Nook Bakery & Coffee Bar

Home
Point Breeze
S 20th Street
Nook Bakery & Coffee Bar

Nook Bakery & Coffee Bar is a cozy coffee shop and breakfast/brunch restaurant located on S 20th Street. The focus here is on small-batch baking and coffee roasting using only the finest, all-natural ingredients. From house-made chocolate truffles to custom cakes, quiche, parfaits, Swiss muesli, cookies, and panini sandwiches, everything is made fresh on-site to ensure optimal taste and sustainability in every sip and bite.

Recent social media posts

08/10/2026

Another neice’s birthday wish come true!

07/04/2026

Part 1 of our Hawaiian Adventure (More posts to follow. Looking forward to seeing you again when we reopen Tuesday July 7th!)

When coffee tasting, we often refer to a flavor wheel, to help us pinpoint and differentiate flavors that we detect on our palate. We use the inner part of the flavor wheel to move from general categories of flavors that we initially detect in a freshly brewed cup, perhaps first noticing fruity vs spicey , and then narrowing our perception of “fruity” to more specific flavors, like citrus, and then move further outward on the flavor wheel, towards more specific flavors like lime, or finger lime,— which when you cut the top and squeeze the elongated finger-sized body, yields caviar-like pearls that burst in your mouth, zinging your tastebuds with complex & bright flavors of lime, lemon, and grapefruit— all within one tiny pearl of many, that develop within one finger-sized fruit— as we discovered first-hand, when touring the vast, thoughtfully designed and meticulously tended cacao farm & botanical, chocolate pairing paradise, that is Hamakua Cocoa Farm, a cacao farm and bean-to-bar craft chocolate maker like no other that was founded over 20 years ago, with most of the work and all of the tours still being done by the founders themselves (thank you Dan and Berndt!).

Anyway, coffee tasting, or any focused tasting, is like a memory game… we taste something, and we try to recall where we have tasted that flavor before— moving from generalized knowledge to specific knowledge, in order to better understand, and explain the remarkable confluence of events & sensations that result in what we taste in our cup… or in our freshly baked small batch muffin!

02/14/2026

This week we got a surprise visit from some of our neighborhood preschoolers, who sang to us and delivered dozens of custom decorated pastry bags…

Our hearts melted faster than chocolate on a hot Summer’s day, while the weather outside was quite the polar opposite of Summer :-)

Each bag became a child’s canvas, and some of you may have already received your small batch muffin, baked and adorned with the same profound & indomitable force.

We’ve assembled some of them here, in choir-like fashion. Can you hear them singing?

We feel so fortunate to be able to serve and be a part of a community, and a city, with so much love at its center.

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone, today, and everyday!

01/18/2026

We enjoyed some of the last days of 2025 with you here in Philly, then with family a short train ride away, and most recently with our hosts in a foreign land that is becoming more familiar & welcoming each time we visit.

During our Winter break, the things we enjoyed the most involved MORE SLEEP, a slower pace, and being able to enjoy new people, flavors, sounds, sights, and the smells of an environment that is quite different from our daily experience here in Philly.

We relished being served, and being able to find new foods and places that reflect the local and national culture of a country that has its own unique history, struggles, challenges, and triumphs.  

It struck us how much cafes & restaurants are a reflection of the neighborhoods in which they have boldly & enthusiastically set up shop.  Cafes, and the experiences that we have within them, are also like a mirror to ourselves… whether we step inside for our first visit or a repeat visit.

They are a place to gather with people, or to gather our thoughts, in an often chaotic world.

Having a drink or dish prepared for us, with ingredients chosen and assembled with care, and delivered with a smile, made us feel valued and comforted.

We will take those feelings with us back behind the counter of our Nook here in Philly, and we’ll try our best to continue to make you feel valued and connected… and we appreciate the mirror that we all hold forth in front of each other, and how much can be gained when that reflection is positive, grateful, and inspiring.

As we look back at 2025, and re-open in 2026 (January 17th), after our much needed Winter break, we want to thank you for choosing us, thank you for reflecting back your unique personalities, and those of your families, upon us.  Thank you for making us a part of your family and life here in Philly, whether on a first time visit, or on multiple repeat visits.

We so appreciate the connection and meaning that you bring to our lives, and to the community that we make, and shape, together.

10/13/2025

It’s amazing how the human spirit can elevate, and fill a room with positive energy, even without instruments!

On this grey Monday, our little Nook, and our city, was brightened by the presence of members of the United States Navy Band, stopping in for coffee, before the start of the Navy & Marine Corps 250 Parade, just a couple of blocks away.

We never met so many coffee enthusiasts all at once!

Noticing the aroma and sounds of our S7 coffee roaster, someone queried: “Is that the start of 1st or 2nd crack?”

While perusing our extensive brewed to order coffee menu, one musician probed:
“How would you characterize the flavors of the natural process Ethiopian Sidama?”

The room was abuzz with curiosity and enthusiasm.

Thank you for stopping by! And thank you for all that you do!

10/10/2025

We are so excited to introduce you to this natural process Gesha variety from Mario Alarcon’s 5th generation family farm in Acatenango Valley, Guatemala.

Geshas require meticulous care to grow (they are more sensitive to pests & diseases, their branches are widely spaced and they grow quite unruly!) and they produce lower yields compared to other coffee varieties— representing a higher risk for coffee farmers— but Geshas that are grown & processed with care are prized for their delicate & complex flavors.

The results in the brewed cup of this natural process Gesha speak to the care and attention that Mario and his team have devoted to this special coffee— and we are honored to be able to roast it, and showcase the vibrant, complex, and exceptionally balanced flavors.

We first met Mario here at Nook in 2018, when we cupped several coffees from his farm.

Needless to say, we continue to be impressed by his efforts!

The Flavor Profile:
Jasmine, strawberry, kiwi, lemongrass, honeysuckle, plum, lime candy, sandalwood, demerara. Surprisingly creamy body for a Gesha at a light to medium roast profile.

Available by the cup, as beans on our shelf, or shipped to your doorstep. A great gift for coffee lovers!

09/29/2025

Jan-Carlo & Sofia Handtke own & manage this 5th generation family farm. We met them at a cupping event in 2019– their coffees were exceptional, and we were impressed by their drive & passion for quality.

This farm, one of six that they manage, borders a nature preserve, with a diverse ecosystem, which the Handtke’s greatly respect.

Every effort is made to conserve native shade trees, conserve & reuse water, and return nutrients to the soil by composting coffee pulp. They employ over 125 people year round, ramping up their farm workers to 600 during harvest season. They also grow their own coffee from seed, replenishing and expanding their coffee farms from their own coffee nursery.

This is a pacas coffee variety, pulped in a way that leaves some mucilage clinging to the coffee seeds. While drying, the mucilage imparts a honey colored hue and texture to the seeds, hence the name honey process. You can think of this processing method as a cross between washed process (fully pulped and washed after fermentation, with no mucilage remaining) and natural process (drying the entire coffee cherry before milling down to the seeds). The honey process method conserves water compared to traditionally pulped and washed coffees, imparts more body to the brewed cup, and enhances fruity tones.

The Flavor Profile:
Red apple, honey graham cracker, cocoa, raspberry, plum, kiwi, orange zest. Creamy body. Light to medium roast profile, showcasing the wide range of flavor notes in a balanced way.

09/28/2025

Custom cake for our niece’s 7th birthday, a Moana surprise cake. Baked in Philly, transported to Virginia via train and car, decorated and filled with candy & sprinkles at Omi’s (Grandma’s) house. Cake cutting in a previous Instagram reel.

09/17/2025

Enjoy a taste of Portugal here in Philly, on Wednesdays & Thursdays, with pasteis de nata, fresh from our ovens.

These custard tarts are a delicious treat on their own, or paired with our coffee, roasted daily on-site.

08/10/2025

For her 5th birthday, our niece requested a cake & cake pops with flowers.

As usual, Edna worked her magic, baking the cake and cake pops in Philadelphia, then carefully packing everything needed to travel to Virginia… frosting, frosting tips, fondant, cookie cutters, cake pops sticks, heart sprinkles, white picket fences, multi colored flowers… where everything would come together to make a birthday wish come true.

After 20 years of doing what we do, the reasons behind all of our efforts have not changed. The number of people that we serve and have gotten to know, has grown. We have grown immeasurably, and we’re still growing & learning. With this growth, we realize that we would not be where we are now, without the support of our families, which provide selfless support and sacrifice that goes back generations, with love being shared and families being built across the globe, bringing vastly different cultures together, making us the diverse people that we are today.

Being able to share our efforts and all the experience that we’ve gained through 20 years of hard work, brings a sense of joy and fulfillment that is hard to put into words.

Fortunately we can express our deepest thoughts & feelings through a cup of coffee or a delicious morsel made with love and gratitude… and reap the intangible reward of seeing a smile from a 5 year old, our niece, whose birthday wish just came true.

Address

15 S 20th Street
Philadelphia, PA
19103

If you are traveling to S 20th Street in Philadelphia, you have several options for reaching your destination.

Public Transport:
The nearest public transport option is the bus stop on the corner of S 20th St and Walnut St. From here, walk south on S 20th Street until you reach your destination.

Driving/Parking:
If you are driving, there are several paid parking lots available in the surrounding area. The closest one is located on the corner of Chancellor St and S 21st St. Once parked, make your way to S 20th Street and either turn right or left depending on the direction from which you came.

Opening Hours

Monday	7:30am - 3:30pm
Tuesday	7:30am - 3:30pm
Wednesday	7:30am - 3:30pm
Thursday	7:30am - 3:30pm
Friday	7:30am - 3:30pm
Saturday	8am - 1pm

Website

http://www.nookbakeryandcoffee.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Nook Bakery & Coffee Bar posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Nook Bakery & Coffee Bar:

What people say

Nook Bakery & Coffee Bar is a must-visit breakfast and brunch restaurant in Philadelphia. What sets this place apart is their commitment to using only the finest all-natural, wholesome ingredients for all their baked goods. The small-batch bakery and coffee micro-roastery ensures that everything is made fresh on-site, guaranteeing the highest quality products.

Their coffee is meticulously sourced and roasted on-site, with a focus on taste and sustainability. You can taste the difference in every sip of their delicious coffee. They also offer a wide variety of baked goods that pair perfectly with your favorite cup of joe. From signature muffins to custom cakes, quiche, parfaits, Swiss muesli, cookies, and panini sandwiches - everything is made fresh for you right here in their cafe.

One thing that really stands out about Nook Bakery & Coffee Bar is their commitment to ensuring that everyone in the supply chain is rewarded for their hard work. This means that every time you enjoy one of their delicious treats or a cup of coffee, you're supporting sustainable practices and ethical sourcing.

If you're looking for a cozy spot to enjoy breakfast or brunch with friends or family, Nook Bakery & Coffee Bar should be at the top of your list. Their S 20th Street location offers a warm and inviting atmosphere where you can relax and savor every bite of their delicious food. Don't miss out on this gem of a restaurant!