Recs for cafes or tea houses?

[Mr. Peabody]

I love La Colombe (Rittenhouse) and Bubble House (West Phila) and am looking for somewhere new with excellent coffee or tea and a nice ambiance. Thanks!

[Hansel]

Philadelphia Java Company at 4th and Gaskill (one short block north of South) is still good. Good coffee, good food, too. Nice staff. I also like Lovers and Madmen at 40th and Ludlow in West Philly (Counter Culture coffee and Four Worlds Bakery pastries). A new coffeehouse just opened at Head House Square, Bodhi Coffee, but I haven't been there yet. It serves Stumptown coffee and the reviews seem to be good.

Haven't made it to Ultimo yet, but looking forward to getting there to try the coffee.

[Mr. Peabody]

Thanks very much, everyone--all of those suggestions sound so nice.

[jaba]

I'm a huge fan of Cafe L'aube on South and 15th. Great food, good in-house roasted coffee, and friendly staff.

[padovana]

Walnut street Bridge Cafe is cute and has decent coffee

There's this other place on 20th or 21st near pine/south (sorry so vague!) that i really like and can't remember the name that has a nice vibe. I usually just walk around before I find it.

Also on Spruce Street Espresso on 11th and Spruce has a good cup (but it's very tiny inside so finding a seat is hit or miss).

There's some tea place up in Northern Liberties near Honey's Sit'n'Eat called the Random Tea Room that I haven't been to but looks kind of interesting.

I can keep going. I think it's a personal decision and I personally am not loyal to any one place .. I'm even a sucker for DiBruno Brothers' on Chestnut sometimes for the people watching it offers

[jaba]

Couple places I really like - Cafe L'aube on 15th and South with house-roasted coffee, fantastic crepes, and very warm ambience.
Also Chapterhouse on 9th and Bainbridge.
Spruce St Espresso is great also, but as mentioned, it's very tiny.

[Bob Loblaw]

It's been ages since I lived downtown, but I always liked Philadelphia Java Co (4th and South) and Chapter House (9th and Baimbridge)

[barryg]

La Colombe and Bubble House are really different kinds of places so it's hard to know what you are looking for exactly. But some coffee shops I like in Center City are Spruce St Espresso (tiny, but very good coffee) and La Va (ok coffee but good place to hang out and good middle eastern food--try their shakshouka).

Ultimo Coffee in South Philly has seriously good coffee. Best espresso, cappuccino and pour-over I have had in Phila and the baristas are consistently good. Atmosphere is just ok. Chestnut Hill Coffee as mentioned is supposed to have excellent espresso drinks and baristas as well.

[AmblerGirl]

Not sure if you are just looking in Philly but I heard Cafe Tea in Ambler is really good, I have not been there myself but am eager to try it.

[Displaced California Foodie]

I like Chestnut Hill Coffee Co.

http://chestnuthillcoffee.com/