Joy Cafe

This place is super cute! And the food was delicious as well. I loved their hazelnut coffee drink (maybe a little too much given how many I had). I always thought it was cute when I’d walk by the place, and I’m so glad we came in the other day.

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.

Ordered 3 different varies of vegan donuts. Absolutely inedible, dry, chewy, and lacking flavor. They make for a cute photo though. The one pictured was left for the birds. As a side note I eat vegan routinely and have had fabulous vegan donuts so my disgust with these has nothing to do with them being vegan.

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. The pbj smoothie is fantastic.

I was in town from Ga for the Roots Picnic festival and found this gem by my Airbnb. The food was healthy and very delicious and the staff was awesome! Can't wait to go back!

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.

This place hit the spot. Was craving something healthy so I stopped in on a whim. It had a cute hippie vibe and we ordered 2 wraps and 2 smoothies. Somehow our total was $56 which was a little pricey for lunch, but when the food came out I immediately got over the price. The presentation was immaculate! The smoothie was so refreshing and the wrap was filling and I left feeling full but not stuffed in the best way. I will be back!

First time here today as I had a hankering for fresh crunchy healthy filling food…Came to the right spot! I got the veggie wrap and it was delicious. Simple as can be but bursting with flavor. Fresh, nicely presented, ample serving size. The back garden is a peaceful place to chill and enjoy a meal. Excited to come back and try everything 😌

How have I never reviewed this place before now? Yeah the food is fantastic and the owner is fantastic-er. To give you an idea of how I feel about Joy Cafe, I've just had dinner and a couple of beers... Should I go home? No. Yes I am full, but I'm not in this neighborhood often and I can't imagine the idea of leaving without stopping by Joy Cafe. Another example: My sister bought me a gift certificate to a nearby bar, that has vegan food. Of course I stopped by there to use the gift certificate ... But I also stopped by Joy Cafe to get some takeout so I can eat it at home. If you're in this area and you don't stop by Joy Cafe, Well, I don't want to be insulting, but you are doing life wrong! Okay. :-) Lighten up your heart and your day: get some yummy food prepared by some wonderful people - And have a better day!

This place is perfect for vegan comfort food! Every bite was delicious, and the smoothie portions were impressively generous. The atmosphere has such cool vibes, and the outside seating area adds a nice touch, making it a great spot to relax and enjoy a meal. I'll definitely be back!

I revisit Joy Cafe (which is the newest name/incarnation for Soy Cafe) whenever I'm in NoLibs. It always leaves me feeling incredibly healthy and happy. Soy/Joy Cafe is in my top two vegan restaurants in all of Philly. My favorite dish here is the ramen with BBQ seitan. The seitan is just so very tasty. Everything here, from the seitan, to the vegan cream cheese, is homemade. My husband gets the carrot lox sandwich which includes the housemade cream cheeze along with red onions, carrot lox, and more, on many choices of really excellent bread. Don't leave without getting a smoothie! I tend to get the Green Giant, but the Coco Loco is also really yummy. Eat in the back garden on a nice day!

I think their name is "JOY" Cafe and not "SOY" Cafe but the address seems to be right, I went there for a simple coffee but they had a brunch menu and inside the cafe they seems to have some thrift items as well, there was also a outdoor sitting at the back garden( it wasn't open at the time I went) it might be request only. It's a pretty cool cafe overall!

This is the best vegan restaurant I have been to anywhere in the world! For starters, the staff is very friendly. It is also really cute and homey in terms of atmosphere and decor. They even have an outside patio for dining alfresco, with plants and trees around. But what impresses me the most was great tasting food that was clearly made with love and is very healthy. Others add a bunch of fat and oil and salt to restaurant food to make it taste better but somehow Joy Cafe has been able to make great tasting food with very healthy ingredients! If you're looking for healthy delicious food in Philadelphia whether you're vegan or not Joy café is your answer! The wraps are out of this world and so are the pancakes. The ice cream dish is made of blended fruit but somehow tastes better than regular ice cream without all the added sugar and is the perfect cooler on a hot day. Don't miss the mac & cheese!

Love the breakfast menu. Good coffee and tea options for a lactose intolerant vegan like me.

Excellent coffee and donuts! I think it's cute and good marketing to change the name from Joy cafe to Soy cafe! Smart business owner. The entrees have a unique flavor profile that isn't exactly to my taste but the patrons love it! You can often hear people saying "WOW!" at the presentation and flavors of the meal. Peaceful vibes and perfectly located in Northern Liberties.

Great cup of coffee... I popped in to grab a cup of coffee for me and a matcha for my girlfriend and we were not disappointed. Will be back to try some of the pastries. Will check out there outdoor garden area when the weather gets warmer.

If you want a place to eat on the healthier side. I recommend soy Café. They have gluten free/vegan options The food is made to order. They also have a lot of delicious specialty drinks hot and cold. There is Wi-Fi in the café if you need to get some studying done

Great cup of coffee... I popped in to grab a cup of coffee for me and a matcha for my girlfriend and we were not disappointed. Will be back to try some of the pastries.

Im from Alabama and this place is so good!!!!!!! I got the dumpling soup and a smoothie and devoured both! Love the atmosphere here. So calming and cool. Food was quick and the people were nice :)

Guessing bagels aren't their specialty but not exaggerating may be the worst bagel I've ever had. I was sad eating it. They put almost no cream cheese on and the overall taste was meh. Smoothies are good tho.

We continued our vegan day out after blackbird pizzeria with coffee from soy. Ordered a specialty red velvet and a specialty mocha cha cha. Coffees were just warm and red velvet had nothing red velvety. Definitely not worth the steep price of $7+. Mocha cha cha was also pretty average. It was better than the red velvet though. I'll probably come back to try some of their sandwiches but their coffee is not something I'll be ordering again.

Our son has an egg allergy and with all of the amazing bakeries in the area it's a bummer that we can't usually pick from the cases of cookies/baked goods. Soy cafe is the best place to go look in the case at tasty treats our little guy can actually choose from. The choc chip and oatmeal cranberry cookies last weekend were HUGE and yummy enough for the non-vegan parents to eat as well. We've also tried their donuts and LOVED the cupcake pop-up you all had last year!

I have been wanting to try this place and finally got to yesterday because my typical smoothie place, Bimini, was closed already. I loved that they had outdoor seating out front! While entering I was shocked how big it was inside with lots of tables and a lot more options on the menu than I ever would have assumed. I noticed how vegan and vegetarian friendly they were- I am neither but wouldn't stop me from trying different options. I went with the coco loco smoothie and it was cheaper than the smoothie I normally get at Bimini by $2. I was pleasantly surprised that it was the same size if not bigger! It was delicious. My only complaint was the consistency a little bit down seemed to be very liquid- as in my picture. It was my first time having soy milk so I'm not sure If that was why?! I will be back to try more!

As a NON-vegan, I can say that their mac 'n cheese is delicious (and VEGAN!?!) In fact, most things I've tasted at Soy Café are delicious. You have to take in consideration that everything here is homemade and NEARLY everything is vegan. If you're a hearty carnivorous beast like me, I can highly recommend Soy as a chance to expand your taste buds for some earth-friendly, tasty dining. Prices are little on the higher side, as expected a super trendy, vegan-friendly destination. Their menu is very vast, so there are lots of options. I'm personally a huge fan of their smoothies - they are refreshing, freshly made, and insanely satiating. I can make a meal out of one of their heartier smoothies with peanut butter or bananas - om nom nom. I did give their vegan chocolate chip cookie a try, and I'd stray away. It was pretty crumbly and dry, so I'll probably just stick to my Tollhouse. The straws are paper, and are virtually unusable for the smoothies so BYO or go sans straw. I appreciate the thought though. Save those turtles, baby. Soy's space is very big! It's a great place to grab a seat for a chat or to read a good book. Everything is freshly made, so it's good for a quick bite, but not if you're in a rush. Overall - 5 stahs. I've had lots of not-good vegan food, and their food is delicious, vegan or not.

I ordered the soy milkshake with espresso shot delicious! And the vegan Philly im a spinach wrap was also delicious however tasted nothing like a philly cheesesteak but instead like a great blt. I devoured it in confusion. Also the mac and cheese was just warm but not a lot of flavor. I will be back when im in town!

Have been here many times and it's always a pleasure! Food is creative and yummy! Haven't had a bad meal. The portions are generous too! Thai iced tea is my fav go too & a nice friendly reminder to "smile more" on the lid definitely made my day today. Taco Tuesday special was also amazinggggg! Forgot to take a photo.

They didn't put napkins in my togo food, also my food was supposed to come with salad but didn't. Also they claim they're serious about covid to the point that you can't even wait inside for the food but the cashier lady started cutting apple without washing her hand right after putting the orders and touch the tablet that every customer touches to pay.

Love This place. Great juices and smoothies and gluten free baked goods. And they're so nice.

We saw good reviews so we gave this place a try. we were so excited that they have outdoor sitting but it wasnt what we thought. First of al it was noisy and next to their garbage, secondly there were so many flies and mosquitoes so we decided to get our order converted to go, but we ordered a soup which wasnt fun to eat in the car as you can imagine. the chef special soup was made with a type of noodle that cant be grabbed easily and wasnt delicious at all, it just tasted like ginger. The only thing we liked was the mango mama smoothie. Also they dont let you stay inside to wait even though covid restrictions in most places have been removed and we were wearing masks. i dont recommend this place, the pictures are fooling!

On a hot early summer day, I came to Soy Cafe with a wish in my heart. A cold, vegan treat...maybe ice cream or one of those brownie sundaes on the bottom of their menu. Unfortunately, they were out. Instead, I tried a chocolate donut and a Philly wrap. It pains me to say this, as I love when menus have vegan desserts, but this donut was truly inedible. I'm not sure if it was just old/stale, but I couldn't even finish! The Philly wrap was not bad, but was about as good as I can do...so not really worth the $ to me. The atmosphere was a little dark and unapproachable to me, but I can see it being a nice hangout spot if you are reading. Overall, I would probably check out one of the many other vegan options in the area.

I got the healthy wrap with avocado, cucumber, and vegan ham in a rice wrap and it was absolutely delicious. I wish I would have realized there was a vegan quesadilla special, or else I would have gotten that. I'll be back for one of those. I also got a gluten free dairy free marshmallow, coconut and chocolate donut. This was not good. It was dry and super dense. After reading other reviews, I will avoid the baked goods. Overall a really comprehensive menu of both veggie, meat, gluten free, and vegan options. I'll be back!

Is it too late now to say Soy? Cause I miss more than just your smoothie. I'm Soy to say that I wasn't really into the Vegan Muffin and the Vegan Smoothie from here. Not as obnoxiously overpriced as some Vegan cafes, but also not as tasty as my favourites. One caveat is that I don't really usually enjoy Vegan food (I wish I did), but with the benchmark being Strong Hearts in Syracuse (the greatest Vegan Cupcakes, and the best milkshakes of any kind - Vegan or otherwise - on the planet), it's hard for anything else to come close. I think we got the Funky Monkey which sounds like it would be right up my alley, but I wasn't thrilled. My Vegan travelling friend, though, said that her half (or more than half in the end) of the Muffin and the Smoothie were excellent. Service was absolutely lovely. And since it wasn't too crazy expensive like other Vegan places, I'm more than happy to give it a 4. I think if you love Vegan places, there's a good chance you'll love this one too. But as I said, when in Syracuse, make sure you try Strong Hearts, especially the Cesar Chavez shake and the Blueberry Cupcake.

My brother and I LOVE Soy Cafe! Chef Alice and her employees are super kind and I'm glad to be supporting a small local business. We first experienced Soy Cafe at a Halloween Vegan event. We loved the nachos and the mac n cheese. The mac n cheese was gluten free but it didn't taste like it! The coconut bacon and breadcrumbs were delicious along with the cheesy sauce. The nachos are incredible. We loved the edamame guacamole and it has inspired me to make my own! Chef Alice's cashew cheese is no joke, it's super delicious. My brother literally dreams about it. Soy Cafe makes the best vegan nachos. Period. We came to the cafe a few weeks ago to enjoy more nachos and some sandwiches. We ordered the Bella Burger and the Super Veggie Wrap. The Bella Burger was delicious and we had it on sun-dried tomato bread. The portobello mushroom was very juicy and flavorful. It paired well with the bread. The salad that came with the sandwich was very fresh and satisfying. The super veggie wrap was also amazing! It had lots of vegetables with ginger hummus and avocado. It was very creamy and refreshing! We will definitely be back for more!

This is becoming my go-to local shop. They're the local quirky cafe you've always wanted but vegan style - so for me, a dream come true. Their food & drink menu is expansive and I'm slowly making my way through it. My favorite so far would be the soy wrap on rice paper. They cut it up so you get several bite size pieces. They're extremely friendly, casual and fast!

I've ventured to this adorable café pre Memorial Day as I was craving vegan food with such a fiery passion and drove from South Philadelphia to Northern Libs where Soy Café is located and the experience I've had and food made the trip worth it and I'll do it again. I purchased the mushroom dumping which was already filling enough, they were perfectly steamed and melted in my mouth! The soy wrap pictured was amazing, the blending of all the ingredients made me feel as if I was in Nirvana and so filling that I couldn't even finish it. You have a choice of soy chicken or soy beef and I chose the beef. It was wrapped with hummus, cucumber, avocado, carrot; and had a yummy sesame dressing that went with it. I can't wait to be a frequent customer here at Soy Café. Their service is marvelous and the food enough makes me want to come back!

Love the bachata music and diverse employees. Makes me feel at home while also enjoying delicious vegan food. The prices are pretty cheap compared to other vegan places nearby. P.S their creamy vegan dip is spicy but nutty. Must try!

Super cute versatile cafe with a variety of food options. I dig the minimalistic lamp on the tables towards the back of the cafe. I got the Soy Wrap (spinach wrap, soy chicken) with a small House Coffee. Serving size was plenty, food tasted clean and satisfying, and the coffee was just right. Def plan to return to try their long list of smoothies & vegan desserts, or even just to study!

Whenever I have trainings nearby I look forward to coming here for my lunch break! I love being able to snack on something healthy and love all of their vegan options. I highly recommend this spot and wish they had one in center city!!!! I have tried a lot on their menu and it is alllll good

I've passed by Soy Café a million times but never thought to check it out. This morning I picked up a green tea soy smoothie on my way to work. The soy milk was good but overpowering. Maybe I will try it with the almond milk next time. The honey syrup made the drink a little too sweet for me, but overall it was a pretty tasty and refreshing drink. For $5, this is a pretty fair price and comparable to Starbucks down the street, except this won't be watered down. The owner is also super nice. I will definitely be stopping by for more green tea soy smoothies and checking out their foods as well. They take credit cards here, but there is an $8 minimum.

I was skeptical of this place, having difficulty imagining anything tasty after just having met the name. But I was pleasantly surprised. We had two wraps which we both really enjoyed! They were a vegan Philly cheesesteak in a rice paper wrap (which worked surprisingly well) and a spicy soysauge. They were hearty, fresh, and delicious. I love the character of the spot, and all of their baked goodies. Very GF friendly menu and baked goods. I do have reservations about the dairy on the menu after hearing about how baby calves are treated on milk farms. That being said I'm happy to have tried this place and I'd totally go back.

Amazing fully vegan food with a great staff. Ask for their recommendation based on your dietary restrictions! It's like I'm cooking at home but at the restaurant!

I'm glad I tried soy cafe. We were looking to get something healthy for lunch and came across soy cafe. I got the pesto sandwich, Mac and cheese and a smoothie. Each item was delicious. I usually am not a fan of vegan Mac and cheese but this tasted just as good as regular Mac and cheese. The pesto sandwich was really good and flavorful and came with a side salad. The quantity for this the perfect size for the price. I would defiantly go here again for lunch. They had vegan bagels and donuts which I want to go back and try. We were too hungry to take an pictures unfortunately.

So great having a fully vegan spot! Honestly not a big meat substitute person so I'm not sure about the food but had an amazing mango/pineapple/coconut smoothie!! They do take credit cards. Nice little outdoor space out back.

Walked in here starving to find a cute dimly lit place with a few tables and large counter. We ordered at the counter and waited for the food to be brought to us. The menu was huge and was excited to order. However, the cashier/waiter wasn't too friendly. I didn't feel like asking her too many questions. Mind you, the entire menu is vegan! There is no real cheese except soy cheese. We ordered the nachos (with "edamame guac" and "soy cheese") It was surprisingly not that bad. But then again, we were hangry so ate anything brought to us! It also had olives and scallions. The portion was enough as a small appetizer. The MUSHROOM OMELETTE was fairly okay. It was topped with a generous portion of soy cheese and honey mustard dressing, which gave it a different yet slightly palatable flavor. A side salad accompanied it as well. We ended up forcing ourselves to finish the plate. Guess soy cheese makes you full! The AMERICAN CHEESESTEAK wrap had soy flavored beef. The first bite takes you by total surprise but then it sort of grew on you! The BELLA BURGER WRAP basically was a whole lot of greens with large slices of portobello mushrooms. It was super plain and boring. Both the wraps were slightly disappointing. They both tasted similar towards the end, nothing stood out in them. I was eyeing the appetizing baked sweet treats on display, but after experiencing dinner I wasn't ready to be disappointed with dessert either. We left feeling under-satisfied. Though the menu was quite extensive, I probably will not return, unless to try their extensive smoothie menu. 2 stars for the extensive menu and cute venue.

Holy universe. So delicious. I wish I lived next door. Lots of smoothie options. 4 kinds of vegan dumplings (gyoza)!! Lots of options for kids. Highly recommended!!!

Very fresh food. The super veggie wrap is delicious and filling but not overwhelming. Zen peach smoothie with coconut milk really refreshing. I didn't care for the Mac and cheese's flavor, but not because it was bad - just not my preference. Chocolate chip cookies also great, but these are not "soft" cookies, definitely on the crunchy side but so good! Food is moderately priced and you get good portions. Delivery was speedy and accurate. Definitely check this place out!

Finally made it over to this cute little place in NoLibs. Ordered a coconut milk dirty chai latte and the tumeric, ginger, coconut, mushroom veggie pho with sliced avocado. Latte was a bit on the sweeter side but still good and the pho was amazing. Really like the combination of spices used (probably the tumeric that I was really tasting) and the mushrooms and kale were really tasty, crunchy carrot spirals were a nice added touch. I am not vegan but am testing the waters, really enjoyed my meal here and am curious to try other dishes.

Everyone is friendly and everything tastes delicious. It's nice and cozy inside and an easy place to be.

We stopped in here for a light dinner before a show at BB&T since it's right over the bridge. We've both been eating healthier so having a bunch of sustainable high protein options made us very happy. The menu was extensive (though at first we were worried they only offered pastries and coffee). I ordered a ramen and my fiancée ordered a wrap. His was super tasty, mine was good and filling but a little bland. That might've been my fault though because I ordered the soup with a miso broth. Overall the staff was very nice. It would've been nice if food prep was a little faster but it was nice to see the food get prepared individually and with fresh ingredients. I'd love for bigger tables, too. Good size for coffee and dessert, not so much for eating a meal.

Very cute place for coffee and vegan delights. Wish I had time to try more there. Marshmallow donut was good as as was the coconut one. Mocha espresso was great. Priced a bit high for Philadelphia I feel compared to vegan coffee shops in NY I've visit but I'm happy they are here. Cute place, would recommend.

I love that there is a vegan spot so nearby. I've tried the shakes and sandwiches and was very satisfied. It would be great if they were open earlier for breakfast. But in the meantime I will still patronize them ;-)

Soy Cafe is like an old pair of jeans: familiar, comfortable, tasty. Maybe not that last bit. Mismatched chairs, potted plants on the sill, and window art make Soy a charming Northern Liberties destination, perfect for a low-key date or casual meetup. Seating up front and a cozy back room ensure there's plenty of space to relax. Soy churns out special soy drinks ($2.75 at the time; cash only), so I tried a cocoa mint soy, served warm. This uncouth soy drink virgin found it surprisingly soothing. Friends and I shared steamed dumplings and shrimp shumai (6 for 4.50). Not bad, but their sammiches are where it's at. Try their mushroom omelette sandwich (7.25). Choose between shitake, oyster, or portabello mushrooms (I had portabello), then enjoy eggs (or eggwhites), garlic, sweet onion, and soy cheese. On the side is a refreshing spring mix salad dressed in a homemade garlic mustard. Their toast on whole wheat sandwich is a gourmet treat; the sauce in it made my taste buds backflip. Stop in for lunch, dinner, or a soy drink, and don't forget to tip the friendly help.

Walked in here, just to grab a water, and take a break from walking in the heat. I wasn't prepared to want to sit down and enjoy my soy shake. It was absolutely delicious. The counter girls were super sweet, as was my Peanut Butter Rice Krispie treat. The decor inside is just too cute for words.

I appreciate the variety of the menu and the specials they offer. So far I've had the sandwiches/wraps, nachos and and bbq miso & all of them hit the spot. I especially love the miso. I haven't tried the baked goods, but I will. It's a good stop for a quick, healthy bite.

So disappointed with my catering order. Placed an order for 3 dozen (each) mini cupcakes and donuts to be picked up at 12. Got to soy cafe at approximately 12:10PM, and it starts with the- oh I need 5 more minutes. These desserts were for my son's party in 2 hours, and I had a lot to do. Unacceptable that I had to wait for them to be done especially with advance notice. If they were running late, they should have called me. I ended up having to pay my car. So disappointed in the service. When a large order is placed with 48 hour advance notice, it should have been ready promptly.

Oooh this is good! This morning was my second time going here. I take my pet cat to Northern Liberties vet which is right next door. Last time I had the super veggie wrap that ha s the cucumber and some watermelon on the side. I also had some sort of smoothie I customized that had pineapple mango and maybe strawberry. The food was very refreshing. The smoothie tasted like any other smoothie. Great! Today I had the grilled cheesy. I absolutely love grilled cheese sandwiches. She asked if I had any allergies because it wasn't real cheese. In the back of my head I thought it wouldn't be as good as a grilled cheese. The sandwich was delicious. I believe it came with tomato and I added avocado. It tasted like a tasty, light sandwich with a healthful/veg and creamy flavor. I also had a smoothie I customized with pineapple, mango, strawberry and soy milk (plus a little agave). It really hit the spot! I felt full and satisfied without feeling a bit sick. I am actually a bit lactose intolerant lol so my favorite foods leave my stomach feeling a little uncomfy. I felt great. I took a bit of the sandwich before I took the photo!

Love the vegan iptions this place has to offer. Interestingl, the food is tasty and not just soy. The presentation of the food is also very nice. Good thing is tht the food is made right in front of you. So, you can judge the hygiene of this place. Liked it much. Chillled out atmosphere. Just, that there were only 2 people working on orders , and so it was slow. Also, the menu were right in front of thw cashier rather than display board. So, u take time to decide while people behind u are waiting to order. Otherwise, this place is good and I recommend it.