Vanilla Cafe

Found this cafe on TikTok so I decided to give it a try. It's truly a hidden gem, in the middle of a strip mall in NE Philadelphia. I've driven past numerous times and never noticed it. I'm happy I found it on social media. The restaurant is decorated beautifully. The chairs are big and comfy and some of the nicest chairs I've sat in at a cafe. Most cafes have little tiny wooden uncomfortable chairs, but as soon as I sat down, I knew I was going to love this place. Our waitress brought us our silverware which was in a cloth holder and I just thought that was super fancy. I've never seen anything like that at a small cafe before. I was very impressed.I ordered the vanilla breakfast, I thought it was very good but I didn't understand how the cheese fit into the presentation. Also, I would have loved ketchup for my eggs but the waitresses never returned after the food was delivered to see how we were and if we needed anything. I also ordered the mango crepes just to try something sweet. They were delicious, but too sweet for my liking. There was a lot of syrup on them. I also had the salted caramel Raf coffee and it was delicious! I felt as though all the ingredients were fresh and well made - it wasn't a heavy, unhealthy meal. It was a great way to start my day. I would go back, maybe in the afternoon for a coffee and pastry- which they all looked delicious in the case. I'm sure they're as good as they look from the other reviews I've seen. I would like to touch on the vibe of the workers... they didn't seem very welcoming or very customer service driven. I wish they had been because it did effect my review.

We absolutely loved our lunch today! What a pretty little place with every table filled throughout our stay. The owner introduced herself to us, and we had a nice chat. She also owns Ginger, a nearby restaurant, which we will definitely try.We chose to drink water served in a lovely bottle with fresh mint and poured into footed glasses. We decided on the avocado salad and a veggie omelet to share. It was the perfect combination! Fresh arugula with smoked salmon, tomatoes, and avocado plated with the avocado shell as if the salad was tumbling from the shell. It was so fresh and delicious! The veggie omelet was absolutely delicious, but I can't describe why and how this was different than most omelets. It just was! Desserts are fabulous, and the owner helped us choose. I had a Mikado cake and my friend had a vanilla mouse filled with mango. Delicious! She took home an entire box of desserts for her family. Vanilla isn't cheap, but the love and care that goes into every dish were apparent & I'm fine with the price when things are made so well. The staff and customers are predominately Ukranian or Russian speakers as was the clientele, but everyone spoke English very well...no problem.Hats off to Vanilla and to Anna, one of the pastry chefs. Job well done!

I already highly recommend breakfast/brunch at Vanilla Cafe but my oh my was I surprised at dinner yesterday. My husband and I started by sharing an avocado salad that was absolutely divine. An absolute must try. I ordered the Shrimp Orzo and my husband had the Beef Stroganoff - and both were so well made. It tasted very fresh and just yummy. Finally I ordered a fruit tart and my husband a cheesecake for dessert. The cheesecake was a little bit better in my opinion. The fruit tart was good but the crust was too thick which made it hard to break and eat, other than that it was still good but I probably wouldn't order it again. Everything else I highly recommend. The service as typical was very good and helpful. The ambiance at Vanilla Cafe is impeccable. They really do take details into account and it makes all the difference. Such a gem of a place.

Found this place by accident just yelping for coffee in the area of the Philadelphia mills shopping center. So glad we found it. Delicious aesthetically pleasing desserts in a slightly fancy but still casual environment. They have regular food too which I didn't try but it smelled and looked good. Will definitely be back if I am in the area.

This cafe is my favorite place for a delicious breakfast. I frequently stop by for their excellent coffee and tasty breakfast options. The waitstaff is always attentive, and the menu has a great selection. It can feel a bit cramped inside, but it's not a big deal

Such a cute little cafe! A hidden gem! I really wish I could've gave this place a 5 start but the service wasn't the best. My friend and I went for brunch on a Saturday and we had to sit outside due no seats being available inside. When a seat opened up inside I asked one the waitress if we can move inside, she asked if I can give her a moment and 10 minutes later I noticed they gave the seats to a customer who had just walked in. We waited for our food for an hour! The food was a 6/10. One thing I can say is the deserts and pastries are incredible 10/10.

We just happened to be looking for a place for breakfast and came across Vanilla Cafe. What a diamond in the rough! The service was great, the choices were great and the food was fantastic! It was more tuan we could eat so we even enjoyed our leftovers. We chose Avacado Toast that was served in a way I have never had, with the freshest smoked salmon and pistachio crumbles and a balsamic glaze. Delicious. We opted for some hot tea and it came served in a glass teapot on a candle burner, so it was enough to share. The choices for the tea were awesome also. We will definitely be returning!

Lovely local spot, perfect for brunch or light lunches. There's such a huge variety of food that everyone is sure to find something they like. The inside is gorgeous, so many cute details and decorated seasonally. There's smaller tables for intimate chats and larger tables in the center for groups. We were seated very quickly even on a busy Saturday afternoon. Food came very quickly and the staff was helpful in explaining the items. It's hard to find a place with a good variety of teas available but Vanilla has tons of options. You get a cute little tea pot that stays warm with a candle. so you can try a few options if you go with friends. The deserts looks great for take out if you have an event coming up.

Food: The tea was presented in a beautiful glass tea pot on a matching tray with tea candle to keep it warm. The veggie omelette with mushroom sauce was fresh and delicious. A bit overpriced. Service: it's a very small cafe. There's one server who was very pleasant and happy. Ambience: If you're Eastern European or Russian you probably won't get the strange looks I received from patrons soon as I walked in. The decor is going for affluent garden cafe. The seats are comfy, the flatware was gold colored and heavy. A YouTube playlist of Enrique Iglesias and current rnb videos streamed on a large tv.

Had breakfast at Vanilla after seeing it on Instagram. Definitely a cute little spot ambiance-wise. I had an iced latte (5/5) the Benedict (4/5) and a fruit tarte (5/5). The presentation is beautiful! The only downfall was it was pretty expensive for what we got, especially in comparison to other places serving similar. It is a beautiful experience with how everything is served, but next time I would just get a coffee and a pastry to go!