Char & Stave — Restaurant in Philadelphia

I have been coming to both locations for quite some time and have noticed some things that are both great and some things that could be improved. All staff have been very friendly and welcoming. I love the added music nights - there's some great local and small singers I have heard. Some things that could have some more attention to: frequently tables are not clean from customers who previously sat. For some reason there is consistently a lot of gnats/flies in the place, more so as the whether has gotten warmer. The seating is very uncomfortable, both the chairs and bench have no cushioning. I come here to study for long periods sometimes and it is really difficult to stay long. Particularly for the back wall bench...adding a long seat cushion along this wall would make a huge difference. The pastries are pretty good but its disappointing there is no way for them to be made warm and are $5.... additionally a little bit more of a food option would be great. For the expensive prices of coffee, tea, and drinks on the menu, the sizes are rather poor. It is disappointing that I pay more for a coffee or matcha that is not even the at least the same size of a grande starbucks cup. All drinks are great though! Somedays the music is blasting and while I do like some background music in a coffee shop (and the playlist is good) it often overpowers even noise-canceling headphones. Small other things but bag hooks under the bar, outlets under the back wall, and less finicky wifi...I know these are quite a few points but I really think adressing some of these would greatly enhance this place and make the customer experience overall more enjoyable. Details really do make...

For the most part I like the atmosphere, looks like any ordinary coffee shop. However, the temperature inside the place is too cold to enjoy your upscale priced coffee. Many are sitting around with their coats on. And the window is all fogged up, and this is the only storefront window I see on Germantown Ave. that has a totally steamed up or foggy window. From the outside oftentimes, you are not able to tell whether the cafe is open or closed. However, I contribute that steamed up window to a lack of heat in the place. Now think about it, if a person wants to come into a supposedly upscaled place to enjoy a cup of hot coffee, tea or any specialty drink along with some nice pastries, it should be comfortable inside with more heat. Therefore, thought should be given to the price of the coffee as well as are my patrons comfortable. Definitely, the thermometer needs to be raised for comfort and to keep the front window and door not so steamed up. Also, the front door's window should be a little cleaner looking each morning as well as a little more maintenance in the restroom which can be a little fresher, they are not bad but they should be a little fresher, especially early in the mornings when you are perhaps some of the first customers to arrive. I do plan to go there again because I do like the service and the flavor of the coffee and pastries. However, these are just my suggestions to enhance a relatively new business...

Visited on 11/10/24 around 9:30am

Some of the most abysmal service I've ever seen for a not busy cafe stacked on top of one of the most unprofessional baristas I've ever had the displeasure of interacting with.

My tea, which was immediately forgotten and I had to remind the barista for once asked, was passable. Unfortunately, I can't really give you credit for that since you filled a tea bag and put it in hot water. My donut was pretty good, I'll give 2 stars on food for that! But when asked what the baked goods are and you flop your hand, glassy-eyed, in reference to the lidded container up front, don't be surprised when I buy one and go to lift the lid. Signs are pretty effective I think. Something like "display only" could work!

My friends who ordered a black coffee and a dirty chai were even less fortunate and had to fully remind the barista about their order which was shrugged off as a "We'll get to it in a second." I saw that you had a POS system but I guess it must just be for show, you should try using it sometime. Could be cool!

The ambiance of the whole cafe was pretty rad, but that was almost immediately shattered by the rancid vibes from the male barista. If you were too hungover to work, I feel for you, but not enough to stop me from writing this review ✌️

Small addition! The lady barista who did end up making my friend's drinks was perfectly nice and made the experience as straight forward as it...