A Vegan “Starbucks” is Opening in South Philly

With vegan baked goods, an espresso bar, sandwiches, and more.


Batter & Crumbs also takes cake orders for special occasions. Photograph courtesy Batter & Crumbs.

We here at Be Well Philly love ourselves some vegan comfort foods, vegan dinner recipes  — anything vegan, really. I mean, food that’s 100-percent powered by plants? Yes, please.

That’s why we’re pretty excited that Batter & Crumbs is giving their vegan treats a new home in South Philly. While they’ve been whipping up vegan baked goods for wholesale and delivery in the Philadelphia area since 2015, this new location will be their first storefront. Even better, Batter & Crumbs co-founder Paul Carmine says it’ll have a “similar set-up” to a Starbucks.

Photograph courtesy Batter & Crumbs.

The 16-seat cafe will feature all the Batter & Crumbs baked goods faves — from brownies to scones to cannolis to s’mores bars — along with an espresso bar. For breakfast, they’ll have bagels and “some sugary, classic cereals,” says Carmine, and for lunch, a local vendor will be supplying them with pre-made sandwiches. They’ll also have bottled drinks, like kombucha, in stock for grab-and-go.

Photograph courtesy Batter & Crumbs.

While all of their products are egg and dairy-free (and they also can accommodate gluten-free requests as well), that doesn’t mean they’re exactly, well, “healthy.”

“Let’s face it, it’s still dessert. Our goal is to create amazing treats that are cruelty-free,” reads the Batter & Crumbs website.

Photograph courtesy Batter & Crumbs.

Carmine says that while they signed a lease at 1401 Reed Street in Point Breeze last summer, permitting has held them up from turning the gutted space into their dream vegan eatery. Still, they’re hoping to be open either late this summer or early this fall — so until then we’ll be keeping an eye on their Instagram and Facebook for updates.

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