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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), ...

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
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DON'T GO FOR THE FOOD -- highly overrated! 2/19/2006

My girlfriend and I went to Monk's Cafe last night for dinner, and we were both extremely disappointed by this restaurant. The food we ordered was basically inedible. It was overpriced, had low quality ingredients, and was poorly prepared. For our entrees, I ordered a rack of lamb, which was probably the worst rack of lamb I've ever eaten. It was completely overdone -- tough as leather and tasting not much better. My girlfriend ordered a trout dish which seemed fresh enough, but it turned out to be utterly bland and tasteless. The sauce was supposed to be beer-based, but it just came out watery and flavorless. Overall, this is one of the most overrated restaurants I've ever been to. After my experience last night, I do not expect to ever return to this restaurant. Pros: good beer selection Cons: overrated, overpriced, inedible food more
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DON'T GO FOR THE FOOD -- highly overrated! 2/19/2006

My girlfriend and I went to Monk's Cafe last night for dinner, and we were both extremely disappointed by this restaurant. The food we ordered was basically inedible. It was overpriced, had low quality ingredients, and was poorly prepared. For our entrees, I ordered a rack of lamb, which was probably the worst rack of lamb I've ever eaten. It was completely overdone -- tough as leather and tasting not much better. My girlfriend ordered a trout dish which seemed fresh enough, but it turned out to be utterly bland and tasteless. The sauce was supposed to be beer-based, but it just came out watery and flavorless. Overall, this is one of the most overrated restaurants I've ever been to. After my experience last night, I do not expect to ever return to this restaurant. Pros: good beer selection Cons: overrated, overpriced, inedible food more
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Beer, Beer, Beer 4/18/2005

Great Beer selection. Teh Monk's Sour is great! The bar is a bit small, felt sort of crammed with bar patrons and waiting dining folks. In addition, a little difficult to get away from the smokers. The Burgers are great, but why the huge bun? and the Burgers are never the same size. The Mussels are fantastic, no wonder another bar in Philly sells their mussels. The wait for a table may be monstrously long, which again wouldn't be so bad if the bar was bigger. Overall it was very nice. Pros: Beer Selection Cons: Crowded Bar more
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Beer, Beer, Beer 4/18/2005

Great Beer selection. Teh Monk's Sour is great! The bar is a bit small, felt sort of crammed with bar patrons and waiting dining folks. In addition, a little difficult to get away from the smokers. The Burgers are great, but why the huge bun? and the Burgers are never the same size. The Mussels are fantastic, no wonder another bar in Philly sells their mussels. The wait for a table may be monstrously long, which again wouldn't be so bad if the bar was bigger. Overall it was very nice. Pros: Beer Selection Cons: Crowded Bar more
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Not what it once was 3/28/2005

I have been going to Monk's for years because the beer selection is great and the frites are one of the best in the city. However, the past few trips to Monk's has been very disappointing. Nevermind the service, which we all know is terrible, but it seems like the food is not as good as it once was. The Red Light mussels which I always get has gotten bland and the frites, the last time I went, were undercooked and was not as crispy and flavorful as it once was. It's a shame because the food and beer list is the only thing Monk's had going for itself. Cons: Terrible Service more
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Not what it once was 3/28/2005

I have been going to Monk's for years because the beer selection is great and the frites are one of the best in the city. However, the past few trips to Monk's has been very disappointing. Nevermind the service, which we all know is terrible, but it seems like the food is not as good as it once was. The Red Light mussels which I always get has gotten bland and the frites, the last time I went, were undercooked and was not as crispy and flavorful as it once was. It's a shame because the food and beer list is the only thing Monk's had going for itself. Cons: Terrible Service more
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The best fries and beer ever! 10/16/2004

The best fries I have ever had. All of the food on the menu is excellent and great quality (not like most bars). Great atmosphere. It feels like Monk's has been here for centuries. Highly recommend the lambic framboise beer (has a fruity raspberry flavor). This is a must visit for every Philadelphian Pros: Great Beer, Great Fries more
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The best fries and beer ever! 10/16/2004

The best fries I have ever had. All of the food on the menu is excellent and great quality (not like most bars). Great atmosphere. It feels like Monk's has been here for centuries. Highly recommend the lambic framboise beer (has a fruity raspberry flavor). This is a must visit for every Philadelphian Pros: Great Beer, Great Fries more
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one of my favorites... 6/22/2004

I love Monk's. The food is outstanding - the best at all of Fergie's places. I'm not a fan of Belgian beers, but the beer selection is so fabulous (and well-priced, esp. the non-belgian) it doesn't matter. I prefer the back bar to the front (more interesting tap selections usually). Do expect that the beers on tap (nearly all Belgian) can be around $7-$8 a glass, but excellent. Sure, it's crowded and you will have to wait, but it's worth it. Don't try to go there with a large group especially on a weekend night... years ago we tried this. The folks at Monk's told us they couldn't accommodate us, but they called over to Nodding Head and arranged a table for us there. A class act all around. I go every chance I get. Pros: beer selection, food, staff, atmosphere Cons: , wait for table more
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one of my favorites... 6/22/2004

I love Monk's. The food is outstanding - the best at all of Fergie's places. I'm not a fan of Belgian beers, but the beer selection is so fabulous (and well-priced, esp. the non-belgian) it doesn't matter. I prefer the back bar to the front (more interesting tap selections usually). Do expect that the beers on tap (nearly all Belgian) can be around $7-$8 a glass, but excellent. Sure, it's crowded and you will have to wait, but it's worth it. Don't try to go there with a large group especially on a weekend night... years ago we tried this. The folks at Monk's told us they couldn't accommodate us, but they called over to Nodding Head and arranged a table for us there. A class act all around. I go every chance I get. Pros: beer selection, food, staff, atmosphere Cons: , wait for table more
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If you REALLY like beer... 6/15/2004

Monk's is for beer lovers. Make sure to ask for the draft menu for both the front and back bars, as they will have descriptions of the beers currently on tap (a weekly rotation of around 20). They tend to favor malty Belgian ales, but most tastes are represented. The fries are some of the best I've ever had (w/house-made Dijon mayo). However, I've had mixed experiences with the mussels. While occasionally outstanding (the Red Light is my favorite), they can be overcooked. The burgers (meat, fish, or veggie) are creative and tasty, and the pulled pork sandwich is quite good. THERE WILL BE A WAIT, regardless of night. Stop in 45min-1hr beforehand to put in your name, then walk around Rittenhouse Square for awhile. Return 15min before your hosts estimate, and tell them youre back. Alternatively, hang out at the front or back bar until you get a seat. Pros: Beer selection, Great fries, Tasty food Cons: , can be a little noisy, inconsistant mussels more
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If you REALLY like beer... 6/15/2004

Monk's is for beer lovers. Make sure to ask for the draft menu for both the front and back bars, as they will have descriptions of the beers currently on tap (a weekly rotation of around 20). They tend to favor malty Belgian ales, but most tastes are represented. The fries are some of the best I've ever had (w/house-made Dijon mayo). However, I've had mixed experiences with the mussels. While occasionally outstanding (the Red Light is my favorite), they can be overcooked. The burgers (meat, fish, or veggie) are creative and tasty, and the pulled pork sandwich is quite good. THERE WILL BE A WAIT, regardless of night. Stop in 45min-1hr beforehand to put in your name, then walk around Rittenhouse Square for awhile. Return 15min before your hosts estimate, and tell them youre back. Alternatively, hang out at the front or back bar until you get a seat. Pros: Beer selection, Great fries, Tasty food Cons: , can be a little noisy, inconsistant mussels more
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great food and 200 beers to choose from 5/11/2004

when i was going to college in philly, monk's was one of my weekly stop-offs. if friends or family came to visit, i took them there, and when they revisited i'd have to take them back. i'm back in new york and i still miss that place. there is NOTHING about monk's that doesn't recommend it. the only thing is it's totally packed weekend nights, but you can try one of the 200 or so beers they have while you wait. or go walk around, it's a beautiful area and rittenhouse square is just a few blocks away. more
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great food and 200 beers to choose from 5/11/2004

when i was going to college in philly, monk's was one of my weekly stop-offs. if friends or family came to visit, i took them there, and when they revisited i'd have to take them back. i'm back in new york and i still miss that place. there is NOTHING about monk's that doesn't recommend it. the only thing is it's totally packed weekend nights, but you can try one of the 200 or so beers they have while you wait. or go walk around, it's a beautiful area and rittenhouse square is just a few blocks away. more
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Beef and beer here! 3/30/2004

Really good burgers served on LeBus (I think) rolls. The meat seems very fresh-tasting and the burgers come with a number of toppings. The fries here are great also, and they are served with s spicy mayonnaise type sauce that is delicious. Other people really rave about the mussels here but the one time I had them they were a little overcooked. Not bad but not fantastic. They do have a very encompassing beer selection with a lot of Belgian (of course) brews to wash everything down. more
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Beef and beer here! 3/30/2004

Really good burgers served on LeBus (I think) rolls. The meat seems very fresh-tasting and the burgers come with a number of toppings. The fries here are great also, and they are served with s spicy mayonnaise type sauce that is delicious. Other people really rave about the mussels here but the one time I had them they were a little overcooked. Not bad but not fantastic. They do have a very encompassing beer selection with a lot of Belgian (of course) brews to wash everything down. more
Reply | Report abuse |

Best Nights in Philly 3/18/2004

Come hungry and thirsty. There can be a long wait for a table, but it's no problem because there are tons of beers from around the world to choose from (and tons of people also waiting for tables to talk to!) The back bar is usually less crowded and has a bigger selection of beers on tap. Pommes frites are incredible, burgers and mussels too. Not a thing on the menu I wouldn't try. I've never had a bad experience, and I doubt I ever will. Pros: Beer, Food, Mix of People more
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Best Nights in Philly 3/18/2004

Come hungry and thirsty. There can be a long wait for a table, but it's no problem because there are tons of beers from around the world to choose from (and tons of people also waiting for tables to talk to!) The back bar is usually less crowded and has a bigger selection of beers on tap. Pommes frites are incredible, burgers and mussels too. Not a thing on the menu I wouldn't try. I've never had a bad experience, and I doubt I ever will. Pros: Beer, Food, Mix of People more
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Good Food, Great Beer 10/1/2003

Eat the pomme frites (french fries). Eat the mussels and don't forget a burger. Monk's has good food. You may have to wait a long time to be seated, but that's the price you have to pay sometimes. The servers are good, the bartenders would rather drill holes in their feet than look at you , let alone serve you. Pros: food Cons: inconsistent service 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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