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Categories: Coffee & Tea, Restaurants
Neighborhood: Washington Square WestMon-Sun. 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
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wow. 5 trillion reviews for a tiny spot.
i'd say the answer's in the question...
go here for the awesome beverages and great staff.
stay to do some work and get distracted by the surprisingly impressive art they exhibit.
the place is attractive, comfy and welcoming.
probably my top coffee spots in the city.
There are so many reasons to love Chapterhouse. Beautiful interior space, amazing art on the walls, delicious coffee, great pastries and treats, clever coffee drink combinations, lush plants in the window. Even the bathroom is amazing. No joke.
The Dominican Mocha! I didn't even know it existed until I tried one from Chapterhouse. It is a spiced mocha with malted milk. My other favorite drink would be the Peanut butter mocha made with real peanut butter. The bagels are delicious, especially with the garlic-herb boursin spread. The heavenly dessert bars are rich and decadent but worth the extra calories.
I love the huge space in there, the big library of books and the comfortable seating. All around thumbs up!
LOVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVe their dessert bars. Please don't ever stop! Bring on the pecan thingies, the raspberry ones, the coconut one...mm so perfect, especially with a latte and that signature little neon red holder for my togo cup.
The owner has super rad style.
My only frowny face is that it has too many fuckers with laptops clogging up the joint, and it makes for a very stale atmosphere, i go to coffee houses to socialize, not drone away on my computer isolating myself from every other person in the room.
GO TO THE LIBRARY YOU FREAKS!
Great selection of teas, coffees and smoothies. Relaxing environment to read.
Warning, it gets crowded very often, so be prepared.
Why did I used to hate the Chapterhouse? Why did I think it was mean and scary? Probably because I'm what you would call a tardbot. Really, it's quite lovely here. There's not one, not two, but THREE rooms of seating, with a variety of options. There's the "let's people watch" bar seats, the "get down to business" two top desk tables, and my personal favorite, the "lazy afternoon" softy chair/couch thingies. Hell, there's even a freakish looking hanging cocoon chair. Yes, that is the technical name for it.
The staff is generally pleasant and the musical selections are usually pretty alright and played at a volume such that you can hear it, but it's not clobbering you about the ear region.
Once again I am an epic fail in reviewing the edibles/drinkables department, but they do have a great tea selection. Three different kinds of white tea? That makes me feel all fancy and shit.
Plus there's that dog that's always there...if you're into canines with your caffeine...
Hands down best cafe in the city. Great coffee, innovative small desert menu, and super-friendly staff. Added to that, they've recently added a great deal of space downtstairs.
For those who complain about the laptops, I have to say that laptops make cafe culture possible. Anyone who thinks that you can separate the boom in cafes from the advent of wifi are missing the point. Chapter house has a great balance between conversation and getting work done.
I love this place, and it's fast becoming one of my happy places in Philly. But why?
-First and foremost, the coffee. I've been getting the iced coffee, but when I feel fancy they have other delicious drinks like Thai Iced Coffee and Ancho Chile Chocolate Latte, etc etc. More reasonably priced than S'bux
-Oatmeal cookie sandwiches with craisins. The key here is the white frosting. Man, they are tasty.
-Size. It's wide open and there are lots of tables (albeit, most of the time they are all filled). High ceilings, windows and natural sunlight... if you took the tables out, I would be happy to call this place my home.
-Free wifi. This one is important. Also, they have plenty of outlets, which is hard to come by in a lot of these little coffee stores.
-Ambiance. The whirring of espresso machines at coffeehouses often leave me feeling frenzied, which makes it difficult for me to concentrate. Not so at Chapterhouse--I've never noticed it here.
In conclusion, I really enjoy this relaxed, unpretentious space. The baristas are great, the coffee is yum, and don't forget to get a cookie sandwich.
Excellent coffee. Comfy chairs, great relaxed atmosphere. Open (relatively) late. Great spot.
This place is definitely my favourite nighborhood coffeehouse. It's huge, has a nice back area with huge windows to look out of (with a view of a garden not more buildings and trash!) Or you can sit up front and hang out on the bar seats and stare out to the city sidewalk life moving by, or in the darker middle of the coffeehouse area, with cozy couches candles and whatnot.
The free wi-fi is bonus for those dark winter days when you need your computer, but need some people around you too.
Music soundtrack is good too, I nice mix of electronica, chill and alternative rock tracks, if you didn't BYOM.
I just wish they had a frequent coffee buyers club because I spend way too much money in here!
Chapterhouse is my favorite cafe in the city. It's a great place to work when you are working from home. On days when I've had to do a huge chunk of research or write a big proposal, this is the place I come to do the work. It's also a nice place for sitting and chatting with friends.
Some yummy things: the sandwiches (toasted in a panini toaster), the iced tea sodas (part tea and part italian soda), and the sandwich cookies.
Plus, they are dog-friendly and their bathroom is always clean.
**Disclaimer** - This review update has nothing to do with blogs that I could care little about, How I feel about credit minimums (no sir I don't like them), or how a certain worker composed himself on a certain fustercluck of a talk thread that I'd rather not look back on (And for the record he definitely could of composed himself a WHOLE HELL of a lot better).
You see this update is about everything that I look for personally when I look for a good coffeehouse. When I look for a good coffeehouse I search a good vibe and atmosphere that perfect for getting some work done, an impressive variety of drink offerings, delicious food offerings, board games to play and house books to read, and a variety of fantastic art on the wall (and there's always bonus points for a cute house dog). And when I came back to Chapterhouse for Book Club I got to revisit how much of these things it has to offer, and that's exactly why I enjoy it thoroughly (too bad the dog wasn't there!).
And for what it's worth, while I'll agree in a heartbeat that Christopher needs to step away from things like talk threads so that Shannon can be the voice of mediation when a situation arises (just saying since she definitely does the better job of it), I will stand by the fact that I have had good service from him in the past. He goes the extra mile by making sure that your not allergic to any ingredient in the more involved drinks, and goes the extra mile with his preparation. And while he might of seemed a little more distant every time he heard the mention of Yelp (not to say I don't particularly blame him given the fustercluck that I'd rather not talk about) during the Book Club, he didn't miss a beat. And it is things like that that I appreciate.
This is my Chapterhouse rewrite. I had the last one written in the wrong spot, plus I feel like a… Read more »
This coffee tastes like campside marshmallows in the Redwood Forest. I love it.
Big fan of my neighborhood coffee shop. Aside from the make-yourself-at-home ambiance, CH's coffee… Read more »
Finding a good coffee shop in any city can be a challenge. Especially if you don't like charbucks, whether for their burnt overpriced coffee or their corporate chain atmosphere. There are a lot of nice little coffee shops in south Philly that are decent, but just don't work for me because of small cluttered spaces, indifferent baristas, or noisy environments.
I like to go to a coffee shop to read, or break out my mini laptop (it's always a conversation piece) to catch up with the internets, and just to get out of my apartment for a change. Chapterhouse is nice for that as it's generally quiet, and has a bit of room. There are convenient outlets near many of the tables to plug in your electronic vampires.
The coffee is pretty good, and they also have decent chai lattes. They have some specialty drinks, and also some iced options for the summer. They have some food options, but I've never partaken. The music is usually decent, and unobtrusive, good to read by or do a bit of computer work.
This cafe became the best cafe in Philly the week it opened. The layout and environment are perfect. The coffee is OK, but the sandwiches make up for it. The place has a mixture of a homey/modern and an industrial feel to it, which makes me feel creative and alive just by siting down. Also, the wall art is always amazing.
It's been packed with no seats available a few times I went, but it makes sense why others would love hanging out/studying there all day. The owners and staff are laid back, yet attentive to everyone. The place is also dog friendly, which is an added bonus.
If i could give them 5.5 stars, I would.
I've been to this cafe several times while visiting people in Philly, and I often wish it were in New York. The espresso is good, there is a cute patio and interesting artwork on the walls. If you're into flavored sodas or fizzy teas, they've got those too.
I rarely expect much from service in Philly, as I've discovered that "The City of Brotherly Love" was probably a term coined on opposite day, but I thought it was fine.
Something that really caught my eye was the most quintessentially hipster painting I have ever seen. It featured a curled up, bearded man wearing plaid, surrounded by antlered beasts and nature images. While it did provide a great laugh, the painting (along with all the others) was quite impressive. I'm so used to having mediocre/terrible/slightly frightening things covering the walls where I'm just trying to score some quality time with free wifi.
I'm conflicted about Chapterhouse. On the one hand, it is a great coffeeshop to do work in. The coffee is good and the refills are cheap. The sandwiches and smoothies are really good too; expensive, but worth the money. It's a great place to do some reading.
On the other hand, these qualities bring their own problems. The grad student vibe is heavy here - talk too loudly and you will figure out just what looks can kill. One time, a couple broke up while I was doing my reading next to them. The background music is repetitive, but luckily, I still like the Cocteau Twins and even, God bless them, the Strokes.
The baristas are great, except for one thing. I come in several mornings a week, and once in a while, I only have a twenty dollar bill. Several times, I have been told that they simply can't make change for me. Shouldn't you just keep a reserve of ones and fives for just this problem?
Chapter House is now in the tie for my favorite latte in the city. Great coffee, lots of stuff on the menu and lots of seating in a great atmosphere. I was caught off guard by the bungee cord seating in the front - very cozy.
I need to find out if they have Wifi - if they do they have officially unseated The Last Drop for my favorite coffee house in the city.
So good I almost don't even want to share it!
I freakin' love this place. My cousin took me here after walking forty (40) blocks in downtown Philly. We stopped in for iced coffees and I swear, it hit the spot!
I love how they have local art on the walls and how spacious this place is. We sat by the window counter and people watched, listened to breakbeats and drum 'n bass.
It reminded me of being in SF.
Have you seen Minority Report?
If so, imagine a coffeeshop in that movie - all white, yet somehow still comfortable. Furniture that is receptive to your body so that you can stay for hours. A soundtrack that blends the future with the past seamlessly. Delicious coffee drinks served in delicately modern cups and saucers. Art on the walls that pushes coffeeshop art to a new dimension.
That coffeeshop exists, and it is Chapterhouse.
Even one of the owners looks like she comes from some filmmakers vision of the future - red hair coiffed in unorthodox shapes and black drapy dresses that have elements of hippy and goth but look like neither.
So if you ever need to take Samantha Morton for coffee in Philly, this is your spot.
This place is pretty great. The space is wonderful - so open and bright. The baristas are mostly lovely. Especially the woman with the glasses and dark hair.
One or two of the baristas seem to think I'm an idiot, but I can live with that.
The food is fine - but café food is almost always a bad idea. It's like theme park food or airport food - overpriced for little. But it's fine - the vegan wrap I actually like.
It's the only place I get flavor shots at - a touch of chocolate and a touch of ginger in an iced latte. It's actually quite good...
The seating options are awful, though. Don't get me wrong, they are fantastic seats in fantastic space, but you often have to be a vulture to get a seat here, just encircling poor costumers, waiting for them to leave. I often just walk in and walk right out because it is so packed sometimes.
The temperature is a little off sometimes, too. I'll leave there either shivering or drenched in sweat - usually the latter.
But it's one of my favorite cafés in the city - great for buckling down and working.
This address has gone through ALOT of owners/transitions/names... I used to work at Grinds and Finds and then it was Carey's Cafe for a short time and then another cafe which was also short lived. So needless to say I was really excited to see Chapterhouse come in! the owners have turned it into an amazing space and the coffee and sandwiches are really good too! (I think they're from Le Bus) It's always crowded when I go in and no matter what the staff is always super friendly and helpful.
Fantastic!
These folks get it right. Perfect espresso. Excellent drip coffee. Friendly vibe.
If they offered a wider selection of food it's possible I'd never leave.
I've walked by here so many times and never realized it was there. They have a pretty cool variety of drinks, and were very amiable to requests to alter ingredients. They had a nice little assortment of dangerous pastries, and interesting art on the walls. The prices weren't bad either. My favorite part tho was the elastic chairs that I couldn't resist bouncing on, hehe. I don't tend to frequent coffee shops, but the next time I'm looking for one to hang out in around there, I'll think of this place before I default to the Starbucks on the corner.
What impresses me most about Chapterhouse is how much thought they obviously put into everything.
- From the beautiful space - clean & bright, yet warm & relaxing...the spacious yet cozy layout.....the interesting architecture of the 1/2 curved, 1/2 squared archways....the always changing, totally sweet local artwork. Also, I think the subjects of the books in the 2nd room to read/buy really say something about the Chapterhouse peeps. (e.g. - Biocosm)
- To ingredients they use - fair trade, organic, delicious. They can actually tell you where their milk comes from.
- Thoughtful service. I guess it's not that unusual for a cafe to offer beverages 'made to order' but I've noticed how much care they take to make sure you are ordering exactly what you want and getting exactly what you order. Whether they are giving a suggestion on what to try or making sure you have the kind of milk (rice/soy/cow) you prefer, you get that feeling that it really was made specially for you. They do this consistently for every customer, even when it is busy. And that is lovely and what impresses me the most.
- Skills. Not only is everything delicious, it looks delicious which makes it even more delicious. Now I want to learn how to make cute latte art! I especially like the fresh fruit smoothies, pb/banana/choc smoothies and the spicy Mexican Mocha.
- Great hours. They are open from 7am-10pm every single day and have free wi-fi. Sure it can get busy (I take that as a good sign about a place) but even then it manages to not feel cramped thanks to the smart layout. Plus I hear they are planning to add more seating downstairs soon.
- The staff is diverse & interesting. Bonus points to Rich for appreciating the phenomenon that is Ninja Warrior. Bonus points to owner, Chris, for being the hotness. Bonus points to resident dog, little Jessica for being endlessly adorable, funny and sweet.
Chapterhouse wins!
my first visit to chapterhouse was for the unofficial yelp book club meeting last week. it will certainly not be my last!
this is a great little spot whether you are looking for a quiet place to work on your laptop, read a book or simply sip a tasty beverage or snack on a delicious baked treat while admiring the unique artwork. it is also a good spot for groups, like ours, who likely made a lot more noise than most other patrons - sorry! the set-up is great as it is a large space with a few different sections, so i got the feeling noise didn't carry all that bad (or so i hoped!) if we didn't have our book to discuss, a group could pick up one of a number of board games on hand, along with a selection of books.
i had read good things online about the nutella latte (nutella as a beverage? yes, please!), so i ordered one iced, and it did not disappoint. in fact, writing about it...i am craving one right now and wishing i didn't live in the burbs. they were out of yogurt - wah - so after deliberating for quite some time, i finally settled on a coffee cake, which i believe came from flying monkey patisserie? well, wherever it came from, it was heavenly - makes me kinda glad they were out of yogurt!
in light of the recent thread chatter, it is worth noting that the barista was quite patient with me while i waffled on my food order. prices were reasonable, and my bill was under $10 so i politely paid with cash :)
I can't even estimate how much work I was able to get done while downing a latte at Chapter House. Maybe once out of the many times I've visited have I not been able to find a seat. Free wi-fi was great (and unlimited). Ah, but my favorite part (and the extra star) is those little leaves they make in the top of my latte... it's the little things in life that make you smile.
Nicest looking cafe, nicest looking baristas. unostentatious.
I really wish you could bottle the essence of this place and take it everywhere you go! Clean, bright, inviting, quiet, and warm - the interior of the Chapterhouse is clearly a painstakingly crafted work of art. Everything from the lighting fixtures to the countertop and tilework make this cafe a pleasure to dwell within. The details make all the difference.
I recommend the soy latte or the spicy hot chocolate. You will not be disappointed!
My roommate and I stumbled upon this place by accident, after a journey over to Sarcone's. I'm glad we did, because there is no way we would have come otherwise, being that we reside on the banks of the Schuylkill.
I've never really been a big fan of coffee houses as a place to hang out, relax, or do work. What I mean is, I'm way to ADD to work in an area with a lot of traffic. But here, I really could see just coming here to......whatever! Yes, it is arranged a bit like an art gallery, but it feels inherently welcoming. Part of that might be due to the awesome staff. The barista was possibly the nicest I've ever met, she not only made a delicious nutella latte (I know, right?), but she "painted" what was on my shirt into the cream. Take note other coffee shops. THIS is how you get repeat business. I would normally say so, but in this case, this place is definitely worth a 20-block commute.
Arguably the best coffee shop in Philly for sitting around and doing work on a laptop. The coffee is really strong, and fairly affordable. The cafe is large and there are almost always empty seats. The internet is free and relatively consistent. They are dog friendly, and others' dogs will come visit you while you work. Their lunch food isn't the best, but that's not what they're known for. There are plenty of lunch places nearby, around South street.
One of my favorite places in Philly!
The best part is how spacious it is, I don't feel like I have to rush out to let someone else use a table... but I like almost everything, including the springy-cord chairs, the giant windows in the back, the owners' dog that jumped through there once to say Hi, the art, the baristas, the hot chocolate with lots of whip cream and chocolate syrup, the Summer Soda, the plants, the mobiles hanging from the ceiling, lots of outlets!, etc.
One wish is for them to open up the back for outdoor seating... but they probably have a reason for not using that space. Zoning or something.
Anyway.. Go there!
This is a great 'working' coffee shop. The chairs are industrial-comfortable, not gross Craigslist eyesores. Lots of natural lighting flowing in, and excellent ceiling lighting. Someone took the time to consider all the details.
You do pay several cents more for coffee than you would at other places, but the atmosphere is worth the $0.25 extra.
(Also, the $0.50 refills are pretty great)
I think the time has come to review my second favorite place in all of Philadelphia. Not that I want to encourage it being any more crowded, but the second I discovered Chapterhouse, I fell in love with this city all over again.
Since I moved to the city last year, I've made a mission of trying out almost every cafe in the city (still working down the list, but I've made good progress). Yet Chapterhouse has fallen into the default category..... when I want to do some work on my laptop, write in my journal, catch up with a friend..... it's equitable to my home as far as comfort is concerned. I've found the other patrons to be considerate but mostly in their own worlds; exactly the space I'm in when I set up shop in a cafe.
The servers are really nice (some nicer than others, but that's fine) and everything I've gotten here has been so good: the vegetarian sandwiches are both great (try the vegan wrap!), the smoothies are delish (apple chai!), and I've had most of their teas hot and iced. They also play great great music.
Despite the crowd (and occasional difficulty finding a seat), I generally feel a sense of relief when I walk in. I think the communal aspect and variety of seating options really makes it feel like you're invited into someone's home. I appreciate that.
chapterhouse has some wonderful coffee, and is housed in one of the most beautiful cafe spaces i've ever seen. that is for sure.
however, like many other coffeeshops, it has become inundated with the spending-six-hours-on-my-laptop patrons. which can be extremely annoying when you want to grab a latte and food with a friend. though i dislike the places that cover up their outlets completely to solve this problem, i just wish some of the jefferson med students that study here would get that other people want to sit down. but i digress....
my only other complaint is that some of the employees here are a bit standoffish. ok, i get you think you're all intellectual and artsy - but that doesn't mean you can't give me a smile when you serve me, or i tip you.
I had been going to Chapterhouse fairly regularly after moving out of Chinatown and being just a couple blocks down the street. I really wouldn't go here again, with the way that the owners and workers here behave.
My fella had brought me in here once and it was crowded and i wasn't sure if I was a fan. Seemed a… Read more »
This place is brilliant! I've been by a few times but this was the first time I had time to stop. The Thai style coffee with condensed milk was great, and served in a nice big mug. There's tons of seating ranging from a comfy-looking sofa, to a hanging wicker chair, to just plain tables. I wanted to sit in the wicker chair, but was paranoid that I would break it or spill coffee on the book I was reading - yes, they have a nice selection of books to read. I sat in the back at a regular table. There was a good cross-section of the community there, although I was in the 10% or so that wasn't taking advantage of the free Wi-Fi. Service was pleasant and prices are decent. It's a really good place to fritter away a morning if you have the time.
Finally got a chance to check out Chapterhouse yesterday to get in some crucial study time.
First of all, I can definitely say that this place is very conducive to getting work done. When I came in it was full of people on their laptops, fully immersed in reviewing power point lectures and writing papers. The tables are solid and there are a good amount. The music they play is excellent! They even played my favorite song off Jeff Mangum's Live from Jittery Joe's. YES.
The drinks and food are fairly priced and they seemed to have a yummy selection of baked goodies. The iced coffee, which is the only thing I got, was very good.
Chapterhouse definitely has a nice, relaxed atmosphere, good for studying, or just hangin' out with a friend. I'll be back for sure!
I've only been to this place twice, but I have had an enjoyable experience both times. The first time I went was for a poetry reading which was held in the back room. The reading series that Chapterhouse puts on is top-notch, all great writers reading their great work. I saw Thaddeus Rutkowski, Hal Sirowitz, and Jeffrey McDaniel perform at this place, and though the seating was limited, the dynamics of the room gave off some nice intimate undertones. Whatever that means.
But yeah, for a coffee shop, Chapterhouse is your standard coffee shop. I've only had the coffee, but I can tell you this: the coffee is fresh and tasty, isn't too thick and spicy like all the Starbucks that surround Philadelphia in a menacing gaze, isn't burnt like all the Dunkin Donuts. Go here for a good cup.
The wait staff is friendly and forgiving. There is plenty of free literature strewn about, in the form of newspapers and fliers. There are tables all over the place, though here's my major beef: not enough seating space. It's either because of the popularity of the joint, or because the place doesn't seem like you'd be able to share a table with another patron. Seems like most people go to this place to do work of some sort, whether creative work, school work, or professional work. So be prepared to get something to go.
Oh, and did I mention that the music they play there is amazing? I found myself both entertained and entranced--the perfect coffeeshop tunes cascading in one long row of enchantment.
It doesn't get much better than this. The coffee is great the snacks are excellent but what really make Chapterhouse my favorite place in this fair city is the people. Both behind the counter and in the mix. Laid back, engaging and kind. I can't tell you how many fabulous conversations I have had with my "little while" friends at Chapterhouse.
The art is also a key part of the stellar ambiance.
Well done crew!
I spent quite a few hours a week at Chapterhouse during my didactic year. I found it to be a great place to study as the music they play is always awesome but never obnoxiously loud. The patrons keep their conversations fairly hushed but in no way does it have the feel of a library since you can eat and drink coffee to your hearts content.
The coffee is excellent and refills for to-stay mugs are only $0.50. The tea selection is fantastic. As for food, I've had a few different things there but my favorite is always a sundried tomato bagel toasted with hummus.
On occasion I would have trouble scoring a table but with non-intrusive lurking I could usually stalk out a table within 10 minutes.
Now that I'm out in rotations I don't find myself getting to the Chapterhouse as often as I used to but maybe one day I can go there and NOT have to study and just read a regular book so I can detach my association of exam cramming with this lovely spot! I look forward to that day...
Wishing you Happy Holidays…
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