Gleaner's Cafe

During my extensive search to discover the top 10 coffee shops in Philadelphia, Gleaners Café stood out with the highest rating I have come across so far, making it an obvious choice for a visit. Situated in the heart of the Italian market, this café is a hidden gem that I had the pleasure of visiting many years ago shortly after its opening, witnessing its evolution over time. Gleaners Café boasts a delightful array of coffee options provided by La Colombe, as well as a selection of delicious food and treat offerings. For those with specific dietary preferences, they also offer vegetarian options that can be easily modified to suit a vegan diet. Among the items I sampled was a decaf Americano, freshly brewed and served in a charming coffee cup - a detail that I appreciated. Accompanying my coffee was a lightly toasted everything bagel with a generous spread of hummus, perfectly toasted to create a delightful afternoon snack. The menu at Gleaners Café is truly impressive, featuring a diverse range of drink selections and a tempting array of cakes, pastries, and miniature treats, all at very reasonable prices. Stepping into the café, I was immediately struck by the inviting atmosphere that exuded a cozy charm with its tasteful decor. The space is adorned with local art on its floors, countertops, and tables, lending a unique and creative touch to the ambiance. The chairs themselves are distinct and add to the overall character of the café. It is clear that Gleaners Café has established itself as a beloved hub within the community, as evidenced by the extensive community board that occupies a prominent place within the space. This thriving community board speaks volumes about the café, indicating that it serves as a gathering place where people come together to connect and enjoy good company.

This café is such a gem. I stopped in for the first time this past Monday and visited again this afternoon. Both times were amazing. The baristas are warm, friendly, and genuinely knowledgeable about the menu. I ordered the Goldie both times. It’s a golden turmeric tea latte with ginger, topped with cinnamon and its beyond delicious. I love that theirs consistency in their drink making. The vibe is super welcoming and easy to settle into. I’m so glad I stumbled upon this spot while out produce shopping on 9th Street. Definitely coming back.

Fantastic community spot. The staff is high energy and so friendly. The type of place where you walk in and everyone is happy to see you. The coffee isn’t my favorite (flavor wise) but they always change up their special drinks. Simple offering of food and solid selection of pastries. Cash only (but there’s an ATM inside)

A wonderful and inclusive cute cafe! The workers here are super friendly and welcoming, and the place itself has a very queer-friendly and grassroots atmosphere! I would definitely recommend coming here if you’re looking for a great place to get a coffee!

I was walking with my daughter and we decided to stop in this coffee shop. Friendly service, a vintage vibe and a very artsy feel. The sweets looked awesome; but, we just stopped in for coffee. On display were beautiful quilts that one can purchase. Whether stopping for a coffee or a sweet treat, the atmosphere is most welcoming. Looking forward to a return visit.

The immense amount of love I have for Gleaner's is endless. I come from another part of Philly to enjoy the wonderful atmosphere, the amazing staff, and the delicious drinks. Honestly, one of the best places in Philadelphia to simply relax and enjoy a warm cup of tea (or coffee). Absolutely worth the walk, drive, or adventure to :)

These have got to be the nicest Baristas in philly. They are super welcoming right when you enter, and super chippy and friendly when ordering. We come here in the midst of the italian market festival and even though they were almost closing they welcomed us in and helped us with everything we needed. We came back the next day and even though they were doing disposable cups for the festival they let us use one of their favorite mugs which was a great one. They have a bring your own mug deal with is a really cool idea. The coffee they use is la Columbia which has some of the best coffee in philly. It is rich and creamy which was perfect. The place itself is cute with good art and nice big windows.

Great cafe, with plenty of coffee options. The iced americano was made perfectly, bold espresso, and good overall flavor. It’s located right on 9th Street in the heart of the Italian market in Philadelphia.

11/10/24 came in as looking to try out different coffee shops nearby and got the Painkiller bagel which is 2 eggs, with spicy ketchup and a latte. Nice staff and the sandwich was good but wish they had pork roll or bacon to add. May com back to try the Gleaner sandwich which looks good, small space so limited seating.

The people are great. The coffee is great and the bagels are out of this world! I didn't know what to expect, and the bagel I got was with cream cheese, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and artichoke hearts and more. It all blended so well together. Who would think that a bagel sandwich would compete well with all the great hoagie places that are in Philadelphia, But it is better than a lot of hoagies that I've had from great places. The staff is so friendly, and there coffee is excellent. Great little neighborhood café that you have to try.

Tiny coffee shop with fun decor: Art on the walls, eclectic furnishings and fun vintage touches. I enjoyed my Vanilla latte w/Oatmilk and the light-hearted mood of the staff.

I loved the friendly ladies behind the counter. I loved the LaColombe coffee. It's quaint and definitely a place you should try out. Being cash only in a coffee shop in 2023 is just annoying. I used the ATM and it was $2 to do that. I get that there's no pressure to use it but it's not like there's a bank or Wawa next door to get cash easily. You're kind of stuck in the moment. I can go to every other coffee shop around and use Apple Pay with no hassle. Raise the coffee price a quarter to cover CC fees. I swear no one will mind.

Gleaner's Cafe is a quaint little cafe that sits in the Italian Market. I was passing through with a friend of mine who recommended this spot. Be aware that they only take cash and that they're small and it gets pretty packed on the weekends, but they move fairly quickly. My lavender lemonade was delicious with just the right amount of sweetness to floral note ratio and my cranberry orange muffin was nice and moist just how I like it. No complaints from me here. Gleaner's Cafe has my full endorsement.

CASH ONLY! loved this spot for my sisters and I to enjoy some coffee and a small breakfast treat. They have all kinds of coffee as well as pastries. They are cash only and have limited seats inside too. The staff is beyond friendly and made us out of towners feel welcomed. Loved how they put my pastry on a cute vintage plate! They also offer art on the walls for sale too

Great coffee shop in the Italian Market! Love the Coffee, the pastries and the team behind it all!

We stopped by Gleaner's Cafe for a coffee when we were exploring the South 9th Street Italian Market shopping district last Saturday. It's TINY. But also very cute. And the service was great! Very charming - check it out if you need a coffee in the area! FYI - It's cash only!

I frequent here every so often for an afternoon pick-me-up during remote work days, so might as well give them a lil' shout-out on the Y. TBH, for my cappuccino and sweet treat hankerings, I go to Anthony's down the block, but something keeps me coming back here. I think it's the friendly staff and the interesting rotation of seasonal drinks they have on deck. Most notably (and two seasons too late now): the Rosey. It's a pink lemonade, but like the one from that scene in Bridesmaids where she's handed a glass of it while driving and goes "Ahh shit, that's fresh." It's FRESH fresh. Lemonade, rose syrup, and probably 2 to 3 other ingredients I'm missing, but it's my absolute fav. I think the one barista told me they could make it year-round since they have all the ingredients, so I may have to take them up on the offer. I'm hardly in the mood for bagel sandwiches unless I'm hungover, but they got a nice selection of that, as well as - obviously - coffee. Pastries and cookies in the glass case are enticing (and tasty...I've had a few!), but I'm an Anthony's stan through and through. The only caveat is...it's small in there and also tends to take a while if you order food, so exercise patience. CASH ONLY, and also they give you a little Hershey's kiss with every order which is just adorable.

For years all I heard was how much everyone loves this place so i finally stopped in. No Wi-Fi, cash payments only. Hard pass, it's 2023. Too many equal or better options with a better standard of service.

Found myself having to go to Esposito's for an emergency sausage run. Afterward was trying to find a place to wait for Lyft. Walked north looking for coffee & found Gleaner's Cafe, a tiny jewel box of a pastry & coffee shop. The 2 lovely people behind the counter were so very helpful to an outsider like me. Obviously a local place for neighbors to meet, talk, read or just bask in their own quiet solitude. I ordered a cider donut, something Ive read about but never experienced. That stops now. I already love fall but these donuts ramped it up a few notches. Got a few mini pastries to take home & two cheese danish for breakfast tomorrow. This will be a regular stop on my weekly shopping trip to the Italian Market. FCF: good tables inside but be aware its a small cosy shop so better to take it outside where there are tables & seating. Dont let it deter you, my fluffy friends. Those cider donuts are worth it.

Super friendly, reasonable prices, cute pastries, pleasant outdoor tables, a great escape from the Italian Market

This is without question my favorite coffee shop in the city. It is the most warm, welcoming little shop. A genuinely special place that I look forward to going to every day. The folks who work there are honestly the nicest people you'd ever hope to meet. And on top of the super friendly family vibe, the food and coffee are amazing! A real gem in south Philly.

I haven't tried a bunch off the menu, but came here to write that I was having a terrible day, and the staff were so kind to me. Long story short, I was short on cash (they're cash only) after wanting to treat myself. I had enough cash to buy a coffee cake, and they threw in some extra goodies as they could probably tell I was having a DAY. I didn't realize until after I left their store, but wanted to give the lovely people there a shout out - you really brightened my day! Oh, and the coffee cake is pretty bomb.

I love Gleaner's so much. They are so nice there and gave me a cupcake and animal stickers. :)

Gleaner's Cafe is a little boutique cafe with a very chill vibe. Good assortment of coffees and teas. They also offer vegan and vegetarian foods and pastries. The staff is super friendly and atmosphere is very local. The only reason I gave them 4 stars instead of 5 was the fact that they don't accept credit cards. Cash only!

Full marks for a quick coffee stop on a day of walking. This tiny cafe feels homey and kind, with the two baristas behind the narrow counter busy greeting and sharing pleasantries with regulars. There was barely any wait, which was entirely pleasant as the good vibes of this place were absorbed while I drank my cup of water and admired the sweet dog who was waiting for his regular treat from the staff. Outside there is plenty of seating, perfect for a break to sip coffee and nibble pastries.

The service here is wonderful! Makes me wish I lived in Philly so I could come back every morning. The women behind the counter is incredibly kind!!! Great cup of coffee and bagel too!

Just moved into the neighborhood and have already been here twice. Simply amazing food and drinks and such nice people! All the ordering is done outside for COVID precautions. You can pay in cash or on VENMO which is nice and convenient. Entire menu is on the window in nice big letters. Your usual drinks, lots of bagels, sandwiches on bagels, baked goods are available and all the prices aren't crazy. We had the gleaner sandwich which was delicious! Excellent bagel and then artichoke hearts with mozzarella cheese pickled onions and some other things. Absolutely amazing! Nice and fresh and an excellent morning breakfast sandwich. Will have to be back to try the rest of their sandwiches. Also had a petal pusher drink which was again great. None of the flavors were overwhelming but everything came through nicely at just the right amount. Also had a lavender-matcha tea-lemonade this weekend and again, just a perfect blend of flavors. The host is just so nice and welcoming and very helpful. The sandwiches are bagged in creative ways and just all around it seems like they really care about their business. If you're in the area, or even aren't, this is a must try place.

I have been coming to Gleaners for years and cannot say enough good things about it. The Gleaner is their signature sandwich which is fresh mozzarella, artichokes, tomato, basil and pesto aioli on a bagel. I also have been known to just order an everything bagel with butter from them when I have a hangover. They have a ton of vegan pastries and treats as well which I have not tried much of because I'm not vegan. They are just the sweetest people and the owner is incredibly kind. They go above and beyond by decorating your paper bag and throw a Hershey kiss in there every time! Their coffee is slightly bare bones (I don't think they have any flavors aside from maybe vanilla?) but I really enjoy it. The other thing is they are cash only- though they have an ATM inside!

there's no wi-fi so you know what that means.. it's not full of anti-social yuppies staring at spreadsheets or whatever. prople are actually socializing with each other... unreal. fast service, good sandwiches and a great neighborhood spot. if you want wi-fi and credit card transactions you can go to starbucks up the street and enjoy the lifeless atmosphere and the smell of fresh piss from south street.

Tasty coffee and pleasant service. Plenty of non-coffee options available also. Art on the wall is a nice touch

Gleaner's is my good friend's local coffee shop. I have not been to Philly without a visit to Gleaner's. This is the cafe version of Cheers! Everyone knows your name, what's going on with your life and if they hear a sniffle, they are sincerely concerned for your health. The ship itself is king with some tables outside a couple small tables up front and in the back. It's definitely tight quarters...probably not the best for strollers. I like the quirky knick knacks around like the cacti and moonshine salt and pepper shakers! For some reason I'm into all things cactus!! The art on the walls in this trip were super bright and colorful pieces made from Anthony K.. I was drawn to the tiger style creature. Instagram: ak.cosmos My friend and I ordered bagel sandwiches that are a steal at around $6-$7 buckaroos. I wasn't feeling to adventuress so I decided on the tomato mozzarella. The clerk still threw in the pesto aioli to spice things up for me. When the sandwiches were brought over they came with a KISS.... A Hershey's kiss of course! Very filing and afforable sandwiches. La Colombe is the coffee here and it's one of my favorite east coast coffee companies so I'm pretty happy with their choice.

Went here three times in the two days I stayed in this neighborhood. Delicious bagels and coffee. Suuuuper friendly staff!!! Offers indoor and outdoor dining. Cash only but they have an atm inside

Gleaners is such a hidden gem! The Italian market is known for the Italian food and outdoor markets, so I feel like it is easy for people to walk right past this coffee shop without second thought. Gleaners has great coffee and vegetarian breakfast sandwich options as well as a variety of local pastries. They staff is always so kind and you can tell that they really care about the community. Every time I have gone, they have decorated the paper brown bag that my sandwich comes in and it always puts a smile on my face because they're so adorable and the extra effort is much appreciated.

This is the happiest place in south Philly, the ladies behind the counter are wonderful and the art and ambiance are so great. Love it!

Gleaner's is a cool little coffee shop/gallery smack dab in the middle of The Italian Market. It's heavy on La Colombe Coffee and the smell of stagnant cigarettes. but the cool staff, awesome artwork, and interesting regulars more than make up for it. Right now Gleaners has a cool display of skateboard art that is very worth checking out.

This neighborhood spot is a true gem. Everything is pretty well price-pointed and Gleaners has a delicious variety of options. This time I got a large cappuccino and a donut. They said they don't always have the donuts but if they do, you must treat yourself because they are phenomenal. Last time I got the painkiller bagel which was awesome too. It was my first eggs & ketchup experience but I had to hold myself back from ordering it again this time. They have lots of breakfast bars for sale and the mini muffins are only $0.50 each. Limited seating inside but a good amount outside too. Be mindful this place is cash only!

This place is the best. There's no WiFi, you have to write shop and slurp and talk to people. You know....what cafés are for. Oui, oui. Oh and it's named after Agnes Varda.

This place has the nicest most accommodating baristas In Philadelphia. It doesn't matter what time of the day you come in or how close to closing they are- they will get you your order. The seating out front is great for people watching and hanging out. The drink selection is on point and it's always very clean in there. I am so glad this place stuck it out and made it through lockdown. Truly a gem.

Cafe is incredibly friendly sadly often to a fault - I regularly see the entire barista staff devoting their full attention to chatting with friends/regulars whilst multiple customers get visibly nervous/late. Of course customers should also intend to have time to wait, but I personally have waited above 20 minutes for a toasted bagel with pb&j that was uncut which seemed a bit absurd.

Gleaner's is our favorite! The staff rule, the coffee is strong, and the sandwiches are delicious. There is very comfy outdoor seating, good for bringing your dog and meeting up with friends.

Probably the best coffee in the area. But more than that the service is impeccable. I am glad we have a place like this in the neighborhood.

This lovely little cafe can be a bit hard to find, but once you do the staff is extremely welcoming. However, the place is really small so there isn't much indoor seating and it is very loud (they make the coffee and bagels behind the counter/register). The service is also rather slow during peak times, because there isn't a lot of staff. For vegan friends: they have vegan cream cheese for any bagel, as well as two vegan bagel sandwich potions - the Alder Street Dave and the Squawking Pidgeon. I've tried them both and they were both great! Love that they serve a Hershey's chocolate kiss with each order :) Overall, a great spot for bagels and coffee.

I was pleasantly surprised by how warm and kind the staff is as I expected a typical prompt attitude. Their coffee was good, and they also hand out Hershey kisses for each coffee :) Only downside is that the place is too small, but there are outdoor seatings so it should not be a big deal. Overall, I still recommend it because of the friendly staff, cool deco and welcoming vibe.

Love Gleaners. I don't believe you can find a friendlier cafe in Philadelphia, not to mention their great coffee and bagels. Our daughter lives in Philly and spends her Saturday mornings enjoying this quaint cafe. I didn't quite understand why she liked it so much until we visited and enjoyed their coffee with a bagel made just how I wanted it and a quick game of checkers. If you stop in Saturday mornings, say hi to Smoke. Smoke is the nicest Black Lab you'll ever meet. He will be sitting outside with his owner. Enjoying the smells.

I have long ago deemed the Holy Diver to be the best sandwich on the menu. I order it on a marble rye bagel as it pairs brilliantly with the cheddar and homemade honey mustard. If you order this sandwich in the voice of Ronnie James Dio, they slash $.50 off the bill. Before going to Gleaners, I had never heard of Dio or listened to the song Holy Diver. Now, I know all of the words, never miss my discount, and have a new favorite sandwich in the Italian Market. The Gleaner's Cafe staff have been nothing short of charming, friendly, and smiles whenever I have visited. Their delicious food, neighborhood ambiance, warm hospitality, and complimentary Hersey's kisses all contribute to the countless reasons why Gleaner's will always hold an extraordinary place in my heart.

Walking in for the first time, I didn't know what to expect. I have my go-to coffee spots but wanted to branch out a bit and try a new place. I walked to Gleaner's, located in the heart of the Italian Market, on a Saturday morning to find it was everything I hoped it would be. Walking in, it was a bit overwhelming at first. It's a small place with lots of art and posters and eye-catching things on the walls. I had to take a few minutes to take in all of the sights, as they had specials posted on a separate chalk board. I initially didn't want to order it, as I know it's "basic", but I eventually caved and got the Pumpkin Spice Late with soy milk. One thing that I love is that they didn't charge extra for using soy! You could get any kind of milk you wanted at no additional cost (which is a huge plus in this day and age). My mate got a large coffee and oh boy was it huge! I think it must have been a 24 ouncer. Mine was a "small" at I think like 14 ounces, I'm not sure. We sat and took in the sights to find that all different kinds visited this place. It looks like your typical hipster place but the clients definitely don't always fall into this category. I didn't feel out of place for not being a certain way or type, which is always good. I didn't get any food, but would definitely be willing to give it a try and will certainly be back! Oh CASH ONLY!

Cute little cafe in the Italian area. Tucked away but I saw that they served La Colombe coffee, so we decided to walk on in. Little pastries, sweets, cute decor, weird artwork. I saw that they serve a brunch menu as well, which I wouldn't have assumed. Nice cozy spot to hang in the neighborhood for sure.

Super small and cozy. The barista was so sweet and friendly, I think I'd come here again! The coffee was strong but good, not bitter like some places. This place sells vegan breakfast so I thought it was amusing when these girls came in looking for bacon. The ambience is quirky, cozy and artsy, with bright colors and local artists selling their sketches. Not a large space but worth checking out if you're passing by.

Simple...I come for the gleaner sandwich. It's fantastically filling. Everything bagel with tomatoes, artichokes, onions a brick of mozzarella and pesto. Yahtzee! (speaking of they have board games.) The staff are genuinely happy which makes for a heart warming experience each time. Gleaner's is located in the heart of the Italian Market, making it easy to burn off that bagel! Or just loop around and order another. ;) And now I'm craving that mozzarella brick, thanks Yelp!

We found this little coffee walking around in philly during Sunday morning, and I'm glad we did! We had the best cappuccino and blueberry muffin! They have a lot of sweet options and the place is really cute and cozy. The only take cash.

Went on a trip back to Philly and can't recall why I previously rated it 2 stars! The baristas were friendly and my chai was yummy. Cash only and no wi-fi but they have a bathroom for customers.

It was really a cute and cozy place - we had just eaten lunch and were looking for coffee. The staff is unpretentious and friendly - when we ordered an Espresso con panna, the young woman, without shame, quickly asked, "what is that?" in the tone of voice that showed immediate curiosity, interest and a genuine desire to make it correctly and satisfactorily. When she was told it is Italian for "espresso with cream" and is usually a single or double shot (4 in this case) of espresso topped with whipped cream. Historically it served in a demitasse cup, and is perhaps a more old fashioned drink than a latte or cappuccino, though still very popular. She made it perfectly and then asked again to repeat the name and then 'filed it' in her memory. She was adorable. The sidewalk seating area was really pretty with the bright tables and chairs and baskets of flowers hanging - VERY pleasant stop. I'm glad we wandered in.

Lovely cafe, good coffee, and packed with cool art, flyers, posters, and other alternative-scene goings ons in Philly. Everything good about a local coffee shop.

Cute, funky place for coffee right in the 9th street market. Tiny inside, so it can get cramped, but the coffee was very good and we took ours to go. Hershey's kiss with your order was a sweet touch.

I will echo others who have claimed Gleaner's to be cute - it really is. The staff is friendly and there's always traffic in and out of this place, so clearly they're doing something right. If you're looking to grab a coffee to-go, Gleaner's is just fine. However, due to the size, I'm not sure it's conducive for working. Space is cramped and it's rather loud, so if you do come to work, perhaps bring some headphones. The menu boasts a variety of coffee drinks and sandwiches, but I found it to be on the pricier side. Also, cash only, which may deter those of us who rarely carry the green stuff.

I think this is the only place in South Philly with a restroom for customers! But seriously, buy something if you're gonna use it. Don't be "that guy." The tables have cool art on them, and the walls are filled with art. I think it might've been for sale and by one of the baristas because we got to chatting, and she said she's a printmaking major. There were three people working when we came, and they were all so friendly! We even talked about the tacos we got before coming here, and she even knew where we went (go to Prima Pizza down the street)! The coffee was really good. They use La Colombe and even had regular sized (pound?) bags for sale. Prices were average for a cute little coffee place like this. I think I might be going to a different cafe (this one) when I do my Italian Market shopping from now on...

The Gleaners and I...a love story... Moving across the country and missing all of my old haunts has made me really appreciate finding "happy places". You know, the place you run to when everything sucks and you just want to stab everyone you see. You know if you go there it's all gonna be ooooookkkkaaaayyy. The Gleaners totally fits this bill for me. From the silly hip kids who cruise up on their fixies, to the delicious vegan goods, to the smiling baristette, to the mondo amazing bagel sandwiches (and I HATE bagel sandwiches), to the light flowing in through the window, to the cute boy customers for ogling, to the ability to step outside and be in the heart of the Italian Market, to not feeling weird about whiling away hours here just trash talking...it is a very happy place for me. Come here for bad days. Make them go away. Find your happy.