Definitely adding Perk! to my list of favorite coffee shops in Richmond as I continue my quest for the perfect cup of matcha! I especially love that this one is in Bon Air, closer to where I live, so it’s amazing to see a queer-friendly, inclusive coffee shop spreading joy outside of downtown and into the suburbs.
The pricing here is also unbeatable. Two coffees and two bagels came out to about $20 (around $10 a person). Their everything bagel is to dieeee for, and I love all of the unique syrup/flavoring options they offer for your coffee/matcha. Plenty of seating inside, super welcoming vibes, and I could definitely see myself bringing my laptop here to work for a while.
If you’re looking for a new spot to try, definitely come support this amazing coffee shop!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
ghostgirl
This place has seriously gone downhill in the last year or so. For a while, there was a staff that seemed to be the glue that held this place together despite whatever top-down issues it has. But, a business can't selfishly rely on a few talented workhorses overcompensating for the rest of the staff, the pay, and whatever other issues. Eventually those people get burnt out or move on to better gigs. That's my best guess at to why the only good thing about Perk now is the local old school cozy cafe decor and that it used to be great. The coffees I've had the last several times have been undrinkably bad and taste nothing like they used to. The staff is a mixed bag of mostly rude people who aren't suited for working at a place with rushes and constant business, and a few clearly stressed ones trying to compensate. The bad drinks aren't as much of a deterrent as the attitudes of over half the staff at this point. I'm not the only one saying it. It's a problem that'll likely grow, because I assume the owners are at the root of all the problems making Perk suck. Good employees stay when they get paid enough and have good bosses.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 2
Recon Streams
Slow and bland baristas, cramped area, fun drinks
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Cookies, Perkolator
A G
The vibe wasn't right when I came in. Black man that they didn't want to help. I was the only one in line and only one lady said hi cause I kept looking at her. It was so bad, I stood there for 5 minutes and just left. And another lady was happy to say have a good day. So I got a hello and have a good day. They didn't ask was I ready to order, do you need any help or anything. When I tell you, I just stood there looking at them and the menu smh, that was the whole interaction. So, why would I want their food or them fixing my food?! But the white people in the store got attention, just not me. They close at 5pm, I got there at 4:20pm. They were more worried about cleaning than helping me. So I left and went to Joe's inn. I will never go back there, Perk employees made me feel like I didn't belong.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Clo Godreau
OBSESSED! Their pastries and drinks are so so good! Went for the first time this week and already been 3 times. Lol highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Neal Younce
We really love Perks coffee and food options! However, several times we have ordered the gluten free bread options and the audible comments about how much of a burden and frustrating they are to make have turned us away.
C H
Very weak espresso. Tastes like they may need to get their machine serviced. Their milk is all behind the counter so you have to ask for it, which is inconvenient and makes the baristas job harder. Would be very easy to have oat and milk in a carafe on the sugar table. Would also like to see their coffee prices reflect the quality of the brew…$6 for a 4 shot americano is insane. You can get one for $4 in central richmond cafes. The rotating baked goods are ok; I’ve tried several and they were quite dry. They do have interesting flavors which is fun (Ube).
Other than that zero complaints. Wonderful queer-friendly atmosphere, handmade goods for sale, and local-advocacy vibes.
Grace McCulloch
one of my favorite coffee shops!! they are so kind and accommodating, it's decorated beautifullly, and great food and drinks. my favorite thing to do is order whatever the baristas have created and written on the chalkboard outside 💕
Astrid Grubbs
Good food, good tea, and great vibes
Eva Delgado
A very quaint cafe- but it can get crowded! I really enjoyed the raspberry breakfast cake- but the caramel latte lacked a distinct caramel flavor. The baristas were fast and efficient! Also very fair prices for baked goods!
I’m not sure why this place has such good reviews. My boyfriend and I went here for the first time on a Saturday morning for breakfast and had an awful experience: the staff wasn’t friendly at all, after walking in my boyfriend and I weren’t acknowledged by any staff and we stood awkwardly at the register for 5 minutes while the cashier went on and on with another worker having a personal conversation; it wasn’t until they started typing on the tablet, I’m guessing to invite me to order, that I greeted them to have my order taken (which they were very unfriendly and told me our total to pay then walked away). We decided to only order coffees to get out of there as soon as possible: I ordered an iced cherry blossom latte and my boyfriend ordered the shaken sunrise. The latte had no cherry flavor at all and it was still warm- which made the ice melt very quickly and watered it down. My boyfriend’s drink wasn’t impressive either and we didn’t finish them. For $7 a drink, poor customer service and claustrophobic decor- I would never come back here.
Aster McNulty
Definitely my favorite cafe in the area. the staff is super friendly and cool and the atmosphere is inclusive and fun. I've loved every drink and treat I've gotten from here but I especially recommend the vegan biscotti!!
Greg Briney
Perk! is great! We love having them here in Bon Air. Try the amazing banana brownie. 👌🏼
Arabella Bonsor
Great pastries and a nice selection of plant based options
Definitely adding Perk! to my list of favorite coffee shops in Richmond as I continue my quest for the perfect cup of matcha! I especially love that this one is in Bon Air, closer to where I live, so it’s amazing to see a queer-friendly, inclusive coffee shop spreading joy outside of downtown and into the suburbs.
The pricing here is also unbeatable. Two coffees and two bagels came out to about $20 (around $10 a person). Their everything bagel is to dieeee for, and I love all of the unique syrup/flavoring options they offer for your coffee/matcha. Plenty of seating inside, super welcoming vibes, and I could definitely see myself bringing my laptop here to work for a while.
If you’re looking for a new spot to try, definitely come support this amazing coffee shop!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place has seriously gone downhill in the last year or so. For a while, there was a staff that seemed to be the glue that held this place together despite whatever top-down issues it has. But, a business can't selfishly rely on a few talented workhorses overcompensating for the rest of the staff, the pay, and whatever other issues. Eventually those people get burnt out or move on to better gigs. That's my best guess at to why the only good thing about Perk now is the local old school cozy cafe decor and that it used to be great. The coffees I've had the last several times have been undrinkably bad and taste nothing like they used to. The staff is a mixed bag of mostly rude people who aren't suited for working at a place with rushes and constant business, and a few clearly stressed ones trying to compensate. The bad drinks aren't as much of a deterrent as the attitudes of over half the staff at this point. I'm not the only one saying it. It's a problem that'll likely grow, because I assume the owners are at the root of all the problems making Perk suck. Good employees stay when they get paid enough and have good bosses.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 2
Slow and bland baristas, cramped area, fun drinks
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Cookies, Perkolator
The vibe wasn't right when I came in. Black man that they didn't want to help. I was the only one in line and only one lady said hi cause I kept looking at her. It was so bad, I stood there for 5 minutes and just left. And another lady was happy to say have a good day. So I got a hello and have a good day. They didn't ask was I ready to order, do you need any help or anything. When I tell you, I just stood there looking at them and the menu smh, that was the whole interaction. So, why would I want their food or them fixing my food?! But the white people in the store got attention, just not me. They close at 5pm, I got there at 4:20pm. They were more worried about cleaning than helping me. So I left and went to Joe's inn. I will never go back there, Perk employees made me feel like I didn't belong.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
OBSESSED! Their pastries and drinks are so so good! Went for the first time this week and already been 3 times. Lol highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We really love Perks coffee and food options! However, several times we have ordered the gluten free bread options and the audible comments about how much of a burden and frustrating they are to make have turned us away.
Very weak espresso. Tastes like they may need to get their machine serviced. Their milk is all behind the counter so you have to ask for it, which is inconvenient and makes the baristas job harder. Would be very easy to have oat and milk in a carafe on the sugar table. Would also like to see their coffee prices reflect the quality of the brew…$6 for a 4 shot americano is insane. You can get one for $4 in central richmond cafes. The rotating baked goods are ok; I’ve tried several and they were quite dry. They do have interesting flavors which is fun (Ube).
Other than that zero complaints. Wonderful queer-friendly atmosphere, handmade goods for sale, and local-advocacy vibes.
one of my favorite coffee shops!! they are so kind and accommodating, it's decorated beautifullly, and great food and drinks.
my favorite thing to do is order whatever the baristas have created and written on the chalkboard outside 💕
Good food, good tea, and great vibes
A very quaint cafe- but it can get crowded! I really enjoyed the raspberry breakfast cake- but the caramel latte lacked a distinct caramel flavor. The baristas were fast and efficient! Also very fair prices for baked goods!
Restaurantji Recommends
Great food and coffee. Very welcoming environment
I’m not sure why this place has such good reviews. My boyfriend and I went here for the first time on a Saturday morning for breakfast and had an awful experience: the staff wasn’t friendly at all, after walking in my boyfriend and I weren’t acknowledged by any staff and we stood awkwardly at the register for 5 minutes while the cashier went on and on with another worker having a personal conversation; it wasn’t until they started typing on the tablet, I’m guessing to invite me to order, that I greeted them to have my order taken (which they were very unfriendly and told me our total to pay then walked away). We decided to only order coffees to get out of there as soon as possible: I ordered an iced cherry blossom latte and my boyfriend ordered the shaken sunrise. The latte had no cherry flavor at all and it was still warm- which made the ice melt very quickly and watered it down. My boyfriend’s drink wasn’t impressive either and we didn’t finish them. For $7 a drink, poor customer service and claustrophobic decor- I would never come back here.
Definitely my favorite cafe in the area. the staff is super friendly and cool and the atmosphere is inclusive and fun. I've loved every drink and treat I've gotten from here but I especially recommend the vegan biscotti!!
Perk! is great!
We love having them here in Bon Air.
Try the amazing banana brownie. 👌🏼
Great pastries and a nice selection of plant based options
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