Business Details
41 Years
experience
Your Trusted Coffee Shop in Philadelphia Since 1985
Founded in 1985 by Ruth Isaac, Old City Coffee began as a one-person operation at 221 Church Street in Philadelphia. Our original mission to supply the public with freshly roasted high-grade coffees, combined with excellent service and competitive pricing, has remained unchanged. Over decades, we expanded to multiple locations, including Reading Terminal Market, and introduced retail mail order and specialty coffee catering. We continue to roast 100% Arabica beans in tiny batches, ensuring unmatched freshness and quality. Recognized by Philadelphia Magazine and the Specialty Coffee Association of America, we remain committed to innovation and customer satisfaction.Our team of dedicated professionals brings extensive knowledge of coffee varieties, roasts, and brewing techniques. We prioritize direct sourcing and efficient operations to maintain the lowest prices without compromising quality. Our catering services have elevated events since 1985, offering customized menus with award-winning blends. Through decades of growth, weve preserved our local identity and passion for exceptional coffee. Today, we serve Philadelphias historic districts with the same dedication that defined our founding principles.
Services
Coffee Catering
Espresso Service
Iced Espresso
Nitro Iced Coffee
Blended Iced Cappuccino
Coffee Roasting
Brewing Accessories
Wholesale Supply
Subscription Service
Event Catering
Details
- Year established: 1985
Highlights and features
- We have over 35 years of experience in specialty coffee roasting and service.
- Our small-batch roasting ensures the freshest, highest-quality coffee.
- We offer competitive pricing by eliminating commercial roasters and wholesalers.
- Our catering team has elevated events with premium coffee service since 1985.
- We maintain direct relationships with coffee growers for superior bean selection.
Associations and certifications
- Specialty Coffee Association of America
What people say
Attention to detail
Amazing team
Exceeded expectations
Premium coffee quality
Professional service
Services
Coffee Catering
We provide premium coffee catering services for events since 1985. Our offerings include customized espresso bars, iced coffee options, and specialty drinks like nitro iced coffee. Professional baristas serve hand-crafted beverages using our award-winning 6 Bean Espresso blend at corporate events, weddings, and private functions across Philadelphia.
Small-Batch Roasting
Our small-batch roasting process ensures maximum freshness and flavor. We roast 100% Arabica beans on-site at Reading Terminal Market, maintaining strict quality control from bean selection to final packaging. This method preserves the unique characteristics of each coffee origin while guaranteeing consistent quality for our customers.
Brewing Accessories
We offer a comprehensive selection of professional brewing equipment and accessories. Our inventory includes Chemex filters, Melitta basket filters, coffee makers, and brewing tools for both home enthusiasts and commercial operations. All products are carefully curated to complement our premium coffee offerings.
Wholesale Supply
Our wholesale program supplies cafes, restaurants, and businesses with premium roasted coffee and brewing equipment. We provide comprehensive support including equipment installation, staff training, and inventory management solutions. Partners benefit from direct access to our award-winning blends and industry expertise.
Subscription Service
Our subscription service ensures regular delivery of freshly roasted coffee to customers nationwide. Subscribers receive their chosen blends roasted and shipped within 48 hours, maintaining optimal freshness. The program offers flexible scheduling and exclusive access to seasonal and limited-edition coffee varieties.
People
Ruth Isaac
Founder
Ruth Isaac founded Old City Coffee in 1985 as a one-person operation. Her vision for high-quality coffee and exceptional service established the foundation for Philadelphia's longest-serving specialty coffee business. She pioneered direct sourcing relationships with coffee growers and developed the small-batch roasting methods that define our quality standards today.
Questions
What makes Old City Coffee unique?
We combine 35+ years of experience with small-batch roasting techniques to deliver the freshest 100% Arabica coffee. Our direct sourcing relationships and award-winning blends set us apart from commercial roasters.
Do you offer catering services?
Yes, we provide premium coffee catering with customized menus since 1985. Our services include espresso bars, iced coffee options, and specialty drinks for events of all sizes across Philadelphia.
What are your business hours?
Our Church Street location operates Monday-Thursday 7am-4pm, Friday-Saturday 7am-5pm, and Sunday 8am-5pm. Reading Terminal Market locations have extended daily hours.
Where are you located?
We operate three locations in Philadelphia: 221 Church Street, Reading Terminal Market main location, and Reading Terminal Market Annex. All locations feature our signature coffee offerings.
Reviews (6)
Didier Godot
Nov 10, 2021
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Original little coffee with his own ambiance in this area surrounded by historys and beautiful houses. A good stop to taste one of the many coffee flavours and feel good with a fresh and different coffee experience.
Zlata Prilepova
Oct 30, 2021
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Lovely place, great variety of drinks and nice flavors. One of the best milkshakes, good espresso. Friendly stuff and very helpful too.
Ryan Zimmer
Sep 29, 2021
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Such a cute little place. friendly staff and a variety of coffee beans. probably my favorite coffee in philly!
Nazmun Nahar
Sep 15, 2021
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Super cute spot. I almost missed it cause its in a small side street. Its cozy and everyone was so nice. They have a great selection of teas as well. You can actually buy loose tea from them! I went for the iced chai tea latte and I really enjoyed it cause it wasnt overwhelming. It was refreshing and mildly sweet.
Brad Bern
Jun 22, 2021
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Passionate baristas and tasty coffee, 6 bean espresso will get ya moving! First time seeing a fresh mint plant for their collection of teas, nice touch
Eric L.
Jan 31, 2021
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Based on the reviews I expected the place to taste better than Starbucks. Sadly we didn't try the coffee before purchasing and we just bought beans on the faith of yelp. We bought a bag of old city and whatever else was recommended. When we got home and made them we were surprised how bitter they were and it seemed that they over roasted the beans. I wouldn't recommend unless you like bitter coffee profile.
