Are Local Coffee Shops Cool Again?

In a world dominated by chain coffee shops on nearly every corner, a new trend is brewing—or perhaps, it’s an old one making a comeback. More and more Gen Z and millennials are turning their backs on corporate coffeehouses in favor of intimate, locally owned roasters and bakeries.

But why is this happening? Is it the exhaustion of overpriced lattes, where non-dairy milk comes with an eye-watering $2,000 up-charge (okay, I’m exaggerating a little)? Or is it the judgmental stares when someone dares to order a "medium" instead of a "grande"? Whatever the reason, local coffee shops are reclaiming their place in the spotlight and I’m here for it! 

Here are some of my favorite locally owned coffee shops in and around the Philadelphia area:

Brew Ha Ha: Wilmington, Delaware

A Wilmington, Delaware staple, Brew Ha Ha features cozy coffee shop vibes with a twist. Some locations even offer espresso martinis during evening hours, transforming the traditional café into a calm and elusive space perfect for sipping drinks while enjoying local musicians on select weekend nights. This dual atmosphere makes it an ideal spot for any time of day. 

Check them out here: https://www.brewhaha.com/

Chadds Ford Coffee House: Chadds Ford, PA

This newer addition to the area has quickly made a name for itself. One sip of their dark roast French press, and I was hooked. Unlike the other shops on this list, Chadds Ford Coffee Roasters leans toward a quieter, more professional vibe. It’s a great spot for plugging in your laptop and getting some work done while enjoying a perfectly brewed cup of your favorite roast. 

Check them out here: https://www.instagram.com/chaddsford.coffeehouse/?hl=en

Boro Gelato & Café: Wilmington, Delaware 

This French-inspired gem is a haven for anyone craving high-quality, locally sourced treats. The vibe is straight out of Gilmore Girls—think Luke’s Diner, but with an elevated twist. Bonus: they don’t charge extra for non-dairy milk! Additionally, their commitment to gluten-free offerings is unmatched. My sister, who has celiac disease, loves their handmade gluten-free gelato and pastries, which are prepared with no risk of cross-contamination. 

Check them out here: https://www.borogelato.com/

Oso Sweet: Chadds Ford, PA

The name says it all: this place is oh-so-sweet! Known for its handmade pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and extensive coffee and tea options, Oso Sweet also boasts a spacious outdoor area. It’s perfect for live music performances during summer and a great spot to hang out with your pups while you sip your beverage in the fresh air. 

Check them out here: https://www.ososweet.shop/

Local coffee shops aren’t just about the drinks; they’re about the experience—the friendly baristas who know your name, the unique atmosphere, and the connection to the community. These spots offer something you simply can’t find at big-name chains.

What’s your favorite local coffee shop? Did I miss one on this list? Let me know on socials—I’d love to hear your recommendations!

Jerry Seinfeld's Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee is an incredibly popular show. However, some of the best episodes have gone underappreciated!

Some of the biggest comedians in the world have appeared on the hit show that's currently streaming on Netflix. There's an episode that reunited Jerry with former collaborator Larry David and comedy legends like Martin Short, Dave Chappelle, and Eddie Murphy. However, some of the episodes with comedians you might not be as familiar with are some of the best and most underappreciated episodes of Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee.

When an episode features one of the best comedians in the game, like Ricky Gervais or Chris Rock, you go into it knowing it's going to be a good episode. These guys are the best of the best! They aren't going to come on the show and miss. It's not happening—and it doesn't.

Likewise, when Jerry reunites with his former Seinfeld co-stars or collaborators, you know you're going to be in for a treat. The episode with Julia Louis-Dreyfuss is one of the best in the series, and nothing incredibly funny even happens! The 2 of them just have such great chemistry all these years later that it's still gold when they start riffing together. They even share some behind-the-scenes moments from Seinfeld, and it's a fantastic episode. The ones with Larry David and Michael Richards are great as well. Larry is in his purest form during the episode, he's one of few people I've seen appear on the show and not drink coffee, opting for tea, instead. He tells a never shared joke during the episode about the Hunchback of Notre Dame that is laugh out loud funny. Larry is one-of-a-kind.

According to Deadline, there were 84 episodes of the show made, and that's a lot to choose from! It can be difficult to choose which ones you want to watch next once you've gone through all your favorite comedians and the big names. So, let me help you out! I feel like I've seen almost all of them and while very few are duds, some rise to the top compared to others. It was very difficult to narrow it down to only 5 underappreciated episodes of Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee.

So, before we get to the list, I have to share some Honorable Mentions. First, there's Jon Stewart in Season 4 Episode 5. Jon is so relatable and is one of the more likable humans to appear on the show. He's just like a friend all of us have, only he's incredibly hilarious and successful. I came out of that episode liking him much more. Zach Galifianakis (Season 10 Episode 1) was adorable. The episode ended with a special Between Two Ferns that was hilarious at at Jerry's expense. Finally, as a massive Seth Rogen fan obviously, I enjoyed his episode (Season 11 Episode 2). Ready for the list? Let's get to it!

https://youtu.be/TIqaKGAnLdQ?si=GVXYVUTue-J-4k2y Bob Einstein's episodes of Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee are must-sees. He was the first guest to be brought back for a second appearance and after you see the first one, you'll certainly understand why. He's so funny! You might recognize him from playing Marty Funkhouser on Curb Your Enthusiasm or as satirical stuntman Super Dave. His back and forth with Jerry is one-of-a-kind. They might be my favorite episodes of the show, even better than the ones featuring my personal favorite comedians! May he Rest In Peace.

https://youtu.be/WY1JcIoV72k?si=CxvQ4hhqK5cF8Mae Regardless of how you feel about politics, Barack Obama was an incredibly interesting guest on the show. He was funny, courteous, and not afraid to give Jerry some digs. It was so cool to see a U.S. President on the show and getting a sense of who he is as a person outside of politics. He seems like a relatable guy and it was a fantastic episode. It kind of brought out a different Jerry that you don't see with the comedians on the show. For once, Jerry isn't the one in charge. It's different but it's great.

https://youtu.be/UvCnI2tMY2o?si=MWduqGU-1AY8Jm2K Tina Fey is a national treasure. If Mean Girls wasn't enough to prove that, or her performance as Liz Lemon on 30 Rock, then this episode of Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee should do the trick. I want to be friends with her! I think we'd get along! She's hilarious and comes off as relatable and human. It sounds like she loves food as much as she loves comedy. I might be in love with her.

https://youtu.be/DCYUClhHgkk?si=4bVJecAGTPg7kfMC Of course Will Ferrell was great on Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee. Despite not being known as a stand-up, he cut his teeth in sketch comedy and made a name for himself on SNL. He and Jerry appear on the same wave-length throughout the episode and often don't need words to understand what each other is thinking. Including an awkward moment with a waitress that they both immediately recognize as strange, but are too nice to really say anything about. It's hilarious. He shares the story of his audition on Saturday Night Live and seems like a guy anybody would get along with.

https://youtu.be/smJLBIF-HW8?si=s146JkQoHOHxdEiT Norm MacDonald's passing was one that hit me hard. He was always one of my favorite comedians and there's truly nobody else like him. Many comics try to replicate it but will never be able to accomplish that. He's truly one-of-a-kind. In the episode, he shows that unique perspective he's known for. Nobody can straddle the proverbial line quite like Norm. In the episode, he shares his thoughts on the Cosby ordeal which ended up going viral. Without a doubt, it's one of the best episodes of the show. It was so good they should have just done every episode together and I would have been fine with that. Rest In Peace, Norm.