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Monk's Cafe

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264 S 16th St (at Spruce St.)
Philadelphia, PA 19102

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(215) 545-7005
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Monk's Cafe - Philadelphia, PA
Monk's Cafe - Philadelphia, PA
Reviews
( 69 )
( 42 )
( 18 )
( 5 )
( 28 )

Best

After reading some of the negative reviews...I felt like I should post my recent experience at Monk's. I felt the service was very professional. Both bartenders were pleasant ...

Worst

Great beer selection and cozy ambience if it's not too crowded. Service can be slow and sometimes rude regardless of how busy they are. The food is good (especially the fries), ...

Horrible Service 5/29/2008

Bartenders are rude and obnoxious. Go to Eulogy, much better beer selection and way better service. Years ago this used to be my favorite place for good food and good beer; now, after multiple visits where i was treated horribly, I wouldn't go there if you paid me. Pros: location Cons: bartenders are rude more
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Great beer list 5/9/2008

One of the best places to eat in the city: Food is delicious, service is quick and the beer is very flavorful (I would recommend the draft ""Chimay"" beer), except that the wait can be really long, so it's best to get there early in the evening, maybe around 7pm. more
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Great beer list 5/9/2008

One of the best places to eat in the city: Food is delicious, service is quick and the beer is very flavorful (I would recommend the draft "Chimay" beer), except that the wait can be really long, so it's best to get there early in the evening, maybe around 7pm. more
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don't waste your time 5/6/2008

i'm giving it 1 star because they do have a HALF DECENT beer selection. Eulogy has 300+ selections, plus waaaaaaay better food and service. Monks disappoints every time and we've decided last night was our last visit. the reason we chose Monks was because they serve food later than Eulogy... after last nights dinner at Monks, we joked and said we should have just grabbed a cheesesteak from Pat's. Pros: decent beer selection Cons: lousy service and 'just ok' food more
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don't waste your time 5/6/2008

i'm giving it 1 star because they do have a HALF DECENT beer selection. Eulogy has 300+ selections, plus waaaaaaay better food and service. Monks disappoints every time and we've decided last night was our last visit. the reason we chose Monks was because they serve food later than Eulogy... after last nights dinner at Monks, we joked and said we should have just grabbed a cheesesteak from Pat's. Pros: decent beer selection Cons: lousy service and 'just ok' food more
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best food and beer in Philly 3/28/2008

This is easily my most-frequented establishment in Philly. The food is phenomenal, the prices are reasonable, and the beer selection is unparalleled. The Monk's sour this year is a little weak, but there are plenty of alternatives to go with the succulent mussels and the best frites you'll ever have. Sometimes the wait is an hour, but it's worth it; have a beer at the back bar. more
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best food and beer in Philly 3/28/2008

This is easily my most-frequented establishment in Philly. The food is phenomenal, the prices are reasonable, and the beer selection is unparalleled. The Monk's sour this year is a little weak, but there are plenty of alternatives to go with the succulent mussels and the best frites you'll ever have. Sometimes the wait is an hour, but it's worth it; have a beer at the back bar. more
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Terrible Service! 3/14/2008

I have been to Monks several times over the past few years. I've had dreadful service each time, but continue to give the place the benefit of the doubt (usually as meeting place prior to dinner reservations). I have finally written Monk's off my list completely after yet ANOTHER bad experience. The hostesses are rude and the back bartender is straight out MEAN. They really need to think about the business they lose due to their awful service! Pros: location Cons: service more
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Terrible Service! 3/14/2008

I have been to Monks several times over the past few years. I've had dreadful service each time, but continue to give the place the benefit of the doubt (usually as meeting place prior to dinner reservations). I have finally written Monk's off my list completely after yet ANOTHER bad experience. The hostesses are rude and the back bartender is straight out MEAN. They really need to think about the business they lose due to their awful service! Pros: location Cons: service more
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Never again 3/4/2008

Due to the reviews I had read online, I walked from the Four Seasons two nights in a row to try this place and was snarled at each time by the hostess who was clearly very busy, and who thought she was under no obligation to speak to me. Never got to try the food, and never will. These dollars walked on. Cons: arrogant hostess more
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Never again 3/4/2008

Due to the reviews I had read online, I walked from the Four Seasons two nights in a row to try this place and was snarled at each time by the hostess who was clearly very busy, and who thought she was under no obligation to speak to me. Never got to try the food, and never will. These dollars walked on. Cons: arrogant hostess more
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Finally a place with real beer 12/31/2007

Most Americans don't know what real beer tastes like, it's nothing like Coors. The Belgians have made the best beer in the world for centuries and Monk's has been able to bring it to Philly. The atmosphere is filled with dark woods, abbey pews and a relaxed and amiable staff. The beer selection is all top notch Belgian brews available at the front and back bars. The cuisine is traditional Belgian and includes a variety of mussels and sandwiches, but also a full seasonal menu of main courses such as lamb, fillet, pork with barley and most sauces incorporating beer. Monk's is one of my favorite restaurants in the city because of the finest selections of beer, an intimate atmosphere and knowledgeable staff. Pros: BEER Cons: It gets crowded fast and sometimes you have to wait more
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Finally a place with real beer 12/31/2007

Most Americans don't know what real beer tastes like, it's nothing like Coors. The Belgians have made the best beer in the world for centuries and Monk's has been able to bring it to Philly. The atmosphere is filled with dark woods, abbey pews and a relaxed and amiable staff. The beer selection is all top notch Belgian brews available at the front and back bars. The cuisine is traditional Belgian and includes a variety of mussels and sandwiches, but also a full seasonal menu of main courses such as lamb, fillet, pork with barley and most sauces incorporating beer. Monk's is one of my favorite restaurants in the city because of the finest selections of beer, an intimate atmosphere and knowledgeable staff. Pros: BEER Cons: It gets crowded fast and sometimes you have to wait more
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great place to be! 11/26/2007

One of our favorite places in Philly. Highly recommend the mussels and the hamburgers. The fries are different too (and very tasty). You will enjoy this place a lot if you are a beer lover, as you can experience some great beer there! the only thing we did not like was the lighting: it seemed to be extremely dark at times, but i guess that creates some romantic atmosphere. Things can get pretty noisy, so if you are looking for something quiet, it's not the place for you. more
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great place to be! 11/26/2007

One of our favorite places in Philly. Highly recommend the mussels and the hamburgers. The fries are different too (and very tasty). You will enjoy this place a lot if you are a beer lover, as you can experience some great beer there! the only thing we did not like was the lighting: it seemed to be extremely dark at times, but i guess that creates some romantic atmosphere. Things can get pretty noisy, so if you are looking for something quiet, it's not the place for you. more
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what a selection of beer! 8/13/2007

i have never eaten here but i have come here to drink and buy beer, and i have to say that they have the... more
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what a selection of beer! 8/13/2007

i have never eaten here but i have come here to drink and buy beer, and i have to say that they have the... more
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what a selection of beer! 8/13/2007

Michelle Provided by Partner
i have never eaten here but i have come here to drink and buy beer, and i have to say that they have the greatest selection of beer around! this pl... more
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A HUGE disappointment 7/15/2007

This was perhaps the most disappointing restaurant experience my wife and I ever had! After reading so much hype about the place we were so excited to check it out when we got a trip to Philadelphia. We were treated like pests by the hostess and should have turned around and left then. The server was surly and uninformed, the beer list was good but not worthy of the praise it recieved in the past (from none the less than former, at one point at least, informed writer Michael Jackson) The food was bland, slow and expensive and we did not finish it. Our server rushed us and received an appropriate low tip. Complete disappointment and left a sour taste for Philadelphia. Pros: You can turn around and walk out Cons: Service, Food, Attitude, Bathrooms more
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A HUGE disappointment 7/15/2007

This was perhaps the most disappointing restaurant experience my wife and I ever had! After reading so much hype about the place we were so excited to check it out when we got a trip to Philadelphia. We were treated like pests by the hostess and should have turned around and left then. The server was surly and uninformed, the beer list was good but not worthy of the praise it recieved in the past (from none the less than former, at one point at least, informed writer Michael Jackson) Pros: You can turn around and walk out Cons: Service, Food, Attitude, Bathrooms more
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Menu for Monk's Cafe


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Editorial

  • In Short
    Dark and narrow, this brasserie boasts two bars, a few booths and the best Belgian brews in town. Monk's may not be the fanciest of joints, but its friendly and knowledgeable...

  • 8/7/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Daily 11:30am-2am
  • Payments: Visa, Master Card, American Express, Discover
  • Neighborhoods: Center City, Rittenhouse Square
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