Cannolis, Hot Chocolate, Espresso, Oh My! Sweets in Philly

Belle Grace & Rene Kobeitri of Rim Cafe

“Make It Happen Baby!”

Calling all lovers of hot chocolate, espresso, coffee, Cannolis, Gelatos, sweets and more!

Meet the Godfather of hot chocolate, founder and owner of Rim Café, Frenchman René Kobeitri.

Kobeitri, who had created Groupe Rim, which originated on the Cote d’Azur in 1982, had expanded and opened shops in Cagnes-sur-Mer and then in Cannes.

By the late 1980’s, René was the premier caterer to the finest Cote d’Azur hotel establishments such as Beach Plaza (today’s Marriot Hotel) in Monaco, Meridian Hotel, Hyatt Regency, Negressco, in Nice, and Gray d’Albion in Cannes. Around this time, he opened his first restaurant, La Ferme, which served Mediterrean cuisine and featured live entertainment.

Fast forward to December of 2005 to where René once again expanded Groupe Rim and ventured to the United States. Here here settled in South Philadelphia’s famous Italian Market area and opened Rim Café, bringing with him the essence of the French Riviera and the Italian cafe tradition. A year after his arrival, René was recognized by Philadelphia Magazine for making the city’s best hot chocolate in their June 2007 “Best of Philly” issue and has won a few other various awards over the years.

Rim Café’s Atmosphere & Experience

This French/Italian-influenced café is like a miniature Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory. You’ll find everything from 12 different flavors of hot chocolate drinks, espresso and coffee drinks made from beans from places such as Brazil, Tanzaria, Ethopia, Peru, Columbia; different kinds of chocolates, fresh Cannolis imported from Palermo, Italy, homemade Gelatos and much more.

When your hot chocolate drink is created, you can watch as your glass mug spins in front of you atop a lazy Susan full of chocolate bits, as steaming hot milk pours over a block of chocolate, erupting over the rim.

See, René Kobeitri is a very simple man that has a simple philosophy. – “Make It Happen.” – When talking to Kobeitri, you’ll hear him say “Make It Happen” several times in a thirty minute conversation. He has a dream, and that is to make things happen.

René told us this:

I don’t want this to be a coffee shop. I don’t want it to be a hot chocolate shop. I want it to be different and unique, giving guests an unique experience not found in any other part of Philadelphia.

After visiting with René, I can certainly agree with him that this is like no other and is like a novelty shop! I tried his famous Volcano hot chocolate drink which was to die for. I had the basic, which had different kinds of chocolate that was shaved on top of the drink. The person next to my drink had theirs topped of with peanut butter drizzle.

René also treated me to some of his Cannolis and different kinds of chocolate, which were all amazing as well. Yes, you will pay a little more for Rim Café’s products, but it’s well worth it.

UPDATE: As of March 19, 2021

Rim Café has added Gelatos to their menu. Not only are these homemade, but so is the sauce they use is homemade. They have at least 8 different flavors, such as Strawberry, Pineapple, Pistachio, Raspberry, Blueberry, Philly Special (made with strawberry, nuts, marshmallows, Pistachio flavor and more), Chocolate and Vanilla.