The best cafes in Newark

Haiden's Coffee & Café turns your morning into something you actually look forward to, with customized espresso drinks and a from-scratch bakery that covers bagels, breakfast and lunch, and gluten-free treats, plus the kind of Finnish pulla your coffee secretly deserves.

From the Rising Sun newsletter, October 15, 2026

Affogatto is Baltimore’s only cat café, an Italian-style spot in Fells Point where you can sip local espresso and hang with adoptable rescue kittens in a cozy cat lounge. Book a session this week, decompress for a bit, maybe fall in love and make someone a forever roommate.

From the Baltimore newsletter, October 8, 2026

Le Cat Cafe is the cat hangout where you can book time with adoptable felines, unwind with friends, and maybe meet your future roommate. They also host events and private parties, plus offer ways to help through fostering, donating, or picking up some delightfully on-brand merch.

From the Philadelphia newsletter, October 9, 2026

Frieda is a community-forward cafe where a Paris-trained chef, a dedicated baking team, and even a resident jam maker keep things delicious, then the calendar fills with afternoon tea, workshops, and local art. When your week needs good food and good people, this is the move.

From the Philadelphia newsletter, October 16, 2026

Cake&Joe Center City nails the coffee plus dessert craving, with rose lattes, breakfast sandwiches, and over 16 individual mousse cakes daily that look like tiny art pieces and taste even better. Swing by when you need a mood lift disguised as a coffee run.

From the Philadelphia newsletter, October 23, 2026

A La Mousse is where feather-light mousse cakes, matcha slices, and legit coffee meet for low-key catchups and post-dinner cravings. When you want something pretty, not precious, this modern, cozy spot nails it with housemade desserts, soothing teas, and a vibe that makes weekday evenings feel a little special.

From the Reading newsletter, October 7, 2026