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October 2023 by Patrick C.
I happened to be in the area of the 3400 block of Sansom Street today in West Philadelphia and a familiar sign caught my eye from 22 years ago; Avril 50. Avril 50 was a regular stop in my patrol days and I loved walking into the shop. Always the wonderful aroma of brewing coffees and chocolate dancing with other exotic smells and the smells of fine papers and magazines. It always felt to me like stepping from West Philadelphia into a magical pocket of Europe. As it looked exactly the same, I wondered if anything had changed in the past 22 years and as soon as I crossed the threshold, I found that it was the same - like stepping back 22 years, yet somehow I was that much older. The proprietor was still there, still the same and looking no different - something that confirmed my belief that this was a magical and wonderful pocket paradise tucked away on a small West Philadelphia street. A brief catch-up chat, a shopping bag of fine teas and a perfectly brewed double-espresso to takeaway later; I stepped back into the bright Fall sun of West Philadelphia. I found myself smiling as I sipped the espresso, happy that one of the best things for me in that neighborhood has remained unchanged for others to enjoy and to continue to discover. It will not be another 22 years before I make my way back - that is for certain.
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August 2023 by Mark O'Brien
I am so happy to have stumbled on Avril 50. The coffee was fantastic along with a relaxing atmosphere to peruse the very well curated selection of magazines and other written works. I'll certainly be returning.
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February 2023 by Jennifer T.
I have loved this place since my 20s. I was so happy when I moved back to Philadelphia and it was still here. There is nothing like it, I used to dream about it when I lived in Seattle. The selection of magazines, tea, chocolate etc is exquisite. The smell of this place is pure magic. It has more taste and poetry than any other shop I can think of in Philadelphia (not actual poetry books but a sense of poetry).
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September 2022 by Bettina B.
This place is no Rizzoli, but Rizzoli hardly has had an active café in it... sophisticated as New York City has been positioning itself for ... forever. Not sure what all the shouting is about regarding this café. Not many coffee table books and the guy not encourage lingering if they didn't order food for the patio café or points further away...could only imagine this store pre-pandemic, otherwise would be rated 3 stars by me, in normal times. Even during the height of the pandemic there were customers ... Loads of customers these days-high degree of non-maskitude, not something I can afford to aspire to. Maybe it's a "keepin' it local and sustainable", attraction for this little café. Their (non-food) merchandise is getting better. Can't speak as to their food. I look forward to buying the right sized card there. An out of state paper. And eventually being able to beat it out of there.
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February 2022 by Naren Majeti
I've been inside this store once, they have a very unique selection of a lot of things, ranging from teas to cigarettes and much more!
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February 2022 by Joseph A Forte
Best chocolate selection around. Great espresso.
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December 2021 by YangHwa P.
I have passed this place for years, but today was the first time I went in. It was kind of like stepping into a newspaper store in Paris. It is not a big store, but every wall, and corners are filled with goodies. You get greeted by the aroma of coffee, and you see various high end chocolate bars, then coffee beans, tea leaves, and coffee/tea accessories. If you want unique postcards here is a place to go. I also have not seen this many different magazines from around the world before! It is actually overwhelming because I wish I can sit and look through all these magazines in this store. Seriously, this place is a perfect store if you want to gift someone who loves to read. As for me, I recently got into Dolfin chocolate from Belgium. This is the only place I can find them. You can buy these chocolate cheaper online, but I think I always end up buying more and spending more online. If you are nearby Univ of Pa, this store is a must place to stop by.
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December 2021 by Andrea F.
Wow, what a gem. Its unassuming location save for the bright yellow awning makes me think it's invisible to Muggles, TBH. If Platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross Station had a newspaper and cigarette kiosk, it would be this. Truthfully, I'm a s***** for Dunkin to a fault, but when I get a mid-afternoon craving for a well-made hot and caffeinated beverage, I'm coming here. I still have no clue exactly what's on the menu or how to order. Last time, I saw a girl exiting with a to-go cup and asked her what it was. "The creme brûlée latte." So I got just that, and boy, was I impressed. Most lattes (read: all) that I've had are either too bitter or too sweet and make me nauseous and jittery upon first sip. This was SPOT ON (but $7, so just be prepared.) It's the remainder of this place that does it for me, though. It's like you stepped back in time. An entire wall of coffee beans in varying nuttiness and earthiness and strength, waiting to be dispensed. Magazines and newspapers from around the globe, journals for every niche interest. Postcards and maps and artisan chocolate bars and Zippo lighters. My eyes didn't know where to look. I think it's cash only and the guy owning the place works alone manning the register, which I love. Thinking of coming here to buy everyone on my Christmas gift list something special and unique.
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July 2021 by TONE B HURT
Avril 50 is a Legend of the University City community of west Philadelphia! I still have unique publications purchased there @30 years ago. Great teas and coffee!
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May 2021 by Jerry Briggs
It's the hidden gems setting Avril 50 apart from the international coffee bars that acknowledge a customer by, "Next!"Yahya's greeting; Penn Police stopping in, bikes handcuffed to the wrought iron rail; French-speaking African cabbies parking kerbside to pick up favourite magazines.Once upon a time Penn hosted Philadelphia merchants; not dazzling chains offering the same wares a kid from East Overshoe, Kansas found in the nearest hometown big-box strip-mall.Avril 50 is a hold-out, paean to that lovely long-ago.
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March 2021 by Ryan Solimeo
A true gem of a store. Please support small business like this, the selection of magazines is second to none. Great stuff you cant find anywhere else.
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March 2021 by Hannah M.
Interesting little shop. My sister's boyfriend took us here when we mentioned we needed coffee and I was a little perplexed when I walked in. I'm still not entirely sure what the shop is supposed to be but it was an experience going there for sure. The coffee is self serve and there are several different selections, each with a short description up on the wall. My boyfriend and I each got a medium (I believe it was $2.25 per) and loved our coffee. Both were tasty and exceptionally strong. I'm not sure if they do anything fancier (lattés, etc) but I doubt it. Nonetheless, if I were a student at penn and needed a coffee this is where I would go.
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November 2020 by J Taylor
CBD-infused drinks, BEAUTIFUL international magazines and post cards, and coffee. A gem.
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October 2020 by Annalisa Buehler
Best stop on Sansom!
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September 2020 by Christian Trapp
Best coffee EVER! The Grog is
