Deborah McCabeEvery time I visit a pastry shop or cafe, I notice how slices of cheesecake proudly sit in the display case like they own the place. And honestly, they kind of do.
As someone who’s into desserts and constantly curious about new flavors, I’ve been tempted more times than I can count. But let’s be real. Going on a full cheesecake spree solo feels like a sugar crash waiting to happen.
So I grabbed some friends, and we turned it into a little cheesecake adventure across the city. It was fun tasting how each spot puts its own twist on this classic dessert.
If you’re ready to dive into Philly’s cheesecake scene, stick around because you’re in for a treat!
1. The Cheesecake Factory
Media credits: cheesecakefactory
Address: 1430 Walnut St
Contact details: +1 267-457-2203
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 11:30 AM – 10 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 11:30 AM – 11 PM
- Sunday: 10 AM – 10 PM
Price: $$
We tried a few different flavors of The Cheesecake Factory’s cheesecakes, and every slice looked photo-ready. The Ultimate Red Velvet got the best reaction from our group for its thick layers of red velvet cake.
Even the classics hit the mark. One of us tried the Fresh Strawberry Cheesecake and was impressed with how fresh and bright it tasted, especially with the glazed strawberries on top.
However, we all agreed that the cheesecakes were very sweet. If you don’t have a strong sweet tooth, maybe share a slice or bring a bottle of water.
| Pro tip: Take some slices to go if you’re full since they are packaged really well. A slice of Dulce de Leche Cheesecake held up perfectly until the next day and somehow tasted even better chilled overnight. |
2. Isgro Pastries
Media credits: isgropastries
Address: 1009 Christian St
Contact details: +1 215-923-3092
Operating hours:
- Monday: 8 AM – 4 PM
- Tuesday to Saturday: 8 AM – 6 PM
- Sunday: 7 AM – 2 PM
Price: $$$
Our team visited Isgro Pastries, and I tried the strawberry ricotta cheesecake, one of their top sellers. It’s rich but not heavy and creamy with just the right sweetness. The strawberries on top were fresh, juicy, and not your average store-bought stuff.
A couple of us tried the New York-style cheesecake with baked strawberries. It also has the perfect texture and is beautifully presented. We can tell that everything is made in small batches with care.
| Pro tip: The cheesecake is the showstopper, but don’t sleep on their classic cannoli. They’re hand-filled to order, with a crunchy shell and rich ricotta filling. |
3. Cake And Joe
Media credits: cakeandjoephilly
Address: 2012 Frankford Ave
Contact details: +1 267-239-0139
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 8 AM – 8 PM
Price: $$
We’d heard a lot of good praises about Cake and Joe’s Basque cheesecake before, but nothing prepared us for that first bite of their raspberry version. It’s creamy and slightly caramelized around the edges, and the raspberries are bright and tart.
The presentation is also on-point. We loved the tiny details like the flower, which is completely edible.
I couldn’t stop taking shots of the Mango Rare Cheesecake with fresh chunks of mango on top that looked like they had been placed with tweezers. The flavor matches the visuals, of course. It’s tropical and refreshing and not overly sweet.
| Pro tip: Try the less sweet options if you’re sensitive to sugar. The matcha Basque cheesecake and lychee-infused options offer a more subtle sweetness with earthy and fruity notes. |
4. A La Mousse
Media credits: alamousse
Address: 145 N 11th St
Contact details: +1 215-238-9100
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 12 PM – 11 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 12 PM – 12 AM
- Sunday: 12 PM – 11 PM
Price: $$
A La Mousse is a standout on this list for its visually stunning cheesecakes. We ordered the tangerine cheesecake, and seriously, we didn’t even want to eat it anymore because it looked like something Chef Ramsey would nod on.
The thin layer of tangerine glaze contrasts beautifully with the soft, creamy white of the cheesecake. Surrounding it are strawberries, ice cream, and pink macarons.
The balance of creamy and fruity flavors is incredible. These cheesecakes were refreshingly citrusy, with a light, airy texture that wasn’t super sweet.
| Pro tip: The cafe often updates its menu with seasonal offerings. Be sure to check out these limited-time options to enjoy fresh, new twists on classic flavors. |
5. Tiffany’s Bakery
Media credits: tiffanysbakeryphilly
Address: 1001 Market St
Contact details: +1 844-225-3329
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 10 AM – 7 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 10 AM – 8 PM
- Sunday: 11 AM – 6 PM
Price: $$
We also visited Tiffany’s Bakery to try their strawberry cheesecake. Their cheesecake has that classic New York texture with a dense and creamy middle ground.
The bakery offers a good mix of sizes, which we appreciated. For sharing, you can choose between their 6-inch or 10-inch round. If you’re more of a solo snacker, the individual cheesecake cups are just right for a little personal treat.
Since they have a lot of flavors to choose from, it’s understandable if you get indecisive. Their staff is more than willing to help you choose the right cheesecake based on your preferences.
| Pro tip: Check them out on social media before you go. They sometimes post deals, new flavors, or behind-the-scenes bakery moments. It’s a good way to see what’s fresh out of the oven. |
6. The Sweet Life Bakeshop
Media credits: tsl_bakeshop
Address: 740 South St
Contact details: +1 215-717-7770
Operating hours:
- Wednesday to Saturday: 11 AM – 7 PM
- Sunday: 11 AM – 6 PM
- Monday to Tuesday: Closed
Price: $$
Although The Sweet Life Bakeshop is especially famous for its cupcakes and puddings, its cheesecakes also deserve some extra attention.
The ones we tried had a white, fluffy frosting and were topped with fresh strawberries. It was super simple but so satisfying. For the larger sizes, they mix in blueberries too, which adds a fresh burst.
We noticed how everything is made from scratch daily because of the taste difference. Even the bite-sized versions of their cheesecakes were a hit.
| Pro tip: Bring a cooler or insulated bag, especially during warmer months. Their cheesecakes are a little delicate and best kept chilled if you’re taking them to go or planning to travel with them. |
7. Sweet Box Bakeshop
Media credits: sweetboxphilly
Address: 339 S 13th St
Contact details: +1 267-975-1711
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9 AM – 7 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 10 AM – 7 PM
Price: $$
We’d heard good things about Sweet Box Bakeshop’s cupcakes and cookies. But instead of those, we tried some of their cheesecake cupcakes.
Their blueberry cheesecake was really delicious. It had a soft cake, a creamy cheesecake center, and sweet blueberry flavor in every bite.
One of us also tried the pumpkin cheesecake. The presentation is quite plain, but the flavors made up for it. It was full of cinnamon and spices and topped with a cinnamon whipped cream.
| Pro tip: Planning a celebration? Sweet Box Bakeshop takes pre-orders for cupcakes and cakes, and you can even ask them to customize your desserts to match your theme. |
8. Termini Bros Bakery
Media credits: termini_bros
Address: 1523 S 8th St
Contact details: +1 215-334-1816
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 11 AM – 7 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 7 AM – 7 PM
- Sunday: 7 AM – 3 PM
Price: $$$
Termini Bros Bakery has a New York-style cheesecake. We found out from the staff that it’s made with Philadelphia cream cheese, which was dense but velvety.
Not everyone on the team was fully sold, though, since one of us felt it could’ve had a bolder cream cheese kick.
We also tried a cherry cheesecake which was a pleasant surprise. It had a unique twist, not too sweet, and far from the overly doughy versions we’ve had elsewhere.
| Pro tip: Make sure to double-check the pricing. Some items, especially the smaller cakes, can feel a bit overpriced for the portion size. It’s good to know what you’re paying for before you load up your box. |
9. Varallo Brothers Bakery
Media credits: varallobrothersbakery
Address: 1639 S 10th St
Contact details: +1 215-952-0367
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 7 AM – 9 PM
Price: $$
A few of us were skeptical about trying Varallo Brothers Bakery’s cheesecakes since it wasn’t that popular around the area, but we took the risk, and it was worth it.
Their cheesecake has that creamy, rich texture without being too heavy. The crust was also buttery and crisp, but it didn’t try to steal the show.
We tried both the plain and the chocolate versions. While the plain one really lets the classic Italian flavors shine, the chocolate had its own kind of magic. Its cocoa flavor wasn’t overpowering but complemented the cheesecake base.
| Pro tip: Go early, especially on the weekends. Some of their best-sellers, like the strawberry tart and apple fritters, tend to sell out fast. |
