Grindcore House — Restaurant in Philadelphia

One of my favorite places in the world.

On summer break as a grad student, I was visiting Philly and spent a morning studying for exams here, before I had any idea I'd move to Philadelphia. Vegan food and a soundtrack specifically to my tastes? Yes, please.

Since moving to Philly in 2019, this has been one of my absolute favorite places to eat. A BLAT or Kropotkin on ciabatta is just superb, but--having ventured beyond those two favorites from time to time--I think it's hard to make a bad choice from their food menu.

Now, I don't think their coffee drinks are the best in the city and--especially having moved a few blocks further away a few years ago--I'm a little confused that they don't do business with a delivery app (for lazier days). And I wish they were open later so I could enjoy them even more often!

But these are very small complaints that I'm merely including to offer a more complete review of a place when--given less space to express myself--I would just say something like "they're the best".

Because they're...

Grindcore House is definitely a unique little gem tucked away in the outskirts of South Philly. They offer a full selection of coffee and beverages, as well as baked goods and sandwiches. Best part? It's ALL vegan! Now, I'm not a vegan, but my best friend of 24 years is (and next time she comes to visit Philly, I will make it a point to bring her here), so I have a great deal of respect for vegans. I have tried both their hot coffee and their cold brew, both of which are wonderful, and a number of their yummy vegan baked goods! They even have soy and coconut creamer available. While there are only a few tables in the front area by the counter, there is a whole entire room in the back with plenty of seating, so as to accommodate a decent size group. The counter staff is friendly and they all seem to enjoy their work environment, plus they have awesome music playing in the background! For those of you with dogs, it's dog-friendly, and if your dog behaves, they have treats behind...

Grindcore House is one of my absolute favorite spots in the city. They have great drinks for any time of the year - like the horchata I just enjoyed - and treats to match any appetite. They are 100% vegan, so the only guilt you could feel is about how many oatmeal pies you eat.

The atmosphere is vintage, cozy, and cool, making it a great place to sit and read or work quietly. As the name suggests (and puns beautifully on with their fresh coffee), they usually have some kind of grindcore, noisecore, black metal, or otherwise playing over the sound system...which might sound odd for a coffee shop, but it's usually played at a lower volume so as to complement the relaxed, judgement-free attitude they like to convey.

Stop in by yourself or bring some friends; there is plenty of seating in the anarchist library in the back and, when the weather's good, at the tables outside.

Follow them on Twitter (@grindcorehouse) to get info on new treats and the occasional...