This Pennsylvania Cafe Serves An Entirely Gluten-Free And Dairy-Free Menu Without Sacrificing Flavor

Every single thing on this menu is organic, plant-based, gluten-free, and dairy-free. Not most things, but every crumb, from the waffles to the frosting on the cakes.

Eggs are off the list too. The kitchen also skips highly processed soy and pea protein isolates, leaning on whole ingredients made from scratch.

This cozy cafe sits on a leafy block in one of Pennsylvania’s busiest cities, and it all started with one woman’s sweet tooth.

I like how the whole menu feels safe without feeling like a compromise.

I believe that matters more than most people realize. Friends with food allergies can finally order without playing ingredient detective.

So how does one kitchen pull off cinnamon rolls, brownies, and grilled cheese with none of the usual suspects?

A Sweet Tooth Started This Whole Delicious Story

Andrea Kyan went vegan and quickly hit what she called a sweet tooth dry spell.

Instead of giving up dessert, she taught herself to bake better versions of her favorite treats.

That kitchen stubbornness turned into Pure Sweets, an online business she launched in 2008.

By 2009, her goodies were showing up at the Whole Foods Summer Markets around the city.

Demand kept growing, and a real storefront followed. P.S. & Co. opened its doors in Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square neighborhood in May 2014.

Here’s a fun detail most people miss. The P.S. in the name stands for Pure Sweets, a quiet nod to those early baking days.

The cafe didn’t stay a dessert shop for long, though. It grew into a full spot for breakfast, lunch, and weekend brunch, while keeping its bakery roots front and center.

Kyan is still deeply involved today. She often signs her replies to guests personally, which says a lot about how hands-on this place remains.

I love that the whole business grew from one practical problem. Someone wanted a good cookie, and an entire Pennsylvania food destination came out of it.

Every Ingredient Has To Pass A Seriously Strict Test

Six labels apply to every item on this menu.

Each dish is 100% organic, plant-based, gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, and kosher parve.

That’s a tall order for any kitchen. It’s even taller when you consider the team also avoids highly processed soy and pea protein isolates.

Artificial ingredients and dyes don’t make the cut either. Instead, the cooks focus on whole foods and make dishes from scratch, including the bread.

For people avoiding gluten, dairy, or eggs, that kind of consistency is a gift. Still, guests with other food allergies should check ingredients carefully, since the kitchen is not completely allergen-free.

One helpful tip for anyone with celiac disease is worth knowing. The kitchen uses a lot of oats, which are gluten-free, but some people with celiac react to them anyway.

Nut allergies deserve special attention. The restaurant explicitly states that its kitchen is not safe for people with nut allergies because nuts are used extensively.

Soy and other potential allergens are also present.

The owner has said she would rather cut a dish entirely than serve a cheaper, lesser version. That’s a bold rule, and honestly, it explains the whole vibe.

Brick, Reclaimed Wood, And A Whole Lot Of Sunshine

Exposed brick walls give the room a classic Philadelphia feel right away.

Warm reclaimed wood softens all that brick, so the space feels homey instead of stiff.

Clean lines keep things from getting cluttered. The result is bright and airy, the kind of room where a slow breakfast feels completely reasonable.

Near the entrance, a small seating area sits beside the dessert case. That case is large, which feels a little cheeky for a fully gluten-free bakery.

Good luck walking past it without slowing down. The display basically works as a menu, a temptation, and a decision crisis all at once.

Farther back, the cafe opens up with more seating. There’s even a cozy nook in the rear, perfect if you want a quieter corner for coffee and conversation.

The whole layout works for different moods. You can grab something quickly at the front or settle down for a proper sit-down meal.

I appreciate that the design matches the food philosophy. Natural materials, simple shapes, and nothing fussy, which feels exactly right for a kitchen built around whole ingredients.

A Secret Garden Waits Out Back

Few cafes in Center City can claim their own garden. This one calls its outdoor space the Secret Garden, and the name fits nicely.

It’s a patio set away from the street noise of the city. Greenery surrounds the tables, giving brunch a calmer, more relaxed feel.

On a nice day, it’s easily one of the best seats in the house. Avocado toast simply tastes more like a vacation when it comes with fresh air.

The garden also has a second job. P.S. & Co. offers the space as a private dining area for special events and gatherings.

That opens up some fun possibilities. A birthday brunch, a small shower, or a family celebration could all happen in a leafy spot that feels far from downtown traffic.

For hosts juggling guests with different dietary preferences, this setup offers plenty of flexibility.

The gluten-free, dairy-free, and egg-free menu simplifies planning, although guests with nut allergies or other restrictions should review ingredients and cross-contact risks before attending.

Weather in Pennsylvania can be moody, of course. Still, when the sun cooperates, this little garden turns an ordinary meal into something worth remembering.

Breakfast Here Breaks All The Usual Rules

Waffles made from organic oat and quinoa flour headline the weekend brunch menu.

They arrive topped with fresh berries or caramelized banana, which is a very convincing argument for getting out of bed.

Weekday mornings bring their own favorites. Organic Avocado Toast sits on house-made bread, and the Organic Protein-Packed Amaranth Porridge offers something warm and hearty.

That porridge has a richer secret than you might guess. It’s made with full-fat organic coconut milk, with no gums, emulsifiers, or additives.

Savory fans have options too. Pesto grilled cheese, French toast, and tempeh bacon all show up on a menu that skips dairy, eggs, and gluten entirely.

Menus shift with the seasons here. During colder months, the kitchen has run weekly soup specials, so check what’s new before you settle on an old favorite.

Weekend brunch runs on its own schedule. It starts at 9:30 in the morning on Saturdays and Sundays, and the kitchen wraps up mid-afternoon.

Drinks round things out nicely. Fresh green juice, smoothies, and matcha lattes all pair well with a plate of plant-based comfort food.

The Pastry Case Is Where Willpower Goes To Rest

Tahini chocolate chip cookies might be the most dangerous thing in the building.

They’re rich and nutty, and they make a strong case that gluten was never necessary.

Fudgy brownies sit nearby, ready to tempt anyone who claims they only came for coffee. Colorful cakes layered with citrus curd, fresh berries, and fruit jams fill out the display.

The cinnamon rolls deserve their own spotlight. They’re famously big, the kind of pastry that makes splitting one with a friend sound like a smart plan.

Banana bread, monkey bread, scones, carrot cake, and tiramisu also show up among the bakery’s best-known treats. Choosing just one may feel slightly unfair.

Everything still follows the same strict rules as the rest of the menu. That means organic, plant-rich, gluten-free, and kosher parve, even in the frosting.

Because the cafe started as a bakery, sweets aren’t an afterthought here. They’re the heart of the whole operation and the reason P.S. & Co. exists at all.

Planning a quick snack? Grab a drip coffee or tea and a pastry, then enjoy a treat that skips gluten, dairy, and eggs.

Just remember to check ingredients if you have other food allergies, especially to nuts.

Your Next Celebration Cake Could Start Here

Birthdays get a lot easier when the cake suits your dietary needs.

P.S. & Co. makes custom cakes that are gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, and fully organic, although they are not suitable for guests with nut allergies.

Flavors like vanilla and carrot cake have appeared in tiered designs. Semi-naked frosting and fresh fruit give them a pretty, bakery-window look.

Planning ahead is the main rule. Custom cake orders require at least seven days’ notice, so this isn’t the place for a last-minute panic purchase.

Customers needing a cake sooner can contact the bakery to ask about possible arrangements.

Wedding couples with dietary limits have turned here for small cutting cakes. That’s a big deal when finding a dessert that meets specific restrictions can feel like a quest.

Cookies, muffins, and scones can join the party too. Pairing a cake with a tray of baked goods makes a brunch gathering feel complete.

I can’t imagine a better relief for a parent whose child must avoid gluten, dairy, or eggs, provided the other ingredients are suitable. Their child gets a real celebration cake instead of feeling left out when dessert arrives.

Picking up your order also means another trip past the pastry case. Consider yourself warned, and maybe bring a slightly bigger bag.

Rittenhouse Makes The Perfect Backdrop For Brunch

Locust Street in Rittenhouse is one of Philadelphia’s prettiest stretches.

Tree-lined blocks and historic buildings make a stroll here feel like part of the meal.

You’ll find the cafe at 1706 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103. It sits near 17th Street, an easy walk from the famous Rittenhouse Square park.

That location makes it a natural stop during a day in the city. Shopping, galleries, and leafy park benches are all nearby when you need to walk off a cinnamon roll.

Hours run seven days a week, with early openings at 7 in the morning on weekdays. Tuesday closes earlier at 3 in the afternoon, so plan around that.

Weekends open a bit later and get busy. The owner recommends reservations on weekends, though walk-ins can usually still find a table.

Bringing your own bag is smart for takeout, since the cafe charges for bags and utensils to cut waste. Grab a knife if your bagel comes with spread on the side.

Small details like that keep a visit smooth. Then all that’s left is deciding what to eat first.

Kindness Shows Up Behind The Counter Too

Plenty of restaurants talk about values, but this one puts its money where its mission is. P.S. & Co. pays employees above the industry standard.

Set schedules are part of the deal as well. That kind of stability is rare in restaurant work, where shifts can change on a whim.

Since 2019, the cafe has offered health insurance, paid time off, and 401K savings to its team. Those benefits show real care for the people making your breakfast.

The menu also stretches to meet specific wellness needs. A set of Medical Medium dishes skips salt, oil, and sugar for guests following that approach.

Those items taste very different from the signature menu, which uses sea salt and organic olive or coconut oil. Read descriptions closely so you order the style you actually want.

Beyond meals, the brand has shared meal plans, e-books, and workshops for cooking plant-rich food at home. The goal is bigger than one plate.

I love that the care runs in every direction here. Good food, fair work, and a Pennsylvania cafe that treats wellness as a whole-picture idea make a pretty great combination.