Càphê Roasters

Càphê Roasters was established in 2018 in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia. The company was founded by the husband-and-wife team of Thu Pham, a Vietnamese American raised in Philadelphia, and Raymond John, the CEO of the educational nonprofit 12 Plus. The business originated as a winning entry in Shift Capital’s Kensington Avenue Storefront Challenge, a competition designed to foster neighborhood revitalization. From its inception, the founders aimed to create a space that combined the nostalgic flavors of Pham’s childhood with a mission to provide meaningful employment opportunities for students and alumni supported by John’s nonprofit organization.

The company distinguishes itself as the first and only Vietnamese specialty coffee roaster in Philadelphia. Its operational philosophy is deeply rooted in the Vietnamese expression “đi uống cà phê,” which translates to “let’s get coffee” and serves as a cultural invitation to slow down and engage with one's community. This ethos of connection informs both their retail café operations and their broader business model, which includes wholesale distribution to restaurants and cafés across the United States.

Sourcing is a central pillar of the company’s identity. Càphê Roasters primarily procures its coffee from Vietnam, with additional sourcing from other regions across Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. A notable example of their sourcing practice is a microlot of Arabica coffee produced by 38 smallholder farmers in the Lam Dong province of Vietnam’s Central Highlands. These beans are grown at an elevation of 1,400 meters, a factor the company highlights as essential to the quality of the final cup. Furthermore, the roaster is noted for its commitment to working with Robusta beans, a staple of Vietnamese coffee culture that the company integrates into its specialty-grade offerings.

All roasting is conducted in small batches at their flagship location in Kensington. This controlled production environment allows the team to maintain consistency while catering to a diverse menu that includes traditional Vietnamese preparations, such as egg coffee. The company operates as a multifaceted business, functioning as a roastery, café, retail shop, and catering service, while also maintaining a robust wholesale arm that supplies partner businesses nationwide.

In terms of industry recognition, Càphê Roasters has achieved significant national acclaim. The company was named a James Beard Award semifinalist for “Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program,” a distinction that highlights its impact on the beverage industry. Additionally, the brand has been recognized locally for its contributions to the Philadelphia food scene, including mentions in lists of iconic local foods and accolades for its food offerings, such as its bánh mì.

As a minority-owned and woman-led enterprise, Càphê Roasters continues to operate with a focus on community engagement and cultural representation. By elevating the profile of Vietnamese specialty coffee, the company serves as a bridge between traditional Southeast Asian coffee practices and the modern specialty coffee movement. Today, the roastery remains a fixture in the Philadelphia coffee landscape, continuing its mission to foster community through its retail presence and its ongoing partnerships with farmers in Vietnam.