Pangaea Coffee Emporium

WOW. Hampton Roads has a great coffee scene, and although Pangaea is the new kid on the block, they’re already setting themselves apart from the rest. They’re located in an unassuming spot, inserted into an apartment complex…and not the kind you’re thinking of, with a bunch of trendy shops. Just a regular complex, almost as if it was the old leasing office spot. Don’t let the exterior fool you! As soon as you step in, you’ll be transported. First off, the ambiance, the environment, the vibe. I love me some greenery, and the way that they have put together and decorated this space is incredible. It’s filled out without being over the top or gaudy- everything is tasteful and thought out. It’s welcoming and comfy- no seat or space to occupy feels awkward. I felt like I belonged as soon as I stepped in. The drink options seem standard when you first look at the menu, but they take pride in knowing what they are sourcing, as well as what spices will coax the particular flavors out of them. The hot arabica coffee I had was burstING with flavor- I had it with whipped cream which was new for me, and it worked. One of the best hot coffees I’ve EVER had. I ended up taking two drinks to go- dragonfruit lychee (one with whipped cream-OOOOWEEE) that were delicious, incredibly refreshing, and with just the right amount of sweetness. Now let’s talk about what makes this place truly shine- the people. Jesse and Jay are the owners, and when you speak to them about Pangaea, the passion and excitement for what they are doing and their vision shines through. They are both Air Force veterans who took their love of cultural diversity and their experiences through travel, and created this space to showcase these inspirations through taste, visuals, and experience. They literally did everything inside of the coffee shop themselves, and should be very proud for what they’ve accomplished. A standard is also being set in their staff- Elli was my first point of interaction upon entering, and she was kind, genuine, knowledgeable, and quick to help with recommendations. I’m so excited to see them grow- they deserve it. There are future plans to expand into beer, wine, and food. Being celiac, I hope this also will include gluten-free, but if not, they’ve still made a regular out of me. Cannot recommend this enough- it’s worth the trek. Add this to your list of must-try coffee shops.

I love a hyped coffee place, especially when it lives up to the expectation. First, obvious from all the pictures, the ambiance and aesthetic are spot on for a trendy place. It's cool, welcoming, warm/cozy, and pleasing to be in. From the moon on the ceiling, water feature at the entrance, and betta fish chilling at a table, there's so much to look at, but it's done so we'll, it's not overwhelming. Moving on, the owners and staff are phe-bomb-anol and obvious have a passion for what they're doing, which is an absolute joy to see and support. I thoroughly enjoyed my spiced cacao beverage (iced) - I wouldn't have been mad at a little more spice tho (literal spices, I didn't try the spicy version). I also ordered the plum danish, which was good. Their packaging was earth-conscious (thank you) and their pricing was fair (thank you again). Would love to see more gluten free food options :) Absolutely recommend checking this place out and supporting what is clearly a passion and dream for these business owners!