Good coffee and food. Service is a bit slow, but some of that is a reflection of how popular this little Bon Air spot is with the locals.

I desperately want this place to become my morning coffee shop go to. The bagel sandwiches are solid (not NYC-good but let's tamper our expectations a little bit), the coffee is great, the location is awesome, the prices are excellent and c'mon people, let's support our small businesses. But all that said, not matter how hard I try to will it into existence, I just can't justify coming back because every time, it is so...so....slow. Especially when you order food (which is sad because the food's tasty!). Every time, I just assume I have bad luck because this place has been around for a while so I must just be catching them on a bad day. But somehow, I can't seem to visit without it taking more minutes than I expect. My most recent example? Sunday morning. I know it's going to be slow (duh, it's a weekend). They know it's going to be slow (I was even warned when I ordered, "your food it will probably take 10-15 minutes"). But I didn't expect it to take 10 minutes for an iced coffee and 37 minutes for two sausage, egg and cheese bagels. I mean, when I went up to check after 25 minutes I'd assumed I had missed my name being called but nope, bagels were still in progress. It's obvious the folks behind the counter are working hard and are doing things as fast as they can which is why I keep holding out hope. But at the end of the day, I just can't commit to stopping in for coffee and a bagel sandwich knowing there's a reasonable chance I'll spend upwards of 30-45 minutes there. read more

A local gem in suburbia!!! This place is great. Truly feels like your "neighborhood coffee shop." It's cozy, welcoming, and the food and drinks are great. (The paninis are excellent!!!!) The woman in front of me ordered a slice of coffee cake, and the employee behind the counter went out of her way to ask her if she preferred a corner or middle piece. So kind. I have been popping in here every once in a while for years, and I don't plan on stopping! read more

My husband and I went for the first time today. We both got lattes with whole milk. We ended up throwing them both away and going somewhere else for coffee. They both tasted like the milk had soured, either that, or they really over steamed the milk. We should have asked for a refund but it was pretty chaotic inside. read more

Two scones up! Literally, the signature orange scones were so good I needed two and of course the coffee was delicious too!! read more

Perk! - people sitting at tables in a store - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Bon Air, Virginia

Perk was such a great find! The ambiance is very chill and I have great and productive study sessions there. Table & seating is limited, but haven't had trouble getting a table there. I appreciate the fact that they have gluten free options and the food has been pretty good. Lots of cute small trinkets and food/drink items you can buy in store as well. read more

If you're a coffee lover and you do like perk coffee I would probably stay away from this location. I ordered a large dark roast, the employee was sweeping the floor walked behind the counter, not washing hands., and then asks to help me and I expressed I'd like a large dark roast and she replies ," we're out of dark roast". I'm thought you could have at least made a conciliatory effort as of you checked to see if you're out. So I ordered a large light roast, and it was the worst coffee from any coffee shop I've ordered. Burnt taste, stale, and over priced for the size. I noticed people during pandemic time unmasked, sitting close to each other by table placement, small booth like sitting. It appeared mostly local teenagers. Good they can hang out somewhere but staff clearly didn't abide by state rules during the timeframe with males wearing. I do not think this coffee location will survive but only by close living local patrons. Looks like a surprise inspection is in order. read more

Excited to find a unique coffee shop. Many gluten free options if you are looking for that. Wish there was a bit more bakery not just gluten free. Delicious Turkey wrap and really enjoyed the "lavender haze" latte special. Service is decent. Lots of people behind the counter. Nice back area and front area is small but nice. read more

Perk! - Lavender haze latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Bon Air, Virginia

Perk is a top quality, friendly and efficient shop for excellent brews and delicious treats. The line of local business products and snacks makes for a wide selection of tasteful choices. It is one of my favorites when visiting the Richmond area. I love it! read more

Service was fantastic and very helpful. I wish I had been hungry vs just needing a quick coffee because all of the food looked great.

Very friendly staff, my takeout was ready before the stated time at 9:30 on a Wednesday. Very hip atmosphere- good selection of whole bean coffee and all kinds of *local* foods. Price is par with the big coffee chains but quality is much higher. I don't go out for coffee much but Perk! may be my go-to shop read more

Perk! - Medium "Perkolator", pumpkin streusel coffee cake, and everything bagel with more cream cheese than you think! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Bon Air, Virginia

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Good coffee very sweet, would go back and try different baked goods! We liked the blueberry cake!

Cute coffee shop in the Bon Air area. Loved that there is a closed off space for kids to play. Not sure if things are cleaned often, but there were some disinfectant wipes to wipe off things. I'd come again to enjoy a nice breakfast sandwich and a coffee, but wasn't a fan of taking my son. I liked the atmosphere otherwise. read more

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Great coffee. Brown sugar shaken espresso substitute Oat milk to make it creamer. Inside was very neat a lot of things you can purchase with your coffee as well. The service was quick only took about 5-7 minutes to get two coffees. Highly Recommend this coffee shop if you live within the area read more

Incredibly disappointed with my online order. I ordered a Works Bagel (capers, onions, tomato) without the capers and tomato and with added salmon (See picture with receipt). It was not ready on time, and when I got home I found it had capers and tomatoes and no salmon (which cost extra). Not sure how my order was messed up this badly, and I'm not sure it's worth driving back for a refund. read more

Perk! - My order was on the bag yet the bagel had capers and onions and no salmon. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Bon Air, Virginia

I really loved the friendly atmosphere and vibe that all of the employees and decorations gave off The coffee was great too!!

Great local coffee shop, but what I love most is actually their yummy lunch sandwiches and baked goods. The banana "brownie" is always a favorite of mine- have to stop here every time I'm in town! read more

Great staff. Nice options for coffees and flavors. The pastries and the baked goods are what keep you coming back. So fresh and delicious. Also have kombucha, beer and wine options. read more

Perk! - Cheddar Biscuit - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Bon Air, Virginia

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pros first: -cozy classic coffee shop vibe -seating and books/small play area for kids -cute -bathroom with a changing table -they always have a nice selection of baked goods cons: -the coffee is sometimes ok and sometimes terrible -the customer service is either great or nonexistent, there seems to be no in between -prices are on the higher side for what it is. I understand paying 4 or 5 bucks for a really good cup of coffee (ie blanchards) but this ain't it read more

10/10 best latte in RVA hands down! Perfect balance of bold espresso and milk-- and when I asked for a sweet latte they used to perfect balance of syrup that didn't make it overly sweet! read more

Perk! - The works bagel -- everything bagel add salmon Honey lavender and maple latte -- I got mine sweet! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Bon Air, Virginia

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I ordered a soy latte with brown sugar syrup online. Unfortunately I left before trying it because it tastes so bad I can't stomach it - like a burnt raisin. I was definitely excited for my coffee :( maybe it was a one off but I won't be back to find out. read more

Great spot! Found it while my daughter was getting her hair done. Service was fantastic, tons of food options and loved the coffee! read more

Perk! - Outdoor seating! Thank you - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Bon Air, Virginia

Super cute little place, great breakfast sandwiches and good coffee! Plenty of choices of baked goodies. You can do a little shopping while you sip and hang out- there are snacks, and sauces, and beer, and ... read more

Was passing through Richmond and found this little gem! It was nicely decorated inside, definitely a great place to study, and the service and coffee was great! I also had a vegan muffin and it was amazing! read more

I'm so sad I've been living in Southside for almost a year and JUST came here. The cappuccino I had was outstanding. Flavorful, bold, sweet, tangy. A more traditional foam to espresso/milk ratio than some places (I hate it when a cappuccino looks just like a latte). Went on a Sunday morning and got a table. Reasonably priced which is great and also a wide variety of breakfast foods. Very cool that they have the children's area, I'll have to come back to bring my rugrat to run around in. With any child area like that, you get a little sketched out about germs, assuming those toys just get played and played with and cleaned....you hope weekly lol. But you just never know. Thanks for the delicious coffee! We'll be back! read more

For two parents who are not morning people with an active morning toddler, this place was just the spot we needed! We were in town for a wedding that didn't start until late afternoon - so we were on the hunt for a place we could wake up and let the three year old run off some early morning energy. It's a cute little coffee shop in a strip mall with a quaint, family friendly atmosphere. The children's play area was awesome - clean, with all kinds of toys for kiddos, and it's closed in, so you don't have to worry about the kiddos running off. There was an entire wall of adult coloring book pages, a take one-leave one paperback book library, and some games. They are also clearly hooked into local issues - looked like they were in the middle of a winter clothing drive. I ordered a special RVA tea blend - it was dark and sort of sweet, but hit the spot waking up. We also got a couple breakfast sandwiches - these were pretty good for a small shop, bagels were decent and the egg/bacon wasn't bad. Definitely a step up from a Panera or the like. They had a couple little displays out that looked like samples, but don't screw up like I did! They aren't samples -- just not clearly marked as for sale. When we came in, it wasn't busy, but after about an hour the place was packed with other parents doing the same thing we were. If we were local, we'd probably visit here a lot more often. It's hard to find places you can comfortably take your kiddo without worrying about it being annoying to other customers. read more

This little coffee shop in bon air gets 5 stars for me for their service. I have to eat dairy and soy free for my infants, and they went through the recipes to double check for those ingredients. They were friendly and didn't mind looking at almost the entire selection of options just to check for me. No attitudes, only smiles, and for that I'm grateful. It's really hard to eat out with those restrictions, and they were very kind about checking for me. read more

First time trying Perk. 40 minute wait for breakfast and coffee. Prices are ok - but they made my sandwiches incorrectly. They're too short staffed to answer the phone. I'll probably give them another shot eventually. read more

The staff is great, the UBE Latte is amazing!! Wish it had more breakfast options, but it is a small cozy place. read more

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So very happy to have an indie coffee shop in the neighborhood. Baristas are friendly, coffee is good and they have a decent selection of muffins, scones and eclectic pastries. Prices are competitive and they have a frequent flyer card...purchase 7, get one free. Kids play area in the back is nice. read more

How it can take 30 minutes for a 3 ingredient sandwich when there are literally 8 people working ? !

We were heading to Williamsburg to meet up with my brother in law's family so we figured we should check Perk out on the way as I never realized this was a spot until recently. I was pleasantly surprised! The service was fairly quick for a coffee shop. My husband got a Pumpkin Spice Latte (I took a sip of it... ahmazing... man it probably better than Starbucks. I guess any coffee tastes good to me since I'm not drinking any now, as I stopped drinking fru fru coffee drinks when I found out I was pregnant), wonder if they have a gingerbread latte... I'd love to try that. Originally I was going to get a Bacon, Egg and Cheese on an everything bagel... but when I saw the Breakfast Tarts (Asparagus, baked egg, havarti, Parmesan, bacon, salad burnet [had to look up what this was... learned a new term... kind of looks like cilantro... without the cilantro taste... though I'm going to have to buy some to try so I know what the exact taste is] on puff pastry, all I can say is that it is super yummy and makes me want to make them at home. Let's be real though anything puff pastry is usually pretty darn good, though it would've been better if they stuck it in the oven longer. Point to note, not something you want to eat in the car though as puff pastry can be messy.), I decided I had to try one. My husband also got one and a Sausage, Egg and Cheese on everything bagel (very good... they use Cupertino bagels so super flavorful... I think they buy pre-made egg patties though... it would've been better if it wasn't. My daughter enjoyed the other half.) We couldn't help ourselves and got some baked goods too an Orange Scone with a spider web drawn on it (very tasty though they should've used the same glaze they used for the orange glaze to design the spiderweb instead of edible gel... as that would've kept it from being Sticky), and two Salted Chocolate Chip cookies (love the salty sweet combo... my daughter ate a whole one by herself as a snack later during the day). I didn't realize it was down the street from Gelati Celesti and right in the same shopping center at Joe's Inn. I'll have to frequent this place a little more often, and have a seat in the coffee shop. Seems like a nice place to relax as there were a good bit of seats. read more

Perk! - Perk- Breakfast Tarts, Orange Scone and baked goods ,Pumpkin Spice Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Bon Air, Virginia

Perk! is a great neighborhood coffee shop with friendly and energetic faces at the counter, ready to serve. They source their coffee from local Richmond roasteries and provide a simple selection of breakfast and lunch sandwiches, along with some bakery goods. Their space is great too with some trendy decor, though there is very limited seating. They do have a nice kids space where kids can play with some toys, sectioned off from the remainder of the cafe. read more

I come here every Sunday for my weekly "I made it" treat. Love the flavor combos for the pastries and sandwiches (lemon Rosemary muffins, orange ricotta scones, the beautiful breakfast tarts, and pimento cheese because PIMENTO CHEESE). The coffee is the best in south-side IMHO, and the cream art just adds to the artistic charm of the coffee shop itself. What I like most is that while the menu features options with complex flavors that I personally enjoy, this is totally a kid-friendly shop, with dinosaur-shaped cheese sandwiches and almond butter-chocolate-banana sandwiches for the little ones. read more

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Our families go to for boxed lunches and local coffee! We love the ease of their online ordering system and appreciate the thought that has gone into how they operate during this unusual time. They are one of the most open and transparent small businesses in terms of their communications. read more

Tried Perk for the first time this morning and it was delicious! Ordered a Dirty Chai and Pimento Cheese Egg Puff with Everything Seasoning. The staff was also really sweet and put a lot of TLC into my drink! Great way to start the day. read more

Yesterday I ordered the tuna fish salad (The Water Tower) to go. In itself it was alright, but it was so so small. Almost invisible. Just one little scoop of tuna salad. I couldn't believe that it cost $9. And then add tax and tip. Will not be ordering that again for sure. I was so hungry afterwards. read more

This is my absolute favorite coffee shop in Richmond! The staff are always so friendly. Their house blend is my favorite - I now buy it in bulk. read more

Friendly neighborhood place with decent coffee. Very family friendly. They do some cool stuff with their menu and are very vegetarian friendly. This place makes me long for the coffeehouses of old where you could sit for hours reading or just hanging out. Seats aren't super comfortable so I'd suggest grabbing your coffee and snack to go. read more

Local coffee shop in my neighborhood... Cute little place. Is nothing fancy, but they serve good coffee, hot or cold food, and a selection of pastries... just a cool place to meetup, hangout or read. There is also a play area for kiddies... I am so glad that I have Perk! as my local coffee shot! read more