GBC is still top tier. Yummy food, super friendly owners. Since 2020, they are takeout only with a…read morefew tables outdoors on the sidewalk. My absolute favorite "hidden gem" from here is the sfogliatelle! They make them fresh, from scratch, and only every few months. I typically get quite a few to last me a few days a though they are not *as good day 2-4. The coffee is always delicious and I love that they rotate flavors seasonally. If they don't have a flavor I like, praline or maple cream are my go tos.

What I got: - Marshmallow Matcha…read more- Chocolate chip cookies I went at about 9:30am. There is no inside seating. The matcha was one of the best i've had in Richmond! They had a diverse menu and holiday items as well! The cookies were fresh out the oven and sooo good. They were not thin and crispy but thick and chewy - just how I like them. Service was great! Will be returning but wish there was indoor seating.

I have been about 4 times and will be back! A few times we have brought our own game and this past…read moretime we borrowed a game. We were walked through the steps of the new game by the staff and he made it very easy to understand. The food is very good! I have gotten the sweet potato fries with the chicken wrap every time! The service is very quick. I love looking around and seeing groups of people and families connecting over games!

Unplugged Games Cafe is an absolute gem. If you're into board games, card games, or just looking…read morefor a chill place to hang out, this is the spot. They have an impressive library of games, covering just about anything you could want to play. Whether you're into strategy games, party games, or card games, there's something here for everyone. The staff is incredibly helpful. They don't just sit behind the counter; they actually help you pick out games, walk you through how to play them, and make sure you're comfortable. Their enthusiasm and knowledge really make the experience that much better. The food is great too. They put fun and creative twists on classic cafe dishes, and everything we tried was delicious. The drink selection is surprisingly strong. They offer a good range of non-alcoholic options along with a variety of meads, wines, beers, and mixed drinks. The vibe is exactly what you'd want from a gaming cafe. It's casual, relaxed, and welcoming. People are respectful, helpful, and focused on having a good time. Whether you're there to try something new or play a favorite with friends, it's easy to settle in and enjoy. If you're into card collecting, you'll appreciate the selection of booster packs for popular games. It's a great place to play, trade, and connect with others in the community. This place strikes the perfect balance between fun, comfort, and connection. We'll definitely be back (for the 12th time?)

One thing I love about Apelu Island is that it's not just "another cute coffee shop" that are a…read moredime a dozen. It's Samoan-owned and you can feel the culture in the space and on the menu. The decor has Polynesian touches, the drinks and food nod to Samoan flavors (like taro and Spam musubi), and you can tell it's a true family business built with a lot of pride and hard work. My friend and I first heard about this spot and literally drove about 25 minutes from Ghent Norfolk over to Bel-Aire Norfolk just to try it out, and it still remains one of our favorite coffee shops in Norfolk. Totally worth crossing town for. On my first visit, I got the Apelu Island Iced Latte, a Taro Cupcake with vanilla icing and toasted coconut, and a Spam Musubi with egg. That combo right there? Dangerous. The latte was smooth and lightly sweet with that pretty taro purple, the cupcake was super moist with the coconut giving it that little crunch on top, and the Spam Musubi with egg was the perfect salty-savory bite to go with my coffee instead of the usual basic breakfast sandwich. Second visit, I pulled back up for their Taro Pumpkin Roll Latte with oat milk (one of their fall specials), and I'm still thinking about it. It tasted like fall but with that island twist; cozy, a little earthy from the taro, and not overly sweet. Just really well-balanced and comforting. The staff has been warm and welcoming every time I've gone in; smiling, chatting with customers, and making it feel like a neighborhood spot even if you drove in from across town. It's the kind of place where you can sit, catch up with a friend, get some work done, or just enjoy your drink and snack without feeling rushed. If you're anywhere in Norfolk and haven't tried Apelu Island Cafe yet, go. From the lattes to the taro treats to the musubi, it's one of those places that makes you want to become a regular. More people need to know about this place.

I visited Apelu Island while my daughter was getting her nails done in the area. I got an iced…read morewhite chocolate blackberry mocha and it was delicious! The service was quick and friendly and willing to help me with my order decision (so many things sounded good!) It was really cute inside and even had a little play area for kids with a little kitchen setup. I really enjoyed my visit!

We need more coffee shops like this one! Love the theme and all of the colors. You feel right at…read morehome when you walk in. Go enough and they will know your name! Staff were very friendly and helpful. Being my first time there I had no idea what to get! I ended up getting an Americano with sugar-free raspberry syrup. A lot of coffee shops don't have sugar-free syrups except for caramel and vanilla so this is a bonus! However, a large comes with 7 pumps and I'm glad I only got 3! It was still so sweet! I just added more hot water when I got to work and it was great! I highly recommend checking this place out. Can't wait to go back and sit with some friends and enjoy the atmosphere!

What a totally rad 90's themed coffee shop!…read more Stopped in with a few friends and we all enjoyed our drinks, the atmosphere and the service! I had a fun frozen coffee that I can't recall the name of it but it had biscoff cookie pieces and flavoring in it and it was very tasty! A friend had a plain drip coffee and another friend had a honey vanilla latte and all loved their drinks. Service was very kind and you can't beat the 90's themed decor! It makes it so fun to reminisce about all the good 90's movies and shows.

Love this place server was super nice & food was great milk shake was awesome music was fun and 50'sread more

My wife and I flew in and landed our plane at Shannon Airport for our very first aviation date, and…read morewe decided to stop by Robin's Nest what an incredible experience! The café has a charming 50s-style theme with great music and an unbeatable view of airplanes landing and taking off. We arrived close to closing time, but Mary, couldn't have been sweeter. She went out of her way to accommodate us and made two milkshakes that were absolutely perfect. Her kindness and hospitality made the visit even more special. Robin's Nest is truly a hidden gem a must-stop for any pilot or traveler in the area!

Decided to branch out and try a different coffee shops in the area. At first glance, the atmosphere…read morewas very calm and gentle where if you wanted to get work done, it was possible, but I recommend getting there early as their seating is very limited. The employees were friendly and you could tell they enjoyed the company of one another which enhances the atmosphere too. I got an ice vanilla latte which I wasn't necessarily a big fan of since it tasted a bit watered down, hence the three stars. I would come back to try something new and will update my review if my experience improved!

There's really not any personality to this coffee shop, but it's spacious. It's clean. The…read moreemployees are nice. And it's turning into quite the hangout for me. My tea was served with just the right amount of honey

I came here with a friend on a hot afternoon looking for a cool drink. I spotted a latte special…read morewith Ube and coconut and wanted to try it. I was a bit disappointed that they only offer whole or oat milk, as I was used to having more milk options (like low fat or nonfat). I can't drink whole milk and I'm not a big fan of oat milk. The barista recommended that I try the oat milk and said if I didn't like the drink, they would make me something else. I asked for light oak milk and hoped for the best. My latte was served in layers, so I got a big blast of oat milk in my first sip, but after I mixed my latte, it tasted so much better. The coconut flavor really came through and offset the oat milk flavor. I was really happy with my drink and with the super helpful barista. I'll for sure be coming back!

I'm a coffee lover extraordinaire. I was excited to go to this place because it was highly…read morerecommended by a friend. As anyone can see by my other reviews, I give a lot of 4 and 5-star ones, and am generally not a complainer. When I rate something low, there's really a reason. There was nothing for me to like about this place. First, there was no signage to speak of. It wasn't real easy to find. I didn't even know I had found the right place until I saw the name of the place on the bags of coffee. When I came in, it was a cold feeling, not a friendly one. Every person I dealt with behind the counter wasn't warm or inviting. I got the feeling that they felt I "should have known" where to order, and "should have known" where to wait, or to pick up my coffee. I got a takeout hot coffee but had to interrupt and kindly ask for a lid. And when I did I got a vibe like I was an irritation or something. I went out to the car with my coffee and told my husband I hoped it was really outstanding coffee with what I had to go through to get it. And you know what, it wasn't all that great. It's not worth going back for. I don't get why people like or recommend this place.

Abi's Books and Brews is the perfect combination of coffee,books and records. If I miss anything…read moreit's because I was fixated on the books. Upon entering, the books are found along the wall, there are tables and chairs to sit and the coffee is ordered at a counter right in the center of the store. Towards the back, they have a section just for kids and young adults. Also, there are plenty of parking outside. They have new and old books available at decent prices. One of the best things I have ever seen is they have a dedicated turning bookcase for BANNED books of Hanover county. It is a lending library. You choose a book, open it and scan the QR code inside and check off the book you picked. Then, you return it when you're done. No time limit on it. That easy. I am so proud that they are supporting these books and making it easy for anyone to have access to them. On this visit, I borrowed Jodi Picoult's book, Nineteen Minutes. I recommend you come visit and support this coffee/book shop in the VCU area. I definitely recommend it and plan to visit often.

I needed a place to work in the AC and went to Abi's Books and Brews and couldn't have been happier…read morewith the experience! Luck was on my side as I found street parking right in front of the shop. This place is a dream for anyone looking to get some work done. They've thoughtfully labeled each outlet, making it ideal for co-working. No more searching aimlessly for a spot to plug in--what a relief! I tried the chocolate croissant and americano, and both were fantastic. The croissant was flaky and delicious, and the americano provided just the right boost. The staff was incredibly kind and made the visit even more special by treating my maltipoo, Printz, to a pup cup!

Cute little coffee spot right in the center of VCU off broad st. Parking is limited but on weekends…read moreit'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

Terrific latte at the lab at Alchemy. Did a beautiful job, perfect temp, kind of unusual flavor of…read morethe beans themselves...really nice to have something a little off the beaten path. Great stuff.