For ReAnimator, community is the foundation of everything we accomplish. When our company first started, we were roasting in the basement of a row home and selling the beans on Saturdays at an urban farm in our neighborhood.
Our first café location was in that same neighborhood and it’s really the community that propped us up and helped us grow to where we are today. The support we get from Philadelphia remains vital to our company and we never take it for granted. So, without further ado, here are some of our favorite spots to spend time at in Philly.
Eeva
310 Master Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122
Open Wednesday to Saturday 5:00 pm; Bakery open Saturday to Sunday 8:00 am
Next door to our Kensington Roastery is a little slice of freshly baked heaven. Eeva specializes in naturally leavened breads like country loaves and bagels, wood-fired pizzas, and an impressive selection of unique, natural wines.
Everything Chef Greg puts together is so, so good. Plus, if you find a wine you love, you can bring the good times back home thanks to their bottle shop.
Penn Treaty Park
1301 North Beach Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19125
Open daily 8:00 am
This is a personal favorite of mine. Right on the beautiful riverfront in Fishtown with a fantastic view of the Ben Franklin Bridge, Penn Treaty Park is a great spot to hang out with friends or enjoy a little solitude and a good book. Thanks to the river, the park even has it’s own micro-climate, making it a bit cooler and breezier on hot days.
Hello Donuts
2557 Amber Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19125
Open Tuesday to Sunday 8:00 am
What is the perfect companion to a freshly brewed, steaming cup of coffee if not a donut? Several donuts, maybe? I recommend testing this theory for yourself at Hello Donuts, the best in Philly. With a weekly rotating menu of cake, yeasted, and vegan options, there’s something for everyone.
Stock
Rittenhouse
1935 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
Open Monday to Sunday 11:30 am
Fishtown
308 East Girard Avenue
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19125
Open Thursday to Sunday 5:00 pm
Stock is collectively one of ReAnimator’s favorite restaurants in the city. It’s all Vietnamese- and Thai-style soups, salads, and noodle dishes (with some banh mi too). The soups are just so incredible. I have actually described them as “life changing” in the past.
Weckerly's
Fishtown
9 West Girard Avenue
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19123
Open Tuesday to Friday 2:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday 1:00 pm
West Philly
265 South 44th Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
Open Tuesday to Friday 1:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday 12:00 pm
A wonderful ice cream shop run by wonderful people. Weckerly's is just… wonderful. The quality is amazing, the staff is super-friendly, and the ice cream is incredible.
It’s the perfect dessert spot if you’re bumming around Fishtown, which I often am. Although, if you find yourself bumming around West Philly, they have a scoop shop there, too.
Martha
2113 East York Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19125
Bar: Open Wednesday and Thursday 5:00 pm; Friday to Sunday 12:00 pm
Patio: Open Wednesday and Thursday 5:00 pm; Friday to Suunday 12:00 pm
Martha is a neighborhood bar in Fishtown. They have an excellent patio with a bocce court that is a summer staple for all of us.
It has a great menu of sandwiches and small veggie plates and lots of local wines and brews to try — always an excellent vibe all around.
Union Transfer
1026 Spring Garden Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19123
Box office is open Friday and Saturday 12:00 pm
I kind of think Union Transfer might be the best music venue in the country. Maybe? Yes. If you’re in town, it’s worth seeing a show here.
Al-Amana Grocery Store
1501 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122
Open Monday to Sunday 10:30 am
Around the corner from our Kensington Roastery, Al-Amana is a little grocery and to-go food spot built into the local mosque.
I think it’s safe to say that from approximately 2014 to 2018 I subsisted on their falafel sandwiches and hummus. We still eat there for lunch multiple days per week.
Shissler Recreation Center
1800 Blair Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19125
Open Monday to Friday 1:30 pm; Saturday 9:00 am
I play basketball here at Shissler every week and I love it. Just wanted to shout it out!