user
The Lab by Alchemy Coffee
814 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23220, United States
Appearance
The Lab by Alchemy Coffee
Comments
Au
Review №1

Great coffee/espresso with tons of brew options. They sell a variety of beans and other coffee goods as well. Relaxed atmosphere!

Je
Review №2

Loved the place ❤ and the service. Great crew and great place to work, have a sip and good conversation. Totally recommended

M
Review №3

Cute college coffee shop. The vibe was good. The cortado coffee was ok a bit too bitter. Loved the book selections

Au
Review №4

If youve visited the South of the James Saturday market, you may recognize Alchemy Coffee from their mobile trailer. Its how they stated in 2012. They then set up a brick and mortar shop along West Broad Street in Carver. Heres why you should go:1) Vibes: Its a fun, small shop in a cool area close to other businesses and galleries. The space is allowing limited indoor seating as of May 1, 2021. Theres a bathroom in the back.2) Coffee: They have a full coffee menu that includes drip coffee, espresso, etc. I opted for a vanilla latte and it did not disappoint. It was very smooth. They also make tea for non-coffee lovers.If you like good coffee, stop by this shop!

Mo
Review №5

Delicious coffee sourced from Richmond roasters. Yay for oat milk. The Baristas are super friendly. Emma is the best!

Pe
Review №6

I have never had anything other than an excellent cup of coffee or a pleasant interaction with the staff. Wish it were a block off of broad so the outdoor seating was quieter, but love that my neighborhood coffeeshop is this high quality.

To
Review №7

Really great mocha! The espresso was perfect, not burned, and super happy-about-coffee staff. Deffo recommend!

Se
Review №8

I had the best latte I have ever had here 2/14/21. Whatever espresso they use is fantastic!

Ma
Review №9

Wonderful place to grab some coffee and snacks. The staff is really friendly and awesome! Alchemy manages to be upscale, welcoming and a little cozy at the same time. The coffee is delicious. Definitely a place that you wish you had in your area.

gu
Review №10

Atmosphere is wonderful. Employees were both very kind and polite. The cafe itself is very clean and tidy and I always find new things to look at! The caramel latte was amazing! A really great treat to come by and visit.

St
Review №11

Great little coffee place with a good ambiance. Tasty coffee!

Za
Review №12

Went in on 5/31 and had some of the best espresso of my life and a juicy iced coffee to finish.. thank you to the kind barista for those great recommendations

La
Review №13

Love getting this coffee at the shop or at the Farmer’s market.

Ro
Review №14

Truly exceptional coffee. Their roast from Small Planes yielded a velvety, even espresso with an incredible bouquet. The shop was immaculate, beautifully designed, and overall inviting. I cannot wait to enjoy more from their menu!

My
Review №15

This is a super chill coffee shop with nice strong coffee, added bonus. There is only one power strip which is along the wall, so you are lucky enough to grab one of the tables close to it youre golden. Its perfect for remote workers like me. Perfectly situated on W. Broad St with plenty of places to grab a bite to eat when youre done .

Ji
Review №16

Amazing people prices and in the words of agent Dale Cooper thats a damn fine cup of coffee

Br
Review №17

The dirty chai was very tasty, but there were so many spices that hadnt been filtered out that I felt like I was chewing my drink. Other than that, its a lovely little place.

Ab
Review №18

Chill atmosphere, great baristas, nice options of coffee brewing methods. Very accommodating :) support this place!!

Sa
Review №19

Delicious Mocha. Coffee is delicious and made well. Staff is very friendly and helpful. The atmosphere is fairly talkative and chatty. The decorations all help the lab atmosphere. Dessert looked delicious will be trying another time. Good place for a coffee and doing some work.

Co
Review №20

My boyfriend and I got cold press lattes that were fantastic. The flavors are kind of limited (vanilla, caramel, and mocha) but thats not too big of a drawback in my opinion. The shop itself is modern & minimalistic, and the service was great. We will definitely be back!

Do
Review №21

Amazing coffee experience, friendly and knowledgeable people. When a barista starts talking to me about TDS ratios, I know Im in the right place. The Lab gets a visit from me every time I come to Richmond. Great to see they are now paying employees $15/hr.

Jo
Review №22

I’m happy that the employees are making $15/hr and that tips aren’t expected, but I wish I still had the option to give an additional tip to support the staff! Please allow optional tips on top of the new wage. P.S. Great coffee!

Al
Review №23

Delicious iced dirty chai and provided local recs on where to go in the area.

Id
Review №24

Somehow they keep the coffee affordable (and good) while paying the staff $15/h.

Ma
Review №25

Friendly, knowledgeable service. The coffees change monthly.

By
Review №26

This place is simply the best and so is the service.

Ro
Review №27

A real coffee shop! Kinda noisy but goes with the crowd

Ha
Review №28

My girlfriend and I meet up here all the time and we’ve had amazing drinks and excellent food. They have perfect espresso machines.My only thing is (as a barista) I would like to see a little more friendliness from all of the baristas.Don’t get me wrong I know those shifts where you just aren’t in a great mood, (I know from working in Dc) and the customers no matter how nice they are, get to you.But part of being a barista is being super friendly and outgoing and being able to have conversations with them.I’ve only ever had one experience here where the barista didn’t seem super talkative but honestly that’s ok I get that and I hope they feel better more often :)

Dj
Review №29

Noah and Tyler went above and beyond today and gave me an outstanding experience. Alchemy has an excellent taste in employing top quality VCU students who are truly passionate about making coffee.A previous employee of yours Ryan, sold me on the Yama tower a few years ago and I have never turned back.I appreciate all that Alchemy stands for and am excited to return every Sunday to get my Yama fill.With gratitude,Ryan Bowman

An
Review №30

On the broad street, nice silent place and good service. A good place to sit relax or work. Options of munchies and snacks are good.

We
Review №31

My favorite coffee shop near VCU.

Je
Review №32

Best coffee, awesome staff, and the most hilarious tip jars Ive ever seen ^_^

Tr
Review №33

Very fresh to see such enthusiasm and knowledge beyond the bean itself. Tasty treat.

Ky
Review №34

My americano was delicious. Good rich espresso and two friendly lady baristas made for a great experience. The laboratory based theme is super awesome as well and the space is open and welcoming. You can either sit at the bar while your coffee is made, it at a large shared table facing the street or against the wall at individual tables. I’ll definitely be back!

Mo
Review №35

Perfect expresso. There is a great selection of craft coffee and tasty treats. Online ordering was very easy.

Sh
Review №36

The cortado and cappuccino were delicious.

Fr
Review №37

Crazy good coffee, service and atmosphere. Bought drinks, a bag of coffee and will be visiting anytime Im back through Richmond. Their homemade chai is also spicy and delicious.

Gr
Review №38

Beautiful space, well designed menu. And I’m Not too picky about my coffee but they definitely serve a quality cup

Ka
Review №39

Delicious coffee. Very rich! Well worth it!

An
Review №40

Awesome little coffee shop, staff was very kind and knowledgeable, not to mention how tasty the coffee is. Thanks Tyler!!

Ce
Review №41

The shakelator is the best thing Ive ever tasted. Hooked!

Da
Review №42

Im a little curious about all these Google reviews calling this coffee shop standard, or calling the prices steep.You have a barista who obviously cares about his craft, a good grinder, a great La Marzocco machine, locally or lovingly roasted coffee, and everything very well executed.. Reviewers really REALLY need to be more responsible in their reviews of places..These arent corporately run places trying to reach their every cravass of America. These are small businesses trying to expand the minds and share their love with locals.This coffee shop is very simple. The cortado was beautiful and it was served alongside a splash of bubbly water. I didnt get a muffin or any other treat, but they looked decent.When I was leaving I got a vanilla latte (8oz)and Im very happy to say it was 100% perfectly sweet. I hate overly sweetened drinks. Im not sure if they make the syrups there, but if they dont I couldnt tell.Anyway, when Im back in Richmond, Ill go back. It was anything but standard.

Le
Review №43

Great cold press latte. Friendly staff made the recommendation. Glad we took the time to find a non-chain.

Ro
Review №44

The best expresso Ive had probably ever. Employee was a delight and kept good conversation, while making my expresso to a T better than the homies who know me. I would come back to Richmond just to have this cup grace my lovely life another day

Da
Review №45

Delicious coffee and pastries. The staff is always very friendly.

Su
Review №46

Perfect coffee. Friendly staff. Beautiful decor. Real.

BR
Review №47

Always a great experience

R
Review №48

I had a brother come into town and he asked me to go back here. Prices are appropriate for the quality.

Gr
Review №49

Very warm atmosphere. Walked into what seemed to be many groups and individuals needing to get some Sunday work completed. All were able to share the space and be respectful. I always appreciate that.

Ta
Review №50

This was a decent coffee shop! I like the him please there are really nice the coffee shop is super clean and decorated pretty cool! They said they were gonna start offering different sweeteners and things like that so I look forward to coming back when they have more of those things

Ar
Review №51

Excellent cold brew

Wi
Review №52

Great place to grab a cup of sophisticated or unsophisticated coffee. Nice people, nice pastries, great coffee. Fancy without seeming pretentious, tough to find in the >$5 cup of coffee. Worthy of a stop if you’re ever in need of fuel while in Richmond.

Wa
Review №53

Always a solid cup of coffee regardless of how it’s made. The coffee quality is top-notch, so it may not be the place for anyone looking for a cup of diner coffee. The staff is always very knowledgeable and eager to help you choose a variety that meets your preferences. The only drawback is that some of the staff have been aloof, making the counter a bit uninviting at times.

My
Review №54

Cute and nice plus amazing coffee. A win all around.

Ty
Review №55

Stopped by while in town for business. The latte I had was excellent. Staff was friendly and very knowledgeable. By chance, they were doing a cupping of some different beans from a company - Little Amp roasters - using various brewing methods. Very cool to compare the results. Im assuming the guy doing the demonstration was the owner (?) - you could tell he loved what he did and enjoyed educating people on all aspects of coffee. Strong work, guys!

Er
Review №56

Really clean and modern/minimal space. Coffee was good. My husband loved his single origin espresso shots. I ordered an iced vanilla latte, but Im pretty sure I got a cold brew latte with vanilla.it was still good, but if I had wanted cold brew I would have ordered it black. Would definitely stop again when in the area.

Sy
Review №57

Alchemy has become one of my favorite places to get a cup of coffee and unwind. Their dirty chai is unmatched, and everyone is very kind. They definitely cater to more experienced coffee drinkers, but are more than willing to explain each kind.

Mr
Review №58

Lovely place! I meet my niece here frequently for tea or coffee. Very nice and courteous staff and great selection!

Em
Review №59

If youre a first-timer, the prices may seem a bit steep for a cup of coffee. But if you are serious at all about coffee, youll notice how serious this place is about coffee, too. I HIGHLY suggest that you sit at the bar on your first visit, just so you can see the pretty, scientific, crazy glassware they use to make the prefect cup of coffee each time.I never really got into the perfect process for brewing coffee until I came to this place - Starbucks is nothing compared to Alchemy!Clean, usually quiet place to hang out or study. Always something to appreciate from the coffee novice to the expert. Apparently, the staff goes through rigorous training for weeks to learn the craft of brewing, so they really know their stuff here!

Ga
Review №60

Always a solid cup of coffee regardless of how it’s made. The coffee quality is top-notch, so it may not be the place for anyone looking for a cup of diner coffee. The staff is always very knowledgeable and eager to help you choose a variety that meets your preferences. The only drawback is that some of the staff have been aloof, making the counter a bit uninviting at times.

TI
Review №61

Very good coffee,

Me
Review №62

The taste of this coffee just isn’t for me. It has a sour taste that I find a bit too much. I’ve tried it multiple times and each time leave a little disappointed considering the price of the latte.

Ar
Review №63

A fairly warm and inviting stop for expertly made beverages. Loved their chai and observed the barista cheerfully helping folk figure out exactly what they wanted. Not as cozy as I prefer but a great modern spot for students! Can’t wait to go back!

es
Review №64

This was my 1st experience at this coffee shop, the owner actually came to my business class at VCU and talked about his coffee shop and how different and exceptional it was. Of course being a student I definitely had to try this place out. Im giving it two stars because while the ambiance was great I was very dissatisfied with my visit here. I got a double espresso and I always add cream. This coffee shop prides themself on not serving cream, only whole milk to their customers. Completely changed the flavor profile and my espresso was acidic and not robust and smoky which the cream aids in. I find it odd how at the coffee bar I couldnt even have the option to add a cream. I understand the point of this coffee shop is to bring Portland style coffee to rva, but at the end of the day everyone likes their coffee different. Not having the option to customize my espresso at the bar just ruined my experience.

Ky
Review №65

Easily one of the best coffee shops in Richmond. I rarely order espresso or a pour over coffee anywhere else in the city because it just wont compare. They have a variety of coffees to choose from with different flavor profiles and also frequently rotate different coffees from different roasters from around the country so youll never get bored of having the same cup. The baristas also know what they are doing and you can tell theyve spent countless hours perfecting and dialing in every coffee they serve.

He
Review №66

Well thought out coffee lab serving brews from a rotating group of roasteries. This is a smaller shop with a warm quiet atmosphere.

To
Review №67

College town coffee shop

Sc
Review №68

Got an espresso from the mobile trailer, it was the most sour espresso I’d ever tried to drink. Got someone else to try as well and they agreed. Ended up in the trash. The wife said her coffee was decent.

Ch
Review №69

These folks make amazing coffee and really pretty crafted espresso drinks. The baked goods are great too. Space is modern and airy but the giant south facing glass also makes it a bit glary in the winter time so I wear my sunglasses inside sometimes. This place fits in well with the Richmond steampunk vibe, I wish I was cool enough to be considered a regular!

Co
Review №70

Excellent selection of brewing methods and single origin beans, third wave done right. I had a Geisha v60 and an Ethiopian japanese ice brewed.

Lo
Review №71

Great coffee and friendly service! Loved my experience here!

De
Review №72

Best coffee Ive had since leaving Seattle in 2015. I live in the DC area and Ive been dying for DECENT coffee. This is so good it was worth the drive to Richmond. If my first cup at 1pm hadnt been a triple, Id have had a second. Now I have to find another excuse to drive down.If you live in Richmond, why arent you there?

Ri
Review №73

This place is one of my favorite coffee shops in Richmond, VA.They really live up to the alchemy name by brewing coffee with a measured blend of ice or water to the quantity of coffee grounds used to brew it. There are several interesting contraptions in the store that are used to make coffee and the people working there have no problem taking time out to explain to you what they do so you can make an informed purchase.In addition they rotate out different types of coffee and have good explanations of where they come from and what flavors the coffee invokes, similar to reading wine tasting notes. I have yet to try a coffee here that tastes burned like the ones I get from most chain coffee shops. They have the usual accoutrements there if you need to sweeten or add cream to your drink.The staff is friendly and the shop is spacious and clean. Parking around the shop is metered but if you are on or near the VCU campus it is walkable.

Ro
Review №74

Wonderful coffee!! Tried the chocolate cookie, it was not that good (rather dry) but would try other things instead. Space is nice and the workers are friendly. Suggestion: Have a cup discount for folks that bring in their own cups/tumblers. Also give a discount on refills. Coffee was so good that I went ahead and paid for it.

Se
Review №75

*update....Thanks for the response! LOVE seeing owners/managers getting involved with reviews! Best to your business and as I mentioned, Id have no issues recommending you guys to anyone!My husband and I were so excited to try Alchemy that we went out of our way to go there. Alas, when we got there and went to order a decaf cafe au pair, the very nice girl behind the counter said that they dont offer decaf, that they are purists. We were disappointed because we really wanted to try it, but the girl was so nice and the place looked clean and quaint! Obviously we wont be back because we only drink decaf.......But Id be fine recommending it to someone who can tolerate caffeine.

Wi
Review №76

Since their first foray into the Richmond market as a food cart at VCUs Monroe Park Campus, I have been blown away by the flavor and variety of Alchemys espresso, as well as their exceptional customer service. They have maintained that level of dedication to their craft as a brick-and-mortar and Im glad I stopped in at the Lab to cool off with an iced latte. Alchemy Coffee is an asset to the Richmond community.

Bl
Review №77

Good coffee and chill atmosphere. Cool to see that they rotate regularly through small roasters from around the country.

Li
Review №78

Love the coffee. Great service!College vibe coffee shop with lots of college students who frequent this spot. Plenty of seating here with free WiFi if you need to get some work done. Would not be my first pick for a business meeting.

Tr
Review №79

Very easy to get to if you are traveling through the area on 95. Friendly staff. Had a cappuccino that was excellent.

Ch
Review №80

Very interesting store front. Unique offerings. Big disappointment ... No half and half for the latte.

Ti
Review №81

Fantastic coffee and excellent service. Stopped in on a drive back from North Carolina after missing it on the way down and wasnt disappointed. The coffee reminded me of Square One Coffee in Lancaster, PA (one of the highest compliments I could give). Got an americano which had some bright citrusy notes and a moderate bitterness. Had a bacon and cheese scone which was also quite delicious.

St
Review №82

Really great coffee, very polite staff. 10/10 quaint would quaint again.

r
Review №83

The coffee is really tasty, the atmosphere is very chill, the staff is very friendly. I highly recommend the visit.

Wi
Review №84

Omg this place is so amazing!! It has the best latte Ive ever had in my whole life! I highly recommend this place! Its LGBTQ friendly and the people who work here are amazing! Always very friendly

Ma
Review №85

My sisters and I work at a coffee shop called Zekes in Va beach. We came to Richmond to run some errands and stopped by this shop. The Batista was very nice, and made a great cup of coffee. If I ever end back in Richmond I will defiantly stop in again :)

Ab
Review №86

Came with my sisters from VB. Having worked at a coffee shop forever now, I can definitely say this place was great. Worth the hype! Cold press latte was refreshing on this hot summer day.

Ei
Review №87

My sister and I were visiting Richmond and were in the mood for coffee. We stopped in the Lab which is located within one VCUs buildings. Its a cozy coffee shop, clean and modernly decorated. The focus is on coffee and the baristas are knowledgable on the subject.

Fa
Review №88

My coffee was so good I couldnt help but want to hug the barista who made it for me. Great place. Great coffee and they know their aromas and tastes!

Am
Review №89

Best coffee in Richmond! Get a cappuccino, as this is one of the few places that does a proper cappuccino. The shop also has great atmosphere for relaxing and chatting with friends.

Jo
Review №90

Really Peak Flavor Coffee, solid baked goods, good service. If you are into good coffee - oh also people-watching - picture window looking out on broad Street.

Rh
Review №91

My husband and I are serious coffee lovers from the west coast and we are very serious Portland, Oregon coffee lovers so we decided to try this place after they said theyre from Portland and take pride in their coffees.This had to be one of the absolute worst lattes and mochas weve ever had in 20 years. The drinks were a watery, flavorless mess and Ive had better in convenience stores. I wouldve given this place negative 10 stars if I could. They should be ashamed of themselves.

Al
Review №92

Possibly the best coffee in the entire region. Super cool atmosphere and décor. Could do without the snooty attitude, not all of us are coffee experts.

Sa
Review №93

The coffee, as expected, was phenomenal and the food was amazing. I had the broccoli, cheese and egg biscuit - the biscuit is amazingly crunchy on the outside ams soft on the inside, and the egg was cooked to perfection - slightly runny but not overly so and well complimented by the crunch of the biscuit and broccoli. Great music selection and overall good vibes plus courteous ams prompt service.

Hu
Review №94

Surprisingly creative and good coffee. Knowledgeable employees. Loved it

Me
Review №95

Delicious cold brew and pastries.

Da
Review №96

Best cup of coffee we found while in Richmond. Helpful and pleasant staff. Fun to people watch from the front window.

Je
Review №97

Coffee was disgusting, generic sterile aesthetic, employees at the time seemed out of it. But honestly some of the worst coffee I have ever tasted.

Ka
Review №98

Coffee is amazing here, would give 5 stars if there was a vegan treat offering of some sort

Ad
Review №99

Every visit is always amazing. Love the rotating coffee.

Or
Review №100

Don’t listen all bad reviews! This is my favourite place in richmond to get coffee. number 2 might be lamplighter. all the baristas are so positive and ive travelled all over the world drinking coffee. Japan, Peru, Ethipoia, hong kong, UAE, etc. % Arabica is quality but alchemy does the trick for the USA. Richmond will be my home for now with a good coffee spot. LOVE it! 5/5 stars, if they had 6 as an option i would choose that. will be contacting google very shortly for that. If you are in Richmond GO HERE and request coffee. had a cute manager named eddie, if you’re lucky he will help you out.

Information
100 Photos
100 Comments
4.6 Rating
  • Address:814 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23220, United States
  • Site:http://alchemycoffeerva.com/
  • Phone:+1 804-608-9873
Categories
  • Coffee shop
Working hours
  • Monday:7AM–6PM
  • Tuesday:7AM–6PM
  • Wednesday:8AM–1PM
  • Thursday:7AM–6PM
  • Friday:8AM–6PM
  • Saturday:8AM–6PM
  • Sunday:7AM–6PM
Service options
  • Outdoor seating:Yes
  • Takeout:Yes
  • Delivery:No
  • Dine-in:No
Highlights
  • Fast service:Yes
  • Great coffee:Yes
  • Great tea selection:Yes
Popular for
  • Solo dining:Yes
  • Good for working on laptop:Yes
Accessibility
  • Wheelchair accessible entrance:Yes
Offerings
  • Coffee:Yes
  • Quick bite:Yes
Dining options
  • Breakfast:Yes
  • Dessert:Yes
  • Seating:Yes
Amenities
  • Restroom:Yes
Atmosphere
  • Casual:Yes
  • Cozy:Yes
Crowd
  • College students:Yes
  • Groups:Yes
  • Tourists:Yes
Planning
  • LGBTQ friendly:Yes
Payments
  • Debit cards:Yes
  • NFC mobile payments:Yes
Similar organizations
  • Grit Coffee, Richmond409 Libbie Ave, Richmond, VA 23226, United States
  • Wawa5231 Brook Rd, Richmond, VA 23227, United States
  • Whisk2100 E Main St, Richmond, VA 23223, United States
  • Starbucks7770 W Grand Pkwy S suite a, Richmond, TX 77406, United States
  • Circle K1000 Amberly Way, Richmond, KY 40475, United States
  • Wawa3100 N Arthur Ashe Blvd, Richmond, VA 23230, United States