What people love here...
Off-Menu Matcha Latte
This demonstrates the café’s flexibility and willingness to customize drinks, delighting customers with specialty requests.
Key Themes from Reviews
Staff Friendliness & ServicePositive
Customers repeatedly praise the warm, helpful, and attentive service provided by most team members.
About Crave Cafe
Welcome to Crave Cafe in Reading, PA
Nestled in the heart of Reading, PA, Crave Cafe is a vibrant restaurant and cafe destination that feels like a home away from home. Whether you’re popping in for a morning latte, settling in with your laptop, grabbing a quick lunch sandwich, or treating yourself to homemade ice cream, Crave Cafe delivers hospitality, flavor, and creativity in every bite and sip.
Genuine Hospitality & Friendly Service
From the moment you walk through the door, the Crave Cafe team strives to make you feel welcome. Guests often praise the “pleasant staff” and “extremely friendly” servers who go above and beyond—whether that’s recommending a favorite sandwich or whipping up an off-menu matcha latte at your request. While a handful of visitors have experienced the occasional lapse in attentiveness or slower table upkeep, these moments are rare among an otherwise warm and attentive team. Most patrons leave feeling uplifted by quick smiles, personalized recommendations, and a real sense that the staff cares about their experience.
Cozy, Art-Filled Ambiance
One of Crave Cafe’s standout features is its inviting, bohemian atmosphere. Colorful local artwork adorns every wall, with many pieces available for sale, creating a mini-gallery experience alongside your meal. Regulars love browsing the rotating collection of paintings—and perhaps discovering a new favorite artist—while enjoying the clean, comfortable dining area. Whether you’re meeting friends for a casual catch-up or settling in for a productive work session, the eclectic décor and soft background music set a relaxed, coffee-house vibe that feels both intimate and inspiring.
Fresh, Flavorful Menu Selections
Crave Cafe’s menu balances hearty and light fare to satisfy every appetite. Start your day with fluffy breakfast sandwiches and house-made baked goods, or dive into a midday panini pressed on a dedicated gluten-free station—complete with GF bread and desserts for those with dietary restrictions. Patrons rave that “everything was fresh and well dressed with flavor… Not a morsel left on my plate,” and the generous portion sizes help ensure you won’t leave hungry. From robust soups to crisp salads and stacked sandwiches, the café’s commitment to quality ingredients and creative flavor combinations shines through in every bite.
Coffee, Lattes & Specialty Drinks
Coffee lovers will find delights around every corner. Crave Cafe takes pride in its expertly brewed coffee and specialty drinks, earning accolades like “awesome coffee shop!…quality of coffee was great.” Their espresso-based lattes—iced or hot—are crafted to perfection, with the iced caramel latte frequently touted as “perfect and filled to the brim.” If you’re in the mood for something unique, don’t hesitate to ask: the owner famously concocted a matcha latte that wasn’t even on the menu, but turned out “absolutely wonderful.” This willingness to customize and surprise customers reflects Crave Cafe’s dedication to making each visit memorable.
Ice Cream Shack: A Sweet Outdoor Treat
Adding to Crave Cafe’s charm is the newly introduced ice cream shack just outside the main entrance. Serving homemade flavors on cones and in cups, the kiosk has quickly become a favorite summer spot for families and neighbors. Guests love the playful escape of choosing a scoop before heading back inside, remarking that “the ice cream stand is every bit as good as the main cafe.” Whether you’re finishing lunch or simply craving a cool treat on a warm afternoon, the ice cream shack offers an extra dash of delight.
Great Value & Fair Pricing
At Crave Cafe, quality doesn’t come at a premium. Visitors consistently note that prices are reasonable for the generous serving sizes and fresh, top-notch ingredients. From breakfast pastries to paninis and specialty drinks, the cost feels justified by the care and attention poured into each order. As one patron put it, “fair prices…serving sizes are big,” making Crave Cafe not just a delicious spot, but a smart value for daily coffee runs or leisurely brunch dates.
Balancing Speed & Savvy Service
Crave Cafe strives for efficiency without sacrificing quality. Many guests appreciate how quickly their orders arrive—even during busy lunch hours—while a few have experienced slower lines or staggered food delivery. This balance of speed and care reflects the genuine human touch behind every counter and tabletop, ensuring that food is fresh and service remains personable, even when the café buzzes with activity.
Why You’ll Crave It
With its blend of heartfelt service, eclectic ambiance, varied menu offerings, and irresistible beverage lineup, Crave Cafe has earned its place as a local favorite in Reading, PA. From gluten-free paninis to off-menu matcha lattes, rotating art displays to an inviting ice cream shack, this restaurant and cafe creates a well-rounded, community-driven experience. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a regular stopping by for your daily brew, Crave Cafe invites you to pull up a chair, soak in the cozy atmosphere, and taste for yourself why so many patrons keep coming back for more.
Categories
About This Business
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Crowd
- Groups
- Tourists
Parking
- Parking
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
Children
- Kids' menu
- High chairs
- Good for kids
Payments
- Debit cards
- Credit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Planning
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Coffee
- Quick bite
- Comfort food
- Small plates
- Vegan options
- Healthy options
- Vegetarian options
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
Highlights
- Fireplace
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
Popular for
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Solo dining
- Good for working on laptop
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Dining options
- Lunch
- Brunch
- Dessert
- Seating
- Catering
- Breakfast
Service options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
- No-contact delivery
Contact Information
Reading, Pennsylvania 19608
United States of America
Phone: +1 484-509-5955
Website: Visit Website
Customer Reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars
Based on 390 reviews
Review data
5 star reviews
- 80%
4 star reviews
- 12%
3 star reviews
- 4%
2 star reviews
- 1%
1 star reviews
- 3%
Working Hours
- Monday:
- 8:30AM-2PM
- Tuesday:
- 8:30AM-2PM
- Wednesday:
- 8:30AM-2PM
- Thursday:
- 8:30AM-2PM
- Friday:
- 8:30AM-2PM
- Saturday:
- 8:30AM-2PM
- Sunday:
- Closed