Front Street Cafe

Front Street Cafe

1253 N Front St, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States

+1 215-515-3073

New American restaurant, Bar, Beer garden, Breakfast restaurant, Brunch restaurant, Cafe, Cocktail bar, Event venue, Restaurant, Vegan restaurant
(2560)
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About This Place

Front Street Cafe in Philadelphia’s vibrant Fishtown neighborhood is a standout destination where New American cuisine meets a welcoming, laid-back atmosphere. Located at 1253 N Front St, this lively spot is perfect for those craving a fresh, creative brunch or an indulgent dinner with artisan cocktails and craft beers. Whether you’re popping in for a rich, creamy Shrimp and Grits or a bright, refreshing Acai Bowl, Front Street Cafe offers an inviting and flavorful culinary experience that captures the heart of modern American dining.

The menu is a true celebration of seasonal, thoughtfully prepared dishes with something to delight every palate. Start your day with a perfectly balanced Huevos Rancheros layered with robust spices, or savor the indulgent Thick-Cut Brioche French Toast boasting a tender, buttery crust dusted with powdered sugar. For a burst of vibrant freshness, the Quinoa Oat Porridge with cinnamon apple bits and gluten-free oats soothes the soul while energizing from within.

Vegetarians and vegans are well-catered for too, with inventive offerings like the Buffalo Cauliflower that delivers a spicy, crispy kick without overwhelming heat, and the Vegan Charcuterie Platter, which artfully combines herbed spreads, plant-based sausages, and crunchy nuts to create a savory, textured experience. With sides like Maple-Pepper Mushroom Bacon and Mushroom-Lentil Scrapple, you’ll find smart, flavorful twists on classic comfort food ingredients, enhancing every plate with depth and nuance.

The bar program shines just as brightly, featuring expertly crafted cocktails such as the zingy and perfectly balanced Sunrise Mimosa alongside a well-curated selection of local craft beers. Michael, one reviewer noted how the "tasty spicy margaritas" make Front Street Cafe a great spot for socializing and people-watching right near the L-loop, adding a convivial backdrop to your meal.

The dining atmosphere here is undeniably inviting. Whether you choose the sun-dappled courtyard patio on a warm afternoon or the cozy, bustling indoor seating, there’s a genuine energy that complements the generous hospitality. Customers frequently praise the attentive service, noting servers like Victoria who make guests feel truly cared for, ensuring every visit is seamless and enjoyable.

Guests often rave about the food, highlighting dishes like the sumptuous Shrimp and Grits, which marries creamy texture with a perfectly spiced bite, and the luscious French Toast that is both comforting and indulgent. The coffee here has also earned enthusiastic mentions for its rich, smooth flavor, making Front Street Cafe a perfect stop for both casual brunches and lively dining experiences alike.

While opinions vary slightly, such as one visitor’s feedback about the kale Caesar salad’s texture, these are balanced by overwhelmingly positive reviews praising the quality, flavor, and creative touches on each plate. Portions are thoughtfully sized to provide a satisfying meal without excess, supporting the ethos of freshness and quality over quantity.

In all, Front Street Cafe offers an inspired culinary journey with a focus on New American classics reimagined for today’s health-conscious and flavor-driven diners. It’s a place that encourages guests to linger over beautiful food in a vibrant community setting — whether enjoying a laidback lunch, a celebratory brunch, or drinks with friends in a lively beer garden atmosphere.

For those seeking a seamless blend of innovative dishes, refreshing cocktails, and genuinely warm hospitality in the heart of Philadelphia, Front Street Cafe is an exceptional choice that delivers both comfort and excitement on every visit.

Service options
Outdoor seating -contact delivery Delivery On-site services Takeaway Dine-in
Highlights
Fast service Fireplace Great beer selection Great cocktails Great coffee Great tea selection Great wine list Serves local specialty Sport
Popular for
Breakfast Lunch Dinner Solo dining
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible seating Wheelchair-accessible toilet Wheelchair-accessible car park
Offerings
Alcohol All you can eat Beer Cocktails Coffee Comfort food Happy-hour drinks Happy-hour food Healthy options Late-night food Organic dishes Quick bite Small plates Spirits Vegan options Vegetarian options Wine
Dining options
Breakfast Brunch Lunch Dinner Catering Dessert Seating Table service
Amenities
Bar on site Toilet Wi-Fi Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual Cosy Trendy
Crowd
Family friendly Groups LGBTQ+ friendly Locals Tourists Transgender safe space
Planning
Brunch reservations recommended Lunch reservations recommended Dinner reservations recommended Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Children
Good for kids High chairs
Parking
Free of charge street parking Paid parking lot Paid street parking Parking

Opening Hours

  • Monday
    08:00 AM - 04:00 PM
  • Tuesday
    08:00 AM - 04:00 PM 05:00 PM - 09:00 PM
  • Wednesday
    08:00 AM - 04:00 PM 05:00 PM - 09:00 PM
  • Thursday
    08:00 AM - 04:00 PM 05:00 PM - 09:00 PM
  • Friday
    08:00 AM - 04:00 PM 05:00 PM - 10:00 PM
  • Saturday
    08:00 AM - 04:00 PM 05:00 PM - 10:00 PM
  • Sunday
    08:00 AM - 04:00 PM 05:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Map & Directions

Visitor Reviews

  • Cassidy Garcia
    4 week ago

    They were super quick to get us in (as a party of 6), the food was delicious, and the service was incredible. Victoria took great care of us! The coffee was so yummy. The shrimp and grits were super tasty and the french toast was good! Highly recommend!

  • Kiah J
    1 month ago

    Came here early to grab some lunch and a couple drinks. Chose the patio seating because the weather was nice and it was pretty empty. Drinks were really good. The tacos were the perfect snack to get full off of easily. Loved the buffalo cauliflower. My kale Caesar salad was alright but there were a lot of very hard stems that I couldn’t really chew and had to pick out. The only disappointment really were the croutons on it. They tasted like days old deep fried bread and just crumbled apart in grease.

  • Andrew Leventhal
    2 month ago

    Had a great time food was excellent portions were okay for the price. The fried mozzarella was a bit small and the vegan pizza needed a bit more sauce on top or something it was a bit dry the sauce that was there was excellent and the pesto pasta also really good.

  • Chris Gilbreath
    3 month ago

    This place is delightful. Walkable from anywhere in the wards. Good prices for this day and age (check out the old guy here saying things like, “this day and age”). Great service. Lots of people watching, since it’s right on the L. Tasty spicy margaritas. I had some fried banana bites and some weird but great maple mushroom bacon, the wife had the beet infused deviled eggs and soup. It’s gonna be on our list of places we can walk to, eat and have a drink, for under a hundred bucks and get in five miles on foot. Yes, that is a list we have. Love this place.

  • Trinh Vu
    3 month ago

    Came here for lunch to catch up with a friend. Food was excellent. Get the strawberry lemonade!! You won’t regret it. We dined out in their courtyard area and it was fantastic. The service was on point and I had no complaints.

  • KingVegan
    3 month ago

    I experienced living here 25 years ago. It’s remarkable how they have revamped this area when I entered this café. It causes you to forget about the old Fishtown entirely, such a lovely place with a great warm feeling upon arrival. We were promptly seated around 6:15 PM., the menu selection was fantastic covering all the bases from vegan to vegetarian options along with a variety of regular menu items. We visited during vegan restaurant week which runs until November 2, it offers the best value during restaurant week, with a nice selection of appetizers, main courses, and desserts, along with an excellent drink menu, weekly specials, happy hour, and more. We started with a perfectly crafted ginger turmeric latte and a lavender, blackberry, gin, and tonic with blueberries instead of blackberries, which was fine. The drinks were refreshing and well made. For appetizers, we ordered the crispy brussels sprouts with plant Parmesan, roasted pepper Coulis, and truffle. The truffle flavor was subtle, but the brussels sprouts were cooked perfectly with enough flavor from the Parmesan and roasted red pepper. The spinach artichoke dip with fresh tortilla chips was very good, although not the absolute best. For our main courses, we tried the truffle mushroom lasagna with mushroom bacon, which was excellent despite a lack of truffle flavor. We also had the farmers pie, a simple but perfectly executed dish with autumn flavors. Dessert consisted of sharing the Carmel cashew cheesecake, a rich and creamy treat with a great crust, and the vegan s’mores brownie, which was deliciously done with a chocolatey caramel crust on the outside and a molten chocolate center with slightly charred marshmallow. At $35, the value was excellent, especially compared to the regular price of $50-$60. Our server Chloe was very pleasant. Overall, it was an excellent evening where we had engaging conversations with other patrons about vegan restaurants and new dining spots, exchanging recommendations and ideas. This restaurant is definitely worth a visit if you haven’t been yet. Just a side note, they serve freshly baked ciabatta bread with Parmesan whip, which is absolutely fantastic and among the best I've tasted.

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