This was an easy walk to from my aunt’s South Street home. It was packed with young families with children and energy for an early Saturday(or Sunday?) morning. After getting in line I quickly noticed that the majority of menu options are carbohydrate rich breads, bagels alongside a robust selection of coffees, teas, etc. I asked about alternative food options, and was offered the option of an omelette with cheese, veggies, meat, or other ingredients. My order of a cheese and spinach omelette arrived piping hot with a side of veggies and bread. Plenty of food especially for my smaller appetite and I fell at ease with the crowded yet comfortable environment as I ate. I was a bit surprised to see a dog made welcome with a family who came in. I’m not allergic or adverse so it didn’t bother me. I suggest they make clear other good options, and and update some of the chairs that seem a bit worse for wear. Pricing was decent.
Jay M.
Tu valoración: 5 Philadelphia, PA
This has been my go to coffee shop for the last four years now. This is a great spot to relax on a Sunday and read, sit outside on a nice day, grab a quick lunch, or just get coffee to go. Service is always very friendly and polite! Never had a bad experience.
Dani P.
Tu valoración: 1 Philadelphia, PA
The lunch food is pretty gross as other have mentioned. What is more disgusting is the two times I was studying in this café and GIANT, I mean huge roaches came out in the middle of the day. One of the customers had to get the barista over to kill and remove the roach from where she was. I used to come to this café everyday to study and order the grilled cheese but after these episodes I realized it was probably not the smartest thing to do. I’ve since moved on to better cafes with better coffee as well. On a side not the baristas and owner included are not the nicest, If you come here you will definitely get that vibe. I would find somewhere else to grab lunch/or a drink.
Farrah A.
Tu valoración: 5 Philadelphia, PA
La. Va is a cute café on south street that is a perfect place to either study, meet with some friends, or just hang out! Their coffee is always fresh, as I believe they brew la Colombe(which is my fav)! They also have a wide selection of food options if you are looking to have lunch or even desserts/pastries. I ordered the mushroom/onion bureka which is a pastry dish and very much enjoyed it. Definitely give it a try next time you stop by. They also have the hummus platter, which is delicious! It comes with olives and pickles on the side that are a nice complement to the meal. The décor is pretty cool, with different art work showcased every month. I love how La. Va is so in touch with the local art community! Highly recommend
Michael m.
Tu valoración: 5 Philadelphia, PA
This place is one of my all time favorite coffee shops. It’s relaxing, quaint, and beautifully designed. I’d highly recommend it if you want to have a cup of coffee or stay the day studying.
Flavia C.
Tu valoración: 4 Philadelphia, PA
Love the vibe of this place & the coffee is delicious. You really get a neighborhood feeling & everyone is always so friendly. I look forward to trying the food.
Michael O.
Tu valoración: 5 Felton, CA
There are some people that like to chat and hang out at cafes. I do, too, but sometimes I need a place where I can work leisurely, so I am always on the lookout for a good work or study café. In Center City, Philly, I’ve found these hard to come by. So far, after over a dozen cafes, I’ve found La Va to be best. They have comfy couches, a moderately quiet work place, free wifi, and even tables, if you are so inclined. Awesome loose leaf tea, too. I also love how homey and«neighborly» it feels, but I did come on their 10th year birthday. If you need a comfy place to work, give it a try!
Patricia B.
Tu valoración: 1 Miami, FL
Decided to venture into this corner coffee shop in hopes of finding a cold soda. Though there was no fountain soda LaVa offered a few varieties of refrigerated soda in cans. Thirsty, I paid the inflated $ 2.00 price requested by the disinterested cashier. As I drank from the can while walking the short distance to my apartment, I noticed the soda was flat and had a slightly moldy taste. Only then did I noticed an expiration date that indicated that it was 6 months past the expired date! No I will not go back. Yes, I will refrain from entering a restaurant that fails to clean their windows.
Greg P.
Tu valoración: 5 Allentown, PA
My favorite coffee spot! You can tell by the way this place is always packed that they must be doing something right. The staff is very friendly, the food is delicious, and the coffee is great. One thing to note is that this is a «cozy» corner café… Tables will fill up so get there early if you are looking to sit down.
Cindy K.
Tu valoración: 4 Philadelphia, PA
I come here often to do work and it’s easy to order something because they have juice, gf bagels, eggs, hummus, cucumber and tomato salad. Very easygoing atmosphere especially in the mornings. Includes couches and little sofa arrangements if you just feel like talking, not working. Sometimes they spray Windex on the tables while you’re eating and that doesn’t taste so great. Maybe they could spray the rags before coming out to the tables?
Sumita R.
Tu valoración: 4 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA
Love this place! It’s cozy and comfy and had so many different things besides coffee. It’s a cute neighborhood spot to sit with friends or get some work done. I often get their bagels and lavender iced tea when I’m on the run. They have a lot of fresh baked goods and now soup for fall. Whenever I’m working from home I find myself coming here to get the hummus platter. The pita and hummus are both so fresh and tasty. If you haven’t been here yet, check it out !
Niko S.
Tu valoración: 1 Palo Alto, CA
Genuinely the worst food I’ve ever had. Ordered the tuna melt as well as my other 2 buddies getting an egg sandwich and another tuna melt. The girl comes out carrying the food with possibly the worst attitude. Practically throws the plates on the table and leaves. Heres the best part, the food is insanely disgusting. Tuna straight from the can. Cold. WTF? The employees hate their job, the food is horrendous. Place is a scam. Avoid at all costs. PS We all have food poisoning from this shit show.
Vanessa T.
Tu valoración: 4 Philadelphia, PA
I stopped in here on a sunday for a quick brunch with my boyfriend since Honey Sit n Eat across the street was busy as usual. Upon walking in, the room was filled with students doing work on their computers. There are two couch lounging sections towards the front and back of the room. They offer café style brunch, so basically sandwiches, bagels. The menu also seems to have some kitchen prepared meals; however, seems though it’s a difficult place to dine in with students sitting at the table for hours. Anyway, I ordered the caramel latte(iced) and my boyfriend had the mocha latte. Both were delicious and being lattes are mostly milk, it’s nice to be able to taste the coffee in there. For quick bite, I had a bagel with their house made pesto cream cheese. The cream cheese was on point. Other than that, nothing really to brag about here food wise. I would come back for coffee and bagel.
Jennifer D.
Tu valoración: 5 Philadelphia, PA
This place gets five stars for the warm beautiful ambience and comfortable tables, chairs, and couches. That is rare to find and will probably be much appreciated for those like me who like to work at cafes and are affected by their environment. Expect exposed brick, ample seating with large cushioned chairs, two couches, and three comfy armchairs(one set in back and one in the front). There is warm lighting and lots of windows. The food is decent but a bit pricey. My small iced coffee cost $ 3.25 after tax. I don’t find myself coming here as much as I would like because of the prices, but it is still my favorite place to sit and work on a long(or short) day.
Vert F.
Tu valoración: 3 Washington, DC
Looking for an expresso and a cosy place without Starbuck ’ logos everywhere? Nice coffee and nice location in a walkable area.
Isabelle L.
Tu valoración: 4 Houston, TX
I really enjoyed the feeling while having my coffee at La Va Café with my boyfriend. It was really peaceful. I liked the decoration too. The macchiato and Danish that I had were good but not incredible.
Caitlin V.
Tu valoración: 4 Philadelphia, PA
I was killing time around 21st and South last night(a neighborhood I don’t often find myself in) and I chose La Va because it was open past 7pm. There was no one in there that late so it was nice and quiet for some reading. When I walked up to the register, I found out they were out of bagels(I mean, it was 7pm so I don’t blame ‘em). I told the barista that I was just in the mood to munch on something so she gave me several suggestions which I appreciated and decided to get a mushroom & onion bureka which I had never had before. While I waited for her to heat it up I lounged in some seriously cool chairs in the corner and sipped on my iced coffee(which I think was La Colombe so it was good) and read. When the bureka was ready, she brought it over to me which was super nice. She was basically super nice the entire time. Overall, nice quiet option for a little coffee & reading on a nice little corner that’s also good for some people watching.
L R.
Tu valoración: 5 Chicago, IL
I love La Vaaaaaaaa La Va used to be my neighborhood coffee house and it is still something I try to go to whenever I’m in Graduate Hospital. The baristas are great; their bagels are always good; and my friends always enjoy their sandwiches. The only complaint about La Va is that everyone else likes it too, so finding a table can be tricky. Kind of like parking in Graduate Hospital. La Va is consistent, and that means something when you need a «go-to.» So they earn my 5-star vote.
Sara S.
Tu valoración: 3 Philadelphia, PA
La Va is is kind of blah. There is nothing about this benign corner coffee shop that is particularly good or bad. The service is a blend of comatose and apathetic. No smile/greeting during any of my three visits there, and when I ordered a cookie, and paid for my extremely expensive beverage– was not included or given to me. Seven dollars for a texturally uninspired/too sweet/flavorless cookie and a mediocre mocha? I’m not expecting a red carpet experience when I frequent any establishment, but give me a reason to stop in aside from«it’s on the way between points a-b». I like the thrift store couch and tables, the exposes brick and local artists featured in the shop… Just try a little harder to be awesome, apathy is so 1996.
Virginia C.
Tu valoración: 3 Saint Louis, MO
This would not be my first choice as my go to coffee shop unless I’m waiting for a table at honey’s. Pros: 1) comfortable seating and wifi 2) sandwiches are wonderful Cons: 1) impossible to find outlets when it is busy 2) bakery items are stale 3) never order the chocolate croissant 4) the coffee– ehhhh and not very bold 5) it’s a little dirty all the time