El Café

I’ve walked past this spot a few times on my way to work and finally decided to stop in for a coffee. I didn’t realize the café was connected to a hotel until I stepped inside. I glanced over the menu on the wall and went with a regular iced coffee. When I ordered, the cashier asked what kind of milk I wanted — I asked for 2%, but they only had whole milk, which was fine. As I waited, the barista repeatedly called out “cold brew.” Naturally if I ordered iced coffee and the barista calls out cold brew, I would assume it’s not mine. After a couple of times, I asked if my iced coffee was on the way. She responded, expressionless, “We don’t have iced coffee — we only have cold brew, and it’s brewed differently.” I didn’t feel like pressing the issue, so I just took the drink and walked away. That said, it’s worth noting that cold brew and iced coffee are listed separately on the menu with different prices and brewing methods, so it was confusing. Another thing — I usually don’t tip for a quick coffee run, but their system highlights a 20% tip by default. If you tap through too fast, like I did, you might accidentally leave a tip without realizing it. Overall, the coffee itself wasn’t bad, but as a Philly local, I wasn’t impressed with the service. I won’t be returning.

Decent cafe. Pretty minimalistic design and not a lot seating. The coffee was good but the staff seemed more interested in talking with each other than focusing on service. It was a bit slow. They only offered one size cup. The food was OK, pretty bland but the guacamole that came with the sandwiches was tasty. The tables we sat on had not been wiped in a while and we never saw them service any tables when they had no customers at the counter. We got two lattes, two basic breakfast sandwiches and a small plain pastry and it came to over $40.

The hot coffee and coffee cake were okay. Coffee tasted a bit watered down and the coffee cake was different but good. There are better places around but you can enjoy this.

11/2022: Breakfast tacos are now available. The Jamaica drink is good. 11/2021: Breakfast selection was limited to pastries seen in the first photo as well as coffee, ice coffee, or horchata. That said, the horchata was excellent and so were the pastries. There is plenty of seating in the hotel to enjoy breakfast.

I saw the street sign outside today and I ordered a yummy latte made by a lovely worker named james! I asked if he could make me latte art and he did it came out so pretty and tasted delicious! It wasn’t sweet enough for me personally, so i added some simple syrup (Which they had on the self service bar!) All of the pastries they had looked super yummy but I’m on a diet so i couldn’t have any :( But apparently they’re all made in house every morning in their pastry kitchen. Awesome!!!

Very cute spot. The cafe is right when you walk into the Motto hotel. Menu seems Mexican inspired. The bread I got had no filling but was delicious. The top crust was crunchy while the bread was super soft and fluffy. But the horchata latter got to be the best thing I've had! Amazingly delicious 😋

El Café is a charming spot with a vibrant atmosphere. The Mexican dishes are flavorful and comforting — I can’t wait to go back!

Arrived within the first hour of them opening. No horchata and the saddest torta I've ever seen. Service was good, ambiance also nice, but they clearly have no idea what a torta is. A disgrace for a Mexican themed place

I had a credit of $15 because of my stay and status at the Motto by Hilton hotel. I was excited about the breakfast sandwich with chorizo, egg, cheese, and beans. I got a concha (pineapple coconut) too. Total about $18. I checked out and paid my parking across the street while I waited for my sandwich. They packed it with loving care and included the napkins. Interesting twist... The breakfast sandwich I was SO excited about was forgettable. Chorizo thin, not many beans, egg meh). The concha I got only to up my purchase was one of the best pastries I've ever had! Wow! Hard to rate this based on the disparity of the two items. Service was great.

Good hotel coffee counter run by Condesa, the Mexican restaurant inside the Motto by Hilton. El Cafe is in Motto's lobby; you can't miss them[1]. Coffee is from Reanimator. Aside from coffee products, there are Mexican-style pastries served here, made on-site. Friendly service. Credit accepted. Easy access to the SEPTA 19th Street trolley stop. [1] Unless you haven't had enough coffee. Otherwise it's pretty obvious!

Came here as I was staying at The Motto hotel where this coffee shop is located and needed something quick to grab n go early in the morning. I got a cup of latte ($4.50), which I guess they don't do any sort of flavoring, so it was just plain milk and coffee. Did the job though. I also got an Egg and Cheese Torta ($8), which they had prepackaged in aluminum foil sitting behind them on a warming device. This also came with a green sauce. To my surprise, I found this to taste pretty good. Service is pretty standard. Nothing too much to complain about.

Really solid spot based on my first visit. I'd say it's one of the best new spots to have opened up recently. The staff of El Cafe and the POD hotel (where El Cafe is located in) were all extremely nice. The actual area where you order is pretty small but once you walk further back it's a huge open space where you can pretty much sit anywhere. The space across from the bar/Condesa is really chill, and honestly seems like it could be a good study or work spot to post up at. In terms of the food I only got the chorizo breakfast taco and a horchata latte. Both were really good, but I'd say the taco ($5.50 for the chorizo one) is relatively small. For the quality of the ingredients the price makes sense, but you'll definitely want to get two tacos or one of their pastries if you're hungry. Will definitely be back to try some of their other stuff.

After living in Philly for 8 months a place finally opened that has an horchata latte. Let's start with the fact that I've tried every coffee shop between San Diego and OC that serves an horchata latte. So I'd like to consider myself a self proclaimed expert on the matter. I also just got back from Mexico City, so the taste of good horchata and conchas are fresh. Horchata Latte (2 stars) - $5 are you kidding me. At most it should be $4 or $4.50. The cinnamon is over powering and horchata taste is lacking. Also the viscosity was weird. Very syrupy. The saving grace is the stumptown espresso shots. I wonder what the horchata taste like on its own because that's an all tell of how the latte will be. I think this coffee shop has potential and maybe I'm being harsh cause they're still new but if this going to be a main feature on the coffee menu then it needs to be worked on. Vanilla Concha (2 stars) - $3.50. You can go to an authentic Mexican bakery in south Philly and get one for $1.50 that is actually a concha. This is more of just a fancy sweet bread. Not as flakey as a real concha. The flavor was there for sure but the concha texture reminded me more of kings Hawaiian bread. You can see from the photo that this concha is sad. Overall it's a cute atmosphere. I wish they were playing some cute bachata or cumbia but I don't even recall if there was music on. I'm giving it 2 stars for the time being. I'll be sure to come back in a month or so to see if they've worked on these opening jitters and maybe try a taco cause there's no way I'd ever pay $3.50 for a concha here again.

I was really excited when I saw this place open up as I am always looking for good coffee and pastry options in the Rittenhouse Area! The seating area is quite limited - just two long tables up front, but it opens up the Pod hotel lobby in the back where you can sit as well. The decor is clean, modern, and beautiful. I had the guava, coconut, and cheese concha, which I loved! The combination of flavors seemed a bit random at first, but I thought the flavors complemented each other so well with a perfect mix of savory and sweet. To be honest, this and the ambience would probably be the only things I would come here for. The breakfast taco was good, but nothing mind-blowing or spectacular enough that I would want to pay ~$5 a taco for it again. The horchata latte sounded like it could be unique and good as well but I found it somewhat lacking in spice and too watered down. If I could give this place, 3.5 hours stars I would. 5 stars for the concha and ambience, 2-3 stars for the tacos and horchata latte. I'll be back, but only for the conchas!

Another solid addition to the Rittenhouse cafe/pastry scene! FYI it's located on the ground floor of the new Pod Philly hotel- I walked right by the entrance on 19th Street my first time and had to double back. The main seating once you enter consists of 2 large tables with woven high chairs, though in the back it opens up to Condesa. We ordered the guava, coconut, and cheese concha, a slice of olive oil cake, ojo de pancha, and a chorizo breakfast taco. The concha was a surprise hit, we loved the coconut flavoring to the sweet bread and the guava cheese filling. The olive oil cake was moist and the perfect amount of sweetness. I would definitely recommend the ojo de pancha to banana lovers- it's like banana bread stuffed with a sweet cream cheese filling. The chorizo breakfast taco was underwhelming for $5, not sure why they charge so much for a single taco. The real winners here are the Mexican pastries, definitely worth a try for something different than your typical breakfast pastry.

The best pastry I have had in a long time. The nostalgia when I saw conchas was immediate. I'm Mexican, but there are not many options for conchas In my neighborhood. None of them are worth the drive or the calories. These conchas are exactly as spongy as they should be. I dare say, they might be better than what I've had in Mexico for texture at least. The guava concha was unexpected, a remix, but AMAZING. The spongy treat is filled with guava and has a crunchy, coconut topping that adds an amazing contrast in texture. I foresee me wanting to travel back to Philly for these!

This is a new spot that deserves a little more love so I'm here with my first Yelp review. I've been here twice and plan to pop by in the future for casual meet ups. The quiet unassuming feel of the place tied in with the lovely decor and open space makes for a great ambience to start your day. The breakfast tacos are delicious and their pastries - tasty and different from any other you'd find around the neighborhood. Space: 5/5 Food: 4/5 Wouldn't make a long trip solely to head to this cafe but I do recommend you stop by.

Found this spot while in rittenhouse and am very glad I did! Had a delicious iced horchata latte (dairy free) and a gluten free chocolate pastry (I forget the name, but it was the only gluten free option there) that was delicious! Highly recommend stopping in if you are staying at Pod or just happen to be in the neighborhood

I didn't know what to expect when I walked in. The atmosphere is incredible at first sight. I ordered a Breakfast Taco with a fresh house made Tortilla, crumbled chorizo, sunny side up egg, and a cojita cheese blend. I was met with the best taco I've ever had. The tortilla was amazing, the egg soft and runny, not too burnt or overrun with whites, the chorizo with a incredible layer of heat and meatiness. Then, the cheese. It is simply, the best. Next, I ordered a Concha, which is a mix of a croissant and a cake, with chocolate sauce. It was amazing. The concha was soft, flaky, and sweet with a hint of vanilla. The chocolate was amazing, freshly made, with chocolate, herbal, and fruity notes. Simply put it, El Cafe is the best cafe. Note: The service is impeccable.

Oh man. I found myself near 19th and chestnut in the morning so I decided to stop by as I read about the place yesterday and I LOVE suraya. Ordered the chorizo breakfast tacos for me and the people in my office. Seriously delicious. Perfect size where you feel satisfied and not overly full. Everyone loved it. Can't wait to try the full restaurant.

This is one of the best cafes I've ever been to! I ordered an almond milk cappuccino and a vanilla concha - the cappuccino was strong and balanced, and the concha was soooo good. Light, airy, warm, with a buttery and vanilla flavor. Great place to sit down and do some work or to just sit and hang out with a friend

The pastries here are absolutely exquisite. You can most definitely tell that there is an authentic love and care to the products they provide. The tortilla for their breakfast tacos are not only fresh, but tender, and made from imported corn to play to their authentic nature. The espresso drinks were too divine and will absolutely be stopping here for my breakfast needs from now on.