Cafe Twelve

I LOVE CAFE TWELVE!!!
However, they are closed now : — (I changed the business info but Unilocal has to approve it. I’m posting this so people don’t try and make a trip to see it when its closed. You can check their facebook for confirmation. It looks like the business owner is leaving, but they said it might reopen if another person decides to take over the business.
I hope someone does, because their smoothies were very good, and I never got a chance to try their croissants !

I love Café Twelve! If I’m getting a tea or hot chocolate on my way somewhere, I try to stop here instead of one of the big chains in the city. The flavored chai tea lattes are fantastic. I’ve also stopped by for a bagel in the morning. On a nice day, they completely open the window wall in the front and you get a nice breeze with your coffee smell and your people watching. Everyone who works here is always super friendly.
Nice little corner spot to get some caffeine and relax!

I walked into this café and asked what tea they had. The person «working» the counter pointed me to a sign. Then about 12 of his «friends» came in and he chatted and laughed and served them all first. (That must be why they call it Café 12. They will serve 12 of the people they know for every one they don’t.) It took forever, so I walked out. Respect the line! By the way, barista, those people aren’t your friends; they are using you for coffee.

Had the cold brew and Americano here before. I like the space and area to study or hang with a group of friends. The baristas are super-​friendly. But I’m giving Café Twelve 3 stars because I think it’s just okay. The Americano was deep and rich, as an Americano should be, but I did not taste fresh coffee bean flavors. The cold brew had a slight bitterness to it that made me think the beans may not be fresh. I prefer a smoother, lighter cold brew. But then again I drink my coffee black. I heard good things about the mocha here though. I am not writing Café Twelve off yet; next time gotta try the mixed drinks.

Was here for a few hours recently. Really attractive interior, good chai latte, decent amount/​variety of seating, friendly baristas. Only 4 stars because the one barista’s singing was a little distracting. Will be back regularly

The staff is great and I love the light and air at the front of the café. But when will they ever fix all the broken wobbly tables and the busted door that slams every time it closes? When it’s cold, the staff keep the door propped open so they don’t have to hear the slam. I sympathize, but now I just don’t go there on cold days. And anyways you can’t set a hot cup of coffee on a table top that wobbles.

This place has gradually gotten better every time I go.
–barista was friendly
–their menu is informative for the coffee illiterate
–they have delicious breakfast sandwiches
–they support local artists
–their open space concept allows natural light to come through, which is my strong personal preference
–they take credit card
Last visit: I got their turkey sausage, egg & cheese on an everything bagel breakfast sandwich. The bagel was perfectly toasted, the cheese deliciously melted & the turkey sausage was fully cooked. They also cut it in half which makes it easier to eat. I was in and out under 5 minutes, which made my morning commute easier !

This is 100% the best coffee shop I’ve been to in Philadelphia, and I’m so happy that this gets to be my 400^th review on this site.
The open air coffee shop concept has always been my absolute favorite, and I don’t really know of any other coffee shop in Philadelphia that has this. It is absolutely beautiful. Fresh air, beautiful seating options, pretty décor, and an awesome selection of food/​smoothies/​baked goods/​coffees.
Wifi works well. Will 100% be back.

Nice eclectic café in town. Lots of options to sit inside or outside. Barista really friendly for a first time visitor.

Besides 12^th Street Gym, this is easily my favorite place in the Gayborhood. And how convenient, it’s right next door.
Whenever I walk past a Starbucks I wonder why so many people go to the McDonald’s of coffee shops.
Café 12 has an enthusiastic staff, friendly regulars, local artwork, and three of the most comfortable lounge chairs in Philadelphia.

Yes, they have improved BIG TIME since my last visit/​review of Café Twelve. The ambience has improved and the latte skills of baristas, and yes they were smiling making our iced Americanos. The bathroom is clean. So glad to say, I can come back next time I visit the gayborhood.

Minus a full star for charging $ 2 for a small regular drip coffee and $ 2.50 for a small mug for staying in house. Refills are $ 1
By comparison, the «over-​priced» Starbucks is $ 1.75 (1.80 with higher city taxes) for a small. Same price for a mug to stay in house. Refills are 50 cents. Free if using a registered Starbucks card.
Why do I care? Because drip coffee is the most consumed, and my beverage of choice especially when studying or reading for some amount if time. And overpriced drip is an abomination.
Ok so after all if that, how was the coffee you demand of me:
Good. Not great. But good. Hot, not burned, but the dark has that chicory chocolate flavor people despise Starbucks tasting of.
Bonus points for having Whole Milk at the sugar and milk area. Far too many places have removed that option.
The food: not bad. The grilled cheese comes in an interesting multi-​grain like square bread. No white bread here! You can do add ons that are $ 2 each, taking the price to 8.50.
The cookies are GIANT and fairly priced at $ 2.25.
The shop itself is cozy and inviting. The music isn’t loud, the conversations aren’t loud either. The front tables are Parisian café styled and the back has leather chairs and couches.
That said, the chairs have flattened out in cousins and need fixing.
Be fairly warned it can get crowded at peak use times. The staff was friendly and inviting when I went.
I do like the place and it gets stars for all the other reasons. It’s just that the cost for general drop coffee is just… Not right.

Once upon a time I was out and about in the city of Philadelphia for a lovely, warm spring afternoon. I made frequent stops along the way, Café Twelve, one of my favorite places to go for coffee and reading, being one. Upon going back home, I quickly realized something was amiss: my wallet had left my back pocket!!!
After spending the rest of the evening retracing all of my steps in the city, stopping at EVERY place and locale I had visited, much to my anxiety and sadness, my wallet could not be located. The next day, I was called by one of the workers at Café Twelve. My wallet had, evidently, fallen out in their store and was hidden from view from underneath one of their couches! To top it off, all of the contents from my wallet were intact.
If that isn’t quality customer service, I don’t know what is. Oh, yeah. And their coffee is good! Seriously. I recommend their seasonal flavored lattes/cappu-/mocha-ccino’s. Very flavorful. The staff, no matter who is working their, is ALWAYS friendly and positive. The atmosphere takes the cake. Quaint: not small enough to feel congested, not large enough to generate a large crowd; just right. The couches in the back are the best part! Away from the crowded front area for chit-​chat with friends.
A++

Gottal love local spots that go the extra mile. This is café twelve.
Friendly service, awesome coffee and espresso drinks, plus friendly folks make this a hit in my book.
Turkey, Brie & Granny Smith Apples with fig spread sandwich was hittin hard!

The new owners have adopted a concept that all the previous owners never were able to. Friendly service. They listen to the customer and they deliver
Bravo. This is the reviewing stand for the gay gym next door. Sit and watch all the boys run in pre/​post workout. Always full of people willing to strike up a conversation.

I wanted to update my review for this café. Their skim latte is hot, rich and creamy (just like I like my men, lol). The service was much improved and the music was appropriate and at a comfortable listening level. Kudos Café Twelve.

Very happy with my experience here. I ordered a café au lait and had the option of choosing between soy milk & almond milk for my milk substitute. I don’t know of anywhere else that has almond milk. My drink was made promptly, the café wasn’t crowded, the chairs were comfortable, the music was relaxing, and the baristas kind & happy. I will come back & figure out the wifi.
They accept LevelUp for payment

Phenomenal gingerbread coffee! Taste homemade, yummy! They also had delicious homemade apple cinnamon hand pies.
A little chilly near the windows but it is a good spot for people watching.
5 stars for my gingerbread latte.

Only stopped in for tea but location is very clean and ample.
Staff is friendly and their menu seemed good albeit a little pricy for things like cookies and bagels.

I usually like to get an egg sandwich on a croissant here. Typically service is friendly except for this time.
Previously I had gotten Starbucks and upon passing café twelve, I thought I would pop in for a croissant to go.
My Starbucks cup was greatly unappreciated, which I can sort of understand, but no need to be rude. I approached the counter to a someone rude saying something along the lines of, «can I help you because you are bringing in some drink from somewhere else.»
I realize you shouldn’t bring other food or drink in from elsewhere, but I am still a paying customer and I didn’t stop in for no reason. I was trying to get food to go.
I will never return here for food, drink, or anything else. (Also because they’re drinks taste like burnt espresso). There are too many other cafés in the area to bother dealing with this place.