Vegan
American
Delivery
Take-out
Bakery
Breakfast

Vegan cafe in downtown since Dec 2016. Makes baked goods plus all-day breakfast and lunch, smoothie bowls, espresso beverages. Confirmed closed, Mar 2019.


Venue map for Cafe Verve
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23 Reviews

First Review by thetravelier

kristengrayhound

Points +76

Vegan
16 Oct 2018

Wish I could give one star.

The food was bland and tasteless the oatmeal clumpy in all the wrong ways and the wraps seemed to be missing any sort of flavor whatsoever. The bagel wasn’t even toasted through and there’s nowhere to sit.

Pros: Free water

Cons: Bland undercooked food , No seating , Rude staff

dwbdab@gmail.com

Points +16

Vegan
05 Oct 2018

Great quick meal

We are visiting the area for a wedding this weekend and we’re happy to find this as a great, quick meal for the evening we arrived. I had the South Western Super Bowl and my husband had the a vegan burger with mushrooms. We were tempted to try their vegan cupcakes or cheesecake, but didn’t have room tonight. So, we may have to stop in again while we are here.

Pros: All vegan options, Good number of selections for a small cafe, Reasonable prices

Cons: Not a lot of seating, but you can sit next door

EmiliePéloquin

Points +295

Vegan
07 Sep 2018

Tasty comfort food

I was expecting an healthy meal, so if that’s what you have in mind, it might not be the place. But they do serve tasty comfort food. (Be warned- My purse and clothes smelled like frying oil for day!)

Pros: All vegan, Friendly staff

Cons: Deep frying smell, Mainly confort food, Don’t take Amex

lizwillow

Points +324

Vegan
03 Sep 2018

Used to love this place but it got old

A lot of the food is microwaved, so it sometimes comes out half cold or completely cold. Also, most of the food is just so filling with so much bread and fries and that kind of thing. They overdo it with the carbs sometimes. Also, their smoothies and smoothie bowls are too liquidy for my liking. I like them thicker, but that might just be me. I still stop by here sometimes for coffee or their chia seed puddings, which are pretty good if you get them while the fruit in them is fresh or if you get the pumpkin pie chia seed pudding in the fall.

Pros: Chia seed puddings, They do always change up the menu

Cons: Microwaved food, More unhealthy vegan food than healthy it seems

ElizabethCatalano

Points +414

Vegan
21 Aug 2018

Pretty disappointed

There are not a ton of completely vegan restaurants in this area, so I was hopeful that this place would wow me. Unfortunately, it did not. I ordered a mushroom burger, which came to me cold and essentially tasteless (your standard freezer-type veggie burger). They were out of two of the sides I tried to order, so they finally gave me microwaved freezer fries. I might have just caught the staff at a bad time, but they were both extremely unfriendly and unresponsive (i.e. not greeting us when we walked in, not telling us our total, leaning by the front counter on their phones). Also, neither of the workers there wore gloves or hairnets, and both switched back and forth from processing the money to processing the food, just to keep in mind if that's a thing that bothers you. Add that to food that I could very easily have made at home for about a quarter of the price; I was very disappointed.

Cons: Unfriendly staff and overpriced food, Food was standard and bland

beckylong

Points +1601

Vegan
24 Jul 2018

Great Nachos

I’ll be honest... I wasn’t really impressed when this place first opened... but a few months ago I got the nachos and since then we have probably had them 4 more times! The drinks are great too!!

Mikerson

Points +300

Vegan
16 Jun 2018

Great place

Don’t know why the last poster felt that way. I really enjoyed the food here.

Pros: All vegan, Good options

Cons: Small space

@Kendraisoutside

Points +1027

Vegan
03 Apr 2018

Kinda Basic

I'm sure the students on this campus enjoy this place. it's the only 100% vegan place in town. But almost everything on the menu can be purchased at Giant. You can tell the food is sub par cafe food from the pics posted. so I got a couple muffins which honestly taste like blueberry cornbread. Also got French fries(see photo) the bag was drenched in grease, it was like 5 guys. Everything was as i excepted. no better no worse.

JackiN

Points +104

Vegan
11 Nov 2017

Sooooo good!

Man. If only this was open when I was a student here. This place is so good. The employees and so nice and knowledgeable and the food is so flavorful and filling.

Pros: Tots

Cons: Not enough time to eat everything

nlevine94

Points +854

Vegan
11 Nov 2017

Great for transitioning vegans, or those who like veg substitutes

This is a review of the first actual transaction this new cafe performed on the first day of their soft opening, at exactly 7 a.m. when they first opened their doors to the public. So needless to say, I took the whole experience with a grain of salt.

The atmosphere of Verve is very warm and inviting. With ample outlets near the 8 chairs they currently have in the cafe, i have a feeling this is going to become a very crowded place very quickly. With a very "vegan feel," (wood counters, lots of glass and metals) it is a very welcoming environment.

The staff are almost all (if not all) family. I believe there are two sisters, the mother/baker, and some other folk. Very friendly and awake for their first day!

Blueberry Muffin--- Delicious! Packed with lots of blueberries and not overly sweet or tart like natural blueberries can be sometimes. Mine was nice and warm and it would be a great "wow!" moment if all the pastors were warmed up or if the option was given, especially on these cold winter days.

AM Breakfast Burrito--- Needs improvement. The tortillas for the wrap were not ordered in time for the soft opening so I had mine in a bowl and my friend had his on a bagel. With vegan eggs (tofu scramble with turmeric), black beans, and quinoa as well as tomato and spinach, it was a fresh option but didn't wow me with any flavors. A nice salsa verde or cheese would be a great addition.

Coffee--- Great! I'm not a normal coffee drinker, but i was that morning. Served black in a glass mason jar cup, it was a light roast that I enjoyed. Ditto to what the other post mentioned about the milk jars without proper insulation.

Very excited to see this business become a part of the local community. Can't wait to return!

Pros: Nice size menu, All Vegan!

Cons: Small, but they use Rita's sitting area sometimes, No huge dishes of just veggies and grains

Thesindelk

Points +113

Vegan
23 Sep 2017

Great Vegan Cafe

We've been in town two days and have been here twice. The food is all good. I enjoyed the Walking Waffles as something unique I haven't seen at other vegan cafes.

EthanDavis

Points +15

Vegetarian
21 Sep 2017

Excited to try the new addition.

OK, so this an update to my first review. I've kept my first review unedited below the **** marks. Originally I gave two stars, I've updated to three or three and half stars based on my latest trips. I wanted to give this place another shot because I think State College is desperate for some quality vegetarian/vegan options. I have since had two meals there. The first was the Garden, a salad, the second was the Super Bowl. The Garden was fine, nice toppings, wish it had more salad greens. Basically salad greens with veggies, chickpeas/humus, and avocado. Bit pricey for the amount of food--but I had it in a to-go container so maybe that was it. But tasty. The Super Bowl was definitely more filling. I really appreciated it was served over quinoa. Everything was cooked well. Same old radio (wish they would do spotify or commerical free pandora or an ipod). I liked that they had kombucha.

I would go there again, and plan to.

**************************************************************
My wife and I were excited to try the new addition to the area. But we left disappointed. Perhaps I was expecting too much. Didn't seem like anything was made from scratch except.maybe the energy balls. My tofurkey sandwich was tasty, but my wife's veggie burger had a terrible soy fo-meat patty. Definitely not home made and not a veggie patty either. Fries tasted like they were from sysco, tasty but not handcut. I didn't try a smoothie but they look like they could be good. We bought two muffins which tasted like they were bought or made with a cake or muffin mix. I will give it another shot, my wife definitely won't. It is a shame that a placing selling the idea of vegan food is basically serving purchased food (tofurkey, veggie patty, most of the baked goods) and hasn't broken out of the rut of replacing meat with mock meat. Otto's has a much better veggie burger made from scratch and they do better vegan and veggie food every Wed. Green bowl is better too. They need.to learn to cook vegan with passion and skill, and not just sub soy for meat. Good vegan food uses different flavor profiles, ingredients and has its own identity (veganism)--it is not sub mock meat for meat. I will continue to try and support, but the first impression was underwhelming. Also, the radio music killed the ambiance.



Updated from previous review on 2017-08-08

Pros: Sandwiches were reasonably priced, The only vegan place in town, Friendly, nice staff

Cons: See review

ElmiraDewes

Points +1417

Vegan
30 Jun 2017

very good food

My husband and I is traveling and we decided to get detour to Cafe Verve which were 40 mins out of our way. But, it worse every mile we did to get this place. Food was so good. Menu is full of choices. Recommend!

Megrush

Points +33

Vegan
30 Jun 2017

Great to have a Vegan cafe in town!

I really like this place! My omni husband even raved about the mushroom Burger he had.

My only wish: longer hours! :-)

Pros: food is delicious!

Cons: prices, hours, not enough seating

fondducoeur

Points +1167

Vegan
25 Jun 2017

Great Place!

I really with this place had been in State College when I lived there. It would have been so great to have an all vegan place! Located right on Beaver downtown, Cafe Verve serves mostly faux-meat based sandwiches and bowls, as well as breakfast and bakery items. My husband and I tried the chick'n ceasar sandwich and the kick'n chick'n sandwich with kimchi. Sandwiches are served with fries, tots, or chips. The food was tasty and the prices were reasonable. They had a variety of dessert items including cheesecakes, brownies, and energy balls. We tried the chocolate chip cheesecake, which was of the raw tasting variety rather than something made from vegan cream cheese or tofu. It was decent and only $5, which is a good deal for a vegan dessert of it's size.
I did not get a chance to try breakfast, but I am intrigued by the breakfast and smoothie bowls. They sound so tasty!
The indoor space is small, and I imagine when classes are in session at PSU it gets very busy.
Cafe Verve is a great addition to the State College food scene!

Pros: All vegan, Reasonable prices, Lunch, Breakfast, Baked goods

Thepennsyltuckyvegan

Points +1015

Vegan
24 May 2017

Affordable Vegan Food for All

Small accommodations, but amazing dishes! Had the best nachos and the juiciest burger. The juices and baked goods looked tasty as well. Everything was super affordable- perfect for anyone's budget!

ShrinkingViolet

Points +20

Vegan
20 May 2017

So glad for a vegan restaurant!

I'm happy there is a vegan place in State College, however, I think there could be improvements made. The food is good overall, but not extraordinary. One main improvement for the restaurant would be to keep it cleaner. I have been there twice and I noticed cleanliness issues both times.

Pros: Only totally vegan place in the area, Lots of options, AMAZING FRIES

Cons: Could be cleaner

PaulMatheson

Points +19

Vegetarian
08 Apr 2017

Good vegan place

I did go here today this place has great potential but they need to get organized. Maybe try to keep workers on their station when busy? Assign them duties like one dedicated to fruit bowels? Keep orders together, display food groups together and more visible.

JoshuaJ.Brock

Points +15

Vegetarian
14 Feb 2017

Question on BYOB

Sorry more of a question than a review…haven’t swung by yet but we’re looking to this Thursday before the Rusted Root concert.

Do you allow BYOB? My buddy is coming into town for this concert and both of us are newer vegans so options are limited in town. We do however love our beer as well and wanted to see if this was possible…thanks!!

Joshua

CafeVerve115

06 Mar 2017

Hi Joshua! I apologize for not seeing this before the event. We are not a BYOB café. Thank you for asking and stopping by. I had heard that someone had asked, I'm assuming it was you. :)

PaulMatheson

08 Apr 2017

Believe me Otto's pub is the place for vegans to drink beer and enjoy some awesome bean burgers and pretzels.

PennsyltuckyVeggie

Points +442

Vegan
26 Jan 2017

Adjoining Room = Ample Seating

For anyone afraid the 8 seats in the front will be filled, just grab one of the 25 seats in the room just to the right of the restroom!!!

We have been hurting for a great spot like this for decades!! State College hasn't had a solid vegetarian restaurant since the 1970 - 1980s (Sun Seed and New Morning). Sure a couple of others have tried but never quite hit the mark. Café Verve is not only all vegan but pure class.

The interior is small but has none of the grungy feel sandwich counters can have. The decor is current and tasteful. The menu has every comfort food a vegan could ask for. The hours are convenient as is the location on Beaver Ave.

Breakfast burritos, mac n "cheese" and a huge assortment of house made baked goods. I have tried over a dozen menu items and all have been delicious and well prepared. The portions are all very generous and prices are super reasonable. The specials are amazing too!

The staff is upbeat, friendly and open to suggestions to add to their menu. From reading past reviews on other vegan cafés, I know someone is going to complain about the soy meat/ dairy options. If mock meats aren't your thing, there are plenty of other choices so don't use that as a reason to not patronize his café. There are very few customers who don't fondly remember foods that contained dairy or meat and Café Verve has a great balance for every customer with their smoothies and salads.

Café Verve is an oasis for vegan diners in Central PA. It is just what we have been craving and are very grateful it is downtown State College.

Pros: Friendly and knowledagble staff., Ample vegan choices; fresh and comfort foods., Beautiful and deliscious food.

TheHappyVegan92

Points +39

Vegan
27 Dec 2016

Couldn't be more excited!

I've been waiting impatiently for a place like this ever since I went vegan and I was not disappointed! It's a cozy little spot, with friendly staff and great food. My crispy chick'n sandwich and fries were perfect, and the citrus detox smoothie was nice and refreshing. I brought a raspberry cheezecake and energy bites home for later. I'm definitely going back to try the coffee in the next couple weeks.

Pros: friendly staff, lots of menu options, lovely atmosphere

Cons: limited seating

CafeVerve115

23 Jan 2017

Hi TheHappyVegan92,

Thanks for your review! We're so glad you enjoyed your visits so far! Just wanted to point out that we do have additional seating right through a hallway that opens up to 25 additional seats! :)

Thanks again,
Café Verve

TalBen-Artzi

Points +24

Vegan
16 Dec 2016

Delicious coffee, good vibes

Got a caramel latte with soy milk, it was delicious. Also had a sample of their chocolate chip scone which was yummy.
Small place but has good vibes and quality food and drinks.

Pros: Yummy food and drinks , Friendly staff, Cheap prices

Cons: Small, not many seats

CafeVerve115

23 Jan 2017

Hi TalBen-Artizi,

Thanks for your review! Just wanted to say that we do have additional seating, right through a hallway that opens up to 25 more seats! :)

Thanks again,
Café Verve

thetravelier

Points +53

Vegetarian
11 Dec 2016

Decent first meal; Give it time

As I write this review (the first day this cafe-restaurant opened) I am finally grateful of the fact that State College has a fully VEGAN restaurant. It was long overdue in this college town.

I had an All-American Burger which was, in my opinion, pretty phenomenal. -- 4.5/5 rating

I had a bowl of oatmeal with strawberries, blueberries, and chia seeds (as my 3 toppings). Also, I had almond milk added (optional). I was a bit disappointed since the fruit came frozen and the oatmeal/milk wasn't warm enough to bring the fruit out of the frozen state. -- 3/5 rating

Loved the atmosphere of this place, small and cozy.

Pros: Friendly Staff, Good Value, Nice Vibe

Cons: Medium/Small portions

CafeVerve115

23 Jan 2017

Hi thetravelier,

Thanks for the review! We have made our portions larger and changed our bun from a ciabatta to a kaiser for the All American Burger. For the Oatmeal Bowl, we do serve fruit that has been thawed from frozen this time of year, we do apologize that your fruit was still a bit frozen. We are excited to offer fresh local fruit this spring :)

Thanks again!
Café Verve




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