Apelu Island Cafe — Restaurant in Norfolk

Legit women, family, and AAPI (Asian and Pacific Islander) owned business that is bringing a little taste of their Samoan culture to the 757 here in Norfolk. Tucked right in the little neighborhood Walmart Shopping behind McDonald’s, Thrift Store City, and Romantic Kingdom. This place is a must-try if you’re on East Little Creek road.

They have a diverse menu ranging not only coffee and tea but on top of matcha, Italian sodas, lotus energy drinks, smoothies, milk teas etc. with pastries and food. There’s a little something for everyone with an island flair.

We ordered from their Valentine’s Day menu which happened to be Taylor Swift themed. My lady got the Wildest Dream (White Chocolate Rasberry mocha) and I opted for their Champagne Problems (rose and strawberry latte).

As a college student, the coffee is the type of coffee you drink without the jitters yet still gives you the sustained energy you need to get through your day. It was so clean, fresh, not too sweet. Just perfect. The strawberry/raspberry flavors were an additional element that blended seamlessly with our coffee which made it enjoyable to the palette that keeps you wanting more.

I literally want to try everything on the menu. Their lotus drinks look delicious, I also want to try their chai, matcha, and smoothies bc anytime a cafe offers those categories I get excited that it even is an option so yeah we’re definitely coming back.

Try Apelu the next time you’re on East Little Creek and try for yourself. Tons of Natural sunlight beaming into the store. Beautiful interior design. Makes you feel like you’re at a welcoming cafe. All the employees, I assuming the family and friends are super friendly and look happy to be there. The gentle lavender color scheme suits the brand well. Bathrooms were my favorite part. Look, I never been to a place that had diapers in their bathrooms. This is great for growing families and women. I felt seen being here. A type of place where anyone at any age can come. Great location, with plenty of parking, things to do around the area. Go see...

Apelu Island Cafe is a delightful gem in Norfolk, offering a warm Polynesian-themed atmosphere that truly stands out in the sea of cafes/coffee shops Norfolk had to offer. The café’s decor is vibrant and full of pride, showcasing Polynesian heritage with a homey touch that will make you feel instantly welcomed. It’s clear how much thought and heart went into crafting this space, and it genuinely added to the experience.

Now, let’s talk about the food! If you’re heading here, don’t miss the Ube Cinnamon Rolls. They strike the perfect balance of flavor—just the right hint of sweetness paired with that familiar, comforting taste of ube. Pair that with one of Apelu’s many drink selections, and you’re in for a treat. Every drink option feels thoughtfully curated, so you really can’t go wrong no matter what you choose.

The café feels like the kind of spot you could spend an afternoon in, whether you’re studying, reading a good book, or simply relaxing with a cinnamon roll and bubble tea in hand. For me, Apelu Island Cafe has become a must-visit whenever I’m in Norfolk. It’s truly a unique, heartwarming spot that deserves...

You get transported to the Samoan Islands as you step into this cafe. It's a wet gloomy day but it's a welcome change when your destination is this new gem. They offer pastries, macarons, breads, crumb cake. I brought home the taro cupcake and the pistachio muffin. They still showcased their Valentines Special drinks - told you Valentines is celebrated for a month (or longer) not just a day. On the walls are everything Polynesian - from the wallpaper of monsters to the framed write up about Samoa and Apia, garlands, Polynesian handcrafted earrings for sale, oh there's way too much for me to take in. Service is top notch, with friendly greetings and warm smiles, you can close your eyes and feel the breeze, palm trees swaying and lei adorning your neckline and ukulele playing in the background. The space is wonderful, open, bright, comfy with various seating available to you from A commune bench to arm chairs and sofa. Very trendy and modern and classy. Angela and Melissa are wonderful. Congrats with this community cafe that aims to bring the island warmth, hospitality,...