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Cafe Hey
1540 N Franklin St, Tampa, FL 33602, United States
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Cafe Hey
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Da
Review №1

I had a good experience here. I visited twice for breakfast. I was happy to find vegan options for breakfast earlier than most places. Their coffee is of excellent quality as well (see below). I hope, over time, they can build up their vegan menu; I think theyre working on it from what the owner told me.I will go back when Im in the area. One thing I couldnt place, something about the vibe of both the place and the people working there, was off. I would like to see more sustainable packaging! They are using one of the worst plastics you can use in terms of sustainability (ps6). Yet, I should say they were helpful and patient with my questions and food orders.The pumpkin spice latte and Vietnamese coffee were high-quality drinks. The food also was tasty. The prices were reasonable too.

Sa
Review №2

Cafe Hey is quaint and quiet. They have good vegan options and wonderful coffee and tea varieties. VLT and the Vegan breakfast sandwich are amazing and full of flavor.Coming back here again for sure.

An
Review №3

Found out about this place after googling “best coffee shops in Tampa” and boy was it accurate. I have not tried their food items but the coffee and tea options are simply delicious. I ordered the iced chai latte and honestly it’s the best I’ve tasted. This place is a hidden gem and definitely worth checking out.

Ma
Review №4

Best local coffee shop in Tampa! Their iced chai latte is incredible. Definitely try ordering the avocado toast on their local, fresh gluten-free bread! The owner is so friendly and the Cafe specialists begin remembering your order after only a couple visits. They make you feel very welcome. The local art is really phenomenal as well!

Je
Review №5

I used to love this place, but now that you open at 10 am I haven’t been able to get a coffee in 2 years plus. Incredibly strange hours for a coffee shop to open at 10 am.

Ja
Review №6

They have vegan options, wifi and the staff is very kind, patient and helpful. Its also easy to find parking!

Pr
Review №7

Very friendly staff... The food was simply great.. and I loved the vibe.

An
Review №8

Fresh, Healthy but mostly delicious! I always stop here when Im in the area. Im vegan and they have plenty of delicious choices. I recommend the VLT, a vegan BLT on the freshest Cuban bread ever. Photo and menu attached.

Da
Review №9

This place is great! They offer breakfast everyday and vegan breakfast options with it! And a full coffee bar. A MUST TRY if you are into nice little Cafes with amazing food! Prices are great too!!

Kr
Review №10

Came here today with my wife. She got the caucasian coffee (white chocolate mocha) and the avocado toast. Oh my it was delicious!! Im not a big fan of avocado toast but I took one bite of her food and wanted more!!! Very cute, small, cool place. We will definitely be back!

Ib
Review №11

Excellent and solid vibe. Quality coffee and some variety in the menu.Cute little bar in the hallway

al
Review №12

Went here for the first time a few days ago for brunch with a friend and have been back each day since! Its proximity to the University of Tampa makes it great so that when college kids get sick of campus food, they can come here and expect high quality breakfast and coffee, and at an extremely affordable price. This is one of the few local coffee shops in Tampa that dont charge an arm and a leg for a tiny coffee - portions here are great for the price! Ive had the breakfast burrito, avocado toast, and Cuban toast and they have all been amazing. As for coffee, Ive tried 2 lattes (my favorite is the Gorilla Hug) and the vietnamese iced coffee, which I think is my favorite coffee there overall.

Ma
Review №13

The staff seems clueless, not aware of real meat options. Very slow service.

El
Review №14

They’re very nice and serve delicious coffee! Whenever I’m in this area, or within a decently commutable distance, I stop by.

Ni
Review №15

Stopped by for some breakfast on our way through Tampa. Very lovely kind staff. The vegan and gluten free options were very welcoming. We both have the V.L.T. and it was delicious. The Cafe Hey was a great experience and Id highly recommend dropping by to support this business.

Ch
Review №16

The food was wonderful!! & VEGAN!!Service was FANTASTIC!!We will be back soon!!!!

Si
Review №17

I love the food but it takes a while to get it. Interior seems a bit bland.

Ca
Review №18

Where the locals go! Great community space for creators of all kinds - weekly open mic, drawing night, always local art on the walls, etc. Always good sandwiches, lunch sides, beer and coffee offerings with no frills.LOVE the unique Mi Cubano sandwich!

Ed
Review №19

I could understand why this coffee shop wouldn’t be for everyone. However, after initial hesitation, I fit right in. Our barista was friendly & funny, I really loved her and her sense of humor . Seems like the whole staff is super chill.Shop is nice & unique but at the same time off-putting . Their is a lot of space and tables to eat at which I liked. I also appreciated the bookshelf they had, and the many local art paintings.Ordered the caramel iced latte I was suggested and I’m so glad I did, it was delicious and actually comparable if not better than other caramel iced lattes I’ve had. I really enjoyed it. Their bakery items are also delicious . I ate the chocolate pb cookie & the white chocolate rasberry muffin.. both were yummy. The barista told me they always have new bakery items which is nice. My cousins also ordered a vegan bacon egg sandwhich and it was pretty good and flavorful.Would I come back? Yes.P.S many vegan & vegetarian options. Also, open mic every Thursday 7-9pm.

Jo
Review №20

The food and coffee were just ok. Prices are good. And it is ecletic even for a coffee shop. For example the bodega style deli display case had white wine on top and condiments on the bottom, like a big tub of Frenchs mustard. Combine that with ample seating in a relatively small space and games and books. Overall the vibe worked for me though. It seemed like a decent hangout. I liked the staff. And the neighborhood has other interesting places.

Ly
Review №21

I wasnt sure of how to rate Cafe Hey anymore and its sad because they would have 10 stars had things not changed.My kids, husband, mom and I STILL crave their crispy salad, fresh cuban bread, vegan mayo and my goodness one of the young ladies created this vegan cold pasta that was to die for with a press ham & cheese (Im a meat eater but but good vegan food trumps meat).The sudden change is the reason for a 3 rating instead of 5. Before the closure we received romaine not iceberg, the vegetables were so fresh one would assume they woke early to visit a farm before preparing for the day...the pasta wasnt the same and the meat on the sandwiches is of a lesser quality. We ate there almost twice a week....at least once and thats no exaggeration. After they closed for a while and reopened, things werent the same. I wish they had not changed, there was no restaurant better in the downtown area.I SHOULD ADD THAT I HAVE NOT RETURNED AFTER A FEW VISITS AFTER REOPENING.....I would say give it a try if things went back as they were you will LOVE IT. If not, you will say that its good but not worth the hype.

Ma
Review №22

Food took over an hour and staff was very rude and inattentive. Doesn’t look like the cleanliness place but was visiting the area so I settled for this place. Wouldn’t eat here again and actually had to request a refund which was a true hassle. I like trying new things but due to the shorter lady handling the front attitude I wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone. The food doesn’t seem so “vegan” anyway being that they used real cheese on my burrito. Long story short eat somewhere else!

Ad
Review №23

This is my favorite coffee spot in tampa. I love the atmosphere and the rebel rebel sandwich and peanut butter cookies have my heart.

St
Review №24

My friend and I went to your cafeteria Last Monday morning. I was very happy because the staff greeted me politely. I also observed that the food was very delicious. I really love to come back there soon. I am writing this review because I want you to be known by many. Thank you so much for your kindness!

Pa
Review №25

Love this Tampa Heights cafe. Great service delicious food and just a real laid-back atmosphere

Sa
Review №26

Such a delightfully chill place. Delicious vegan options. One of Tampa faves.

ar
Review №27

Came here today with my wife. She got the caucasian coffee (white chocolate mocha) and the avocado toast. Oh my it was delicious!! Im not a big fan of avocado toast but I took one bite of her food and wanted more!!! Very cute, small, cool place. We will definitely be back!

Da
Review №28

Have not actually eaten here I did an Uber Eats pickup the people seem incredibly nice and from what I saw on the menu the prices are not bad for what youre getting

Sa
Review №29

Great coffee and cubans. Cute little shop. Not much seating, but its great food to go

Da
Review №30

Cafe Hey is amazing I really like the quality of their menu items. Very delicious and very fresh. They have affordable prices as well in the staff is always very polite and very helpful and very accommodating.

Za
Review №31

Man, I had their vegan breakfast burrito while I was visiting Tampa, it was FANTASTIC. Super great people and the prices were even better. Glad I decided to stop there for breakfast.

Ma
Review №32

The staff took over 40 mins to complete my order after telling me 15 mins with literally nobody in the restaurant. It wasn’t busy at all and when I loved in the back, one lady was eating and the other was talking. Once I got my food I found a hair in it and the staff acted like it was my fault and like I was annoying her. She was extremely rude and didn’t want to remake my food. This is my first and last time eating here. If I could rate this establishment -5 stars, I would.

No
Review №33

Bing bing bangbing bing bang and a boongand a bongada and a tingwit a ting tanggood burrito

Sh
Review №34

Small, quaint, limited parking. Fast carryout service. Nice employees.

La
Review №35

Wow . Its superb

Da
Review №36

Quaint small cafe with vegan and vegetarian options. If I lived in the area it would be a place I would go to frequently. Art hangs on the walls, people are lovely and food is fresh and tasty.

Bo
Review №37

Really great Cuban sandwiches. Fresh ground Cuban coffee and capocino are both excelent.

Ra
Review №38

So delicious and perfect vegetarian options! ❤️

In
Review №39

This place is on Franklin,next to the stop sign where the murals are. Really small and authentic place to hangout. We tried their Red hot Latte and it was amazing absolutely loved the ambiance.

Ol
Review №40

I have recently transitioned into becoming vegan and this place rocked my world! It definitely hits the breakfast cravings I’ve been missing, and dominates the vegan world!

Ka
Review №41

We got here and ordered 2 Cuban sandwiches (they let us know they were out of lettuce) and we waited over 45... Not busy..no wait (it was empty) and no notification on wait time.. . Very disappointed. We were expecting more based on reviews...if we had known we would wait over 45min for 2sandwiches we wouldve gone elsewhere but we paid upfront...

Lo
Review №42

Brilliant work !! Highly appreciated

Ka
Review №43

Their VLT tastes just like a real cuban sandwish. And the iced vanilla soy late was amazing!

Ru
Review №44

I found this gem about 5 years ago when I worked in downtown Tampa, and would frequent it often. Great eclectic food choices, many delicious vegan choices. Great vibe, friendly staff.

Ke
Review №45

What started off as 4 stars dropped to 3 and then 2 and then 1 as we waited a full 40 minutes (1:07-1:47) for a call-ahead order for iced coffee and avocado toast. We missed our arrival time to meet up with somebody for a gift exchange (they had to go to work) and wasted almost an hour the first day of the new year standing around waiting for toast. We would have left but we already paid. Nothing was offered for the wait. We will not be returning.

Mi
Review №46

Delicious sandwiches, and plenty of options for different dietary restrictions. Staff is super friendly!

Cr
Review №47

Chung runs a great restaurant Ive been going there for years

Ya
Review №48

Quality in the products. Very tasty!

Ca
Review №49

Five stars for this vegan/vegetarian place located in the up and coming Riverside Heights! Cafe Hey has been at this location for 11 years and I cant believe Ive never stopped here before. I do eat meat, and while they have carnivorous menu options I wanted to try a vegan item. I felt like it would be a really good representation of my true option and was curious to see if they could win me over with my meaty taste buds. WINNING.I actually found Cafe Hey while searching for places downtown that had bottomless mimosas since my friends and I were seeking brunch in the area on a recent Sunday. **Please note: they only have bottomless mimosas and a brunch menu on the LAST Sunday of each month! Any other day its $4 for a mimosa which is still reasonable. They also sell wine and beer if you want an adult beverage with your lunch. Their specialty is coffee and they have many hot & cold options. For my meal, I ordered the VLT (vegan BLT) in a wrap for $7 which was large and utterly filling! My friends had their sandwiches on cuban bread and both said it was really tasty as well. Everything on the menu was unique and sounded good to me. Prices are very reasonable with sandwiches between $6-$8 and coffee prices cheaper than Starbucks.The atmosphere is really cozy and quaint. The restaurant is very small with tables for 2 or 4. There are nice window seats as well if you want to kick back with a coffee and a book in a nook. They have books to borrow as well or if you want to come do some work they have free wifi. Parking can be a little rough on the weekend because they do not have their own lot and are connected to Oceanic Market which has its own tow zone lot. I parked down the street in Hidden Springs lot and got a beer there after my lunch to be fair. I will definitely be back to try some other items and plan to bring my vegan sister here to get her opinion as well. A really cool place to check out close to Hall on Franklin and Armature Works that is not as crazy crowded.

Ro
Review №50

Great cafe for breakfast or lunch. Superb hospitality. Great service. Will be back!!!!

Mo
Review №51

Coffee is good but the customer service is great

Ho
Review №52

The best corner coffee shop, local vibes, and art scene. The breakfast burrito is the best in town, but everything is fantastic.

To
Review №53

A friend of mine treated us to lunch. I chose the Rick Ross Cuban sandwich, my friend picked the Club Cuban. They were really good. Thank you!

No
Review №54

I LOVE this place. First of all, the COFFEE, the COFFEE is simply delicious!! Its SO smooth and theres no bitter taste that I sadly find at many other coffee spots.

To
Review №55

Hey Cafe Hey - visited today and was looking forward to my usual Festival Turkey. I understand you were closed for a bit for renovation and have been reopened approximately a month. What happened to the actual carved turkey and real shaved vintage cheddar cheese? My sandwich today was made with deli turkey and some sliced cheese - not the same at all. It was okay but not the same that kept me coming back. I hope things change back.

Ca
Review №56

We love the food at Cafe Hey, great vegan options, great tea and coffee. All round yummyness!

J
Review №57

Delicious food, really good price considering its downtown Tampa and I got a vegan BLT (or VLT as they call it). Even better was the excellent customer service, willingness to offer suggestions & assistance, and the way theyve made the most of their space. Ill definitely be going back!!!

An
Review №58

Delish Vegan food!

Co
Review №59

Very cozy atmosphere and nice place to sit and talk or read. Good coffee and well made. I got an iced chai latte, though, and it didnt really taste like it had any latte in it. I still liked it though.Also they closed at 4 which I find strange and didnt know so we accidentally stayed 10 minutes past.

Da
Review №60

Heyyyyyy! Cafe Hey is more than a coffee shop. Located on the outskirts of downtown Tampa, this eatery is a great for delicious food without worrying about the confusion with parking in the downtown area. Free parking is available along the street near the restaurant and behind the building where the restaurant is located. I recommend this place for small groups because it has options for both vegans and non-vegans. Food is prepared very fast here, which works out perfectly since there isnt much seating. I highly recommend their Sunday Brunch.

Ke
Review №61

I have been to cafe hey a couple of times now and have loved the food . I have usually had good customer service but today was a horrible experience. The lady that helped my husband and I was so RUDE and snippy to us. I have a food business myself and I try and always be understanding about things because I get it, sometimes people have bad days. But her attitude was just rude and unacceptable. I honestly think that because of this experience I won’t be back here. I hope that no one has to experience her working when they come here.

Ja
Review №62

I got a ham and swiss sandwich and it was delicious! Small cafe with an excellent selection. The staff was courteous and prompt. The food was fresh made and the mustard was awesome. I will make this a regular stop!

N
Review №63

Weve been twice now and the staff is always welcoming and friendly. The atmosphere is cozy and relaxing as well, with different local artists work regularly rotating on the walls. Ive gotten the A to Z sandwich each time and its been amazing! A great little place to stop by in Tampa Heights. Will definitely be visiting often.

Sy
Review №64

I love this place! Come here almost daily, not only do they have the best prices on the area but their coffee and food is top notch - almost as good as their phenomenal staff. Highly recommend the Vietnamese coffee and avocado toast/pressed cuban ❤️.

Review №65

Delicious drink to get your day going (craft teas, coffees), and the food soooo yummy. Great ambiance and service with the coolest of smiles. Also having outside seating for pet owners, is a plus!

Sa
Review №66

I absolutely love this place. Whenever my husband and I are in town we go there for their breakfast. Their vegan breakfast sandwich is AMAZING, the food is always hot and fresh & the staff is really friendly as well. I also recommend trying their vegan peanut butter & choc chip cookies! Such an artsy and lowkey spot. You wont be disappointed.

T
Review №67

Very cute place, love the VLT!

Na
Review №68

I love their vegan cookies and donuts. I just recently tried a rebel sandwich and it was sooo delicious. Usually turkey sandwiches can be pretty bland but they made taste so delicious. I can’t wait to try everything on their menu.

Me
Review №69

I love the local art scene they seem to support, and their chai latte and coffee are very nice! Very friendly staff as well, and just cool ambiance inside in general. Of COURSE, like every coffee shop in Tampa, they close way too early: 4 PM. The last time I went, I ordered a spicy latte and there was really almost 0 spice in it.

Br
Review №70

A trendy hipster style hangout just on the outskirts of downtown Tampa serving up vegan and vegetarian cuisine along with a great spin on the local favorite. They also have a great variety of salads and warm and cold sandwiches to compliment an expanse selection of unique coffees and lattes.

He
Review №71

I was hoping to get some coffee and breakfast this morning but I was super disappointed to find out you guys are no longer open on the weekends? Is there a specific reason? I love coming here on the weekends. I work in st pete so can never get here during the week ☹

Ma
Review №72

A small cheerful place with a few tables, brick lined walls with local artists works on the walls. A throwback to the 60s hipster era with great food, reasonably priced. Big on vegan but get a wonderful Cuban sandwich with a twist and youll never go back to the traditional.

Ja
Review №73

Fresh ingredients, simple recipes and BIG on flavor. Absolutely love this place and I’m never disappointed. Have to try their curry lentil soup when they have it. Everything’s made from scratch and you can tell!

ti
Review №74

Great array of food, good atmosphere. Always enjoy coming here. Havent had anything bad yet. House made ginger beer drinks are worth trying!

Ev
Review №75

By far the best vegan breakfast sandwich I’ve ever had! The employees are always friendly and the coffee is great too!

Ja
Review №76

Great place, wonderful staff!

Br
Review №77

Amazing vegan brunch! So many choices and wonderful mimosas as well. A downtown must go! Delicious!

Je
Review №78

Great little sandwich shop with an eclectic menu. The local art on the wall and the books/games on the shelves compliment the contemporary/hipster vibe and the food is good. Bread is fresh, ingredients are quality, and the offerings are creative. Dont come here looking for a chain restaurant or a fountain soda, but if you want a good sandwich from a local place this is the spot.

Me
Review №79

Great food and drinks in a warm atmosphere. The best thing here is the open mic on Thursdays! Always fun to watch and perform in and the hosts always do a great job.

Ka
Review №80

Cute little place. Had a tofu scramble breakfast burrito which was not on the menu. They were happy to make vegan food. Great cookies.

Li
Review №81

Small, hole-in-the-wall place in an old warehouse. Had a dingy appearance and the tables were crowded. Went there for the vegan menu. The vegan in our group wasnt impressed. I had a vegan waffle that tasted how it looked, flat. There are better tasting vegan waffle recipes online.

Ka
Review №82

Theres a coffee shop down the street the serves good espresso but not like cafe hey. They serve a legit Cuban style cafe con le he with condensed milk that ranks top two in Tampa. Plus, I love their sandwiches. Almost always served on Cuban bread, the sandwiches are super filling. Small coffee shop with an eclectic and charming feeling.

Kr
Review №83

They have some awesome vegan dishes. Cool place, laid back atmosphere while enjoying a local beer. The “not just for omnivores” brunch is all vegan a must go to. Get there early because theres is usually a line.

He
Review №84

Super cute

Ma
Review №85

One of my favorite places to eat in Tampa. The A-Z Sandwich is my good item, but they have a little bit of everything and the food is fresh, natural, or organic... and the coffees good too. This place is good for adults and babies in a carrier or kids that can sit an feed themselves. If you child needs a high chair you may want to order to go.

Cl
Review №86

I love this place. Its close to downtown and right on the interstate. The place is kind of small but the have seating inside and out. The food is great, I usually get the special of the day, which is completely random and give me the variety that I like in like.I recommend eating here, its way more than a coffee shop, and they even have events.

Da
Review №87

Loved it loved it! Super hipster, the sandwich are super good, the bread is so good, the Cuban coffee amazing and love the guys that work there, its located like out of nowhere and not nice outside, but dont let the appearance fool you, when you get in is super cute!

Ha
Review №88

Great place. Authentic Cuban coffee and great specially espressos/coffees. Really good food. (One of the coolest restrooms ever).

Gr
Review №89

Love their Cuban. Quiet quaint delicious. I always read a chapter from the free library. Blue sky soda yum.

Al
Review №90

This is the best place to get coffee in the Tampa Bay area. I love that they have almond and soy milk options for the lactose intolerant folks. The art is always interesting and the atmosphere is great for an intimate group of friends or to sit by yourself reading, studying, or relaxing. The VLT is amazing and almost all the pastry options are great. Ive never had anything from here that wasnt great.

El
Review №91

Good food along with comedy open mic Thurs 7p.

Ka
Review №92

The Rebel Rebel is the best sandwich Ive ever had in my entire life. I live in Palm Harbor, but routinely drive all the way out here for lunch. Its that good.

Ap
Review №93

An artsy joint, with lots of seating inside and out. My vegan friend and I (mostly vegan) went. I am in love! There arent many places that offer palatable food for the vegan, let alone delicious food! PLUS they buy locally! PLUS they are courteous! I already have plans to go back. YAY!

So
Review №94

This place is artsy and the food is delicious. They have awesome murals outside too. Vegetarian Cuban was delicious. They have an open mic night every week if you are so inclined.

La
Review №95

They were packed! Outside seating is first come, first serve, so we snagged a small 2 person table outside. We had our pup and felt very welcome. Our table was situated between the door and outside waiting area, so there was constant traffic by our table. Great service and food!

Ca
Review №96

Small hole in the wall, much better inside than outside. Worth a try.

Tr
Review №97

Had an incredible Rebel, Rebel sandwich. Always an excellent choice. Generous portion. #delicious

Te
Review №98

Having a great way to get coffees and other stuff.

St
Review №99

This place is fine, but Ive eaten here twice now while attending classes in the neighborhood, and they are sooo slow its unbelievable. Took them 30 minutes to make a sandwich, with maybe 2 or me other customers and they called it busy.

Al
Review №100

Cute little dive spot. Tasty food and delicious coffee drinks. Service was good and staff was nice. A little overpriced for the serving size- its a la carte so sandwiches are not served a side.

Information
100 Photos
100 Comments
4.6 Rating
  • Address:1540 N Franklin St, Tampa, FL 33602, United States
  • Site:http://cafehey.com/
  • Phone:+1 813-221-5150
Categories
  • Coffee shop
  • Cafe
  • Live music venue
  • Restaurant
  • Sandwich shop
Working hours
  • Monday:8:30AM–2PM
  • Tuesday:8:30AM–2PM
  • Wednesday:Closed
  • Thursday:8:30AM–2PM
  • Friday:10AM–3PM
  • Saturday:10AM–3PM
  • Sunday:8:30AM–2PM
Service options
  • Outdoor seating:Yes
  • Takeout:Yes
  • Delivery:No
  • Dine-in:No
Highlights
  • Fast service:Yes
  • Great beer selection:Yes
  • Great coffee:Yes
  • Great tea selection:Yes
  • Live music:Yes
Popular for
  • Breakfast:Yes
  • Lunch:Yes
  • Solo dining:Yes
  • Good for working on laptop:Yes
Accessibility
  • Wheelchair accessible entrance:Yes
Offerings
  • Alcohol:Yes
  • Beer:Yes
  • Coffee:Yes
  • Comfort food:Yes
  • Healthy options:Yes
  • Quick bite:Yes
  • Small plates:Yes
  • Vegetarian options:Yes
  • Wine:Yes
Dining options
  • Breakfast:Yes
  • Lunch:Yes
  • Catering:Yes
  • Dessert:Yes
  • Seating:Yes
Amenities
  • Bar onsite:Yes
  • Good for kids:Yes
  • High chairs:Yes
  • Restroom:Yes
  • Wi-Fi:Yes
Atmosphere
  • Casual:Yes
  • Cozy:Yes
Crowd
  • College students:Yes
Payments
  • NFC mobile payments:Yes
  • Credit cards:Yes
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