Restaurants and Cafés Near Penn You Might Not Know About

If you are anything like me, you’re tired of Greek Lady; you’ve exhausted the combinations of ingredients in your SweetGreen salad; and you’ve GrubHubbed from just about everywhere. And if you’re really like me, you will basically do or eat anything if it means getting out of the Penn bubble. So rather than pay too much to eat the same meal every day, why not treat yourself to something you might actually enjoy? Here is a list of West Philly cafés and restaurants within a short distance from Penn that you might not know about or fully take advantage of. 

 

 

This coffee shop is essentially on Penn’s campus, and it makes a pretty great study spot if you’re okay with light chatter. There are small tables, free Wi-Fi, fresh brewed coffee, and food options including sandwiches, salads, quiches, pastries, and bagels. Lovers & Madmen is a quality spot for a quick bite while cranking out work, or to just take a nice break with a

friend. Recommended: hot chocolate or cappuccino. 

 

There are two kinds of students at Penn: those who have been to Green Line, and those who should, after reading this, immediately walk there now. Of the cafés/coffee shops that 

I’m listing here, Green Line is one of the better options for food. Their sweet potato burrito rivals Honest Tom’s (crazy, I know) and with spring on its way, they’ll be bringing back 

their amazing iced coffee. Don’t miss the honey-wheat, French toast, or cherry apple walnut bagels. Whether or not you’re a vegetarian like me, Green Line has something you’ll like. 

 

Earth Cup is adorable, delicious, and most importantly, inexpensive. Get a bagel with lox for $5, or try their egg sandwiches, chocolate chip zucchini bread, or their selection of house-

brewed coffee. They have great outdoor seating (again, weather pending), but above all, they have pesto-grilled cheese and goat cheese croissants…sold!

 

Breakfast, lunch, dinner, brunch, whatever you’re craving, Gold Standard has it. I give this place kudos for the amount of food they have, plus the fact that they have a quiche of the day. Very veg friendly: Hummus-Avocado Wrap, BBQ Seitan, Falafel, Grilled Vegetable Sandwich, Black Bean burger, etc., yet they still have tons of meat options: Chorizo Hash, Chicken Caesar wrap, Pulled Pork, Chicken salad, Rueben, and Marinated Flank Steak sandwiches. Breakfast/Brunch options include variations of pancakes, omelets, waffles,

and eggs benedict. Best part: it’s a BYO! They offer Bloody Mary and Margarita Mix, or a pitcher of OJ for mimosas.

 

Satellite Café is one of the further West Philly places I’ve ventured to, and it is one of my favorites. They have a ton of vegetarian and vegan options, which I’m biased towards, but 

everything I have tried is awesome. They have appetizing wraps, bagels, and every time I go there is some sort of new dessert to try. The shop is on the smaller side, and it draws a 

hippie crowd. Maybe wait until it’s warm to go though, because it’s a hike in this weather.

 

 

I’m starting this list with Vientiane simply because this is one of my favorite restaurants in West Philadelphia. I willingly admit that I’m a pad Thai enthusiast, so I was skeptical when 

I first went here, but I can honestly say I love it. Word of advice: the items on the menu aren’t really described in full, so if you aren’t sure what is in a dish, definitely ask, especially  if you have dietary restrictions. But if you’re ordering anything besides pad Thai, my advice is to reevaluate your choices.

 

Simply put, Dahlak is an Ethiopian and African cuisine restaurant that effectively caters to meat and non-meat eaters. This is your chance to really step outside the box; can  you honestly say you’ve had an Ethiopian African fusion dining experience? And they unexpectedly serve baklava and carrot cake, which is more than appreciated. 

 

Truthfully, I haven’t eaten at Club Festivals, but the reviews say the food is top-notch and Jamaican Caribbean food is not something I get every day (or any day). Their signature dish is Roti, which is a stoneground, unleavened bread (read: flatbread) that they serve with a number of toppings from meat, to crab, to fish, to vegetables. Props to whoever tries the  “Coo Coo Callaloo and Fish” Roti, because I have no idea what that entails.

 

Continuing the streak of unique eats, we have a Caribbean bakery that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The variety of dishes here is crazy. This might be the only place where  you can choose to get porridge, smoked herring, or coconut bake for breakfast. They have an impressive array of pastries (try the turnovers), and surprise! They have Roti! And an enigmatic drink called Tropical Rhythms…how could you say no?

 

If you’re looking to get fancy and drop some dough…yea no, me neither…venture out to Bottom of the Sea for an absurdly large variety of seafood dishes. If you have missed real fish, lobster, crab, whatever, you need to go here. Be forewarned, this place is pricey, but the desserts are $4, and if you’re looking to splurge, or if you sporadically come into a lot of money, it’s worth it.

 

Inexpensive, delicious, non-greasy Chinese takeout until 2 am every day of the week? This alone is a good enough reason to head over to Lucky’s. The food is made in front of you (sans MSG) and is surprisingly great quality considering its low price and lackluster atmosphere. This isn’t a sit-down type of place, but it IS the type of place where you can get a Lobster Fried Rice, Crab Meat Lo Mein, or, I kid you not, literally anything else you could ever want at a Chinese restaurant. They even have a “diet menu” for those of you seeking a healthier option. The best part? Not one dish is over $10, and most range between $3-5. 

 

West Point Pizza is another one of those “you can get absolutely anything here” kind of stops. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and again, you get your bang for your buck. Whether you’re craving pizza (definitely try the vegetarian one), Stromboli, salad, a burger, a hoagie, cheesesteak, or even a waffle, West Point has it. Pick it up, get it delivered, even order online if you so desire. Bottom line: you want to get your hands on this food. 

 

If these recommendations aren’t enough…also check out Gojjo 4540 Baltimore Avenue (Ethiopian, African)

 

And if you’re looking to stay on campus or head into the city, click here!