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RIM Cafe

4.6 (360 reviews)
Open 12:00 pm - 10:00 PM
Updated over 3 months ago

Order RIM Cafe Takeout or Delivery

RIM Cafe Photos

RIM CAFE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - RIM Cafe

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Reviews With Photos

Rebecca K.

I always hear about RIM Cafe and their crazy hot chocolates, and given I live only a few blocks away, it's mildly embarassing that it took me so long to visit. We finally made it in on a snowy December day to celebrate a friend's birthday. For as much press as it gets, it was not super busy, which I appreciated. The shop is very eclectic, with "random" decorations covering essentially every inch of the space. This is kinda what I envisioned after reading about RIM, and it fits. RIM offers many varieties of their famed hot chocolate, as well as a large selection of pastries, various espresso drinks, and other treats. We were just in it for the hot chocolate, and we opted for the original for our first try. It was so fun watching the server go through the whole prep for the drink, freshly shaving chocolate atop the glass and spinning it on this crazy chocolate wheel thing. The presentation is wild and quite asthetically pleasing with the whipped cream, shavings, and chocolate dripping down the sides. The hot chocolate was quite delightful, but I was expecting it to be a touch thicker? IDK, maybe I don't have luxury hot chocolate often enough to know what it should taste like. It was pretty sweet (not surprising), so I'm glad I split one with my husband. I also wanted to extract every last morsel of the drink, which proved to be slightly difficult as things cooled, but I did my best! The drinks are not cheap, but I so much appreciated the 30% discount given to healthcare workers. This doesn't happen often post-COVID, and in talking with our server, you can tell that she and her husband, the owner, really value the community and all those who help to keep it running. This was so meaningful for me to hear, and honestly increases my chances of coming back. Stopping at RIM for a hot cocoa while celebrating a friend made for a lovely evening on a cold day, and I'm glad I finally had a reason to visit. I'll definitely be revisiting in the weekend to try more hot chocolate options and some of the pastries as well!

Brian C.

Wow such a fun experience! I wish I snapped a pic of the menu but I was so distracted by everything else in this little shop I failed to do so! It's a small corner shop right by Pat's, Geno's and the Garage. There is actually some Geno's memorabilia inside. It's a gourmet hot cocoa shop, the cheapest hot cocoa drink is the original and it was $12 at the time. It is fun to watch how they do it! The glasses are placed on a lazy Susan which is covered in chocolate shavings. They add whipped cream to the glass then pour in the hot cocoa. This is a great start but next they start shaving a variety of chocolate on top. Milk, dark, white. I don't even know what they all were but it was definitely fun to each the drink become richer and more delicious with every scrape. As if that isn't enough, if you order a drink that comes with marshmallow, they toast it with a small flame thrower. They also sell a variety of chocolate covered pretzels, cannoli, and gelato. Definitely worth trying for the experience and decadent drinks!

Inside
Rachel K.

Very eclectic dessert shop! Reminds me of a dive bar inside. The cannolis here are really good. Maybe the best I've ever had? Lot of different flavor cannoli shells. The traditional was awesome. I saw someone order one of the hot chocolates which looked divine.

Dustie M.

What a wild place! Growing up in an Italian home, this place made so much sense but also didn't all at the same time. It is such an eclectic collection of items but I'm sure each had its own story. Visually, it's a lot! Crazy pieces of all kinds of things everywhere. Once you see, you'll understand. The cannolis are truly delicious and I'd love to have one daily. I went with the coconut and do not regret it. The espresso was pretty delightful and the staff was ultra friendly and makes you feel like family. Definitely a fun spot and worth a visit if you're in the area.

Debbie G.

We love coming and bring our friends to Pat's cheesesteak then walk down to RIM Cafe for a cannoli. Best cannolis ever! Belle was a delight to talk too and I think her husband and my husband could be brothers

Looked big in pictures but smaller than the size of my hand for $14
Hali Y.

Definitely a quirky place. The owner has tons of decorations throughout the cafe. Don't touch anything cuz you might break stuff. The staff broke a piece while trying to put up another piece of decoration and the owner was shouting at him. We got the hot chocolate. It's like $14 for a very small glass of super sweet Hershey's chocolate syrup with milk, at least that's what it tastes like. It was a bit of a novelty item since they have this big pile of chocolate shavings and they shave off a block of chocolate for your drink. But overall overpriced and would not recommend. While we did not buy one, the cannolis in the display all looked very sugary, coated in sprinkles and such, didn't seem authentically Italian as the ones I've had at Eataly.

the original volcano hot chocolate
Alice L.

quirky little cafe with spunky decor and a lot of character! swung by on a cold day for some hot chocolate which was delicious and made fresh in front of you. the hot chocolate was so rich and decadent, it was a perfect sweet treat! we also got the cinnamon crunch cannoli which my boyfriend enjoyed. the cream was dense and sweet, the shell was crispy and packed with cinnamon flavor. i personally am not a cannoli fan, but if you are, their cannolis are top tier. staff was friendly and the best part is that you're able to watch the owner & chocolatier make your hot chocolate in front of you. super fun, would come back for the hot chocolate!

Jennifer N.

Coffee Shop No. 459 Rim Cafe Philadelphia, PA January 17, 2025 I wasn't planning any coffee shop stops on this visit to Philadelphia, but my oldest son said he wanted some hot chocolate. We happened to be across the street from Rim Cafe so we walked over. I am so thankful we did. We opened the door and were welcomed by a very friendly older gentleman and Italian music. He was truly a delightful person and seemed so interesting. I wish there weren't so many customers behind me because I had so many questions. Rim Cafe is perfectly eccentric, interesting and quirky. I absolutely fell in love with the cafe. Many pictures were hung on the walls and memorabilia throughout the cafe; so much to look at and appreciate. I went to the counter to order a cortado; it wasn't on the menu. I asked the barista about it. He said he could make it but I would probably enjoy the Cubano Cappuccino more. I've learned that whenever a barista suggests an espresso drink you should listen. The drink was fabulous. Condense milk makes most things taste better. My son ordered the Volcano Hot Chocolate and loved it. You can tell by the pictures because he was trying to get every last drop out of the glass. Watching the gentleman sing along with the Italian music while making the hot chocolate and the smile he gave when he handed us the hot chocolate was priceless. You could tell he enjoys his profession. The bonus to the experience was the 20% off for veterans! I thoroughly enjoyed my expereince at Rim Cafe. Enjoying life one cortado/cubano cappuccino at a time!

LARGE COOKIES AND CREAM CANNOLI
Linda L.

Cozy cafe with character. They have a lot of cannoli and gelato options. The cream for cannoli is made fresh daily!

Hot chocolate
Komal R.

I ordered the volcano original hot chocolate but I was quite disappointed that it looked nothing like the advertisement or what others have gotten. It looked like a regular hot chocolate with whipped cream and I wanted all the shenanigans like the chocolate shavings and what not - that was literally the only reason I came here. We also got the chocolate ganache and chocolate pistachio truffles and both were damn good! Definitely look forward to trying more of their truffles and gelato.

one original hot chocolate, one salty caramel, one original cannoli

The original cannoli was a religious experience. I LOVE BEING ITALIAN WOOOOO. also, Belle behind the counter was so sweet and answered all my questions. the vibe was so chill and cozy. 10/10

Cookie and cream canolis
Lana S.

My husband and I came here years ago with a friend who knew South Philly pretty well. We were craving some canolis and coffee so we venture to RIM cafe. Love the inside of the place! It's decorated with Godfather themed decorations. The waitress was super nice as well :) We both got the cookie and cream crusted canolis with two coffees (a mocha and canolis cappuccino). We sat at the little tables and had our coffees. Very cozy place to have a little date :) Def. Would come back again when we are in the area

Nicci G.

Holy moly cannoli is the best way to describe this place. Right when you walk in it feels like home and then you mouth begins to water. You see their cannoli shells that all look incredible and then their gelato too! I mean gelato and cannolis are a match made in heaven so make sure you get both. The cannolis are absolutely incredible and are so fresh. Their gelato is truly incredible and in high highly recommend the pistachio flavor. If you are in south Philly and are craving cannolis and gelato then this is the place for you. Even if you are not then this is still the best place for you because you will not be disappointed.

LARGE CHOCOLATE CANNOLI

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1 year ago

Hot chocolate and cannolis were great. Love this place. Would definitely go back. Decor is really cool

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Delicious hot chocolate in this cute cafe. Not cheap but well worth it! It's very French and a nice change from the average cafe.

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The best hot chocolate ever and the canoli's are out of this world! Chef Rene is awesome

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Ask the Community - RIM Cafe

What to ask for if you want the over the top hot chocolate that they are famous for? I have ordered the volcano hot chocolate before but it was a no frills regular hot chocolate without the chocolate shavings.

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Gran Caffe L'Aquila

Gran Caffe L'Aquila

4.4
(1.7k reviews)
1.3 mi
$$

Another trip to Philly and another delicious lunch at Gran Caffe L'Aquila! Appetizers, entrees,…read moregelato, coffee- all delicious! Prompt, friendly, courteous service, as usual. The place was busy, but that didn't delay our orders. We could hold a conversation without having to speak loudly. We bought some dark roast beans, ground there for espresso, to take home.

I haven't seen my Cuzn since we dined at Louis Vuitton Cafe in NYC. Called her up and asked her to…read morejoin me for a late dinner. She obliged me. I made reservations (day of) for 8:30 pm. We were a little late due to traffic, but our reservation was still honored. Our seating was inside and upstairs (which we appreciated b|c it rained while we were dining) Ambiance was lovely, dimly lit and romantic if you're on a date. Restaurant is family friendly!! We were quickly sat, our waiter introduced himself to us -- lovely gentleman by the name of Vincenzo?!? He was effortlessly efficient and friendly. Made our night exceptional. My cousin said it was late and she didn't want to really order anything. I talked her into ordering and then at least she could eat the leftovers for "midnight snacking" or lunch the next day. We ordered: -- Bellini: Prosecco infused peach purée -- Bread -- Scamorza -- Fire-roasted aged mozzarella, prosciutto -- Torta Granchio -- Italian crab cake infused with crab, shrimp, and mascarpone served with cucumber fresco and gastronomic roasted red pepper gelato -- Cesarina -- Kale, romaine, creamy Parmigiano dressing -- Agnolotti -- Torino-style Ravioli filled with veal, pork, and vegetables. Butter sage sauce topped with gastronomic black and white truttle gelato -- Pappardelle al Ragu -- Ribbon pasta, slow cooked pork, veal, lamb and chicken ragu (my cuzn's meal) -- Tiramisu Classico -- Lady fingers, espresso, mascarpone Everything was delicious, especially the Torta Granchio. Gran Caffè L'Aquila needs to lead with this appetizer. It was delicious. My cousin and I ordered two more to go!! Our pasta meals were decadent and delicious. We shared the tiramisu and we both agreed it was fantastic. Classic is the way to go. We left with full bellies after having wonderful conversation. We both agreed we'd be back!! BTW: I booked our reservation OpenTable and got 1000 points for it!!!

Photos
Dining | Seating
Dining | Seating
Torta Granchio -- Italian crab cake infused with crab, shrimp, and mascarpone
Torta Granchio -- Italian crab cake infused with crab, shrimp, and mascarpone
Pappardelle al Ragu -- Ribbon pasta, slow cooked pork, veal, lamb and chicken ragu

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Bud & Marilyn's

Bud & Marilyn's

4.2
(1.6k reviews)
0.9 mi
$$

5 stars for Bud and Marilyn's? I recently gave The Love 5 stars for its fried chicken!…read more The Marilyn's Fried Chicken I had this evening was every bit as good! I'm not sure why I waited so long to try the chicken at Bud and Marilyn's, but better late than never! They serve a LARGE 1/2 chicken. I started with the thigh. I was smitten by the first bite. I was told the chicken is soaked in a buttermilk brine for 24-48 hours - dipped in a buttermilk dredge - covered with their 'secret recipe' seasoned flour - and fried in a 'pressure fryer' that cooks the chicken in 12 minutes. It was perfectly fried - so crispy - the texture and seasoning of the exterior coating was incredible. The chicken was tender and juicy - the thigh was the juiciest - I didn't get to try the drumstick as I was too full! I had the thigh and 1/2 the breast. The breast is my favorite and I savored each large delicious piece I broke apart. It's important to pick up the chicken and eat it by hand - I did cut mine in half for a picture - but didn't use a fork to eat it - you lose the 'panache'of the meal. I didn't use the hot sauce served with the chicken - I brought my own bottle of honey and poured it over the chicken and biscuits. It was heavenly! Which brings me to the Biscuits! The dish comes with 2 large fluffy buttermilk biscuits - they were golden brown on the outside and tender and fluffy on the inside! They had such a rich, buttery flavor. I took several pieces of chicken and layered them on pieces of biscuit, drizzled with honey! It was truly a 5 star fried chicken and biscuit dinner!

I've been here a couple times. Loved it. Plenty of options and everything was well made…read more Everything I ate had a hint of decadence without being gross or unhealthy. This is my new go-to for chicken & waffles. Concise, excellent beer selection. And interesting, well-made cocktails. The banana cream pie is one of my favorite desserts anywhere. Staff is friendly. Prices were very reasonable.

Photos
Bar area
Bar area
MARILYN'S FRIED CHICKEN
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Matcha Panda Cafe

Matcha Panda Cafe

4.4
(254 reviews)
1.5 mi
$$

This is my second time visiting a Matcha Panda location, and I'm happy to say the quality is just…read moreas good as the Chestnut Street one. They definitely seem consistent, which I really appreciate. I came with a couple of friends on a Saturday afternoon, and wow... this place was packed. Even with the crowd, the staff stayed friendly and worked quickly, so we didn't have to wait too long for our drinks. One thing I still love is the seating. They have giant plushies sitting in the booths, so if you're by yourself, you're not just awkwardly staring at an empty seat across from you. Maybe I'm the only one who appreciates that, but I think it's a cute touch. The matcha here is the real deal. It's bright green, fragrant, and has that rich, earthy flavor with just enough natural bitterness that you know they're using quality matcha. A lot of places advertise matcha, but this one actually delivers. I ordered one of their matcha desserts with ice cream, and it was creamy, refreshing, and let the matcha flavor shine instead of burying it under sugar. My only complaint is that it was pretty warm inside. It was a hot summer day, and I honestly couldn't tell if the air conditioning was running or if it was just fans. Either way, it wasn't very cool inside. Thankfully I had ice cream, so it didn't bother me too much, but it's something to keep in mind if you're stopping by on a really hot day. Overall, another great visit. Friendly staff, consistently high-quality matcha, and a fun atmosphere. If you're a matcha lover, this is still one of my favorite spots in Chinatown.

I came in from California and immediately started searching for a matcha spot. I was in the area…read moreand came across it. They offer samples of their soft serve flavors! I personally thought the matcha one was the best. The service was quick and informative. And I loved the little booths they had, it was adorable. That aside, I do think the drinks are mediocre. I ordered their most popular, Mango Matcha and their Hojicha Latte. Sadly I was disappointed, the mango matcha was VERY sweet, but the texture was creamy. I just couldn't get over the overpowering sweetness of the mango puree, but that's my personal preference. The mango flavor itself wasn't bad! Maybe half sweet would be the way to go, Im not sure if they do adjustments. If you love yuzu, I don't recommend their yuzu soft serve HOWEVER their matcha soft serve is pretty yummy Their Hojicha was watery...I really hoped it would be better. I don't recommend it. No further comments.

Photos
Matcha ice cream ($7)
Matcha ice cream ($7)
Panda Snack Cup Series w/ Roasted Green Tea Gelato. Fresh Red Bean, Jasmine Tea Jello, Boba pearls, and Crispy flakes
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RIM Cafe - coffee - Updated July 2026

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