It's been a few year's since my last visit, so I thought I was well overdue to come back. I think the challenge for me is two-fold. 1) they close at 3:00 pm and I'm a night owl, and 2) PPPPAAARRRKKKIIIINNNGGG. Please note that most of the parking around them is owned by 717 parking, and if you don't have the app, you may need to find alternative parking. Thank goodness I did, not too far away from the shop. It's a Saturday afternoon, and I think that played a reason why I managed. The owner tells me that the parking outside the seafood shop is legit too, and I'm keeping that in my pocket as well. Anyway, enough about my soapbox about parking, because this review is not about that. Cafe Hey's aesthetic and style speaks to me about indie coffeehouses from back in the day, as back in my day as a college student. Worn aged bookshelves with paperbacks and games. Brick walls. Off-beat artwork for sale adorning said walls. Comfy chairs scattered around the space giving it an intimate yet private feel. It reminds me of a time when restaurants and indie shops had more character and were unique with their own identity, before corporate took over and homogenized and sterilized everything. This place screams me, and I'm so thankful to be able to come back. The owner was very gracious and kind and listened to me vent about the parking for a little bit before giving me that tidbit about the other legit spots. For my drink I got the Gorilla Hug, which combines flavor of hazelnut, almond, banana and chocolate, lots of foam, and is drizzled with more chocolate. I got this hot with whole milk. Oh man, the flavor is a big WIN for me. Cozy, yet almost refreshing with the almond and banana flavor, which works very very well. The day wasn't too hot at all, so it really hit the spot. The last time I was here, I remember getting Turkey in the Grass. This sandwich as the name suggests as turkey, cucumber, greens, and cream cheese, nestled together in perfectly tender yet crisp Cuban bread (from La Segunda???). This sandwich was very satisfying, yet incredibly light and wouldn't weigh you down. The turkey is tender and fresh, and the cucumber and cream cheese combo gives it a flavor that is reminds of the Tasty Turkey sandwiches I used to love at Einstein Bros bagels when I was a college student. Even the shop ITSELF is worth a visit, as I came for food and drink, but stayed for art. Once again, the cool independent art vibe taking me back when I was younger. The folks here are friendly, too, and I felt welcomed and at home. Hopefully I won't wait another 9 years go come back. read more

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First off, I want to recognize that this is one of our few remaining restaurants that offer a large vegan selection!! So pleaseeeee go support them! We stopped in here while biking and had some light bites. The inside was so much larger than I expected it to be! I especially loved all the art that was for sale. Such cool pieces! There is plenty of seating inside and some additional tables outside. I would recommend sitting inside if coming in the morning because the sun is wild out there until it gets overhead. My wife and I both got matcha which was absolutely delicious! I also got cuban bread with vegan cheese and loved it. Perfectly crispy and the vegan cheese was really good. One of our friends got the Turkey in the Grass sandwich and it was incredibleeeeeeee! I want to go back just to grab me one of those sandwiches. The cucumbers made it so fresh, I can't wait to have one of my own. Parking isn't the best because of the location but if you bike, no need to worry about that! I will definitely be back! That Turkey in the Grass has my name on it. read more

Cafe Hey - Outside - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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This cafe is so cute!! And the plant-based cafe con leche with soy milk was sooo good. Especially as a drink that is alternative. I parked at the supermarket parking lot and it was a quick walk into the cafe. I will absolutely be back to try more vegan menu items. I love how most menu items are whole foods. read more

Cafe Hey - menus and front fridge display - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Found this quaint cafe while I was going to the Asian market next door and happened to be hungry for lunch. Stopped in and immediately liked the quirky art and decorations inside. I ordered the Hot Ham and Cheese sandwich and it came out within 5-10 minutes. It was delicious and just as spicy as the name suggested. I would definitely come back to try their other sandwiches! read more

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Super delicious food and great staff. I had the VLT. The food is amazing and so many vegan options. I love the cozy atmosphere and great patio. Free parking is also available to the north of the building. Definitely recommend read more

Cafe Hey - Specials - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Artsy and delicious great food and atmosphere. their prices were fair and the choices were extensive

My daughter likes their coffee. She dragged me here for breakfast. If you have not figured it out yet I am a breakfast girl. Well... I ordered an egg and avocado burrito. One word -bland. I could not find pepper or ketchup anywhere. They have sriracha and Cholulu but no plain ketchup. How can you have salt, and then use the pepper shaker for cinnamon??? My daughter ordered some salami sandwich from the menu and said it was good. read more

Cafe Hey - Ambiance - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

The best part of Veganuary has been trying out delicious vegan eats around town on the days that I'm sick of cooking. This morning, Cafe Hey, a local restaurant I haven't been to in years, offered up a special vegan brunch and I went by to try it out after walking through the farmer's market (what is it about shopping for food that makes us want to buy prepared food right after?). I ordered the Cowboy Skillet with crispy home fries, vegan bacon and vegan over easy eggs (the "yolk" was the sauce). It was delicious and gave me all the feels of brunch without any of the animal products. The wait was a bit long, but the barista explained when I received my meal to-go that they had gotten such a big turnout for their brunch that they were a bit backed up. I didn't mind at all, as the vibes are easygoing and relaxed in the small restaurant, and the food was freshly made and tasty. I do hope that other restauranteurs in Downtown Tampa are taking notice, as it's pretty obvious that vegan eats are sought after and a vegan brunch can be pretty fruitful. But for now, I so appreciate Cafe Hey for leading the charge and offering up delicious plant-based options like this. read more

Cafe Hey - Cowboy Skillet at Cafe Hey's vegan brunch - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Last week, I had the pleasure of indulging in the offerings of Cafe Hey, and I must begin by expressing how i enjoyed flavor of their crafted espresso; Its smooth and bold, with some chocolate notes. It was still slightly on the acidic side, so it wasn't the best on its own but it was still really enjoyable inside a latte. The food and beverages was well priced and affordable, allowing me to give them a higher rating; Than other cafés in the area with significantly higher prices. You can tell Cafe Hey cares about their consumers keeping prices acceptable for everyones budget. The service is usually curt and monotoned could be a better it's usually the same few people and its nothing outstanding but a good interaction overall. Orders take quite a bit of time even if you're the only one in the café we can work on speed and efficiency. Café Hey is cute and cozy on the inside. Displaying local artists pieces for sale as decor a few hightop tables and a book nook area to wait for your order, I like the old school café vibes they have going on nothing modern, but it feels like a chill place to read a few chapters and sit down with a coffee. I recommend their hot lattes , their Vietnamese iced coffee is spot with authenticity however it was very sweet and didn't have any ice that day but I drove a distance for that drink so I got it without it. I do enjoy the avocado toast. It's never consistent with inside contents but still delicious. but I'd skip the pastries usually a little on the scale side but decent if you get fresh. The prices here are affordable, so I had the pleasure of trying almost everything, and I will say I recommend almost all the food items and trying out their seasonal flavors. Their usually spot on with capturing all the notes stated. read more

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I wish I lived closer because I'd be here every day! The whole team was so welcoming, and the food + drinks were absolutely delicious. Such a lovely experience can't wait to come back! read more

Cafe Hey - Vegan VLT Sandwich (VEGAN) - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Super chill vibes, local feel, friendly staff. I had their winter solstice latte and breakfast burrito! Both really good! Worth stopping by if you're in the area. read more

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This is a really cute cafe I stumbled across. I ordered an iced chai latte and a blueberry muffin. The muffin was pretty good and the chai was delicious. I loved the alternative music they were playing. It was a chill place. I would go again. But the parking kinda sucks because you have to pay ParkMobile read more

I woke up today quickly and filled with questions, concerns and fear. I had a dream that was very real and up close in personal when I woke up. Lately my dreams have been messages. Messages to release, let go, and to feel what needs to be felt. To feel what I have been holding on to for so long. Dreams with 20 years ago experiences that I thought I had let go of. My dreams have been telling me there's more I have been refusing to look at and feel. So, I immediately knew I had to feel this dream and this message. I walked to the beach and put my feet in the water and asked mother ocean to help me release and feel. To replace my energy with that of one who can look at her inner world with strength and hope for a better future. I then laid in a park for a while as I processed with the trees. I went home, made my bed. Wrote my daily affirmation, which is affirm. and followed a gentle yoga video on YouTube. (Yoga with kassandra- QUEEN). After processing, feeling and being. I decided it was time to get my daily cafecito. I live in st Pete but needed to go to Tampa to do my eyebrows (Jamisha at Badars-QUEEN) so I got on yelp and looked up a coffee shop that aligned to who I am and what I need today for my soul. I ended up here, at cafe hey. I have been here before many years back (as I am a Tampa native) but this time my experience was different. Maybe cause I am different. I talked with the staff about their house made simple syrups and had some tasters. All delicious and made with love, a smile and intention. I decided on a vanilla banana oat milk latte. Which was delicious! Thank you to the QUEENS who helped me decide, your kindness was received with an open heart the owner is so lucky to have you both. The decor is artwork by more than one artist and they are for sale. Except for the one I resonated with the most. No one knows how it got there or who made it lol which I aligned with even more after finding that out. Because I know that today, it was meant for me to see and experience. It brought me joy and reminded me that I am exactly where I need to be and that I am doing just fine. It reminded me to connect to my soul with music and dance. Which I love so much and lately rarely do. So message received. I am so grateful and happy for this experience of following my heart, spirit, happiness and gratitude They have vegan, vegetarian and regular recipes available. With a plethora of coffee choices. I recommend to anyone needing to stop and listen to the beat of their own drum. Thank you! read more

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I love this place. Been coming here for years, it's never super crowded which is rare these days for anywhere in tampa. The coffee is delicious (they also have teas if you're not a coffee drinker) and the sandwiches are really good. The inside is super cute and artsy, with a couple chairs outside to sit as well. It seems like it takes a little longer to get your sandwich than most places but that's only because it's made fresh. I personally rather wait to have a nice fresh/hot breakfast sandwich. The staff is also very nice and I have never had a bad visit. read more

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Staff is super nice and the coffee is GOOOOD. The orange juice is freshly squeezed with some ice , just perfect read more

Cafe Hey - Drink menu - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Cafe Hey was in my list from a long time to have coffee from. On Sunday morning, we were looking for a place to have coffee and quick bite so we decided to visit Cafe Hey. Cafe Hey is about 20 minutes from our place and there is ample of parking spaces available near Cafe Hey. When we entered the cafe we saw that cafe was decorated with paintings from local artists, they also have a section of books and one can also read tampa bay times newspaper in the cafe while waiting for order. We directly went to order our coffee and quick bite. After browsing through the menu we decided to order Vietnamese Iced Coffee, Hot Latte with OatMilk, and for quick bite with coffee we ordered T'ank and Avocado Toast. After ordering we took our seats in the cafe. We soon got our coffee which was Vietnamese Coffee and Hot Latte with Oat Milk. The coffee was delicious and it was freshly brewed. We loved our coffees. We had to wait for few minutes before we got our food. T'ank and avocado toast was delicious made with cuban bread. The food was hot and bread was crispy and freshly made. We loved our food too. Amazing cafe with delicious coffee and food. read more

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Awesome hole in the wall. The decor is cozy and I felt comfortable walking in and taking my time looking around. The cashier was helpful in making a choice between two staples (ended up picking the vegan burrito). Food came out relatively quick despite there being a decent amount of people. The food itself was delicious. Really enjoyed the VLT and the Burrito. The lemon poppyseed waffles weren't my thing, but my fiancé loved them (it was a seasonal Mother's Day item). Also enjoyed the season flower latte. Overall will definitely come back to visit. read more

Cafe Hey - Lemon poppyseed waffles, VLT Sandwich (VEGAN), Vegan Breakfast Burrito, flower latte. - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Amazing food, service, and atmosphere. Highly recommended and I will definitely be returning when I'm in Tampa!

Small but mighty place. Definitely the spot to get your vegan food cravings satisfaction. The food was delicious and the coffee was also great! Service is quick and easy. The place is small so I'd recommend getting there early for seating. Definitely worth a try! read more

Six years ago I was wrong, this place clearly deserves five stars. I was looking for Chinese Egg Noodles at Oceanic Oriental Market next door so I decided to drop in to do a little bit of work. I quickly perused the menu and decided on avocado toast, basic, I know. What caught me off guard was it is only $3.75. Um, what?! When it came out I was super impressed. It is basically an avocado sandwich. There is cream cheese, tomato, and avocado, on what I think is cuban bread. It was absolutely delicious and the perfect snack, or lunch for those of you with smaller appetites. The inside is small, but it was pretty empty at noon on a Thursday. I was lucky enough to be next to an outlet so I plugged my laptop in and got some work done. Parking can be a pain, but there is a lot by Oceanic Oriental Market, so I'm hoping it was kosher that I parked there! They have water sitting out so you can keep refilling a cup for yourself. I love staying hydrated. The workers seemed super friendly and I just really enjoyed this chill atmosphere. I will definitely be back. read more

Cafe Hey - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

The vegan options on the regular menu is decent. But the marketing on their ig has the wrong date for the all vegan breakfast, they still proceeded to keep the incorrect info on the page to get customers to come in. Unfortunately, they wasted our time, we took a Lyft to get there and while we were there they said that that date was an error and to come back tomorrow. Then i woke up today and called and they said the all vegan breakfast wasn't until 8/25. What a waste, communication is off. I watched vegan customers looking for the breKfast walk in and leave out disappointed. Do better Hey Cafe. read more

I've seen such good reviews of cafe hey so I stopped by to meet a friend. We both ended up going with the iced mango tea. The description said it had fresh slices of tangerine, orange, strawberries, pineapple etc. how could we resist?? I was glad to see the cup was filled with so much ice that the tea is diluted, like at most places I've tried. Beyond that, the tea was delightfully sweetened to perfection: not overly sweet just a smooth, subtle enough touch to not overpower any of the delicate flavors in the tea. The people are friendly and the space is very cute and artsy. It feels like the perfect spot that isn't too crowded or high strung to take a relaxing break in the day. I definitely need to come back to try the Vietnamese coffee and their food! read more

Cafe Hey - Mango iced tea - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

best cappuccino i have ever had. Wish i lived closer so i could come more often. Five stars

Good food and really nice people. I got the vegan burrito and it was super filling and delicious! Also got a decaf iced latte with oat milk and it was SO good. I was in Tampa for only 2 days and got breakfast there both times. Definitely recommend if you're a vegan in the area looking for a good breakfast and to support super nice employees! read more

We did a quick stop for breakfast before getting on our cruise and we were surprised by this place. Great food, great service and great prices. Lots of parking, no crowded. If we happen to be in the area again, we will come back! read more

Cafe Hey - Menu - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Super friendly staff. Great vegetarian options. The hot tea was also great. Highly recommend.

Five stars for this vegan/vegetarian place located in the up and coming Riverside Heights! Cafe Hey has been at this location for 11 years and I can't believe I've never stopped here before. I do eat meat, and while they have carnivorous menu options I wanted to try a vegan item. I felt like it would be a really good representation of my true option and was curious to see if they could win me over with my meaty taste buds. WINNING. I actually found Cafe Hey while searching for places downtown that had bottomless mimosas since my friends and I were seeking brunch in the area on a recent Sunday. **Please note: they only have bottomless mimosas and a brunch menu on the LAST Sunday of each month! Any other day it's $4 for a mimosa which is still reasonable. They also sell wine and beer if you want an adult beverage with your lunch. Their specialty is coffee and they have many hot & cold options. For my meal, I ordered the VLT (vegan BLT) in a wrap for $7 which was large and utterly filling! My friends had their sandwiches on cuban bread and both said it was really tasty as well. Everything on the menu was unique and sounded good to me. Prices are very reasonable with sandwiches between $6-$8 and coffee prices cheaper than Starbucks. The atmosphere is really cozy and quaint. The restaurant is very small with tables for 2 or 4. There are nice window seats as well if you want to kick back with a coffee and a book in a nook. They have books to borrow as well or if you want to come do some work they have free wifi. Parking can be a little rough on the weekend because they do not have their own lot and are connected to Oceanic Market which has it's own 'tow zone' lot. I parked down the street in Hidden Springs lot and got a beer there after my lunch to be fair. I will definitely be back to try some other items and plan to bring my vegan sister here to get her opinion as well. A really cool place to check out close to Hall on Franklin and Armature Works that is not as crazy crowded. read more

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This is a great little cafe that makes me think of my days as a student at Cal. It's a little hippy/earthy, and the food is delicious. I had the fiesta turkey sandwich. It was on toasted Cuban bread that was perfectly pressed. The toppings achieved a wonderful salty/sweet/sour taste that was addictive. The green tea iced tea was rather bland, I probably should have ordered a coffee drink. But the sandwich was worth returning for. Parking is street parking, and it's tough since the streets are one way in this area. read more

Cafe Hey - Fiesta turkey sandwich - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

I've been meaning to review Cafe Hey for awhile, but since I order so often, now is a good time. While my opinion on the "sit down" aspect of this establishment might not be relevant right now, I will say, this place is somewhere to look forward to visiting. The ambiance inside is very quaint and laid back. There are some seats outside too, so when n life goes back to normal, be sure to visit!!! Anyways, I'm here to tell you about the vegan breakfast sandwich. Cuban bread, pressed. Scrambled tofu, better than I've ever made. FYH vegan cheese and (maybe?) sweet earth vegan bacon!! Sound delicious? Yes. This GIANT sandwich will cost you a grand total of SIX DOLLARS. This is the cheapest, most delicious vegan breakfast sandwich in the area and I highly recommend. They carry We Vegan Eats snacks, have delicious coffee and an array of vegan syrup and I just really love this place okay. Tried the vegan pasta salad today for the first time and it was 10/10. read more

Cafe Hey - Quarantine picnic ft. Vegan breakfast sandwich and pasta salad - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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This is just what I was looking for in Tampa--a welcoming place with great coffee, free parking, and an urban vibe. The staff is very friendly. I strongly recommend this place as something unique and fun. read more

I loved the vegan sandwiches. The VLT and the pesto were both excellent. I like their location downtown by the river. I was at the Curtis Hixon waterfront but was able to get UberEats to quickly deliver me an order there. I look forward to trying more of the menu and visiting in person in the future! read more

Visited today for the first time as a birthday breakfast gift from my wonderful daughter. I tried the vegan breakfast sandwich and the vegan breakfast burrito and topped it off with their vegan guava cheese pastry & mango fruity drink. I must say, this dining experience was worth the extra tip I gave. I will definitely like to revisit. May become my go-to breakfast stop while I'm here visiting for the week p.s. of the two meals, I preferred the sandwich over the burrito ; the tomato just gave it that extra "umph" for my tastebuds read more

I could understand why this coffee shop wouldn't be for everyone. However, after initial hesitation, I fit right in. Our barista was friendly & funny, I really loved her and her sense of humor . Seems like the whole staff is super chill. Shop is nice & unique but at the same time off-putting . Their is a lot of space and tables to eat at which I liked. I also appreciated the bookshelf they had, and the many local art paintings. Ordered the caramel iced latte I was suggested and I'm so glad I did, it was delicious and actually comparable if not better than other caramel iced lattes I've had. I really enjoyed it. Their bakery items are also delicious . I ate the chocolate pb cookie & the white chocolate rasberry muffin.. both were yummy. The barista told me they always have new bakery items which is nice. My cousins also ordered a vegan bacon egg sandwhich and it was pretty good and flavorful. I think they have reasonable prices! Would I come back? Yes. P.S many vegan & vegetarian options. Also, open mic every Thursday 7-9pm and parking might be a hassle, look out for towing signs. read more

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Absolutely delicious breakfast!! The service was so quick and I enjoyed my vegan breakfast sandwhich and matcha lemonade on their patio. Will definitely be visiting again as it was my first time and now I am thrilled to know about this amazing yummy place with vegan options:) read more

Cafe Hey - Match lemonade and Vegan Breakfast Sandwich - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

This was my first time here and it does feel like a local sandwich spot. They serve breakfast all day, but their breakfast is mainly sandwiches with eggs. They keep things simple here, there are only a few sides, today's were "ranch quinoa", and "macaroni salad", there were also a few bags of "Boulder chips" by the cash register. They use "buddy brew" coffee for the daily brew, and a different local brand "Carlos" for their espresso drinks. For a breakfast burrito and turkey breakfast sandwich we paid about $14, not bad for the area. This is a basic sandwich spot, not quite a deli, and not just a coffee shop. It's good for a quick bite. read more

I have been dying to try this place for a long time! I loved this breakfast sandwich! It was so nice to go to a place where I can eat, being vegan, and where my friends can eat, not being vegan! Easy order and pick up! Definitely will be getting food from here again! read more

Cafe Hey - Vegan Breakfast Sandwich - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Off the beaten track and under the overpass this cute little cafe was exceptional. I had the turkey sandwich and no side and I am glad, because I could barely finish the sandwich. It was made fresh with delicious Cuban bread that had that crunch to it without being doughy. Note - it took a good 10 min for my sandwich to be made, this is not Subway read more

The Rebel Rebel Sandwich was delicious, and we both enjoyed the flavor and the crispy bread. We sat outside and enjoyed the weather; however, be mindful of the high-traffic area. read more

Simple menu, cozy, simple vibe, excellent, personable service. Great little cafe! Stopped here for a quick bite with my girls after I had to return my parking pass at 717 Parking across the street. I love the Griffiti art outside, and I really like the ambiance...it's hips yet welcoming. The staff is personable and welcoming without overwhelming you. My daughters are picky sandwich eaters but approved their simple ham & cheese, and salmon sandwiches. read more

Cafe Hey - Checking in with my joyful beauties! - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Yes to those vegan brunch options! The benedict is my fav. - the sauce is tasty and loved the biscuit too. I want to go back to try some of the other options. #brunchlover The staff was also super friendly and the restaurant itself was really clean. read more

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