Time for a confession: when I first saw that we were getting another coffee shop in Fishtown, I bitched and moaned about it to everyone I could find. ("Haven't we hit coffee shop saturation already? Couldn't we have an actually useful business, like a dry cleaners?") After my first visit, I had to take it all back. This is the best coffee I've had since I-don't-know when, and unlike Rocket Cat the staff here is friendly and helpful, and the space is inviting, and really well set up for reading, working, conversation, whatever. I'm psyched this place is on my block...though I'm still holding out for that dry cleaners. read more

I hope these guys have officially opened because the little taste I had at this quirky, triangle-shaped joint, perched where Norris and Susquehanna streets converge, was an addictive one. The espresso was rich, the steamed milk was just right and poured in an elegant pattern, and the boys behind the counter were all generous gentlemen. My sister works up the street at a small writer's press. I often visit her while walking the dog around the neighborhood, and about a week ago, we ventured out together to grab some coffee. We took a gamble on this new spot being open . . . and it wasn't. This, however, did not stop the gentlemen inside (five in all) from welcoming us and allowing us to come in to see the shop. The espresso bar was up and running, and one fellow (I believe his name was Matt) had the far end of the counter set up as if preparing for a science experiment. Knowing I wanted a quick jolt, I went with a macchiato, and my sister ordered a simple coffee. Matt obliged, and proceeded to show us his slow-brew method. He stood over his mad scientist set-up with a long spouted kettle and a stop watch, tediously circling hot water over coffee grounds for several minutes while we watched. All this for just for one cup! The gents asked if my sister would taste the coffee black before adding in the milk she'd requested, so as to experience the brew in its simplest form. I stole a sip, and it was delicious; my sister agreed. I tend to drink my coffee black and it's rare to find such a clear, crisp and flavorful cup of joe as what these boys brewed up for us that day. The few extra minutes it took were worth it for the quality. Not only is the coffee good, but the look of the place is intriguing and warm, with wooden floors and dark stained built-ins that evoke age and character. The antique charm of the building is juxtaposed with mix-n-match Scandinavian furniture that made me think I had stepped into a modern Viennese kaffehaus. Not doubt, the new young crow of Fishtown will eat such atmosphere up with a spoon. The boys also mentioned that they'd be setting up a refrigerator case with fresh salads and light, take-away fare, along with pastries once they'd gotten more organized with the space, but I got the impression that these gentlemen were all about their coffee. I don't blame them. It was damn good coffee. read more

Truly, a welcome addition to the neighborhood in every way, shape and form. Kensington's once forgotten reputation for of hand-made manufacturing seems to be coming back to life in subtle, mysterious ways. ReAnimator is as fine a symbol of this as any. The word 'meticulous' comes to mind when contemplating their product, their space, and their commitment to earnest customer service. I look very forward to watching this business evolve and grow as it settles into it's first brick and mortar storefront. Kudos, ReAnimator crew! Long may you run. read more

I freakin' love it. The only serious coffee game in (Fish)town. Nice minimalist decor compliments their back to basics coffee aesthetic. In presenting "coffee directly to you" I'd like to take this opportunity, ReAnimator, to present this song directly to you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKVMl2Ft_gU read more

Wow. I didn't think fishtown needed another coffee place until I tasted Reanimator coffee. We are so lucky to get a place that meets or exceeds the quality of Ultimo Coffee in our neighborhood! The baristas are ridiculously knowledgable and skilled at making pour overs, espresso drinks and/or loose teas. Everything I've had there is the "best this" or the "best that" of coffee. I love the space and hope these guys continue to grow so I can have their coffee when I'm not in Fishtown. Btw, my fiancé says the mocha lattes are the greatest gift to Fishtown. Ever. read more

Sitting here with a macchiato and bagel - the drink is really good. I was looking forward to the fancy way they top/pour the espresso drinks but the guy did kind of a sloppy job, but still tastes nice. In spite of the 2 stars, I will return (maybe). What's pissing me off is the service. The guy at the counter didn't say hi or even I'll be right with you. He was waiting on ONE person in front of me, I didn't get the impression he was overwhelmed. It's Halloween but I'm pretty sure it doesn't mean treat the customer like a ghost ... Finally a second employee came out and took my order. It became apparent ReAnimator is one of THOSE places ... If you aren't a regular/local you can piss off. The unfriendly guy barista had a friend come in who was greeted before he even made it to the counter, conversation ensued and was even apologized to for the brief wait. Getting nice coffee is a treat and I rarely do it for money reasons, so I'm actually really disappointed in this experience. read more

I have lived in the Fishtown area for roughly four years, and have never been very satisfied with the local coffee shop options. When I heard this place would be opening, I was eager to try. I have visited the shop about five times, always opting for one of their pour-over coffee selections. They typically have 3-4 roasts to choose from, and so far all have been excellent. They have a nifty little pour-over station built into the solid concrete counter top, and they seem to have the procedure down. It takes a little time, but considering the steps involved for pour-over coffee it is expected. This is the only shop that I have been to in the surrounding area that prominently features the pour-over technique as an option. On the first visit the people were incredibly friendly and willing to answer any questions we had. They use the sweet little Bonavita kettles that keep the water at a steady temperature ensuring the best extraction. Everything seems on par with how I would complete my own pour-over, and the results are always delicious. We also purchased one of the sweet potato brownies, and it was more cake-like, but tasty nonetheless. The inside of this place is large, awkward shaped, and barren. It isn't uninviting, but it isn't warm and homey either. I rarely hang out inside of coffee shops, so the interior design is rather irrelevant to me. They care about their coffee, and that is what matters most to me when going out for a cup. The coffee is a little pricier than I would like; I wouldn't buy it every morning. On the weekends it is a nice treat. To the reviewer who left a bad review: If you got the wrong coffee you could have just asked them to remake it...no need to be passive aggressive and try to leave little hints that you were unhappy. Based on the level of friendliness that I received from the employees on my visits, I imagine they would not have had a problem making your order right. As for them not wanting to discuss the roasts, I can understand that frustration. So far every trip to Reanimator has resulted in a delicious cup of coffee and that is the desired end result now, isn't it? Keep up the good work. read more

I thought over this rating for quite some time, and also ran it by my boyfriend who accompanied me here this morning. I was hesitant to rate this at 2 stars especially due to the other reviews that came before me (4 stars, 5 stars, etc)- which, by the way, was WHY we came here in the first place rather than going somewhere else. Im going to start right off the bat with what I and my boyfriend ordered. I ordered a cappuccino (I have been ordering them EVERYWHERE lately so I base my experience on everywhere else in fishtown/no libs that offers a cappuccino) and my boyfriend ordered his usual plain iced coffee (he orders it even in the dead of winter so he's tried an iced coffee all over as well). Ill get to the point, my cappuccino was 'eh'- it tasted burnt and unpure. I'm no coffee connoisseur but I do know a good cup when I taste one and this wasn't it. My boyfriend said his iced coffee tasted watered down and unremarkable. He ordered an everything bagel with butter and I just opted for a yogurt because thats what I was in the mood for. The bagel was also 'eh' and the butter literally tasted like nothing (not sure if that's what theyre going for or not but it was unremarkable as well). All in all, that's exactly our experience this morning- unremarkable. I hate leaving reviews like this because I want to give places the benefit of the doubt and maybe we just didn't order a good signature coffee that theyre known for or maybe we should have tried a pastry but I had to go by the rating system and since I went by the rating system, the experience was "Meh. I've experienced better." The prices are better than other coffee shops in the area but that doesnt mean the quality should lack. I'd rather pay the extra couple of bucks for a really truly good experience. And when I talk experience I am not just referring to the food and drink. The establishment itself was "meh"- water stains on the ceiling (signifying a leak of some sort- not something to take lightly) and overall the interior decor was just shotty. Granted, the floor was clean (always something I look for), the service was polite but not out of their way friendly, the utensils were clean and there werent any bugs floating in my drink, but at 2 stars as Yelp's rating states- my experience was all around 'meh'. Sorry reAnimator- I left your place un-animated and unimpressed. read more

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Coffee Nerd Heaven here. I love it. I first purchased some Reanimator coffee in 2011 at the Punk Rock Flea Market and I have been a fan since then. I am so happy that they have now opened a coffee establishment! They prepare old school style drip coffee and they even sell the equipment and beans so that you can brew your own at home. Here is the link: http://www.reanimatorcoffee.com/shop/ I also really like that they sell high quality sodas and snacks and the ambience is excellent. Great building that was previously a flower shop and before that, it was a tool shop. Speaking of tool shops, will somebody please open one up in Fishtown? We need a ma and pa one...or pa and pa or ma and ma. Sorry, I went off topic. Oh, "space capsule feline" (Rocket cat) is going to lose even more business now. They lose a lot of business at it is because their customer "service" is made of poop, but now that Reanimator is open for business, "space capsule feline" will just have to suffer. read more

Coffee people are always so painfully cool, and the staff at Reanimator are no exception. It's probably all that fabulous coffee they get to nip on all day! The coffee is exceptionally good and perfectly strong. Definitely a much needed pick me up. Lots of varietals are available for immediate consumption as well as bags of beans to take home. The space is minimalist but functional...a few chairs, tables, free wifi, and about three little outdoor tables. It works. My only wish is that there were more food options. When I went there were two bagels and a croissant to choose from. Tasty baked goods are always a good idea, so let's get some more in there! read more

This review is more for the sudden price surge than the coffee. Two 12oz. bags were just shy of $40 - up nearly 50% over a few months ago, when the same product was closer to $25-27. While I truly enjoy the quality and variety of Reanimator's blends, roasts, and single origin coffees, there are too many alternative options in Fishtown alone. Rocket Cat, Lola Bean, La Colombe, Milkcrate, Philly Bagel. This community has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to quality cafes. The saturation we have makes it all the more puzzling that a cafe would deliberately price itself out of the market. It's easy to ignore when someone compares, say, a tin can of Chock Full O' Nuts to craft coffee - that is not an apples to apples comparison. I can spend $25 at La Colombe to get the same quality and quantity of product that I get at Reanimator for $38 - that's a 50% price difference, and too significant for me to ignore in the future. It's a shame, as I sincerely like the product, the cafe, and respect the quality of work that is clear from the roasts. I am not a money mark, however, so I'll continue to patronize the other cafes in this community that charge reasonable prices. read more

Easily the best coffee in Fishtown. A small cup to go is $2 and adding cream or sugar to this near perfect brew would be a mistake. The modern, open space is sparsely decorated and almost encourages one to focus on a book or homework. read more

What a change! Reanimator has always had great coffee. The current staff is professional, friendly, helpful and positive. This is a wonderful development, and yes, a change from how things used to be. read more

Love this place. Quality coffee and genuinely friendly kind service. Lots of space for getting work done with available wifi and outlets for your laptop. The drip coffee is an awesome treat for myself. Plentiful parking. My yogurt parfait was spot on = perfect productive morning! One of my favorite spots for getting work done without the pretentious air of LC. read more

Ahh the simplicity. ReAnimator has a plentiful, diverse coffee/cream supply for all your pick me up needs. Get real work done here and fade far far away from the soul reaping city. I recommend mid day. Get a cozy outdoor seat. WiFi. Coffee subscription. read more

ReAnimator Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Man I've never been to such a unique coffee shop. Aside from getting an awesome slow dripped ice coffee I got schooled on everything coffee. Awesome place. You gotta check it out. read more

The best coffee I've found in Philadelphia made by great people. Minimalistic environment feels crisp but comfortable. Come here and have a shot of espresso. read more

Love this place, good coffee, has vegan donuts on the weekends. Wish the Fishtown shop had WiFi, I'd come more often!

Best coffee shop in Philly. Never anything less than an amazing cup. Maybe a hipster vibe, but the baristas have always been nice to me. Even down to giving me tips to make my coffee better. If you're looking for a frappachino or flavored coffee, than this is obviously not your place. Go to Starbucks. They will however make you an amazing latte/pour over/espresso from beans that that are roasted right in Philly and hand selected by the operators. Their selection of beans is top notch. read more

ReAnimator is the only coffee we drink at my office. It's roasted locally, and better than anything you've ever drank. We go through two or three bags a week. It's on the expensive side but you get exactly what you pay for. The shop itself is a good place to hang out and get work done. Staff is knowledgable about varieties of coffee. read more

ReAnimator has really good coffee that really does the job. You will not choke down a cup of weak coffee here. In fact, you may be uncomfortably caffeinated, which is so much better than the alternative. The prices are a little high for what it is, which is why it's not my go-to place in the area, but it never disappoints. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly (especially Paula!), and are down to talk coffee if that's your thing. The building is at the very acute angle between Norris and Susquehanna which gives it a really interesting triangular shape. It's an unusual layout, but very welcoming. If you are in Fishtown and need to pretend to work for a few hours, treat yourself to a pastry and coffee here! read more

This coffee shop is very minimal in its aesthetics. The coffee shop has a large lounge space but without a lot of furniture. There are limited chairs and tables to sit on, which creates a large space of nothing in the middle. It would be nice if they can add a table or two more and a couple of chairs so that more people can sit down and drink their coffee/tea. Other than that, the prices for coffee/tea is not too expensive. The prices are the same compared to other coffee shops in Philly. read more

Boutique coffee shop. High end prices for coffee but it's downright strong and the real deal. Decor is minimalist, furniture mid-century and music (at 10:00am on a Sunday) is an awesome mix of Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder and Diana Ross. Love having them in my neighborhood. read more

No free wi-fi unless you purchase something at least that's what I was told from employee when asked named Francesca. Rude employee Francesca with puffy hair and other co-woker working Sunday Evening March 18 are true gossipers! They were gossiping all kinds of stuff about different people and they have the hunger for it,WOW! I also agree with Andrea R's review. This coffee shop doesn't radiate that welcoming environment, at least from my experience I also didn't felt that here.IMO. I won't be back for sure. read more

Such a fantastic location, across from Loco Pez and Cedar Point, so that tacos, kombucha on tap, and coffee or chai are all options for my early evening. I love the outdoor seating and the general vibes over at Reanimator. Good people sit here, and the coffee is one of my favorites. I'm eagerly anticipating the addition of plants and color, which would both compliment the wood and simply layout in this triangular space. Greenery would certainly ease the flow of the cafe, which feels to me to have so much potential. It's spring, and Greensgrow's greenery is right around the corner! Let's gooooo. read more

Great little "hipster vegan veggie feel". High quality, natural products & a friendly staff. Coffee always taste better when a hipster serves it to you. read more

ReAnimator Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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The coffee is good, the beans are great and even their merchandise too. This experience in-particular left me feeling like an inconvenience to the staff. I understand it's cool to be hip and edgy but don't be a coffee shop that doesn't have cream or cinnamon. Also don't charge a million dollars for a bagel with cream cheese if all you do is throw it in a bag with a plastic ramekin of the cream cheese. In short: coffee good, people smug, quality service... absent. read more

Nice little place and nice staff but something is not jelling. No cinnamon vanilla etc for the coffee, no stevia, limited sizes for the lattes etc.. they can do better :) read more

I'm a no-frills coffee person. I typically drink it black, preferably in a paper to-go cup. If you're looking for the opinion of a coffee expert, I cannot help you. But I can say that this is the best coffee in Fishtown. Taste-wise, the flavors are just delicious. The hook brings you back... read more

Pour service? You betcha! My experience couldn't have bean more enjoyable. This is the Sota spot a coffee drinker of any level could enjoy. The beans may be roasted but the customers aren't! This place is cool as a cucumber. (Be sure to check out the state of the art cooling system) Looking for friendly service? This is the spot! Perfect for a quick stop during your daily grind or an extended stay to use the wifi. The best of the best! read more

ReAnimator Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Not only are their roasts the best but their customer service is spot on! We just opened our second bakery and cafe location and called Reanimator based on references and their reputation. Mark and Mark came to our location in NJ and walked us through their products and trained my staff on how to get the most of the coffee. They cleaned our equipment, help us trouble shoot some issues and then CAME OUT FOR OUR GRAND OPENING! They are the best and truly passionate about what they do. We will use them in all our future locations (yes there will be more). Cannot say enough. Thanks again guys! www.victoriansavories.com read more

My go-to spot when I want a solid cup of joe. Not too many options, no flavoring, nothing fancy - just quality, locally roasted coffee (check out their other location on Master Street, too!). Whenever there's seating, it's also the perfect spot to stop in and get some work done! read more

Good coffee, pretty interior, friendly service A+ This is a good place to hang out with friends or do some reading. There's a few tables outside if you wanna hang out with your dog. read more

This place is good. I'm more of a latte person, but after reading reviews about their espresso drinks - I tried a cappuccino. The espresso is bold, nutty, with a hint of sugar. It's a great place to set up shop and work for a few hours (that's actually where I am writing this review!). The wifi is free, and there is ample space to get work done. There aren't too many seats, but seems to be enough for people. There are also a few outlets available if you're low on power. If I'm in the area, I'd definitely come back. This local roaster is on par with the other coffee giant in Fishtown - La Colombe. Be warned though, they don't have too many food offerings. read more

Coffee by the elite and for the elite, and those desiring to be so. The whole place has the feel of some kind of temple or library devoted to some ancient arcane arts. No one speaks. Eye contact is minimal. It's really just about the coffee. If the weather is nice, there may be a few people seated at the tables outside discussing "last night" or "the other night" or perhaps "Angela" or something. Anyway the coffee. It's good. I brew it a lot at home and it's always roasted fresh. Now I'm a south/central american coffee guy, and lately these selections have been more abundant which is awesome. Maybe because these are usually more cost effective. Maybe because most Americans are raised on these, myself included, and can't appreciate coffee with hints of "lemon peel" or "jasmine" or "herbal tea?". I mean, I really like coffee, but I just like more coffee flavored coffee than anything else. I've gotten over the shame of my limited palate and I usually navigate the descriptions by looking for keywords like, "brown sugar" or "toasted walnuts" or "cocoa nibs". These are the flavors I evidently associate with coffee flavor and do well with cream. Once in a while something sneaks buy with strange hints of "beef jerky" or something but they tend to roast it that much better than the next guy that it is worth the chance Also not much in the way of food. Again this is a coffee monastery. Not some pedestrian cafe where the coffee is primarily used to wash down carrot cake and raspberry cream cheese bars. Plus sweets mean children, and besides being the products of reproduction, I can't imagine the small, domestic patrons would be well recieved by the hip, fashionable baristas. Also the employees here are all well dressed. Free style guidance? read more

The coffee is expensive. The tables are cute? The baristas are not friendly. Everyone in the place looked like a hipster zombie. If you're visiting Philly or you're not super hip...like if you don't have tattoos depicting sailors or ships or if you did not arrive at the shop on a bike...just go somewhere else....where they at the very least smile and talk. read more

It was really hot the day I tried ReAnimator out, and unfortunately, the AC wasn't working (apparently the AC man kept ghosting on them). But despite this, it was still a worthwhile experience! Drinks are reasonably priced and the coffee someone else ordered nearby smelled absolute delicious but as I have quit coffee for the time being, I got a small iced black tea and sat down to do some work. Note that a small is 16 oz (not 12oz like most places). The place isn't big but still very spacious which meant two things for me: it's a great place to unwind or be productive but there may not be emough seats if it gets crowded. But they do also have four or five outdoor seatings available. The barista(?) was very friendly and the music was just the right volume. Overall, this seems like a great place, the kind of place I'd probably come to to just get some quiet from everyday life. read more

Okay 5 stars for a new fun and fresh coffee spot in the neighborhood. Although they don't have Teas yet they said they are sourcing them and will soon. I love that they are so passionate about what they do and look forward to seeing the growth. read more

Great coffee, awesome space, and the nicest staff ever. I've never been a big coffee person, but thanks to Reanimator's pour-over coffee, I have entered the world of coffeeholic! This is a great place to go for a quick cup, meeting with friends, or serious day-long study session. read more

Worst coffee in Fishtown by far. I'd rather walk a few blocks to any of the other great coffee shops in Fishtown