Now that I live near Kettle Black, I swing by regularly to see if the line has died down and there is still food left. I think my original experience was tainted by the long line. I don't like to wait in line, and the too-hot coffee colored my experience. I don't wait in line, but I've warmed up to them. They make some good croissants. I love their baguettes and sandwich loaves. My husband loves their bagels and focaccia. There are often pretzels left, and we still enjoy those. On a weekday, I'll walk past on my way to the El and stop in if they are still open. My Center City co-workers get to enjoy Kettle Black without the line! I like that they have vegan options and try to score those if my vegan family members will be visiting. read more

I bought two bagels with specialty cream cheese, a cinnamon roll with icing, a jalapeño cheddar pretzel, and a cheddar jalapeño focaccia loaf. The bagels were fresh and soft with the little bit of tanginess expected from bagel dough, and the additional flavor from the everything seasoning and cheddar blended with the cream cheese well. Cinnamon roll was also softer than expected with just the right amount of icing, like an upgrade from the classic Cinnabon roll. Focaccia was moist and flavorful, great for sharing at my family party. Didn't get to taste pretzel because it was for my boyfriend. Tip 1: Come here before 9! I came too late at 10am one day and everything was already sold out. Kettle Black fans are BIG fans! In warmer months, people might start lining up at 7:30 just before opening at 8 for the best stuff. The second time I came, I rolled up at 8:45 to find a long but reasonable line. Like, maybe a 15 min wait to get inside. Some items (everything cheddar bagel and pretzel bun) were sold out, but many items were still in stock. Tip 2: Get specialty cream cheese. I got a bacon cheese pepper cream cheese, which had thick chunks of bacon mixed throughout and it was much better than expected thanks to the meatiness. There typically aren't sandwiches like lox bagels available. Tip 3: Highly recommend the hot coffee. It's their own blend that they get from a specialty roaster and it's got this mellow flavor without being bitter or sour. I needed to put in extra effort to get here, so I wouldn't come in every week. But it's a nice treat every other month. Other notes: Staff was very accommodating and patient, seemed happy to be there, and gave me great advice. Not a place to sit and eat, more of a grab-and-go. read more

I jumped in line around 7:45 AM on a Friday morning and there was a pretty well-established line already when they don't open until 8 AM. By the time they opened, the line had tripled in size. But honestly? I would wait much longer for this place. Ordered 2 bagels and one pretzel and all I can say is wow. They were so fresh, which was evident by the fluffy texture and incredibly delightful bite of both items. Pretty limited menu but that's because they do these items SO WELL. Already planning my next visit! read more

See all

Pre flight this morning after leaving home at 5 AM I was in search of a warm beverage and something to eat. I discovered this lovely coffee and bagel shop. A cute storefront with an odd doorway, very narrow and opens in striking those in line waiting to order. Once inside the decor was modest, no frills practical yet seemed like they opened prior to their scheduled official opening. There is an LGBT flag and other than that just the necessary items to function. It feels like the extremely large behind the counter space could be used to eliminate the guests being cramped into ordering and picking up area and getting struck by the awkward door. Maybe's brand new or they just haven't put any thought into the design. No lattes just drip coffee and tea options. Sign board looks 50 years old and definitely no frills. The counter person was friendly and smiling. There were just two staff, the counter and the person toasting and spreading the toppings on the bagels. There were some pastries that looked good. I didn't see and baking facilities so not certain about the origin of the bagels. There was great music playing, to be expected with the pride flag. I get the opinion the staff was having fun, they were pretty efficient, busy and a short wait to get your items, partly due to very few topping choices. This is the closest coffee shop to the Callowhill exit of SEPTA subway stop and the Greyhound bus stop, the coffee was good, fresh hot and flavorful. The bagel was bland, it did not taste like a pretzel or a bagel, maybe missing salt in the mix? It was also burnt so after eating it that burnt taste stayed with you. The bagel looked over cooked or burnt prior to being toasted. The cream cheese was alright nothing special. This experience felt like the shop is not their main focus in life. The price was reasonable, $10.80 pre tip. So if you want a plain cheap coffee or a pastry, I don't know their prices, my bagel w the special cream cheese was $7.00, it's a good option, just be careful not to get hit by the door while in line. Maybe the other bagels are good, the pastry area mentioned a bakery and they looked well made, like you find in one of those many options chain dessert shops. read more

Items sell out pretty fast so keep that in mind, quality over quantity. I showed up at 7:30am on a dreary Sunday morning and there was a line around the corner. They allow 2-3 guests at a time. I LOVE the "no pets allowed, due to health violation" sign!!! Extra points for that! I got in around 8:15am and wrapped up around 8:30am. Rosemary Dark Chocolate Focaccia - I don't know how these flavors marry but they do somehow. The sweet and salty pairs so well. I feel like I am eating a pain a chocolat in one bite but then get thrown back to a lunch item? The focaccia is not too oily, it is soft with the perfect level of crisp. Everything bagel - texture is perfect, I do think the seasoning on the bagel doesn't have that punch that you might find in other everything bagels Pretzel Cheddar Jalapeno Bagel - this was crafted with magic, the pretzel bagel has this exterior that just screams Philly, the bagel is so soft and not dense as a typical pretzel...the jalapeno slices are a great touch, it keeps certain bites a mystery. Similar to the everything bagel though, there's some seasoning...or salt missing, I felt like I was biting into the cheese but not tasting it Sesame bagel - everything you expected and more Kismet bagels used to be my go to but now Kettle Black might be my go to! The hype lives up! Would love to come back and try the chili fur fake focaccia and pastries. read more

See all

We're in Philly for a few months and noticed this micro-bakery because people were lined up before it even opens in the morning. We decided to go this morning and join the queue to see if it was worth it - at 7:40 am, we were 5th in line, but by the time it opened, there were at least 30 people behind us waiting. We got: a toasted everything bagel with garlic chive cream cheese, a cheddar bagel, a guava cheese pastry, a cinnamon roll, and a chocolate chip scone. I can't quite put my finger on what makes their pastries so good- the texture is quite different from other pastries, much less buttery and greasy and sugary and more chewy and stretchy and soft. The flavors are all delicious. The cinnamon roll, for example, was not dripping in icing, and the guava cheese pastry was so well balanced between the tart sweetness of the guava and the cheese. We downed all of the pastries and they did not give me a sick feeling afterwards (although I did go out of my way to eat nutritious food for the rest of the day, lol). Still thinking about the flavors and wondering when I'll be able to get back there. The service (I think it's the owners/bakers themselves) is absolutely lovely - I feel like the regulars would protect this place with their lives, and I get why. read more

They make my favorite bagels. Period. Get their pretzel bagels (or really any of their bagels.) Love that they have so many vegan options, clearly labeled each day in their morning instagram announcement. It's so hard to find a vegan flaky pastry, so I was super excited to find this place. Wish they had vegan croissants on non-weekend days too. Today, I got the iced coffee (cold brew) in my own Yeti cup. Bring your own cup to prevent plastic waste! Love when local businesses let you do that. So earth friendly. The iced coffee was great. Tangy, very strong, still feeling the caffeine vibes now. Follow their instagram to see what they offer each day as it varies! read more

See all

Visited this small and cozy bagel/bread bakery. Obviously very popular by the number of people waiting at opening on Saturday morning . There were only the owners working, and despite the long line, they were so extremely kind and professional. The bagels and pretzels are amazing. Worth the trip! read more

See all

Wow, so happy I finally got to try the kettle black. I channeled morning person vibes and got there around 9 am - there was a line of about 8 people out the door, but I was inside in less than 10 min. There were no more of the black bagels at that time, but still a variety of other bagel options and pastries in the cute cabinet. I got the cheddar everything bagel with jalapeño cream cheese toasted. It was a beautiful bagel and I wish every everything bagel had caraway seeds - it added a delightful flavor. The cheese was cheesy and not too oily. The bagel itself was dreamy and soft. I will be thinking of that bagel and try even harder to wake up even earlier to go back and try more stuff next time. They also had a really good French rap playlist going on. read more

See all

Cute microbakery right on 2nd St! They offer a variety of bagels and other snacks. The staff is extremely friendly and personable! They're quick and efficient. Pro tip: be sure to check out their Insta before coming here, and come EARLY! We got in line at 8am on the dot, it was already wrapped around the block. Took about 45 minutes to get our bagels, but well worth the wait. Very delicious! read more

The Kettle Black - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

See all

YUM! I got the everything bagel with Salmon cream cheese, tomatoes, onions and capers. Delicious crunch of the toppings, fresh cream cheese and not too heavy. The flavor of the bagel was the best part. The toppings of the everything had a strong flavor, the bagel itself was fresh, fluffy and perfect. I waited in line for 15 minutes and it was so worth the wait! read more

The Kettle Black - everything Bagel! Salmon cream cheese, toppings - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Amazingly good baked goods. I have had the baguettes, bagels, pretzels and croissants over the last year and all are made with integrity and high-quality ingredients. The owners are kind and friendly. They obviously enjoy their work and run an ethical business that fits well in our neighborhood. Highly recommend. read more

Stop by here on Friday morning to buy bagels as treats for friends in North Jersey. I was looking forward to taste the black bagel that I love so much, but the choice was sold out before 10:30 am. There was no line outside the store on Friday late mooring and easy to find a free parking spot for 5 min. Next time, I will definitely come earlier to grab my favorite bagels! read more

Delicious bagels and pastries! Stopped by around 9 am on a Thursday and there were some people in line but they kept it moving. The jalapeño cheddar pretzel bagel was amazing, soft on the inside and crisp on the outside. We also enjoyed the chocolate croissant. Prices felt reasonable for the quality. Not really any space to eat inside so definitely a good location to grab stuff to go. Recommend!! read more

See all

I really didn't care for the bagel here. It was chewy and tough. The Cinammon pastry was ok but kinda tough as well. read more

The Kettle Black - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Easily the best bagels in Philly! They have other baked goods as well. You'll probably have to wait in line but it is 100% worth the wait

On point bagels. Rosemary focaccia with dark chocolate a religious experience. Used to have vegan schmear (if you're into that) or hummus, but no more. Just get the real deal. Bagels consistently good but like everything else with inflation, these are smaller each year than previous. Still great to support local businesses doing things right. Be ready to wait in line; moved swiftly except when freezing outside ha. read more

See all

I didn't eat here so I don't know but I don't consider this to be an actual business if they run out of everything in an hour. This place is barely open and the service is very slow. read more

I was in a hurry and would have preferred not to wait in line here, but it was worth it. An iced tea delivered a splendid rosemary flavor, albeit a lot of ice. I asked what "vegan lox" was, and it turned out to be a preparation of marinated carrots. The black bagel I got it on couldn't have been much more delicious, and between the freshly toasted flavor and abundant butter, I'm not sure I've ever had a better sandwich of this sort. Was the vegan lox worth the $4 charge? Was it a lot of food the money overall? No, but if you're after quality over quantity, you'll likely be as impressed as I was. read more

See all

Best bagels ever. The line moves fast . When they run out it's sad . The other baking products are also top notch.

Wanted to try their bagels for a while..... We tried them twice....once on a Thursday to know that the charcoal variety is just a weekend special and next time on the weekend that we were going to be in that area. This is a pick up only place, no dine in. Bagels are fresh, tasty and the cream cheese spreads are yummy. We tried the charcoal plain, charcoal everything bagel, jalapeño bagel. The bagels are definitely not new york style dense and chewy. These are closer cousins of a roll. Nonetheless we like them and they were tasty, esp the charcoal ones. Coffee was strong and hot. So a definitely a must have with the bagels. read more

See all

By far the best bagels in philadelphia, along with some truly spectacular and unique pastries. Cannot recommend this place enough! Come early and be prepared to wait in line. The owners are so friendly and have high quality standards, as they do everything themselves, which is incredibly impressive. No seating and small interior, but cozy and welcoming. A must-eat location in Philadelphia!! read more

See all

Still the best bagels in the city. Brought them now to so many of my friends and family and they all agree. Everyone wants bagels from here. My faves are the charcoal everything bagel. They've got good big fluffy German style bagels but it's jusssst lacking the bear malty molasses crusty flavor but the bite is perfect. And I love the spicy honey mustard dip with it. Line starts right when it opens. Bagels only on weekends read more

The Kettle Black - Waiting for bagels! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Ordered more bread and cookies from the Kettle Black again! They were baking the Hokkaido Milk Bread last week, and I couldn't resist. I also ordered more Birthday cookies. The Hokkaido Milk bread looked like two giant honey butter rolls stuck together and cuts so easily! Taste wise, it was fluffy and slightly sweet. So good, you don't need to put anything on it, and can just eat it plain. I hope they will keep making the Hokkaido Milk Bread! We're going thru the loaf fast! Last time when we ordered the black currant walnut loaf, we learned the hard way that these fresh artisanal bread are made to be eaten ASAP if not within the week, unless you want to freeze them, which defeats the purpose of getting freshly made bread. The birthday cookies are once again delicious as ever. read more

See all

A zillion stars. Everything in this place is made with love and craftsmanship and it shows. I think I've had one of everything and it's all delicious. Truly a gem of a bakery Philadelphia is lucky to have. There will always be a line and they will always sell out and it will always be worth it to get up early and wait. read more

I think this is a very solid neighborhood coffee and bread shop. I definitely am always excited to try a different place and was looking forward to my visit here today. As some of the other reviews mention, you have to get here on the earlier side or it is likely they will run out of items. They claim to be open till noon on Yelp, but they definitely run out of things before then. We tried two different bagels and one with the special of the day cream cheese (scallion, bacon and cheddar). The bagels were light and airy, not chewy like a NY bagel. I enjoyed my bagel and coffee, but with all the bagel places in the city, I don't think I'd go out of my way to return here unless I was in the neighborhood. read more

See all

My husband was the one who actually visited the shop but I was the one that enjoyed the food :) He got there around 7:40 to wait in line and was 3rd in line. We wanted to get their 4/20 special but $7 for a bagel and cream cheese was too much. What I ended up getting was the black everything bagel with scallion cream cheese which is $4. It was lightly toasted and warm. Next time I would ask for a double toast (not sure if they do that). What I believe is a normal amount of cream cheese is applied which might not be enough for some people but I loved it. The bagel was very flavorful and I would definitely get them again. There was a long line for at least an hour after opening on a Saturday. I think it's worth the hype! read more

Bagels are great when you can get one, but they run out of bagels around 930 on weekdays and even earlier on the weekend.

Best bagel I've had since moving to Philadelphia: periodt. My go-to is a toasted black salt bagel with plain cream cheese and an iced cold brew. It's one of my favorite comfort meals. When I'm having a bad morning, The Kettle Black is my light at the end of the tunnel. Bagels are flavorful, chewy-but-not-too-chewy, and satiating. Everything is freshly baked, and it's obvious in the quality and taste. Simple, chic set-up, great staff, amazing product. 'Nuff said. Support your local bagelry, and check-out the Kettle Black. read more

The Kettle Black - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Pros - They have a variety of bagels to choose from. The cheese jalapeño bagel was so good! It stayed soft and fresh even the next day! - Reasonable prices for their bagels, I can tell they make them fresh - They offer vegan options! Cons - I wish they had a full menu posted! - I told the lady it was my first time and she didn't really bother explaining what was on their menu. She spoke so fast when I asked what kind of bagels they had. So I ordered randomly then overheard that they also had pastries?! I don't understand why they can't just post a menu for us to easily order from - No dine in, you can't even walk in and there's usually a line read more

Very worth the line and wait. Amazing bagel, no notes bagel is crispy on the outside and warm and doughy inside. Nice staff, cute building! read more

See all

Hands down best bagel in Philly - the everything bagel with jalapeno cream cheese is out of this world. I wish I was more of a morning person because they so sell out quickly, but it is worth setting the alarm for! (And I don't say that lightly - they're just that good) read more

I absolutely love the Kettle Black. They're a small micro bakery right on 2nd st in Northern Liberties, which I believe is owned by a couple who are also the bakers. You're not going to get your standard NY bagel here. However, in my opinion they're better. They're lighter, a little more crisp and have a great toasty flavor. The "black" bagels are made with activated charcoal, which I think is really cool. The menu is small with a few types of freshly baked bagels and baked goods such as cinnamon rolls, croissants, sandwich bread and baguettes. They usually have a specialty cream cheese that changes, along with regular and dairy-free. You can also add things like tomato and cucumber to the bagels, but they do not have breakfast sandwiches. There also is not indoor seating, you can order at the counter and then wait for it to be prepared. They also have coffee and tea. The coffee is Peddler and it's great (I'm a coffee snob and I approve). I was a little sad when they got rid of their espresso drinks, my drink of choice is a café au lait, but I'll live! Kettle Black is hands down my go to place for bagels and baked goods in the area. Oh, and definitely get there early (before 9:30-10am) or they will be sold out! read more

See all

The Kettle Black is quickly becoming a staple in our household. Each week we look forward to ordering our Sunday pick-up of bagels and other treats. With some of the best bagels I've ever had -- cheesy, plain, everything -- you can't go wrong. The key is to order online! You'll need to do so a few days in advance, following the schedule on their website. One week we forgot and could only purchase pretzels at the window (still fabulous). Tl,dr; this is the bakery I've needed in my life since moving to Philadelphia. Thank you, Kettle Black! read more

The Kettle Black - Cheesy Bagel, Cheesy Everything Bagel, and Spiced Orange-Tahini Scone - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

See all

Amazing. Best baked goods in Northern Liberties by miles, Best in Philly, actually. I've never had the prepared Breakfast bagel or the coffee, but, as someone who works late I find the baked goods worth getting up in the middle of my night and standing in line in the freezing cold. As far as the vibe, enjoy the French rock and roll or House music and the smell of paradise. read more

In my opinion a perfect bagel. These people take their craft seriously as the end results are consistently delicious. I highly recommend their other offerings as well as the croissant has perfect laminations and will make you feel like you're in Paris. read more

Delicious, affordable bagels. But the charcoal bagels might lead to black poops, so eat at your own risk. Came here on a Sunday around 9:30am, and the line had already filled the entire store. I got to try the cheddar everything bagel with cream cheese and the charcoal everything with cream cheese and lox, the latter of which was amazing. I got both bagels toasted, but my cheddar everything bagel was cold, like it had been sitting out for a while after being toasted. It still tasted fine, but I prefer my toasted bagels to be warm. The charcoal bagel was perfect though. Will definitely be back to try some of the other bagels, spreads, breads, and pastries. Worth a visit, even if the line is long! read more

The Kettle Black - Cheddar everything bagel with cream cheese - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

See all

Sooo an incredibly busy bakery. I wouldn't recommend coming on a Saturday morning if you're in a hurry cause the line snakes around just minutes after opening. A lot of local customers coming in for their weekend brunch spreads. That being said, their black bagels are super popular, with good reason along with the rest of their carb line up including different loads, baguettes, other bagel varieties, and pastries (croissants, chocolate croissants, Kouign-amanns, and cinnamon buns). They also have a great coffee drink lineup but it was a shame I couldn't really comfortably sit down and get a real cup due to how many people there were so early in the morning. I'd definitely want to come back in a less busy time and sit down with a good cup of joe. I got the black everything bagel with cream cheese, lox, and tomatoes, and the black salt bagel with cream cheese. This place is a good brisk walk from where I am and I'll definitely be back. read more

The Kettle Black - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

One of the little gems in Nolibs/Philly. It's almost a secret little coffee shop that's hard to notice except for the long line that usually snakes it's way out of the door. It's one of the few places that offers outside seating under trees, big fan of that. The food is good. Ordered the everything bagel with tofutti and vegan lox. Aka very vegan friendly. One of the few places I've seen even offer a vegan lox option. This place is very popular and they sell out of their food pretty frequently so try and get there early if you can. The line moves quick. It's also more of a grab and go because of its size or you can get lucky with the outdoor seating that I mentioned earlier. read more

Amazing fresh baked bread and bagels! They sell out quickly especially on weekend mornings so get there early if you can. The 'black' dough is from the addition of activated charcoal. It adds the distinctive color and has little effect on the taste. You might detect a slight tangy aftertaste... and some people think it adds an earthy flavor to dough. If you take medications or vitamins please check with your doctor to determine if the activated charcoal will prevent absorption of the pills. It can be a big problem so if you aren't sure, make sure you don't eat activated charcoal containing products within 2-3 hours of any pills you take. The bagels are delicious! They have a decent crispy crust and are super doughy and chewy in the center. The cream cheese is also very tasty. The only downside is that the bagels can be challenging to slice because of the texture. read more