Beautiful environment! Ordered a matcha latte and it hit the spot! Perfect place to do some work or studying. Only negative the employee working seemed miserable to be there and barely acknowledged me. Maybe just an off day. read more

Awful! This is not the place to go if you are into quality coffee. If you want a hipster feel and don't care about quality, it could be ok. The barista put no effort into preparing the coffee. My latte was one of the worst I've had in a long time. He literally put no effort into steaming the milk and just put the pitcher down on the drip tray while it screeched as it overheated and wasn't texturized. What was served was super hot, but textured milk and was an embarrassment to lattes everywhere. I would avoid this spot if you want good milk based espresso drinks. read more

Was looking for a place to have a good cup of coffee and stumbled upon this establishment on the way to a different place. It's a really eclectically decorated place with a relaxed vibe. The shop is bigger than it looks from the outside. It has plenty of seating and it's very inviting. Staff member seemed busy but did greet us when we approached the counter to place our order. I ordered a latte and my daughter got a London fog. Hands down the tea was better than my coffee. Having restrictions with caffeine has made me appreciate my one and only cup of coffee per day. The coffee was just a cup of coffee, nothing to write home about. Now the London fog on the other hand was amazing. My daughter said that it's really difficult for her to find this drink with a lavender base. It was my first time tasting it and hopefully not my last. The pastries were ok. They just didn't taste fresh. Overall, a nice local place to meet up with friends or quite enough to work on your laptop. read more

See all

I'm not asking for too much I just want a good latte at a reasonable price and this place delivered. Cozy seating area in the back and quick service. Left this place as a happy camper. read more

This is such a cute spot to drop into in No Libs for coffee and a break from the heat in the summer! With a comfy space and room for anyone coming in solo or with a group, Higher Groups was the perfect recommendation as I needed a space to work in for a couple of hours. The person at the counter was very friendly and the drink was quick after ordering. I enjoyed an oat milk matcha latte and a slice of lemon loaf while listening to a dope playlist and had wifi to get my work done. I am definitely interested in drying more of their menu whenever I am in the area so that I can try the full scope of the place. read more

Higher Grounds - Matcha latte with good vibes - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I lived down the street from Higher Grounds for four years until a few months ago. I would work there for hours over the last four years, always making sure to spend at least $20-$30 per day on their food, coffee, etc. to support the place and show my appreciation. Its an awesome Coffee Shop with a great vibe. However, after being in the neighborhood today for the first time since I moved out. I stopped into Higher Grounds, bought a water, and sat down to take a meeting. I figured they'd remember me at least a little based on how much I frequented the place and made sure to spend my money while doing so. Unlike so many other customers who buy a small coffee and sit there from 9am-4pm. After finishing my meeting, the same woman I've tipped countless times, came up to me and said, "You have to buy something to be here." This was in front of about 6 people in the place working around me. It caught me off guard and was embarrassing. I looked at her and replied, "I did just buy a water", as I held it up. Then looked around at those around me, who had also either bought a water (like me), a coffee, or nothing. I began to think... maybe I was loud during my meeting and being disruptive accidentally? Then remembered I spoke maybe 10 words, so that wasn't it. I always give people the benefit of the doubt, and hate writing negative things. But when you spend thousands of dollars somewhere over the years, recommend the place to friends, and genuinely want them to do well because you enjoy your time spent at that establishment. To then get told you have to leave because you only "purchased water" in front of 6 other patrons? It just felt wrong and rubbed me the wrong way. After being told the water wasn't enough, I got up to buy an Iced Coffee. The gentlemen (who I think is the owner) wouldn't look up, or acknowledge that I ordered or even spoke. He just got the coffee and slid it on the counter, then pointed at the card machine to pay. It was disappointing and uncomfortable. So, long story short, never be rude to customers who go out of their way to spend their hard earned money to support your small business. I still love the place, working there during the day was awesome. Butttt, I'm never coming back after this. Id rather spend my money with small businesses who show a little more respect towards money paying customers. The most important part of the restaurant business is making people feel welcome, to develop a relaxed/warm environment. They also now have a fly infestation which is disgusting. read more

Very cute coffee shop with vintage furniture and fun/quirky decor. Very spacious inside with a good amount of seating. Plenty of outlets for those who would like to work from this coffee shop. Also, a few board games are available. I ordered a matcha latte with almond milk and it was delicious. Alternative milk is a bit pricey and that is my only complaint here. Regular hot coffee was also fresh and hit the spot. For food, I ordered the sausage/egg/cheese on a sesame bagel. It was good and reasonably priced but I wouldn't order it again. The pastries and grilled cheese looked promising. Service was great and this is a coffee shop I will definitely come back to again and again. read more

See all

This was our first time there and it's so cute! Very eclectic and more spacious than I would have thought. I tried to spinach/avocado smoothie and it was super good! I also had the Turkey wrap which was very good. Plus my boyfriends coffee and another wrap, it only came to $26. We'll definitely be back! read more

Higher Grounds - Turkey wrap - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

See all

We were in town for Mother's day and had some free time - SO glad we stopped in. Great coffee, nice folks, and really comfortable low-key place to hang out. I love the artwork all over the place, great esthetic - whoever did this has really fun taste! read more

See all

I love higher grounds. I've slowly become a regular at this shop since January. The shop's decor is amazing and cozy. The furniture doesn't match, it reminds me of my grandparents' family room. The background music encourages soft conversation and you to focus on your work. The barista is amazing. He is always welcoming and friendly. The coffee is amazing. It never requires many additives and the daily specials for pastries and sandwiches are always my go to. read more

Higher Grounds - Thai iced coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

See all

By far, this is my favorite coffee shop since The Epitome in Tallahassee, FL in the 90s. The coffee is divine, the staff is so incredibly kind, the food I've ordered is tasty and lovingly prepared, there's a kaleidoscope artistic intrigues on the walls, and the furnishings are comfortable and well-arranged for conversation among groups large and small. read more

Talk about a visual experience! Higher Grounds is one of the most interesting cafes I have been to in the best way possible! If you are looking for an eclectic atmosphere, great coffee and pasterie options, this is your spot! We got large iced coffees with non-dairy milk & flavor- the sizes are fair and prices are reasonable. Overall, this is a wonderful spot. read more

Higher Grounds - Iced coffee with almond milk & pumpkin - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I was meeting friends here before work and when I walked in, the blonde man-bun guy behind the counter asked if I wanted anything. I was walking past the counter because I didn't. He was kinda being a dick about me not buying anything right away, which is unlike any other coffee shop I've been to in Philly. He let me sit down after I told him I was waiting for friends. Then he kicked me out when I pulled out my laptop to work on a project. I wasn't even using wifi or power. My friend bought something too, it's not like we were just taking up space. Not that there was many people in there, anyways. That guy made me so mad. I hope he reads this, or his boss reads this and he gets fired, or that someone else reads this and decides not to go. read more

Higher Grounds - Front of store - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Very vibey. I was a bit annoyed because the first time I tried to visit was a Friday around noon and they randomly closed early and had a sign on the door when I arrived saying so. So I called before coming this time. It was completely empty on the hot Saturday that I visited. The striped couch is super comfy. The decor and paintings are eclectic and make you feel like you're visiting a hippie friends house (read that as a good thing). I love the vibe. The music is mild and vibey too. Not too distracting. I got a large oat milk latte with vanilla which was delicious. Pricey as most of these places are at $7.56 but it was really good and the cup was the size of a Starbucks venti so appropriately priced. Would definitely come back. I'll just call first going forward. read more

Higher Grounds - Free Wi-Fi - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

See all

Come here for the ambience, not for the food. I got bacon egg & cheese- although bacon & egg were very fresh, but the bagel was dry. The matcha latte was good, but nothing out of the ordinary. Servers were sweet and helpful. Bang for buck: 6.3/10 read more

Food was great! We had a sausage egg and cheese with bagel. Service was ok and the space was nice and a vintage library vibe with nooks and cranny's read more

I absolutely love this magical coffee house! The customer service is always tops, the food is great and the coffee is spot on. The vibe is super chill and inviting. Definitely a breath of fresh air when it comes to originality. If you're in the neighborhood I suggest you pop in for a beverage. You will love it! read more

I've been here a number of times over the years. Very comfortable place. Great coffee and accompaniments. True gem in NoLibs! Check it out! read more

Higher Grounds - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

See all

Really great space to get some work done. I enjoyed a latte and a egg, cheese, and tomato breakfast sandwich. read more

Higher Grounds - Super cute study space! Latte and breakfast sandwich were great. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Cute & Retro style coffee shop in the heart of NL. Their Pumpkin Spice Latte is delicious! The cafe is a nice option to hang out when in the area. The Caramel Iced Coffee has a chalk-like flavor, I don't prefer it. read more

Higher Grounds - Caramel Iced Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

wow, what a perfect cafe! the ambiance is incredibly cozy. there's couches and chairs and tables to sit on and beautiful art decorating the walls. there's a small handful of board games and a chessboard as well. i came here on a quiet afternoon and got a deliciously refreshing cucumber ginger lemonade. highly recommend taking a break here! read more

See all

Good selections of drinks, food items, and pastries. Ambiance is nice as well. I love the vintage furniture as well. Counter service only but at times, they are nice enough to walk it over to you. The staff is also very professional and pleasant. The pricing is a bit disappointing, however, there is $1.25 up-charge for a splash of oat milk in your coffee/tea. I stopped getting it after I realized how much it was. :( read more

I may not be a coffee drinker, but I damn sure know a good coffee house when I see one. The first good sign is that the place doesn't really care if you enter it or pass it by. But when you do enter the unassuming door, you feel like they are happy that you've arrived. The next good sign is that it smells so good, even a tea drinker is tempted to get a cup. The third sign is that the decor and music is not too quirky, but instead hits that sweet spot of just weird enough. HG has all of this and more. I was nearby and had 45 minutes to kill and Yelp pointed me here. The front door was barely noticeable as a business, but once inside the cool and somewhat dimly lit room I knew I was in the right place. My perfect iced tea hit the spot, and as I took a vintage chair and admired the artwork all around me, I felt quite comfortable. It did not hurt that one of my favorite Talking Heads songs was playing in the background. The barista on duty was very friendly and the food at the counter looked appetizing, they also make a few items to order. A Yelp checkin here gets you $1 off the baked goods. Do you really need to go to another Starbucks; probably not. Come here instead read more

Higher Grounds - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

See all

Need a place to study or work from all day long, then this is your place! It's not too big so don't tell too many of your friends . The eclectic design and friendliness of the staff makes this car non-pretentious, unlike some other local cafes (cough cough ...One Shot...). They have a mix of tables, couches and casual chairs so their are a variety of seating options. The drinks are pretty typical cafe drinks and taste great. I haven't yet tried their food but their prices look very reasonable for grilled cheese sandwiches!! read more

Higher Grounds - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This place is amazing, the art work, the atmosphere , and the hot tattooed dude with the dreads, OMG. My favorites thing there (besides sexy dread guy) are the brownies and matcha. I'll keep coming back here as long as I'm in Philly. read more

@NommingNomad Approved! Love this coffee shop. It is a perfect place to grab a drink and a bite to eat and settle down to get some work done. Which is what I do a lot. The people are nice and friendly and the vibe is chill and relaxed. There are some outlets but not abundant. The space has the barista bar in the middle with a couch setting as soon as you enter and there is some bar seating. Then on to regular 2 seater tables. But my favorite spot is the one that is almost hidden one behind the wall, in the corner on a pedestal. So cozy. They also have some couches in the back with some other assorted seating. All in all I think this is one of the few places with wifi that actually works and is nice to sit and get some work done. read more

I live in the neighborhood and decided to stop by HG today to try out the food and get some grading done (first and last time). I walked up to the counter and a man (with a ponytail) was chatting with a female as I approached. I was looking for the food menu and mentioned it; he responded to me in a snarky tone, "you're looking right at it." I chose to ignore his condescending tone. After a minute, I decided on the veggie burger. When I went to order it, he said they were all out. No big deal- I was about to go look for something else to eat. Instead he said, "did you plan on hanging out here?" I said "yes". He said "you have an outside beverage, you are not allowed in here with that." His tone was negative and unwelcoming. I'm disappointed in the service and will most definitely NOT return. read more

Very cute and quaint and perfect for getting work done. I love the atmosphere and the artwork on the walls. It's very eclectic yet welcoming. I had a veggie burger and it was delicious. I just wished they were open later so that I could spend more time there. But I know how it feels to work a whole day and finally be able to go home. I'm looking forward to going back to try some other food options. read more

Higher Grounds - Veggie burger - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Coffee okay.,music inappropriate at times, not the cleanest place around Furniture looks trash picked. Big issue male worker owner generally a big moody creep .i try to interact as less as possible. With so much competition nearby pretty stupid. Lady always nice. read more

Northern Liberties now has a fair share of interesting and comfortable places to eat, drink and hang out over cups of good coffee. One of the earliest pioneers that continues to pump out java and decent bakery snacks is Higher Grounds on North 3rd Street. This converted row house draws a local crowd, as well as longstriders from farther south in Center City, and the occasional visitor from farther afield. It is attractive in a Salvation Army Store furniture kind of way, with a lot of art, crafts, and a vast variety of tchotchkes to catch your attention. It is cozy and worn, like an old couch or settee should be. The caffeine options are decent, but by comparison to other jumpin' joe joints in the vicinity, not in the vanguard in terms of coffee quality, nor barista excellence. Our sampling of hot chai latte and cappuccino left us feeling like we had tasted better elsewhere recently. Still, the lemon pound cake was tasty, and the ability to sit back and watch this part of the Universe go by was a pleasant timeout. Just wish we were holding ceramic rather than paper cups to enhance to quality of the experience. There are ever more coffee outlets in the expanding urbansphere, and they all try to outdo each other with service, product, and atmospherics. Higher Grounds has the advantage of being an early provider in this neck of the woods, but also the disadvantage of staking its claim before cafes became more popular and the customers more demanding. If it was open to suggestion, a gentle makeover with heavy cleaning, fresh paint, and a competition to select the best available local roasted coffee, would raise the expectations here to better account for the changing java life in Philadelphia. The old furniture is reminiscent of grandma's house, and should stay. read more

See all

If Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Joey and Phoebe smoked pot, played hacky sack, perhaps had dreads and were maybe bike messengers or glass blowers, this is definitely where they would hang out and satisfy their caffeine addiction. Higher Grounds is somewhat of a boho coffee shop in the middle of thriving Northern Liberties. It has a very chill, relaxed vibe. It's great for catching up with an old pal or flying solo getting work done or reading a book while curled up. The eclectic space is filled with vintage sofas and other vintage decorative items. Very mix and match, but it works. Lots of plants, and I think I even spotted some macramé. There's always local artists showing their work on the walls which I adore! They have a chess, checkers, and a bunch of old school board games making it not only a nice throw back for us adults, but also a welcoming place to bring the littles. Don't shy away if you're not into the hippie dippy trippy thang...it's totally legit. Great local coffee. Standard caffeinated drinks, creative ones too. Milkshakes, Thai coffee, a nice tea selection, and even seasonal drinks such as a delicious kale lemonade! Yum! Always something new on the menu! They have really great food and cater well to veg-heads and gluten free patrons alike. The majority of their drool worthy pastries are made in house by one of their main employees and they are quite delicious. My hubby always brings me home some! From brownies to blondies, cinnamon buns, cupcakes, muffins of all kinds, lemon squares and mini pies too! Yes, even some of these are vegan! Score! They offer homemade quiche, sammies, soups and bagels from local fave, and our pals over at South Street Philly Bagels. Stop by for a yummy bite and a cup of joe. I have a feeling you may just want to stay awhile... read more

See all

Who knew shade grown, organic coffee from Alabama would be so yummy? That's probably why I drank about 3 cups of it and then ended up bouncing off the walls for a few hours afterwards (which made me productive but probably quite annoying). Make sure to give yourself enough time and room in your belly for some of the food - the sandwiches are great. This is the perfect place to hang out for a while and get some work done - with its free wireless, friendly staff and a good vibe, this just might be my new office away from home! read more

This Northern Liberties coffeehouse looks like your typical cozy coffeehouse. Not that there's anything wrong with that. It's a warm space decorated with art, and there's lots of seating. There's a bit of street parking if you need it. Last I was there, I wasn't sure if I could use the lot next door - I think it wasn't allowed, but call or check signage to be sure. Higher Grounds is a good spot to relax and chillax, study, or even have a first date. Or second. Or third. read more

There are a lot of coffeehouse options in No Libs. But to me Higher Grounds is the one that matters most and apparently it's the one that more people need to know about. Take the fair trade coffee that a lot of coffee spots around here have, combine it with a variety that almost rivals Chapterhouse, and throw in random art on the wall that's equal to Gleaner's and your good to go. Is a spot like this unique to Philadelphia? Not at all. But it stands out the most compared to the other spots in it's area. When I stopped in Friday afternoon I was one of four people in there including the barista. Hope this review kind of changes that because I liked everything about it and not just the skateboard art. I know I wanted something iced but this is one of the few places I couldn't make up my mind on for that category. there was the usual coffees, teas, and chais that you'd expect. But there was plenty of caffeine and fruit blenders to go through as well. although the decision process hurt like a brain freeze, I went with a Caramel blender and it was pretty sweet. great food options too. Mugshots beats them out when it comes to bagels, but I saw more muffin options than I have at any other coffee spots. And you can't go wrong with Tropical granola bars either. I need to sink my teeth into one of those eggplant sandwiches from the sound of it too. There are plenty of comfortable sofas to sit in while you get your Wi-Fi on. But your also 2 blocks away from Liberty Lands park. read more

I have absolutely fallen in love with this cute little cafe in Northern Liberties! Such a relaxing environment with beautiful decor and great coffee. With comfy couches, tables, and seats scattered around everywhere, this is a great place to just relax or get some work done. I got the iced Thai coffee which was great! There were cookies, muffins, biscotti, and other little treats at the counter. Next time I go, I'm definitely grabbing one to go with my coffee. :) read more

See all

Good stuff. Came here with a friend and had dinner while we met with a bunch of friends. I'd already had my daily caffeine intake, so I had some delicious mint tea. The food selection is pretty good for a coffee house. My grilled veggie sandwich was really good and came with a nice mixed greens salad, which was a nice surprise. The place is surprisingly spacious, with plenty of places to sit. I enjoyed the free wireless, and we all had a good time checking out the art on the walls. They show local art and change regularly. There's also a bookshelf of used books for sale. read more

The most comforting thing (to me) about Higher Grounds is that it never seems to change. And in this case, that's totally a compliment. Like seeing an old friend after many moons or finding your favorite pair of cozy pants you thought you'd lost. OK, maybe my metaphors are stretching a little thin there, but you catch my drift! I've worked in the NoLib area on & off for over 10 years, and I feel like this place has always been a part of the neighborhood. I'm not even sure when they opened, but it's always been a relaxed place to get a good cup of coffee or a great cup of tea and just chill. No stink-eye for taking up precious "real-estate" or uppity folk trying to look cool in a hip cafe, it's just a nice coffee shop with decent food & sweets. Highly recommended if you have time to kill & are looking for a comfy couch and beverage. read more

We came here while we were walking around the city. It was a cute little place. I got an Iced latte and the espresso tasted like it was burnt. It was not very good. My partner got a caramel iced latte and they were pleased with their drink. So I guess it is a hit or miss. read more

Is this place super convenient to where I live? Yes. Does it have very reasonably priced coffee, food and treats? Sure does! Do I want to keep going back to this spot? Don't think so... Yes, it's not a bad place to pick up your morning coffee, but the dude behind the counter makes me not want to come back. First, I couldn't make out a hear a word he said, including how much I owed. He also made me feel like I was bothering him. Sorry, I asked you to pour me a coffee. Thought you were a barista. My mistake. Oh well, guess I'm not hipster enough for this place! read more

What an unexpected and happy surprise to find this place! We were waiting to be seated the aforementioned Cafe La Maude and my dining companion wanted a cup of coffee. Lo and behold, we found Higher Grounds. This place is urban chic, selling art by presumably local artists on their walls and all sorts of knick knacks tucked into nearly every corner of the shop. I knew I was in the right place when I found amongst the deco dinosaur figurines. There are two bright orange pillars welcoming you inside, and comfy sofas invite you to sit a spell. I'm not a huge coffee drinker, so I can't speak much to the quality of their grounds but because I revel in being "that person" in restaurants, I was happy to see the barista accommodate me. My order? Mexican hot chocolate. She didn't have the correct blend of all spices, so I had to make due with paprika and chili flakes. The barista did however put a nice heaping size of whipped cream on top and the milk was hot but not scalding and even my cats tongue could drink the hot chocolate nearly immediately. For someone who actively vetoes Starbucks purchases, this is a small local business that certainly deserves its hurrahs and support. read more