We discovered this gem on a recent visit to Philadelphia. A wide variety of empanadas, more interesting and better than any I had when I lived in Santiago, Chile. If I were a local, I'd try the soups and pastries and I'd be there every day for a cortado and the friendly service. read more

I really love that everything here is hand-made and made in-house. The owner was there dipping cookies in dulce de leche and rolling them in coconut which was fun to watch while I enjoyed my hot chocolate. I decided to try a few cookies that were on display. A short bread cookie with caramel and coconut. Very buttery, not overly sweet - at all. I tried a pastry filled with spinach, tasty, kinda lacking seasoning but the pastry itself was light and flavorful. The hot chocolate was traditional and not sweetened. Very thick, creamy and smooth - ahem ahem ... The ambiance was warm and welcoming and the staff was kind. The neighborhood I love and this is a great place to do some work, have a casual lunch or coffee date or just chill while sipping on some coffee. read more

Jezabel's - Cafes Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I thought this place was ok. The service seemed indifferent. The beef empanada was just ok. read more

I would give this place 3.5 stars. My boyfriend and I came here for breakfast late one Sunday morning. We both ordered the breakfast sandwich specials which come with coffee. He had the egg, spinach, and cheese bagel, and I had the egg, tomato, and cheese bagel. The staff member gave us our coffees and said they would bring us our food shortly. Unfortunately, there are only a few tables both indoors and outdoors and it was busy, so we had to wait while standing with our coffees for a little while before a table opened up. Thankfully, we got a table outside, and our food came out soon after. The breakfast sandwiches were pretty good. My only complaint is that they came out lukewarm, almost on the cold side. They would have been better served hot. The meal for both of us around $12, and we had a really nice time sitting outside. I will definitely be back! read more

Jezabel's - Breakfast specials. Egg, spinach, and cheese bagel, and egg, tomato, and cheese bagel. - Cafes Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

it's a cute spot pushing a new thing so i really badly wanted to like them...i've gone there at least a dozen times but tbh almost every time was pretty bad. first off: they are dough pockets stuffed with various stuffings. they are not empanadas. don't go expecting empanadas. secondly, they all taste the same...kinda bland. the dough is super not flaky and it's definitely dry. also, the prices are outrageous. i got a soda and two "empanadas" for $12. they are super small too. customer service is reasonable although it feels like they're playing store bc there aren't clear markings and pricing. also, don't get the leek ones. there's almost always grit in them overall, more artisanal snobbery with little flavor and lame service to back up the prices read more

Something about the energy of this place is off. For starters, I asked for a to-go cup for my tea and the barista asked if she could bring me a to-go cup when I was leaving. Which means ... what, exactly? I find kind of cheapness to be really annoying. Even worse, the empanada was basic. The crust was good but the filling was tough and chewy. The passive-aggressive barista vibe plus sub-par empanada makes it a solid pass for me. There are too many other coffee shop options in Philly that do better. read more

I came in for a quick afternoon pick me up and felt the immediate effects of the delicious coffee and small bites. I ordered the ham and cheese empanada which was an excellent first experience to the empanada world. The coffee was perfect temperature, consistent, and expertly crafted. The inside interior is small and intimate, and this little spot will impress any date for a snack. This is a perfect place to come on a cold winter day, and I will definitely be back to try the rest of the options! read more

I came here recently for a snack and coffee on my way to the O'Connor pool (see review). The cafe is very small and cute, but it was totally empty in the middle of the day. They have a small menu, which consists of empanadas, salads, some breakfast/brunch items, and ice cream. I opted to try three different empanadas- corn with feta, spinach and mushroom, and spicy chicken and also got an iced coffee. The empanadas get cheaper if you get 3 of them so why not get a variety? The employee behind the counter offered to heat them up, so I waited a few minutes but overall was in and out of there pretty fast. The iced coffee was standard, nothing special. The empanadas were just mediocre. They were luke warm and not crispy and hot, which is what I expected. The spicy chicken was the best one, but would have been better warmer and also could have been a little spicier. The spinach and mushroom was decent, but again could have been a little more flavorful. The corn one was my least favorite and honestly, was pretty gross- it was just mushy kernels of corn that had no flavor or texture really at all. I ended up throwing half of it out. I guess I'm confused how a place known for their empanadas doesn't seem to have the best empanadas? Overall, their other menu items looked interesting and it seems to get good reviews. Maybe I just had an off day. I would consider trying it again if I'm in the area, but wouldn't rush back. read more

I'm giving this place a one star because I've been consistently given cold food which has been very disappointing considering the amount they charge and how long it takes to order. The flavor of the empanadas is nice but when you eat them cold it's dry and doesn't taste good. I thought the first time was a mistake but seems the warmer is not working because I do see staff place it in there and for quite sometime read more

Great drinks, but the unique and ethnic spin on baked goods is the biggest draw for me to come if I'm in the area. The empanadas are tasty, but by far the best of what I've had here have to be the alfajores, a shortbread cookie enveloping some sticky dulce de leche inside. The cookie is ultra buttery and really melts in your mouth - definitely a must try. read more

Just moved to Philadelphia about a yr ago. I was born and raised in Mendoza, Argentina. I found this place online and was so excited to support. Unfortunately I was so disappointed. It's not the food isn't good it's the lack of selection on the food. There is just not too many options. They can upgrade the menu just a bit more. read more

I am optimistic about Gavin's - an Argentine-owned Euro-style cafe, right near Taney Park and sorely needed. The original Irish Bar (from years ago now serves as the coffee bar. We had some cold drinks here yesterday and I got a home-made beef empanada that was so delicious. The salad menu sounds great, too. This is sorely needed in this area and I hope they will be successful. Go, Gavin's! read more

Stopped by to grab a quick sip and a quick bite. The home-made hot chocolate was the perfect balance of sweet, creamy, and hot. I paired my beverage with a ham and cheese empanada which to my surprise was warmed up to a perfect temperature and consistency. Lots of love radiates throughout the cafe and a sense of community welcomes you the moment you step foot in the door. Staff is friendly and they all put lots of care into whatever they are crafting for their customers. Would highly recommend Jezabel's. One of Philly's best kept secrets! read more

I've been excited for Gavin's to open ever since I saw the new coat of paint on the outside of that old building. I am ecstatic that there is a little spot to get a bite to eat and great beverages in this area. The only downfall is that they are cash only. With the higher prices of the sandwiches and salads, it could get a little tough to have enough cash on-hand. The frozen mint lemonade is extremely refreshing, and the staff are very friendly. I will be watching this little place hopefully blossom into a Fitler Square / Schuykill Park Staple read more

I come here after my runs and indulge in their baked goods. Amazing croissants, probably the best I've had since I moved down to Philly. The second time I went, they had Argentinian croissant, which were smaller and dryer croissants and had caramel inside. So good. Yesterday, they didn't have croissants so I settled for a blueberry scone, also amazing. I think they do light lunches as well, but I haven't had it so can't comment. I'll probably continue my tradition Gavin's baked goods following my runs. #motivation read more

I took a nice walk along the Schukyll Trail and by a dog park to get here. It's in a nice neighborhood. Jezabel works in the small kitchen and seems familiar with most of the customers who came in. I wasn't able to get the facturas so I settled for the medialunas and a cafe con leche. I'm not sure if it was because I was in sports attire, but the cashier asked if I wanted water as well and gave me a wine bottle full of water and a cup. The coffee was good. I wish I asked them to toast my medialunas; nonetheless, they went well with the coffee! I will be back for more. The place is a bit small. But table turnover is fairly quick. I was in and out in 20 minutes, but I was also savoring the atmosphere. There is a park very close by that would be perfect for to go orders if the cafe is full. read more

Cozy little cafe with friendly staff, good tasting pastries, and an excellent coffee and tea selection. Honestly, I cannot say much more about the place. I'd recommend it on a quite afternoon or someone to meet someone to start off your day. They have Argentinian teas (mate) which is pretty good in both the bag and free tea form. With outdoor seating and AC inside, I'd say it is worth stopping by! read more

After hearing about their mint lemonade from a friend, I was super pumped to try Gavin's cafe lunch. I am so disappointed... I should have been suspicious when there were only 2 tables of patrons during lunch hour, but I figured it may have just been an off day. I started to ask about the menu and was quickly told that there were like no substitutions, no way to not have it "as is"...which was fine by me until I realized that the salads weren't premade! I don't understand if I don't want tomatoes...why I can't get a salad WITHOUT tomatoes or what have you?! My final salad had a nonexistent lemon dressing and was super overpriced at just under $9. To make it worse? It took the woman behind the counter over 15 minutes to *start* assembling my 4-ingredient salad. Even the mint lemonade was pretty bad (at least when they made it for me) as it was just ice + mint leave for the first 2/3 and then lemonade at the bottom. I saw their advertisement behind the counter of a nicely mixed mint lemonade, but mine was pretty gross. I finished most of it purely because it was late July and I was thirsty, but ugh. The ambience is really cute, I could definitely see getting coffee here, but never when I was in a rush and/or wanted food. read more

Great empanadas! Great fresh baked muffins with a Latin flair. Friendly staff and a nice vibe inside their Fitler Square location. So why is Jezabel's only a 3 star? It is pretty simple, the service is ponderous and could use a major dose of Ritalin. I finally walked out after watching the barista serve everyone except me after I paid. How tough is it to make my latte and serve me after 10 minutes? Would have thought this was a physics problem! They had 4 customers and two staff and couldn't produce a latte after a 10 minute wait. No sorry either! Sorry but you get a big fail for service. Not sure you get another chance. Love your baked goods... read more

I pass this place almost every day and despite the friendly chalkboard, it's a little bit hard to see what's inside. Finally came here with 8 friends after a cold and windy bike ride. Incredible pastries and empanadas. Delicious coffee. Warm and friendly service -- the cafe wasn't too full at the time but they handled the chaos of a large group very well. Will definitely be back! read more

It was okay - I went here for their empanadas thinking that they were $1 on dollar empanada day (they were listed as participants), but they ended up being $2.50. I prefer Colombian empanadas (corn meal outside versus the pastry dough? that was outside of these empanadas). I tried the beef, the chicken, and the vegetarian option they had. They weren't great and needed much seasoning/hot sauce to make them taste better. read more

Jezabel's - Zucchini empanadas, chicken empanadas, and beef empanadas. Left to right. - Cafes Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Well, as a 'veg head', I happen to disagree with the previous reviewer. Perhaps South Street or Starbucks is more her style - not mine. Gavin's Cafe, in my considered opinion, is a pleasant oasis in a rather barren neighborhood. The food offered is a good beginning - the place is not yet 2 months old! The smart owners are doing just what ought to be done - be flexible - offer some of this - some of that - test drive unil they discover who their clientele is and what they want. Very smart. Regarding children - I've seen such a broad group of customers in - from the skateboard youngsters to older peeps like me and my friends. Salads are good with fresh ingredients. My fav is the freshly made Frozen Mint Lemonade. Gavin's Cafe is a rather European style cafe offering a diverse menu in an upscale neighborhood. Perhaps it will become a 'neighborhood haunt' - I believe it is well on its way. Good luck and I'll certainly be back and so will my friends. DD@Phila read more

Jezabel's - Fresh frozen mint lemonade - Cafes Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I finally got the chance to stop in here on an insanely hot day after playing some tennis across the street. The frozen mint lemonade is amazing, definitely get it. It was super fresh, and not too sweet or sour. It was too early for empanadas, so I had the ham and cheese croissant. I guess there wasn't really anything special about it, but the ingredients were fresh, and I thought the ham was really high quality. Have to go back to try the empanadas. read more

What a quaint little mystery bakery this is. I don't know how much of a "mystery" it is in the traditional sense, but to me it is. Number one, It is tucked on the farthest end of Pine street before you cross the South Street Bridge. I imagine that if you don't live somewhere near here, you'd never find it or even hear about it. Number two, It is an Argentinian bakery-I did not really know what that meant before exploring the menu. So these two facts alone makes it mysterious to me. I love the atmosphere-a long bar takes up most of the bright, light room, with the small kitchen at the far end of the main entrance. There are a few small tables that line the wall adjacent from the bar and in the back, my personal favorite are the tables lining 26th street overlooking the tennis courts. There are traditional Argentinian style pastries-both sweet and savory-on glass domed pedestals lining the bar. The empanadas are their specialty-they have varying flavors, with one mushroom/spinach vegetarian option, one beef and one ham. I have only had vegetarian, which is filled with a flavorful spicy filling and has a great crispy crust. They have a nice breakfast sandwich selection as well, which I enjoyed quite a bit. I usually get a nice iced coffee with one of the above and sit outside and just relax. This is a little mystery I am glad I uncovered. I will be back more frequently. read more

The people are so nice, but the past 2 times i've went everything was underbaked. The little croissant twists and "empanadas" were both so underdone that they were squished and torn open in the bag. They were pure raw dough, i literally had to pan fry them to make them edible. read more

This small cafe serves up light Argentinian fare. It's really pretty inside and has nice outdoor seating. The atmosphere is very mellow and casual. The staff is very nice. For me, the food is just okay. The empanadas are small and seem a bit doughy and overpriced. Good coffee and salads. I'm not crazy about the alfajores (small caramel pastry), but perhaps that is just my taste. The bathroom is ridiculously small. You can barely move in there, if you manage to get in at all. read more

Felt rushed to order, wasn't explained the options, ordered 5 empanadas, no sauce given on the side. The empanadas are bit dry without sauce. When asked for sauce was told would have to purchase 8 ounce jar? Just needed some on the side. I wouldn't have minded paying extra for some on the side but didnt need a whole jar. Coffee was great, alfajores were ok - could not really taste the dulce de leche and cookies were too soft didn't have a bite. Overall felt that place needed better customer service. read more

The place is small but homely, as if you were visiting a friend for some homemade delicacies. Behind a narrow glass counter there's a small selection of empanadas, quiches, and sweets. We tried all three empanadas: ham and cheese, spinach and mushroom, as well as the beef. They were all ok. The dough was too tough, perhaps because it was the end of the day and these were reheated, but nevertheless. The beef empanada had the most flavor, the other ones were quite bland and in need of seasoning. read more

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This cafe is absolutely precious & clean! I have been to Jezabel's three times and the service has been excellent every visit. I went tonight for the first time since the spring to pick up a couple empanadas and 3 alfajores. I was shocked when the counter girl told me the price. I then remembered why I didn't frequent the cafe-- it's sooooo expensive for what it is. These empanadas &alfajores, although pretty good, are really overpriced. I gave my boyfriend (who is from Argentina) an empanada as soon as I arrived home & he was shocked when I told him how much I paid for everything. They're good but I don't think they're worth the cost. I would go back there if I ever need to buy some of their jarred dulce de leche but I'll stick to making empanadas at home. read more

I came here at 6:15pm on a Thursday night and they were already closed despite their posted close time being 7pm. Very upset because I was looking forward to their empanadas. This is unprofessional. read more

Yummy alfajores and empanadas! Really nice for a coffee stop and a snack in the afternoon after a walk in the Schuylkill River. The service is very good as well! Staff is very friendly! read more

Stopped by Jezabel's when I passed it by chance on my walk home, and really glad that I did! It's a really cute cafe that sells empanadas, cakes, muffins, and various drinks (other things too I imagine, I was just browsing the display case since I wanted a snack). The inside is a bit small, but the space is bright and seems like it would be a great place to sit and read or do a bit of work. I had the beef empanada which was quite good but not incredible. I was recommended the ham and cheese so maybe next time I'll try that, or a cake. Will definitely be back on another sunny weekend morning/afternoon! read more

Stopped here on the Segway tour of Philly--touristy, I know, but the operator of the tour company seems to have a relationship with them. The bar is amazing--such a cool integration of the former life of the space. The coffee was good, and my friend and I split a pastry, which was quite tasty. The bathroom might just be the single-smallest bathroom I have ever used indoors, however. read more

Stumbled into Gavin's on a lazy Saturday afternoon.... At first glance, I was in love. The place LOOKED adorable but it was completely empty...as in...no customers OR servers. It felt like a ghost town and took a few minutes for someone to seemingly materialize out of no where and finally take my order. I think the concept is wonderful and has great potential, but this place is missing the IT factor. I really wanted to try an empanada, but on this muggy hot day, the empanadas were piled onto a huge uncovered platter and exposed to a few lazy flies... so I had to pass. Maybe in a small town Gavin's would be the shiz, but it has stiff competition in Philly. read more

This cute little restaurant is right next to the park and convenient to the river walk. I've passed it many times before and looked forward to eating there. Unfortunately, the empanadas were dry and bland. I have had empanadas in Buenos Aires and the surrounding area. Other than in appearance, these were nothing like them and a huge disappointment. I got then to go and, after one bite of each, they met the first garbage can I could find. Sad to say, I will not be returning. read more

from an Argentinian -- empanadas were OK. A bit dry alfajores de maisena were also fairly dry the quiches were very good!!! servers were very friendly. cute small place read more

This place is picturesque! With its long bar and large mirrors, it looks like it should be in Europe, rather than Philly. The food is delicious! They have a few different vegetarian items. The Ruthie's veggie was my favorite though. They also serve ice cream and coffees. The only thing that hurts this cute space is that the bathroom always seems unclean and it is very cramped.... not a good combination. It puts a quick end to the fairytale experience. Tip: it's a BYO! read more

Attended a private event at Gavin's this weekend. Amazing empanadas, great catering, perfect for a 20-30 person party. Now I just need an excuse to throw a party... *** Now that I am finally logging in to release this review, I must say that I eat breakfast/lunch at Gavin's at least a few times per week now. I am hooked on Jezebel's homemade empanadas (my favorite is the spinach) and tarta's (quiche - my favorite is the tomato basil). Fantastic food, every time. read more

This place is great! It's really a food life-saver! I've lived in the neighborhood for a while and have had some terrible experiences at Taste Buds (mold in sandwich spread, etc) so when I discovered Gavin's, it was a breath of fresh air! They started out getting their pastries from Le Bus, but recently the darling owner, Jezabel, has started baking her own muffins (the cranberry-orange has caused me to fall off my diet), cookies, croissants as well as argentinean sweets! She also makes a different type on empanada every day (makes the dough and everything). You can catch her doing it if you go a little early for lunch. They're delicious. The prices are a bit steep, but their cheery-eyed staff makes up for it! The baristas, Kelly and Greg are so helpful and always tell me interesting stories and make me feel right at home while drinking my latte! read more

DON'T GO! CLONED CREDIT CARD! My brother, boyfriend and I went there on Jun 23rd, we only had credit cards so we paid with it. My brother got a little suspicious with their shitty iPad system, but paid anyway because it was all or nothing, and we were there by Philly Hub Tour, in the middle of a Segway tour, so it should've been safe. BUT WASN'T. That's the only place we used that card in months and a day later, today June 24th, we got over 15 fraud alerts on that same card over the phone. read more