Jezabel's
Argentinian restaurant · Spruce Hill ·
Argentinian cafe with empanadas, pastries, and coffee
![Jezabel's by Jezabel’s [official photo]](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/64653159/FullSizeRender__1_.0.jpeg "Jezabel's by Jezabel’s [official photo]")
![Jezabel's by Jezabel’s [official photo]](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68485486/Lemon_Pie.0.jpg "Jezabel's by Jezabel’s [official photo]")
Argentinian cafe with empanadas, pastries, and coffee
"A resilient West Philly restaurant that leans into the piquant flavors of Jujuy in northwestern Argentina, this University City outpost (opened in 2017 after the 2010 original closed in 2018) feels like an Argentine café: warm and cozy with an antique wooden coffee bar, matching vintage bar mirrors, soft white walls, white marble tiles, dark wood furnishings, and an open pastry counter so diners can watch the magic happen. Empanadas became a pandemic-era hot commodity—supple, browned, and baked to perfection with sepia blisters and a crispy crust that’s soft inside—made with locally sourced beef from Happy Valley Meat and paired with llajua, a spicy tomato and locoto pepper sauce. The ground beef empanadas (two for $12.50) blend beef, onions, raisins, and olives brightened by cumin, pimentón, and chile flakes; the chicken version keeps the spices but drops the raisins. Among eight varieties are fugazetta (leeks, onions, cheese) and humita (fresh corn and cheese with basil, red bell pepper, and chile flakes), plus vegetarian and vegan options, all hand-shaped with distinct repulgues. The pastry case also holds tartas (quiche-like pies) including leek and zucchini, corn and scallion, and the pascualina ($9) packed with Swiss chard, red bell pepper, onions, nutmeg, grated cheese, and hard-boiled eggs. Seasonal soups and sides range from gazpacho and sopa a mani to lentejas ($12) and locro ($12) made with zapallo plomo. On the sweet-and-coffee side, expect medialunas, facturas, the mafalda ham-and-cheese croissant, and a cortado made with Reanimator beans—an ideal combo that tastes like breakfast in Buenos Aires. Open Wednesday through Friday 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m., and Saturday until 5 p.m." - Bill Esparza
"No trip to Philadelphia is complete without a visit to Jezabel’s in West Philly, where chef Jezabel Careaga offers some of the best empanadas outside of her home region of northwest Argentina. Order an empanada pack with a mix of meat, vegetarian, and vegan fillings and enjoy them with the spicy sauce of the day. Go ahead and tack on some alfajores for dessert in the process." - Maddy Sweitzer-Lamme
"If you normally wake up in West Philly, start your day with a cheese-and-ham-filled mafalda, buttery medialunas, or a creamy ricotta torta at this Argentinian shop. But any trip to Jezabel's also requires a baked empanada—these are the true headliners. You can get them stuffed with cuts of beef, juicy chicken, tangy root vegetables, spicy lentils, and more. And there are a few tables in the cafe, so you don't have to eat it on the 42 or a park bench." - candis mclean, alison kessler
"A go-to Argentine café recommended for classics: you 'can also never go wrong with an empanada or alfajor,' making it a dependable stop for South American pastries and handheld savory snacks." - Ernest Owens
"West Philly has a culinary treasure in this Northwest Argentinian cafe. It serves tasty South American breakfast pastries like medialunas, mafaldas, and tartas, alongside a full espresso bar menu. This is for the diners who don’t want a large meal, but something fast — yet flavorful — to jump start their day." - Maddy Sweitzer-Lamme