Stopped on a whim. Was looking for some caffeine close to the Mutter Museum. Ample seating, quiet. Indoor and outdoor seating. I ordered a large dark roast red eye, which is REALLY good. Bold and strong, as I enjoy my coffee. It sort of reminds me of Starbucks for some reason, except with larger sizes and better coffee. The guy at the counter was friendly. I will say that if you check in here, Yelp will offer you a free flavor shot. However, that coupon is not honored. I was informed that the establishment is under new ownership. The cashier was apologetic about it, But it really wasn't a big deal. I still got my flavor shot. The manager did sit in the corner with nothing to say about it. I didn't care, but I could definitely see other people giving that kid some hell over it.
(4)
Brian R.
This is like an off brand Starbucks with BETTER coffee. I love this place. I got the Irish Creme latte and it was pure perfection. I'd HIGHLY recommend going to this place. Quick and fast service and made right in front of you...like most coffee shops lol.
(5)
JUSTINE M.
It's a nice place to have a quiet conversation or study. However, their food is over priced and they lack accommodation for the mistakes they make. For example, I ordered a small iced soy chai. However, the girl at the register thought I wanted a warm chai. As I corrected the barista who I also think is the manager, she said that they told her warm and it costs extra for the regular iced drink. Given there is a $5 minimum on credit card, I was not going to buy more items to accommodate for the original biscotti I had to purchase to make the initial $5 minimum. So, instead of them being kind to replace the drink they initially messed up, I was stuck with a small soy chai which lacked flavor, wasn't completely filled, and a biscotti that I didn't even want. Ps - I also purchased a $7.99 grilled cheese when I first arrived that same visit which was very small for the price I paid. A cheap bag of chips does not equate to the unjust uplift in price. Not coming back unless I have to.
(1)
Hashim Q.
Caffeination is a very solid if unspectacular coffee shop. The coffee is not lacking by any stretch but I didn't really see a reason to go back. The owner is a nice guy and he said he makes lassi and other Indian treats off menu. Maybe if I had tried the lassi I would have given this place 4 stars but at the end of the day it's a coffee shop, not a lassi shop. It's better than Starbucks.
(3)
Pavithra M.
Loved, loved, loved the latte here. Creamy, strong and not super expensive. Outdid your average Starbucks latte! The place itself is a spacious coffee shop with basic eats and a quiet ambience. Great stop for a quick breakfast a and coffee before setting out for the day.
(4)
Caitlin C.
Cute spot in walking distance of Rittenhouse Square. A bit too pricey for my taste, but the drinks were great I had to Butternut Squash bread bowl and it was ok, nothing special. Did like the ambience and staff a lot!
(4)
Steve S.
Great java, spacious bright ambiance, and a five gallon lid attached to the restroom key kept at the front counter, lest someone steal that bad boy. Overall, a warm, comfortable, pleasant place to kill a couple of hours on a rainy day for us, between the Mutter Museum and our dinner reservation. The menu looked simple and tasty too- a nice place to try out a panini if your tummy's a rumblin'.
(4)
Amy C.
MICROWAVED SOUP! YUCK! Like many reviewers here, I wanted to like this place. I really did. Alas, I do not. I went in for lunch because they had this adorable little sign outside with a picture of a piping hot soup in a cute little bread bowl. On a cold, windy day like today, that's just what I wanted - minus the bread bowl. I ordered the soup, grabbed a bottled water to make my order over $5 to meet their dumb credit card minimum, and waited a few too many minutes for my soup. I thought I kept hearing a microwave ding go of numerous times, which I thought was weird. When I got back to my desk to eat my soup, which was not filled up all the way (they left about an inch from the top, which for a cup of soup is a lot of missing soup), my much-desired broccoli and cheese soup tasted like burnt, melted plastic because (and I'm only assuming this since I did not physically see the microwave) they heated up my soup in the to-go container in the microwave, for what seemed like a really long time. I kept hoping each bite would somehow get better, but no, it was just a cup (kind of) full of plastic tasting soup. You can't do that to soup! Moral of the story, Caffeination, find a better way to prepare your soups. Many people commented on the staff, also. While I did not experience any world class latte art, I found the two staff members there pleasant but aloof and ill-informed.
(1)
Jesse S.
It's important to note the significant improvements in Caffeination since Abi has taken over as owner 2 months ago. Abi makes an effort to be outgoing and friendly with all of his customers. In addition to being able to choose from different coffee and tea selections, he has started offering "Lassis," a traditional Indian Smoothie. These drinks are really good and worth checking out! Caffeination offers the appeal of a quite and comfortable small coffee shop, in which one can chat with a friend or easily get work done.
(5)
Colleen M.
How have I never reviewed this place? The girls here are super nice. Maybe it's because I'm there every week before work.. But they're always very friendly and accommodating. Their breakfast case varies from sweets to bagels/ breakfast sandwiches that can run out very quickly. Coffee is always tasty, never bitter. Definitely one of my go to spots for a quick morning bite :)
(5)
Justine J.
I just noticed the owner comment. I am super happy to personally hear that they try o be fair and keep their patrons happy. On top of that, it is extremely rare (from my own experience) to have a manager/owner to be so receptive to customer feedback. Most places just give you a generic apology. For a manager/owner to approach you with such grace is so awesome to me. It may not even be their fault, my taste buds have their own problems that even I wish they did not have. It's a place with good businessman-ship and I love to see them investing to make patrons happy. Definitely going back now!
(3)
JC J.
When I first moved to Philadelphia, I was very excited to see that Caffeination was located right across my building. From outside, the coffee shop seems to embody all the essential traits of an inviting neighborhood coffee shop - tons of tables, quiet atmosphere, board games, etc. However, Caffeination's appearance is VERY deceptive and I would not recommend this place to anybody who likes to frequent coffee shops or appreciates good coffee. SERVICE: Over the last two years, Caffeination has made an effort to improve its service. However, the service is still pretty sub-par. The employees are not very friendly and do not make an effort to accommodate customers. The mediocre quality of the service is particularly noticeable in comparison to the excellent service at Good Karma and Joe, both of which are located just a few blocks away from Caffeination. ATMOSPHERE: The chairs are uncomfortable and the temperature is way too hot. This place is also pretty strict about the wireless policy. You can only access the wireless for a limited period of time, which is a little annoying. It's not the best place to work because the tables are right next to each other so you can hear everyone's conversation. COFFEE: Most importantly, the coffee here is terrible. The coffee is either weak and/or tastes burnt. The pastries also look stale and unappetizing. This place also has a $5 minimum for credit cards, which is very irritating. I would go to La Colombe, Joe, Good Karma and even Starbucks on 19th over this place.
(2)
Jo P.
mediocre service, worse food. Don't ever get any of their paninis or breakfast sandwiches, they're too expensive for their qualities. Giving two stars because they're open early in the morning (the sole reason I went there three times so far, but disappointed every time.)
(2)
Cindy W.
I lived across the street from Caffeination for a year and only went once the entire time because there was never a coffee fix so desperate that I couldn't walk a few extra blocks down to Joe, Good Karma, or even DD, Starbucks, or Saxby's. I made the mistake of coming here for breakfast on my way into University City one Sunday morning. I ordered their special end-of-summer vegan drink that was some kind of green tea latte, as well as a bagel with Nutella. The drink was pretty clearly just a mix of soymilk and matcha powder, and the bagel with Nutella was, as expected, nothing extraordinary, but I paid over $7 for this "meal." The two women behind the counter weren't as hostile as what other reviewers have experienced but this is the service industry so you don't get to charge me this much just because you didn't give me stank with my drank. I usually balk at giving one-star reviews but "Eek! Methinks not." very accurately describes how I feel about this place.
(1)
Christopher C.
We came here before going to Day by Day, we had a chai latte and a cappuccino, I personally thought the foam was much too over frothed, thought it was still good. The space was a weird feel to me kind of like an old Denny's.
(3)
Kathy A.
Coffee art is awesome! The barista here can do basically anything!
(4)
David W.
Yo this place is terrible. The coffee is bad, and the service is worse. I got the buzz or whatever their proprietary name for the Red Eye is. The girl at the register was annoyed with my presence, as was her colleague. Rather than wasting time and risking carpal tunnel here by cataloguing all of her micro-agressions and macro-sleights, I'll give you this single anecdote that sums up my experience: Chalkboard without sizes, only prices in a row: "I'll have the Buzz. Uhh, the $2.45 size--the second size from the left." "Okay, so if you can look down and to the right, below the chalkboard, you'll see we actually have four cup sizes with names." Finally got it. Tasted like nescafe mixed with old moldered adobe. Nah dude.
(1)
Veronica V.
This is a review for the light roast coffee only. I've been exploring local coffee shops trying to find a coffee that tastes good black. This was not it. The taste was slightly burnt and watered-down.
(2)
Lis O.
Mediocre food, service, and setting. This place is okay, I wouldn't go back. I got a soup, which tasted a lot like canned soup. The server was unfriendly. They have a lot of different syrups.
(2)
Sarah K.
I stopped here when I was visiting Philly and thought it was ok. I didn't notice any rude behavior by the baristas or a sign telling me what I could and couldn't do. Maybe I'm just not observant. Every customer but me was studying quietly. My drink was alright but not the best one I'd ever had and I think the price was reasonable.
(3)
Fereshteh A.
I am not sure if I like the way the baristas behave. When I wanted to order I had to wait for the gentleman at the counter for 2 minutes since he was sorting out coins. That is fine but I expected a word of excuse afterwards but nothing. Next, I asked for decaf which he said they do not have. He didn't offer to brew. He just said they can give me Americano. He didn't offer to give it at the price of regular coffee (FYI sometimes even in starbucks they do it). When all together my check came to 4.79 he also refused to accept credit card since their minimum was 5!! While I was there, they left the door open for so long that my friend and I left to sit at another cafe (FYI I am writing this during the coldest winter Philadelphia has ever seen). All in all, very unpleasant experience.
(1)
Nancy M.
Meh. Just average coffee, there are plenty of other options not far away, try la columbe instead.
(2)
Nikki R.
Coffee, smoothies, pastries I shouldnt be eating. Sign me up. There is one barrista who makes really cool latte designs...one time she did Hello Kitty for me. They also have board games to play and it's a prime people watching spot. I am a fan.
(4)
Kevin B.
Stopped in here for a quick coffee while walking around Philly. This is a pretty nice place with friendly staff and decent prices. The coffee was very good and I would definitely stop in again if I'm in the area.
(4)
Ama C.
walk in and study the menu while neither barista even bothers to look up from their phones or stand up from their seats? no thank you.
(1)
Jim C.
I moved to an apartment a block and a half away about 6 months ago. This place is on the way to the Trader Joe's and around the corner from the post office, so I was delighted. Then I went in. Whoever is at the register will avoid making eye contact, then mumble the order. I asked for one kind of muffin and ended up with something else in the bag they handed me. I thought: so much for tis place. About a month later I decided to give Caffeination a second chance. Who knows, maybe it was me? Maybe it was the day? This time there were 2 of them at the register and neither wanted to be bothered waiting on a customer. Finally one of them condescended to ask what I wanted. Which was a medium coffee. Then I stood there for 10 minutes waiting for it. Nothing. Finally I reminded them that I had paid for a cup of coffee some time back and with a big huff, someone poured and handed it to me. I thought: whoever owns this place is actually paying people to treat customers like this? Amazing.
(1)
Chaya M.
Very quiet coffee shop with nice range of drinks and food available.The combination of it being quiet, and the great [low-volume] music they played made it perfect for a distractable person like me to get some work done.
(4)
Alex N.
Honestly this place gets a bad rap for service. I got a breakfast sandwich (which was DELISH. Bacon egg & cheese on an English muffin) and a latte. My latte was made with nonfat milk (which I didn't ask for) and something was just off about the flavor, but I went back and asked if they could make me one with regular milk, and they did!!! I hate to be that person but I paid like 8$ for this latte & sandwich combo (the bacon was 1.25 extra) and I just love good coffee, so I got up the guts to ask. They are really very nice and I really appreciated them making another. Also, their croissants are delicious. Will probably come back a lot as I live really close by! Just sort of wish they would come up a name that sounds less like a video game...
(4)
Andrea D.
It's close by the breakfast and dessert is decent. They are little pricey and I don't care for the attitude. Businesses need to realize good customer service,with a smile goes a long way. I won't be going back.
(2)
Beth B.
One of my favorite coffee spots in the city! Alright, I have to admit that one of the main reasons I absolutely love Caffeination is because of all of the flavors they have! They have an entire list of flavored syrups you can add to any of your coffee drinks, and a ton of them are sugar-free too. I love trying different flavors and even combinations. While the people who work here aren't exactly the warmest crew... they make a great coffee. Prices are about average for the small shops in the city... just as if not more expensive than Starbucks. I'm just a slave to them at this point! If you're around in the summer, you absolutely have to HAVE TO try the watermelon slushy. So. Freakin. GOOD!
(4)
Valentina L.
I don't like the service. Period. I was there for Helloy kitty latte. The cashier was not nice at all. I won't go again.
(2)
Federico M.
Yea, this coffee place really hits the spot. Yummy lattes with cool friendly designs made with the foam at the top...so cute! I love that...every little extra idea goes a long way in my book! Next time, I wanna try the Sansom special...#curious
(4)
A N.
I live very close by and truly wanted to like this place!! After 3 visits I cannot say that I even have a lukewarm liking to it. Normally, I just get regular coffee when I'm out and thought the coffee I got was just a bad brew or something. No...their coffee just sucks. WHY!? Why does it taste like bitter, ulcer causing ammonia?? I have traveled all over the world and had my share of coffee from all walks of life-"to the stars" excellent right down to "complimentary" coffee from a hostel...they have the capability and the machines here, HOW is it even possible that the coffee is so bad? On my final occasion there I wanted a Misto. They had no clue what it was. I explained it to them and one of the baristas even looked it up online. After making their version of a Misto she handed it to me. Being too hot to drink right away I thanked her, paid, and left. It was vomit in a cup. It was the most vile thing I have ever had. It was NOT worth $1 let alone the $5 they over-charged me. Save yourself and skip over to Joe's or Starbucks.
(1)
Emily P.
Staff is really friendly, coffee is good and the place is usually quiet. Really nice place to work.
(5)
Claudia W.
I've been here a few times and every time I come I'm disappointed...it's weird that I keep coming back. The baristas are slow, not particularly friendly, and do stupid things like putting my drink at the end of the bar around the corner from where I'm standing, and then pointing me to it instead of handing it to me (since I'm the only one here and you're doing NOTHING!!!). So, there you have it...2 stars. Coffee tastes good but it's not anything special.
(2)
Gina M.
I dated a guy that lived across the street from here. That was the best part of the relationship. It is a typical coffee shop. However, the taste is so much better. I love it here. They make a mean vanilla chai.
(4)
Sar M.
Stopped for a quick bite for lunch. I ordered a latte for myself a mozzarella tomato panini for my friend. Not only was the cashier rude, but they charged $1 extra for pesto and .75 for the bread. Who charges extra for bread on a sandwich? The sandwich which was listed as $6.99 ended up being $10. The panini wasn't hot and was mediocre. My latte wasn't even filled to the top and was room temperature. Not coming here again.
(2)
Jenna F.
Great coffee and great service!!! Everyone that works there is friendly and the bakery items are good as well. The only downfall is the breakfast sandwiches could use some work but overall, love this place!
(4)
Abe A.
A disaster. No bottomless refill, but coffee overpriced relative to other indie coffeeshops in the area with bottomless refills. 90 minute wireless voucher. Limited outlets. Limited seating. No scones. Coffee tasted awful. They have a Tv in the room. TV! How are people supposed to concentrate on reading when they have GMA in the background? No paper towels. A coffee shop without paper towels? There's more but I'll stop here. Save yourself the trip.
(2)
Karen F.
Stopped in for a non-coffee beverage and wound up with a winner - the Watermelon (non-alc.) mojito (sans simple syrup and it's still very sweet). 4 stars for the great beverage - 2 stars for the icy reception from the (female) barrista. Again - this place is just OK.
(3)
Kelly P.
greater selection than your average corner coffee shop. due to its location you can see a fair amount of interesting people out of the big windows.
(3)
Chris D.
Not too many "neighborhood, quirky" coffee shops in the Rittenhouse area (there are chain & hotel and "glam coffee shops) so I was pleasantly surprised to find a nice, lil coffee shop with a bit of character at Caffeination. The staff has always been cordial & friendly. People watching is good. The coffee & food are average but better than any chain. A nice neighborhood feel here.
(4)
Simson G.
I love this place. Great photos, good attitude, lovely coffee art, good food. Very homey.
(5)
Andrew W.
Meh, its a perfectly fine option for picking up a quick snack and a coffee, but I wouldn't expect to be wow'd by anything here. I ordered an everything bagel with light cream cheese and got a slightly toasted bagel with a to-go cup of lite cheese for me to spread... again, thats fine, but its nothing special.
(3)
Steve C.
Coffee was expensive and not all that good. $1.85 for a 12 oz is a little ridiculous. I'm sure their bread and butter is espresso drinks but I'm not gonna spend $5 on a latte when your drip coffee tastes like it came from a gas station. Also had a weird vibe like an old deli. Not really the kind of place I'd want to hang out and work. Service was friendly so no complaints about that.
(2)
Taylor D.
Great location, very good and unique coffee. Solid study spot. The wifi was kind of shotty and kicked me off multiple times. Overall, great place to study
(5)
Holly M.
Oddly adorable. Walking in I wasn't quite sure what we would get. This isn't your typical Starbucks or even Peets atmosphere. It reminded me more of a diner. The coffee choices were varied and the food choices seemed decent. I ordered a soy latte and waited. And waited. But in the end it was worth the wait. The lovely barista made me the most adorable and delicious snowman topped latte. I loved it. So cute and fun. I'll definitely be back the next time I'm in PHL.
(4)
Vinny P.
I want to stand up for coffee shops in Philadelphia. I want to rave about how awesome they are and tell lots of people that they have to go to them. It is with some sadness that I say that Caffeination is just sort of there. It's not a bad place by any means and it's not fantastic either. My experience was, as the Yelp legend specifies, "A-OK" There was nothing bad about it, but there was also nothing great about it. If this place was a beer, it would be Yuengling Lager. I'll drink it if nothing else is available. My cup of yirgacheffe was pretty good. The coffee was kept in a carafe which is always nice to see. The atmosphere is bright and inviting and feels somewhat manufactured. It certainly didn't have anything distinctive about it. So there it is really. This is just your normal, run of the mill coffee shop.
(3)
Courtney B.
the best green tea latte ever!!!! i walk 8 blocks and pass like 5 starbucks to go to the place.
(4)
Shelly B.
from 3/31/2012... Hot drinks! Great food prices! Bagel with cream cheese $1.89!
(5)
Sam B.
Good spot for people watching or working on the computer- the internet was free with purchase but access is only for 1 1/2 hour so if you need to be there awhile plan on buying a few things every hour or so.
(3)
Benjamin H.
Average coffee (no better than Starbucks or Dunkin!), but below average service and surprisingly high prices. Not even a good place to sit (limited seating, loud, poor ambiance, etc.)! They also have a credit card minimum and charge an outrageous amount for a dash of soy. Won't make the mistake of going back again, especially with so many half decent options in the immediate vicinity.
(1)
Shereen C.
Caffeination is a pretty standard cafe. It might be hard to get a table. It's OK.
(3)
Vera D.
No AC when you order a small latte they will give it to you in a to go cup even when you tell them you want it for here. the early grey latte taste like shit, it taste like water and milk. charge extra for soy milk limited outlets would not come here again
(2)
Louis B.
Waiting for a friend who works at the Res Cross two blocks away, I came upon this place. I love it! Free WiFi, friendly service, great coffee, tea, and Mate selections, and a nice selection of board games which you can play all day for $2.00 per person. And just off the Rittenhouse beaten path so you don't have to enjoy your faire while stepping over each other. Yummy breakfast and lunch selections. And as an independent coffee house, my kind of place!!!
(4)
Sarah H.
Coffee was pretty decent here. Good location and plentiful outdoor seating. Most of the staff is friendly too. What I did not like, however, were the obnoxious signs littered throughout the shop warning against any "overstayers." -- i.e. those of us that like to linger over a cup or do some studying for more than an allotted 1 hour timeframe. Yes I understand that as a business you want to make as much money as possible and yes I understand that in order to do this you want to serve as many people as possible. But put yourself in the cutomer's shoes: do you really want people gracing your shop to have a lingering feeling you want them OUT as soon as humanly possible? Didn't think so.
(2)
Julia C.
I like this cafe for a nice cuppa Ethiopian roast. Yum. They have lunches too. I have been here for lunch or just coffee. Now that i have a kindle fire I try to find my free Wi-fi so i can sit on my lunch hour. They have Wi-Fi free for paying customers. Staff is friendly and professional. I prefer going to Indie-coffeehouses over Starbucks if I can....
(4)
Shirley Y.
Dropped in for the first time today with a few girlfriends, needing something to cool us from the heat. The place was really nice and the menu very diverse! Definitely not your typical coffee place with such unique drinks served here. I had a lychee mojito (virgin) served as a slushie and OMG that was so delicious and refreshing! Lychee btw is my favorite asian tropical fruit. My one friend had a candy bar? frappachino with fresh made whipped cream. She said it was sweet and so good. My other friend had a red tea frappachino with fresh whipped cream. It was not that sweet, which she liked. I also got to taste a matcha green tea frappe, which was like drinking green tea ice cream... yummm! Looking forward to coming back and trying another yummy concoction!
(5)
Christina P.
I've always thought of this as a cute little corner coffeeshop that I never really was at the right place or the right time to pop into. Looking around for a quick lunch and a place to sit for a while, I decided to try it. I looked over their menu - pretty standard coffee drinks, smoothies, breakfast and paninis. I asked if they were still making breakfast (it was 1pm) and she told me yes - I quickly figured out why. I ordered a veggie sausage, egg, and cheese on a bagel and discovered it was completely microwaved. I understand that a lot of places do this, but they must do it better. This was the driest, blandest bagel sandwich I've ever had. At least the coffee was really good. Bottom line - go for the coffee, skip the food, and bring cash because they have a $5 credit card minimum.
(2)
Maureen M.
Craving some java I figured I'd give the little guy a shot and skip Starbucks. Caffeination is a cute place but I can't say I'd return. The pros: cozy environment, friendly service. The cons: "meh" caramel latte, long wait time even though not busy. The downright gross: grilled cheese :( How do you mess up grilled cheese?! The bread was dry and squashed and the (orange) cheese was tasteless and oily. Yucky
(2)
Hatim E.
Well my 1st time here, I am coffee person so I know the good coffee when I smell it. They do good coffee, I love my strong (Jolt) house coffee +double espresso. The free wifi is a plus , just ask the register for paid customers password. I didn't eat here so I can't review their food, but the whole environment is heathy & friendly. The staff are helpful, smiling & professional , it is kinda neighborhood caffe I might like over the Starbucks
(4)
Bill M.
I didn't need to come here this morning. My job hooks up a swank coffee discount so I really didn't need to come here. But it was a brand new coffeehouse, and McThrill gets drawn to those like a moth does to a lamppost. On top of that the name of the house is McThrill's drug of choice! So resist was something that I just couldn't do. The place's grand opening is on Saturday. So they were pretty much open and working out the kinks before their big occasion. So it is too early to fully criticize. But it's a good thing that they're working out those kinks because they were definitely there. They had one of those counter prep systems where one person works the register, another does the food, and another preps the drinks. That usually works for places like Dunkin Donuts and Fourbucks (or even Bonte and Coffee Bar) because they usually have 5 or more people working the counter. But when you have 3 people working under that system it usually only succeeds in making everyone involved wait longer. And in the end it took them longer to get me a large coffee than just about, oh, every other indie coffeehouse in Philly that I've been to (If your keeping track on my list than that's a pretty big number). But as far as product and quality Caffeination definitely has it. The Large coffee was the perfect wake up call that I needed in the morning. And I definitely noted the delicious looking pastries and variety of bagels. They also had an incredible assortment of drinks in the cold case. The menu also has an number of inexpensive sandwiches. So if they figure out a better counter system, or get a little more in the groove over the weeks to come, than Caffeination might just be on the road to some good things. Outlook = Good.
(3)
Mindy K.
As a place to buy coffee, or have a quick bite, i think this place would be just fine. there appeared to be quite a few menu options, though I was disappointed by the fact that they didn't have any fresh fruit. the coffee itself was tasty enough, and the guy taking orders at the counter was very friendly. my plan had been to have bfast, coffee and fire up my laptop to do a bit of work this morning. so, i asked if they had wifi available and they said they did. Good, right? well, caffeination only allows you to use laptops along this long bar in the place. which would be acceptable, but there are NO OUTLETS. correction, there is ONE outlet, but it's at a corner table next to the trashcan, and there is a huge sign above it that says that you can't use laptops there. since my laptop battery was dead, i essentially was S.O.L. so with the coffee i had just purchased and a bowl of vegan chili i had just ordered, my plan to work was completely foiled. basically, they are discouraging customers from coming in there and hanging out all day. if that is the business model, then that is fine, BUT either be a coffee shop that allows users to chill w/laptops and provide wifi, OR be a coffee shop with food where you're not supposed to loiter. PICK ONE. you can't be both without frustrating customers.
(2)
Laura D.
I stopped in for an unneeded cup of joe and to check out this recently opened place. Seems to be a pretty place to get a cup of coffee, coffee-like drink, pastry or snack. The regular coffee was ok... a little bitter for my taste, but I know that's some people's cup of tea... err, coffee. They also have about 50 flavored syrups for coffee or italian sodas. It was WARM inside. I love a toasty place in winter, but they could stand to turn down the thermostat just a couple notches. Or who knows, maybe it's not always that sweltering. I also noticed they have free wi-fi and ample seating. Prices didn't seem bad either - a medium coffee was $1.65 plus tax. I appreciate that drinks come in "small, medium, large, etc" rather than "tall, grande, venti", all of which sound big to me. Good coffee, good location, pleasant. I'll probably stop in again when I'm passing by.
(3)
Stef S.
Good variety of drinks and food. Very friendly staff and cozy ambiance. I wish they opened later and had bigger tables. But overall less crazy and pretentious than some of the other cafes in town.
(4)
Pasquale A.
I really wanted to love this place because they do have a great soy latte -- using plain soy unlike Starbucks, but then... They called the cops on me "because you are being rude". Read on if you want the full unbelievable story. OK, I know I am an environment freak, so I always either bring my own cup or drink-in at a place that has mugs. They do. Fine so far. I order bagels and coffee for here, but then the coffee comes in paper...with plastic lids...with sleeves... I'm cringing but I drink it. They do offer to correct. I'm finished and I decide to ask how they designate for-here orders, explaining that I try to avoid throwaways. The barista who made the mistake pipes up that "you have to order 'for here'" as if it is my mistake. Never mind that the bagels were correctly served on plates. I explain again how passionate I am about not generating trash and how I could not have ordered to-go, but by then one of them is on the phone to the police! (at least they said) I asked why, they actually told me "because you are being rude". Another of them called me an @ssh0le. Attitude? Update: I've since been back with good results. I keep repeating "make that for here", "that's for here, right?", "you can put that in a mug",...
(2)
Lauren S.
First of all, service was extremely unfriendly which is a huge red flag considering the amount of coffee competition in this part of the city. Inside is stale and uncomfortable. Coffee was OK. Smoothie was ALL SUGAR? I didn't see a single piece of fruit put into it. Not going back.
(2)
Christopher R.
It always seems like places with names that are too clever by half are either awful or awesome (with the name being just another cool thing about them) but nothing about Caffeination really struck me as either good or bad. The coffee is just okay. (Though they had soy milk sitting out with the milk, skim milk and half & half instead of me having to ask for it, which is nice.) The blueberry scone is a bit too dry. Three stars is about correct.
(3)
Jed S.
Tasty smoothies (I had a banana-strawberry), with extremely friendly barristas, and a nice, clean shop and atmosphere. Strongly recommended if you're in the area. A big cut above the Starbuckses of the world.
(5)
Joe C.
Something happened to me today which really put me in a good mood for the rest of the day. After working out really hard at the gym, I began walking home in the rain. I was terribly thirsty, completely exhausted, and soaked from head to toe. All I really wanted was a large iced tea from my local coffee shop, Caffeination. I got there at about 4:45 and there was a girl outside taking tables inside, and another girl inside cleaning. She tells me the place closes at 4 on Sundays. But then she says, did you want some coffee? I say, actually, I was going to get iced tea. She says, okay, let me go make you some. I'm like, aw, that's really nice of you. Are you sure you don't mind? She says no, not at all. Couple minutes later she comes back and hands me a large iced tea. I was waiting there with money in my hand for her, but she says, oh, its on us. And she was just so incredibly sweet about the whole thing. Like, this girl just got done working a full shift in a coffee shop, and she STILL has this big smile on her face, and this extra friendly attitude? Best iced tea I ever had. Didn't even need sweetener. I'll tell ya. She really restored my faith in humanity.
(5)
Katey G.
The staff here went out of their way to make a drink with soy in it for me instead of milk. It was amazing. The willingness to help a girl out says a whole big deal. My frappe was good! It was a nice place to just sit and chill for awhile on a hot day.
(5)
David T.
Typical coffee place, nice service, ok prices, good selection (although i only order tea). One thing to note, laptops at the bar only. They have more rules than the average place, but i guess i understand? The bar is nice though, good view...that is, if you get a seat. Oh, and free Wifi!
(4)
Jes S.
Things I loved about this place: ... Things I didn't enjoy: -- Overpriced coffee that is ... eh. Capogiro's makes better coffee that's tastier and a much better price. -- The attitude! Other people have reviewed my exact thoughts: Oppressive & Obnoxious, I'd also add Rude, Awkward, Pretentious, and Silly ... Why? There's a sign that says "No studying allowed at tables..." But what if I like reading a non-fiction book now and again? When we ordered a coffee and didn't want a "coffee card", the barista looked offended and gave us a nasty glare. The peanut butter cookie I had was pretty good, but was starting to get stale. I tried really hard to like this place because I love coffee and I liked their name, but I am very sad instead.
(1)
Liana A.
This place sucked. I came in for breakfast. The coffee had an oily taste to it. I expected a rich flavorful cup. I could have gotten better from Dunkin Donuts. And I asked for the eggs and cheese on multigrain toast. They gave me hot eggs and cheese on COLD TOAST? Who does that? Not even a warmup. Yea they were friendly but 3 employees standing around chatting and texting . Hmm not professional. And I got this after a 2hr bus ride into Philly. I'm really upset I wasted money here.
(2)
Emily K.
From a menu that reads like the contract in Willy Wonka's factory to the air of awkward tension you could slice through with a q-tip, this place is totally devoid of a desirable coffee shop vibe. The oppressive signage detailing the "rules you must follow if you are paying money for Caffeination's products" gets you down from the moment you enter. It's like walking into communist China. Except Mao Zedong is a slovenly old fat man who slinks around miserably judging how recently you've bought your drink compared to how long you've been taking up "valuable" space in the cafe. Want to use the internet? Please refer to above China comment. Hungry? That's not real food. That's processed-food-food. Probably expired processed-food-food. That costs too much. Customer service? Founded on the principles of mistrust and deception. Redeeming qualities - a few cool baristas bobbing amongst a sea of angsty looking preteens, and some neat non-coffee drinks, e.g. yerba mate and red tea lattes. Not enough, dude.
(1)
Lauren S.
3.5. Disclosures: (1) I don't drink coffee. (2) I'm kind of a tea snob. Yay: Friendly staff Free wifi (just ask for the password when you're at the register) Decent chai Good breakfast sandwiches Chocolate croissants! Meh: They use regular old teabags (I think Numi), nothing special They have a bunch of boardgames... but they charge you a couple bucks to play 'em. Kinda weird. This is my neighborhood coffee shop, so I come here with some regularity. It's a good place to study or to relax and people-watch through the windows. I do wish they had some good loose-leaf tea (but I wish that about almost everywhere). I probably wouldn't go out of my way to come here, but I'm glad to have it in my hood.
(3)
Rob W.
Caffeination makes it a point to find the "Best of" for each of their offerings. Bagels are always fresh and delicious. Coffee is from an award winning roaster. Great place for both hot summer and cold winter drinks. Staff is friendly, attentive and professional. My new favorite hangout!
(5)
C Y S.
The service here was great - the staff is very friendly and on top of things. I did find the espresso a little bitter and burnt, and the muffin I got honestly tasted like a convenience store packaged muffin. I have to admit I am a coffee and pastry snob, so maybe my standards are too high. I recently moved into the area and wanted to check out local spots, but I think La Colombe is still my favorite coffee around here, since there is no Stumptown coffee to be found close by. And La Colombe has great pastries made with real butter.
(3)
Leslie M.
Sitting here and rushing to finish this review before my 1 hour allotted wifi is up. It's a convenient location for those of us too lazy to walk the blocks further into Rittenhouse square. The latte I am enjoying is decent and their food selections are abundant & varied but I cannot comment on the taste as I only caffeinate here. There is a decent amount of seating but they are fairly stringent about having laptops work on the counter & their free wifi is limited to one hour so I would not choose this location to do work esp if it requires a computer. A good place to drop by and grab a cup or meet a friend for a chat.
(3)
Sean R.
After stopping at Barnes and Noble on Rittenhouse Square, we headed west on Chestnut, try somewhere different to grab a coffee. We eventually crossed paths with Caffeination. I was happy to see that they had frozen drinks on the menu, because it was 90+ and so humid out. I ordered a green tea frap, which tasted exactly like an extra thick shamrock shake (it was what i was looking for, but i didn't complain). My lady ordered an iced soy latte, which was on par with other decent iced soy lattes. The service was great, and the place was pretty much empty (i guess because so many people resent the time limit they impose). It doesn't have that "coffee shop" type of feel and it is a bit pricey. It wasn't good, it wasn't bad, so the next time in the area I will try another option.
(3)
Kathryn M.
This place is ok. It has a great setup if you are planning to work from a coffee shop all day and I definitely wish it had been in existence when I was still in grad school. As for post-studying chill spot? Mediocre. The coffee was fine, nothing really special. The first cup I got was cold so they gave me a new cup and a free coffee token for next time I come in. The management/staff is super friendly and efficient. My brother and I got a couple of bagels and the cream cheese and peanut butter came in little jelly-sized packets which I thought was a bit odd. All in all, it's fine for grabbing a cup of coffee but if you aren't planning to stay and work you may want to find a better cup of joe. Worth mentioning though is the creative list of coffeish drinks they have on the chalkboard out front. I may have to give them another shot when they advertise such drinks as carrot cake milkshakes and blueberry white chocolate lattes...
(3)
Kevin K.
Great place for a caffeine fix - I also tried their specialty chai-chino and it was a surprisingly refreshing and unique drink. Staff was extremely friendly and it's great to see some personality in a coffee shop outside of all the chains nowadays. I'll definitely be dropping by again when I'm in the area for another chai-chino!
(5)
Jarret F.
After walking past the Rocky statue in front of the Philadelphia Art Museum, hunger overcame me and I stopped by Caffeination to get wifi and find a restaurant on Yelp. Very happy with the baristas, people watching on the busy corner, good Oregon chai, and excellent music (Death Cab for Cutie). Wifi is free and password protected. Ghettotastic ceiling tiles, though.
(4)
Andrew L.
Great place and friendly staff! I was driving through Philly and needed a caffeine fix so I stopped here. I'm not a big coffee person so the staff recommended a chai-cino which is their chai tea spin on the frappuccino. It hit the spot perfectly and I was back on my way!
(5)
Liz C.
Their espresso is very, very tasty, and two shots come in their small latte, which I appreciate. Great iced americano and fabulous staff! . Great iced americano and fabulous staff!
(4)
Susan L.
The first thing I noticed about this place was the size; it was huge for a cafe! Inside is even better; I was impressed by the wood work, the design/setup of the whole place, it seemed tranquil and relaxing. I ordered a vanilla chai which was decent and a hot chocolate which was pretty good and not watered down like most places. The items were fairly priced ($2.60 for a small chai, $3.00 for a large chocolate). I've been looking for an alternative to Starbucks that makes good chai and now I have one. The staff was OK; not rude but not very forward-friendly. So if you're in the area, shopping or whatnot and want a place to unwind for a little bit or meet up with someone, this is a great place to do it.
(4)
Ilana D.
Their green tea latte's are amazing
(4)
a r.
This is my new go-to place when I'm craving something different. They have a ton of syrups, etc. so that you can create something other than just your average latte. My latte was very well-made and tasty! They have wifi (you will however, have to request the code) and a frequent buyer card (at 10 vs. starbucks 15) On another note... It was super hot out on this particular day the interior of this place was about the same - turn up the AC so that it's actually comfortable enough to study, please! The staff were also a bit less than friendly and if you want to pay by credit card there is a $5 minimum or you can use the ATM and pay the surcharge (personally I just added a cookie to my order). Still, I'm pretty sure that this is against their agreement with the card company and therefore illegal, but most of all annoying. I was a first timer so I feel like they could have let it slide.
(4)
Jack J.
Nice place. Wasn't too crowded when I was there. Staff is very helpful and friendly!
(4)
Alli C.
As a place to get coffee, this place is good. They're all about quality. The staff truly cares about getting things that are the best they can be to the customer. The owner has a lot of rules, and is pretty strict, but if you want to find a place in a great location, with good coffee and sandwiches at an average price, go to Caffeination. Also, make sure you look around the whole store for signs, because not all of the menu items are written on the menu.
(3)
Mike A.
Won't be back. Ordered a frappe and grilled cheese sandwich. Was supposed to come with a tomato. Ended up being a squashed oily slice of cheese on dry bread. Wasn't that many people in there and I still felt cramped from all the people brushing by us to get into the bathroom. Service was friendly though.
(2)
Dustin M.
The coffee is pretty good but every time I've been in there, I have been waited on by a snotty employee. This is the closest place to my apartment but I will always walk the extra couple of block to go to Nook.
(2)
Josh V.
This place is awesome. Good coffee, friendly service, nice seating both indoor and outdoor.
(5)
George S.
I love this coffee place. I like coffee, but I LOVE tea and they have my favorites. The staff is friendly and always having fun. I have become a regular and will continue to get my drinks from here.
(5)
Teodora S.
Really nice place, cozy atmosphere, nice they have tables for sitting outside. Coffee is good (very original names...:) ). I love their mocha and cappuccino. I great place to get coffee when you want to stay away from Starbucks.
(4)
Jane P.
My family and I stopped by and ordered a few soups and a couple of paninis. They got my sister's order wrong and took 20 minutes to microwave our soups AFTER we reminded them and AFTER we noticed they had served the same soups to people who ordered after us. What they did have was an attitude.
(1)
Eva K.
Staff was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. (Caffeination is under new management.) They recommended a chai expresso latte which was fabulous. You can distinctly taste the chai and the expresso which made for a very yummy drink! Every drink can be made hot or cold so I tried the cold option which was perfect for the hot day. I also tried the banana chocolate chip cake which was pretty fresh and tasty. Highly recommend checking out the cafe.
(5)
Parisa S.
Totally obsessed with the latte here. I don't know what they put in it, but I suspect it's laced with crack cocaine. I am completely addicted.
(5)
Ying W.
The first thing that stuck out to me was the name. It sums up the coffeehouse's purpose perfectly - to caffeinate all those who seek a tune up in the morning. Better than a Starbucks in my opinion, the setting is trendy and you have many different options as to food and beverages. They have everything from a "Market Street Machiato" to "Jolt Chewing Gum". Great place to people watch and/or surf the web using their free wi-fi service!
(4)
D K.
I'd like to give Caffeination 3.5 stars. I had been there a few times in the 9 months or so that I've been living nearby and found it to be so-so. The quality of what you get - coffee wise - really depends on the person making the drink. The mocha I got the other day was great: strong, chocolaty and piping hot (made by a slightly-built, friendly dark-haired guy). Today's latte was so-so (definitely not hot enough). I don't expect small independent places to be machines like the big S'bucks, but some consistency would be good. The staff is friendly and helpful and the owner is a nice guy, who really seems to care, but maybe just can't make that next improving step. I'll definitely give them another try, maybe for food and a smoothie.
(4)
Jeremy C.
This place has everything I would expect out of a coffee shop. They have great coffee, very delicious food, and a wonderful atmosphere. I stopped in the other day because I was in the area and really liked the catchy name. I ordered a latte, an egg & cheese on a bagel w/ ham, and a croissant. They were all fantastic and couldn't imagine getting anything of that quality at a Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks. I would definitely recommend this place to anybody who may be in the area.
(5)
Leigh Anna T.
What is this, communist Russia?! Ok seriously, if I'm going to pay you more than Starbucks and your coffees are smaller than Starbucks, the least you could do is not boss me around! Another reviewer said the place was under new mgmt and the bossy signs were taken down... This is untrue. I am still bossed about where I can pour my coffee out to make room for milk, where to put my laptop, and not to touch the door?! Are you kidding me? It's a DOOR! Buy some Windex and clean it off if you don't want to see fingerprints on it, like the rest of the establishments in the world that have glass doors. Also, you have to ask if you want Splenda or raw sugar. They don't leave it out so people don't steal it. Oh and they have a $5 minimum on credit cards. The only reason I'm giving it 2 stars and not 1 is because it's directly across the street from me, and sometimes proximity is key when you really need a caffeine fix. Otherwise I'll be walking the 2-3 blocks to Dunkin' or Starbucks - they may be "the man" but at least they treat me like a human being and I can get as much Splenda there as I want.
(2)
Joe G.
Rude counter girl wouldn't allow me to continue to use the internet unless I bought another coffee. Wont go back, one can only use the internet for an hour and a half.
(1)
Wen-Ching W.
Excellent staff, great coffee, comfortable atmosphere, DIVINE CUPCAKES!!!! What more can you ask for?
(5)
Ryan G.
Stopped in when I was visiting Philly. Very nice servers, great cup of chai, very reasonable price.
(5)
Joshua C.
This place is fantastic! It is large, bright, and has a wonderfully warm atmosphere. The staff is always eager to help, and they serve up some of the greatest food I have ever eaten in a coffee shop. The Yirgacheffe blend they use is amazing, and their prices are unbeatable in this neighborhood. I also appreciate the wireless internet as sometimes I will go there for lunch and study on my computer while I eat. The caffeine theme is fun too - those late night study nights are much improved since I discovered Boosta shots! Thanks for bringing such a unique and extraordinary coffeeshop to this neighborhood!!
(5)
Elena S.
The coffee at this place is pretty terrible. With Colombe, Starbucks and even Dunkin Donuts nearby, I don't see any reason to stop in to a place with bad coffee and some minimal, mediocre snacks. La Colombe is a far better option for good coffee and a much nicer atmosphere. Probably the only thing this place is good for is a place to park yourself for studying, but it's not great for that either b/c there are only 2 outlets in the whole place and they play the tv and music too loud to be able to really concentrate. Overall, I think there are so many better and similarly-priced options nearby that it's not worth it.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Breakfast Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes Good for Working : Yes
Jeanne P.
Stopped on a whim. Was looking for some caffeine close to the Mutter Museum. Ample seating, quiet. Indoor and outdoor seating. I ordered a large dark roast red eye, which is REALLY good. Bold and strong, as I enjoy my coffee. It sort of reminds me of Starbucks for some reason, except with larger sizes and better coffee. The guy at the counter was friendly. I will say that if you check in here, Yelp will offer you a free flavor shot. However, that coupon is not honored. I was informed that the establishment is under new ownership. The cashier was apologetic about it, But it really wasn't a big deal. I still got my flavor shot. The manager did sit in the corner with nothing to say about it. I didn't care, but I could definitely see other people giving that kid some hell over it.
(4)Brian R.
This is like an off brand Starbucks with BETTER coffee. I love this place. I got the Irish Creme latte and it was pure perfection. I'd HIGHLY recommend going to this place. Quick and fast service and made right in front of you...like most coffee shops lol.
(5)JUSTINE M.
It's a nice place to have a quiet conversation or study. However, their food is over priced and they lack accommodation for the mistakes they make. For example, I ordered a small iced soy chai. However, the girl at the register thought I wanted a warm chai. As I corrected the barista who I also think is the manager, she said that they told her warm and it costs extra for the regular iced drink. Given there is a $5 minimum on credit card, I was not going to buy more items to accommodate for the original biscotti I had to purchase to make the initial $5 minimum. So, instead of them being kind to replace the drink they initially messed up, I was stuck with a small soy chai which lacked flavor, wasn't completely filled, and a biscotti that I didn't even want. Ps - I also purchased a $7.99 grilled cheese when I first arrived that same visit which was very small for the price I paid. A cheap bag of chips does not equate to the unjust uplift in price. Not coming back unless I have to.
(1)Hashim Q.
Caffeination is a very solid if unspectacular coffee shop. The coffee is not lacking by any stretch but I didn't really see a reason to go back. The owner is a nice guy and he said he makes lassi and other Indian treats off menu. Maybe if I had tried the lassi I would have given this place 4 stars but at the end of the day it's a coffee shop, not a lassi shop. It's better than Starbucks.
(3)Pavithra M.
Loved, loved, loved the latte here. Creamy, strong and not super expensive. Outdid your average Starbucks latte! The place itself is a spacious coffee shop with basic eats and a quiet ambience. Great stop for a quick breakfast a and coffee before setting out for the day.
(4)Caitlin C.
Cute spot in walking distance of Rittenhouse Square. A bit too pricey for my taste, but the drinks were great I had to Butternut Squash bread bowl and it was ok, nothing special. Did like the ambience and staff a lot!
(4)Steve S.
Great java, spacious bright ambiance, and a five gallon lid attached to the restroom key kept at the front counter, lest someone steal that bad boy. Overall, a warm, comfortable, pleasant place to kill a couple of hours on a rainy day for us, between the Mutter Museum and our dinner reservation. The menu looked simple and tasty too- a nice place to try out a panini if your tummy's a rumblin'.
(4)Amy C.
MICROWAVED SOUP! YUCK! Like many reviewers here, I wanted to like this place. I really did. Alas, I do not. I went in for lunch because they had this adorable little sign outside with a picture of a piping hot soup in a cute little bread bowl. On a cold, windy day like today, that's just what I wanted - minus the bread bowl. I ordered the soup, grabbed a bottled water to make my order over $5 to meet their dumb credit card minimum, and waited a few too many minutes for my soup. I thought I kept hearing a microwave ding go of numerous times, which I thought was weird. When I got back to my desk to eat my soup, which was not filled up all the way (they left about an inch from the top, which for a cup of soup is a lot of missing soup), my much-desired broccoli and cheese soup tasted like burnt, melted plastic because (and I'm only assuming this since I did not physically see the microwave) they heated up my soup in the to-go container in the microwave, for what seemed like a really long time. I kept hoping each bite would somehow get better, but no, it was just a cup (kind of) full of plastic tasting soup. You can't do that to soup! Moral of the story, Caffeination, find a better way to prepare your soups. Many people commented on the staff, also. While I did not experience any world class latte art, I found the two staff members there pleasant but aloof and ill-informed.
(1)Jesse S.
It's important to note the significant improvements in Caffeination since Abi has taken over as owner 2 months ago. Abi makes an effort to be outgoing and friendly with all of his customers. In addition to being able to choose from different coffee and tea selections, he has started offering "Lassis," a traditional Indian Smoothie. These drinks are really good and worth checking out! Caffeination offers the appeal of a quite and comfortable small coffee shop, in which one can chat with a friend or easily get work done.
(5)Colleen M.
How have I never reviewed this place? The girls here are super nice. Maybe it's because I'm there every week before work.. But they're always very friendly and accommodating. Their breakfast case varies from sweets to bagels/ breakfast sandwiches that can run out very quickly. Coffee is always tasty, never bitter. Definitely one of my go to spots for a quick morning bite :)
(5)Justine J.
I just noticed the owner comment. I am super happy to personally hear that they try o be fair and keep their patrons happy. On top of that, it is extremely rare (from my own experience) to have a manager/owner to be so receptive to customer feedback. Most places just give you a generic apology. For a manager/owner to approach you with such grace is so awesome to me. It may not even be their fault, my taste buds have their own problems that even I wish they did not have. It's a place with good businessman-ship and I love to see them investing to make patrons happy. Definitely going back now!
(3)JC J.
When I first moved to Philadelphia, I was very excited to see that Caffeination was located right across my building. From outside, the coffee shop seems to embody all the essential traits of an inviting neighborhood coffee shop - tons of tables, quiet atmosphere, board games, etc. However, Caffeination's appearance is VERY deceptive and I would not recommend this place to anybody who likes to frequent coffee shops or appreciates good coffee. SERVICE: Over the last two years, Caffeination has made an effort to improve its service. However, the service is still pretty sub-par. The employees are not very friendly and do not make an effort to accommodate customers. The mediocre quality of the service is particularly noticeable in comparison to the excellent service at Good Karma and Joe, both of which are located just a few blocks away from Caffeination. ATMOSPHERE: The chairs are uncomfortable and the temperature is way too hot. This place is also pretty strict about the wireless policy. You can only access the wireless for a limited period of time, which is a little annoying. It's not the best place to work because the tables are right next to each other so you can hear everyone's conversation. COFFEE: Most importantly, the coffee here is terrible. The coffee is either weak and/or tastes burnt. The pastries also look stale and unappetizing. This place also has a $5 minimum for credit cards, which is very irritating. I would go to La Colombe, Joe, Good Karma and even Starbucks on 19th over this place.
(2)Jo P.
mediocre service, worse food. Don't ever get any of their paninis or breakfast sandwiches, they're too expensive for their qualities. Giving two stars because they're open early in the morning (the sole reason I went there three times so far, but disappointed every time.)
(2)Cindy W.
I lived across the street from Caffeination for a year and only went once the entire time because there was never a coffee fix so desperate that I couldn't walk a few extra blocks down to Joe, Good Karma, or even DD, Starbucks, or Saxby's. I made the mistake of coming here for breakfast on my way into University City one Sunday morning. I ordered their special end-of-summer vegan drink that was some kind of green tea latte, as well as a bagel with Nutella. The drink was pretty clearly just a mix of soymilk and matcha powder, and the bagel with Nutella was, as expected, nothing extraordinary, but I paid over $7 for this "meal." The two women behind the counter weren't as hostile as what other reviewers have experienced but this is the service industry so you don't get to charge me this much just because you didn't give me stank with my drank. I usually balk at giving one-star reviews but "Eek! Methinks not." very accurately describes how I feel about this place.
(1)Christopher C.
We came here before going to Day by Day, we had a chai latte and a cappuccino, I personally thought the foam was much too over frothed, thought it was still good. The space was a weird feel to me kind of like an old Denny's.
(3)Kathy A.
Coffee art is awesome! The barista here can do basically anything!
(4)David W.
Yo this place is terrible. The coffee is bad, and the service is worse. I got the buzz or whatever their proprietary name for the Red Eye is. The girl at the register was annoyed with my presence, as was her colleague. Rather than wasting time and risking carpal tunnel here by cataloguing all of her micro-agressions and macro-sleights, I'll give you this single anecdote that sums up my experience: Chalkboard without sizes, only prices in a row: "I'll have the Buzz. Uhh, the $2.45 size--the second size from the left." "Okay, so if you can look down and to the right, below the chalkboard, you'll see we actually have four cup sizes with names." Finally got it. Tasted like nescafe mixed with old moldered adobe. Nah dude.
(1)Veronica V.
This is a review for the light roast coffee only. I've been exploring local coffee shops trying to find a coffee that tastes good black. This was not it. The taste was slightly burnt and watered-down.
(2)Lis O.
Mediocre food, service, and setting. This place is okay, I wouldn't go back. I got a soup, which tasted a lot like canned soup. The server was unfriendly. They have a lot of different syrups.
(2)Sarah K.
I stopped here when I was visiting Philly and thought it was ok. I didn't notice any rude behavior by the baristas or a sign telling me what I could and couldn't do. Maybe I'm just not observant. Every customer but me was studying quietly. My drink was alright but not the best one I'd ever had and I think the price was reasonable.
(3)Fereshteh A.
I am not sure if I like the way the baristas behave. When I wanted to order I had to wait for the gentleman at the counter for 2 minutes since he was sorting out coins. That is fine but I expected a word of excuse afterwards but nothing. Next, I asked for decaf which he said they do not have. He didn't offer to brew. He just said they can give me Americano. He didn't offer to give it at the price of regular coffee (FYI sometimes even in starbucks they do it). When all together my check came to 4.79 he also refused to accept credit card since their minimum was 5!! While I was there, they left the door open for so long that my friend and I left to sit at another cafe (FYI I am writing this during the coldest winter Philadelphia has ever seen). All in all, very unpleasant experience.
(1)Nancy M.
Meh. Just average coffee, there are plenty of other options not far away, try la columbe instead.
(2)Nikki R.
Coffee, smoothies, pastries I shouldnt be eating. Sign me up. There is one barrista who makes really cool latte designs...one time she did Hello Kitty for me. They also have board games to play and it's a prime people watching spot. I am a fan.
(4)Kevin B.
Stopped in here for a quick coffee while walking around Philly. This is a pretty nice place with friendly staff and decent prices. The coffee was very good and I would definitely stop in again if I'm in the area.
(4)Ama C.
walk in and study the menu while neither barista even bothers to look up from their phones or stand up from their seats? no thank you.
(1)Jim C.
I moved to an apartment a block and a half away about 6 months ago. This place is on the way to the Trader Joe's and around the corner from the post office, so I was delighted. Then I went in. Whoever is at the register will avoid making eye contact, then mumble the order. I asked for one kind of muffin and ended up with something else in the bag they handed me. I thought: so much for tis place. About a month later I decided to give Caffeination a second chance. Who knows, maybe it was me? Maybe it was the day? This time there were 2 of them at the register and neither wanted to be bothered waiting on a customer. Finally one of them condescended to ask what I wanted. Which was a medium coffee. Then I stood there for 10 minutes waiting for it. Nothing. Finally I reminded them that I had paid for a cup of coffee some time back and with a big huff, someone poured and handed it to me. I thought: whoever owns this place is actually paying people to treat customers like this? Amazing.
(1)Chaya M.
Very quiet coffee shop with nice range of drinks and food available.The combination of it being quiet, and the great [low-volume] music they played made it perfect for a distractable person like me to get some work done.
(4)Alex N.
Honestly this place gets a bad rap for service. I got a breakfast sandwich (which was DELISH. Bacon egg & cheese on an English muffin) and a latte. My latte was made with nonfat milk (which I didn't ask for) and something was just off about the flavor, but I went back and asked if they could make me one with regular milk, and they did!!! I hate to be that person but I paid like 8$ for this latte & sandwich combo (the bacon was 1.25 extra) and I just love good coffee, so I got up the guts to ask. They are really very nice and I really appreciated them making another. Also, their croissants are delicious. Will probably come back a lot as I live really close by! Just sort of wish they would come up a name that sounds less like a video game...
(4)Andrea D.
It's close by the breakfast and dessert is decent. They are little pricey and I don't care for the attitude. Businesses need to realize good customer service,with a smile goes a long way. I won't be going back.
(2)Beth B.
One of my favorite coffee spots in the city! Alright, I have to admit that one of the main reasons I absolutely love Caffeination is because of all of the flavors they have! They have an entire list of flavored syrups you can add to any of your coffee drinks, and a ton of them are sugar-free too. I love trying different flavors and even combinations. While the people who work here aren't exactly the warmest crew... they make a great coffee. Prices are about average for the small shops in the city... just as if not more expensive than Starbucks. I'm just a slave to them at this point! If you're around in the summer, you absolutely have to HAVE TO try the watermelon slushy. So. Freakin. GOOD!
(4)Valentina L.
I don't like the service. Period. I was there for Helloy kitty latte. The cashier was not nice at all. I won't go again.
(2)Federico M.
Yea, this coffee place really hits the spot. Yummy lattes with cool friendly designs made with the foam at the top...so cute! I love that...every little extra idea goes a long way in my book! Next time, I wanna try the Sansom special...#curious
(4)A N.
I live very close by and truly wanted to like this place!! After 3 visits I cannot say that I even have a lukewarm liking to it. Normally, I just get regular coffee when I'm out and thought the coffee I got was just a bad brew or something. No...their coffee just sucks. WHY!? Why does it taste like bitter, ulcer causing ammonia?? I have traveled all over the world and had my share of coffee from all walks of life-"to the stars" excellent right down to "complimentary" coffee from a hostel...they have the capability and the machines here, HOW is it even possible that the coffee is so bad? On my final occasion there I wanted a Misto. They had no clue what it was. I explained it to them and one of the baristas even looked it up online. After making their version of a Misto she handed it to me. Being too hot to drink right away I thanked her, paid, and left. It was vomit in a cup. It was the most vile thing I have ever had. It was NOT worth $1 let alone the $5 they over-charged me. Save yourself and skip over to Joe's or Starbucks.
(1)Emily P.
Staff is really friendly, coffee is good and the place is usually quiet. Really nice place to work.
(5)Claudia W.
I've been here a few times and every time I come I'm disappointed...it's weird that I keep coming back. The baristas are slow, not particularly friendly, and do stupid things like putting my drink at the end of the bar around the corner from where I'm standing, and then pointing me to it instead of handing it to me (since I'm the only one here and you're doing NOTHING!!!). So, there you have it...2 stars. Coffee tastes good but it's not anything special.
(2)Gina M.
I dated a guy that lived across the street from here. That was the best part of the relationship. It is a typical coffee shop. However, the taste is so much better. I love it here. They make a mean vanilla chai.
(4)Sar M.
Stopped for a quick bite for lunch. I ordered a latte for myself a mozzarella tomato panini for my friend. Not only was the cashier rude, but they charged $1 extra for pesto and .75 for the bread. Who charges extra for bread on a sandwich? The sandwich which was listed as $6.99 ended up being $10. The panini wasn't hot and was mediocre. My latte wasn't even filled to the top and was room temperature. Not coming here again.
(2)Jenna F.
Great coffee and great service!!! Everyone that works there is friendly and the bakery items are good as well. The only downfall is the breakfast sandwiches could use some work but overall, love this place!
(4)Abe A.
A disaster. No bottomless refill, but coffee overpriced relative to other indie coffeeshops in the area with bottomless refills. 90 minute wireless voucher. Limited outlets. Limited seating. No scones. Coffee tasted awful. They have a Tv in the room. TV! How are people supposed to concentrate on reading when they have GMA in the background? No paper towels. A coffee shop without paper towels? There's more but I'll stop here. Save yourself the trip.
(2)Karen F.
Stopped in for a non-coffee beverage and wound up with a winner - the Watermelon (non-alc.) mojito (sans simple syrup and it's still very sweet). 4 stars for the great beverage - 2 stars for the icy reception from the (female) barrista. Again - this place is just OK.
(3)Kelly P.
greater selection than your average corner coffee shop. due to its location you can see a fair amount of interesting people out of the big windows.
(3)Chris D.
Not too many "neighborhood, quirky" coffee shops in the Rittenhouse area (there are chain & hotel and "glam coffee shops) so I was pleasantly surprised to find a nice, lil coffee shop with a bit of character at Caffeination. The staff has always been cordial & friendly. People watching is good. The coffee & food are average but better than any chain. A nice neighborhood feel here.
(4)Simson G.
I love this place. Great photos, good attitude, lovely coffee art, good food. Very homey.
(5)Andrew W.
Meh, its a perfectly fine option for picking up a quick snack and a coffee, but I wouldn't expect to be wow'd by anything here. I ordered an everything bagel with light cream cheese and got a slightly toasted bagel with a to-go cup of lite cheese for me to spread... again, thats fine, but its nothing special.
(3)Steve C.
Coffee was expensive and not all that good. $1.85 for a 12 oz is a little ridiculous. I'm sure their bread and butter is espresso drinks but I'm not gonna spend $5 on a latte when your drip coffee tastes like it came from a gas station. Also had a weird vibe like an old deli. Not really the kind of place I'd want to hang out and work. Service was friendly so no complaints about that.
(2)Taylor D.
Great location, very good and unique coffee. Solid study spot. The wifi was kind of shotty and kicked me off multiple times. Overall, great place to study
(5)Holly M.
Oddly adorable. Walking in I wasn't quite sure what we would get. This isn't your typical Starbucks or even Peets atmosphere. It reminded me more of a diner. The coffee choices were varied and the food choices seemed decent. I ordered a soy latte and waited. And waited. But in the end it was worth the wait. The lovely barista made me the most adorable and delicious snowman topped latte. I loved it. So cute and fun. I'll definitely be back the next time I'm in PHL.
(4)Vinny P.
I want to stand up for coffee shops in Philadelphia. I want to rave about how awesome they are and tell lots of people that they have to go to them. It is with some sadness that I say that Caffeination is just sort of there. It's not a bad place by any means and it's not fantastic either. My experience was, as the Yelp legend specifies, "A-OK" There was nothing bad about it, but there was also nothing great about it. If this place was a beer, it would be Yuengling Lager. I'll drink it if nothing else is available. My cup of yirgacheffe was pretty good. The coffee was kept in a carafe which is always nice to see. The atmosphere is bright and inviting and feels somewhat manufactured. It certainly didn't have anything distinctive about it. So there it is really. This is just your normal, run of the mill coffee shop.
(3)Courtney B.
the best green tea latte ever!!!! i walk 8 blocks and pass like 5 starbucks to go to the place.
(4)Shelly B.
from 3/31/2012... Hot drinks! Great food prices! Bagel with cream cheese $1.89!
(5)Sam B.
Good spot for people watching or working on the computer- the internet was free with purchase but access is only for 1 1/2 hour so if you need to be there awhile plan on buying a few things every hour or so.
(3)Benjamin H.
Average coffee (no better than Starbucks or Dunkin!), but below average service and surprisingly high prices. Not even a good place to sit (limited seating, loud, poor ambiance, etc.)! They also have a credit card minimum and charge an outrageous amount for a dash of soy. Won't make the mistake of going back again, especially with so many half decent options in the immediate vicinity.
(1)Shereen C.
Caffeination is a pretty standard cafe. It might be hard to get a table. It's OK.
(3)Vera D.
No AC when you order a small latte they will give it to you in a to go cup even when you tell them you want it for here. the early grey latte taste like shit, it taste like water and milk. charge extra for soy milk limited outlets would not come here again
(2)Louis B.
Waiting for a friend who works at the Res Cross two blocks away, I came upon this place. I love it! Free WiFi, friendly service, great coffee, tea, and Mate selections, and a nice selection of board games which you can play all day for $2.00 per person. And just off the Rittenhouse beaten path so you don't have to enjoy your faire while stepping over each other. Yummy breakfast and lunch selections. And as an independent coffee house, my kind of place!!!
(4)Sarah H.
Coffee was pretty decent here. Good location and plentiful outdoor seating. Most of the staff is friendly too. What I did not like, however, were the obnoxious signs littered throughout the shop warning against any "overstayers." -- i.e. those of us that like to linger over a cup or do some studying for more than an allotted 1 hour timeframe. Yes I understand that as a business you want to make as much money as possible and yes I understand that in order to do this you want to serve as many people as possible. But put yourself in the cutomer's shoes: do you really want people gracing your shop to have a lingering feeling you want them OUT as soon as humanly possible? Didn't think so.
(2)Julia C.
I like this cafe for a nice cuppa Ethiopian roast. Yum. They have lunches too. I have been here for lunch or just coffee. Now that i have a kindle fire I try to find my free Wi-fi so i can sit on my lunch hour. They have Wi-Fi free for paying customers. Staff is friendly and professional. I prefer going to Indie-coffeehouses over Starbucks if I can....
(4)Shirley Y.
Dropped in for the first time today with a few girlfriends, needing something to cool us from the heat. The place was really nice and the menu very diverse! Definitely not your typical coffee place with such unique drinks served here. I had a lychee mojito (virgin) served as a slushie and OMG that was so delicious and refreshing! Lychee btw is my favorite asian tropical fruit. My one friend had a candy bar? frappachino with fresh made whipped cream. She said it was sweet and so good. My other friend had a red tea frappachino with fresh whipped cream. It was not that sweet, which she liked. I also got to taste a matcha green tea frappe, which was like drinking green tea ice cream... yummm! Looking forward to coming back and trying another yummy concoction!
(5)Christina P.
I've always thought of this as a cute little corner coffeeshop that I never really was at the right place or the right time to pop into. Looking around for a quick lunch and a place to sit for a while, I decided to try it. I looked over their menu - pretty standard coffee drinks, smoothies, breakfast and paninis. I asked if they were still making breakfast (it was 1pm) and she told me yes - I quickly figured out why. I ordered a veggie sausage, egg, and cheese on a bagel and discovered it was completely microwaved. I understand that a lot of places do this, but they must do it better. This was the driest, blandest bagel sandwich I've ever had. At least the coffee was really good. Bottom line - go for the coffee, skip the food, and bring cash because they have a $5 credit card minimum.
(2)Maureen M.
Craving some java I figured I'd give the little guy a shot and skip Starbucks. Caffeination is a cute place but I can't say I'd return. The pros: cozy environment, friendly service. The cons: "meh" caramel latte, long wait time even though not busy. The downright gross: grilled cheese :( How do you mess up grilled cheese?! The bread was dry and squashed and the (orange) cheese was tasteless and oily. Yucky
(2)Hatim E.
Well my 1st time here, I am coffee person so I know the good coffee when I smell it. They do good coffee, I love my strong (Jolt) house coffee +double espresso. The free wifi is a plus , just ask the register for paid customers password. I didn't eat here so I can't review their food, but the whole environment is heathy & friendly. The staff are helpful, smiling & professional , it is kinda neighborhood caffe I might like over the Starbucks
(4)Bill M.
I didn't need to come here this morning. My job hooks up a swank coffee discount so I really didn't need to come here. But it was a brand new coffeehouse, and McThrill gets drawn to those like a moth does to a lamppost. On top of that the name of the house is McThrill's drug of choice! So resist was something that I just couldn't do. The place's grand opening is on Saturday. So they were pretty much open and working out the kinks before their big occasion. So it is too early to fully criticize. But it's a good thing that they're working out those kinks because they were definitely there. They had one of those counter prep systems where one person works the register, another does the food, and another preps the drinks. That usually works for places like Dunkin Donuts and Fourbucks (or even Bonte and Coffee Bar) because they usually have 5 or more people working the counter. But when you have 3 people working under that system it usually only succeeds in making everyone involved wait longer. And in the end it took them longer to get me a large coffee than just about, oh, every other indie coffeehouse in Philly that I've been to (If your keeping track on my list than that's a pretty big number). But as far as product and quality Caffeination definitely has it. The Large coffee was the perfect wake up call that I needed in the morning. And I definitely noted the delicious looking pastries and variety of bagels. They also had an incredible assortment of drinks in the cold case. The menu also has an number of inexpensive sandwiches. So if they figure out a better counter system, or get a little more in the groove over the weeks to come, than Caffeination might just be on the road to some good things. Outlook = Good.
(3)Mindy K.
As a place to buy coffee, or have a quick bite, i think this place would be just fine. there appeared to be quite a few menu options, though I was disappointed by the fact that they didn't have any fresh fruit. the coffee itself was tasty enough, and the guy taking orders at the counter was very friendly. my plan had been to have bfast, coffee and fire up my laptop to do a bit of work this morning. so, i asked if they had wifi available and they said they did. Good, right? well, caffeination only allows you to use laptops along this long bar in the place. which would be acceptable, but there are NO OUTLETS. correction, there is ONE outlet, but it's at a corner table next to the trashcan, and there is a huge sign above it that says that you can't use laptops there. since my laptop battery was dead, i essentially was S.O.L. so with the coffee i had just purchased and a bowl of vegan chili i had just ordered, my plan to work was completely foiled. basically, they are discouraging customers from coming in there and hanging out all day. if that is the business model, then that is fine, BUT either be a coffee shop that allows users to chill w/laptops and provide wifi, OR be a coffee shop with food where you're not supposed to loiter. PICK ONE. you can't be both without frustrating customers.
(2)Laura D.
I stopped in for an unneeded cup of joe and to check out this recently opened place. Seems to be a pretty place to get a cup of coffee, coffee-like drink, pastry or snack. The regular coffee was ok... a little bitter for my taste, but I know that's some people's cup of tea... err, coffee. They also have about 50 flavored syrups for coffee or italian sodas. It was WARM inside. I love a toasty place in winter, but they could stand to turn down the thermostat just a couple notches. Or who knows, maybe it's not always that sweltering. I also noticed they have free wi-fi and ample seating. Prices didn't seem bad either - a medium coffee was $1.65 plus tax. I appreciate that drinks come in "small, medium, large, etc" rather than "tall, grande, venti", all of which sound big to me. Good coffee, good location, pleasant. I'll probably stop in again when I'm passing by.
(3)Stef S.
Good variety of drinks and food. Very friendly staff and cozy ambiance. I wish they opened later and had bigger tables. But overall less crazy and pretentious than some of the other cafes in town.
(4)Pasquale A.
I really wanted to love this place because they do have a great soy latte -- using plain soy unlike Starbucks, but then... They called the cops on me "because you are being rude". Read on if you want the full unbelievable story. OK, I know I am an environment freak, so I always either bring my own cup or drink-in at a place that has mugs. They do. Fine so far. I order bagels and coffee for here, but then the coffee comes in paper...with plastic lids...with sleeves... I'm cringing but I drink it. They do offer to correct. I'm finished and I decide to ask how they designate for-here orders, explaining that I try to avoid throwaways. The barista who made the mistake pipes up that "you have to order 'for here'" as if it is my mistake. Never mind that the bagels were correctly served on plates. I explain again how passionate I am about not generating trash and how I could not have ordered to-go, but by then one of them is on the phone to the police! (at least they said) I asked why, they actually told me "because you are being rude". Another of them called me an @ssh0le. Attitude? Update: I've since been back with good results. I keep repeating "make that for here", "that's for here, right?", "you can put that in a mug",...
(2)Lauren S.
First of all, service was extremely unfriendly which is a huge red flag considering the amount of coffee competition in this part of the city. Inside is stale and uncomfortable. Coffee was OK. Smoothie was ALL SUGAR? I didn't see a single piece of fruit put into it. Not going back.
(2)Christopher R.
It always seems like places with names that are too clever by half are either awful or awesome (with the name being just another cool thing about them) but nothing about Caffeination really struck me as either good or bad. The coffee is just okay. (Though they had soy milk sitting out with the milk, skim milk and half & half instead of me having to ask for it, which is nice.) The blueberry scone is a bit too dry. Three stars is about correct.
(3)Jed S.
Tasty smoothies (I had a banana-strawberry), with extremely friendly barristas, and a nice, clean shop and atmosphere. Strongly recommended if you're in the area. A big cut above the Starbuckses of the world.
(5)Joe C.
Something happened to me today which really put me in a good mood for the rest of the day. After working out really hard at the gym, I began walking home in the rain. I was terribly thirsty, completely exhausted, and soaked from head to toe. All I really wanted was a large iced tea from my local coffee shop, Caffeination. I got there at about 4:45 and there was a girl outside taking tables inside, and another girl inside cleaning. She tells me the place closes at 4 on Sundays. But then she says, did you want some coffee? I say, actually, I was going to get iced tea. She says, okay, let me go make you some. I'm like, aw, that's really nice of you. Are you sure you don't mind? She says no, not at all. Couple minutes later she comes back and hands me a large iced tea. I was waiting there with money in my hand for her, but she says, oh, its on us. And she was just so incredibly sweet about the whole thing. Like, this girl just got done working a full shift in a coffee shop, and she STILL has this big smile on her face, and this extra friendly attitude? Best iced tea I ever had. Didn't even need sweetener. I'll tell ya. She really restored my faith in humanity.
(5)Katey G.
The staff here went out of their way to make a drink with soy in it for me instead of milk. It was amazing. The willingness to help a girl out says a whole big deal. My frappe was good! It was a nice place to just sit and chill for awhile on a hot day.
(5)David T.
Typical coffee place, nice service, ok prices, good selection (although i only order tea). One thing to note, laptops at the bar only. They have more rules than the average place, but i guess i understand? The bar is nice though, good view...that is, if you get a seat. Oh, and free Wifi!
(4)Jes S.
Things I loved about this place: ... Things I didn't enjoy: -- Overpriced coffee that is ... eh. Capogiro's makes better coffee that's tastier and a much better price. -- The attitude! Other people have reviewed my exact thoughts: Oppressive & Obnoxious, I'd also add Rude, Awkward, Pretentious, and Silly ... Why? There's a sign that says "No studying allowed at tables..." But what if I like reading a non-fiction book now and again? When we ordered a coffee and didn't want a "coffee card", the barista looked offended and gave us a nasty glare. The peanut butter cookie I had was pretty good, but was starting to get stale. I tried really hard to like this place because I love coffee and I liked their name, but I am very sad instead.
(1)Liana A.
This place sucked. I came in for breakfast. The coffee had an oily taste to it. I expected a rich flavorful cup. I could have gotten better from Dunkin Donuts. And I asked for the eggs and cheese on multigrain toast. They gave me hot eggs and cheese on COLD TOAST? Who does that? Not even a warmup. Yea they were friendly but 3 employees standing around chatting and texting . Hmm not professional. And I got this after a 2hr bus ride into Philly. I'm really upset I wasted money here.
(2)Emily K.
From a menu that reads like the contract in Willy Wonka's factory to the air of awkward tension you could slice through with a q-tip, this place is totally devoid of a desirable coffee shop vibe. The oppressive signage detailing the "rules you must follow if you are paying money for Caffeination's products" gets you down from the moment you enter. It's like walking into communist China. Except Mao Zedong is a slovenly old fat man who slinks around miserably judging how recently you've bought your drink compared to how long you've been taking up "valuable" space in the cafe. Want to use the internet? Please refer to above China comment. Hungry? That's not real food. That's processed-food-food. Probably expired processed-food-food. That costs too much. Customer service? Founded on the principles of mistrust and deception. Redeeming qualities - a few cool baristas bobbing amongst a sea of angsty looking preteens, and some neat non-coffee drinks, e.g. yerba mate and red tea lattes. Not enough, dude.
(1)Lauren S.
3.5. Disclosures: (1) I don't drink coffee. (2) I'm kind of a tea snob. Yay: Friendly staff Free wifi (just ask for the password when you're at the register) Decent chai Good breakfast sandwiches Chocolate croissants! Meh: They use regular old teabags (I think Numi), nothing special They have a bunch of boardgames... but they charge you a couple bucks to play 'em. Kinda weird. This is my neighborhood coffee shop, so I come here with some regularity. It's a good place to study or to relax and people-watch through the windows. I do wish they had some good loose-leaf tea (but I wish that about almost everywhere). I probably wouldn't go out of my way to come here, but I'm glad to have it in my hood.
(3)Rob W.
Caffeination makes it a point to find the "Best of" for each of their offerings. Bagels are always fresh and delicious. Coffee is from an award winning roaster. Great place for both hot summer and cold winter drinks. Staff is friendly, attentive and professional. My new favorite hangout!
(5)C Y S.
The service here was great - the staff is very friendly and on top of things. I did find the espresso a little bitter and burnt, and the muffin I got honestly tasted like a convenience store packaged muffin. I have to admit I am a coffee and pastry snob, so maybe my standards are too high. I recently moved into the area and wanted to check out local spots, but I think La Colombe is still my favorite coffee around here, since there is no Stumptown coffee to be found close by. And La Colombe has great pastries made with real butter.
(3)Leslie M.
Sitting here and rushing to finish this review before my 1 hour allotted wifi is up. It's a convenient location for those of us too lazy to walk the blocks further into Rittenhouse square. The latte I am enjoying is decent and their food selections are abundant & varied but I cannot comment on the taste as I only caffeinate here. There is a decent amount of seating but they are fairly stringent about having laptops work on the counter & their free wifi is limited to one hour so I would not choose this location to do work esp if it requires a computer. A good place to drop by and grab a cup or meet a friend for a chat.
(3)Sean R.
After stopping at Barnes and Noble on Rittenhouse Square, we headed west on Chestnut, try somewhere different to grab a coffee. We eventually crossed paths with Caffeination. I was happy to see that they had frozen drinks on the menu, because it was 90+ and so humid out. I ordered a green tea frap, which tasted exactly like an extra thick shamrock shake (it was what i was looking for, but i didn't complain). My lady ordered an iced soy latte, which was on par with other decent iced soy lattes. The service was great, and the place was pretty much empty (i guess because so many people resent the time limit they impose). It doesn't have that "coffee shop" type of feel and it is a bit pricey. It wasn't good, it wasn't bad, so the next time in the area I will try another option.
(3)Kathryn M.
This place is ok. It has a great setup if you are planning to work from a coffee shop all day and I definitely wish it had been in existence when I was still in grad school. As for post-studying chill spot? Mediocre. The coffee was fine, nothing really special. The first cup I got was cold so they gave me a new cup and a free coffee token for next time I come in. The management/staff is super friendly and efficient. My brother and I got a couple of bagels and the cream cheese and peanut butter came in little jelly-sized packets which I thought was a bit odd. All in all, it's fine for grabbing a cup of coffee but if you aren't planning to stay and work you may want to find a better cup of joe. Worth mentioning though is the creative list of coffeish drinks they have on the chalkboard out front. I may have to give them another shot when they advertise such drinks as carrot cake milkshakes and blueberry white chocolate lattes...
(3)Kevin K.
Great place for a caffeine fix - I also tried their specialty chai-chino and it was a surprisingly refreshing and unique drink. Staff was extremely friendly and it's great to see some personality in a coffee shop outside of all the chains nowadays. I'll definitely be dropping by again when I'm in the area for another chai-chino!
(5)Jarret F.
After walking past the Rocky statue in front of the Philadelphia Art Museum, hunger overcame me and I stopped by Caffeination to get wifi and find a restaurant on Yelp. Very happy with the baristas, people watching on the busy corner, good Oregon chai, and excellent music (Death Cab for Cutie). Wifi is free and password protected. Ghettotastic ceiling tiles, though.
(4)Andrew L.
Great place and friendly staff! I was driving through Philly and needed a caffeine fix so I stopped here. I'm not a big coffee person so the staff recommended a chai-cino which is their chai tea spin on the frappuccino. It hit the spot perfectly and I was back on my way!
(5)Liz C.
Their espresso is very, very tasty, and two shots come in their small latte, which I appreciate. Great iced americano and fabulous staff! . Great iced americano and fabulous staff!
(4)Susan L.
The first thing I noticed about this place was the size; it was huge for a cafe! Inside is even better; I was impressed by the wood work, the design/setup of the whole place, it seemed tranquil and relaxing. I ordered a vanilla chai which was decent and a hot chocolate which was pretty good and not watered down like most places. The items were fairly priced ($2.60 for a small chai, $3.00 for a large chocolate). I've been looking for an alternative to Starbucks that makes good chai and now I have one. The staff was OK; not rude but not very forward-friendly. So if you're in the area, shopping or whatnot and want a place to unwind for a little bit or meet up with someone, this is a great place to do it.
(4)Ilana D.
Their green tea latte's are amazing
(4)a r.
This is my new go-to place when I'm craving something different. They have a ton of syrups, etc. so that you can create something other than just your average latte. My latte was very well-made and tasty! They have wifi (you will however, have to request the code) and a frequent buyer card (at 10 vs. starbucks 15) On another note... It was super hot out on this particular day the interior of this place was about the same - turn up the AC so that it's actually comfortable enough to study, please! The staff were also a bit less than friendly and if you want to pay by credit card there is a $5 minimum or you can use the ATM and pay the surcharge (personally I just added a cookie to my order). Still, I'm pretty sure that this is against their agreement with the card company and therefore illegal, but most of all annoying. I was a first timer so I feel like they could have let it slide.
(4)Jack J.
Nice place. Wasn't too crowded when I was there. Staff is very helpful and friendly!
(4)Alli C.
As a place to get coffee, this place is good. They're all about quality. The staff truly cares about getting things that are the best they can be to the customer. The owner has a lot of rules, and is pretty strict, but if you want to find a place in a great location, with good coffee and sandwiches at an average price, go to Caffeination. Also, make sure you look around the whole store for signs, because not all of the menu items are written on the menu.
(3)Mike A.
Won't be back. Ordered a frappe and grilled cheese sandwich. Was supposed to come with a tomato. Ended up being a squashed oily slice of cheese on dry bread. Wasn't that many people in there and I still felt cramped from all the people brushing by us to get into the bathroom. Service was friendly though.
(2)Dustin M.
The coffee is pretty good but every time I've been in there, I have been waited on by a snotty employee. This is the closest place to my apartment but I will always walk the extra couple of block to go to Nook.
(2)Josh V.
This place is awesome. Good coffee, friendly service, nice seating both indoor and outdoor.
(5)George S.
I love this coffee place. I like coffee, but I LOVE tea and they have my favorites. The staff is friendly and always having fun. I have become a regular and will continue to get my drinks from here.
(5)Teodora S.
Really nice place, cozy atmosphere, nice they have tables for sitting outside. Coffee is good (very original names...:) ). I love their mocha and cappuccino. I great place to get coffee when you want to stay away from Starbucks.
(4)Jane P.
My family and I stopped by and ordered a few soups and a couple of paninis. They got my sister's order wrong and took 20 minutes to microwave our soups AFTER we reminded them and AFTER we noticed they had served the same soups to people who ordered after us. What they did have was an attitude.
(1)Eva K.
Staff was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. (Caffeination is under new management.) They recommended a chai expresso latte which was fabulous. You can distinctly taste the chai and the expresso which made for a very yummy drink! Every drink can be made hot or cold so I tried the cold option which was perfect for the hot day. I also tried the banana chocolate chip cake which was pretty fresh and tasty. Highly recommend checking out the cafe.
(5)Parisa S.
Totally obsessed with the latte here. I don't know what they put in it, but I suspect it's laced with crack cocaine. I am completely addicted.
(5)Ying W.
The first thing that stuck out to me was the name. It sums up the coffeehouse's purpose perfectly - to caffeinate all those who seek a tune up in the morning. Better than a Starbucks in my opinion, the setting is trendy and you have many different options as to food and beverages. They have everything from a "Market Street Machiato" to "Jolt Chewing Gum". Great place to people watch and/or surf the web using their free wi-fi service!
(4)D K.
I'd like to give Caffeination 3.5 stars. I had been there a few times in the 9 months or so that I've been living nearby and found it to be so-so. The quality of what you get - coffee wise - really depends on the person making the drink. The mocha I got the other day was great: strong, chocolaty and piping hot (made by a slightly-built, friendly dark-haired guy). Today's latte was so-so (definitely not hot enough). I don't expect small independent places to be machines like the big S'bucks, but some consistency would be good. The staff is friendly and helpful and the owner is a nice guy, who really seems to care, but maybe just can't make that next improving step. I'll definitely give them another try, maybe for food and a smoothie.
(4)Jeremy C.
This place has everything I would expect out of a coffee shop. They have great coffee, very delicious food, and a wonderful atmosphere. I stopped in the other day because I was in the area and really liked the catchy name. I ordered a latte, an egg & cheese on a bagel w/ ham, and a croissant. They were all fantastic and couldn't imagine getting anything of that quality at a Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks. I would definitely recommend this place to anybody who may be in the area.
(5)Leigh Anna T.
What is this, communist Russia?! Ok seriously, if I'm going to pay you more than Starbucks and your coffees are smaller than Starbucks, the least you could do is not boss me around! Another reviewer said the place was under new mgmt and the bossy signs were taken down... This is untrue. I am still bossed about where I can pour my coffee out to make room for milk, where to put my laptop, and not to touch the door?! Are you kidding me? It's a DOOR! Buy some Windex and clean it off if you don't want to see fingerprints on it, like the rest of the establishments in the world that have glass doors. Also, you have to ask if you want Splenda or raw sugar. They don't leave it out so people don't steal it. Oh and they have a $5 minimum on credit cards. The only reason I'm giving it 2 stars and not 1 is because it's directly across the street from me, and sometimes proximity is key when you really need a caffeine fix. Otherwise I'll be walking the 2-3 blocks to Dunkin' or Starbucks - they may be "the man" but at least they treat me like a human being and I can get as much Splenda there as I want.
(2)Joe G.
Rude counter girl wouldn't allow me to continue to use the internet unless I bought another coffee. Wont go back, one can only use the internet for an hour and a half.
(1)Wen-Ching W.
Excellent staff, great coffee, comfortable atmosphere, DIVINE CUPCAKES!!!! What more can you ask for?
(5)Ryan G.
Stopped in when I was visiting Philly. Very nice servers, great cup of chai, very reasonable price.
(5)Joshua C.
This place is fantastic! It is large, bright, and has a wonderfully warm atmosphere. The staff is always eager to help, and they serve up some of the greatest food I have ever eaten in a coffee shop. The Yirgacheffe blend they use is amazing, and their prices are unbeatable in this neighborhood. I also appreciate the wireless internet as sometimes I will go there for lunch and study on my computer while I eat. The caffeine theme is fun too - those late night study nights are much improved since I discovered Boosta shots! Thanks for bringing such a unique and extraordinary coffeeshop to this neighborhood!!
(5)Elena S.
The coffee at this place is pretty terrible. With Colombe, Starbucks and even Dunkin Donuts nearby, I don't see any reason to stop in to a place with bad coffee and some minimal, mediocre snacks. La Colombe is a far better option for good coffee and a much nicer atmosphere. Probably the only thing this place is good for is a place to park yourself for studying, but it's not great for that either b/c there are only 2 outlets in the whole place and they play the tv and music too loud to be able to really concentrate. Overall, I think there are so many better and similarly-priced options nearby that it's not worth it.
(1)