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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), ...

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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Beer 9/10/2003

It's the beer. Great mussels, phenomenal french fries ... (or Belgian fries or Freedom fries for the Francophobes) Bartenders and waitresses with great lipreading skills. Don't go there if you're in a hurry, need to carry on an intimate conversation, or don't like beer. Pros: Beer, Food, Did I mention beer? Cons: No Bud Lite, No Coors Lite, Who cares, reallly? more
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Beer 9/10/2003

It's the beer. Great mussels, phenomenal french fries ... (or Belgian fries or Freedom fries for the Francophobes) Bartenders and waitresses with great lipreading skills. Don't go there if you're in a hurry, need to carry on an intimate conversation, or don't like beer. Pros: Beer, Food, Did I mention beer? Cons: No Bud Lite, No Coors Lite, Who cares, reallly? more
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Monk's Cafe = beer emporium 8/23/2003

Monk's has great burgers, good frites, and an amazing beer selection. that makes it a frequent dinner spot for me. The beer selection is listed in a book called the Beer Bible and its basically impossible to sample them all. they have beers from all over the world. They are the first bar outisde of Belgium to have Chimay on tap. the only negative is they don't take res so you'll have to wait a while before you get a table Pros: burgers, frites, beer Cons: long wait, small dining room more
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Monk's Cafe = beer emporium 8/23/2003

Monk's has great burgers, good frites, and an amazing beer selection. that makes it a frequent dinner spot for me. The beer selection is listed in a book called the Beer Bible and its basically impossible to sample them all. they have beers from all over the world. They are the first bar outisde of Belgium to have Chimay on tap. the only negative is they don't take res so you'll have to wait a while before you get a table Pros: burgers, frites, beer Cons: long wait, small dining room more
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It's all about the beer! 8/13/2003

Monk's Cafe is my absolute favorite beer joint in the city for so many reasons. Some of these are: The selection is astounding, the bartenders (and proprieters) really know their stuff and are pleased to educate you, the prices are reasonable, the beer, the frites w/boubon mayo, the beer, the mussels, the beer, Stasha @ the Back Bar, the beer, the great conversation, the beer, the ambiance, the beer, other cool things too much to list here, and before I forget, THE BEER! Pros: Beer Selection, Great Prices, The Staff & Owners Cons: No Parking, Very Crowded more
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It's all about the beer! 8/13/2003

Monk's Cafe is my absolute favorite beer joint in the city for so many reasons. Some of these are: The selection is astounding, the bartenders (and proprieters) really know their stuff and are pleased to educate you, the prices are reasonable, the beer, the frites w/boubon mayo, the beer, the mussels, the beer, Stasha @ the Back Bar, the beer, the great conversation, the beer, the ambiance, the beer, other cool things too much to list here, and before I forget, THE BEER! Pros: Beer Selection, Great Prices, The Staff & Owners Cons: No Parking, Very Crowded more
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the only reason I'd return to Phila 7/11/2003

Monk's is a great place and holds distinction as the only thing that would ever induce me to return to Philadelphia once I get to move away. The fries and chicken fingers in particular are great, and I loved the Trappiste Rochefort the last time I was there. Pros: beer, food, atmosphere Cons: long wait more
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the only reason I'd return to Phila 7/11/2003

Monk's is a great place and holds distinction as the only thing that would ever induce me to return to Philadelphia once I get to move away. The fries and chicken fingers in particular are great, and I loved the Trappiste Rochefort the last time I was there. Pros: beer, food, atmosphere Cons: long wait more
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""Paradise Found"" 7/2/2003

I was blown away by this place. Unbelievable beer selection, fantastic food and our server James was so funny, knowledgeable and efficient. The back bar was dark, cosy and comfortable. It was quite crowded at times but everybody was very friendly and having a good time. Then there are the beers: more Belgian beers than I ever knew existed and many, many American craft brewed, English and German beers. They even have their own Belgian beer brewed especially for them, Monks Cafe Flemish Ale. Delicious. I also had the grilled octopus and the Roquefort filet. Yummy. Monks Cafe...I could live there. Pros: Great Value, Unbelievable beers, food and service rock Cons: no parking, wait for a table, crowded more
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"Paradise Found" 7/2/2003

I was blown away by this place. Unbelievable beer selection, fantastic food and our server James was so funny, knowledgeable and efficient. The back bar was dark, cosy and comfortable. It was quite crowded at times but everybody was very friendly and having a good time. Then there are the beers: more Belgian beers than I ever knew existed and many, many American craft brewed, English and German beers. They even have their own Belgian beer brewed especially for them, Monks Cafe Flemish Ale. Delicious. I also had the grilled octopus and the Roquefort filet. Yummy. Monks Cafe...I could live there. Pros: Great Value, Unbelievable beers, food and service rock Cons: no parking, wait for a table, crowded more
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Not Good For a Luncheon 5/28/2003

We went to Monk's for a business luncheon (a group of six people). Unless you are going out at night for drinks, it isn't a good place for lunch. The food was great, but there are better restaurants to go to for better atmosphere. more
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Not Good For a Luncheon 5/28/2003

We went to Monk's for a business luncheon (a group of six people). Unless you are going out at night for drinks, it isn't a good place for lunch. The food was great, but there are better restaurants to go to for better atmosphere. more
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great bar food 3/6/2003

their fries come with a really yummy dipping sauce their sandwiches are really good, too, with several vegetarian and vegan choices and, of course, there are plenty of beers to choose from! Pros: food is great Cons: often crowded & smoky more
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great bar food 3/6/2003

their fries come with a really yummy dipping sauce their sandwiches are really good, too, with several vegetarian and vegan choices and, of course, there are plenty of beers to choose from! Pros: food is great Cons: often crowded & smoky more
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Slow service but good food and beer 2/7/2003

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), but the prices are a little high. Philly has several beer bars that deserve the business more than this one. Pros: beer selection, food, ambience Cons: service, crowds more
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Slow service but good food and beer 2/7/2003

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), but the prices are a little high. Philly has several beer bars that deserve the business more than this one. Pros: beer selection, food, ambience Cons: service, crowds more
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love it! 2/5/2003

Monk's is my absolute favorite neighborhood spot. While sometimes a little too smoky, the food for value can't be beat. The food is excellent (particularly the thai curry mussles), it's cheap, and the bartenders and waiters are super helpful in navigating the huge beer menu. Pros: Value, Beer selection, Food Cons: Smoke, Wait for a table more
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love it! 2/5/2003

Monk's is my absolute favorite neighborhood spot. While sometimes a little too smoky, the food for value can't be beat. The food is excellent (particularly the thai curry mussles), it's cheap, and the bartenders and waiters are super helpful in navigating the huge beer menu. Pros: Value, Beer selection, Food Cons: Smoke, Wait for a table more
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Odd couple 1/23/2003

I agree that the Monk's burger itself is outstanding. I also like the sourdough roll on which it is served, but they don't match well together. The bun is much too chewy (and a bit too large) for the burger....something that tender deserves a softer roll. Fado and Copa II are better. 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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