Ash Wednesday! What to BREW in Manayunk: My Personal Top 3 Coffee Spots From An Ex Barista.

What to BREW in Manayunk: My Personal Top 3 Coffee Spots From An Ex Barista.
By: Ash Catcher

      Ash here again coming at you with another hot one, today, literally it's burning my hands writing this thing-  I will be highlighting some of my current hometown coffee joints. So picture this it’s a Sunday morning, and if you are anything
Like me, you can just feel that pounding headache starting, so let's collectively drink a big glass of ice
water, and get into my top 5 coffee spots in Manayunk:
1. Artesano Cafe: This is the closest in proximity to my house which also makes it my default and
honorary plant place! Artesano boasts one of the most aesthetically pleasing cafes on Main
Street in my honest opinion, including a real live bio wall, which I make sure to sit by every
time. The sculptures are rather cool as well and make for a great place to catch up with friends.
Everything is made on premise, that is the coffee, sculptures, and food. Go to their brunch truck!
- Looks Like: A jungle erupted inside of a Philadelphia café, large windows let in tons of natural
lighting and they have a variety of items that I can bring over to my friends with a plethora of dietary
restrictions. Win win!
-What I Order: An Iced Rose Americano ( I ask for seltzer instead of still water, that is a pro tip!)

2. The Landing Kitchen: Ok! So this spot a friend introduced to me, and I got to say it is one of the
most low-key spots in Manayunk. The Landing Kitchen is much more family oriented and houses
itself in an ironworks like structure across from the Manayunk walking bridge. Plenty of outdoor
seating, and lawn activities to keep you occupied as well as little nooks with tons of wicker
swings and chairs, which has become a huge obsession of mine. It’s also approved by my mom
who does not approve of anything, including myself!
- Looks Like: A Southern California laid back vibe to it housed right on the canal. It was so
relaxing to hang out here with friends and not that far, a little under a mile from my house
which is about as far as I am willing to go in this heat. I cannot wait to see what they do for
their fall menu, as it changes seasonally.
- What I Order: I got a Vietnamese Cold Brew, the sweetened condensed milk made it so rich, I
I am going to have to keep some in my coffee cart at home! Will certainly be ordering this
again!

3. Pilgrim Roasters: A low key café at the edge of town, I first walked by this place and thought it
was closed, but now it is super popular with cyclists! They roast all of their own coffee in a two
room café. This is the coziest spot in Manayunk, and if I recall correctly this was the first place I
grabbed a coffee when I lived over in my other house on Kingsley St. I know it was snowing.
- Looks Like: Pilgrim is what I like to call with the utmost respect a “cult coffee shop” The
People that come here, don’t just love coffee, they have the whole dang Pinterest inspired
home brew set up at home. They probably also have a degree in engineering, and/or
chemistry. I like coming here, and will usually pop in if my favorite baristas are working the
counter.
- What I Order: I’ll snag an Americano to go and a bag of beans usually the Ethiopian has my
heart.
*A bonus place to check out is Mama’s Boy Café sandwiched in The Fat Lady Brewing on Main
Street it is single handedly owned by one of the coolest baristas/ entrepreneurs I have ever met!

Well it has BEAN fun! – Ash