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Cute little cafe, although parking can be hard to find since it's just street/alley parking and majority are only 1 hour blocks Mon-Fri. It's on the smaller side so seating can run out quickly but there was a table open for me to sit at. I ordered an iced dirty chai with almond milk which was yummy, and it cost almost $7. The barista was super nice. Wi-fi is free! I didn't see any restrooms inside though.
First time trying this coffee shop. After I arrived, I noticed that they only offer whole, soy and oat milk (the last had an upcharge). I've only been in Richmond for about a year and a half, and this is one of many coffee shops with such limited milk offerings. I always have skim or low fat milk in my coffee drinks and cannot drink whole milk because it's too fatty. I wasn't impressed with almond milk when I tried it, so this time I opted for the oat milk. It's better than the almond milk, but has a bit of an off putting taste. The barista was friendly, it's just too bad that I'm not a fan of these limited dairy offerings. It's a cool little coffee shop, but the available dairy options would prevent me from returning.
Good vibes to be had! The barista (don't know her name oops) is awesome. She seems so comfortable and in her element. It's definitely somewhat busy in here and she's just doing really well keeping calm and focused, yet friendly and helpful. Pour over (Ethiopian) is quite good. The flavor is very round at first. Sort of like raisins and burnt butter. Bitterness at the end. Would get again. Didn't try any food items here.
A delightful place in a busy space - lots of foot traffic coming in and out of this place per its proximity to VCU's campus. Loved the modern vibe with lots of natural light and seating. Solid coffee too :)
Super close local coffee shop to VCU. Service was amazing, the decor and theme is on point. They serve a delicious chai, and I got a hot chai because it was raining. It's authentic, spicy, and flavorful. There's some couches and a lot of tables/chairs for studying or lounging. I wish they had a cup sleeve lol.
I've had this on my list of RVA coffee shops and it exceeded my expectations! I loved the overall vibe and atmosphere as soon as you walk on. Music was playing so there was a slight upbeat energy but still a chill and relaxed vibe. I like they have a food menu beyond just pastries. I got the pumpkin chai latte (lite syrup) which was perfect and not too sweet.
I really liked The Lab by Alchemy Coffee! This super hip place is serious about their coffee, and it shows! The menu offers drip, espresso, pour overs, cold press, and even chai, cocoa, and tea as other options. I had a cafe au lait and a chai latte (homemade), and both were served super hot, super strong, and super delicious! Absolutely no bitterness, graininess, or any -nesses! There was only one barista on shift, but they were super welcoming, informative, and very kind! The place has plenty of tables and some counter seating, and it seems as many locals come here to do some work and/or to enjoy their beverages. I'd love to go back and try out the rest of their coffee menu. Parking is available on the side streets. +well-made beverages +friendly staff +great space to enjoy/work/catch up +parking on the side streets
I came here on a cold afternoon with a few friends, and they have said good things about the coffee here. The interior is cute and hipster, definitely a great vibe for college students since there are sizable tables perfect for studying and working. I also love the plaques and posters they have of other roasters from all over the country! I got a cortado, which is my go-to espresso drink. It was only $3.52, which is pretty cheap for a double shot. The espresso uses beans roasted from Recluse, which I hear is a great and popular local coffee roaster in Richmond. There is an 88 cent up charge for oat milk which isn't too bad since it complements espresso shots well. At first sip, the espresso was strong and juicy like a fruit explosion in your mouth. Then, the after taste transitions into something more nutty and chocolatey. Wow, absolutely delicious. The oat milk merely complements the espresso and did not overpower the drink. I have no complaints about this cortado. One of my friends got the cold press latte with vanilla syrup which was good but a bit watery. The overall flavor is solid, but it's on a watery side (instead of milk), which is probably what a cold press is. The coffee taste is not very strong but prominent enough to be enjoyable. My friend said she would prefer an espresso over cold pressed coffee. My other friend got the hot chocolate, and he thought it was good but the medium size was extremely small for what would normally be considered "medium". I would say this looked like an 8 oz. cup so we wonder what a "small" size would look like? Overall, because of the mind-blowing cortado, I'm giving this place a 5/5. We all thought it was delicious and definitely the best drink we got here. 101% would recommend the cortado here. I definitely need to check out Recluse for their beans sometime!
Finally got to go in as we missed it out last two trips to Richmond. Enjoyed my Mocha as it was a perfect temperature and not too sweet. Just like I love it. I also love that they use Vigilante coffee and support other brands like coffee culture.
One of the best cappuccinos I've ever had! Love the light, the vibe, and the amount of seating in this coffee shop. Very spacious and cozy and really good coffee
4 hours ago
Cute little coffee spot right in the center of VCU off broad st. Parking is limited but on weekends it's mostly free around the surrounding areas. I ordered an iced latte with hazelnut and my partner ordered a dirty chai. The barista was super kind and handling everyone's order by herself. Very laid back environment and attentive!! The barista said all the syrups are made in house which is amazing!! Hazelnut latte was 8/10 Dirty chai was 8/10 read more
2 months ago
It was cute. The croissant was pretty decent, I mean how good can cafe food really be. The tea was yummy I need to try the coffee though. The service was good. read more
Cute little cafe, although parking can be hard to find since it's just street/alley parking and majority are only 1 hour blocks Mon-Fri. It's on the smaller side so seating can run out quickly but there was a table open for me to sit at. I ordered an iced dirty chai with almond milk which was yummy, and it cost almost $7. The barista was super nice. Wi-fi is free! I didn't see any restrooms inside though. read more
11 months ago
1 year ago
First time trying this coffee shop. After I arrived, I noticed that they only offer whole, soy and oat milk (the last had an upcharge). I've only been in Richmond for about a year and a half, and this is one of many coffee shops with such limited milk offerings. I always have skim or low fat milk in my coffee drinks and cannot drink whole milk because it's too fatty. I wasn't impressed with almond milk when I tried it, so this time I opted for the oat milk. It's better than the almond milk, but has a bit of an off putting taste. The barista was friendly, it's just too bad that I'm not a fan of these limited dairy offerings. It's a cool little coffee shop, but the available dairy options would prevent me from returning. read more
Good vibes to be had! The barista (don't know her name oops) is awesome. She seems so comfortable and in her element. It's definitely somewhat busy in here and she's just doing really well keeping calm and focused, yet friendly and helpful. Pour over (Ethiopian) is quite good. The flavor is very round at first. Sort of like raisins and burnt butter. Bitterness at the end. Would get again. Didn't try any food items here. read more
2 years ago
A delightful place in a busy space - lots of foot traffic coming in and out of this place per its proximity to VCU's campus. Loved the modern vibe with lots of natural light and seating. Solid coffee too :) read more
1 year ago
Super close local coffee shop to VCU. Service was amazing, the decor and theme is on point. They serve a delicious chai, and I got a hot chai because it was raining. It's authentic, spicy, and flavorful. There's some couches and a lot of tables/chairs for studying or lounging. I wish they had a cup sleeve lol. read more
I've had this on my list of RVA coffee shops and it exceeded my expectations! I loved the overall vibe and atmosphere as soon as you walk on. Music was playing so there was a slight upbeat energy but still a chill and relaxed vibe. I like they have a food menu beyond just pastries. I got the pumpkin chai latte (lite syrup) which was perfect and not too sweet. read more
I really liked The Lab by Alchemy Coffee! This super hip place is serious about their coffee, and it shows! The menu offers drip, espresso, pour overs, cold press, and even chai, cocoa, and tea as other options. I had a cafe au lait and a chai latte (homemade), and both were served super hot, super strong, and super delicious! Absolutely no bitterness, graininess, or any -nesses! There was only one barista on shift, but they were super welcoming, informative, and very kind! The place has plenty of tables and some counter seating, and it seems as many locals come here to do some work and/or to enjoy their beverages. I'd love to go back and try out the rest of their coffee menu. Parking is available on the side streets. +well-made beverages +friendly staff +great space to enjoy/work/catch up +parking on the side streets read more
9 months ago
I came here on a cold afternoon with a few friends, and they have said good things about the coffee here. The interior is cute and hipster, definitely a great vibe for college students since there are sizable tables perfect for studying and working. I also love the plaques and posters they have of other roasters from all over the country! I got a cortado, which is my go-to espresso drink. It was only $3.52, which is pretty cheap for a double shot. The espresso uses beans roasted from Recluse, which I hear is a great and popular local coffee roaster in Richmond. There is an 88 cent up charge for oat milk which isn't too bad since it complements espresso shots well. At first sip, the espresso was strong and juicy like a fruit explosion in your mouth. Then, the after taste transitions into something more nutty and chocolatey. Wow, absolutely delicious. The oat milk merely complements the espresso and did not overpower the drink. I have no complaints about this cortado. One of my friends got the cold press latte with vanilla syrup which was good but a bit watery. The overall flavor is solid, but it's on a watery side (instead of milk), which is probably what a cold press is. The coffee taste is not very strong but prominent enough to be enjoyable. My friend said she would prefer an espresso over cold pressed coffee. My other friend got the hot chocolate, and he thought it was good but the medium size was extremely small for what would normally be considered "medium". I would say this looked like an 8 oz. cup so we wonder what a "small" size would look like? Overall, because of the mind-blowing cortado, I'm giving this place a 5/5. We all thought it was delicious and definitely the best drink we got here. 101% would recommend the cortado here. I definitely need to check out Recluse for their beans sometime! read more
2 years ago
Finally got to go in as we missed it out last two trips to Richmond. Enjoyed my Mocha as it was a perfect temperature and not too sweet. Just like I love it. I also love that they use Vigilante coffee and support other brands like coffee culture. read more
3 years ago
4 years ago
Cool vibes and delicious coffee Seems like a university hang out Lots of students in their computers Cortado and cappuccinos done to perfection with great foam artistry! read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
Loved this place so much! It was such a beautiful space with lots of natural lighting. There is limited seating and it's located on VCU campus. The service was fast and I enjoyed my iced chai latte :) read more
2 years ago
love the matcha lemonade which had lavender as well i believe that was recommended by the barista. very friendly staff & chill place to meet or study. read more
4 years ago
Always in search for the best espresso drinks on my travels and The Lab by Alchemy Coffee is definitely the winner! The baristas are friendly and eager to provide you with an artistic and amazing coffee drink. I will be back read more
5 years ago
Perfect little place to get coffee in downtown Richmond. Our barista was super sweet and gave us amazing recommendations for cute dinner places to try in the city. The coffee was a Peruvian roast and was spectacular and perfect to drink black. The decorations were warm and welcoming which was perfect for getting some work down. This place isn't too big but big enough to hold about 20 ppl on a busy day if you wanted to come in and "coffee shop work." I'm a sucker for checking out new coffee shops in different cities and this one hit the jackpot! read more
Business owner information
Eric S.
Thank you for taking the time to share this. We appreciate your…
7 years ago
My main goal visiting Richmond was to find a local coffee spot. Preferably a spot that locally roasted its own coffee, but since my committee didn't release us until after many shops closed, I had to make do. A coworker and I took our rental down here and we had to switch drivers once we arrived because I am awful at parallel parking. We had to drive around the block a couple of time to find a spot. Not my thing, but hey, we got here and that's what mattered. We separated (she went into the bookstore next door) and was pleasantly surprised by the interior and also a little shocked by how empty it was. There was one girl working away on her computer and one barista manning the counter. He was very kind and friendly and suggested a cold brew. It was a hot day, so I went with it. They have a fairly simple "no frills" menu with all your basics, and a super cool sciencey drip coffee thing that I found utterly fascinating. I also asked if he had coffee for sale, and he pointed at a few bags. I was super excited until I learned it was roasted in Columbus, OH. Darn! I would have liked some Richmond-roasted coffee for my coffee club back home at work, but alas. I managed to get a free mug, though, so that was cool. And my cold brew was made with the coffee I bought, anyway and it was an absolutely delicious cold brew. I drank it down pretty quickly. This was a really neat shop, fitting in nicely in the neighborhood, and looking a lot nicer on the inside than the outside. Parking is tricky, but if you can get past that, you're in for a treat with some good service and a cool atmosphere. read more
Just average. You have to be really committed if you want to drive here. Parking is extremely difficult as there is no parking lot and one way streets on either side. If you are a VCU student and walking it might make more sense for you. They had no bold roast on this Saturday, so I settled for a weak mild roast. Nothing of real note about this place to differentiate it or making more interesting...except for maybe the name. read more
Business owner information
Eric S.
Thank you! We appreciate you taking the time to post this and share…
4 years ago
Best mocha I've ever had! The drinks took a bit of time, but I didn't mind waiting... Especially while being able to sit in the sun, with the stools by the window. There is also plenty of seating outside, which is nice. read more
3 years ago
Went there with a colleague to have a work chat. Ordered a chai latte and oh my gosh, the spice is just perfectly string but not too strong. It was delish. The place is spacious, the staff is friendly, and the price is just. Recommend! read more
6 years ago
I really enjoyed my visit here. The coffee shop itself is smaller but cute. I tried a cheese danish and chai latte while my husband chose a drip coffee. All were great. Alchemy Coffee is a must visit if you live in or are visiting Richmond. read more
I hate to left unpleasant review but for the YELP hype, of course I set some expectation up in this piece. Not quite friendly but not rude. I didn't start conversation anyway, so no complain right there. No greetings whatsoever when it had only 3 total customer. Okaaaaay, who cares all of that if they served special and good coffee. For 8 oz Latte caramel I paid $5.00 & expecting something worth $5.00, but I'd prefer 12 oz Wawa for almost half of the price. Not to mention the messy cup looking. I also assume that they only offer you whole milk? Which I don't mind personally but would be nice if they'd have various options. Anyway... here you go, 2 stars for the foamy whole milk & now quite friendly barista :) PS : for the price you set, as a customer we expect something better. Thanks read more
3 years ago
9 years ago
I really love the idea of this place, the ambiance and the friendly service. And I love supporting local businesses. However, I don't really know much about coffee or bean profiles or brewing styles, so I usually feel lost when it's time to order here. I'm not even sure what coffees there are to choose from on any day. I asked today if the coffees on the counter were all that was available, and I was told yes. I asked about the flavors and she didn't have any info. You can see from the picture (hopefully) that only one of the four tags described the coffees at all, so, I just picked a random coffee and ordered it without a clue as to what it was or how it was brewed (I picked Columbian Geisha which I overheard was brewed with the dragon?). I really WANT to love this local shop and I want to learn about coffee profiles and brewing methods so I can be an informed coffee drinker, which is what the owner seemed to have as his mission. Unfortunately, after visiting this place over the last two years or so, I don't feel like I've learned much (besides the special elite event where the owner was present) and I'm still ordering random coffees, some of which I pour in the sink because I dislike like the taste. While I still think this is probably one of the best coffee shops around, especially for the coffee connoisseur, I'm finding myself at DD more often than not because I know what I'm ordering and what I'll get, it's cheaper, and I'm not pouring money down the drain. IMHO, visit if you know a lot about coffee or want to try something random, but if you want to learn about coffee profiles and brewing methods, feel informed when ordering or have a cup of coffee you know you'll love every time, you may want to keep looking. read more
4 years ago
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More info about The Lab by Alchemy Coffee
814 W Broad St
Richmond, VA 23220
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(804) 608-9873
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http://www.alchemycoffeerva.com
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