Safari Coffee

My boyfriend and I stopped here on our way to OBX to use the restroom and caffeinate. I ordered an iced vanilla latte which was absolutely delicious. My boyfriend ordered a cheesecake frappé with a coffee base and he loved it (too sweet for my liking, but he likes sweet drinks which is why he orders frappes).
When we walked in, they were extremely friendly and stated they could make anything — even if it’s not on the menu. It’s a great, cute coffee shop and we’d definitely frequent it regularly if we were locals. Great service and drinks! Avoid Starbucks — come here to get better coffee and support a small, local business instead!

We were on our way to Richmond on I64 and needed a fix. We missed the Starbucks exit and hit up this place since we saw their sign on an exit. It’s super easy to find, less than a mile off the highway and easy to get back on.
The coffee is evidently a way for a religious group to make money, as we found the bar inside an organization called Journey. While I’m not a follower of their faith and was really just interested in a caffiene fix, I’ll try and keep this review about the coffee.
The building is very clean and hosts a giant bear taxidermy and a big tuna on the wall; it’s a cheerful yellow and wide open inside. The barista was really nice chatted my friend and I up about where we’re from and where we’re headed.
My friend had a flavored iced latte. They have a lot of flavors, the same brand of syrup as Starbucks uses, I believe. I was kind of shocked at the amount of flavor that goes into the drinks! They pour the syrup into a measuring cup, instead of the frantic multi-​squirts I’m used to seeing when the pump is on the bottle. Is it always this much syrup?! The coffee is from some small religious company (according to their site) and despite beans named to the contrary, not exotic. It was kind of wimpy. The fancier drinks, like my friend’s latte, was made on a machine with the drink type and size entered. It came out pretty and included whipped crème and a drizzle. Unfortunatley my friend didn’t really like his latte. I took a sip and it was like flavored milk.
I ordered an iced coffee with sugar free caramel and soy milk. It was all made by hand. I was intimidated by the amount of syrup, but it tasted damn good when she was done. The large was a little on the small side for me, but it might have just been the shape of the cups. Price is comparable to any other coffee bar.
The barista explained to us about the shop and where their profits go. She mentioned working a longer shift than is OSHA approved and that she basically volunteers to be there (to garner tips?).
Ultimately, I prefer to support non-​religious establishments. I also think the best service comes from just being nice to people. However, you don’t know til you get there of the affiliations and you’re jonesing for that caffiene, so you get a drink anyway. Not a fan of the easy push button machines (no steam was heard in the making of that latte’s espresso) or the heavy syrup.

Great coffee, great cause. They are a charity that make school in Africa. The lady was so friendly as well.

Great coffee and the barista was ultra sweet! Great little coffee shop to hit up while on the road. :)

First time visiting on our way to the beach. Had to find some coffee and this was the greatest place to stumble on! Happy warm welcoming staff, delicious coffee, cheery atmosphere. Best of all, your money benefits missions work! Will definitely come back next time we’re in the area. Thank you Safari Coffee crew. God bless you and your work!

Safari Coffee is literally the only coffee house in the area, so let’s all be grateful for them. I ordered a large almond milk latte, which is a 2-​shot espresso drink instead of 3. I should have known better; the drink was crazy sweet! Without that extra shot to cut the sweetness (and I think the almond milk was either sweetened or flavored), I couldn’t drink more than half. I will definitely go back, however. Those are easy things to address. Valerie was the barista and so welcoming. The café is very clean and warm. Great mission, too (see picture).

Stopped on our way home from the beach. Ordered 4 different drinks all were amazingly delicious! Staff was very nice and muffins also yummy;)