Café Alba

This place is great… I started going here a few months ago and I had the empanadas… oh my goodness, I’m hooked! They’re NOT like the kind you’d get from Taco Bell or any Mexican restaurant, no offense. Homemade food all around and its fantastic… I was skeptical at first, not going to lie.
What I don’t understand is how some people are saying the place isn’t a place to study or relax, because its always quiet, nice music and great owners. I feel like family every time I’m there!

I live a few blocks away from Café Alba and I had never eaten anything from there before yesterday. I ordered a beef empanada and a chicken empanada to go. I ate both of them when I got home because they smelled so good. I was not disappointed, they both had great flavor and at 5.50 for both I know I’ll be coming back. Now I am interested in trying some of their sandwiches.

El Cubano panini is amazing! Great food and a small, friendly, family-​ran people (that last one is an assumption). The atmosphere is relaxed and café-​like.

Very average. Ordered an iced coffee (which was advertised on the small billboard outside). Cream and sugar were already added, which I didn’t like. I like to regulate how my coffee is prepared.
The coffee was a bit stale and burnt.
The café was okay. A little sparse and hot! Not the ideal place to relax and study. Sorry. Verona is in need of a decent coffee place.

Stopped by yesterday just to have a quick lunch with my wife and son. My wife and i had the mango chicken and rice which was very flavorful and delicious. My son had the beef empanadas and he loved them. He said they were the best he ever had.

Great spot right on Bloomfield Ave. I wish, for my sake as well as theirs, that this place was located closer to the heart of Verona.
The empanadas were as good as they say. The beef empanada was basically a slow cooked shredded beef stew in a flaky pocket. The chicken empanada also contained shredded meat, but mixed with what I’m guessing is yellow mustard and diced pickle. The chicken could have used a little more salt to bring the flavor out. Both were ranked close to the top of my all time empanada list with the beef being better in my opinion.
I also had a Cuban sandwich. The bread was a perfect texture, and the filling had very good flavor. However, they slice their pork thinly so it matches the ham. I think I would have preferred a slightly different texture in order to make the sandwich more interesting. The pickle also could have used more zing to it.
All in all, this place is excellent. Friendly service, and they truly care about making good food. I will definitely come back to try the breakfast and coffee.

Always delicious. Been here several times for breakfast. Very clean and food always fresh. Presentation is excellent as well. Owners are very nice. Definitely worth a try. Please support this local business in Verona, NJ.

I came here a couple of times while waiting for a ride from Verona to Montclair, not expecting anything more than to sit, work, and drink a good Italian cappuccino. Boy, did I underestimate this place!
Both times I came, the man working was super nice. I think he might be the owner’s son. He told me to stay as long as I wanted, gave me the wifi password, and made me a badass cappuccino served with an adorable little piece of delicious biscotti. Not to sweet, not too crumbly. I stayed for a couple of hours, got some work done, paid and left.
The second time I came, I decided to delve a little deeper into the Unilocal reviews of this place and noticed they are well known for their empanadas. This time, I got my usual soy milk cappuccino and one each of the chicken and the beef empanadas. They were incredible. So juicy, perfectly seasoned, crispy and flaky. I was in empanada heaven. My cappuccino was delicious as usual, too. Oh, and I got to spot that nice young man give his mum a kiss. Melted my heart just a little.

I’ve had empanadas. Oh I’ve had empanadas… that is until i had THESE empanadas. Holy crap! I mean what are those phenomenal empanadas doing in NJ? It’s not cool. I need them in NY! Anyway, first, they were made fresh. Second, the spices in the beef were unreal. We couldn’t figure it out but they were just so flavorful. Third, the dipping sauce! Wow, it was intoxicating. I’m sorry but I don’t go out of my way to write reviews about places outside of my area code but this was just too much for me to not share with the world.
And if you think I’m joking, I can assure you I’m not. GO HERE AND GET THE EMPANADAS.
One final not, I’m not saying I was a bad man before these empanadas but after having an explosion of taste in empanada form, well, I’m a great man!
Thank you

Tried this place for the first time today. Had their Shrimp & Garlic with rice special. It was excellent. As good or better than anything you could get in Downneck Newark or Spain for that matter. Also make sure to order the rosemary fries as they are quite tasty. My wife had the Cuban Panini which was good as well.

Had lunch there with a gf yesterday. What a find! Delicious spinach salad. Very fresh and tasty! I’ll be going back asap!

Just has their poached eggs for breakfast and my fellow diner had the French Toast which she was in credible. My order was excellent as well. Great coffee, cappuccino is also an option. Every time I go in here the food is excellent and as I said earlier the owners are some of the nicest people in this business you will encounter.

Just had an early lunch at Café Alba and loved it — friendly staff, delicious food (the Rosemary Fries were AMAZING), and great prices. Will definitely be going back.

I am very glad that this new gem recently came to Verona! This family owned café is great for breakfast, lunch, warms drinks. I recently went there and got a Sicilian Rice Ball for an on the go snack. I have also tried their Paninis and they are made just right!