My first experience at Joy Cafe was AWESOME. The bagel I ordered (Cutie Tom) was perfectly prepared, as well as the Americano. HOWEVER, when I went back with a friend of mine, it ended up being a HUGE disappointment. First of all, the bagel I ordered (same as last time) came to the table cold and stale. I took it back and asked them to make another one for me. They also forgot to bring my iced coffee with the order. THEN, when I got home and looked at my receipt, I noticed they charged me a (service charge of 15%) which was an extra $3.58. If they're going to charge a service fee, they should at least be transparent about it instead of being dishonest. Oh, and my friend and I also spotted a small roach crawling on the wall as we were leaving our table. My whole experience that day was nothing like the first. Needless to say, I WILL NOT be going back to Joy Cafe. And just a warning to anyone who goes there - CHECK YOUR RECEIPT before leaving the cafe.
Updated from previous review on 2025-06-29
devonvolpe
Absolutely delicious every single time. The smoothies are the best in the area and everything is so fresh and satisfying. Always a true joy to visit here.
bradmer12
I've been here multiple times. It's always way too long of a wait for how dead it is. I'll be the only one there and yet it takes 45 minutes to make my 1 sandwich. One time I waited over an hour for my takeout order.
I really wish I could recommend this place. The food is always not as good as I expect it to be. The one exception is the Spicy Tuna sandwich which is really good.
maltman23
3 of us ate here for lunch, and all of us enjoyed our meals. The owners are really nice and welcoming. The atmosphere is comfortable and refreshingly not upscale.
Hina Goto
The food was really good. But my order of a wrap and coffee came out to be $27 somehow.
I asked for a splash of oat milk in my cold brew and got charged $1 for that, which I didn't know untill I got my receipt. Charging a whole dollar for maybe a table spoon of milk is insane to me. Plus it's a vegan place, what other milk is there? I have to pay extra regardless?
this place previously responded to a review and said that they charge mandatory service fees, which go to their staff, because the customers often "forget" to tip them. I didn't read it until I came home so I feel kinda silly for essentially double tipping them. You have to go get your own water and return the dishes when you're done, so not too sure what I tipped them 7 bucks for. Overall, there was a big lack of transparency and communication, which felt a bit predatory.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 1
Wim May
Good vegan options, definitely transcends the genre while still harkening back to 1990s health food vibes. I enjoy a spot like this - reminds me of LA in the early 2000s. Very charming interiors and food. The total cost was a bit higher than I anticipated, though.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Davette Ceasar
The cafe smelled kind of weird. Like food had been left out. The door swung too freely and almost injured me. But most of all, I don't like how I have to leave a negative review to get these folks to finally reply to my email.
Atmosphere: 1
Joe Stevenen
cute vegan lunch / breakfast spot
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegan
Emma Sullivan
Good ambiance, good food, variety of options, friendly staff. Little on the expensive side. It took forever for me to get my food though.
I ordered at around 12:20/12:30, my food wasn’t even started until 12:56 (when I asked how much longer it would be because I was on my lunch break). The person who was making it said they were just starting it but that it would only be another 2 minutes. I found it a bit weird that I was waiting for so long for an item that didn’t require cooking, that was quick to make, and they didn’t even start making it until I almost had to leave. The person at the register apologized and said they put an extra donut in my bag to make up for it, but there was no extra donut :(
I would try it again, but maybe at a time where I have a casual 30 minutes to wait for food. Really wish I could give 5 stars though, the place was very cute and I love having vegan/vegetarian options.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Donuts
Alice Sullivan
Great food & atmosphere! A little pricey but will be back :)
Such a cute place. Such yummy food. Amazing atmosphere. I was in Philly for a day and happened to randomly find this cafe and I’m so happy I did. I can’t wait to come back. The vegan ham sandwich is amaaaazing & the lady was so sweet. I’m bringing my friends next time
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salad
Emily
I loved stopping by here after taking the Flixbus. Perfect spot for a quick, refreshing bite and a smoothie! The person with curly hair was so nice
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cedric Fitzgerald
Was very happy with my sandwich which was a play on tuna salad with hummus. Friendly staff and nice space, would come back
wackyTheatrical
Such a cute little shop love when my coffees are made by a bisexual with an apron. Will come back when im back in philly :3
Wrvpgod 215
Waited 25 minutes to get my food and almost missed my bus. They only had one person cooking August 3, 2024. I had to leave before I missed my bus. I’m extremely pissed. I got there 1151
My first experience at Joy Cafe was AWESOME. The bagel I ordered (Cutie Tom) was perfectly prepared, as well as the Americano. HOWEVER, when I went back with a friend of mine, it ended up being a HUGE disappointment. First of all, the bagel I ordered (same as last time) came to the table cold and stale. I took it back and asked them to make another one for me. They also forgot to bring my iced coffee with the order. THEN, when I got home and looked at my receipt, I noticed they charged me a (service charge of 15%) which was an extra $3.58. If they're going to charge a service fee, they should at least be transparent about it instead of being dishonest. Oh, and my friend and I also spotted a small roach crawling on the wall as we were leaving our table. My whole experience that day was nothing like the first. Needless to say, I WILL NOT be going back to Joy Cafe. And just a warning to anyone who goes there - CHECK YOUR RECEIPT before leaving the cafe. Updated from previous review on 2025-06-29
Absolutely delicious every single time. The smoothies are the best in the area and everything is so fresh and satisfying. Always a true joy to visit here.
I've been here multiple times. It's always way too long of a wait for how dead it is. I'll be the only one there and yet it takes 45 minutes to make my 1 sandwich. One time I waited over an hour for my takeout order. I really wish I could recommend this place. The food is always not as good as I expect it to be. The one exception is the Spicy Tuna sandwich which is really good.
3 of us ate here for lunch, and all of us enjoyed our meals. The owners are really nice and welcoming. The atmosphere is comfortable and refreshingly not upscale.
The food was really good. But my order of a wrap and coffee came out to be $27 somehow.
I asked for a splash of oat milk in my cold brew and got charged $1 for that, which I didn't know untill I got my receipt. Charging a whole dollar for maybe a table spoon of milk is insane to me. Plus it's a vegan place, what other milk is there? I have to pay extra regardless?
this place previously responded to a review and said that they charge mandatory service fees, which go to their staff, because the customers often "forget" to tip them. I didn't read it until I came home so I feel kinda silly for essentially double tipping them. You have to go get your own water and return the dishes when you're done, so not too sure what I tipped them 7 bucks for. Overall, there was a big lack of transparency and communication, which felt a bit predatory.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 1
Good vegan options, definitely transcends the genre while still harkening back to 1990s health food vibes. I enjoy a spot like this - reminds me of LA in the early 2000s. Very charming interiors and food. The total cost was a bit higher than I anticipated, though.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
The cafe smelled kind of weird. Like food had been left out. The door swung too freely and almost injured me. But most of all, I don't like how I have to leave a negative review to get these folks to finally reply to my email.
Atmosphere: 1
cute vegan lunch / breakfast spot
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegan
Good ambiance, good food, variety of options, friendly staff. Little on the expensive side. It took forever for me to get my food though.
I ordered at around 12:20/12:30, my food wasn’t even started until 12:56 (when I asked how much longer it would be because I was on my lunch break). The person who was making it said they were just starting it but that it would only be another 2 minutes. I found it a bit weird that I was waiting for so long for an item that didn’t require cooking, that was quick to make, and they didn’t even start making it until I almost had to leave. The person at the register apologized and said they put an extra donut in my bag to make up for it, but there was no extra donut :(
I would try it again, but maybe at a time where I have a casual 30 minutes to wait for food. Really wish I could give 5 stars though, the place was very cute and I love having vegan/vegetarian options.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Donuts
Great food & atmosphere! A little pricey but will be back :)
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Such a cute place. Such yummy food. Amazing atmosphere. I was in Philly for a day and happened to randomly find this cafe and I’m so happy I did. I can’t wait to come back. The vegan ham sandwich is amaaaazing & the lady was so sweet. I’m bringing my friends next time
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salad
I loved stopping by here after taking the Flixbus. Perfect spot for a quick, refreshing bite and a smoothie! The person with curly hair was so nice
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Was very happy with my sandwich which was a play on tuna salad with hummus. Friendly staff and nice space, would come back
Such a cute little shop love when my coffees are made by a bisexual with an apron. Will come back when im back in philly :3
Waited 25 minutes to get my food and almost missed my bus. They only had one person cooking August 3, 2024. I had to leave before I missed my bus. I’m extremely pissed. I got there 1151
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