Monk's Cafe

Recommends

ntunyeli

Joined 5 years ago

Great beer list. One of the best places to eat in the city: Food is delicious, service is quick and the beer is very flavorful (I would recommend the draft "Chimay" beer), except that the wait can be really long, so it's best to get there early in the evening, maybe around 7pm.

Doesn't Recommend

whitepony

Joined 5 years ago

don't waste your time. i'm giving it 1 star because they do have a HALF DECENT beer selection. Eulogy has 300+ selections, plus waaaaaaay better food and service. Monks disappoints every time and we've decided last night was our last visit. the reason we chose Monks was because they serve food later than Eulogy... after last nights dinner at Monks, we joked and said we should have just grabbed a cheesesteak from Pat's.

Recommends

foodlurve

Joined 5 years ago

best food and beer in Philly. This is easily my most-frequented establishment in Philly. The food is phenomenal, the prices are reasonable, and the beer selection is unparalleled. The Monk's sour this year is a little weak, but there are plenty of alternatives to go with the succulent mussels and the best frites you'll ever have. Sometimes the wait is an hour, but it's worth it; have a beer at the back bar.

Doesn't Recommend

foodie129

Joined 5 years ago

Terrible Service!. I have been to Monks several times over the past few years. I've had dreadful service each time, but continue to give the place the benefit of the doubt (usually as meeting place prior to dinner reservations). I have finally written Monk's off my list completely after yet ANOTHER bad experience. The hostesses are rude and the back bartender is straight out MEAN. They really need to think about the business they lose due to their awful service!

Doesn't Recommend

VAvisitor

Joined 5 years ago

Never again. Due to the reviews I had read online, I walked from the Four Seasons two nights in a row to try this place and was snarled at each time by the hostess who was clearly very busy, and who thought she was under no obligation to speak to me. Never got to try the food, and never will. These dollars walked on.

Recommends

mbshipe

Joined 6 years ago

Finally a place with real beer. Most Americans don't know what real beer tastes like, it's nothing like Coors. The Belgians have made the best beer in the world for centuries and Monk's has been able to bring it to Philly. The atmosphere is filled with dark woods, abbey pews and a relaxed and amiable staff. The beer selection is all top notch Belgian brews available at the front and back bars. The cuisine is traditional Belgian and includes a variety of mussels and sandwiches, but also a full seasonal menu of main courses such as lamb, fillet, pork with barley and most sauces incorporating beer. Monk's is one of my favorite restaurants in the city because of the finest selections of beer, an intimate atmosphere and knowledgeable staff.

Recommends

avarsou

Joined 6 years ago

great place to be!. One of our favorite places in Philly. Highly recommend the mussels and the hamburgers. The fries are different too (and very tasty). You will enjoy this place a lot if you are a beer lover, as you can experience some great beer there! the only thing we did not like was the lighting: it seemed to be extremely dark at times, but i guess that creates some romantic atmosphere. Things can get pretty noisy, so if you are looking for something quiet, it's not the place for you.

Doesn't Recommend

tedkadin

Joined 6 years ago

A HUGE disappointment. This was perhaps the most disappointing restaurant experience my wife and I ever had! After reading so much hype about the place we were so excited to check it out when we got a trip to Philadelphia. We were treated like pests by the hostess and should have turned around and left then. The server was surly and uninformed, the beer list was good but not worthy of the praise it recieved in the past (from none the less than former, at one point at least, informed writer Michael Jackson)

The food was bland, slow and expensive and we did not finish it. Our server rushed us and received an appropriate low tip.

Complete disappointment and left a sour taste for Philadelphia.

Recommends

m_raven415

Joined 6 years ago

Beer, beer, and more beer. If the crowd is any indication, this is the place to be. The place is really crowded after work as people flock here to relax and unwind. There is no reservation so definitely come early to get a table. The policy is that they will only seat you once your WHOLE party is there just so you can plan accordingly. This could be a hassle for some but it is well worth it. If you are here, you will definitely need to try their mussels. Somehow, every single mussels are huge and succulent. My mouth waters just thinking about it. Monk is definitely known for their beer. It has an impressive and unrivaled collection of beer from everywhere in the world. The Bible is something to be hold. Come often and try out all of their beers if you can.

Recommends

aemeyer

Joined 7 years ago

Best mussels in Philly and the burgers and fries are really good as well. It can take awhile to get a table (especially on a weekend) and the service isn't always the most prompt (because they are usually packed), but don't let that scare you from experiencing the wonderful mussels, burgers, fries and especially beer at Monk's.