The Lab by Alchemy Coffee

As far as work environment, they’ve got benches and plugs underneath. Haven’t had an issue with wifi, but you do have to sign up for an account with VCU, confirm your email, and the sign in. Music was screamo at some points, so that wasn’t your typical coffee shop work vibe 😂. Staff was friendly & quick. Iced pumpkin spice latte was a hit 👌🏽

The best coffee spot in Richmond, VA. Brandy is the sweetest person ever, she is always a breath of fresh air. The drip coffee is the strongest in the area if your into strong coffee.

TLDR: It’s cheaper than Dunkin which is on the same block. Don’t bother with the food/pastries, but definitely try their seasonal drinks. 🤤😋 Best coffee in the downtown Richmond area!! The Baristas are always nice. They work with local and fair trade coffee roasters. The cost may seem high to some, but they are on average 30% cheaper than Dunkin’ Donuts AND the price supports other local businesses AND the owners pay their employees good wages so it’s honestly super fair. Love supporting businesses that pay their employees a living wage. ☕️🤎 Why choose buying low quality from a corporation over getting high quality from a local business? One thing I have to add though is that they used to have amazing pastries, but they switched distributors when the biz sold to a local guy in 2021. Now the food is kinda meh. Their specialty drinks are always amazing though!

What a treat!! Stopped by on 9/28 on my way back to DC and needed some coffee to keep me going. The baristas were SO NICE, super happy to chat with me about their coffee beans and the history of their shop. They really take pride in what they do and it shows. The cortado was excellent, and their homemade chai was INCREDIBLE! For chai lovers who want something spicy and close to traditional, this is it. The baristas also gave excellent recommendations to grab a bite to eat for dinner. Can’t wait to come back again on my next pit stop.

outstanding coffee by barista Lyndon and very chill vibe. Stopped here on a road trip from Florida to New York because I could not stand another chain coffee experience, and really wish this were my local coffee stop. I would be in here every day. Absolutely worth the seven minute detour.

Amazing local coffee shop. Service was amazing, the decor and theme is on point. They serve a delicious chai. It’s authentic, spicy (I’m tasting some ginger), and flavorful. There’s some couches and a lot of tables/chairs for studying or lounging. I wish they had a cup sleeve lol.

I’ve been going here for years, but won’t be returning. The service has gone drastically downhill. The staff is more worried about hanging out and talking amongst themselves than getting peoples orders ready. I waited a long time today for my drink which never came. I had to cancel it because I was going to be late. If time and accuracy is valuable to you, I would recommend going elsewhere.

I went in here for the first time to get a coffee with my service animal. I was not greeted, but instead, I was screamed to get out with my dog before I could even walk through the door. Not only was this employee very rude, but he was also taking someone else’s order and went out of his way mid service to scream at me in front of customers. I didn’t bother to try to explain that my dog was a service animal after being humiliated & screamed at. I went back maybe a week later hoping for my experience to be better, but was quickly disappointed. When I entered I asked if service animals were allowed out of respect, although technically they aren’t allowed to refuse service animals, and they told me we had leave.

I stopped by Alchemy Coffee in Richmond after my cousin recommended it as a great spot for VCU students to study. They were absolutely right--this café is such a nice break from the library! The atmosphere is cozy, with plenty of seating and a calm vibe perfect for focusing or relaxing. I tried the chai tea latte, and while it was a bit too sweet for my taste, the amazing service more than made up for it. The staff was so friendly and attentive, making the experience really enjoyable. Whether you're looking to study, hang out, or just grab a good cup of coffee, Alchemy Coffee is definitely worth a visit!

A delightful place in a busy space - lots of foot traffic coming in and out of this place per its proximity to VCU's campus. Loved the modern vibe with lots of natural light and seating. Solid coffee too :)

Finally got to go in as we missed it out last two trips to Richmond. Enjoyed my Mocha as it was a perfect temperature and not too sweet. Just like I love it. I also love that they use Vigilante coffee and support other brands like coffee culture.

Super close local coffee shop to VCU. Service was amazing, the decor and theme is on point. They serve a delicious chai, and I got a hot chai because it was raining. It's authentic, spicy, and flavorful. There's some couches and a lot of tables/chairs for studying or lounging. I wish they had a cup sleeve lol.

I've had this on my list of RVA coffee shops and it exceeded my expectations! I loved the overall vibe and atmosphere as soon as you walk on. Music was playing so there was a slight upbeat energy but still a chill and relaxed vibe. I like they have a food menu beyond just pastries. I got the pumpkin chai latte (lite syrup) which was perfect and not too sweet.

Good vibes to be had! The barista (don't know her name oops) is awesome. She seems so comfortable and in her element. It's definitely somewhat busy in here and she's just doing really well keeping calm and focused, yet friendly and helpful. Pour over (Ethiopian) is quite good. The flavor is very round at first. Sort of like raisins and burnt butter. Bitterness at the end. Would get again. Didn't try any food items here.

love the matcha lemonade which had lavender as well i believe that was recommended by the barista. very friendly staff & chill place to meet or study.

Amazing spot for coffee! Unfortunately they were out of food items when I went but it was later in the day so it makes sense. The ambiance is small and cozy with comfy seating at the front. The barista was very friendly and this has to be one of the best coffees I've had in a while! Parking can be a little difficult o find but so worth it.

Nice little piece in the RVA to get a really good cup of coffee. Always fresh brewed to the taste

I really liked The Lab by Alchemy Coffee! This super hip place is serious about their coffee, and it shows! The menu offers drip, espresso, pour overs, cold press, and even chai, cocoa, and tea as other options. I had a cafe au lait and a chai latte (homemade), and both were served super hot, super strong, and super delicious! Absolutely no bitterness, graininess, or any -nesses! There was only one barista on shift, but they were super welcoming, informative, and very kind! The place has plenty of tables and some counter seating, and it seems as many locals come here to do some work and/or to enjoy their beverages. I'd love to go back and try out the rest of their coffee menu. Parking is available on the side streets. +well-made beverages +friendly staff +great space to enjoy/work/catch up +parking on the side streets

Loved this place so much! It was such a beautiful space with lots of natural lighting. There is limited seating and it's located on VCU campus. The service was fast and I enjoyed my iced chai latte :)

love there hot cocoa love the interior decor love the bakery I have been here soo many times. I'm always immediately greeted & the baristas are always friendly The ambience inside is always so laid back. The interior space is wide but not too many seats. It's location is great for the area. I usually walk so i'm none to complain about parking but being in VCU area it's hard to get parking. Great for tourist, college students, and coffee shop lovers.

One of the best cappuccinos I've ever had! Love the light, the vibe, and the amount of seating in this coffee shop. Very spacious and cozy and really good coffee

We stopped by for a coffee at Alchemy Coffee when we were in Richmond for a weekend. The service was great, and my coffee (americano, as usual) was good. It's not huge, but it had a good amount of seating for the space. Parking is hard, so I'd probably only stop by this coffeeshop if I was doing other things in the area.

I came here on a cold afternoon with a few friends, and they have said good things about the coffee here. The interior is cute and hipster, definitely a great vibe for college students since there are sizable tables perfect for studying and working. I also love the plaques and posters they have of other roasters from all over the country! I got a cortado, which is my go-to espresso drink. It was only $3.52, which is pretty cheap for a double shot. The espresso uses beans roasted from Recluse, which I hear is a great and popular local coffee roaster in Richmond. There is an 88 cent up charge for oat milk which isn't too bad since it complements espresso shots well. At first sip, the espresso was strong and juicy like a fruit explosion in your mouth. Then, the after taste transitions into something more nutty and chocolatey. Wow, absolutely delicious. The oat milk merely complements the espresso and did not overpower the drink. I have no complaints about this cortado. One of my friends got the cold press latte with vanilla syrup which was good but a bit watery. The overall flavor is solid, but it's on a watery side (instead of milk), which is probably what a cold press is. The coffee taste is not very strong but prominent enough to be enjoyable. My friend said she would prefer an espresso over cold pressed coffee. My other friend got the hot chocolate, and he thought it was good but the medium size was extremely small for what would normally be considered "medium". I would say this looked like an 8 oz. cup so we wonder what a "small" size would look like? Overall, because of the mind-blowing cortado, I'm giving this place a 5/5. We all thought it was delicious and definitely the best drink we got here. 101% would recommend the cortado here. I definitely need to check out Recluse for their beans sometime!

Cool vibes and delicious coffee Seems like a university hang out Lots of students in their computers Cortado and cappuccinos done to perfection with great foam artistry!

Love this little shop! It's always nice to come in to anywhere with smiling faces and this definitely takes the cake on that!

Received the nicest service from the barista on a Memorial Day right before they closed. The iced black coffee had a great quality taste and the caffeine I needed to stay awake. There's street parking around the corner that looks like an alley. It was easy to get to on a holiday and the store itself looked like a great study spot with many individual tables.

Coffee shop open on a holiday. It's a cute shop with interesting decor. Coffee latte was good. Service was nice! I would recommend.

The coffee is excellent here. You can sit and enjoy your coffee in a shop with lots of natural light. The only downside is that neighborhood doesn't seem very safe.

Went there with a colleague to have a work chat. Ordered a chai latte and oh my gosh, the spice is just perfectly string but not too strong. It was delish. The place is spacious, the staff is friendly, and the price is just. Recommend!

Always in search for the best espresso drinks on my travels and The Lab by Alchemy Coffee is definitely the winner! The baristas are friendly and eager to provide you with an artistic and amazing coffee drink. I will be back

Best mocha I've ever had! The drinks took a bit of time, but I didn't mind waiting... Especially while being able to sit in the sun, with the stools by the window. There is also plenty of seating outside, which is nice.

This small, not flashy coffee shop is what I consider to be *the* exact kind of place I want to find when I go out for coffee. On our travels South, we stopped early and were so happy with the result. This place is about high quality! Not a lot of food options (but some pastries which were delicious), and it wasn't about a loud vibe or a musical hang. It was just about some amazing espresso drinks created on a Strada. I had my usual latte and it was made exquisitely! Milk was perfectly textured. Espresso came out thick and syrupy. The resulting latte was amazing and the barista drew some very nice latte art. Overall the drink was smooth and tasty and exactly what I was hoping for. Overall, this is a 5 and the kind of espresso place that I tell everyone about. Do yourself a favor and if in the downtown Richmond vicinity and want an amazing espresso drink, visit The Lab!

Few coffee shops in Richmond could offer international delights such as the shakerato from Italy or Yama Tower cold brew from Japan as effortlessly as the Lab by Alchemy does. If you thought only a foreign owner could bring such sophistication to our city's coffee scene, then you would be half-right. Eric Spivack, the owner of the Alchemy Coffee, prides himself on integrating the latest in international coffee trends into the menu at his small shop on Broad Street. His dedication to the integrity of coffee began during his childhood in France. As a dual citizen, Spivack grew up surrounded by the refined simplicity of French coffee culture with its focus on harnessing the natural taste of the bean through technique rather than diluting its flavors with excessive milk and sugar. When he moved to Richmond in 2012 from the Pacific Northwest, he realized there was a gap in the market. "I was making better coffee at home than what I was getting when I went out," Spivack says. that same year he launched his brand with the coffee trailer Alchemy Coffee still uses to cater to farmers markets, corporate events and film crews. Just two years later his business found its current brick and mortar shop, the Lab. Spivack's critics would charge that his pride in his product can come off as pretension, but his dedication to making the shop accessible refutes this. "We definitely want to overcome the perception that we're elitist," Spivack explains. "It may seem like that before you come in, from our aesthetic on Instagram, but the only way we lean into that is our focus on coffee." Instead, he sees the shop as a way to bring people into discussions on coffee with him and his baristas. "Once folks discover that they can come in and ask questions, they're surprised how much we want to teach them about coffee," he says. "But we only want people to come in if they realize that we can brew it better than they can at home." The Lab by Alchemy trusts in the mantra that savvy consumers create brand loyalty for quality producers. That brand rests upon three pillars: consumer education, an approachable tone and a scientific approach to quality. Even the shop's name exudes Spivack's analytical over artistic perspective on coffee. "Everything done needs to be intentional and re-creatable so all baristas do the same thing every time. I want to be able to defend every step in the process." The Lab by Alchemy offers a lot of processes to brew coffee too: French press, V60, Chemex, AeroPress, siphon, Kalita Wave and even an obscure German pour-over method known as the Walküre. As one of Richmond's few multiroasters, the coffee selection is just as varied since the shop's beans change every four to six weeks. "Our lineup is always changing, so we constantly have to recalibrate our offerings, but for us that's not a challenge because working with new coffees is what we love," Spivack says. For those looking to learn more about their daily brew, Spivack suggests a tasting flight of three different single origin pour overs to experience the full taste differences in coffee. If you would rather have a barista-guided experience, simply answer three questions for the Lab's staff: hot or cold, espresso-based or no, and with milk or not? As for what customers won't find, Spivack is clear. "We don't pretend that we serve frappuccinos, and we don't do decaf at all because the best coffees in the world will never be decaf. We're not going to settle on coffee." styleweekly.com/richmond/scientific-method/Content?oid=15193639

(4) ~ very good overall coffee & service. Note: Street Parking nearby. MENU: ** Yama Tower (Cold Brew) = (4) very authentic *** Dragon Brewed (Hot) = N/A - Not Available:( Hope they bring this back, especially since they advertise it on their Home page as a Youtub video;) lol

Perfect little place to get coffee in downtown Richmond. Our barista was super sweet and gave us amazing recommendations for cute dinner places to try in the city. The coffee was a Peruvian roast and was spectacular and perfect to drink black. The decorations were warm and welcoming which was perfect for getting some work down. This place isn't too big but big enough to hold about 20 ppl on a busy day if you wanted to come in and "coffee shop work." I'm a sucker for checking out new coffee shops in different cities and this one hit the jackpot!

If you've visited the South of the James Saturday market, you may recognize Alchemy Coffee from their mobile trailer. It's how they stated in 2012. They then set up a brick and mortar shop along West Broad Street in Carver. Here's why you should go: 1) Vibes: It's 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. There's 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!

Just average. You have to be really committed if you want to drive here. Parking is extremely difficult as there is no parking lot and one way streets on either side. If you are a VCU student and walking it might make more sense for you. They had no bold roast on this Saturday, so I settled for a weak mild roast. Nothing of real note about this place to differentiate it or making more interesting...except for maybe the name.

My main goal visiting Richmond was to find a local coffee spot. Preferably a spot that locally roasted its own coffee, but since my committee didn't release us until after many shops closed, I had to make do. A coworker and I took our rental down here and we had to switch drivers once we arrived because I am awful at parallel parking. We had to drive around the block a couple of time to find a spot. Not my thing, but hey, we got here and that's what mattered. We separated (she went into the bookstore next door) and was pleasantly surprised by the interior and also a little shocked by how empty it was. There was one girl working away on her computer and one barista manning the counter. He was very kind and friendly and suggested a cold brew. It was a hot day, so I went with it. They have a fairly simple "no frills" menu with all your basics, and a super cool sciencey drip coffee thing that I found utterly fascinating. I also asked if he had coffee for sale, and he pointed at a few bags. I was super excited until I learned it was roasted in Columbus, OH. Darn! I would have liked some Richmond-roasted coffee for my coffee club back home at work, but alas. I managed to get a free mug, though, so that was cool. And my cold brew was made with the coffee I bought, anyway and it was an absolutely delicious cold brew. I drank it down pretty quickly. This was a really neat shop, fitting in nicely in the neighborhood, and looking a lot nicer on the inside than the outside. Parking is tricky, but if you can get past that, you're in for a treat with some good service and a cool atmosphere.

Love the aesthetic and vibe of this coffee shop. Visited on a Saturday morning and it was very empty. I ordered the Yama tour drip iced coffee and it was very good. The service was great as well, very friendly! My friend got the Japanese iced pour over and it was fun watching them brew and use the pour over ice method.

I hate to left unpleasant review but for the YELP hype, of course I set some expectation up in this piece. Not quite friendly but not rude. I didn't start conversation anyway, so no complain right there. No greetings whatsoever when it had only 3 total customer. Okaaaaay, who cares all of that if they served special and good coffee. For 8 oz Latte caramel I paid $5.00 & expecting something worth $5.00, but I'd prefer 12 oz Wawa for almost half of the price. Not to mention the messy cup looking. I also assume that they only offer you whole milk? Which I don't mind personally but would be nice if they'd have various options. Anyway... here you go, 2 stars for the foamy whole milk & now quite friendly barista :) PS : for the price you set, as a customer we expect something better. Thanks

I really enjoyed my visit here. The coffee shop itself is smaller but cute. I tried a cheese danish and chai latte while my husband chose a drip coffee. All were great. Alchemy Coffee is a must visit if you live in or are visiting Richmond.

Pretty cool coffee shops as we make our way through coffee shops in Richmond. There are others I think are even cooler

I love that they have made the point of giving their employees a $15 hr salary and have eliminated tips. Great Coffee. Great Tea. I can't wait to go back.

Went in looking for a pour over - left with a tasty pour over in a cool paper cup with an aromatic lid! Nice atmosphere and friendly staff able to make some suggestions on flavors or type Of Coffee.

Came in and the barista was talking to his friends who were costumers behind the counter. He didn't greet us or smile. He was rude and coffee was mid and overpriced.

I really love the idea of this place, the ambiance and the friendly service. And I love supporting local businesses. However, I don't really know much about coffee or bean profiles or brewing styles, so I usually feel lost when it's time to order here. I'm not even sure what coffees there are to choose from on any day. I asked today if the coffees on the counter were all that was available, and I was told yes. I asked about the flavors and she didn't have any info. You can see from the picture (hopefully) that only one of the four tags described the coffees at all, so, I just picked a random coffee and ordered it without a clue as to what it was or how it was brewed (I picked Columbian Geisha which I overheard was brewed with the dragon?). I really WANT to love this local shop and I want to learn about coffee profiles and brewing methods so I can be an informed coffee drinker, which is what the owner seemed to have as his mission. Unfortunately, after visiting this place over the last two years or so, I don't feel like I've learned much (besides the special elite event where the owner was present) and I'm still ordering random coffees, some of which I pour in the sink because I dislike like the taste. While I still think this is probably one of the best coffee shops around, especially for the coffee connoisseur, I'm finding myself at DD more often than not because I know what I'm ordering and what I'll get, it's cheaper, and I'm not pouring money down the drain. IMHO, visit if you know a lot about coffee or want to try something random, but if you want to learn about coffee profiles and brewing methods, feel informed when ordering or have a cup of coffee you know you'll love every time, you may want to keep looking.

Good coffee College hang out but all welcomed Bright and clean. Super friendly staff.

Really good coffee! We ordered the Japanese Iced and Iced Pour over. It really hit the spot after exploring around Downtown Richmond. The Japanese Iced is not strong, and has a light taste. The Pour Over was very strong, herbal, and somewhat bitter, but it did hit the spot! The setting was very nice! I really liked how it looked. If I lived in the area or was a student in VCU, this would be my go-to place to study, or relax with a friend and chat. I would highly recommend!

I had researched this coffee spot prior to arriving to Richmond for the weekend, and it was exactly what we were looking for. A local, quaint coffee shop with unique coffee options! I got the Japanese Iced Pour Over, and my partner got the Yama Tower Cold Drip. I liked the latter so much that I wish I had gotten that, but both were delicious. We also got a big croissant which was heated up for us. It all hit the spot great!

Super friendly staff, cute vibe and close to campus. The coffee however is pretty bitter not that smooth, threw it away after a few sips. They try too hard to seem like a "legit" coffee joint. The way to make your shop seem legit is to have a truly astounding cup of coffee, which I did not find here.

My sister and I were visiting Richmond and were in the mood for coffee. We stopped in the Lab which is located within one VCU's buildings. It's a cozy coffee shop, clean and modernly decorated. The focus is on coffee and the baristas are knowledgable on the subject. They have different options to choose from including french press and pour over. We didn't have too much time or otherwise I would've picked a pour over. Instead I chose a vanilla latte (with house made syrup) while my sister chose a chai latte. The coffee was delicious, brewed well with a smooth taste. The staff was friendly and helpful as we decided on our coffee choices. It's a great spot for students and anyone looking for a good cup of coffee.

Great coffee and other hot beverages. We had treats and the staff was wonderful. The may a hot chocolate drink perfect temperature for our 3 year old granddaughter who loved her drink

Should've tried, best Latte they have!!! I enjoyed my afternoon walking the Monroe Part with it.

Wonderful coffee shop, great coffee, incredible service. To the wonderful man with dermals that made my coffee this morning, you were so refreshing and warm. Needed that. Thank you! 10/10

A very cute laid back vibe at this coffee shop on Broad St. There's great natural lighting if you're studying or reading, but it can be difficult to find a spot, especially on the weekends as it is on the VCU undergrad campus. Great coffee - the baristas really know their stuff!

first time visitor and i got the dirty chai which i normally get at a coffee place. the first sip was shocking - the drink or the foam was so spicy. i took another sip and i felt like i couldn't drink it. i went up to order a different drink and they explained their in-house chai blend varies in each batch. anyways they offered to make a different drink and i offered to pay but anyways the people working were so friendly and nice about it. i ended up getting an oatmilk latte which was soo good.

It is a cute little shop located right on Broad Street. The staff is really nice. I have gotten and iced latte and a hot chocolate on two different occasions. I enjoyed both, but could have used a little more chocolate in my drink. I will definitely be back. I really like their rewards program!