Monk's Café

Poppypitbull

New Jersey

4.9/5  rDev +13.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$$

Just a great all around place.
a really well informed waiter who knew his stuff guided us through the evening for selections when we wanted to experiment. A cool atmosphere, great tunes on the system, food was good but not awesome (it's bar food, just better cooked). A little pricey though, but it's to be expected with what they serve there. We got down to PA just in time since they banned smoking only 2 weeks prior and it made the evening that much more enjoyable.
Got to try a variety of things I'd never had before and even got a free bottle to take back to NJ the next day!

10-17-2006 18:07:08 | More by Poppypitbull

TurdFurgison

Ohio

4.9/5  rDev +13.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$

I was lucky to visit on an empty Monday night, in that I got a personal tour and several beers with Tom Peters (owner of Monk's). He was generous and friendly, with loads of entertaining background about each beer I tried. The beer selection is all top shelf, about 15-20 taps and 1 beer engine (which snorted out the last dregs of Cantillon Monk's Kriek for me). The bottled list is insane, strong with Belgians of course but also including many great USA craft beers. I saw Older Viscosity but couldn't afford it in addition to the other beers on my must-try list, Ne Goeien Saison + Cantillon Monk's Gueuze + Klokke Roeland, topped of with Beatification to go. I'm sure my review won't shed any new light on Monk's, it's just a must-see if you're in Philadelphia.

03-04-2009 13:05:55 | More by TurdFurgison

DannyS

New York

4.9/5  rDev +13.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$

Went here with a bunch of my friends last Wednesday. They had all been there before when we lived in Philly before I turned 21, but now that I am of age, I was dying to go here.

The atmosphere was appropriate, to say the least. It was a dimly lit place with worn wood tables with two bars and a bunch of scattered tables. The perfect place to sit around and get nice and lubed up on fine beer.

The quality was fantastic. Their beer list was the largest I've ever seen, and carried so many different styles and unique and limited run beers that I had a hard time deciding what to have. No matter what you're jonesing for as far as beer will likely be there at Monk's.

The service was prompt and professional, with our server serving every beer we ordered just right, whether it was the Spaten Hefeweisen the giant pilsner glass or my Belgain pale in the appropriate tulip. If I were a normal person with no knowledge of how kitchens and dining rooms work, I might dock points for the slightly curt service by our waiter, but this guy knew how to work an entire dining room himself. He deserved the fat tip we left him.

As already touched upon, the selection is mind-boggling with their giant beer list. I give extra kudos to them for having the balls to completely trash American light lager on their list ('can you say CRAP!?' was the best thing I've ever read on a menu)

The food was also quite good, with an interesting selection of Burgers, sandwiches, and larger entrees. The prices were also quite reasonable for the portion size and quality of ingredients.

Overall, I stumbled out of Monk's quite inebriated, but satisfied like I've never been before. Hell, I even woke up the next morning feeling great, with no hangover. I'd move to Philly and go here every day if my wallet and my liver could tolerate it.

03-06-2009 17:42:17 | More by DannyS

akenethon

Germany

4.9/5  rDev +13.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$$

I can't be not emotional about this place, this was the first place where I had my "initiation" to quality beer.

The atmosphere is superb, decoration is cosy and cleverly done. Just somewhat noisy in weekend evenings.

God quality, the people who visit it are decent.

Service is very good compared to the US average. They all know their stuff, which is VERY rare. one of my friends was actually a waiter there, he told me they test every time they get a new beer. They have some cute waitresses as well:)

Selection of beer is very large and good. They renew their stuff every month, and the owner tries his best to bring the rarest and tastiest beer both on tap an bottle. One of the waitresses told me he went several times to a Belgian monastery to get a keg of their beer. I would say if there was a term like "curator" for beer, this guy would be one of the top curators in the world.

Tasty food! Amazing fries with super sauce, solid burgers, outstanding mussels(rarely done so well outside france). The only thing I regret is that they had removed my favorite appetizer (the duck spring rolls) from the menu last time I visited them. Still, makes me overeat.

Pricing can be reasonable or high, depending on what you eat and drink. I remember getting below 15$ and above 30$.

I deeply miss this place, it is one of my dreams to get a franchise from them one day I settle down.

05-12-2010 21:02:43 | More by akenethon

jhughes23

Delaware

4.9/5  rDev +13.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$$$

Look, I'll keep this very simple....If you love beer and you have spent any amount of time on the East Coast then you have heard of this place...it is that outstanding.

I've been to beer dinners here that have blown my mind.

Their own sour beer will be the most intersting beer you've ever had...you may not know if you like it or not, but it will be damn interesting!

The Same staff for the past 10 years....got it'

Frog legs....got em'

The best hand cut french fries....got em'

The Beer Bible Book...got it'

Look, it is THE PLACE TO DRINK BELGIUM BEERS!

THERE IS NO BAR ON THE EAST COAST THAT CAN COMPARE....

I don't work here...but I sure sound like I do! And you will too once you've visited here!

02-03-2011 02:58:07 | More by jhughes23

Caesar024

New York

4.88/5  rDev +12.7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 5 | $$

This was already know to be the first stop on our Philly adventure, to see if Monk's lives up to the hype. Let me say that this guy--a beer guy that still hasn't fallen in love with all things Belgian--believes that Monk's live up to the hype and then tops it.

I'm not sure who told me last week about the back bar, but I have to thank him/her because because I got to impress the boss with some insider knowledge about the bar. Also, the front looked cool, but not very comfortable with too much harsh outside lighting coming in. The back bar was cozy and felt like I was actually in a local Belgian pub.

I ordered their House Flemish Red (yeah, really!), which was not too sour and perfect for pairing with several items on the menu cooked with it: Grilled Scallops in a Flemish Red Buerre Blanc (Rouge?) and then a Spinach-Beet Salad with Red Onions and Spanish Bleu Cheese, also in a Flemish Red Vinaigrette. Both dishes were amazing, as were the Ghent Mussels and Pomme Frites that my friend ordered.

Service was friendly , knowledgeable and very personable. our bartender chatted with us about the beers, the overall craft scene, the Phillies (and how to get to the stadium), and even recommended another great beer bar when we returned that evening after the game.

Selection was, of course, impressively heavy on the Belgians with a solid list of other American craft beers and styles represented for balance. Pricing was very reasonable for what we received.

I will be back. If only to compare with Brewers Art for my all-time favorite Gastropub.

09-17-2009 14:48:14 | More by Caesar024

dmarch

Pennsylvania

4.85/5  rDev +12%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5

If it wasn't for the 250 character minimum, my review would simply be "beer heaven." It's very cramped and dark, but it still gets a 4.5 for atmosphere. For some reason it just feels right being there. The service is exceptional. A server who knows as much about beer as you do, and they like to talk about it. They pour it correctly and serve it in the proper glasswear. The selection is fantastic. Not as many micros as I'd like to see, but face it, if you've come here you've come to drink belgians. Come early because it get's crowded quickly.

07-29-2003 00:07:23 | More by dmarch

HossMcGraw

Pennsylvania

4.85/5  rDev +12%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

Finally got to Monk's and it was every bit as good as I had hoped.

2 small dark bars with great music, friendly laid back atmosphere, and one of the sickest beer selections I've ever seen. The Monk's Flemish Red was phenomenal! Our server knew her beer, and she was very knowledgeable, sweet and attentive. All beer was served in the appropriate glassware.

The mussels were delicious, but our entrees were kind of average. The value was teriffic however. Very moderately priced food that was adequate enough to go along with some world class beer.

12-11-2006 07:41:37 | More by HossMcGraw

QXSTER1

Pennsylvania

4.83/5  rDev +11.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 5

Everything I have read and heard about this stellar establishment was proven correct after my recent Belgian beer pilgrimage to Monk's. This was not the sole reason for a my trip to Philly, but it was near the top. The night we were there it was crowded, but after putting our name in for a table we headed to the back bar and sampled the Belgian taps. Three drafts of beer to die for and we were seated and ordered the mussels and pomme frites along with a rack of lamb. Everything came together for one of the most memorable meals I've had in a long time. The food was complemented by the superlative beers providing an experience any Belgian beer lover would savor.

05-06-2002 18:48:14 | More by QXSTER1

WilliamPhilaPa

Pennsylvania

4.83/5  rDev +11.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 5

Simply amazing place as far as Belgian beers goes. The look and feel… I think is somewhat gothic, but whatever it is, it’s cool in my book. The seats in the back area appear to be old church pews. There are over 200 bottled beers to choose from!There is approx 20 taps, if you only notice four, ask the BT where the back bar is...I was lucky to have some of the Chimay White that was tapped for the first time ever in North America! It was excellent! The food is excellent also! If you ever come to Philly, Monk’s is a must stop for Belgian beers, they also have a good selection of beers from Germany, England, US, Austria, Chech Rep, and a few other countries. Overall a must stop when coming to Philly…

06-22-2002 14:23:14 | More by WilliamPhilaPa