I dont live close by to the area, but every time when occasion arises and Im near the Ghent area, I am gladly stopping by the cafe. This time my wife and I were looking at the nearby places for a breakfast and I decided to introduce her to Cafe Stella.Right at the opening time there was already a line to the register of people, anxiously waiting for their morning fixes, but we welcomed it as a sign of the place being well liked by locals.Weve ordered our food and sat down at the table with freshly made coffee. Wait for our order was little long, but not too uncommon when you considering that the food was freshly prepared for us. Upon tasting our food we have both realized that it was not salted enough. It was surprising, but again good, experienced chefs have tendency to under-salt their meals. I quickly found a salt on a condiments table and everything was fixed. Weve sat down at the table probably another 20 minutes after weve finished our breakfast without any interruptions, just having our morning conversation and enjoying the surroundings.
Great, relaxed atmosphere. The food I ordered this evening wasnt very inspiring though. The $10 bean burger was quite dry and came with only a thin veneer of sauce and the barest of vegetable toppings, with a small serving of pita chips on the side. The $6 Indian seasoned sweet potatoes didnt taste very seasoned, and more like the sweet potatoes that I make in my air fryer. Not bad, but not special.Edit - I went back and had the quinoa chickpea burger. There were mere scraps of lettuce and almost no sauce on the patty, resulting in a very dry burger. Separately, when I asked the guy behind the counter to turn the music down because it was so loud we almost had to shout at each other across the table, he refused to do so, saying thats what the customers like. Rating dropped from three to two stars.
I chose this coffee shop because of the reviews The reviews were on point this is a lovely coffee shop it offers a ot. It has a wine bar &beer great coffee all different types. I had a great smoke sandwich bagel. Very good called Lox & Bagle.What I was really impressed about was the owner I let him know this the 1st time that I was in this coffee shop of his He took me on a tour of his coffee shop and I was very impressed with that .He is really a great guy very nice e to talk The atmosphere was really great there are a lot of locals I see that come in-and-out. You must visit here !!!!!
Love this place and come here often. i will give it a 5 stars because i love the atmosphere, the food is good and the drinks are better. however i will note it is a pretty busy cafe, and stays fairly loud. the food is somewhat overpriced in my opinion, but still delicious.
Cafe Stella. What can I say? Surprisingly it has already been years since I have been coming here and it truly has been a home away from home. What has prompted me to write this review is casually overhearing that one of the phenomenal workers there - Casey - is departing very shortly. I haven’t been able to think of a synonym besides ‘phenomenal’ to better describe her and the other staff members. I’ve been all across this country and the customer service, attention to detail, kindness, and overall work ethic they display is truly top notch. No matter how early in the morning, late at night, or busy - they maintain the same level of excellence.I’ve always said that people who have even a slightly negative experience are quick to write bad reviews or ask for management, but someone who loves an establishment may go there for years and never even put money in the tip jar… I almost let someone leave who works at one of my favorite places go without “putting money in the tip jar”. I can’t speak for everyone else who goes here (although I think I can speak for most!), but I’ve also been saying for a very long time now that this place is one of my top 3 that I will sorely miss whenever I leave this area. I’ve even gone so far as to only bring people here who I have a close and personal attachment with.Clearly, I could go on and on (I’ve also posted this review to Yelp) but I will stop it here! When the time comes? I will truly miss this little coffee shop & as we say in the Navy: “Fair Winds & Following Seas” to you Casey. What you did here mattered.Always Sincere,LTJG Sam Simeon, USN
It’s unfortunate this account is now just a gripe account, but it’s useful for horrible experiences. I have always loved Stella since attending ODU.. now I come from time to time, the normal. Walked in today (11/07) to a line nearly out the door. That’s not an issue I’m used to that, it’s Norfolk. The lady behind me seems to be a daily regular because she runs in jumping in front of me eager to shout her order. The barista noticed that and got to me first but the lady behind me and her husband were given black coffees before MY black coffee. You’d think something so simple isn’t deserving of 1 star…. At least 2 or 3 because I have loved it for so long? … this is not the first time. It’s just a weird thing to have to complain about, like this should not be an issue.
Every time I’ve gone to this cafe the staff has always been friendly and the dining area is always clean.If you’re looking for a place to read and enjoy a nice cup of coffee, I happily recommend this one.
Cafe Stella is one of my favorite coffee places in the area. Every visit is a great one! The atmosphere is amazing, great place to hang out with friends, get some work done, etc. Their coffee is always delicious, and any food I’ve gotten there is so good.
Absolutely the best cafe in Hampton Roads. The food is usually spot on but their main attraction, coffee, is always perfect. The staff is incredibly friendly and they always take care of me. Becoming a regular definitely showed, as they have become even more friendly with time. This is my favorite place in Norfolk, definitely a second hhomeDouble Mocha is elixir
Lovely place. Chill, airy vibes. Excellent food offerings. I got a lox bagel. Will try the almond croissant french toast next time!
This past Saturday I ordered some food from Café Stella in the Ghent location of Norfolk Virginia and I received the food in a reasonable timeframe. The employee processing my order was cordial and some of the delish foods included carrot cake and a delish cheese and meat mix that included olives goat cheese blue cheese marmalade pickles peppers, some type of spicy deli meat, red bell pepper etc.
Really nice place, but very crowded and busy. Love that there is a comic store and a videogame heaven next door. Food seems a bit smaller than expected, but tastes delicious 😋
Excellent! Service was excellent, and the food was delicious. Coffee was great. Also got a Red Lady (juice)-fabulous.
Check out the new double-the-size space!This relaxed gathering place with a very local feel is sure to become a favorite for you as it has for us. A varied blend of vegetarian and non options.Like Portland, OR for the East Coast: the offbeat vibe, the fabulously fresh coffees and teas, the distinctive foods that are anything but cliche. Refreshingly quirky.I love the quinoa fruit bowl; he goes for something with egg and meat. We make breakfast a regular event here, carrying out a few baked goods for tomorrow. Try the London Fog tea latte with lavender and vanilla. Unquestionably the best one we have ever encountered. Don’t miss out.Today, we were delighted to find an acoustic guitarist. Absolutely a perfect addition.
Great atmosphere, good food, funky furniture and a comfortable place to hang for a bit. Ordered the avocado toast for $7. Was surprised to get only one slice of bread and no side. My friend got grilled cheese for $10 and it was a full sandwich with a side. So I was still hungry after... lol
Really enjoyed the environment and the salmon scramble. Outdoor and indoor seating, the outdoor had shaded and sunny areas which I would have used had I not been planning on being there a while. a lot of seating inside and a great place to do laptop work or just have a coffee and meal with friends. The menu is vast. The service was kind and helpful in helping me choose a dish. I would love to go back. Pretty middle of road prices, about 8-12 for an entre, which is reasonable in my opinion. great vibes all around
Staff was very helpful and courteous. They helped me pick something to enjoy. It was delicious.
I enjoyed the lemon bar and the smoothies. I visited with my kids and my siblings. We played chess. Great atmosphere. A good place to eat and hangout.
My sister and I went here for the first time for our birthday (Sun, July 18). We were there around 11am and ate breakfast. We got the french toast, which tasted amazing and my sister got a coffee with expresso and I got a strawberry smoothie. I also got eggs with bacon. The food was amazing, the presentation of the food was awesome/picture perfect. The employees were so helpful and nice since it was our first time there. We will come back, thanks to the employees for everything♡.
This cafe has great vibes and great coffee. There is plenty of seating and plenty of outlets (which I thought would be a problem based on Some old reviews) but there are plenty of outlets for working and plugging in your computer. The vibes were immaculate and it’s a younger crowd which I loved!
Great service, food and prices!
Amazing coffee and delicious, eye opening breakfast. The owner roasts coffee on site filling the place with soothing aroma, complemented by great choice of ambient music. What a great way to start your day in Norfolk.
Not a bad little spot. Great coffee, great beverages and super friendly staff. Also, dog friendly. Had a water bowl set out for the puppers.
Cafe Stella is the best coffee ☕ place in Hampton roads. If anyone is interested in experiencing the best coffee or tea 🍵 this is one best place especially the one in 21th street Norfolk. There might be many people who are core fans of Starbucks, of course I dont want to degrade Starbucks, but if anyone is interested in real taste of coffee one must experience this place. They people at this place are so good and they even customize the coffee according to our regional taste at a very low price. If any one interested in coffee with cream you must try coffee au latte its just 2 bucks.
My most favourite place to relax and work. Atmosphere is amazing and staff outstanding.
There were a ton of options for food! And, based off my experience, theyre all good. 🤤
Gorgeous place, great atmosphere but I found the breakfast skillet portion to look and feel a little small. Still good tho and I’ll be back.
Just moved here and this has been my go to place! Everything has been so good, the staff are awesome and the owner is so kind and great at recommending what to try! Not only is it so cute, but the food and drinks are amazing! LOVE THIS CAFE!!
Fantastic coffee shop. My favorite in the Hampton roads area so far! Very homey. :)
Excellent coffee that is roasted in house by the owner himself. After several times of discussing all things coffee, you can tell he is passionate about java and the process of making it to perfection. That means something to me. Some people dont like his personality and some do; but thats not why I go. Supporting local and knowing the passion behind the product you sell is what makes Stella a fantastic place to go for a sip of coffee in a nice atmosphere. They also have some secret off-menu drinks that Ive been lucky enough to discover over the years. Highly recommended!
Favorite place to go in the morning. Relaxing atmosphere and good fare.
Great coffee, good food options, nice beer/wine selection, and cocktails to boot! Atmosphere is cozy, but theyre constantly busy. If it werent for their popularity, theyd be a great college town coffee stop to work and study in... but I guess thats why they arent, given their distance from ODU! Still a great breakfast/brunch spot if you can snag a highly coveted table..
Gorgeous atmosphere, and I highly recommend the iced vanilla latte. Plan extra time to find a parking spot in this area
Not bad, but didn’t live up to the hype
Its ALWAYS Simply Devine ! Myrus ( the Mgr.) is really skillful at just about everything having to do with Out-Standing Service and the preparation of more than merely Delicious Food & Drink. He is fortunate to have his very PLEASANT wife as his meal--preparation expert. In short Cafe Stella is anelegant dining experience in Ghent where one gathers with friends and with others to spend some pleasingTimes.
A great place to share time with oneself or friends.
Its always a great experience, good company, great coffee, perfect place to catch up with a friend
The service was quick and friendly. I loved the music choice they had of older salsa classic music and brought me back to my childhood. I wish I had found this place sooner and is the perfect study spot for me during the day!
Hot mocha n French toast was good😋
Refreshing atmosphere. They have the most enthusiastic baristas and great drinks and food.
Love there espresso. Chic little place lots of fun things to look at while enjoying an Americano
Great place for Meeting up with friends, family and business associates. However at the time when I went in there were not many pastries to select from and there was ONLY one person on duty; thats the reason for only 4 stars. I felt that with it being 12:30pm and 1 oclock a busy time that they should have more than 1 person to wait on the public. When asked the girl that she needed some help, she commented that they were short staffed. Overall it was a good experience.
The coffee wasnt that great the food was nothing to write home and tell your mother about the atmosphere was pretty good it was a very mixed crowd which I love its absolutely worth developing your own opinion stop by and check it out sometime
A little pricey but a great menu and overall experience.
Great place for coffee, something sweet and a nice atmosphere for a conversation with friends.
Best coffee Ive had in a while with the plus of the place is super rad vibe. Definitely check it out if youre ever in the area.
Large place. Fun clutter. Many viewpoints to perch and wake your brain. Espresso pull was exactly what I needed. The 3 staff are working HARD. I kinda love it here.
Favorite Norfolk coffee shop! If you havent been here yet, you are missing out. Everything I have tried here has been great! It is a great place to get work done as well as meet up for fun with friends.
It’s a nice vibe for a coffee shop, easily able to sit there and get some work done. Their patio has nice seating as well. I enjoyed the energy this place gives off. I wanted to give it more stars but their coffee wasn’t all that good to me. Their food was good but too small of a portion for the price you pay, it was like a tease. I tried their pot of tea that was good. You can get an entire pot of well flavored tea for $3. All in all it’s not a bad place just wish their portions were bigger and coffee taste better.
Patronize this establishment at your own risk. Stella has a very nasty attitude. The food was not even good!! Also, I assume she purchases from Lidl as I saw bags being brought in through the back door!!
I went to pick up an mobile order to go, but I wish I had dined in. The atmosphere in there is so beautiful. The food was delicious btw. Will definitely return with a good book and have a cup of tea. Also thanks to the young lady that put in the extra effort to help me out when I was trying to purchase the tea pot.
Everyone must try Cafe Stella. Delicious fresh, hot coffee and so many goodies to eat too. Great prices too !!❤❤❤
Love this place! They just bought the space next door and expanded three fold. They roast and sell their own coffee! Sell things of food options. Now also have a full bar and wine selection.
Ordered coffee and lunch from Cafe Stella. Quaint little joint that looks as if a backwoods North Carolina porch, dirty classic car garage, and Aunt Betties living room had a kid together. Perfect place for a cup of joe while meeting clients, but they should forewarn you of the food. Although somewhat tasty, the portions were meant for an anorexic amoebae. Youll get more nutrition from a Starbucks cake pop.
Good atmosphere, better coffee. The baristas are easy to talk to and give great recommendations.
Great selection of food and drinks! Delicious! Kind of a long wait for food but definitely worth it!
Cafe Stella is an eclectic mix of decor with spacious table seating for one to family farm table. The environment, staff and clientele were all gently welcoming. Clearly this was a locals hang out with some people using personal computers, reviewing papers, dropping in wearing running and biking gear, and others visiting with each other while dining. Folks chatted friendly with the barista, who called them by name as they approached to order.Food choices included an array of pastries, healthy eating, and freshly made meals. The board has plenty of beverage options to include house coffee blends that smell heavily! I tried the chai tea latte and a yummy baked egg dish while my friend had the house coffee. She loves Stellas and now I do too. Reasonable prices.
COVID who?I’ve always loved coming to this location. The coffee is great but COVID has changed the atmosphere. While enjoying a coffee with a friend, staff members yelled “6 feet, social distancing, we’re required to give space, etc” to people standing in line. Simple “X” marks on the floor and polite conversations about this matter would go a lot farther. No one is listening nor do we want to with this approach. I watched 3 groups leave after hearing a staff member yell about this matter. Also, why are all of the lids, straws, sugars, etc up for grabs by anyone and everyone. These items should be behind the bar. I watched multiple people put back lids they had already touched, touched multiple straws, and also a staff member touching all of the lids when putting new ones out. We’re all doing the best we can and kindness goes a long way.
Trendy but comfortable. Plenty of seating inside and outside.
Quaint little shop with a huge menu. First time visit, paid way more than I should have but the ambience and quiet atmosphere made it worth it. Lots of seating indoors so tons of students, couples and friends gathering for a quick bite or drinks. We had an assortment of drinks - fruit slushy, coffee, juice plus an egg and potatoes dish. The slushy kept my interest it was sweet and tangy so I never tired of the taste. I would go again (as a couple) for a nice coffee or muffin if I was in the downtown area but would not bring the family again.
My favorite coffee shop in Norfolk. Cafe Stella has everything you could possibly look for: a beautiful interior, spacious outdoor seating area, delicious coffee, and a wide variety of food and drink choices. This is my go-to, and I plan on driving from Chesapeake to here often.
Caffeine junkie like me? Gotta visit Stellas!!!
Great atmosphere and coffee. They self roast all their beans and have plenty of space in this post covid-19 world. That also have a decent selection of adult beverages and a full menu.
Cafe Stella is my favorite spot to visit in Norfolk! The staff is always so friendly and makes beautiful beverages, and the food is perfect every time. The vibe is my favorite part, perfect for lounging with friends or getting work done. Its a beautiful place to be!
When I called the restaurant about an incorrect order, she advised me that there was no way I could have ordered from her. I placed an order through GrubHub, and she advised she did not use GrubHub. Instead of allowing a screenshot of my order, she decided to stay on the phone and argue with me. This went on for thirty minutes. Just not a good look.
Truly a hidden gem to most people, but when you walk in and see everyone there, it is no wonder that there are so popular. They dont just serve coffee, but 5 star meals, craft beers, and foreign wines that arent available at local stores; even wine stores!! Support this local business and I promise you wont regret it.
Fix your lemonade it tastes like crystal light......lemons and sugar it would be great with water
Lovely ambience and outside seating as well that you can enjoy on a nice weather day.
The staff, coffee, and food are all excellent. However, the owner is so clearly abusive to the staff that I dont feel comfortable supporting this business anymore. Yall should unionize.
I love patronizing locally owned shops and this one did not disappoint! Stopped in one late evening after a show and ordered the chicken salad sandwich.They were in the process of closing and the young lady was kind enough to make me a sandwich. I returned the next day and ordered a Apricot scone, coffee and met the owner Ms Stella. That apricot scone was delicious!!! And homemade by Ms Stella 💕👍👍
Its a nice place to sit and have coffee with a friend, they do sell food which is pretty decent, and their staff is very friendly.
I liked the vibe of this place and the open space/seating. The decor was cool too. Their coffee wasn’t the best though. I got a drip and it tasted burnt and like it was left in the cambro too long.
This is my absolute favorite coffee shop. I went in the grab some tiramisu the other day and the owner gave myself and my sister some espresso on the house to try with it. It was absolutely delicious melt in your mouth tiramisu and the espresso made it that much better!!
After my experience at Coalescence (also in Ghent) this place just doesnt compare. However, its not bad. Unlike other choice shops, they also have food and alcohol.There were comfy couches there and several were on laptops so I imagine they have Wi-Fi.
Delicious food, eclectic atmosphere, helpful staff.
I would give this place 5 stars, but the ladies that took my order did not seem pleased that I was there even though they did not seem busy and it was the middle of the day (11:45 am). Overall a good experience though. Also, do not go here if you are in a hurry.Edit: Ive gone back a few times now and Im going to chalk it up to a bad day. Cheaper than Starbucks and thrice the quality. Highly recommend.