Matines Café

Review is a little bit of a roller coaster. I ordered a tea over ice - mango peach ($8ish?) and the smashed avocado tartine($16) and I left a $3 To-Go. 35 minutes goes by and someone asks me if I was waiting for an order, I say "yes, it's been about 30 minutes". She goes and asks the woman who took my order (who passed me at least 4 times while I waited) who then grabs a Togo box that had been sitting by someone's apron for about 25 minutes. I had seen it there cause I went to the cart for sugars. I took a pic after 30 minutes cause I was concerned it was mine. I asked for a remake cause I told them I'd seen it for 25 minutes there at least. Woman goes to back for MAYBE two minutes, and hands me a box. I watched them steep my tea for maybe 2 minutes again. No compensation offered after the 40 minute wait and forgotten order. Not surprising the tea tasted like water. The Tartine was good, but for $16 I got ONE piece of untoasted bread, avocado, greens, drizzle and crumbled cheese. Not worth it in my book. Unsure how authentic location is. Baked goods questionable on freshness. I personally saw them taking macarons out of a sealed plastic wrapped packaging to put on the display so those are definitely not made there. Atmosphere was very loud, but it would be a great conversational place. I'm sure eating there would be a different experience than my order to-go. I left EXTREMELY overstimulated and irritated.

We went to Matines for the first time today! I have a service dog, and we did not have any access issues or problems. (Reminder, this cafe is not dog friendly - service dogs only) I got the croque monsieur, it was very good. The atmosphere is very nice, super cute cafe, and gives off French vibes. The only suggestion I have is that the waiters should bring water, and not have people ask for it.

Peppermint mocha and quiche breakfast were tasty. The quiche came with two decently large portions and were quite rich in a luxorius good way for a special treat. A bit pricey for 2 artichoke quiche, a peppermint mocha and a chestnut mocha came to $51, so while we liked it, it's not a place I would regularly visit due to expense. Nice place, staff and food otherwise.

My friend and I went to Matine’s this past weekend for brunch. We were so excited to try the food after hearing how good it was! Our waiter left more to be desired when we asked what he recommended and he couldn’t tell us and said “whatever we have is on the menu”…alrighty. When our food arrived, we enjoyed everything from the seasonal fall salad to the quiche. Halfway through, a manager came up to us and we were asked to move tables so they could make room for a party of six - totally fine because they graciously offered us a box of pastries. Once we moved, it’s like our waiter completely forgot about us. When we finally flagged someone to go and find him so we could get our check, he came and we relayed the bit about the free pastries…he had no idea and then we didn’t see him again for 20 minutes. At that point we just got up and left and went to the counter to ask. All that to say, the food was great but maybe train some of the younger servers about timing and communication. We will be back for the food!

Nice, cozy cafe. I first discovered their other location in Wayne and while that one is more spacious, this cafe is also cute and pleasant. The food was delicious and everyone in my family enjoyed our brunch here. Service is great too. I like ordering quiche Lorraine with soup and their croissants are delicious too. My daughter really enjoyed the Banana Creme Latte - their seasonal offering

The food was really good and it looks aesthetically pleasing! The cafe has a nice atmosphere as well. The service was great! Laura was our server. She’s new but she’s doing great so far. And I like her personality. Joel also took great care of us as well!! Thank you to you both!! Definitely a nice spot

Beautiful place for brunches; Food is good, absolutely love the Rose latte🌹☕️ Need to do better on the services though - trashes and dishes were left on the table for a quite while when there’s a long wait line… and no one serviced us a cup of water after we sitting down for like 20 mins…

Matines Café is a lovely Parisian-style café nestled in the picturesque Chestnut Hill neighborhood. The old-time architecture of the area makes the café feel right at home, and stepping inside, everything from the menu to the chairs transports you straight to Paris. However, while the ambiance was delightful, the execution of the menu left something to be desired. I ordered the feta avocado salad, which was disappointingly unbalanced—overwhelmed by feta and seriously lacking in avocado. My friend’s Versailles sandwich had a similar issue, missing any dressing, which left it dry and underwhelming. He ended up borrowing some dressing from my salad just to make it more palatable. That said, the bread was the real highlight. We took a baguette to go, and if I were judging solely on the pastries and bread, this would easily be a 5-star spot. But unfortunately, that was just a small part of our experience. Despite the food inconsistencies, Matines Café is still a great spot for a relaxed afternoon coffee or light lunch with a friend. The menu has plenty of options, so perhaps other dishes fare better. Plus, the fact that it’s pet-friendly was a big bonus, making the atmosphere even more enjoyable. With some improvements to their dishes, this could be a standout café in the area!

This is my 4th visit to Matines. It is a small but vibrant one room Cafe/Restaurant, with an umbrella covered outside eating area. The various coffee drinks have been good to excellent; my last visit it could have been in Paris. The staff has been small but attentive. You can either sit down at a table to order from the menu or wait in a small cafeteria-type line to order. One advantage of the line is you can see what pastries are available. Ambiance is a bit noisy, since it is a small room. You are right next to the next table, and conversation can easily be overheard. On two of my visits we sat outside; table service was fast. The more crowded it is, the service is slower. Inside as you enter there is a French gift area. I recommend that you try it for yourself!!!

Came here for a Saturday brunch and it's an adorable spot in Chestnut hill. The inside is small and quaint and there's an outdoor area for seating. There's a full food menu and coffee and also baked goods. There also a small area for shopping misc. french items. The food was delicious and the coconut coffee I ordered was made well where you can taste the coffee and it had a dash of sweetness and coconut goodness. The crepes were the highlight of the meal. Definitely recommend the crepes. They originally didn't get my coffee order correct, it was placed incorrectly. They did quickly fix it and allowed me to keep the vanilla latte . But the vanilla latte was bland and didn't taste flavored. Would love to come here again and try some more items.

Great place! Staff is very sweet, food was flavorful. I'll definitely come back again.

Cute place. Huge menu accommodating any taste. They even let you sub out what you don't. Cute seating area outside. Tables are bistro small. Reminded me of trips to France. Food was a bit cool but good.

This is a small yet beautiful cafe nestled in Chestnut Hill across the street from a bookstore and some art shops. The cafe itself can get quite crowded but they also have outdoor seating that's cozy and comfortable on a warm and sunny day. The service is relatively fast for how busy it is. The coffee can lack flavor if you get flavored coffee drinks. However, the Versailles baguette was very refreshing and light. The nutella-banana crepe was delicious!

Came with wifey on a Friday 11:30 and we were able to get a table though it was packed. We both got Americano coffee and it was delicious. I got the Lafayette, with turkey, brie, walnuts and pears on a croissant. Fantastic. Had a little side salad with it. Wifey had the Quiche Lorraine and it too was tasty. Prices were higher than what we expected but the quality is premium. Will be back.

The food is authentically French and delicious especially the baked goods which are all home made. Customers must order at the counter and then find a seat. Food is then delivered to the table. The owners are very friendly and welcoming and the restaurant has a true cafe feeling.

Food / Service: They have a lot of options on the menu and seasonal specialties you can choose from. I ultimately ordered a plain caramel latte and it was delivered to my table when complete. The service was, of course, pretty quick and the cup was a pretty generous size! Atmosphere: The cafe looks small from the outside, but it's fairly spacious. I went on a Thursday morning and there was a sizable crowd there by the time I left. Though seating is pretty close together, you can have conversations with your friends without disturbing anyone.

Matines Cafe...a delightful slice of European culinary tradition. Right downtown the charming neighborhood of Chestnut Hill, PA. From the moment you step inside, the ambiance transports you to a cozy French patisserie, with its rustic decor, quaint market, and inviting atmosphere. Despite the rain-soaked day of our visit, the cafe's large umbrellas ensured that we could enjoy our meals in comfort (& dry). The cafe's reputation for its baked goods is well-deserved, with the almond croissant and mixed berry pie standing out as crowd favorites. The almond croissant is a masterpiece of flaky, buttery layers filled with a rich, almond paste that melts in your mouth, while the mixed berry pie boasts a perfect balance of tart and sweet, encased in a golden, tender crust. Their breakfast and lunch menu offers a remarkable variety, catering to diverse tastes and preferences. We sampled the truffle breakfast croissant, the riviera baguette, and the mozzarella croissant melt. The truffle breakfast croissant was a decadent start to the day, with earthy truffle notes blending seamlessly with fluffy scrambled eggs and creamy cheese. The riviera baguette, packed with fresh vegetables and savory meats, provided a satisfying crunch with every bite, and the mozzarella croissant melt was a gooey, comforting delight, perfectly toasted to achieve that ideal balance of crisp and melty. The soups here are not to be overlooked. The tomato soup was robust and flavorful, with a rich tomato base that offered just the right amount of tanginess, while the French onion soup, with its caramelized onions and gooey cheese topping, was a warm, hearty embrace on a rainy day. Tea enthusiasts will appreciate the cafe's tea bar, which offers an impressive selection of teas. The deluxe tea over ice was a standout--refreshing and perfectly brewed, it provided a light, revitalizing complement to the heavier dishes. One caveat for potential diners: Matines Cafe does not take reservations. On weekends, the wait for a table can be lengthy, especially on rainy days when indoor seating is at a premium. However, the wait is well worth it. The cafe's interior and exterior evoke the charm and elegance of a European eatery, and their market area is brimming with gourmet goodies and artisanal products that are a joy to explore. Whether you're there for a quick pastry or a leisurely meal, the quality and care put into each dish are evident, making it a must-visit destination for food lovers.

Just came for pastries and drinks. Cute spot, gets crowded and no reservations. Can only grab a table once you have a table # so just heads up! Good pastries, I like other bakeries better though. Pretty standard options, limited pastry selections. The tea/coffee menu was incredible though!!

I was looking for a French bakery so I feel back home so I stopped at Martine's cafe . The place looks nice but the girl who took my order was very cold , like we say in French , pas chaleureuse , froide et désagréable . This is my 1st time in this cold place and the last one for sure . Never again !

I had the ham and Swiss sandwich with bacon. The crispy bread was amazing and the grilled meats were very tasty. The service is great everyone orders one at a time at a central location so there is not need to deal with a waiter. Service moves quickly. I went in the morning after a meeting so all the moms were there with their 2 year olds. So if you don't mind the patter of little feet you will be fine. The kids were all we behaved and added a bit more character to the place. Seating was tight but comfortable.

My friend and I had brunch at Matines Cafe a few weeks ago when we were in Philadelphia. It's tiny but so charming. We sat outside, which was gorgeous and very comfortable. My friend and I ordered the same thing - their smoked salmon tartine (with cucumber, tzatziki cream, lemon pepper, olive oil, and augula), which was really good - fresh, bright, light, and delicious. We had a couple of coffees as well. There's a small shop at the entrance to the cafe, and the interior of the cafe is as cute as the outside seating area. The service was great. Overall, it's a great place for a quick brunch or for a pastry and coffee to go!

This place was so tasty! A bit crowded, but we were able to order then get a seat to eat inside. It looked like there was some outdoor seating too! The food was delicious and fresh. They have so many sandwiches that I can't wait to try. Pastries were also topnotch. There's a lil gift shop as well! So cute and a great brunch / lunch spot!

This cafe is quaint, the food was scrumptious and the service was delightful. Plus, the are goods and gifts available (I found Violet mints, which brought me back to my childhood).

We want to like this cute cafe and have had mixed experiences. Today, the counter person was snarky and inattentive. I had the truffle breakfast sandwich. The eggs looked and tasted like they came out of a steam table: pale, granular, and flavorless. Very disappointing for a $15 breakfast sandwich.

I met a friend here for coffee last week. Neither of us had ever been there. The menu had us drooling and trying to decide which delicious morsels we would try. It's very cute inside and the baristas were friendly and wonderful about helping us decide what to have. We sat outside and enjoyed our food in a relaxed and lovely setting and never felt rushed. I want to go back and taste everything on the menu!

Food was excellent, far better than I expected from a cafe. All of the workers were super friendly too. I can't really recommend the iced tea, it was more like slightly flavored watery (maybe not steeped long enough). The outdoor seating area sometimes smells a bit odd - I didn't actually want to sit outside but all the indoor tables were taken, including 2 or 3 seats occupied by people's bags! Don't be that person in a full cafe!!

A bit pricey, but seriously well worth it. My wife has been getting physical therapy just up the street three afternoons a week, so I've been taking advantage of that spare time to treat myself at Martine's. In a word: wonderful. I have celiac, and I am just so grateful that they always have a gluten-free baked goodie on the menu--usually cakey, sweet madeleines. They usually just dust them with powdered sugar, but on occasion they ice them with delicious white chocolate. My go-to these past several weeks has included the madeleines and a generous cup of latte--which I have to say is the best on the Hill. Service can be a bit slow, but worth the wait, while you sit at your little table, backed with comfy throw pillows, listening to tunes in French from the likes of Édith Piaf--or in one case, "My Way," which is even more overwrought in French--over the PA system. Please drop by. Lunch hour can be jammed, so plan accordingly. But later in the afternoon, you'll usually get a table--or you can dine al fresco at a table outside.

I love this little French cafe/bakery! It's so charming and even has an assortment of fun (non- food) gifts you can peruse while standing in line to order. I had the tomato soup and an iced tea (which they steep) and both were delicious! I got a baguette to take home and it was also amazing. Looking forward to going back!

I spent the morning here with my husband to start my birthday and it was lovely and I am so so thrilled to have this business open in our community. They have been building the hype with the Chestnut Hill business district and it's been working because we waited in a line out the door in the pouring rain to have a chance to snag a coveted bistro table inside. We both loved our coffees (he went iced and I went hot) and breakfast sandwiches as well as our pan chocolat which brought us right back to when we got engaged in Paris. I can't wait to bring our little guy back for the bambino's menu which is admittedly one of the cutest things I've ever seen.

The place is a lovely little café. The service was fine. I ordered the quiche and it was tasty. My wife ordered a Caesar salad with dressing on the side. Here is a picture of how the dressing was served. For some reason she expected house made dressing and was disappointed. We will be back to try the pastries and other menu items.

Visited here for brunch, there was a bit of a wait to order but was well worth it. The truffle egg sandwich and french onion soup were delicious. The iced tea was served in a glass and refill pitcher which I thought was a nice serving.

On my vacation in Philly. Started my first day in Chestnut Hill area and found this place by internet searched. Ordered my salad from summer special " strawberry& Feta" it was great, I had hot mug of matcha green tea latte also great, I got what I asked " easy on sweetness" the service was great , everyone is friendly and care. The place is clean, chill to sit in. I definitely coming back here soon. This place is good for everyone!

Place is great, amazing, pastries. Giving one star because the coffee was awful. We got a latte and a drip brewed coffee and both were just not good.

Absolutely Awesome First, super cute cafe that legitimately made me want to go to Paris. Second, love their menu and the food was great. What takes it over the top, as a parent, is that they got the little things right. They have a step stool for the sink for kids AND a smaller toilet seat that comes down for the kid for the toilet. Plus the much nicer than normal changing table and amenities. Maybe a little thing to some but I seriously felt cared for as a parent with these touches. Five five stars all day!

Popped in for a chinwag with a former co worker so just ordered a cup of tea -- a bit spare just a cup of hot water with a super fancy teabag for $4. A wide variety of flavors and opted for vanilla orchid, very aromatic. The room was busy at 3 PM, which was a good sign! Will return to sample the food.

Brunch with friends sat outdoors under umbrella. Wonderful service great ambiance as if on the Champs Elysee. Spinach and gruyere croissant was delicious as was the Quiche. All coffee and tea drinks were excellent

Past this gem in my car and decided to stop. Absolutely delicious. Coffee very French- not American tasting, homemade pastries and desserts made on site. To die for! Plenty of seating. Lunch menu looked delicious. A slice of an authentic, charming little Parisian shop in Chestnut Hill. Yay!! Yes- I'm a customer, no, I don't work there!

Very nice and attentive staff. Great coffee (La Colombe) and pastries. Had the chicken salad croissant and it came with a little arugula salad. SO HAPPY a new French coffee shop is here in the Hill

I've been wanting to visit Matine's since they opened and finally got there today. The pastries are PERFECTION and the staff is super friendly. I wish the seating area was a little bigger as it was packed so I took my items to go. My latte was perfect but took a while to get. Seems like they're still working out some kinks but I'll def be back as the bread was calling out. Definitely give it a try - it's a most welcome addition to Chestnut Hill!

1. you place your order at the counter, tip, get a table #, sit and wait....like at chick fil a. 2. you are squeezed into seating where you can't get up without disturbing the other table 3. your food gets delivered. no one checks if everything is ok 4. the crepes are not good. the creamer at the table was bad and curdled in the coffee. I had to squeeze out, go to the counter, and ask for a new coffee. everyone was too busy..I told the one girl. she turned to another girl to tell her to help me. she seemed to think I was lying. I showed her it. she reluctantly gave me a fresh cup and told me to get the cream at the counter instead of the table which I did and that was fine. I checked the date on the creamer at the table....2 WEEKS OUT OF DATE. ---imagine what's in the kitchen. 5. why the heck am I tipping you if I'm doing all of the work. 6. no one asks is everything ok, do you need anything. no coffee refills 7.HARD PASS

A GREAT addition to the area. The fare is EXTRAORDINARY, and very reasonably priced. And it's all made on the premises. Be prepared to exercise when you're finished... you're going to eat everything they put in front of you!

One of my new favorite spots! I went for the first time last week and LOVED the normandie baguette sandwich along with a strawberry pastry. I took home half the baguette because it was such a big portion; it came with a side salad too. There's very limited seating inside so I sat outside which wasn't ideal on a 90°+ day and that was around 130pm on a weekday! Love that they're doing such great business though and I'll definitely be back!

Cute little French bistro with a cozy Parisian vibe. Great place for brunch or dinner. Pastry is fantastic.

Wonderful addition to Chestnut Hill. Best croissants I've ever tasted!!! Arrive early to get a seat.

Good food as expected but the place is small as cafe in Paris if you like to pretend you are in one but with chestnut hill crowd. The servers and the staffs were nice and courteous. I would recommend this place to others but this place not for me.

A real "Emily in Paris" of a café. You'll love it, unless you find it mildly nauseating.

Everything up to this point has been wonderful, except for today. I think the daytime/late afternoon stuff just kind of throws things together. I got a sandwich which is supposed to come with at least a little wedge of orange. I had to be asked if I wanted a bag. As it was takeout, I would assume so. Sandwich was just thrown in a box with the receipt floating on top of it and was not shut properly. The food here is a little pricey, so I expect it to be good. Some of the greens in the sandwich were not fresh.

BEST pastries. Incredible drinks. Awesome food and atmosphere. The workers are great! Always super crowded so expect to wait, but they are keeping up with the crowds, and it gets better each time. PRO TIP... always get a baguette to go.

My first two times here it was perfect. I was able to get a seat, the Latte was great and so was the croissant. On the third visit the Latte was mediocre and a family of four rushed in the door and took the table where I was going to sit before they even ordered at the counter. On my last visit and it might be my last I was overcharged for my Americano which was very subpar and my croissant wasn't as good as before. There was no place to sit inside mostly due to all the children. Improvements are needed before I return or can recommend the place. * Notes for patrons...leave you children and strollers at home and leave the seats for the adults who are there to eat. Also I would limit what hours people can take up a table for their laptop.

My family and I visited because I read that the owners are straight from Paris and I really wanted that authentic cafe feeling! I got it here as we sat outside in the courtyard area on a beautiful day. The inside is really cute too and they play French music. Its definitely not a big place but worth it because the food was amazing. We especially loved the bread basket. Their baguettes are really delicious and my two sons loved the crepes. This time I had veggie quiche and my husband had the smoked salmon croissant. As I am sure you can tell, I will be back again.

Following up; visited on a Friday morning for table service and it was a perfect experience. Delicious, right temps, perfectly timed.

Wonderful pastries! Lovely staff. Cozy atmosphere and outdoor seating weather permitting. Such a welcome addition to northwest phl!

Amazing how taste doesn't correlate with money. Sickly sweet nausea inducing pastries, absolute abysmal quality. The almond croissant tastes like cheap almond extract rather than almond cream and the waffles could be had at a better quality at IHOP, with cheap synthetic strawberry and chocolate sauces.

I am so glad this place opened!! My whole family loves it. Their croissants, baguettes, and other pastries are fabulous (they are the best croissants I've had in the US).

Formerly the site of Heine's clock repair shop. I'm pleased to see that the place is in use, however when I visited the cafe/French pastry shop a week before Easter and just after services at St. Paul's and OMC the place was packed. A friend told me about this place so I checked it out. It wasn't just busy, it was positively jammed with people, I mean, packed and cramped. It was difficult to enter the place and it was as loud as an Army mess at noon. Every table was occupied and there was a queue going out the door to gain entry. The noise produced by the loud chatter was intense. I couldn't stand it another minute so I left. Maybe it was just the wrong time of day, but the place is about a large as my apartment and I would think that that many people crammed into a place that small is a violation of the city's legal occupancy code. God forbid there's ever a fire.

Was very excited to come and try this breakfast spot/cafe. They say they offer all-day breakfast but we just tried to go at 10:30 on a Sunday and they are out of scrambled eggs and could no longer offer the main breakfast sandwiches..... very confused by this. I would say call before showing up.

Redemption! This deserves an update to go along with my original review. My husband ordered me delivery on Friday morning and wow, not only did it come in 20 minutes or less (we do live only 5 minutes away) but the food was incredible with a delectably sweet waffle and hot latte! The lid fit my latte properly and all the wonderful berries were fresh on the waffle! Would recommend the delivery service they offer. Très bien!!