The Monkey & The Elephant

I got a salted caramel iced coffee which was delicious, you can tell they use great quality coffee. I also got their cranberry apple pie muffins and those were SO good. Everyone there was super sweet and helpful and made me feel better after having a rough and stressful morning. I just moved to the area and I will definitely be here back often for a sweet treat. Highly recommend.

I absolutely love the mission statement for this cafe and how it is written on the wall - so powerful! The service was friendly and it was busy on a Sunday morning. I wish I could give this place 5 stars because of what they stand for, but unfortunately my breakfast sandwich was not good. The brioche bun was stale, and there was no type of sauce added to the sandwich so it was very dry. I would recommend they add some type of aioli to the sandwich! I would come back to try a pastry or maybe something off the lunch menu, to support their mission.

Coffee is pretty good and pastries Okey. Quiet to come work or read. Nice staff. They also sell local artists stuff

An incredible place with an amazing mission. So much better than getting your coffee from a chain restaurant (a.k.a. giving your money to a soulless corporation)! Highly recommend stopping by when you're in the area.

Updating review after coming here off and on for years. Rating 3 stars here as a to-go spot (would give it 3.5-4 stars for "sit and chat" or "sit and work" cafe if not in a hurry). I'll probably come again when I want to sit and work, but I think this was my last to-go visit. On my most recent visit, it took 25 minutes to get my espresso drink (with only one person in line when I walked in). People were warned about the wait when asking for food, but I wasn't that a drink would take that long. Mocha was good when I got it. I feel for the worker who was solo on a Saturday morning. But the person in front of me got their latte in 5 minutes. He served a couple who came in after me too (theirs was just iced coffees, but with an order backlog, that's making other folks wait). The good: The mission, awesome (honestly if not for this, I probably wouldn't keep coming back). Espresso drinks (I've always enjoyed mine, but it's nothing special). Art, community and overall vibes. Sandwich options. Most days, staff are friendly. Needs work: Service has always been a bit slow (especially if you go for food), but my last couple of visits have been worse. While I like the sandwich options, they just reheat ingredients. This would be fine if it was quick grab and go, but the sandwiches always take forever. There are places nearby that make breakfast fresh that I'd rather go to. Original review from 2016: 5 stars So glad I stopped by after my trip to the polls! Had a delightful cappuccino (oat) and a breakfast sandwich. I like the options you have for your breakfast sandwich--I got sundried tomato egg and Gouda with bacon on an everything bagel (Based on the bagel varieties, I think they source from the bakery down by 31st?) I usually frequent another coffee shop, but figured I'd give it a shot. I'll be mixing up my coffee routine from now on. Also noticed had plenty of open nice quiet tables to hang out or work at.

Dare I say that The Monkey & Elephant have the best outdoor patio of all coffee shops in Philadelphia. The patio is perfectly shaded by a beautiful canopy of trees and filled with plenty of seating. Great for studying or reading a book with a good iced oat latte.

I am writing to share some feedback regarding my recent experiences at your café. I have been a loyal customer for over a year and have always appreciated the quality of your coffee and the friendly atmosphere. However, I have noticed a concerning decline in both customer service and product consistency over the past few months. The staff’s demeanor has noticeably changed, with some interactions feeling rushed or curt. On more than one occasion, my coffee has not been prepared to the same standard I’ve come to expect, which has been disappointing. Additionally, I recently encountered an employee who appeared to smell of alcohol, which was concerning and not reflective of the professional environment I have come to associate with your establishment. I value the time I’ve spent at your café and hope this feedback is helpful in maintaining the high standards that originally made it such a welcoming place. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to seeing improvements and continuing to support your business.

Long time customer but not anymore. they go through managers like toilet paper and clearly no one cares about the state of the place. rude staff, zero consistency. I wanted to support their mission, but I dont even think they care about their own mission statement. the stuff I've overheard staff saying so casually is so vile and disgusting, makes me think they probably dont like being there either

Stopped by with a friend on a Saturday morning. We were bummed to find out that the freddo was taken off the menu (sad) due to some new menu adjustments coming soon. I got a cold brew with coconut syrup which was tasty. The employees were nice and the jars of muffins looked delicious too.

The service was great, the drinks were good and the indoor/outdoor options for catching up with friends or WFH space was abundant.

I'm so happy I came here! I was looking for a dog friendly coffee shop where I could grab some breakfast and a coffee and this place exceeded my expectations. The art around the place is gorgeous, the patio has this pretty mural type thing on the outside and you can tell it's well taken care of. My breakfast panini was delicious! My drip coffee was great as well. I'll definitely be back! It's also great knowing the social background of this place, makes me feel like I'm contributing to something positive. Also 10/10 for dog friendliness, they offered my dog a treat and were very nice towards her.

I love this coffee shop! I took my dad here for a little caffeine pick-me-up and this place did not disappoint. I ordered an iced mocha with soy and house chocolate, and my dad ordered their house brewed coffee. Wow, probably one of the best mocha's I've had in Philly. The chocolate wasn't too sweet (which is what I usually prefer), and reminds me of Mexican hot chocolate I've had in San Diego. It was the perfect balance of sweetness and espresso flavor. My dad also enjoyed their coffee. Also, they're a non-profit cafe. Support small businesses!

I enjoyed the iced matcha latte I grabbed here during the Girard Ave Street Fest. Everyone was friendly and gave good recommendations when I was ordering. I liked the different seating options and was very comfortable hanging out while I was waiting for friends.

This place is located on the main strip for Brewerytown. This place is really great to check out. Not only do they make a mean cup of coffee, it is actually Philadelphia's first and only nonprofit coffee shop. The place employs former foster youth. The service is quick. This coffee shop has an "ok" amount of space if you were interested in using it for a work from home vibe.

Cute little cafe. I enjoyed my panini, even though the cashier seemed confused by me not wanting an egg on it. For context, their menu offers an egg -less version of the panini for lunch. It threw me off a little, but they got the order right and the panini and cider I had were great. A bit pricey, but I would return.

What a wonderful find! This space is open at 7am and has the best coffee and customer service. I could sit and journal here for hours. There is something very special about the staff here. They are young adults coming off of foster care and working here to gain employment history. It's smart and special for any young person to learn customer service on a consistent level. I appreciate seeing this in action and done so well. Ill be back and will definitely bring people.

So, the service was 5-star. Everyone was so nice and welcoming! However, I'm not convinced the drink I was given was a chai latte - it didn't seem to contain any milk whatsoever? That said, it's really cute in there (spent an hour reading) and their mission is amazing so I would try it again!!

The Monkey & The Elephant is a gem of a coffee shop on Girard Ave in Brewerytown. The non-profit cafe employs and dedicates proceeds to supporting former foster youth. Patronizing this spot is far from a purely selfless act, however. The beverages and baked goods are solid. And the little walled garden with tables, entered via the back of the store, is a little oasis in a bustling part of the city. If it's cold outside, there's a cool loft area with seating inside as well.

Delicious coffee in a great location close to the Art Museum, restaurants, and fairmount ave. Cool loft area for studying or sitting. They also roast their own coffee!

Popped over to Philly for a quick girls trip and visited The Monkey & The Elephant every day of the trip! My friend and I were fortunate enough to be a 1-min walk from this gem of a coffeeshop. The Monkey & The Elephant is filled with amazing coffee, beautiful artwork for sale, vegan baked goodies, a green garden room in the back, and friendly staff! In terms of safety, the staff members every day were masked up, limited capacity in this small store (although never an issue), and offered contactless payment options (they also don't presently take cash). I'm nothing if not consistent and thus every single one of my orders was an iced oat milk latte with vanilla syrup. So I will speak to that order: INCREDIBLE! The coffee is delicious and the entire drink was so smooth and not overly sweet. I am certain that my friend was sick of all my "mmm"s and "aaah"s after our daily visit to TM&TE, but too bad-- it was totally worth it! If I ever find myself in Philly again, I will absolutely be at The Monkey & The Elephant, maybe next time with a vegan cookie? I'll be the one making the "mmm" and "aaah" sounds! Catch ya next time!

Love the cause!!! This nonprofit business aims to combat racial, gender and social inequality. That alone I support. Upon walking in the ambiance inside of this cafe is simply amazing. The customer service could use some work, but the food and coffee was great.

Bought two $6 lattes and two croissants... Croissants were really good but the coffee was not good. Very lukewarm as if the barista put cold milk in hot coffee and tasted flavorless like hot milky water. I took it back to be heated, they put both in the microwave. I didn't pay that much for microwaved coffee. I let them keep the coffee and left. Quick way to make 20 bucks from a out of towner I guess.. But I did enjoy the ambience, the location, the small courtyard and the fact they support a worthy cause as a non-profit. They just have to work on their customer service a bit.

Great little coffee/panini place with friendly staff. Ingredients were fresh and the coffee was good. They have a beautiful little secret garden out back with birds and breezes. Had the pesto and the apple/cheddar panini. Both excellent

I support the social cause of this coffee shop. The staff is friendly and welcoming. Great addition to the neighborhood. But $7 for any speciality offee is beyond my wallet. So I'll return and stick to my $5 and below, and tip the batista!

Stopped in on New Year's Day to start the year with a "fancy coffee" as we typically brew coffee at home. The shop is a short distance from our house so convenient to get to. I ordered a macchiato with almond milk and my boyfriend ordered a cappuccino with whole milk. Our drinks were made in a timely manner and there was plenty of space to stand and wait distanced from the other customers. The coffee was just above reasonably priced, but the shop has an amazing mission so I was happy to support. This is a great place for a weekend treat - we will be back!

As soon as you walk in, I don't know if it's the sound of the door opening, but everyone turns around whether they're sitting on the couch, table, or counter; I almost feel like "Am I interrupting something?" As I tiptoe through their living room to get to the kitchen. Three times and I still don't love it! The drinks and food items I have enjoyed; I just always feel odd when I come in here. I don't know if it's Feng shui or if the staff and patrons are just used to regulars. My return will probably be more out of convenience than any other factor. Meh.

Great business! I love not only the food and drinks at this cafe but they also their amazing mission to empower individuals in the local community. Would definitely recommend if you are in the area!!

I stopped in this coffee shop on a whim and am SO glad I did. The staff was very warm and helpful in making suggestions for what to try. I got an iced vanilla latte and the Chai muffins. Both were absolutely divine. The muffin was warm and soft, with just enough sweetness. The latte was really good as well, and the price wasn't outrageous for 2023. I'll definitely be back

Such a great vibe here! Good cafe drinks and foods are available, but the homey environment, kind employees and mellow, soulful, music was the icing on the cake. I actually took out my AirPods to listen to what they were playing instead of my usual podcasts.

What a cute cafe! I came across them through some friends on Facebook. I told myself the next time I am in town I would come visit the cafe. As a prior foster parent who adopted the two kiddos we fostered we hold this near and dear to our hearts. I had my kiddos with me and a best friend. We arrived inside and loved the atmosphere right away. We were greeted instantly. The music playing was neat, kinda like the 50s. I enjoyed it. The interior takes me back to old Philadelphia. A lot of the original bones are inside. I ordered the grapefruit orange iced tea. It was so refreshing! My kiddos enjoyed moist chocolate chip muffins! The chocolate chips we just right, melted just right! The English muffin with egg and cheese his the spot! Crispy and not to hot. It came with a simple and delicious arugula salad. The kiddos even enjoyed it! This cafe is so relaxing. Not stressful like a Starbucks can be haha! If you are in the area I highly recommend visiting here. They support young adults who have histories in the foster care system! How awesome!!!!

Highly recommend the iced mocha with the house chocolate! Very friendly staff! Cozy inside as well!

The coffee here is decent but what I love is the space and the people. Everyone on staff is really nice and it's a good place to come and just enjoy with a friend. Plus they support local foster kids which is even more reason to come here.

Found this little gem on our vacation here in Philly. Great coffee, great customer service, and great prices. It's the perfect little neighborhood coffee shop. So cute and I'll be back for the rest of the week!

Given the mission of this cafe and the quality of the food and service, why go anywhere else? I feel good while filling good :). The atmosphere is conducive to doing thoughtful work or quiet reading.

Here is why M&E is great. 1) PLACE WITH A MISSION. I love everything that they are doing for the foster community. They are creating change with action. 2) GREAT COFFEE. I have had iced coffee and a soy cappuccino. Both were excellent. Did not taste burnt like some places. 3) GREAT Pastries/food: I had a corn muffin and a sandwich from here. 4) Not crazy pricey. I love that as well. 5) Everything is super cute.

This was a really cute coffee shop! I got a caramel latte and it was pretty good. My boyfriend and I did some work here, which was nice. They got docked a star because the music was just a tad too loud and I've been to other shops were the ambiance was nicer (but that's pretty subjective), so I have to be fair with the rating lol. This is definitely a nice spot to study or pick up some coffee and meet with a friend. They have two tables in the window, some on the side and a little loft area up stairs with a long table and another smaller one. They also have a garden area in the back with seating, which I didn't look at it. I'll check it out next time! This place is a non profit that supports former foster youth with a job and professional development training. Every penny you spend goes towards their training and support program for former foster youth. I love it!

As a first timer at The Monkey & The Elephant I'm extremely impressed. I ordered a Mocha Freddo (ice coffee) w/ house chocolate and oat milk...OMG! It tastes AMAZING. The chocolate, cinnamon and cardamom just jump out onto the palate. I also ordered a fig Gouda and arugula panini (it comes w/ sliced apples). It tastes like heaven. The fig is sweet and goes perfect with the cheese and arugula. It's definitely a breakfast go to.

This breaks the bank. The staff was friendly but the food and drinks need to do more than just smile at you. I ordered a breakfast sandwich with bacon, egg and cheese on a muffin. The sandwich wasn't as bad as the price tag it came with: $8.75. For that price I should be able to get a sandwich and a coffee drink and be able to tip at least a dollar. That's not to count that I ordered two things at once and got charged for them separately. I also ordered a caramel latter. There was not even a hint of caramel on the latte (although the foamy taste on top of the latte was a nice touch), it tasted like espresso and milk. And for $4.75, you would think that this would be a medium size at the least...it was a small. Long story short, I'm out $14 bucks, still hungry and have not taken care of my sweet tooth (and I don't like sweets much). Note: even living in NYC for 8 years, I never spent more than $5 bucks for a breakfast sandwich. And this place is located on Girard Ave which is still up and coming and doesn't have that expensive of a rent to pay...

Drip coffee and scones on a gorgeous morn in a cozy courtyard with greenery and a brightly colored mural located in the flourishing Brewerytown section of the city? Yes, please. The coffee was fantastic and made with the upmost care by the friendly baristas. I chose the Ethiopian which has nectarine and honeydew notes. I love that they can do any pour over, iced which most places can't. She told me they just alter the water ratio making it seem so simple and leaving me question why other places cant figure this out? The tea selection of both hot and cold teas was drool worthy and will definitely be on my list for the next visit! The strawberry rhubarb and pomegranate blueberry green tea were standouts. They make all pastries including their famous English muffins in house. None of which are dairy free, but my daughter ate hers in two seconds flat. So, there's that. They also offer neat little jams to accompany the muffins as well as breakfast egg sammies. Organic fruit and juices too as well also hand squeezed fresh lemonade. They also support local artist which decorate the place. They use products from local farms and have open mic nights every Thursday. All very cool. We loved the courtyard. We had the place all to ourselves and it was just so peaceful! Cute name, huh? The story behind is this- the owner of the cafe befriended a 16-year-old Zimbabwean refugee who was receiving food, shelter and education from a local organization. When he turned 18, he was no longer eligible for support services and was forced to return to Zimbabwe. They kept in touch and created code names using their favorite animals, a Monkey and an Elephant. Inspired by this journey & friendship, The Monkey & The Elephant was born. The mission is to try to help former foster youth transition into adulthood by offering job and life skills training to those in their program, helping them become independent individuals. Donations may be made through the cafe's site. I just love their story, vibes and they do have darn delicious drip coffees! Perhaps a more extensive menu would cater to a wider audience though. My one gripe would be when I was looking for a trashcan (which they don't have, only those plastic bins for used plates) I happened to meet the owner who I noticed giving me funny looks when I was taking photos. I mentioned that it's was my first visit and I really liked the place. Nothing. Not a "thanks for coming", "glad to hear it". Not a "hope to see you again soon". Nothing. Not friendly. Not even a smile. It was early on weekday so I'll give her pass and see what happens next time, but it was a turn off for sure. Hard to believe this was the same woman in the cute story of how the place came to be.

Great local business with a fantastic cause. They make tasty coffee, lattes, tea, all the usual, plus baked goods and snacks. Check out walls for artwork for sale. They take credit cards too!

This place is part of my morning routine like brushing my teeth. 1) The customer service is excellent 2) Eco friendly - metal spoons vs. disposable 3) Great Cappuccinos 4) Huge amount of working space Great casual coffee shop! Highly recommend.

Great coffee, delicious panini (I highly recommend the fig, smoked Gouda and arugula) and fantastic service! The outdoor space in the back was perfect for these times too!

This place is awesome! Not only do they have excellent quality coffee and fresh baked goods but their mission is an admirable one! I had a cold brew and corn muffin. Both were delicious. The atmosphere is excellent and I will 100% be back.

New to the neighborhood and naturally I had to track down the local coffee shop that all the cool cats be at. Look no farther than Girard Ave. The name tickled my fancy and the fact that it's backed by an amazing cause I give this place 5 stars out of the gate. They offer a wide variety of treats, pastries, breakfast sammies and paninis. This afternoon I ordered for me (and baby Millie) a Matcha Latte over ice and GF Peanut Butter cookie of sorts. The staff is friendly and service is prompt. The atmosphere is airy and plenty of spaces to sit to work, enjoy company or write a yelp review ;-) I've stopped by here twice since moving to the hood and the music selection has also been top notch to boot. Thumbs up.

Great coffee shop. The coffee is good, the food is good, the vibe is good. Would love more savory options! The paninis are tasty but they do sell out later in the day. A full breakfast platter would set this place off the charts

A really great cafe to check out. Went to grab a quick bite and grab a coffee, but I was blown away by how good everything was. Starting with the drinks, the cold brew was strong af and delicious! My friend and I split a muffin while we waited for our paninis. They had a variety of muffins, but we opted for 'sweet corn'. It was essentially a corn muffin, which is always a winner. Our paninis were delivered to us in the back garden area and they were AMAZING. I got sundried tomato eggs on a plain panini with cheese, bacon, pesto and avocado. My friend and i agreed, we weren't left hungry, but it was so good we wanted more. As we were leaving, i saw a note on the door stating they are 100% dog friendly and laying out ground rules for dog owners. I was so excited to have a place to bring my dog that I returned a few hours later to grab a coffee and a snack with my pup while I read in the garden. It wasn't until I looked up their website to double check the dog policy that I realized it's a nonprofit with a great mission. I'm so happy to be a patron at an establishment like this.

I walked into Monkey and the Elephant and found myself at what felt like a normal Philly coffee shop. Staff is friendly, but not overly friendly, there's a chalk board menu, and minimalist decor. It felt like a pretty average experience... And then I tried the pesto panini and my mind was blown!! The bread they served it on is thin and crispy and in a perfect ratio to the contents inside the sandwich. They also served it with the juiciest orange slices ever which made me feel like my lunch was in fact not that unhealthy. I will definitely be back to try some more food from here!

What's great: * The fig, gouda, & arugula panini. Wowzers, this is one of the best sandwiches I've had in a while. Sliced apple was a nice counterpart. * The mission. I love the model of providing jobs, staff development, and a supportive community for former foster youth - while providing genuinely good food & atmosphere. * The clientele. Maybe it's the mission, but this shop seems to be a gathering place for community- and mission-minded folks. I joined a table with a couple of ladies who appeared to be initiating some kind of mentorship. I borrowed a pen from someone at the next table over who was working on Students Run Philly stuff. etc etc What's meh: * My panini took a long time to come out. (Worth the wait, though.) * They couldn't toast my corn muffin (because the oven was off?), so they popped it in the microwave. No one asked if I wanted butter or anything, either. * The shop was really crowded on a Saturday afternoon. Fortunately, the clientele seems to be community-minded, so I felt find plunking down at an already-occupied table with an extra seat. * I couldn't get the WiFi to work, and the shop was so slammed that I didn't feel comfortable asking the staff for help. Other people didn't appear to have issues hooking up to it, though, and it did work on my phone. What's not good: * The drip coffee was so acidic I could barely drink it. It actually tasted sour. It's hard to give props to a coffee shop with coffee I won't drink.

Such a cute little place with great food and drinks! Their sandwiches are very crafty and comfort food.

Great little coffee shop with cute outdoor seating in the back. Cashiers are friendly. They have a nice selection of coffee and teas. Pumpkin chocolate chip muffins are delicious! They also have a variety of baked goods and some foods.

Fantastic coffee and the mission of the cafe is commendable. I will definitely visit again! I also loved the affirmation board. It was a great way to start the morningz

My favorite place has jumped the shark. I went in today and stood at the register for two minutes while two employees were talking to each other and the third employee kept re-stocking muffins for those two minutes. He was facing me the entire time. He finally took my order but messed up both drinks. There was no pumpkin at all in the pumpkin chai (still tasted good) and he forgot the ice in my iced americano. No biggie just remake it right? Nope. Instead just pour a little out in another cup with ice and not give me the rest of the already made americano. Needs new staff. Or bring back the old

Awesome coffee, and an even better mission. I moved to Philly a few weeks ago, and one of the first orders of business was finding a great coffee shop. This entire city seems pretty obsessed/taken with La Colombe (it's pretty good!), so it was nice to see The Monkey & The Elephant have a different roaster--Other Animal, which is another local roaster. The coffee was excellent. I just got a drip, but their pourovers are a great deal for $3.75. Staff is super nice. Oh, and can we talk about their mission? They employ youth who have aged out of foster care and give them the tools to transition to adulthood and be self-sufficient. Great coffee, great mission, great place. I'll be back many, many times!

I come in often because the coffee is fabulous and the environment is chill. Today I overheard one of the employees offering truly professional service to a patron in a wheelchair. It was so refreshing. Truly a positive community business.

Really an extraordinary coffee shop. Even when it's packed, it doesn't feel crowded, if you get what I mean. It's never so loud that you can't think. It's a laid-back vibe, friendly baristas -- complete lack of pretension -- wi-fi is good, charming old building with hardwood floors, big window up front, typically a good music mix but not so loud that you can't enjoy your own through headphones, and proximate to several bus and trolley lines. Part of me doesn't want to spoil the secret, but they support at-risk youth in foster care through their transitional employment program, so maybe spend your money here instead of making Howard Schultz richer. Try the Jewish apple cake if they have it.

Great little non profit coffee shop supporting a good cause. Don't know what type of beans they were but their drip coffee was great. Cool mural outside on their patio and various local artists displayed inside

Really great food service and seating beautiful back garden. Raisin Panini with Bacon White Cheddar Goat Cheese and Pesto. Delicious Mocha my friend got. I will be coming back.