Lightbox Cafe — Restaurant in Philadelphia

Lightbox Vegan café & Kava Bar is truly a hidden treasure for those seeking a brief escape into a cozy and tranquil environment while enjoying nourishing dishes that rejuvenate the mind, body, and spirit. Co-owned by Gabriel Vasquez and Jennifer Hombach, this establishment is a true gift. Each dish is meticulously crafted with fresh ingredients and perfectly balanced seasonings, resulting in a subtle yet delightful combination of flavors that will entice any food enthusiast to return and explore the entire menu.

Starting with the special of the day, a lentil chili served with fresh avocado slices, vegan sour cream, and a slice of freshly baked cornbread, I was immediately impressed. The silky, mildly spicy broth of the chili took me on a culinary journey, and the unique cornbread perfectly complemented the dish. Moving on to the jackfruit of the sea from the light bites section, I was amazed by the texture and flavor of this vegan tuna alternative. The thought of a tuna melt with this exquisite jackfruit crossed my mind, and I wished I could purchase it separately in larger quantities.

Another highlight from the light bites menu was the Curry Vegetable Pastelillos, air-fried pies filled with a delicious mix of chickpeas, celery, carrot, red onion, sweet potato, coconut milk, and lime. Handmade with care, these pastelillos were a true delight. The Beet Lox salad from the salad menu was a visual masterpiece, with a colorful array of vegetables topped with various sauces and served over a bed of spinach and Romaine lettuce. The diversity of flavors in this salad left me pleasantly surprised.

For dessert, I indulged in a chickpea brownie and a decadent banana nut bread that I would happily travel across the city for. The banana nut bread, made with cinnamon, nutmeg, maple chili walnuts, and topped with walnut cream, fresh berries, coconut flakes, and cacao nibs, was a true treat that I couldn't resist. To accompany these delightful dishes, I ordered a tropical storm Superfood smoothie that not only tantalized my taste buds but also relaxed me to the point that my afternoon walk became even more enjoyable.

Lightbox Vegan café & Kava Bar is more than just a dining establishment; it is a place to unwind, have meaningful conversations, and escape, if only for a moment. My experience at this café was filled with love, and I can't wait to return for more...

I'm not sure why I keep giving this place chances.

One of the first times I came to Lightbox cafe, I came across Kratom tea on the menu. Being the oblivious summer child that I am, I had no idea what Kratom was, so I asked one of the staff members. "It creates a sense of euphoria and opens up your lower chakras," she explained to me. The flavor profile on the menu sounded nice, so I decided to take her word for it and give the tea a shot.

What I really needed to hear was, "Kratom is a psychoactive opioid, illegal in many states." I know now that in low doses Kratom's effects can be mild, and they vary from person to person, but after drinking the tea, I sat in the corner of the cafe with a ring of darkness around the corners of my vision and pins and needles in my hands for about an hour, my heart beating in double-time. It was not pleasant, and it's quite frankly insane that the shop is selling Kratom without letting people what it is, the nature of its legality, and what its effects can be. Certain job roles will fire people for consuming a federally illegal substance even if it's legal at a state level.

Since then, I have visited the shop on two occasions when friends asked to meet me there for coffee or lunch. On both of these occasions, the staff completely forgot about the sandwich I ordered, and I had to return to the counter to ask if it was still being made.

I want to give this place some credit and mention the fact that they host a lot of sober late night events which I appreciate.

However I really can't overlook the whole Kratom thing - I dont' have an issue with the fact that they're selling Kratom, but failing to tell customers what kind of drugs you're selling them could cause a potential medical emergency (perhaps the customer has a sensitivity to opioids or stimualnts), or it could even get them fired from their job if they answer to a...

I visited Lightbox Cafe last night with my best friend on a frigid night with temperatures in the teens. From the moment we walked through the door of the colorful, cozy space, we felt a genuine sense of warmth and welcoming from the owners. We seated ourselves in one of the corner window cubbies, and co-owner Jen came right over to personally welcome us and suggest menu items. I ordered the breakfast scramble, and the roll, scramble, and especially the little crispy potatoes that come on the side were so filling and delicious. My best friend ordered an avocado toast and enjoyed it equally; and we both sipped on warm golden milk kava. I even bought a to-go double apple cider kava as a gift for my neighbor. Lightbox is a plant-based cafe that provides its customers with healthy, filling options; a booze-free environment and alternative to bar culture; and an authentic sense of community. Furthermore, it's owned and operated by two incredible people who are deeply invested in the neighborhood. In this time of pandemic -- when we're all feeling a bit discombobulated and occasionally all alone in this -- Lightbox provides sanctuary from not just the bitter cold; but also from the uncertainty that exists outside...