Cafe Lutecia is one of our favorite Parisian restaurants in Philadelphia, PA. Want to know what we love about it?
Welcome to one of our favorite cafes in the city of Philadelphia.
Cafe Lutecia is a cafe that will always have a special place in our hearts because it was one of our favorite cafes to visit when we first started dating. Whether we’re in the mood for it after church or heading there just to get a bite to eat, we’d enjoy a delicious meal and then go for a walk after. I think in many ways when I think of Cafe Lutecia it reminds me of slow mornings, soft rain as you enjoy your meal by the window, and familiar faces.
One of the many things I love about Cafe Lutecia is the atmosphere. On any given day you can find people, both regulars and new customers, enjoying their meals or reading their newspapers while sipping a cup of coffee. Whether people are laughing and catching up after not seeing each other for a while or enjoying a relaxing morning, the environment is always friendly.
The owners of the cafe are still very much involved in running the day-to-day of the restaurant. You can typically find them behind the counter, cooking the meals while catching up with regulars while casually glancing around the room to see how their meals are being received. They’re always pleasant, professional, and equally passionate about what they put out. In fact, I don’t think there’s been a time we visited that we haven’t enjoyed our meal or that our dishes were haphazardly plated. Each time everything was strategically placed to give you a unique flavor each bite.
After a little over a year of not going, we decided one Sunday we’d head there like old times. Funny enough, there was a light mist that reminded me a lot of the cozy mornings we’d venture there in the past. Perhaps that’s why we were both in the mood for it. Maybe the fact that we were both off and it was a misty afternoon that caused our desire for one of our favorite cafes in the city again.
As usually as soon as you walk in you’re greeted and invited to sit anywhere you’d like to. It’s a small environment, but I think that adds to the experience. It feels a lot less like you’re in the middle of a big city and feels more reminiscent of the mom-and-pop shops we used to stop by for wings or pizza sometimes in Brewerytown. Small, but cozy and worth waiting for a table for.
Once seated, we ordered our food – Han opting for the sandwich of the day while I grabbed one of their special omelets with goat cheese and chives. We both shared a plate of goat cheese, red peppers, and garlic as we used to while nestling our coffees. As with every meal we’ve had there, each bite was incredible and by the time you finished, you were sad that there wasn’t more left on the plate.
I could say more about this place, but what I will say is that it’s probably one of the best cafes in the city and that’s saying a lot. Philadelphia has a ton of cafes with delicious food, but one of the things that have always set Cafe Lutecia apart in our eyes is that when you’re there it feels a lot like home. It feels a lot like a lazy Sunday morning, chatting with loved ones over a cup of coffee. It feels a lot like catching up with an old friend while you enjoy breakfast or lunch together. Regardless of whether you’re a new or familiar face, you’re always given great service and delicious food.
What’s your favorite cafe to visit?
