Will Travel for Coffee: Vol. 5

The coffee shops I visited this time around have a theme: they’re both highly-rated local(ish) coffee roasters! I have a soft spot for small-batch local coffee roasters. In my mind coffee shops get bonus points if they source and roast their own single-origin beans, because it means they’re really dedicated to making a great tasting cup of coffee! (Obviously generalizing here, there have definitely been some roasters that ended up being duds over the years.)

A little reminder: I don’t give the coffee shops that I visit any stars or number ratings. In my experience those kinds of reviews are super subjective and not always very helpful. Everyone has different tastes, and a place I loved could be one that someone else can’t stand! So instead I’ll provide some details like: an overview of the vibes, my thoughts on what I ordered, recommendations/tips for when you visit, and overall if I liked the shop or not! Want to see where else I’ve tried? You’ll find the rest of the series here.

Wake Up. Drink Coffee. Travel. Repeat.

Revolution Coffee Roasters

Revolution Coffee Roasters is a small batch coffee roaster with pretty good reviews online, which was enough to lure me across the Ben Franklin Bridge into New Jersey. The shop very much gives off small town vibes. It seemed like maybe they’d expanded into the space next door, but didn’t carry the decor over from the main area. The bar side had a fun chalkboard wall, coffee merch, and the majority of the decor, while the other side where we ended up sitting felt like an afterthought/plain overflow area.

They sell growlers of their cold brew coffee, so I figured it had to be pretty good. I don’t know if I just got my hopes up or something, but in my opinion it was kind of average. I’ve since been told that the nitro cold brew is actually the way to go, so I guess I’ll have to try that the next time I’m in the area. The rest of our order included an oat milk hot chocolate, a cinnamon roll, and a peach danish. For all you hot chocolate fans out there, Jasper said it was the perfect ratio of chocolate to oat milk.

If you’re in town on a Saturday morning from May through Thanksgiving, you can also grab a cup of their coffee at the nearby Collingswood Farmers Market!

Haddon Avenue

Revolution Coffee Roasters

809 Haddon Ave,
Collingswood, NJ

Monday
7am – 2pm

Tuesday – Saturday
7am – 6pm

Sunday
7am – 4pm

Pilgrim Coffee Roasters

Pilgrim Coffee Roasters is located on Main Street in the Manayunk neighborhood of Philadelphia. Their focus is great beans and coffee, so the inside has a no frills industrial-ish vibe. It seems like they are very popular with the cycling crowd, as you’ll almost always see at least one bicycle parked outside. Pilgrim is a bit further from all the action compared to the other coffee shops that line Main Street, so it often is a little less crowded.

I’ve been here a few times now…for quality control purposes. Their coffee may not be for everyone, its a bit of a stronger flavor than I think the casual coffee drinker may prefer. They also don’t have caramel as a flavor option, which honestly is a minor thing but still kind of bums me out. I’ve gotten both the cold brew and an oat milk vanilla latte, and I’m not sure I can pick a favorite. We’ve begun to notice that a LOT of places within 30 minutes of Philly get their pastries from the same bakery – Au Fournil in Narberth, PA. I’m a big fan, I can’t turn down the cinnamon roll any time I see it.