Port Coffee Co is set to open its first Pennsylvania location on campus next month.
The cafe — which had planned to open this April — is moving in at 4013 Walnut Street, the space previously occupied by Metropolitan Bakery. In a statement to The Daily Pennsylvanian, owner and manager Abdul Kader wrote that the opening has been delayed due to a “change of ownership” process as the shop waits on a “health department inspection.”
The coffee shop’s menu is “inspired” by Yemen heritage and will include a “unique selection” of lattes, matchas, smoothies, and pastries.
“From bold flavors to refreshing blends, we pride ourselves on delivering something truly distinct in every cup,” according to the cafe’s webpage.
On April 25, Kader wrote to the DP that there was a two week “timeline for the health department” inspection to be completed.
In October 2025, Port Coffee Co opened its first location in in Irving, Texas — which was followed four months later by a second location in Harvey, Louisiana. The brand aims to create a “gathering place” where “tradition meets modern craft.”
The University City space had previously been home to Metropolitan Bakery, which permanently closed its last Philadelphia location in Rittenhouse Square on March 15. Founders James Barrett and Wendy Smith Born sold the brand to Merzbacher’s — previously known as Philly Bread — which will continue Metropolitan Bakery’s wholesale operations at the Rittenhouse Farmers’ Market.
During its operation in University City, Metropolitan Bakery featured a sandwich called “The Wharton” and was named as the second-best Bakery in Quaker Creative’s 2025 “Best of Penn” issue.
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Metropolitan’s University City location was spearheaded by owner and operator Jim Lilly who saw demands from local residents for a fresh bakery in the area. In collaboration with Born, the bakery opened as an “independent operator.”
Last month, the Port Coffee Co wrote to the DP that it is hiring at its University City location and “would love to have Penn students” as part of its team.
The cafe is the latest addition to Penn’s growing retail district. Enerjuicer, a storefront offering smoothies, cold-pressed juices, and acai bowls, announced that it would join Franklin’s Table Food Hall last month. Korea Taqueria, a Korean-Mexician restaurant, also expanded to Franklin’s Table in January.
On March 5, Blank Street Coffee announced that it will open a storefront at 3603 Walnut Street. Located near the Penn Bookstore and the Inn at Penn, the shop will span approximately 3,5000 square feet — marking one of the chain’s largest U.S. storefronts.
