Alif Brew & Mini Mart Inc. — Restaurant in Philadelphia

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📍 Alif Brew & Mini Mart - Philadelphia, PA ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Food:

Injera Platter – The spicy chicken was perfectly cooked, with just the right amount of heat and flavor. – The beef tibs were tender and packed with rich, smoky berbere spice. – The mild lentils had a bright, subtle flavor that my boyfriend loved. – The spicy lentils were my favorite of the lentils—flavorful with a distinct taste from the mild ones and not overwhelmingly spicy. – The green beans and carrots were well-seasoned and delicious. – The sides were awesome: the homemade cheese, stewed mushrooms, and more—you truly can’t go wrong with any of them!

Drinks:

Lavender Latte – Hands down the best lavender latte I’ve ever had, and I’ve tried plenty! – Perfectly balanced with sweetness, creaminess, and a strong lavender note.

Alif Special – Wonderfully fragrant, with bold ginger notes that made it feel cozy and seasonal. – Such a unique coffee, perfect for fall and winter.

I was so grateful to be invited to this incredible spot. My boyfriend and I had an amazing time exploring their menu. The staff were incredibly warm and welcoming, and everything from the coffee to the food was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented.

What sets Alif Brew apart is their dedication to creating a true “third space”—a much-needed communal place for people to gather, relax, and connect. They even host Ethiopian Buna ceremonies, roasting coffee beans on-site and inviting guests to enjoy the fresh brew while socializing.

To top it all off, they have an adorable mini mart filled with unique international snacks. I highly recommend stopping by this gem of a café. I’ll definitely be back!

Date...

This place? A whole vibe. Half mini-mart, half café, all flavor. I originally came through on a Too Good To Go haul, and now I’m here constantly—sometimes for a deal, sometimes just ‘cause I need it in my life. 😂

Let’s start with the mini-mart side, aka my happy place. They carry these crack-level addictive injera chips in rosemary, mild, and spicy—YES, I’ve tried them all, and YES, they’re all elite. I keep saying I’ll pace myself, but nah. Also obsessed with their zero-sugar digestive cookies?? I don't even know where else to find these, and honestly, I don’t wanna know. Alif is my plug now.

On the café side, the hot Ethiopian food is consistently 🔥. My all-time fave is the yellow split pea dish (Kik Alicha)—so flavorful, creamy, and comforting, like a warm hug from someone’s grandma. It comes with two glorious rolls of injera, soft and tangy, perfect for scooping up every last bit. If you know, you know.

There’s a cute little seating nook to the right of the register, plus a few outdoor tables for soaking up some sun with your sambusa. The staff? Super quick and helpful whenever I ask questions—they always know what’s up and don’t mind me geeking out over new snacks.

Also came by during the Dollar Stroll and tried their Ethiopian wraps, and—whew. How do I describe them? Imagine rich, spicy, savory magic wrapped in injera and handed to you for ONE DOLLAR. I was shook. It’s no wonder I’ve been back like five times... and probably forgot to check in at least half of those visits. Oops. 💁‍♀️

TL;DR: Alif Brew is my comfort café + snack haven rolled into one. If you haven’t been, GO. And grab me a bag of spicy injera chips while...

I visited a few days ago. The experience was far from positive, and I don’t see myself ever returning. I ordered a vanilla iced coffee—my usual choice—but was given a vanilla latte instead. I thought it was a simple mistake and politely let the employee know. Having worked in retail since I was 15, I completely understand that mistakes happen, and I always encourage people to speak up politely, especially when it’s for something they’ve paid for.

Unfortunately, the employee’s response was unprofessional. She kept insisting that I had ordered a latte (something I never drink, especially at 1 p.m.) and was defensive throughout our entire interaction. When I asked for my correct order, she snapped, “Well, what do you want me to do about it???” The obvious solution was to remake it, which she eventually did—but when handing me the drink, she added, “You know you just wasted my $5 of my coffee,” with an attitude. I hadn’t even planned on asking for the $1 price difference back (since the latte cost more), but given her tone, I did—and only then did she reluctantly return it. The whole interaction left a bad taste and definitely caught me off guard, especially because I’m not the type of person to argue with employees(and I couldn't even tell you the last time I've had to). I know from personal experience the types of customers they often have to deal with, which made this even more disappointing.

I also agree with another reviewer’s comment: there does seem to be an issue with loitering. While I stayed to finish my coffee and some work, a man came in three separate times being loud and disruptive, and the same employee did nothing...