Café Lutécia

The best quiche in town! We got the classic quiche, crab/corn chowder, Brie and tomato quiche and the hot pancetta BLT sandwich. We also got two ice lattes and everything was so perfect. One of the best breakfast/ brunch spots in Philly!

Review: Cafe Lutecia – A Hidden French Gem in Philly Tucked away in a quiet corner of Philadelphia, Cafe Lutecia is the kind of place that makes you feel like you’ve stumbled into a cozy Parisian café by accident—and then never want to leave. From the moment I walked in, the warmth of the space and the staff made it clear this was going to be something special. The service was exceptional—friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming without being overbearing. It's the kind of place where the staff remembers your name and your favorite order if you come more than once. One standout detail that really elevated my visit? The fresh juicer behind the counter. I ordered a glass of fresh-pressed orange juice, and it was nothing short of perfect—vibrant, sweet, and just the right amount of tang. You can taste the difference when something is that fresh. Whether you're stopping in for a coffee or a light, thoughtfully prepared lunch, Cafe Lutecia delivers on every front. It’s quaint, it's charming, and it’s easily one of Philly’s best-kept secrets.

Fresh, creative, and well executed dishes! If your looking for a relaxing lunch this is the place. If you're in a rush save it for later. Their BLT is awesome and so is the cheesecake! The service was great they clearly care about your experience. Support your local shops!

This charming, family-owned spot is very cute and has a warm atmosphere. I like their pastries: we got croissant with jam and butter and cinnamon scone. We decided to go with the egg platters this time around. While initially quite plain – a canvas of just eggs – a sprinkle of salt and pepper brought them to life. The staff here couldn’t be friendlier, though I will say the popular weekend crowd means service can take a little while. So, if you’re planning a visit, a bit of patience will go a long way.

Great mom and pops spot! I found out It’s family owned and operated. I truly LOVE the food, I have tried so many different sandwiches and soups every time I come by! Have never had such good sandwiches on baguettes in Philly before! Heads up there isn’t a big kitchen and they have a basque French woman making everything herself so be patient and your food will 110% be worth it. Great spot!

Family-owned cute little place that serves classic french fare. It can get pretty busy on weekends so plan accordingly. Soups are delicious, and the quiches are nice and airy. Will get some of the famous sandwiches next time.

Ordered the Lutécia BLT and a soup and half sandwich combo. The BLT had savory pancetta and paired well with the avocado. I recommend getting some more cracked pepper onto the sandwich for the contents beneath the fried egg for an even tastier sandwich. The soup of the day was a smoked turkey kale soup which was very hearty and delicious, good for cold weather. Indoor environment is very cozy and atmospheric, very charming little spot and service was awesome as well. I recommend coming here!

Friendly and speedy service. My urban goat cheese omelette was tasty and the side salad was a very nice mix of vegetables. Banana and Nutella turnover was pretty good. Will definitely go back.

It is clear that this is a very beloved restaurant and for good reason! The atmosphere feels cozy and warm and the service was friendly and helpful. They appear to be family owned with a true passion for high quality ingredients. Their menu is a mix of comfort foods and a unique takes on the classics. It was truly so hard to choose what to order because everything sounded phenomenal. I opted for a soup and sandwich combo of the tomato bisque with a Brie and jam sandwich. The bread on the sandwich, melty Brie, and sweet jam was phenomenal. My partner loved the quiche and house salad combo he ordered. We took a chocolate braid pastry to go and it was truly perfect. I will absolutely be coming back for another meal.

Overall the ambiance is soooo cute and Parisian!! The service was fu**ing amazing!! Jordane was sooooooo sweet and kind to everyone in the building! It was soooo cute to see her work the room and pretty much know everyone by name. My partner and i were visiting Philly but this made us feel like HOME!!! The food was soooo delicious and fresh! The BLT is AMAZING!!!! It's a MUST!!! This is a family owned business, so Val the cook is the family matriarch and Jordane is her daughter. I was just absolutely wowed at the experience! I will for sure be coming back And, to mention! I learned all of this in one visit.

Our favorite spot in the neighborhood. Yes sometimes it takes a few mins to get your food etc but it's a family run small restaurant that takes their time to make sure everything is perfect! All the veggies are super fresh every time and the Alesia sandwich is incredible with a tomato bisque! Their orange juice is also amazing and so fresh. BYO! So can make a little mimosa for brunch with the delicious juice. Just be patient and you'll be happy you're there

If you're ever in Fitler Square for weekend brunch, I would highly recommend Cafe Lutecia! It seems like a family run operation, with an older French couple(?) doing all the cooking. Big portions here so come hungry. We started off with the patê and cornichons; the patê was super savory and great to spread on the bread they give you with a portion of dijon mustard. They seem to run specials every Saturday so we had to order the French basque hoagie: massive sandwich with chorizo and ham and cheese, topped with sweet peppers and a fried egg. A perfect cure to kick your hangover. The landaise salad might not be the healthiest but the smoked duck with a fried egg on a bed of greens sure was delicious. Great people, lots of food, and feels authentically like a Parisian cafe, what more could you ask for?

terrible place, people are rude and food is bad. Also overpriced. Don't waste your time and money!

I can't believe this is the first time I came to this charming little French spot. They have a wonderful varied selection of sandwiches, salads, soups, and quiche. There's also a Basque corner on the menu. The services cheerful and relaxed. Everything about my experience was perfect. Very laid-back and lovely

Food was out of this world. Very interesting menu. Wonderful neighborhood vibe. Great service.

Food was fantastic! My go to restaurant every time I visit Philly! Love the tables outside in such a cute neighborhood

Omg the cutest brunch place in the neighborhood! I walked by countless times but either it looked dark and closed or all the outdoor tables were full and I didn't wanna wait. Now I know that a) they were actually closed thos times lol, the glass just looks dark from the outside And b) we have lovely neighbors who are generally respectful and do not dawdle and take up space when others are obviously waiting so the line moves fast. The service was very friendly but low key and the food came very quickly. Overall the menu is very no-frills, not trying to be edgy or "interesting" per se. I wouldn't say the food is what draws me here. It's more the ambiance and the whole package. But I do like that none of the food sounded too heavy. Just simple light cafe food. I enjoyed a lovely duck salad and a cup of soup. Both were light but comforting and seasoned very well. Was eyeing the quiche or a ham sandwich but maybe next time! Very dog friendly place also. The coffee was... Aiight. Would not come here just for coffee. But definitely will be back for a chill day off late morning brunch and friendly neighborhood vibes.

I love, love, french food. When I found out there was a neighborhood coffee shop that specializes in French Food I was estactic however how's the food? I went and ordered the most expensive item on the menu the Croque Monsiuer for breakfast. So basically your getting two pieces of bread nothing special at all with this bread mind you a beautiful looking egg with a little bit too much pepper, ham and I want to say brie wedged between. The sandwich was lacking flavor and needed jam or something else. I will give them another try for other items however as other reviewers have stated this place isn't exactly cheap. I wanted to like it but defintely cannot recommend the Croque Monsieur.

Food was great! We stopped by for a quick breakfast and the place was very cute and cozy. We got the croque madame and it was excellent. Service was also quick and friendly.

Still amazing and had such a friendly neighborhood vibe to it. Bread is still fire. So happy that they take credit card now too.

Our server was amazing! She was personable and a delight. The food was great and I would recommend to anyone. Five stars through and through. Thanks for making our stay inPhiladelphia that much more enjoyable!!!!

Stopped for a quick lunch and we were thrilled. The tuna salad did not disappoint, and the quiche was excellent. A great family business that you definitely need to check out.

a cute neighborhood french-ish cafe spot - on the pricier side (2 eggs with any meat is automatically $12 and it's not a lot of food) but a wonderful place to sit outside and enjoy the weather. would come for a coffee and something smaller, but not really a full meal. there seems to be a line starting around 11:30 AM but tbh I think this place is worth visiting only if you can hop in.

Fyi Cafe Lutecia accepts credit cards now (except Amex). Very small space with a cute French feel. Very cozy and warm. Walked in today and my glasses fogged up! Was comfortable once I sat for a bit. I had the sandwich du jour which was pot roast with au jus, mustard, micro greens, and a fried egg on a french baguette. I loved it, it was delicious! The bread was crispy and perfect and the meat was flavorful and moist. The egg was nice and runny. Would definitely recommend. My friends got a ham and Brie sandwich and the smoked salmon and creme fraiche omelet and both really liked their dishes. They also have a full espresso bar and have pastries (croissants, muffins, etc.) Lunch menu and brunch menu from 10/28/18 attached to this review.

A quaint little local cafe with yummy French food! My friend and I ordered two omelettes. The server was nice and offered to customize mine due to dietary restrictions, which was great. A bit pricey but the egg was very soft and flavorful. We also ordered a chocolate croissant for dessert. Yum!! Soft and flakey. Would return!!

We ordered light catering for a friends baby shower here and were so happy with it. The staff was so friendly and helpful in selecting our order. We had two quiches, scones and beignets - all delicious. The beignets were huge! I'd love to come back and dine in outside as it has nice outdoor seating.

Fantastic little neighborhood French style cafe. I come to Philadelphia a few times a year for work and have started coming here for lunch. Very cute spot with a few outdoor tables. Biggest tip: Bring a friend and a bottle of wine and sit outside on a sunny day. Their soups are delicious and I only ever get the ham and Brie sandwich so can't comment on anything else. Espresso is also good. The girl that serves is very friendly and just the right amount of attentive. If this were in my neighborhood in Seattle I would be here often.

I adore this little French Cafe. I'm giving it 5 stars because the staff is lovely and can tell that they really get to know their customers! BUT their croque madame is nothing spectacular - I would recommend any other one of their hot sandwiches. Their soups are also delicious! They also make a great fresh lemonade! Dog and kid friendly - I always see a cute pup when I go.

Go for the soup and maybe a coffee. A shared app of warm goat cheese and bread, 2 lemonades, a cup of soup, a bowl of soup, and a shared sandwich between two patrons clocked in over 60 bucks....it was good, but not quite That good in my book compared to other spots in the city. Nevertheless, we had a nice time, the food is good quality, and the service was nice. We sat outside and people watched on a bustling Sunday afternoon. They also make homemade muffins.

A true neighborhood cafe that is serving high quality French food. Their menu is fairly extensive for such a small kitchen and space and includes sandwiches, omelette, and daily specials. The inside is always crowded and you get very cozy with your neighbors but that adds to the charm. Once the weather warms up eating outside is an option you should always take. I've never had a bad meal here although the portions are fairly small and the prices a little high. No matter, I'm happy to support such a wonderful family business. If the bread pudding is available, get it!

The ambience was very cute and laid back. The waitresses were very nice and could always be found. This place has the homey feeling. You can sit at the counter if you want and watch your food be made. They also have great outdoor seating. The food wasn't anything special but the atmosphere is the reason to go!

A great walkable neighborhood (Graduate Hospital, Fitler Square and Rittenhouse) French cafe that serves hot and cold sandwiches, soup, salads, omelettes and more. Super cozy ~20 seat cafe with attentive and very friendly staff. I cannot believe this was the first visit to this place and I have been living around the area for 2.5 years. Shame on me. Nevertheless, the corner cafe gives great views of Lombard St. with nice big windows while you sip on your coffee and read the paper. I really enjoyed the sausage and tater tot quiche, wow. Big flavor and made with love. They have a few daily special soups and quiches that aim to please. My wife really enjoyed her ham and brie sandwich on a plentiful baguette. Quaint and loving cafe....will make this part of the rotation now.

Food was solidly average. Nothing special. The service, however, left much to be desired. The server was seldom checking in on us. My partner ordered another cup of tea, which never arrived. What did arrive, however; was the check, even though we weren't finished and wanted to order some items to go. I then spoke to the server who failed to apologize. Won't be back.

Best brunch in Fitler Square - fantastic food, ambiance, and service! Everything we've tried has been great but our favorites are the breakfast sandwich with bacon, egg, and brie on a croissant, Gaulois sandwich, and Duck salad. The iced latte is also delicious and refreshing. Eat here as soon as you have a chance!

My boyfriend and I stopped by for brunch here Sunday morning. After Yelping a few places in the area we decided to try Cafe Lutecia. We arrived around 11 am and decided to sit outside since the inside felt a bit cramped to us. We were greeted by a super friendly waitress who promptly took our order and brought us our coffee. The menu is pretty limited but we were both craving an omelette so decided to go with that. I ordered the chive and goat cheese omelette and my boyfriend got the mushroom and cheese ($12). The omelettes were served with a beautiful side salad (additional $2) which was pretty to look at but pretty small to charge us for. My boyfriend also ordered a side of sausage ($3) which didn't arrive until we had basically finished eating. All in all we had an enjoyable time here and the food was good, but found it a bit overpriced for what we got. Not sure if we'd be back, but definitely an enjoyable experience if you're looking to sit outside and enjoy brunch without a wait.

Cute little Parisian cafe. Excellent quiche and soup of the day brunch (quiche had lots of fresh vegetables and the soup was a hearty bowl of tomato bisque). Was a great way to start the morning without eating too much food in the AM!

Oh Mon Dieu, I cannot stop telling people about the wonderful dinner experience I had here the other night! Yes, you read that correctly: Dinner. The Fitler Square neighborhood has been keeping a giant secret from you, and it's authentic French Tuesday Dinners at Cafe Lutecia from 6-9pm, BYOB, no reservations (you can call ahead to put your name down). On those nights the sleepy cafe is transformed into a bustling neighborhood hang where all 25 seats are full, the wine is flowing, the staff is laughing, joking (and occasionally taking shots with) customers who seem (and probably are) more like old friends, an adorable french lady (the owner) stops by to chat about your (delicious) meal, and an impressive array of tapas (think Brie and fig crostini, spanish omelette, and other delights) is spread out for you to drool over and choose from. The menu is small and changes every week- tapas ($2-5 a piece), a few small plates ($5-12), 5ish larger plates ($12-20) (not full entree size, but maybe this is why French people are skinny?), and a few desserts ($6ish). Check their instagram for a preview, or if you want to torture yourself. "The Fat Four", as we call ourselves, took down the following with several tapas: - Coquille St Jacques a L'espagnole- scallops perfectly cooked, a little spicy, and with potatoes, these were everyone's favorite- must try. - Salade Landaise Chaude- Large duck leg, topped with yolky egg, delicious dressing, amazing, if this is on the menu, get it. - Escargot- we asked for extra bread for all the butter and fought over the extras. - Roasted Pork Belly- very fatty but very amazing. - Duck Pate- Holy duck this was good. So creamy and flavorful. - Cauliflower au gratin- cheesy, creamy, more bread for dipping please? - Grilled Garlic Shrimp- very messy (they're head on, so if that skeeves you out, beware) but very flavorful. - Anchovies in vinaigrette - not my favorite but others loved them. The vinaigrette was great. - White Asparagus with bernaise- the bernaise was great but the consistency of the asparagus wasn't great- the only thing I'd skip next time. The desserts! Chocolate bread pudding made from chocolate croissants! Amazing. Lemon Meringue Tart with Meringue so high you'd think you were skiing in the alps. Honestly we were pretty full, but we probably could have had more because it was so good! I sincerely apologize to the Fitler Square Neighborhood for spreading this secret, and especially to my friend's parents, who have been eating here weekly, but (like almost all of the dishes) this is too good not to share! Tres Bon! Magnifique! Delicieux! Excellent (it's the same in French)!

Perfect for a low-key brunch at a quaint family-owned cafe! I came here with a friend on a Saturday for brunch, and we wee seated right away. Cafe Lutecia was the perfect amount of busy - enough to create a nice brunch atmosphere, but not too much that you couldn't hear yourself. I got their iced coffee, which for $2 or $3, is a complete steal as the cup was ginormous! Perfect for coffee addicts like me. I got a mushroom omelette with salad, and my friend got their 1/2 soup, 1/2 sandwich deal (she chose vegan lentil soup and a turkey sandwich). My omelette was pretty good and so was the salad that accompanied it. My friend loved her soup (which smelled delicious), but the turkey sandwich looked and (according to her) tasted average. Nothing to complain about the service. 4 stars, and I would return again for brunch to try out one of their quiches!

Perfect place for a weekend brunch! Small but old fashioned stylish French cafe. I had the classic quiche Loraine and my friend tried the Spanish style quiche with potatoes in it. Both tasted great! The side salad is fresh and tasty as well.

My bf and I talk about Café Lutecia all the freaking time. Here's what you need to know: 1. Space is limited but the atmosphere is super cozy and inviting. As Michelle C. pointed out in her reviews, this cafe has all the charm of lunch at your grandma's house. 2. This cafe is cash only. It's definitely worth it, just make sure you stop by the ATM beforehand. Lunch could run you around $10-15/ per person depending on if you opt for a side salad or some of the other extras. 3. Food-wise everything was great. Again, the food has a very homey feel to it. We had the African Peanut Soup, Quiche Lorraine, and half of a sandwich that I can't remember.

The perfect spot for a quick bite to eat with a relaxed ambiance. Was pleasantly surprised with how tasty the food was, but overwhelmed with the great service. Hard to find a place that can do it all and maintain affordable prices in these times. Don't sleep on this little gem!

Simply Awesome. Food was great. Staff was friendly. Get soup and pate. Will have to try croissant

Best kept secret in Fitler Square (or maybe in Philly)! I love everything from the cappuccinos to the baguettes, goat cheese, quiche and service. It's on a quaint corner so outdoor dining is lovely in nice weather.

Unique menu of many options! Very authentic French vibes!! Sandwiches are a bit pricey for what you're getting though.

I came here on a recommendation from a friend who lives in Grad Hospital. I ordered the Croque-Madame and their Mottz Ball and Chicken Soup which was their Jewish special for Rash Hashana. I'm not Jewish but wanted to give it a try. The Croque-Madame has no flavor, deitz and Watson ham and was sandwiched between two massive pieces of white bread. It was not good at all. Miel Pattisserie on 17th and walnut has a croque madame that will put this place out of business. I went in for the soup and they gave me their tomato bisque. That was okay but not what I ordered. Won't be back. Good luck with the pandemic. You're going to need to do better to stay in business.

Every thing is excellent her, the coffee, baguettes, the service, the staff, and the location Try the sandwich called the Celtic.

I wanted to love this place. Hipster vibe, Opera News in the window. It is clearly a family neighborhood joint, but if you're not in that crowd, you're just not a priority to get served. We waited almost 25 min for a cold soup, tomato & basil & mozz salad, and two omelettes. Why they couldn't bring out the soup and salad after 5-10 min is beyond me, it takes 10 seconds to pour soup and another 60 seconds to chop up some tomato mozz and basil and pour some olive oil on top. The waiters in the back seemed to be taking their time, sipping on coffee, you know generally enjoying life as I gazed sadly at the couple outside getting fed the delicious food I so desperately wanted in my mouth. First world problem, yes. But if my bill is going to be $40 for a meal I can make for $5 at home, then at least can it take a little less time that almost half an hour? The restaurant was also only half full. When we said something about how long the food was taking, we were told other people had ordered before us. Then it was later giggled at when we brought it up again. Basically, we started to get hangry. I hate to be "that" customer because when I first sat down I really loved it. But by the end, we left irritated and upset that the waiters couldn't even apologize for the delay or offer us some coffee on the house while we waited. Not sure how this place stays in business if it can't feed a half full restaurant.

This is the homiest little mom & pop French cafe. The owners are a sweet couple that have been in this location for decades. I stop in a couple times a week just to remain balanced. Food is great.

Amazing food. Sandwiches and soups are always really good. Also always have to end with a delicious pastry. One of our new got to spots!

This place is the BEST. I downloaded the yelp app just to write a review. My favorite little place to eat or grab a coffee in Philly. Family owned, great menu, fair prices for what you get, good service. I love it here! Very cute location too, perfect to sit outside on a nice day. Would recommend any of the sandwiches, tomato bisque, or even just the French baguette with butter and homemade jam.

I totally agree with the negative reviews about the food, especially the Croque Monsieur and Croque Madame. Restaurants should it "Bastardize" a classic menu item. I ate at Cafe Lutecia last week and the Croque Monsieur was the absolute worst I ever had!!! I ordered the last of the fresh squeezed orange juice as the server mentioned. The glass was not full and she still charged full price for the glass of orange juice.

My favorite place in the city! The food, the cute ambiance and the staff are all amazing. I cant wait to go back.

My daughter and I have been going to Lutécia since she was a baby. She's now four, and she insists on a muffin every time, and will not share. Fantastic food, atmosphere & a place to feel "at home." Un grand merci.

I love, love, LOVE this place. My college French professor introduced me to this small spot more than a few moons ago - not only is there French memorabilia here, there's FRENCH FOOD. We sat inside (though it was nice enough to sit outside) and enjoyed the ambiance, wonderful, personable service, and the out-of-this-world dishes. Luckily, prices are NOT out-of-this-world. Don't forget to get the quiche, it's in-croy-able (incredible)! Worth a trip, and highly recommended.

How did I not review this place earlier? It was a happy haven when I lived nearby. Service is friendly. There are French magazines. They know they regulars (and have regulars), which is a good sign. Sit down, take your time, enjoy your food or beverage. The cappuccinos are good! The pastries are good, but the selection varies. Their hours seem a bit haphazard, so it's not always open when you need it. We discovered it as a welcome alternative to the pricey brunch spots in the area. Tres lovely!

Good solid fresh food, buuuut it was my impression that they were trying too hard. The menu had plenty of brie, exotic salamis, greens, and whatnot. They must specialize or be famous for their quiches. They had several types of tap... I had the Reed's Ginger drink. As someone who loves ginger I loved this drink, I uploaded a picture. It was most definitely very ginger-y!! We chose to be seated outside with Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Charlie for lunch. They brought Charlie a doggie water bowl; I thought that was a nice touch. On the other hand the seats were a wobbly, but nothing too life-changing. Overall, although tasty I have trouble justifying paying $8 for a salami, bree, lettuce, and tomato sandwich for lunch. No credit cards.

I love this place!! Everything I have eaten here had been simple and delicious. I love that there is no fluff, just good quality ingredients placed in beautiful soups, pastries, sandwiches, quiche, and salads. Also, there lattes are delicious! When it's warm out, it is a true delight to eat outside. Finally, the staff is so friendly!! :)