Cafe Lift Reviews

I came for the breakfast and got so much more. The service was amazing. The ambiance was a great with artsy music to old converted building. The eggs Benedict wasn't great the muffin was too hard but the lemon ricotta pancakes were outstanding! Well worth the walk!

What an amazing restaurant! I went there twice in a 4 day trip. Had the amazing cannoli french toast. It was warm moist and so decadent. The mushroom frittata was also delicious. Tip: they only take cash so make sure you have enough. Also the place gets SUPER busy on weekends between 11-1.

Came here last year in November and was blown away and was lucky enough to come back in December with my girlfriend.

I will just start off by saying I am very particular about restaurants, and I can assure you that Cafe Life is amazing. We arrived at around 11 on a Sunday and it was very crowded, as would be expected. We took it as a sign that this must be a good breakfast spot, and decided to wait it out (they had a nice little seating area, so it really was not bad). They serve La Columbe coffee, which I LOVE. The wait staff was so attentive, and made sure we always had a water/coffee refill (which a lot of places don't do). I ordered the blueberry pancakes with a side of turkey bacon. They pancakes were honestly the best ones I have ever had anywhere. They put blueberries inside AND on top of the pancakes, and they were super fluffy and delicious. You can tell they use really high quality and fresh ingredients. The restaurant also had a really quaint atmosphere and I really loved it. Oh and did I mention how reasonable the prices are? My two friends and I all had huge breakfasts with OJ and coffee and the bill came out to $36. You really can't beat that. Go to Cafe Lift, you will not regret it !!!

Brunch at Cafe Lift is awesome! I had the Huevos Rancheros ($9.50- Toasted corn tortilla with refried beans, Mexican chorizo, roasted peppers and jack cheese, topped with two fried eggs and pico de gallo). This was a great choice! I also tried the Cannoli French Toast ($9.50-Challah bread dredged in a cinnamon vanilla custard, baked, then finished with bananas, chipped chocolate, pistachios and homemade ricotta cannoli filling). The french toast is very sweet and the portion size is big. My friends and I ordered this as a dessert to share after our meal. Portion sizes in general are very good and the food is amazing. I went on a Saturday and it got pretty packed. Expect a wait to be seated. We waited about 20 minutes. Services was great and so was the atmosphere.

Gold standard for a great breakfast. I can't believe I'm saying this but everything is top notch. Lemon ricotta pancakes, the eggs Benedict specials are off the hook. Try it all.

Honestly the most tasty brunch I have had in a long time. Unique, fresh menu with options for everyone. I ordered an egg bake off the Specials that contained calamari, garbanzo beans and a red sauce. It was divine. Bread was perfectly crispy and I used it to sop up every last drop of the delectable leftovers from the dish. Coffee was fresh and tasty. House made hot sauce was tangy and could just be slurped off a spoon by my fellow spicy fans. Service was excellent. Host retrieved us outside for our table upon waiting. Our barista/server was busy but very attentive. Manager even stopped by to ask about our experience. Atmosphere is industrial, modern, lively and the chandeliers are freakin' awesome. I'll dream of that meal until next time......

Servings were very generous and the food was quite good. Despite being quite busy service was cheerful and attentive. A couple of parties brought bottles of their own bubbly to mix with the house fresh squeezed OJ. Everyone seemed to be having a great time. Be prepared to wait for a table Sat or Sun morning but relax. It’ll be worth it. In a hurry? Go somewhere else.

Actually went to Lift Cafe, twice in one week, while staying in Philly. The location feels a bit rough, but once inside, the urban decor is married with truly, the most delicious breakfast dishes I have had in decades. The servers are all super friendly, the food comes fast, and it all just melts in your mouth. The Eggs Benedict Special was incredible, and the blueberry pancakes were the BEST I have ever had. I have no idea why this place doesn't rank way above Green Eggs, which we also went to. No comparison in the quality of the food. RUN to Lift Cafe for an incredible meal, before it gets so busy with Viaduct Green, that you will never be able to get in!

After waiting for 30 mins after we ordered, the waiter came up to me and asked if we want to order food. I talked to the manager and she was not apologetic at all. Service and respect to me is very important and it’s not what I saw in this place. Won’t be coming back or suggest it to anyone.

I went to Cafe Lift with a friend after church. There was a long wait as it was very packed, but the wait was worth it. We gave them our number and they texted us when our table was ready which was very convenient. I got the Vegan Sandwich with a side of potatoes and it was delicious!! I would definitely recommend this cafe to anyone!

Recommended by a friend and it was fun and good not great Nice staff, industrial funky motif Had eggs and one blue berry pancake I would recommend but not be a regular

**CASH ONLY** there is an atm inside if you forget. My friend and I stopped here for breakfast before we started our city adventure. We are both breakfast lovers and were not disappointed! I got the Pumpkin Pie French Toast and it was heavenly. Pumpkin Pie Ricotta whip on top with chocolate shavings and coffee syrup soaked walnuts, how could I go wrong? We probably should have shared it. My friend got the blueberry pancake as a side and it had GREAT flavor. The eggs & bacon were cooked perfectly and tasted excellent. If you get eggs as a side, be prepared for like 3 or 4 eggs! The fresh brewed loose teas were perfect for the chilly morning. We had the peppermint & english breakfast. Overall, everything was delicious, and the place was clean and quirky. Get here early to grab a seat, or you'll wait. The neighborhood isn't the greatest, so maybe have an uber or Lyft drop you off. Street parking is limited, as you might expect in Philly. Can't wait to come back!!

Cafe Lift is one of my favorite places for brunch in Philly. I am addicted to the lemon ricotta pancakes. I like to come on a weekday morning to avoid the crowds.

Love this place! Great service, reasonable and delicious. We'll definitely visit next time I'm in town. Yum!

Ok, simply put, THIS place does things RIGHT!!! I am psyched that we (3 adults & 3 young kids) decided to go here on a Sunday morning on the weekend before Christmas before leaving town....it was FANTASTIC!! I am in the city often and will DEFINITELY be coming back here soon!!! Can't wait to try lunch/brunch. It is located on a street that is renewing itself, as is so much in the city these days, especially this area. It appears to be safe & easy to get around. Once you go into the restaurant, you climb a few stairs and see the greeter who was extremely friendly. We sat in the comfortable waiting area & got a table pretty quick eventhough it was really busy. Our table was a counter height table with stools & it was cozy, comfortable, & very spacious. There are regular height tables & backed chairs as well. The menu and the specials all sounded delicious and were so amazingly creative (tough to decide on what to order)....challah french toast, cannolli french toast, interestingly stacked breakfast sandwiches, lemon ricotta pancakes, stuffed crispelles, non-traditional frittatas, etc. And EVERY single item we ordered was INCREDIBLY TASTY & DELICIOUS!! I mean it was ALL REALLY great! The young guy serving our table was so nice and attentive to our table....we never wanted for anything. The manager came over to introduce herself & finalize the bill payment and she was so nice as well. Cafe LIFT is a TOTAL WINNER!!!

Food and service were both excellent. Menu was a great mix of traditional breakfast foods and some more eclectic offerings. BYOB so we brought champagne and they supplied us with a carafe of oj for mimosas. They are in the process of applying for a liquor license so that option may not be around in the future.

The lemon ricotta pancakes area out of this world ! The fresh, homemade hot Italian sausage is awesome . There is no fancy digs here so don't feel you must dress up. Come as you are. Try the specials. Seating is tight but no worries people are friendly. Now go and get a great breakfast .

Dined solo, so I could only sample the lemon ricotta pancakes and spicy fennel sausage. I love lemon ricotta pancakes and usually order them whenever I see them on a menu. The version at Cafe Lift were good, but not great. Not enough strawberries and the pancakes were lacking that awesome texture that makes ricotta pancakes so friggin good. I still finished them! The spicy fennel sausage was great! Wish I knew their source for this, as it was perfectly spicy without being overly salty (like chorizo). Definitely order a side of this when you go. I came on a weekday, so it wasn't crowded at all. Also don't forget, it's CASH ONLY, which I can't comprehend.

excellent paninis.

Went to the Cafe Lift while on vacation and decided to stop in for breakfast. This was the best restaurant we went to while in Philadelphia. My mother and I each got a dish and ate half of each. The food was phenomenal and the service was good too. Highly recommend!

We’ve been to cafe lift a number of times over the years, but this was our first visit to the newer location. Very cool retro space with the same great food. Loved the lemon ricotta pancakes as always.

Was doing some work in the area and found this on here. The lunch sandwiches were great and service was excellent. The decor was industrial, which fits in well with the locale.

As an Australian, we’re always on the lookout for good coffee and we found it at Cafe Lift. The service was excellent and the food was delicious. This cafe is a little bit out of the centre of the city, but it’s worth the visit. No gluten free bread, but there are other options for those who are gluten intolerant.

The food was absolutely delicious. It was definitely sketchy neighborhood and its a good thing that this restaurant is not open at night. We ordered the nutella crepe and pumpkin cannoli french toast; both were wonderful. Our server was excellent and although there was a mistake with the order, they corrected it immediately and efficiently. Highly recommend

For the price you get a lot of food and it is pretty good. Rival Brothers coffee is a plus as well stick to the breakfast food and the burger.

There’s nothing worse then cutting into a poached egg and having it be completely solid on the inside.

walked in based on a recommendation from a friend. Got a table of 5ppl right away, friendly service, knowledgeable staff and very good quality food. We had the french toast, the artichoke & fennel sausage omelette, the lemon ricotta pancakes, the nutty monkey and coffee for the entire table. I have to say that the coffee cups are way to small for a breakfast size beverage and the drinks get cold very quickly. Everyone on the table enjoyed their food. The breakfast potatoes were probably too bland for my taste but given that the rest of the food was excellent, we really had no reason to give them anything less than 4 stars. I would ask the management to revisit the coffee cup situation, as they are too small, you have to continuously call the server for more coffee and the cups get cold very quickly. Otherwise everything else was excellent. Highly recommend it for large family as we had 3 adults and 2 teens and there was plenty of space all around us!

I had the two eggs breakfast with egg whites, dry wheat bread, and turkey bacon. I also had a side cup of fruit. The bread was put on a panini press making it extra good. The turkey bacon had a smokey flavor making it the best I've ever had. The eggs were great, as was the freshly cut fruit (granny smith apple, blueberries, strawberries, and bananas). My husband had the eggs benedict. He loved it and the coffee was excellent, too. If I'm ever in Philly again, I'd love to eat here again because everything that came out of the kitchen looked excellent!

We had brunch here in a Sunday and it was amazing! It was the first time at the cafe and we were not disappointed. Plan to wait for a table if you don't have a reservation. We waited an hour but it was worth it. The lemon ricotta pancakes were light and fluffy as were the blueberry pancakes my husband had. We recommend the fennel sausage if you are a meat eater. The coffee is good but the only sweetener option is raw sugar so be prepared in that isn't your thing. Tables are close, very tight seating situation. Not handicap accessible.

This place is always packed and bustling, so you know it’s good. It’s BYO and have a limited breakfast menu for brunch. It has a bit of a Spanish flare to the menu. The bacon is amazing it’s maple flavored in a way. They don’t have any gluten free “extras” as I like to call them, such as bread, waffles, etc. but the eggs and bacon were enough for me! Great locally roasted coffee too. It’s small as well so seating is limited.

Arrived at the cafe for a pick up order. Was asked to order online. It took 45 min.. extremely disappointed!!!!

We discovered this little gem while in town for the Democratic National Convention, and we liked it so much we had brunch/lunch there twice. It's fast and efficient, always important for weekday dining. And the setting has a cool industrial vibe. But the food is the real star here. I had the BLAT sandwich both times because it was that good! My friends had various specials which did not disappoint. The coffee and water are plentiful, which is great, and the servers are friendly. Definitely worth a visit!

**Cash only** Perfect 5 star Sunday brunch experience. We found parking on the street with ease at 9am on a Sunday. All breakfast dishes were $10 or below. First off, I do recommend arriving as close to the opening time as possible. We arrived at 9 sharp, and the place was packed within 30 mins. The servers were very efficient and friendly. The regular coffee was superb--nice robust flavor, and very bold. I got the sausage spinach fritatta with a lemon ricotta pancake on the side. The fritatta was spot on--generous portion, great flavor, and the potatoes on the side were among the best I've had. The lemon ricotta pancake was perfectly dense, and you could see the fresh lemon zest throughout the pancake. It was so moist and light. Husband got the cannoli French toast. Oh my word. The bread was fresh and most, and the marscapone cream on top was generous enough to make sure every bite had some. The chocolate and pistachio on top brought everything together. You probably do not need syrup. If you're getting this, make sure your eating partner gets a savory dish so you can share with each other to ease up the sweet a little bit. The tables are a bit close to your neighbors, but the noise/privacy was tolerable as we are not loud, and neither were our neighbors. Highly recommended in every aspect imaginable for an unforgettable meal.

$7.00 bucks for Breakfast. 2 eggs, meat, excellent potatoes, serious toast and fill- em up for free coffee. I have been to most of the fast-food, hot food, specialty coffee and bakeries in Fishtown, Northern Liberties, Old Town, University City and not found a better deal. This breakfast is as good as I would cook. Get it!

After an interesting walk to Cafe Lift, we were greeted by an active Sunday brunch crowd. The host said we would get a seat in 20 minutes, but judging from the crowd, we doubted it would be that quick. I'm always glad to be proven wrong when it comes to seating! This is an upbeat and fun place that is great for couples and families. The Huevos Rancheros were excellent, Jen’s Crespelle were worth the trip, we also shared one Lemon Ricotta Pancake which was great. The signature Cannoli French Toast challenged us who try to be gluten free when we saw it at another diner's table. Make the trip!

I went to Cafe Lift with one of my best friends who lives near Philadelphia, it's one of her favorite places, before the Philadelphia Flower Show last weekend. The decor is industrial, fitting in with the warehouse area location, but is fun and funky. All of the employees were friendly and helpful and helped make it a great experience. I now know why it's a favorite. The food was delicious. I had a crepe with asparagus and ham topped with poached eggs and hollandaise made with grainy mustard and truffles. My friend had French toast with caramel, bananas and whipped cream. That, too, was delicious. The coffee is also really good here, and I had decaf. The portions are huge and enough to share. However, they're so good you'll want to be selfish and eat it all yourself. Be prepared to wait, even if you get there fairly early on the weekend. It will be worth the wait.

The mood, the vibe and the staff are upbeat, positive and friendly as soon as you walk in the door. The food was excellently prepared, tasteful, generous portions and your coffee cup is never empty. The staff is knowledgeable and willing to make changes to accommodate dietary needs. Can't wait to go back and try one of the many selections on the menu.

Visited for Brunch on a Sunday. Arrived at 1130am. The wait was a bit extended. We're told 30 minutes, which turned in to an hour or more, we lost track of time as we talked. No, big deal, but it seemed as if they may have been seating out of order. As a previous hostess and server, I'm in tuned to this process. Again, no worries, just mention as brunch on a Sunday, may mean a longer than usual wait. The menu is great, with unique dishes, which I prefer over the common dishes. My brother in law said this is his favorite place to eat and it was a great treat for me as well.

I have been devouring the Margherita pizza here for 8 years. I wish I had a cot I the back. I have had pizza in literally hundreds of top-rates places from NYC to Hong Kong. There is nothing like this pizza. It is perfection....crisp, thin crust that tastes like it is from a coal-fired oven. Perfect mozzarella. And the greatest sauce ever, topped with pesto. The Jessica Alba (circa 2005) of pizza!

Every time I come to Philly this is my first stop I have never ordered anything that was bad, it’s always good ! And always friendly service. Best place to have breakfast in Philly! Especially after coming off the red eye.

Had brunch there. It was average... decent neighborhood place, but wouldn't go out of my way to go.

Can’t say enough about the great sandwiches (Cubano my favorite). But— very hard to talk to friends with all hard surfaces, no sound absorbing material at all. Nevertheless a neighborhood favorite.

In a dicey neighborhood, renowned & trendy Café Lift was disappointing. Although the menu is sophisticated & appealing & my friend's French toast was towering & covered w/ fresh fruit, my veggie sandwich was little more than two thick slices of (tasteless) bread w/ the thinnest layer of chopped veggies; so still hungry, I brought 1/2 home to eat w/ something more substantial. Yet, since the industrial décor w/ colorful artwork is appealing & even though tables are placed too closely together, I am willing to give it another try . . . but not anytime soon because there are too many other good cafes in Philly.

My friend recently came here for brunch and posted pics. When I saw them I knew I had to come! I came on a Saturday around 11am and was seated after a 30 min wait. We brought a bottle of champagne and ordered a small carafe of OJ which was perfect to make mimosas. We had the smothered breakfast burrito and caramel coconut French toast from the specials menu. Both were incredible. I also ordered a lemon ricotta pancake after reading the reviews. It wasn’t delivered with my food which my waitress noticed a few minutes later and said she would bring it shortly. Five minutes later it still hasn’t arrived so I asked about it. She stated that it had been “lost” and they were making a new one. I tried waiting for it but ended up finishing the entire thing and still didn’t have it. Just after both our plates were cleared the pancake finally arrived. I really didn’t want it by that time as I had expected everything to come together. Aside from this the rest of the visit was great. I would definitely go back. Some reviews mentioned this place was cash only but that seems to have changed as we used a card.

This place serves an excellent breakfast, and is open by 9am! In can be difficult to find breakfast much earlier than that it seems. Warning - cash only establishment. I had the breakfast burrito, my husband had the eggs benedict. Mine was just wonderful, with the roasted peppers and house-made salsa. My husband's was very good, but not a ten (the mustard hollandaise threw him off.) We shared one pancake on the side and it was very nice light but not all air. The place gets moving early, if you arrive after 9:30 you'll have a wait it seems. Completely worth it. Wish I was staying another day so I could try a brunch salad.

Went there for breakfast on a Saturday morning. The decor is a mismatch of modern furniture in a loft setting. We had the Breakfast Burrito, Huevos Rancheros, Prosciutto Panini and the special of lemon ricotta pancakes with fresh peaches. All dishes were served quickly and fresh. Service was cheerful.

When I first walked in I immediately noticed the cleanliness of the restaurant. The vintage decor and friendly staff made for a great first impression. Both the food and coffee were delicious. I had the frittata which was a very generous portion along with the drip coffee. I thought both were priced well for what you get. I went just after opening which was a perfect time. I will certainly going again next time I’m in Philly!

I had beat the morning rush by getting in right after opening on a Friday morning. I ordered the huevos rancheros off the early bird menu, which comes with bottomless coffee. The breakfast was filling and perfectly seasoned. My waitress was friendly and attentive with a couple table touches and coffee refills. Will definitely come back.

Happy place =) Sooo I came here on A Saturday morning to take my friend out for her birthday. I didn't know it was BYOB but THANK GOD I ALWAYS KEEP A BOTTLE ON ME OKKURTT, Ran to my car and grabbed some wine and yay! I chose this place because I'm obsessed with avocado toast and will go to any brunch that has it. But now that it has avocado toast and BYOB-its a win. I came around 9am on a Sunday and didn't have an issue finding parking or being seated. I ordered the avocado toast, hot chocolate and a side spring mix. My birthday friend ordered the cannoli french toast. Food was AMAZING. Fresh and presentable. Our Server, Samantha, bless her heart. She added a cute candle to my friends french toast. She was also just so timely, always made sure that we were good and she was just so sweet and pleasant! She definitely added to the pleasure of the experience. But the atmosphere is chill, the servers are great and I would definitely recommend this place.

Oh my goodness - how plentiful! Great coffee, unlimited refills Good outside seating Friendly staff Oldies music playing outside!

We had brunch here, on the way to a show. We got here at 9ish and if we were much later, would have had to get in a line. Atmosphere is wearhouse functional and service is excellent. I had huevo rancheros which was traditional Mexican, but it was creative, fresh, and just delicious. Even the few side potatoes were cooked to the point of just getting crispy. I would return. Recommended.

We went to Cafe Lift this morning with friends and our kids. Our daughter ordered the crepe, and proclaimed it the best breakfast that she's ever had. My husband ordered the Huevos Rancheros - they were delicious! I ordered the Cannoli French Toast which was quite possibly the best French Toast that I've ever had. Our bill was another pleasant surprise, only $62 for 6 meals. We will definitely return on our next trip to Philly. I do recommend being there at 9am when it opens on the weekend to avoid a long wait.

The atmosphere and service was wonderful and the food was delicious. I would recommend eating here if in town.

A friend who works on Spring Garden suggested this place for lunch, and I'm so glad we went! The decor is great, the menu is a good selection of brunch items and drinks. I had the chicken caesar salad, which was a big bowl of crisp greens and juicy chicken, house made croutons and a slice of bread. The iced tea was freshly brewed and was made of an unusual black tea which was delicious. The staff is friendly if frantic. Definitely a good choice!

My husband and I went to this spot for brunch. Great service, great food, very filling dishes. Small, quiet atmosphere. We went on a weekday so it was not crowded at all.

I have been to many brunch spots but the Pretzel bagel cheesesteak stole my heart..... it’s absolutely out of this world. The kids had the pancakes and licked off the entire plate. Would love to come back here and try other items.

Cafe Lift is nicely decorated and allows many to sit comfortably. The menu items are unique. The sweets were particularly good as were the egg dishes. Our favorites were the Canolli French Toast and Apple Carmel French toast. The Eggs Bendict, Shakshua and Frittata also were well liked, as was the Cubano. The only dishes we would not recommend were the Smoked Salmon Plate and the Vegan Pita. We all enjoyed the potatoes, but wish they had a bit less rosemary. Our group tried many of the specialty drinks. Most were delicious, although they took quite a while to receive and refill. Our group all agreed that a return trip to Cafe Luft was in order.

Cafe Lift is easily a five star establishment. I've walked by this joint dozens of times on my way to tango, but have honestly never noticed it. I thought it was a coffee shop more so than a restaurant. The decor is almost industrial like, with cool paintings along the walls. The restaurant is pretty large as well, which makes sense since rent is probably much cheaper here than in Center City proper. Service at Cafe Lift was excellent - the waitresses were incredibly helpful, friendly, and happy in general. Food at Cafe Lift was equally great - we had the eggs florentine (poached eggs with spinach, crab meat, potatoes, truffled hollandaise all served with two slices of Italian bread), sausage frittata (spicy Italian fennel sausage, spinach, and mozzarella cheese), and the cannoli french toast (challah bread, cinnamon vanilla custard, bananas, chocolate, pistachios, ricotta cannoli filling). Each dish was seasoned perfectly, with little room for improvement. The cannoli french toast is a must try. I'm hungry again just writing this review. I normally would ding a restaurant one star for being cash only, but the food and service here was good enough that I won't this time!

This was an EXCELLENT spot we found in Philly close to where we were staying. Selection great, service fantastic and food absolutely delicious. The house hot sauce was authentic and absolutely perfect. Get the Nutty Monkey and Huevos Rancheros!

Recommended as a spot while visiting Philly. Loved the breakfast burrito, frittata. Went on a weekday for a leisurely breakfast. Not too crowded if you have the luxury. Wish I was there before 9 for their early bird. Coffee seemed bitter or would give it 5 stars.

This is a bustling eatery near the Philadelphia carriage stables so we saw live horses being washed in a neighboring alley before entering the Cafe. There is a pungent horse odor but it is quickly replaced by the wonderful smell of breakfast foods as soon as you enter this amazing little place. It is very eclectic and industrial looking and there is seating for about 60 people at tables and a counter. Once seated we were offered fresh brewed coffee which was tasty and my friend ordered an espresso which she proclaimed was one of the best she had in a long time. Knowing the portions are large after reading the reviews online we ordered meals for two for the three of us. We had a mixed mushroom frittata and the challah French toast with fruit. These were definitely splittable for three. We indulged in this feast of breakfast foods by each taking one of the pieces of French toast, and some of the fruit. Then we split the wonderful crispy baked frittata. We were definitely filled and felt we had found a nice place to eat before going back to Baltimore. The meal including tip and tax was $11 per person which was a bargain considering the amount and quality of the food we were served. Note: This place opens at 9 am on Saturday and Sunday. It was filled by 9:30am with people waiting inside and outside for tables. If you want to avoid these lines, go early like we did as it was starting to fill at 9:15am.

Found this on TripAdvisor whilst staying in the neighbour for a short trip. From the outside the place looks pretty unassuming, but inside the urban industrial look makes a great space, and the smells that greet you as you walk in are intoxicating. Great menu, full of choice, all sounded delicious, and honestly would have loved to have tried them all.

My coworkers and I had this place recommended to us when we were looking for somewhere that wasn't as heavy or greasy as the other food we'd eaten in the area that week. We walked over and placed our order and found out it was cash only. They've got an ATM onsite, just in case though. The food was very good though. It was a break from all of the pizza and sandwiches we'd had up to that point in the week. The paninis were good and the ingredients were interesting, and the salads were very good. We'll go back again next time, but armed with cash first!

Visited today while on vacation and following recommendation from friend and we were not disappointed. We were looked after exceptionally well by our waitress Anna and surprised that she had been on vacation to Co.Down. We shared a chicken sandwich but the highlight had to be the rhubarb and strawberry French toast. Very busy cafe but well worth a visit.

I had breakfast there this morning because my daughter who lives in Philly recomended it. Today was her birthday and her last week of living on the east coast. I had to drive down to see for myself. Now I am a real italian and picky about how my cannoli filling is used but their Cannoli French Toast: Challah bread dredged in a cinnamon vanilla custard, baked, then finished with bananas, chipped chocolate, pistachios and homemade ricotta cannoli filling, was well worth the 40 min. drive. Unbelievable meal. My daughter might not be in Philly anymore but I will. Just for the French Toast.

Food here was good, if a little pricey. The breakfast burger was the best, but everything we had was tasty. There's a definite hipster vibe to the place, but the servers were friendly. I thought the tables were a little crammed together, but it wasn't too uncomfortable. The place is cash only, but there is an ATM inside.

A little off the beaten track but worth the walk and the 20 minute wait ... service was great. The coffees took a while to arrive but decent and very hot. The chai was great. The food was seasoned well and and plentiful. Would recommend the fried egg cheese steak .. superb. Will visit again !!!

sunday brunch....WHAT DID YOU SAY? if you get my gist, we couldnt hear each other...sit at group tables, exposed pipes in an old factory ..having said that , the brunch was great...i had heuvos rancheros, wife had granola, friend had a mushroom omelet...service was good, coffee was good, noise was outrageous...my guess is that during the week, it is a lot quieter..next time i go, it will be a weekday..in an old funky neighborhood which is becoming gentrified and starting to have a restaurant feel...parking on spring garden street is ok on sundays, dont know about during the week..could be a nice walk from center city but worth it and i would recommend it....seth and barbara koch

We visited Cafe Lift on our first morning in Philly. It was quite a walk from our hotel, maybe 25 minutes as the Cafe is out of the way of the main visitor spots in Philly but I did notice a few bars in and around so it may be more of a local spot. It was quiet when we arrived and we were given the choice of sitting inside or our, so we choose to sit outside in some cool reused storage containers. We were given water straight away and asked to view the menu on our phones. I'd looked at the menu the day before and still couldn't decide what I wanted as it all sounds very tasty, but I decided I wanted something a mix of sweet and savoury so I chose Jen's Crespelle and I do not regret my decision. It was a large rolled crepe full of bacon, eggs and cheese with some syrup poured over the top. You also get some potato's on the side so be prepared to be full. My wife also had the breakfast burrito which too was tasty but I woudn't choose anything over Jen's Crespelle. The only small issue we had was that it took a while for my wife's iced latte to arrive but the waiter was very friendly and made sure we had everything we needed.

We were visiting from out of town and friends suggested Lift. It was cozy and interesting. The food was amazing! My husband got a risotto crab cakes benedict which blew his mind. SO good, like unbelievably good! I had a fritatta that was on special with chicken sausage, sundried tomatoes and pesto. It was super good. We would definitely go back! Our friends said it was the first time they didn't have to wait. We arrived around 10am on a Sunday.

It was Sunday and being that it was our first time in Philly, none of us knew where to go. Then we found Cafe Lift. What. A. Surprise. I expected good brunch/breakfast food but this blew my mind. We were a party of 4 and were seated within 10 minutes. Two of us got French toast, one got eggs, and I got a breakfast panini with eggs sausage greens etc. It was amazing. They even had this spicy sauce to add to the panini that was so flavorful. Everyone loved their meals and the French toast was a huge portion with tons of strawberries, bananas, and blackberries. We had an awesome time and I would highly recommend dining here! THEY ONLY ACCEPT CASH so plan for it. They do have an ATM on site.

Great food, close to Sean's office. Nice to babies.

Ate here with a girlfriend of mine. The food was quite good - lots of sugary, diabetic coma inducing breakfast treats that I could not bring myself to try. Instead I had a savory crepe that hit the spot. It is quite loud inside and there is no AC so during the summer it was a bit much. If not for the noise I would have gone back several times this Winter. Very eclectic crowd. At this point I'm sticking with Brick and Mortar which is right down the street and a little more my speed for brunch.

High turnover. Main area almost always packed. I had the eggs benedict, which was superb. Server could not explain their revolver filter coffee so I chose Americano. It was freshly made. They add hot water to espresso shot. No fresh juices or smoothie on offer. Bottled ones only.

Great brunch

We were blown away with this restaurant / diner where we had an outstanding breakfast. The staff was attentive and friendly. While waiting for a table, we were waiting for a bar seat to open The "hosts" kept track of us and periodically reported not only on the table wait but how it was looking for the bar. The food was amazing and freshly prepared. BUT the most surprising thing was "made to order" hot chocolate with Chocolate Syrup that they make in house. This is not on the menu so we were surprised when we asked. And we asked that it be very hot ... and it was. Yes there is a wait. And we waited about 30+ minutes for our seats at the bar. But it will become a regular stop whenever we are in Philadelphia.

The cafe is a pretty nice place (although a bit dark and stuffy) with good vibes and a mixed crowd, but the food was just ok. There weren't many vegetarian options but I got some toast and then a waffle. The dishes are not super huge and I actually got hungry again pretty soon after we left. Took some time to get a table so it's probably not a good option for people in a hurry.

When I found out that the owners of Prohibition Tap Room also owned a brunch all day joint, I had to check it out. And I have found the best breakfast in Philly. Located on 13th between Callowhill and Spring Garden just past the underpass, getting there made me feel like I was in a scene from "Streets of Fire". It's a strange lonely neighborhood, but worth the Adventure. Plenty of street parking, but you have to hunt a little. Their hours are 9 to 3 Tuesday to Sunday. We arrived a few minutes before 9 and were the first customers on a Sunday. Coming through the doors, my nose was greeted to a Roasted Rosemary onslaught. This was going to be good. The very hipster waitstaff included a tiny Asian girl with ripped black stockings and a girl with a crazy multicolored Rosie the Riveter babushka. The menu had too many delicious things to choose so my wife and I Actually ordered 3 breakfasts and split them between us. Huevos Rancheros (no chorizo, vegetarian wife) eggs Benedict and Lemon Ricotta Pancakes. All were scrumptious. Of the 3 my fave was the Rancheros. The pancakes while delicious, were slightly dense and the Benedict used ham that looked like deli ham. If they were to bake their own ham and carve it off the bone, that would have won the prize. The eggs were poached perfectly and the hollandaise was lovely. The rosemary was in the potatos. Roasted with onion and butter I think, awesome. Oh, and its a bottomless cup of la Colombe coffee. On our next trip. We will attack the stuffed French toasts. Can't wait!

Excellent breakfast spot with friendly service. Good portions and creative menu options. Can be a little slow when crowded but completely worth it.

The Lift is a small, casual, understated restaurant that serves the most creative and delicious breakfast and lunch fare that you will every eat. The menu is expansive and every item is a masterpiece. The cafe has an expansive menu with unique daily specials like stuffed French toast (challah bread stuffed with sweetened mascarpone cheese, banana, and fresh strawberries, topped with maple-soaked walnuts). Both my husband and daughter said it was the best French toast they have ever eaten. Every patron looked happy and their plates (which contained a massive amount of food) were licked clean. Truly fabulous food. On another note: Cafe Lift's coffee is far superior to both Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts. The staff is friendly and work an warp speed to meet all your needs. You must go and will not be disappointed.

My wife and I went here for breakfast during our stay in Philadelphia. The food was terrific! My wife got blueberry pancakes with eggs and I got French toast with fresh fruit (blueberries, bananas, strawberries) Service was lagging but was acknowledged by the manager and we were accommodated for our wait. Great food and daily specials.

Visited for breakfast during a weekday. Only a few people inside. Yes, the lemon ricotta pancakes are great. However, service is horrible. Our waiter seemed like she was lost and delusional. I watched another waiter come in from outside,straight from off his bike and started waiting on tables without washing his hands. May be worth a try for the lemon ricotta pancakes but nothing else on the menu was enticing. Slightly overpriced. Will not return. There are too many other good restaurants to go in Philadelphia for breakfast or brunch.

That’s all you need to know. We sought out the best huevos rancheros in the area and we were not disappointed. Very cool building, decorated well. Very polite, friendly and attentive waitress. I got the huevos rancheros and my husband got a breakfast burrito and they were both outstanding. Like the best huevos rancheros I’ve ever had. Crispy tortilla, perfectly cooked eggs, great chorizo and this amazing hot sauce they make themselves. Can’t wait to go back.

This is one of those neighborhood places that is so worth the trip to eat here. My husband and I have eaten here a few times for breakfast when in Philadelphia. Each time is just as perfect as the last. Everything we’ve had has always been so tasty. I had the lemon ricotta pancakes with strawberries and fresh homemade whipped cream. It comes with a side of honey, but honestly, it isn’t needed. So, so good! My husband had the chilaquiles. I had a bite and they were layered with so much flavor. Eating here will LIFT you higher to start your day!

We walked over to Cafe Lift from our hotel on Market St and, at first, it seemed like we had the wrong address because the area is a little sketchy. There were 5 of us one Saturday morning and the wait was about 30 minutes. It wasn't too bad as it was an oddly warm day outside and there was outdoor seating available. The place was packed and we were able to order coffee and tea while we waited. I had the chai latte which was pretty good. For our meal, we had to split the cannoli french toast because it sounded awesome and it definitely was. I would recommend splitting it because it's heavy and comes in a hefty portion. I believe I ordered a vegetarian frittata for my meal which was great. It's definitely a spot worth checking out.

Had breakfast with our son on Sunday morning. The placed was packed! The service was fantastic, the food was even better. Lemon ricotta pancakes, and the egg platters were wonderful. Great place. Great location. Loved it and will definitely be back

Cafe Lift is my favorite breakfast spot, both for the quality of the food and the atmosphere. Portions are huge. Lemon Ricotta pancakes are my favorite, although omelettes can't be beat. La Columbe coffee is served along with cold beverages. Lunch items, such as panninis and salads are also among the fare.

Great industrial building in an area where it's not too difficult to find parking. Lots of hipsters, but, they always know the cool places to be, right? Bonus, it's 3 miles from the zoo. I'm not sure how someone went home hungry (as reviewed below) because the portions are huge. I couldn't even finish my cannoli French toast and it was absolutely amazing. Tried a bit of my husband's egg, cheese and bacon crepe and it was fantastic too. We will definitely return.

OK so I’m a little too old to be a hipster, but I quickly felt at home at this awesome American breakfast place. Brilliant food, excellent coffee and service with a smile. Go there when in Philly- at least once!

Overall, it was a very good experience because of the food and the great service. That's my general review in a nutshell. You can stop there or read on for more detail. When you go to the website for Cafe Lift, their header says "Brunch. All Day. Everyday." Well this is a bit misleading as they actually serve brunch 6 hours per day (which is not a whole day), 6 days a week (which is not everyday). So plan accordingly, because if you go on a weekend you will likely wait for one of those hours. As others have stated, it's probably easier to get a table more during the work week. We already knew we would wait about an hour so we didn't mind waiting. Then once you are seated, you don't feel rushed so that's a plus. They are also cash only (which, in 2015, grates on my nerves for reasons I won't go into in this review because I'm trying to focus on what you really want to know, not my personal beliefs about reporting income, taxes, paper trails, and common business practices). For the purposes of this review, I'll just say - bring cash. The food was really good and filling. There are choices for everyone. Breakfast foods, sandwiches, salads, a wide variety of beverages and more. I "food stalked" the plates of others and there was not a single item that didn't look good. The atmosphere is loud when crowded so if you like that energized vibe of people enjoying meals together you'll get that here. Also, they can accommodate semi-large groups (5 -8 people) pretty well. The price is right too. I went with a friend and it was less than $30 (about $15 per person). I would go again, but probably on a weekday morning when I'm off from work. Also my friend and I said they should rename themselves Cafe 6 & 6 since they are only open 6 hours a day, 6 days per week. Unless or course they plan on expanding to "Brunch. All Day. Everyday".

North 13th Street best kept secret. Must try the crab bisque, DELISH. Breakfast served all day (9am - 3pm). Cash only but everything on the menu is less than $10. www.cafelift.com

Yes, we went two mornings in a row. We had different plates each day and loved it all. The cannoli French toast on challah is out of this world. The breakfast burrito was stuffed full. The potatoes are delicious. The bacon is thick and perfectly crispy. The eggs were cooked exactly how I like them. The eggs Benedict was great. Staff was friendly, place was clean, and plenty of seating on a Thursday and Friday morning. Cash only and an ATM inside.

I'm so glad we waited for a table (it took about 35-40 minutes) because the food was actually the best brunch food I've ever had! We each had our own meal and then we split an order of the french toast that was dipped in vanilla custard - wow, that was some dessert! I had the special fritatta of the day that had butternut squash, goat cheese, and mushrooms - YUM! The prices were very reasonable, coffee was great and service was terrific. Can't wait to go back next time we're in Philadelphia.

YUM!!!! Another fantastic brunch place

Kind of outoftheway, street parking, but worth the walk for lunch. Try the Cubano: absolutely scrumptious on a big sesame -covered sliced baguette. Frittatas also excellent. I have lunch weekly here w friends. A favorite.

The new location is at Spring Garden and Ridge Ave across from the Car Wash. FACTS !!! I am not a big breakfast guy but Cafe Lift changed that and I am sure they will be voted Top Breakfast Spot in the US, soon enough. This place is just not some bagel place that they swipe a bagel with a thick layer of cream cheese and throw some lox on it and call is a sandwich... This place is much much more than that. More like Artwork you can eat. The French toast slices covered in fresh fruit and drizzled with local maple syrup topped with slices of bananas or the golden-brown pancakes layered with blueberries, mascarpone, and granola. And another one of my favorites and a Philly's First! Classic French Toast with baked cinnamon & vanilla custard soaked brioche with ricotta cannoli filling, with bananas, chipped chocolate, pistachios There's something charmingly seductive about Cafe Lift that they know exactly what you want and how you want it. 2 floors of seating and worth the price you pay for what you get. TRUE BREAKFAST ARTIST AT WORK. BTW try what I call the " Philly Special" EGG CHEESESTEAK Fried egg, shaved ribeye, caramelized onions, American cheese, on a pretzel bun........ Need I say more Jerry Ehrlich from The City of Philadelphia

Went to brunch on a saturday w/ family. My daughter picked it out after reading online reviews. I rarely give 5 stars, but I honestly cannot think of one negative thing about our meal. The ambiance is not really anything, but it's a casual, hipster, spare kind of place. We got there around 10:30 AM and were told it would be a 20 minute wait. The host kept coming over to keep us informed ("your table is almost ready. They got the bill." and "They're cleaning your table, just another minute.") which I really appreciated. The service was attentive, friendly and helpful without being hovering. Each dish was absolutely wonderful - but I felt the best one was my cousin's, the cannoli French toast. Every bite was a sweet mouthful of luscious goodness! (and I don't like cannolis) I had the egg panino with 2 eggs, asiago cheese, pesto, thick cut bacon, and long hot peppers. The only thing that made it better was slathering it with the homemade hot sauce that came with the huevos rancheros. My daughter got the buttermilk pancakes with blueberries, but I think we all agreed that the lemon ricotta pancakes were better (you can order just one, which we did so we could all try it). My fresh squeezed OJ was - get this - $2 for a large!! AND each dish was about $9. What a deal. Great choices, delicious food, friendly quick service, and value. The only thing that I would have loved is if they served outdoors (not that there's anything to look at outside. It was just a beautiful day, and there are tables right outside, but they don't serve food outdoors). Warning - several steps to get to the restaurant. Didn't see any ramp or elevator for people who can't do steps.

The joint has that industrial feel, with apparent pipes and very limited deco. Staff is curtuous and checks on you just the right amount of time, without being too much. Food is really good and servings are of reasonable size (the right size!). We got salads, frittata and vegan pita, and PB&J pancakes, everything was delicious, and it didn't take too long to get our food, even though the place was packed. No matter what time you show up, you'll always have a 30 minutes wait (but you seat outside in the sun!). It is always busy. On-street parking in the area is easy to find, and so, a plus. The only reason why I can't give it 5 stars is because of the noise level inside. You have to scream to talk to your friends; I feel the noise cancellation is I existent because of the industrial setting of the room. It is so noisy, I left with a strong headache that did not go away for 3 hours. If you're ok with noise, you'll like the place. Make sure to have your full party when there or they will not seat you. Friendly staff is a plus.

So I looked up best brunches and saw great reviews on Cafe Lift. Two items that stuck out were the Cannoli french toast and Juevos Rancheros. My girlfriend and I ordered both. The French toast had a great appearance, makes you wanna dive in. Ok so it wasn't all what people hype it up to be. I couldn't wait to try to find the disappointment of the hype. Yes they were good, tasty but not fantastic where I would say "have to come back and have again" the only place I've found for that so far is WILD FLOWER CAFE IN CLEARWATER FL where the french toast is A-MAZING. Anyhow this is about cafe lift. Was it better then other places such as Sabrinas cafe, yes. it was done well and there's is a lot. Now on to the Juevos. Some suggested in other reviews it was better than HONEY'S-SIT &-EAT. ok That was going to far. Honeys is by far the best juevos rancheros i've had and still stick by it. This place didn't compare in my taste buds, i wouldn't even say I could have that again on a second visit. Honey's however it's hard for me to get something otherwise. though it wasn't terrible. The potatoes people raved about and one reviewer saying she ordered a second because they were so good. Thank god the juevos came with potatoes otherwise I would of been disappointed in spending more for a side of them. Nothing special at all. You want great potatoes and order more, go to Green eggs, now thats breakfast potatoes. The place it's self is in an up and coming area. It's kinda cool where the restaurant is, I like the industrial look, seems a lot of places are going that way. The waitress was on-point and very nice. The coffee, like other reviewers said is awesome. it's strong. You wont find granulated sugar only raw. I found it interesting they offer Coconut water as a beverage. I like that a lot. I would give this place another try. they're were a couple of items that caught my eye like the Crepe, i'm interested in trying the lunch as well. Until then, enjoy.

Been coming here since I lived upstairs in 2008. It’s hands down the best breakfast and brunch in the city. If you think something is better, I want to hear it. Breakfast burrito with that amazing hot sauce is brilliant. Now my 3 year old is even a fan of this place. Solid all around. Never had a bad dish. Please start shipping your carter sauce though. I will buy like 3 a month!

My parents drove to see me a few weeks ago and we went here!! A lot of people have told me this is a type of place to take a lady on a first date!! I actually have no interest in that or any kind of relationship because I’m 99 percent sure I will be dumped!! That is all the self hatred I will do!! Anyway I came here with my parents and we all enjoyed it!! I got blueberry pancakes which were some of the best pancakes I’ve had!! I think they were very fluffy but not too heavy!! My parents got eggs and we all got coffee!! I also got 10 percent off our check since I am a certified student of Temple!! Y’all should come here and take a college student if you want a discount!!

We had asked our waiter at La Peg for a recommendation for breakfast, and we were very pleased that he told us about Cafe Lift. We had great food and service was pretty quick, even though they were busy. It's not inexpensive, but we would definitely go again if we were in Philly.

Highly recommend anyone not to frequent this restaurant. Our server was attentive and pleasant, however, others were dressed in dirty attire, wiping their nose, running fingers through their hair then handling food. It seemed some may have been on speed. Will not return.

So I have been coming to this gem for 7 years for lunch anytime I am in the area. Theirs is a diverse menu, but there is only one item I would literally kill for--the margherita pizza. Truly the best pizza I have had anywhere in the world. So I sat down and ordered it only to be told it is OFF THE MENU!!! What are they thinking??? Only offered on Fridays....what do they think it is fish and chips? No matter what I ordered instead I knew I would be disappointed and I totally was-- one of the lamest burgers this side of Wendy's. I feel like someone has reached into my soul and ripped out 2/3 of it. I never am local on Fridays so I will never be back. Farewell. Sad.

We had tried this once before for brunch, and it had been pretty good. Our recent visit leads me to write this review with some cautions. If you've looked at their website, you know there are long waits and it is cash only. That open kitchen makes for a very hot room on a hot day outside, so this might be a spot to consider only on cooler days. The Eggs Florentine is on focaccia bread that is too thick for the eggs, spinach, and crab meat and the rather small amount of hollandaise sauce, so I would advise against that menu choice. No one in my party raved about their food choices. They weren't terrible, but they weren't great. My beverage experience was with a café latte. My first cup came in a hot cup with a tepid beverage. In case it was just me, I had someone else try the coffee--definitely tepid. I asked my server to get me another, that this one was not hot. However, she returned with a new tepid coffee. Clearly the barista is not using a milk thermometer to steam the milk, because this milk seemed about 100°F, not the 140 to 145 that it should be. Accordingly, I would suggest you go with an iced beverage or the drip coffee with the bottomless cup. I haven't completely given up on this restaurant, but I would consider my menu choices more carefully in the future.

The food is absolutely delicious! It's a bit off the beaten path, but well worth it when you get there. We went for breakfast, and there was so much food in the plate we couldn't eat it all.....but it was so good! Even the coffer was delicious! We got there right at 10 a.m. on a Saturday and there was no wait! A great break away from chain eateries.

Cafe Lift is a small, hole-in-the-wall cafe with cool industrial decor. We went for breakfast on Sunday morning. Split a Hello Donut. I had the breakfast burrito. It was a huge, filling burrito that tasted great. Will be sure to return. Make sure to look for the red cafe sign, because it's easy to miss. Note that Cafe Lift is cash only, but there's an ATM on site.

Visiting Philadelphia again and met a friend for brunch at Cafe Lift. Excellent once again. Breakfast burrito was large and beautifully done. My special tostada was a great mix of flavors, well balanced with over easy eggs that were cooked with properly runny yolks. And friend and I were meeting for first time in a while. We were given a large table, off to side where we were able to visit for nearly 2 hours. No rush. And great attentive service the whole time.

Great little cafe. Perfect spot for breakfast! The staff is super friendly, and the service is quick. We had a variety of breakfast items including huevos rancheros, avocado toast, & French toast. I love the outdoor seating set up which enables us to enjoy their food safely until we can hang out inside again. Also a bonus- they deliver via Caviar when I’m feeling like breakfast in bed!

The worst experience ever. We were only in Philadelphia for a day. We waited 1 hour for a table, the food came cold, late and one of the plates never came

Came here just as the crowd picked up this morning. Got a delicious cappuccino, a donut and French toast. Make sure to get potatoes if your food doesn’t come with them already.

I was in Philadelphia for the Love Run and my siblings and I walked from the Philadelphia Convention Center to Cafe Lift on the Saturday before the run when I picked up my race packet. I was looking for a breakfast/brunch spot on a whim on my phone and I saw Cafe Lift's reviews were the first on the list of places shown. Cafe Lift has a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere. The Hostess & Wait Staff are so friendly and accommodating. Our waitress was quick and had such a great attitude and demeanor about her (unfortunately, I forgot her name but she had an awesome buzzcut). The food was flawless. The French Toast was such a pleasure. I had the frittata - YUM. the fish tacos were messy, but with good reason because it was stuffed to the brim with deliciousnes!! I loved the seating arrangements, the chalkboard designs, coffee was nice and strong, the water containers... every little detail of this place pleased all my senses. The food portions are plenty so you will not leave hungry or with a hole in your pocket. Enjoy!!!

They don't take reservations so after putting our name on the wait list we waited for 45 minutes before they finally sat us. The food was yummy and reasonably priced. It was very crowded and loud, so it's hard to have a conversation. The location was convenient, so there's that. Otherwise, I'm not sure what the hype is all about.

The food here is awesome. I love that they have healthy options as well entrees that you are more indulging, if you will. The atmosphere is nice and the staff offer decent customer service. I would definitely recommend this place if you're in Philly and looking for a great brunch place. Brunch being served all day is another plus as well.

Looked it up on YElp, on My quest to find Great Combo-Excellent coffee & brunch items..this place Does Rock!!! In an industrial area, turn on 13th St, parking on street, Then red arrow points to this cafe. Vey industrial & Dr.Seuss lights inside. Love the menu. Seasonal items come on the chalkboard for Specials. Locals & like me, Nj, cross the bridge for their delights.It has something for everyone, from Sweet , to savory. Go...Now..

Café Lift is located in a neighborhood with not much else going on around it. The restaurant itself, however, has great vibes--it is very industrial and trendy and seems more sophisticated than other brunch places in Philly. The food is innovative and sophisticated, and there are specials all the time. I had Jen's Crespelle, and it did not disappoint. Me and my six friends were all thrilled with our food. Although I didn't try any of the pastries, they also looked incredible. The service was great as well. I will definitely make a trek for the food and the atmosphere.

Your table will be so crowded with food, you'll be groaning when you push away, because you don't have enough room to eat their delectable challah French toast or their savory eggs. The wait staff are the epitome of grunge hipster and very attentive. It's cash only and BYOA so grab a flute if you're branching on a Saturday.

If I hadn't been taken to this place by a friend for breakfast, I never would have gone on my own. Kind of on the wrong side of the tracks in what appeared to be the warehouse district. Breakfast was big and delicious! So delicious that there was a crowd ahead of us and we had to wait about a half hour... but it was worth it! Everything you could ever want and more, piled high! Delicious! A definite redo!

Loved the breakfast burrito, all the food looked very appealing... Great first impression, might become a favorite.

We had a group of 7 and each of us got something different. No one was disappointed with their choices. The only reason I didn't give them 5 stars is because the acoustics made it difficult to make conversation. We literally had to speak in our loudest voices to speak to the person right next to you.

Absolutely love this hidden gem.... the menu itself is diverse and the specials are always well chosen. I stick with the SSS - soup, sandwich, salad combo-- only 10.00 and always filling. Also, it's byob!

Great place to do brunch; you can be as loud as u want without people looking at you to shut up! Had the avocado toast and french toast splitted for the wife and I. Latte was good; service great, quick and efficient! If in philly; must do this brunch!

Great service and delicious food!!!. Love the Cafe Lift. I went with my friends and we had wonderful time.

Hidden between Old city and Spring Garden this little hole in the wall is worth the hunt. very young hip crowd with an even younger wait staff... Almost like Judy and Mickey decided to open a restaurant...and did. Innovative brunch menu more than satisfied our small group with French toast to write home about. Definitely worth the trip

The hubby, baby and I decided to try this spot since the reviews seemed pretty good and we're so glad we did. There was a bit of a wait, but after all it was a Sunday a d everyone does brunch on Sunday right? So we decided to stay. We were happy to see the tons of high chairs since we were with our six month old. We had such a hard time deciding what to have but decided on the breakfast burrito and sausage fritatta. Super flavorful. The coffee was flowing but if you want something stronger it's byob. The service was great. The manager (I'm assuming), even came by to say hello to us and our son and to check to make sure we were good! The food stuck to our bones on the drive back to Nyc and we can't wait to visit again!

We got there right when they opened at 9am. Everyone was polite and efficient - my coffee cup was never empty. The food came out quickly and my French toast was amazing! We visit Philadelphia once a year and this is our go to breakfast spot.

We were visiting family in Philly, over from England. We went to Cafe Lift on our first day, as it was quite close. It was so good we went most days. The food was great, as was the ambience. The service was out of this world. Very friendly. Very efficient. Very good.

Returned to give it another try after time for place to get organized. Food and service much improved. Some noise but not unreasonable. Shared canolli frech toast after reading other reviews; very good and coffee was hot and a good blend. Server was pleasant and wait was short.

My wife and I shared a cheesesteak and a couple beers while luxuriating in the atmosphere and soaking up the beautiful spring day. The food and all was tops!

Great breakfast place! This is a cash only place, but it's delicious. The coffee is great, but beware they use small cups so you will need refills! There's a lot of healthy options including avocado toast. The servings are large too. The inside has an industrial hipster feel. It was very pleasant.

45 minute wait, but knew that going in.....you must try the Cubana sandwich....pork, ham, feta +....fabulous.....had some of the Nutella and banana wrap/crepe....the frittata was also awesome....will return if the occasion arises......

We visited this place for brunch while on a weekend trip to Philly. When we arrived it was packed and we were originally told a 35 minute wait but, it was only 15. They were very efficient and the service was excellent. I had the eggs benedict with a side of potatoes and my husband had the challah cannolli french toast and a side of bacon. My eggs benedict were DELICIOUS. The egg was poached perfectly and the hollandaise was delicious. My husband also enjoyed his french toast. Even the hot tea was extra good. I would highly recommend this restaurant. Don't let a long line deter you, it's worth the wait.

Cafe Lift has a deliciously diverse brunch menu! I recently had the nutty monkey crepe, with a side of fennel sausages (picture attached). It was so good! The restaurant has lots of tables, but they're clustered together, so the noise level can get quite high. Additionally, they don't take reservations, so on the weekends be prepared to wait for an hour during peak brunch times. However, if the weather is nice, since the restaurant is BYOB, you can order some OJ and sip your own mimosas outside at their provided tables and chairs to pass the time.

Cafe Lift has an excellent menu .. However, they have very poor customer service skills ... Whenever I order via the phone my order is screwed & I never know until Im back @ the office ... Not to mention I had hair in my eggs ... Back to boycotting Cafe Lift.. The young-lady who I spoke with this morning was very rude when I informed her my order was wrong yet again... I hope she has a bad perm in the near future .. CAFE LIFT SUCKS when it comes to ORDERING via the PHONE ...

We went for an early lunch on a Saturday and had no wait at all - maybe we were just lucky. The wait staff was attentive enough but not annoying. I had the Cannoli French Toast and it was out of this world. If you don't enjoy a sweet breakfast, get a Breakfast Burritto as that is what my wife ordered and it too was delicious. We hope to be in Philadelphia a lot more in the next couple years and this will definitely be a regular stop!

Omg. The food is outstanding and it comes within 20 minutes!! And the special thing about this brunch spot is it’s BYOB. Yes, bring your own bottle. You can bring your own champagne and they can provide the juice ($10 per juice obviously) but it’s a great catch!! I had the lift burger, a grass fed burger with eggs, cheese and bacon I think. It was out of this world, so tender everything tasted amazing. The home fries were seasoned beautifully as well. Obviously with a great place like this the wait will be long and they don’t take reservations so I would appoint one person to put your name on the wait list then go back home to chill until they call and text (obviously if you’re nearby). But yes, Cafe Lift is it!!

Wonderful Breakfast/Brunch! Great food...Great service, descent prices...doesn't get much better than this! Unusual atmosphere....but adds to the originality of this place. They do not take credit cards.....cash only.

We have ordered breakfast from Cafe Lift several times. During our recent visit, we ordered breakfast twice during our stay. The eggs steak and cheese sandwich was very tasty. The new location has more tables but a very small waiting area. People tend to wait outside.