Alif Brew & Mini Mart Inc.

Outside of the traditional Ethiopian food and Coffee being great at Alif Brew, they offer many Ethiopian Groceries like Teff Flour, Ambo Water, Berbere Seasoning, etc. I always stop by to grab the Vegetarian Platter but today specifically, I ended up pairing it with the Biriz (which is a drink they made with fermented Honey and Turmeric) which was great.

I went in for dinner, and the food was absolutely delicious. I definitely recommend this place for proper Ethiopian food.

Follow me on Instagram for more reviews! @hopeless_ramen_tic 📍 Alif Brew & Mini Mart - Philadelphia, PA ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Food: Injera Platter – The spicy chicken was perfectly cooked, with just the right amount of heat and flavor. – The beef tibs were tender and packed with rich, smoky berbere spice. – The mild lentils had a bright, subtle flavor that my boyfriend loved. – The spicy lentils were my favorite of the lentils—flavorful with a distinct taste from the mild ones and not overwhelmingly spicy. – The green beans and carrots were well-seasoned and delicious. – The sides were awesome: the homemade cheese, stewed mushrooms, and more—you truly can’t go wrong with any of them! Drinks: Lavender Latte – Hands down the best lavender latte I’ve ever had, and I’ve tried plenty! – Perfectly balanced with sweetness, creaminess, and a strong lavender note. Alif Special – Wonderfully fragrant, with bold ginger notes that made it feel cozy and seasonal. – Such a unique coffee, perfect for fall and winter. I was so grateful to be invited to this incredible spot. My boyfriend and I had an amazing time exploring their menu. The staff were incredibly warm and welcoming, and everything from the coffee to the food was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. What sets Alif Brew apart is their dedication to creating a true “third space”—a much-needed communal place for people to gather, relax, and connect. They even host Ethiopian Buna ceremonies, roasting coffee beans on-site and inviting guests to enjoy the fresh brew while socializing. To top it all off, they have an adorable mini mart filled with unique international snacks. I highly recommend stopping by this gem of a café. I’ll definitely be back! Date Visited: 12/1/2024

This place? A whole vibe. Half mini-mart, half café, all flavor. I originally came through on a Too Good To Go haul, and now I’m here constantly—sometimes for a deal, sometimes just ‘cause I need it in my life. 😂 Let’s start with the mini-mart side, aka my happy place. They carry these crack-level addictive injera chips in rosemary, mild, and spicy—YES, I’ve tried them all, and YES, they’re all elite. I keep saying I’ll pace myself, but nah. Also obsessed with their zero-sugar digestive cookies?? I don't even know where else to find these, and honestly, I don’t wanna know. Alif is my plug now. On the café side, the hot Ethiopian food is consistently 🔥. My all-time fave is the yellow split pea dish (Kik Alicha)—so flavorful, creamy, and comforting, like a warm hug from someone’s grandma. It comes with two glorious rolls of injera, soft and tangy, perfect for scooping up every last bit. If you know, you know. There’s a cute little seating nook to the right of the register, plus a few outdoor tables for soaking up some sun with your sambusa. The staff? Super quick and helpful whenever I ask questions—they always know what’s up and don’t mind me geeking out over new snacks. Also came by during the Dollar Stroll and tried their Ethiopian wraps, and—whew. How do I describe them? Imagine rich, spicy, savory magic wrapped in injera and handed to you for ONE DOLLAR. I was shook. It’s no wonder I’ve been back like five times... and probably forgot to check in at least half of those visits. Oops. 💁‍♀️ TL;DR: Alif Brew is my comfort café + snack haven rolled into one. If you haven’t been, GO. And grab me a bag of spicy injera chips while you’re at it.

Such a wonderful spot. Sunny & pleasant. I enjoyed a very yummy, veggie platter. Loved that the spicy red lentil stew was spiced perfectly.. The cooked beets were warm, comforting, beautiful and delicious. Injera was super fresh, soft & spongy. Service was very good as well, pleasant, communicative and food came out so quick! The only challenges I saw were: 1. People primarily using the space as a meeting place or to work or study and talking louder, staying longer than is polite. It's okay to linger, but please be mindful and maybe don't linger too long when it's busy. 2. There's a tiny bit too much oil (nibber) at the bottom of the vegetable dishes. Overall, a lovely experience from top to bottom.

Great food! Serious vagrant problem. Was asked for money three times within the few hours I was trying to focus on studying here. Maybe some security or training for employees on how to handle these kinds of situations would be beneficial. It was dangerous for me and I felt very unsafe, no one said or did anything it was like I was the only one noticing what was going on. Won’t be back soon.

Best community cafe in the area!! The coffee and food here are phenomenal, easily the best latte i had in a very long time. Also their injera wraps are phenomenally delicious , the staff is super friendly and the place is always bustling with people and good vibes.

I am gluten-free and the lady working there was so sweet and extremely accommodating. She even got gluten-free injera from Dora bet, which is another delicious restaurant a block away, so I can have a wrap. I got the veggie injera wrap and I loved it. Great experience

Alif Brew & Mini Mart is a grocery store mixed with a cafe, serving up Ethiopian eats. The injera platters and wraps are delicious options. --- The casual eatery has a wide variety of typical cafe drinks (coffee, tea, chai) along with Ethiopian foods and drinks. The grocery section is stocked with a variety of spices, snacks, and home goods . You order and pay at the counter and take your food to go or for dine in. I got the injera Everything Platter, chicken injera wrap and vegetable injera wrap. Our food came out fairly quick (~ 10 minutes), which was impressive as there was only one individual taking orders and prepping them, and it was so busy! We self-seated at one of the tables. There are ~ 10 small tables and ~ 5 seats for counter seating. Alif Brew was fairly quiet, despite how busy it was, and there is free WiFi for patrons. I shared the Everything Platter (chicken, beef, and side of vegetables) between two people and we found it to be a good portion to get comfortably full, but not stuffed. The variety of vegetables in the platter was enjoyable, but my favorites on the platter were the cabbage, chickpeas, and beef. I found some pieces of beef were a little tough, but it had good flavor so I didn't mind too much. The teff injera wraps were the right spongey texture and sourness, and I only wish there was more on the plate. I would definitely order this again. The chicken and vegetarian injera wraps were essentially different contents from the Everything Platter, but now in wrap form. I didn't really enjoy how mushy the wraps got since I took these to go. They ended up not holding their structure well when taking bites. I would definitely only recommend ordering the injera wraps if they can be eaten fresh or near fresh! However, I would order these again for sure, as well, since the filling was delicious. Overall, I had a great, no-fuss experience at Alif Brew and I'm sad I didn't try it earlier. I highly recommend a taste of their Injera Platters and I look forward to being back soon to try more of the menu.

So much natural light and good food vibes! I came in just to get a lentil and beet salad and was welcome with a free sample to one of the little desserts. I'm not even the biggest fan of eating beets, but when I tell you they make the best beef salad anywhere, I'm telling you they make the best beet salad lol Happy wind down Wednesday!

Food and drinks so good you don't care that all the chairs sit crookedly ....................................... :*

Our kids can't stop talking about how great the food is here and I couldn't agree more! During our very short visit, we came multiple times for the fantastic food, items at the Mart, and beverages. I bought a package of crunchy Injera and O-M-G they are so good (I got the Garlic and Salt but they have spicy and other flavors as well). It was perfect with the Foul which was out of this world. So tasty and hearty. We also got the vegetarian platter (delicious) and pastries. I can't remember the names of the teas but they also were delightful. It was everything they said it was and more. I can't wait to come back.

Great neighborhood place. Wonderful coffee and food options. Well stocked mini market with African goods.

There are many more options at Alif than I realized. The injera I have from TooGoodToGo is random and with the well done and combination of ingredients available, it is really nice. I read one review of the poor soul who got one croissant for 3.99. TooGoodToGo shouldn't work like that. Just give more food or more of something if your business screwed up offering Too many TooGoodToGos and people had to travel to get to you. There is a buffet setup for the injera. Seeing the buffet setup and everything else being "random" mini mart items, I was leaning toward 4 stars. But then I read the other reviews, saw pictures of quality coffee and other entrees for which I did not see a menu off quick glance, and I was sold. I will definitely stop here for coffee when I am in the area again at least. Jun 9 update: had their ginger coffee and you can defin taste the coffee. The ginger was defin there but not overpowering. I probably would've been okay with a stronger ginger flavor but I think most people would not like this. Reasonably good stuff. Not my fave personally but could definitely go for.

The platter was enjoyable. I tried the spicy lentils, greens, and beef. The flavors weren't particularly memorable but satisfying for a quick market meal. The injera was well made, with a nice spongy texture and the right sourness. The baklava, however, was served cold and felt like it had just come out of the fridge, which wasn't ideal and made it less enjoyable. The staff was pleasant, and the seating area is spacious and comfortable, with a peaceful vibe. You'll often see people relaxing with their computers, which adds to the cozy atmosphere.

This place has my favorite chai in the whole world. It's so wonderfully spiced and aromatic and so reasonably priced!! I moved away from Philly but I miss this place so bad!!!! Will be visiting ASAP when I can make it back :,)

I'm a big fan of this place. It's definitely one of the better cups of iced coffee I've had in the city. The flavor is both bold and smooth at the same time. You can't beat Ethiopian coffee. Today I went for the egg bowl for a late breakfast. The flavors they use really bring out the best. I've had an injera wrap here in the past and loved that too. And the atmosphere to me beats any of the pretentious Center City spots out there. I think this place just became my favorite coffee shop in the city.

The food disappeared before I could take a picture. Soup of the day was a yellow lentil soup, delicious. We had the beef wrap, delicious. Perfectly spiced if you don't like too much spicy. Super flavorful. And I forget the name of these little Samosa type things. Lentil and chicken. Absolutely delicious! This is our first time here, and now we have to figure out a reason to be in West Philly, just to come back. Forgot to say, the friendliest and warmest service, and very nice and clean inside. Clearly a neighborhood gem and hang out spot for the locals.

This place has won my heart over and over. Beautiful food , wonderful service and perfectly located on Baltimore ave so you can get here from anywhere in the city or burbs, Its absolutely delicious and cozy. Carolyn

Coffee and lattes are so good here! I love the staff here too! They are so kind! I love supporting small local businesses like Alif. There is a lot of seating inside and is not too busy/loud so it's very conducive for studying or getting work done. They also sell Milk Jawn pints here!!! I LOVE Milk Jawn ice cream so I was very pleased to find out they have an entire freezer's worth of pints with multiple flavors inside. $12/pint

Amazing Ethiopian food in this adorable cafe! We had the shredded chicken platter with two sides- the kale and cabbage w/carrots. It was as good if not better than the fancier Ethiopian restaurants. We would definitely come back.

I want to make this my new go to spot... i loveeee the fact that they have changing specials and truly have never had another coffee like the alif special, will walk out of the way just to get it iced w a splash of oat milk. Tried the malawah when i went and it was delicious - beet hummus, a cut up boiled eggs, pickles, labneh, all wrapped up in a delicious paratha type bread? Sooooo good. I like the soft muffins and baklava too! And the people here are lovely as well

It is a market for Ethiopian specialties and spices and delicious treats. It is a coffee shop with rich brews and it's a restaurant serving beautiful food. This place is wonderful. Any of the food one tries is sure to delight (try the ful!) and the vibes of the community coffee shop are all here. It's a regular stop for me after the farmer's market on a Saturday. I highly recommend.

Although the store I'm sure for their customers is a nice local spot they enjoy, I'm not a fan! The quaint items they sell along the treats may be good but my reason for the low score is based on service and product received using the 'Too good to go' app. This app was designed to help stores and restaurants that serve a range of items from baked goods to fast food and everything in between to possibly avoid total loss on food that wasn't sold. In placing an order you should receive leftover or unused supplies that can help create or supply a meal. On the site it's listed as surplus food. Now to Alif Brew. When I showed my order on the app the counter person said 'oh another one I thought we only had one'. She then went into a back room for a few. I took this time to peruse the store. They have nice novelty items and small food items from the Middle East. This was a good start and I decided to return for a $50 Turkish coffee set until.......I was called to pick up my 'surplus surprise' that cost $3.99 and 5 miles of driving. For $3.99 I received ONE DAY OLD CROISSANT! I can get a SAME DAY FRESH CROISSANT for $2.50 ANYWHERE! Im so upset because this store look so exciting. My planned return WILL NOT HAPPEN! If this process is designed to save and possibly create a new set of customers Alif Brew has lost me and more I'm sure!

Favorite coffee shop in West Philly! Great space to work and their spiced coffee and chai latte are very strong and wonderfully aromatic. There is also plenty of wide flat surfaces for laptop use, including my fave spot, the ledge. The service is simply wonderful and kind! The sambusas are an excellent snack for a work break. Perfectly light and flaky and crispy on the outside and beautifully cooked lentil mash inside. Pro-tip: I would ask them to reheat them as it just makes them so much better. I also love their mini mart. Great selection. I recommend the crispy injera chips. They're so hard to find anywhere else. They also have the rare-find of Milk Jawn ice cream.

This place came highly recommended to us because we love Ethiopian food. It is a pretty great place. They have a coffee bar, Ethiopian cafe and international market all in one place. The environment is very chill with fantastic music playing. They have live music on occasion. They offer daily specials which were excellent. My boyfriend had been looking for Za'atar for some time and was thrilled to find it in their market. This place is unusual and wonderful. Definitely worth checking out.

I really loved the Alif Brew & Mini Mart! We went on a Sunday around lunch time. Some friends and I were craving Ethiopian food and we were going to go to another restaurant, but many of the other restaurants were closed. Luckily for us, this cute cafe/mini mart was open! They have a hot bar of already prepared foods that you can order and get right away. it comes with one main protein, two sides, and injera. I ordered the spicy chicken and also asked for the cabbage and lentils. On one side of the store is seating and on the other side is the mini mart which was really fun to look at. I loved how well seasoned everything was and the generous portion sides. Highly recommend checking this place out!

Today I went back to Alif for their traditional Ethiopian coffee experience. Loved everything about it. They only serve this on weekends from 11am. They were able to tell us the process, how the coffee beans are roasted, and how the coffee are usually served. The whole cultural and communal aspect of coffee making and drinking was so nice! Too bad I can't upload the videos here, but believe me, it's worth the experience!

I feel like this place is a hidden gem in Philly. It could also be because I don't really spend much time up in this area. Cool little spot to study. I was impressed by the food (I had one of their weekend specials they recommend) and extremely surprised and excited that they had mango lassi! One that actually tasted good too. Can't wait to come back here. If you do want to come here to study/get work done, just make sure to charge your devices as outlets are very sparse

absolutely obsessed with this place ... extremely kind and helpful staff and DELICIOUS coffee and food!! the vibe is impeccable. there's even a little printer u can use!!!! anyways i love you alif brew and your gorgeous dirty chais and lentil sambusas mwah

Outstanding little shop that serves amazing coffee and outstanding Ethiopian snacks. Had the beef platter and 10/10 perfect size meal. Lots of injera included, believe i had the beef tibs and it was outstanding! Will be a regular here. Shop itself is super cute and had a ton of people hanging and doing work. Super glad I stumbled upon this spot on my Ethiopian food hunt

Today was my second time going to Alif Brew and I cannot recommend this place enough. Their spicy chicken injera wrap is so delicious and also affordable. Their coffee is also amazing. There is lots of space for people who want to work and they have free Wifi. It's a family owned business, which is even more reason to support. I'm looking forward to getting their platter(s) next time I go.

Delicious food and coffee, and the people that work there are so friendly and helpful. They ground their coffee beans up perfectly for my french press. I also ordered a side of the red spiced lentils to taste when I got home. There were so spicy and so delicious that I can't wait to return. I noticed on the menu that you can order your favorite dish wrapped inside injera, ideal! Looking forward to attending the Saturday morning coffee ceremony post-COVID. Definitely check this place out!!!

I had a really delicious injera wrap w a mushroom filling that I completely loved. I would drive here again to get that mushroom filling. I also had a lentil filled one that I also thought was delicious. One wrap was not enough to fill me up though so make sure u order enough food.

Really dope injera wraps. Definitely the best lunch around for a great price too. The coffee and other snacks in the store are great too

I've been twice and have had excellent experiences both times. The coffee and tea were delicious and the hummus and babaganoush were to die for. The woman running the place was incredibly friendly and helpful. Will be going again- can't wait to try the food!

Alif Brew and Mini Mart has quickly become our go-to place for Ethiopian fare. The place is setup well with easy access to both the mart, seating for the cafe and the ability to walk in and out without a long wait. We've tried the coffee, sambusas, beef and chicken platter and all have been excellent. However, what keeps us going back for more and perhaps, Alif's best secret are the vegetable side dishes and excellent, excellent service by the team behind Alif.

Love Alif Brew - this is my go-to coffee spot in West Philly. Grab a bowl of foule for breakfast or an injera wrap to go - or stay and linger over coffee for hours. People do both at Alif Brew under the kind eye of the owners - who are super friendly and on a first name basis with a lot of regulars.

Good and kind people serving well made food at good prices. I also enjoy the imported candy and groceries and wouldn't mind seeing that expanded.

I love this lovely coffe shop/Ethiopian mini market. I get my (almost) daily evening latte here now, instead of Starbucks because I'd much rather support a local business, and the evening hours are just as convenient as Starbucks. The service is friendly, the space is welcoming, and the coffee is yummy. Sometimes I grab a snack called a sambusa which is a small fried dumpling similar to an empanada. I love the flavors (various fillings are offered), and you can't beat $1.50 for a quick and delicious snack!

Sweet new spot in West Philly for morning cup of coffee and on the go savory, warm breakfast. I had their alif brew (coffee with a nice gingery kick to it) and foul for breakfast. SO. GOOD. Can't wait to come back to try one of their injera wraps!

This place is such a delightful hidden gem!! I got the vegetarian platter, and as a carnivore it filled me up so well. Highly recommend.

This place is wonderful! What a terrific addition to Baltimore Avenue. I got a spicy injera wrap to go and it's one of the best vegetarian sandwiches I've had all year. They also have Ethiopian and East African snacks and candy and of course great coffee. Do yourself a favor and visit Alif Brew soon!

Amazing! The food, customer service, coffee, everything was amazing! I had the vegetarian platter and an iced coffee, and I'll absolutely be returning for more! The owner and all employees were incredibly kind and went out of their way to make my experience as wonderful as it was! I highly recommend checking out Alif!

They have been open 3 weeks, but I just discovered them today, and I am glad I did! I ordered a platter and a wrap, plus a few bakery items. Delicious, perfect portions and good pricing. Nice environment and friendly staff! Next up: trying the coffee!

The veggie platters and wraps are amazing and for a great price! The staff are also extremely friendly and helpful. This will definitely become my go-to quick and inexpensive delicious lunch :)

This is my favorite spot on Baltimore. The staff are incredibly kind, the food is delicious and all homemade (including their hummus!) and their coffee is incomparable. I recommend their lentil salad, hummus, and anything off the brunch menu. Everything is always tidy and well-stocked, and the decor is beautiful. I moved here during COVID, and the owners always makes me feel like family when I go. Such sincerity, care and kindness in this business. You're missing out if you haven't been. :)

Injera wrap are ingenious!! This was such a wonderful place, the servers are friendly and the prices are good.

Best cup of coffee, seriously! Plus a convenient mini market, and a menu of simple, flavorful injera wraps and salads-- lentil sambusas and the veggie wrap with spicy lentils are soo good. The owner and her staff are kind and warm, I always look forward to stopping in. A gem of a neighborhood coffee shop and market, and it's a Black-owned and woman-owned family business.

Alif Brew & Mini Mart is an absolute gem in this neighborhood. Their coffee, pastries, and prepared food is all DELICIOUS - we especially love their iced coffee and special malawah wraps on the weekend. Everyone who works there is incredibly nice and we just love supporting this local, woman-owned small business.

Best place to experience Ethiopian in the area. Better than most Ethiopian restaurants in Philadelphia. Hard to believe something like this exists.

Amazing cafe with great assortment of coffee and teas. I ate here once when indoor dining was allowed. I ordered the eggs with injera it was cooked very well, and the tea and fresh crossing was amazing. I will definitely come back and dine in. Everything is brand new chairs, tables and very clean inside. Definitely a place to check out and visit.

Love this new place! The environment is very cozy and all of the staff are very friendly. I got an iced latte, which was fantastic, and will go back very soon to try their specials and baked goods. I really like that this is a cafe and grocery and can't wait to buy some ingredients to make delicious Ethiopian food at home.