Not that Benna's was enough for the South Philly home-body or DIY hipsters as I'll coin them. You know what I mean... The ladies who are home-schooled, took many hobbies including knitting, poetry, vegan-cooking, sewing and taking dresses from their grandmother and reworking them to make themselves look cool for this day and age. They also go to that underground bike shop where they buy exclusive vintage parts from the cycles that were in the 1962 Tour De France! Ooolaalaa! Not to mention they all wish they could be Virginia Woolf minus the suicidal river moment... Ok maybe I'm being a lil' too cynical here and I'll take it down a notch. Luckily B2 isn't as cliquey in the sense as Benna's ( B1? ) is and maybe that has changed? I haven't been to Benna's in years but I remember it was pretty much a coffee shop for girls that looked like Raggedy Ann meets Karen O's make-up artist and if the Lilith Fair Movement still existed, this was the closet thing to it... complete with Indigo Girls B-sides playing as you order a leisbo... I mean latte. Opps... Ok guess I am being a bit tad cynical. Again B2 has more male guys working behind the counter but these guys represent the kind of guy these girls want to date, marry, or brag about. Which none of these guys will ever be committed to saying "I do" unless it means something else... ahem. The music here is a misshapen mess of every indie-mainstream song you may or may not have heard of on itunes? That doesn't make any sense... neither does putting indie on front of everything just so it gets these peoples attention. To the point! The food and beverage here isn't bad but as you walk in you get these eyes piercing at you from every corner, peering over their ibooks typing away. Judging you perhaps and already writing a blog of what you're wearing, talking about, and what to order at the front counter. Ok that's just utter hysterical paranoia and I won't stand for that. I'm better than these people, right? Right?! Maybe... But the purpose of a coffee shop or any space that is supposed to provide R & R is exactly that! I don't go there to show off what new nonsense I have read in some clever book that no one in their right mind would find time to read or listen to some indie-noise-band-crap that someone said holds the secret of universe within track nine. It's bullshit. I just want my coffee. I don't want to see your bike, your hair, your friends bragging about the sex party, or anything else that isn't worth what precious time we have left on this planet! "Can I help you?" "I'll have an iced coffee, room for milk" *snickers from the other end of the store* "I'm watching you!!!! Ya twitter me! Write some LOOOOSSSEEEERRR is putting milk and not organic almond soy in his coffee. You make me sick!" "That will be 2.25 man" "Here keep the change. And as for you!!! Were you talking about REM cycles?" read more

I'm the dork who goes to coffee shops all the time but doesn't drink coffee, so I can't comment on the quality of that black, bitter brew everyone else seems to like so well. The friendly baristas at B2 hook me up with iced tea garnished with lemon and ask if I want a refill when I sit at the counter with someone else's cast-off Inquirer or the City Paper. They substitute sun-dried tomatoes on the tomato-basil-mozzarella sandwich and endure me whining about crappy out-of-season tomatoes with a smile. They blend up my weird smoothie requests (yes, I really want cucumber-melon-pineapple-mango, vegan, please) and laugh at my bad jokes. I love B2. It's a real community hub down here, just like its older-but-littler sister Benna's down the way. Also, vegan softserve! It's only $1.50 and lac-tards like myself love it. read more

Nice staff, tasty vanilla latte, as they make their own vanilla syrup. Cash only, $1 off if you bring your own cup. Be sure to know the size of your cup! read more

Lose the 'tude, B2. I'm a barista too and your job isn't so miserable to give me glares as I order and then complain to your coworker about how much you hate making anything that isn't coffee related in your shop. I still stop in here if friends opt to come but I've started seeking competitors out just so I don't feel like needing my caffeine fix is such a chore. I smile, I'm friendly, I'm never crazy demanding with my order (even though the amount of times I've been overcharged kinda sucks), and yet I'm treated like garbage. 3 stars is generous but it's only because you can still pull decent espresso shots and make my tofutti bagel most of the time. Even if it takes 10-20 minutes of waiting at times. I get that bitchy baristas are a stereotype but do you have to employ only them and one friendly beardy dude? read more

Happened to be in the area today and the bf and I wanted to try a place we never tried before. Decided to search for a vegan/vegetarian place to try and ended up going with B2. I was a little disappointed with our order. I got no.10 which had tofutti, sundried tomatoes, avocado and red onion on a GF roll. The bf got no. 8 which had hummus, spinach and tomato on a GF roll. I can honestly say I have had better sandwiches. To my surprise, the avocado that was served on my sandwich was slightly brown, making it a bit unappealing to eat. The bf wasn't too thrilled with his sandwich either. It was bland for his taste. It's a small place, the decor is okay. Didn't really get a welcoming vibe from the staff. Probably won't be coming back here again. read more

Despite the fact that precious few faces ever smile back in these parts, I still come around. Of course there's the chance that when I *think* I'm smiling what people actually see is me baring my teeth like a crazed, wild animal. You never know. Good hot coffee, good iced coffee... a nice variety of baked goods, little sandwiches and stuff... B2 is a comfortable spot to hang out for a while to watch East Passyunk roll by. read more

what a great place (and what a great corner w/POPE across the way). Lovely big tables and nice natural light, counter for those who are chitchatting with the staff. Everyone seems to be friends here, which makes me feel like someone's younger sister eavesdropping on the cool kids' conversation, but I'll take that over crowded places with no atmosphere or bad atmosphere. Good veggie sandwiches here-- apple, gorgonzola, walnuts, honey was delish. I wish they had options other than baguette or bagel, like just plain old sliced bread, but that is a total nitpick. They have soft-serve here in the summer too-- what coffee shop has soft serve??! Now that was a good idea. read more

I've been here only once so far so I don't want to be too judgmental. Perhaps I'll have a more favorable opinion after another visit or two. Really I don't need to say much other than echo other reviewers' comments re: hipsters. I simply didn't feel welcome when I sat down to order my honey and brie sandwich. I asked for some water and after the girl behind the counter poured it then started to bring the glass over the counter. I met her hand to take it and a bit of water spilled. "Whoa, just let me set it down, OK??" cried the barista. I didn't think this was a thing to get one's panties in a bunch about but my attempt to take the glass seemed to agitate her. I didn't have much interaction with her afterwards as I watched her bob her hipster head to the nondescript emopop blaring in the background. Now I know this isn't a full service place but I wanted more water and had to eventually go to the other end of the counter to finally get the attention of the other girl working there, who was engrossed in conversation with a friend. Pretty much every baked good is vegan. I wish there were more of a non-vegan selection. Some vegan baked goods can be good, but only certain kinds of items. If you think that any baked good can be just as good if its vegan, I'm sorry but you have no taste. If I go there a few more times I wouldn't be surprised to run into someone I remember from college who ate at the co-op below my dorm, where dessert could be a sugarless cake with tofu-based frosting. So yes I'm using some hyperbole here but I just didn't get a very good vibe from the place. Further bulletins as events warrant, and I actually try a few other things. read more

For as much as I love the original, first Benna's location, I was stoked when I found out that Benna's was opening a second location in South Philly. I figured that it would have the same vibe, but unfortunately, I was dead wrong. I have a mixed bag of feelings for B2. First, I love the location and the space. Just like Benna's, B2 boasts a long coffee bar where you can sit at your stool of choice, chat, and order refill after refill from the friendly staff. However... There's something hanging in the air... just a little something that's different from Benna's... can't quite put my finger on it...... Oh yeah! That's what it is --- Hipster pretentiousness! In my opinion, the crowd that hangs at B2 is much different from the crowd that frequents Benna's, in that it seems as though every up n' coming South Philly hipster knows one another and they all hang out here at any given time of the day. Every time I go and consider getting a coffee "for here" I always change it "to go" because I simply don't feel comfortable hanging with a bunch of kids who play the "one-ups-man-ship in cool" game. I never dug that scene, and I'm simply too old & jaded to get into it now. With that being said, B2 is not responsible for the type of patrons who choose to hang out at the establishment. I am happy that they seem to be successful and I wish them well. I'll just be sending my well wishes from the other location. read more

I finally checked out this place and basically, there is some truth to the previous reviews. Yes, it is hipster central, but I must admit that I kind of like that...and I'm not even a hipster! The place has a nice atmosphere. Cool art is on display the wall. The baristas usually have good tunes playing in the background. Most importantly, the coffee is a-flowing and the baked goods are yummy. There are vegan and dairy options. I'm glad I realized this because my fellow refused to accompany me to this establishment because we used to think that they did not have dairy. He came along and was delighted to see the oh so familiar half and half while also appreciating the vegan baked goods. Also, I noticed that another reviewer mentioned flies crawling on the baked goods during his visit. I want to mention that even though there were a few flies that managed to get indoors during my visits, there were no flies crawling on baked goods! All the baked goods were either appropriately individually wrapped or they were in covered containers. They were delicious...Those peanut butter sandwich cookies...the lemon pound cake...that smoothie with espresso and no bananas! Now, here are the problems: The baristas could be a little more friendly, in my opinion. I've dealt with 3 different baristas now and no one has been friendly or welcoming. A smile and "hello!" would be nice. The place smells of that hipster body odor due to poor ventilation when it is busy and packed on a summer day, usually weekend. You know, the same smell experienced on a happening summer night at the P.O.P.E across the street. Word to the wise: I did not experience this smell at B 2 when I returned during less busy hours during the week. So basically, go to black n brew if good friendly service, good coffee, and lack of hipster presence are important to you for having the optimal coffee shop experience. Go to B 2 if you want a more funky hipster atmosphere and better vegan options. Really, if you just want more options in general. B 2 has a good selection of drinks and foods. read more

Why is it difficult to get friendly service. Shouldn't you be able to ask a question about what someone is selling. All I wanted was a high protein low sugar smoothie. Isn't this common and shouldn't be a hassle? I like to have good interactions with people. read more

I've brought my tiny tot friend into B2 to eat many a messy peanut butter & honey sandwich. No one has EVER given us any huff at all - and I'm straight up admitting to letting my friend go hard with the peanut butter and honey all over the cafe table because i didn't have to be the one to clean it up. The food is great, they've got vegan soft serve ( SERIOUSLY! ) and the prices are reasonable. Basically b2 is great, and all the BS you're reading is just that - BS. read more

I met up with a friend at B2 recently and it was my first-ever visit. Really enjoyed the casual vibe and the extra large tables. I could definitely see myself getting some serious work done in that environment. The coffee tasted great and it was strong. I was caffeine-buzzing all day long off of my large cup. I didn't have any food and I think the menu is pretty basic, but a toasting everything bagel smelled terrific, and the current main photo of the cucumber and goat cheese sandwich looks great. I'll be making a return trip soon. read more

B2 is a welcoming neighborhood cafe with a surprisingly wide and delicious selection of sandwiches, cookies, and other treats. The coffee is so-so, but the baked goods rock my world. Service here is never rushed- so don't pop in when you're on a tight schedule. Enjoy the slow pace and the animal and vegan friendly space. I love the variety of people I see here- artists sketching, kids playing, dogs resting. Set me up with a bagel sandwich and a seat by the window, and I can easily read and eavesdrop for hours. read more

This place definitely deserves a solid 4.5 stars at least, and I'm giving it 5 to counterbalance some of the silly 3-star and below reviews of this quite awesome coffee shop. I live in Madison, Wisconsin and come to Philly frequently, and of the half-dozen times I've been to B2, I have never failed to get a table. There are not only plentiful bar seats (awesome for popping in and sitting by yourself), but a nice arrangement of tables. I've even witnessed strangers sharing the quite plentiful tables. As to the comments about the "hipster" clientele and B2 staff, um, I'm looking around me right now as I am sitting working at B2, and two senior citizens who just walked in and sat at the bar were greeted by name by two of the staff members. As for the review below that slams B2 because of its system of having people order at the counter as if it is a bar, I'll say that I've never waited more than 1 minute to be greeted by a barista. But, then, I do not have insecurities about my image that could be offended by a hipster barista not noticing me for two minutes. Awesome things about B2: -Dogs are allowed! -The food is great. I have not been able to waver from the goat cheese/cucumber/basil baguette. -They have fresh squeezed juices, including grapefruit and orange. -Their coffee is good. -Outlets are available, as is wireless. -There really isn't a bad seat in the house. -For those of you who have diet restrictions, B2 has gluten-free and vegan sandwiches. The only downside I am currently experiencing is that it is, as Nelly says, freakin' hot in here. The air is definitely running, but I've been sweating for the few hours I've been eating, drinking, and working here. But, then, I realize this place doesn't exist to air condition me all afternoon on a hot Philly weekday. read more

Pros: Juices are tasty, bagels are good. Cons: Music is always realllly loud even though people are there to either a) talk to a friend or b) do some work. I also unfortunately have had similar experiences with the staff that other posters have written about. My most recent interaction was when I ordered a grapefruit juice with basil in it. The employee responded that she didn't know if she *could* do that, and that she thought the basil would "interfere with the integrity of the juice." I'm not really sure what she meant by either of those comments, especially because I didn't ask what she thought of the combination (a favorite of mine) and because the combination was one that was introduced to me by a B2 employee a year ago... It seemed that she just didn't really want to be bothered by having to add basil? I'm not sure...but it was a pretty weird experience. All in all, I've enjoyed Chhaya and ultimo much more and have felt they have very friendly staff and tasty food/beverages. read more

The staff is friendly, the prices are reasonable, and the eats are basic coffeehouse eats. This place is standard. So why the four stars? Because they have softserve. I'm not vegan, but I'm always watching out for places that keep even a couple vegan alternatives and B2 certainly knows its clientele because just about anything on the menu can be vegan. It's all pretty good, too, from the vegan softserve icecream to the vegan cupcakes. The staff is perfectly happy to make suggestions to undecisive people. I'd asked for some tea advice, and the barista came through and delivered on the spot. What more can you ask from a coffee joint? read more

DISCLAIMER: No. I am not writing because of the cell phone incident. PROS: actually good sandwhiches and moderately good pastries CONS: The cappuccinos and lattes taste as if the milk has been scortched - and this is from several baristas. Too much money for a bad product The layout is pretty uncomfortable. The bar takes up a lot of space and the line ends up going out the door but no one is really sure where to stand and order, pay and wait. The staff, though not all, is fairly rude. Order swiftly, correctly, and with no substitutions otherwise you will get a rude response. Also, I find I am treated the worst when I wear my work ID (I'm a local teacher). Not really sure why that has made a difference. The music is really loud and uncomfortable. The bar area is typically cluttered and messy. An order can take a very long time for unknown reasons. Cash only, and the ATM service fee is whoa. Eh. The pros don't quite outweigh the cons on this one. I'd say if you enjoy rude service and a $4.00 cup of bad coffee, this place is for you. If you like good service and bad coffee for $4.00 try Starbucks. Otherwise, black and brew (down the street) is pretty good and the people are nice. But all the locals know that best mocha is at Capogiro. read more

When I was apartment hunting in Philadelphia in 2010, I stumbled upon B2 for the first time. I walked in and was instantly intimidated. With that being said, I've been going to B2 since 2010 and it seems like a lot of things have changed. The baristas go out of their way to get to the customers in line as fast as they can. Maybe they're not as chatty as you'd like them to be, but come on. Would you really want to see the person you're waiting for to serve you laughing it up with someone four people ahead of you? I don't think so! I really like their iced coffee, I always feel happily caffeinated. In terms of food, I'm into the tomato, mozzarella and basil sandwich on a baguette. Only on a baguette! I can't get behind the bagels. I usually can tolerate any bagels, but there's just something about theirs that feels wrong to me. Depending on the time of day, it's kind of hard to sit. Every table is usually filled by someone camped out, glued to their ipad screen. Personally, I'm more offended with the people that go to B2 than the people that work there. read more

Here's the thing: as a grad student, I need a place to work that isn't my kitchen table, is close by, and keeps me outfitted with coffee. If that place could be sunny, have cheap(ish) delicious sandwiches, and offer a generous discount for bringing your own cup? B2, I will finish my dissertation here whether you want me or not. Reasons for greatness: -$1 for coffee when I bring my own cup. No, it's not Japanese-pour-over-whatever, but it's a dollar. A dollar! -Wonderful sandwiches on good baguettes. -I really like that the baristas give you a spoon and a napkin no matter what coffee you order. Odd but nice. -Outdoor seating for people- and dog-watching. -Lemonade in the summer. -Last but not least, plenty of outlets, and kindly baristas who don't trouble me when I come in for one (one dollar) cup of coffee and stay for four hours. Thank you! read more

This review is based solely on their smoothies. I love fruits. I love fruits that have been made into juices or smoothies. It makes me feel like I can drink my vitamins, and enjoy a delicious taste, which is always a great lazy way to get vitamins. B2 has damn good smoothies. They make them with dairy, yogurt, and nondairy (vegan) options. I've only had the yogurt and the nondairy types, and they were both delicious. They have a variety of fruits from blackberries to strawberries to pineapple to oranges. They are all decently priced, and definitely fresh. They also have great space to sit and do work or study. They are cash only so be warned. read more

I think overall this place is pretty good, although the servers try to give off a "sassy" vibe even though you can tell they are pretty nice-maybe just stick to "nice." I do not recommend the cider, maybe the day I came someone had botched the batch but it had so much ginger it burned my throat. Comfy spot, good selections, I'd go back. read more

I'm happy to call B2 my local coffeeshop now. Not only do they have awesome drinks (I'm a tea drinker, and they have some nice fancy tea lattes), they have great breakfast sandwiches, pastries, and LOTS of vegan options (vegan soft serve ftw!). The only thing I really don't like is that there's no clear line/ordering situation ... it's really like a bar rather than a coffeeshop in that way, and that tweaks my anxiety! People tend to line up to the right, but you can also just go sit at the counter and wait for someone to notice you. I was about to do 4 stars, but honestly, I still like it so much that it's a 5 star. I choose it over other coffeeshops in the area. Other notes: Seating fills up (but sitting solo at the bar is really nice), cash only, and there's an ATM in the back. read more

Good coffee, can get a bagel with tofutti cream cheese and they have vegan soft serve. Place would be perfect with maybe a few more menu items I could eat and if it was closer to broad street. read more

I go to B2s maybe twice a month. I usually get tea and the tea is always good. Have you had bad tea? I prefer the venue when it's less crowded and people aren't camped out for hours on their laptops. The artwork is usually interesting which is a plus in my book. Everytime I go there, I crave the yummy looking cupcakes and baked goods, but always resist. My only complaints are that it closes at 8 which seems early and that there is one woman who works there who is particularly surly- like asking for a straw ruins her day. read more

They have vegan softserve and they carry Dottie's Donuts. For me, that alone earns 5 stars. Yeah and the people who work here seemed friendly too. I'm really just all about the soft serve and the donuts, I don't even know what else they have but I see my vegan friends have mentioned other yummies, so I might have to check those out next time! (Yeah right, softserve and donuts, that's all I need!) read more

This review is biased, but I think we can all deal with that. I'm only giving this an average rating because I wasn't particularly turned on with the place at all during my (unfortunately brief) visit. The place is small, it's hard to read the menu (is it because the menu is all artsy and "original" or is it because it's just simply confusing?), and it seems like the type of place that's always crowded (yes, it was crowded when I visited). However, it seems like a hip place to be when you're drinking coffee. A medium is two bucks, and it's a pretty large medium. Throw in the soy milk at no extra charge and that's definitely a plus. There's local art on the walls, the entryway is covered in announcements for events, concerts, band websites, et cetera, which is better than nothing. Also seems like the food menu is pretty good, though the counter was completely full and the tables were pretty full too when I stopped in today (a Sunday) around noon. Maybe a visit on an off hour will be good so I can give this place a second chance? Oh, as Kristin M. said, the staff is great. They were friendly and kept on top of things despite the huge line and all the kids who couldn't keep their mouths closed when chomping down on their baguettes and omelets. read more

I like my order (tea w/ soy milk). You can add your own sweeteners at their self serve condiment area. Went on a Sunday morning and did not dig that theres so many people there. Hipsters wont do you any harm. So chill and enjoy your cup of joe. :) read more

Whenever I go into B2, I almost always see a friend. It's a very neighborhoody place. There is the "everyone has laptops out and is working" element sometimes, but there's also that social atmosphere that coffeeshops had before the laptop age. The big tables are great to spread out at, but it can get cramped. One minor strike against them is that different workers will charge you different prices for the same thing. But they're all nice people, so I don't really mind. read more

I came to B2 last night with a friend for a quick bite and some coffee. It has a very laid back atmosphere, with lots of space and huge tables to spread out for work. If I lived in the immediate area, it would be a top pick for laptop work or a comfy coffeehouse read. Though they were out of my initial choice (chicken salad), the avocado, tomato, and cream cheese on a toasted everything bagel was top-notch, and the thoughtful sprinkle of pepper and salt was a great touch. I appreciated that they prepare everything as it's ordered and not pre-packaged. My latte was also amazing, if a bit on the foamy side. Cash only, so be sure to grab some bills beforehand. read more

Maybe I'm not a smoothie person. I ordered 'orange juice, pineapple, banana, non fat frozen yogurt' smoothies. Their smoothie taste the same with any other smoothies for me. But I definitely will be back to try on their coffee and sandwiches. If you're looking for a place to hang out on Saturday or Sunday noon, I recommend you to check this place out. It has outdoor and indoor seatings. Friendly baristas. Good food. And a Wi-Fi! read more

This place is great. It has ample space, but is a little bare. Despite this, they make some great smoothies and coffee drinks and is a good place to catch up with friends and get some work done with free wifi. The bartender is very friendly, and they have some great customer service. read more

Friendly service a wide-ranging but manageable menu with indoor and outdoor seating makes an inviting environment. The walls seem a bit bare but do match the wide plank floors and antique feeling of the space. The menu consists of tasty sandwich's for carnivores and vegetarians alike. The coffee is not all that special but the freshly pressed juice and soft serve yogurt are great additions to normal coffee house fare. The small space doesn't fit many tables and getting a spot can be troublesome at times. There's also a few sidewalk tables, though not much shade outside. read more

This coffee shop is the BEST. There is always soy milk available, the coffee is a delicious, balanced roast, and their sandwiches are so good! Fresh tomatoes, avocados aplenty, and many vegan options make this place amazing. Cozy seating and nice baristas make it a great visit for some reading on a Sunday afternoon. read more

Food selection is spot on and the coffee is decent. They have exactly what I'm craving on a Saturday/Sunday morning: bagels, sandwiches, smoothies and more. I had a bagel with chive cream cheese, which they give you on the side so you can spread the amount you please. It was really good! previously I have had the chicken salad sandwich which was also very good. You don't pay for your food until your about to leave which is a little awkward considering it is a coffee shop. A great place to do work except the internet is a little wonky. But the space is a nice light green and usually has artwork up from a previous art opening. The staff is generally friendly except for the male barista I had to deal with (major 'tud). read more

Good spot for a quick bite--muffins, bagels, pastries, sandwiches, etc. especially for those vegan hipsters out there. The also have vegan soft serve which, according to our dairyless friends who recently visited for the weekend, is beyond fantastic. It was a pit stop every day of their trip! The only criticism is the hot tea....a pint glass? Really? Although the little knitted/crocheted yarn coozies are cute, they don't make up for the scorching hot glass and all the schmutzy tea leaves that are undoubtedly floating around in it. read more

The competition for my coffee shop business is fierce in this neighborhood. Since I've moved here, I've been frequenting Black and Brew for my morning joe. This morning I decided to try B2 (which is a mere one block away). The prices are comparable. The menu is a bit smaller, though there is a decent selection of sandwiches, treats, and smoothies. Unfortunately, the coffee is not as good as can be found at B2's neighborhood brethren. It has that naturally sweet undertone that many love about Dunkin Donuts coffee, so if you like DD, you may be a fan. I prefer my coffee to be a little bit richer, so this doesn't do it for me. I will be back again to give the smoothies and sandwiches a try, as there is much more on offer at this spot than just coffee. read more

Non-dairy frozen yogurt and smoothies, fresh juice and Wi-Fi. Need I say more? The only downside is that I wish they had couches/more comfortable seating options. The window seats they do have are lovely, though. read more

Stars for serving vegan soft serve; only 2 for putting so much sugar in it that I had to throw half of it away. The staff were nice. read more

My favorite coffee shop in east passyunk... Great food, coffee, staff, atmosphere, location, free wifi, *not overpriced*. read more

B2 - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania