Coffee Buzz

Ultimo Coffee Scores ‘America’s Best Coffee Shop’ Honors; iMunch Boots Up In Brewerytown

Ultimo Coffee
Ultimo Coffee Photo: Ultimo Coffee

Raise a mug of single-origin (pour-over, naturally) for Ultimo Coffee. TheDailyMeal named the little coffee shop, found here first at 15th and Mifflin streets in 2009, and later annexed at 22nd and Catherine streets in 2012, number one on its list of “America’s Best Coffee Shops.” The website chalks up the win to Ultimo’s stellar staff, the lack of coffee snobbery here in the 215, and to a lesser extent, the sandwiches from American Sardine Bar that were recently added to the program. Philly newcomer, Joe Coffee, also makes the cut at number nine for its original location in New York. Owners Jon and Gabrielle Rubinstein finally opened the doors of their first local location Monday, bringing its house-roasted brews and Intelligentsia Black Cat espresso to Rittenhouse Square.

While on the subject of coffee, coffee shops and cafes, it’s worth noting that iMunch opens in Brewerytown Saturday, April 6. Though its appropriation of Apple’s branding circa 1998 makes seem like a Jobs-ian food vending technology, it’s actually a cafe with coffee, coffee-shop grub, plus sandwiches, salads, soups, smoothies, ice cream and a bunch of breakfast options. Niquan Church, formerly of Marathon Grill, Cuba Libre, and Hickory Lane Bistro is handling the cooking duties.

Upstairs, the cafe will feature additional seating, free wifi access, a video wall and space for meetings and conferences.

iMunch, 1233 North 31st Street, (215) 23-MUNCH (215) 236-8624.

Ultimo Coffee Scores ‘America’s Best Coffee Shop’ Honors;