top 10

Monk's Cafe

Claim
marker

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

marker
(215) 545-7005
Incorrect info? Correct your listing
Photos
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), ...

Beer lovers rejoice 11/1/2006

The owner does a great job keeping the selection vast. The 'beer bible' includes some of the best beers from all of the world, not just belgium. To top it all off the food is good and the muscles are great. For those of you who aren't die hard beer fans try the Lindeman's Framboise or Kriek. more
Reply | Report abuse |

WILL NOT GO BACK 10/10/2006

I had the Ghent mussels that were supposed to be made w/ more
Reply | Report abuse |

WILL NOT GO BACK 10/10/2006

I had the Ghent mussels that were supposed to be made w/ carmelized leeks-they were not even sauteed let alone carmelized bacon-2 raw pieces were thrown in and barely cooked garlic-thrown in raw blue cheese-faint taste that was barely discernable thanks to the beer that was not reduced uninspired bad food waitresses complainng i could go on but i have wasted enough time more
Reply | Report abuse |

HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE SERVICE 10/5/2006

I've been to Monk's several times and it's sad to say that each time the service is worse than it was the time before. This last time, it took nearly an hour for my food to be served and the waitress didn't stop by our table the entire time. Not only did we wait for our food, it had definitely been sitting, because it was warm and a bit rubbery. The only good thing I can say about the place is that their fries and beer selection are among the best in the city - just don't go there for the service - SIT AT THE BAR!!! Pros: Beer selection, fries Cons: SERVICE, SERVICE, SERVICE more
Reply | Report abuse |

HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE SERVICE 10/5/2006

I've been to Monk's several times and it's sad to say that each time the service is worse than it was the time before. This last time, it took nearly an hour for my food to be served and the waitress didn't stop by our table the entire time. Not only did we wait for our food, it had definitely been sitting, because it was warm and a bit rubbery. The only good thing I can say about the place is that their fries and beer selection are among the best in the city - just don't go there for the service - SIT AT THE BAR!!! Pros: Beer selection, fries Cons: SERVICE, SERVICE, SERVICE more
Reply | Report abuse |

Best Mussels in Town 10/1/2006

This is by far the best place to be in Philadelphia if you are looking for the following: a brewery, tavern, good food, european feel, and a crowded place. Pros: Good Food, Great Amabiance Cons: Sometimes Have to Wait a Long Time for a Table (they don't take reservations) more
Reply | Report abuse |

Best Mussels in Town 10/1/2006

This is by far the best place to be in Philadelphia if you are looking for the following: a brewery, tavern, good food, european feel, and a crowded place. Monks has the best mussels in town and one of the best fries. My favorite mussels are the Provencale... Mussels, served with delicious fries, are enough for dinner, and will cost you less than $15.00. I highly recommend this restaurant. Pros: Good Food, Great Amabiance Cons: Sometimes Have to Wait a Long Time for a Table (they don't take reservations) more
Reply | Report abuse |

I am in Belgian! 9/23/2006

It's simple: Monks is one of the best Belgian bars in the country. They have done it right for soooo long. Awesome beer selection, great food, cozy atmosphere and excellent service. You can't miss with this one!!!!!!!! Pros: Beer Selection, Food Cons: None more
Reply | Report abuse |

I am in Belgian! 9/23/2006

It's simple: Monks is one of the best Belgian bars in the country. They have done it right for soooo long. Awesome beer selection, great food, cozy atmosphere and excellent service. Pros: Beer Selection, Food more
Reply | Report abuse |

good food and beer 9/10/2006

Monk's has good food and a nice atmosphere. The interior is dark and rather narrow, but cozy without feeling oppressively crowded/cramped. The beer list is very, very good and the food is pretty tasty as well. However, it is extremely smoky -- one of the smokiest bars I've been to in Philly. Pros: very good beer list, good food, cozy atmosphere Cons: ridiculously smoky, sometimes loud more
Reply | Report abuse |

good food and beer 9/10/2006

Monk's has good food and a nice atmosphere. The interior is dark and rather narrow, but cozy without feeling oppressively crowded/cramped. The beer list is very, very good and the food is pretty tasty as well. However, it is extremely smoky -- one of the smokiest bars I've been to in Philly. Pros: very good beer list, good food, cozy atmosphere Cons: ridiculously smoky, sometimes loud more
Reply | Report abuse |

good beer selection 8/10/2006

great place to eat burgers and frites. actually food is great here. try everything on the menu. their beer list (beer bible) has tons of beers for you to try. if you can't choose, ask waitresses or waitor to help you choose. they know about their beers. Pros: everything Cons: crowded more
Reply | Report abuse |

good beer selection 8/10/2006

great place to eat burgers and frites. actually food is great here. try everything on the menu. their beer list (beer bible) has tons of beers for you to try. if you can't choose, ask waitresses or waitor to help you choose. they know about their beers. Pros: everything Cons: crowded more
Reply | Report abuse |

the staff 6/4/2006

would benefit greatly from learning to NOT talk about their tables, or atleast to not do it within earshot of the customers. Thanks for ruining my lunch, my boyfriend and I may have ordered more than one beer each if we had felt more comfortable and welcome. Being that I myself am a waitress, I couldn't find it in my heart to not leave an 18% tip, but if the service had been better it would have been atleast 25%. I'm just sad, because the first time we went we had an excellent waitress. It's a shame the pommes frites and the sour ale almost make it worth putting up with the abuse. Pros: good food, good beer Cons: rude service, bad service, overcrowded at night more
Reply | Report abuse |

the staff 6/4/2006

would benefit greatly from learning to NOT talk about their tables, or atleast to not do it within earshot of the customers. Thanks for ruining my lunch, my boyfriend and I may have ordered more than one beer each if we had felt more comfortable and welcome. Being that I myself am a waitress, I couldn't find it in my heart to not leave an 18% tip, but if the service had been better it would have been atleast 25%. I'm just sad, because the first time we went we had an excellent waitress. It's a shame the pommes frites and the sour ale almost make it worth putting up with the abuse. Pros: good food, good beer Cons: rude service, bad service, overcrowded at night more
Reply | Report abuse |

Yummy! 5/28/2006

The Pomme frittes with the bourbon mayo is divine. It's worth going there just for those alone. The sourpus appetizer is also very good. Usually very busy, so recommend going early or on Mon-Thur nights. Was there Wednesday @ 5:30pm and there was no wait at all. Pros: Food, Beer selection, Service Cons: Ambience, Smoking, Parking more
Reply | Report abuse |

Yummy! 5/28/2006

The Pomme frittes with the bourbon mayo is divine. It's worth going there just for those alone. The sourpus appetizer is also very good. Usually very busy, so recommend going early or on Mon-Thur nights. Was there Wednesday @ 5:30pm and there was no wait at all. Pros: Food, Beer selection, Service Cons: Ambience, Smoking, Parking more
Reply | Report abuse |

It was a nightmare. 4/24/2006

Monk's cafe was one of my favorite cafes in Philly but not anymore. All negative reviews are aggreing at one point: SERVICE IS POOR. Well, I am telling one more time, in Monk's cafe service is poor. And also the quality of the food also is declining. I wrote a letter owner of Monk's Cafe about our exprience, guess what? I could not hear any sound... What I have understand is that their business view is not based on customer satisfaction, so I wonder what is important for them? Cons: poor service, overrated, parking more
Reply | Report abuse |

It was a nightmare. 4/24/2006

Monk's cafe was one of my favorite cafes in Philly but not anymore. All negative reviews are aggreing at one point: SERVICE IS POOR. Well, I am telling one more time, in Monk's cafe service is poor. And also the quality of the food also is declining. I wrote a letter owner of Monk's Cafe about our exprience, guess what? I could not hear any sound... What I have understand is that their business view is not based on customer satisfaction, so I wonder what is important for them? Cons: poor service, overrated, parking more
Reply | Report abuse |

Great for amazing beer and cheap mussels! 4/10/2006

Went to Monk's about 5.30pm on a friday and the place was already nearly full! Ordered the mussels (small pot - $9.50- good for 1-2 persons) which comes with their famous pomme frites. I was in heaven! With a glass for Hoegaarden, it was a perfect dinner. Would definitely recommend Monk's but go early. Pros: cheap mussels, great beer selection more
Reply | Report abuse |
< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Next >
Menu for Monk's Cafe


Summer SALE!!!:
15% OFF all yearly plans
Use year15 at checkout. Expires 1/1/2021
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
badge