the name Rival Bros., the flavors don’t fight or overpower one another. Perhaps a little bit of friendly rivalry can bring out the best in us.

The Fitler Square location of the Philly cafe. For balanced blends of small batch coffee roasts, Rival Bros. pours unique coffees where seemingly opposing flavors come together.

There are endless ways to make coffee: drip, pour over, and cold brew, among others. Elixr is an excellent choice for these (and more) — don’t miss their Kyoto slow drip. The method extracts more caffeine than your usual hot coffee and also more robust flavors because of its slow extraction process. The process can take anywhere between three and 12 hours, but the wait's worth it. The Kyoto slow drip is offered at the Elixr on Sydenham Street, just off of Walnut. Be sure to get there early.

There couldn’t be a more appropriate name for a coffee than ReAnimator. When you’re in desperate need of a pick-me-up, ReAnimator coffee shops make a potent brew, powerful enough to, well, bring you back to life, much like the dancing skeleton on their packaging. Perk up with a sweet and nutty Colombia Desvelado, one of the single origin offerings, or find slightly fruity comfort in the At Home Blend. And they sell bags of their freshly roasted beans, so you can brew your own at home.

The Kensington location of the Philly coffee shop. Perk up with a sweet and nutty Colombia Desvelado, one of the single origin offerings, or find slightly fruity comfort in the At Home Blend. And they sell bags of their freshly roasted beans, so you can brew your own at home.

The South Philly location of the Philly coffee shop, which also has locations in Fishtown and Kensington.

If you’re in a creative rut, a cup of coffee in the eclectic sitting room of Higher Grounds is the perfect remedy. With a space full of mismatched furniture, artwork, and exposed brick, the vibe is as whimsical as it is comforting. This is the kind of spot where you’ll want to grab a cup of coffee and a sweet homemade pastry, sink into an antique armchair and get lost in a book — whether you’re reading one or writing one.

Part cafe, part art gallery, part garden, and home décor shop, Artesano Cafe & Bistro is an intriguing cabinet of curiosities. Serving up ReAnimator coffee, the cafe offers a multitude of brews and delicious signature lattes, like the turmeric latte made with the cafe’s own spice blend. You can enjoy a cup while perusing the art gallery or shopping for home goods, or, if you’re a plant lover, take your coffee to the patio, which is lush with plants in handmade terracotta planters.

Green Engine Coffee Co.’s chic, open floor plan feels like you’re in a space that’s a cross between a hip co-working office and your very cool friend’s loft. With homey accents like throw rugs and wooden tables, and a green wall covered in flourishing plants, it’s the perfect backdrop to an Instagrammable morning. The shop is from the same folks behind Bloomsday, which shows in their delectable selection of pastries, from sweet and colorful homemade pop tarts to flaky and buttery croissants.