Viva Java. — Restaurant in Richmond

I learned about Viva Java a few months ago and have been buying their fresh-roasted 5-bean blend to make my morning coffee ever since. Yesterday, my supply ran out and I had to think about whether to spend the better part of an hour driving to Viva Java and back or buy a bag of Starbucks Special Reserve Guatemala coffee. I happened to be near a Starbucks that had just brewed the Guatemala coffee, so I ordered a small cup to taste. Lucky for me I did. The Starbucks coffee was nowhere near as good as Viva Java's. I took a few sips and threw the rest away. And this morning, I made the drive to Viva Java. When I got there, I was greeted by the wonderful smell of roasting coffee beans. Viva Java makes a better cup of coffee than I can at home but I'm working on improving my brewing skills. When you have those wonderful beans to work with, anything is possible. Viva Java coffee is the best - I've been spoiled.

October 2021 Update It has been three years since I first posted a review of Viva Java and time for an update. I live about 30 minutes away, ruling out daily visits. Instead, I buy the 5-bean blend and bring it home to enjoy every morning. Last year, I bought 20 pounds of the stuff. The coffee I brew at home isn't quite as good as a cup straight from Artie's hands (how could it be?) but close enough. To me, Viva Java coffee is a comfort drink - I look forward to it every day and it makes me feel good. When I come for a new supply, the first thing I encounter is the delicious aroma of freshly roasted beans. I enjoy bantering with Artie and taking a coffee to go. Artie is coffee Artisan and a local treasure. I hope he keeps on roasting and brewing for...

First, I wish I could give 4.5 stars. I don't give 5 stars for anything, but Viva Java deserves better than 4.

After a recommendation from a coworker I have been itching to get to Viva Java for several weeks, and finally made it happen today. My intent was to get an Americano and a half pound of beans. I didn't realize it was cash only and I was a couple bucks short, so I told Arty I'd have to come back another day for the beans. Well, he made me the coffee and gave me the half pound of beans for what I had on me. Big thumbs up for the service.

Now the coffee. First, he adds only a little hot water to the coffee then gives you a carafe so you can add to taste. I've never encountered this before, and it's fantastic if you like your coffee strong. It shows a seriousness about the coffee that you don't see in most places -- the coffee is about taste, not filling a prescribed volume of liquid.

As for flavour, Arty said that if it wasn't the best Americano I've ever had, he'd give it to me for free. Well, at first taste it was definitely good, but I wasn't ready to declare it best I've had. Once the coffee cooled a little, though, I could pick up more complexity in the flavour, and it really came into its own. Top notch, for sure, and as good as any I've had. I will...

TL;DR, the man got upset and became very rude when we asked questions about the menu (what flavour shots they have), would not recommend this place.

My partner and I were really excited to try out this place (we even went to get cash because we saw that they only accept cash). Upon looking at the options, we saw flavour shots listed on the menu but didn’t see/know what flavours they had. So we decided to ask, and were greeted by a friendly lady who began to tell us the flavours. I asked if there were any fruity flavours so the lady looked at the man at the back. Then, out of nowhere, the man started to question us, got upset, and ran into the behind. The friendly lady tried to comfort him, but was unsuccessful. He came back out and rudely told us that the flavours don’t exist and we can’t ask those questions in a very hostile manner. We felt unsafe and left without ordering anything.

I initially felt bad for the encounter and thought there might be some misunderstanding. However, seeing all the other comments, it made me feel much better, knowing that so many other people have similar experience with the man. I still feel bad for the lady, and...