We were drinking down the street at Hidden Spring and we were starving! A quick Yelp search and we found Cafe Hey. We had driven by many times but had no idea what we were missing out on. The Mi Cubano was an easy pick. Bahn Mi and a Cuban? All in one? Yes, it works and it's oh so tasty! I also love tuna salad and you can't find any better in Tampa. They also have an extensive coffee bar here and many options to make even the pickiest eater happier. A wonderful spot in Tampa with very good prices. read more

This place is definitely something I would consider "hole in the wall" as far as I can't believe I never even noticed they were there! I made my own Cuban toast with avocado and vegan bacon and It was sooooo delicious! My only real question, no berries in the fruit bowl?? Not sure if this is seasonal but definitely felt incomplete. Otherwise it's a nice little casual place with enough vegan options to have a nice sandwich. It's great for the price and the service is nice as well. Will definitely be back! read more

Made a big mistake bring my out-of-town family member here for a late breakfast. We were headed to the Cheesecake Factory when I got the terrible idea of wanting to "eat local". Good thing the food is cheap or I probably would have been really upset about my first, and last visit to this place. The vegan tuna wrap was nothing to get excited over, the coffee flavors were contrived and gross. My cousin took two bites of her Tuscan white bean soup and said it was barely warm and flavorless. The barista was rude and obviously not wanting to be there that day. To be fair, we had our 2 year old with us who was cranky and whiney, definitely annoying. We probably should have taken our food to go. However for the barista to stand behind the counter and give us dirty looks while on her cellphone and clearly talking about us to the guy behind the counter was completely unprofessional. A little politeness can go a long way, especially when the offerings are mediocre at best. read more

Went tonight to the re-opening of Café hey, it was very busy as they were doing an art show next door with an open mike next to that. Really well choreographed as the same people were working several venues. We stayed for a bite and had the blueberry rooibos tea to start with the potato soup. It was made from scratch delicious really well done. The mojo pork Cubans were the main course (they sold out of everything else so late in the day). The Cuban was the best I've had in a while. I am picky when it comes to my Cubans! All in all the estimation is Café Hey is a small local family owned business well done , I will be back! read more

my sandwich was disgusting I've never experienced this but I see new workers and not one of my sandwiches was made like I ordered I've b trying contact the shop but can't seem to get thru I would like the owner contact me please 8135979953 read more

I coordinated a lunch for a staff of teachers returning to school in August. The choices were excellent and the food, DELICIOUS! The owner bent over backwards to be sure the quality was fresh and the delivery went off without a hitch. He developed a spreadsheet to coordinate the order (over 80 meals). Each order was boxed for individual consumption - - (due to covid) and visibly labeled for teachers to "grab and go". The staff thoroughly enjoyed the meal and have ordered again since then. Would highly recommend for any corporate event or a casual lunch. read more

I was pretty excited to try this place for the vegetarian options but I don't think I'll be going back. The service was okay, but unremarkable either way. However, there were only 3 people in the restaurant before me and my girlfriend yet our order took probably 20-30 minutes to be brought out. For a sandwich and a wrap. Not exactly what one would expect from a counter service cafe. When our food did arrive it looked great but did not do much more to impress. The cold brew was so-so, but definitely one of the least enjoyable that I've had. The VLT sandwich and breakfast burrito simply lacked flavor and inspiration. Even some salt and pepper on the eggs could have made it a lot better. Both of the dishes were just bland and Tabasco didn't do much to save them. I like the style of the place and the food, however bland, wasn't outright bad so I gave it 3 stars. Personally, though, I wont be going back to pay 6 or so dollars for a boring sandwich. read more

Great Cafe with excellent ambience, food, coffee and drinks. They host art shows and have an open mic. Downtown gem! I love St Pete's Mother kombucha, and I found it there, which is always a plus. read more

I loved the ambiance of this place, I really did. It's my kind of place. Fun, funky food and coffee in a quirky old store front. Brick walls, bikes stacked up, Dinosaur Jr on the PA. I'd hang out here drinking coffee for hours no doubt. I also appreciate an aggressive Vegan menu, with plenty of options for omnivores too. It makes for a great place to go for a sandwich that satisfies everybody's needs. If I live in Tampa, it would probably become a regular haunt of mine. The food wasn't my favorite. It wasn't bad, but it just didn't really do a lot for me. I had the VLT, and I love a good VLT (and honestly haven't had a great one since Bohemia closed down in St Pete), but it just didn't have a ton of flavor. Too much veganaise and I am not sure what they were using for the bacon, but it really didn't add much other than texture to the sandwich. All in all, I loved this little cafe space in Tampa and I'll be back. Some work on the food to make it great and it would probably have me crossing the bridge on the regular. read more

1. They didn't have any kale! They have a sticker that says "eat more kale" but how am I even supposed to do that when their "specials board" says, "We do NOT have kale!" Mixed messages! 2. Everybody was so frantic, the two girls behind the counter kept yelling about how they were doing the best that they could, but no one was complaining? Why flip out at your customers when no one was even unhappy? "Uno momento, por favor! We are REALLY BUSY!" isn't a great way to greet people the second they walk in the door. I get that you're the size of my bedroom and you've probably never had more than a half dozen people in there at any given time, but seriously, just calm down, it's Saturday afternoon and no one's going anywhere anytime soon. 3. Furthermore, the "fixin's" bar was smack dab behind a table? Why? I don't want to reach over some weird old dude to grab a packet of sugar. 4. I asked for non-fat, and the guy behind the counter said, "milk?" No, genius, something else for my iced coffee. 5. A large iced coffee is about four dollars, which is the norm for Brooklyn, but for a divey place under an overpass in Tampa (that doesn't even have KALE), it's a bit much. read more

Cob webs, crawling bugs, dirty kitchen, forgotten order just don't replace for half-way decent sandwiches. I wonder if this establishment gets fined by health inspectors. I am not a frequent one-star reviewer but Cafe Hey just doesn't have any excuses for doing so poorly. Hygene aside, the staff CLEARLY do not seem to want to work here. They don't even say hello (none of the 3 that were manning the desk during my visit), they even ignored me for quite a while as I stood to place my order, while they criticized the paying customer in front of me who just happened to misread the price of a drink. The iced coffee drinks I ordered were decent ( Vietnamese Iced Coffee and Cafe Con Leche ). The Mi Cubano and Rebel Rebel were both just so-so. The Breakfash Sandwich was in the same grade. I am puzzled quite frankly given some of the other good reviews of the place. My visit here was just a quite bad one. Oh by the way, this place is NOT good for kids. The art and paintings on the walls are just not kid appropriate. The fixes IMHO are relatively easy - CLEAN the PLACE, It can be made into an inviting space, Organizing the furniture better and maybe even get some proper tables and stable chairs. Hiring staff who are proud or at least like to work here and show it to the customers. I say to Cafe Hey, don't give up just because you are located next a highway overpass and some decrepit looking neighboring stores that are shuttered up. Don't given in the to the image of a corner convenience store that serves coffee and sandwiches. You have TREMENDOUS potential. read more

I've loved every visit to this simple little wonder in Tampa Heights. Just the fact that the food board proudly proclaims, "Yes! We have kale!" makes me want to keep coming back. Let's get the boring stuff out of the way: the coffee is good and doesn't taste like Burntbucks, there's free wi-fi for your web addiction, and the requisite "grunge vs. art" ratio is holding up quite well and making all little coffeeshops proud. What makes this place great is the general atmosphere, which is welcoming, friendly, and accepting of all types, from businessman to bike-riding vegan. They really seem supportive of the Tampa communities, from the bike kids, to the music scene, to moms who want tea, to the veggie/eco/sustainability crowd. It's "indie" in the way that won't make you barf. The only drawback is that their hours take getting used to...like you might want to write them on something and put them in your wallet...it's that random. But if their only problem is that they're not open enough, they must be doing something right. So, the next time you're in Tampa Heights, grab your laptop out of your car and go to Cafe Hey to sip on a drink, flirt with hipster girls who are out of your league, and talk to an old lady about the weather. read more

For me, three star reviews are the hardest to write. There's no motivation. A restaurant that is either really really good, or really really bad, you want to pass that information along. But, for a restaurant that is good, but not great and not bad, that passion is not there. I didn't know where to park, so I parked on the street. I'm not sure if it was a legal spot, therefore, I got my Cuban sandwich to go. Their execution of the Cuban sandwich was that of none I have ever had before. They added mayo, which I have never seen before. Also, my Cuban sandwich was not pressed. Small variances, but this really changes the sandwich, though it was still good. The pulled pork was a little dry. The dining area is small, with only a few tables. There are also tables outside. Overall, not a bad place. I would eat there again if I was in the area. I just wouldn't order the Cuban. read more

Iced café con leche what??!! It was amazing and delicious. The seating was minimal and it was packed. Plenty of parking, and limited seating. I'd like to go back, and hopefully review it a little better. After finding a seat and trying something off the menu, hopefully 86 the rude guests. I went on a last minute invitation from a friend. I had my 9 year old with me. It was open mic night. A few of the guests were really rude to my daughter, and I, because I brought her, and they wanted to tell adult jokes. Honestly, I wouldn't have cared if they continued. We stepped out for one act, and than came back. Eventually leaving because of how we were being treated. I'm not going to hold it against Café Hey, but if I am treated rudely there in the future I will adjust my rating. If it's an adult only coffee shop, they really should post that. read more

So, one bad day doesn't a full "review" make, but it deserves a mention, nonetheless. This morning, I headed to Cafe Hey for breakfast and studying. Again, the atmosphere here is great, but today's service was horrid. I ordered the quiche. The counter told me that it would take about 7 mins to warm up (they would bring it to me). I sought out a table and turned on my iPod and read. I realized about 20 mins past, and I walked up to the counter. They looked at me with "who are you" eyes, and I told them I ordered the quiche. "The quiche," she exclaimed. She went to the oven and took out a burnt, dried piece of quiche. She said she could make me another piece if I wanted. If I wanted? That's an odd, and stupid, question. I didn't appreciate her tone or her excuse: "We usually set a timer, but this time we didn't." So, I asked for my money back and left. She was surprised I wanted my money back. Plus, I was in a bad mood at that point, so she wasn't too happy with my leaving. She did come back out to my car (I was parked right in front) to say "sorry" and offer me a frequent diner card with this meal "punched," but I said, "No, thank you." Yes, I was a bit bitchy, but I was in no mood to be nice, anymore, at least. Again, one experience was good (a week ago) and one was horrible (a couple of days ago). Perhaps, the indy coffee shop mentality is too sporadic to ever judge as a whole. Regardless, for what it's worth, that was my experience, and this is my rating for Cafe Hey. read more

Cafe "Hey this is AWESOME" is what they should really call it. Location: A formerly forlorn section of Franklin St just north of 275. Parking: Way easy - 12 hour meters that two bits will get you an hour or so, Inside: Tiny. Well, compared to a lot of places in Tampa 24 seats or so + couch + chairs at the front. Comfy. Service: Excellent. Food: I had a damned fine Cuban sammich. Now, I di dorder it with just mayo/mustard and pickle - and somehow it acquired lettice and tomatos... thats sort of ruins the authenticity there (those items are not kosher on an authentic Cuban, sorry) but I survived. I had a taste of their summer herb-something-gazpacho - it was YUM. Tea: Black iced tea had a lovely flavor. Nice blend. Complaints: None really - only that I need to go back and try it again soon. Note: Get there at 11:45 or risk getting stuck at one of the high tops or outside (not good if its hot) Great space, indie feel, sans the annoying hipsters. read more

Rarely do I post a bad review, but this time to service was so bad I was compelled to. 1) I asked for a Cafe Mocha (thinking erroneously that they would have it), and the server acted like I was an ignoramus and asked "Do you want to see a drink menu?"). 2) When I went to give him my debit card, she snatched it out of my hand. 3) I paid for a coffee and a quiche, and had to grab the quiche myself, because the two people behind the counter were to involved in a conversation. 4) Overpriced. 5) After coming to the place, I made up a new adjective: hipster-douchebag I will say that the coffee was good and the quiche was solid, but you can get that anywhere. (otherwise it was one star!) PS: I only went to this place because the Asian Grocery store around the corner was closed. read more

Cafe Hey is an eclectic little space located behind Oceanic Oriental Supermarket, on a forlorn corner, in downtown Tampa. Inside the walls are adorned with curious artwork, the aroma of fresh brewed coffee is wafting in the air, and you're appropriately greeted with a cheery "hey!" when you get to the counter. Their "Cafe Con Leche" is OH SO GOOD, and the "Rebel Rebel" (a pressed smoked turkey sandwich w/avocado, jalapeño jack cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise on Cuban bread from La Segunda Central Bakery) was TO DIE FOR. We are definitely coming back to try more items from the menu! :) Café Hey seems to have a good dose of local popularity, along with a steady stream of dine in and takeout orders. They are also on Uber Eats. The prices are very reasonable, there is indoor and outdoor seating, and plenty of free on-street parking with overflow at Oceanic Supermarket. They also have bicycle racks making it a good stopover for an urban bike ride. All in all, two thumbs up. read more

The food is freshly made, tasty and typically creative in terms of successfully showcasing seasonal ingredients and unusual combinations. The baked goods always stand out and the selection of soups, salads, quiches and sandwiches can be equally appealing. Beverages are a big part of this cafe's popularity and they are delicious. Coffee and tea drinks are made to order and concocted to please. Everyone I have ever introduced to Cafe Hey has enjoyed the helpful staff, local art displayed and, of course, the feel-good food that is both nutritious and delicious. read more

I come here a lot when I visit the 'rents. Occasionally, I'm afraid I'm not hip/cool enough to hang out here. I'm sure I miss more than my share of obscure art/literary/music references in conversation, BUT, kale salad, iced tropical tea, delicious soups & (don't tell on me!) the delicious pastries get me past my fear of being too bourgeois to hang. Besides, the folks behind the counter are kind & welcoming behind their heavy-framed glasses & "I've never heard of them" concert t-shirts. Who knows? Maybe some of it will rub off on me? read more

Not the cleanest, but I guess that's part of the "charm"? Food was descent, very accommodating staff. Horrible area of town, boarder line unsafe. I gave 1/2 my sandwich to a homeless man. Be prepared to be asked for change by the vagrants that hang out. Too bad, the place has potential; but I probably won't return. read more

Great spot for an authentic Cuban sandwich. Staff does a nice job with managing a very busy lunch crowd.

I love this place, I've been coming here for years. Their coffee is real and great, and their food is always fresh.

Cafe Hey is an excellent indie cafe in the Downtown area with a myriad of vegetarian sandwich selections, and a plenty of variety among their chef specials throughout the week. When you walk into Cafe Hey, you feel less like a customer and more like you just joined a community. Be warned: it's TINY, and not really in the greatest neighborhood - but it's quaintly decorated and definitely worth trying out. Pro tip: Check out the amazing oriental grocery store next door! read more

Quaintly eccentric gem smack dab in the middle of Sketchville, USA. The local art is hung with care along the brick wall. The indie workers were laid back and adorable. I just wish this effing place isn't where it's located. There seemed to be a lot of people going in and out, so I feel like they have the potential to move to another location and keep their following. It needs to be....less next to an overpass. I did not partake in the multitude of food options they have here, just a plain ole iced mocha latte for me. I would like to say it was rather delish. I'll come back. Thumbs up Cafe Hey! read more

Holy cow this place caught me by surprise. I literally think they have a perfect bread for their sandwiches. I got the rebel rebel and subbed sharp cheddar. It was absolutely breathtakingly delicious. The music was beautiful, the customer service was friendly but not cheesy, environment was intimate. I loved it. My cappuccino was a bit heavy on foam, but still giving this place 5 stars since it had my almond milk. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. (Also, my boyfriend ate the Cubano with the slaw and loved it as well.) read more

Cafe Hey has to be one of the best hidden gems in Tampa. Their soup of the day (sometimes two choices) is always delicious and different. They're made fresh every day and sold "vintage" the next day for a steal at 2$ a bowl...but you have to go home to heat it up. No microwaves. Their owner also bakes fresh treats daily. My favorite sandwich is Turkey and Swiss. It sounds boring but it's yummy so I don't care. If you work downtown or live anywhere in the Tampa area, you definitely need to eat here. You'll be hooked. read more

Cafe hey is my absolute most favorite place in downtown Tampa. Ive been here at least 10 times already but I never had the chance to write a review. It is my go to place for my weekly treat, a delicious soy caramel macchiato! It come in one size about 20oz cup. The soy milk (which is my favorite) is organic and there is no extra charge for it. They also use "nugget ice"- which is the soft chewy ice ---which for some reason makes its better. lol This my favorite item on their menu. In terms of food, I've tried the "A to the Z" sandwich it has avocado, tomato, eggs, provolone cheese and turkey the cuban bread make takes the sandwich from 4/5 to a 5/5. I'd have to say its one of the best cuban breads I've had in a while. The provolone cheese adds most of the flavor to the sandwich. I also tried the Festival turkey, which was great! If you like cranberry sauces and reminiscing on Thanksgiving dinner..this is the sandwich for you. Its made of smoked turkey, cranberry sauce, super cheddar, watercress and Dijon mustard. So many unique flavors coming together between their delicious cuban bread. The last sandwich I've tried was the hummus and veggies. This sandwich wasn't as flavorful as I expected but it did taste very healthy as it packed with hummus, shredded carrots, lettuce, tomato, cucumbers. I was expecting the hummus to have a little more kick to it. Overall, great place. Love the "hipster, vegan, organic" atmosphere. lol Its a nice quaint place to get some work done if you want to avoid the hassle and bustle of a Starbucks-type location. read more

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3.5 Okay, I really like this place because of it's quirky interior, friendly staff and the food and beverages are made with some serious tlc. If you want an alternative to a yappy chain coffee house, this is a great place off the beaten path. This place boasts its variety of coffee roasts, local beer brews and even complementary triple filtered water. My boyfriend got the Cuban sandwich and I got the T'ank - a vegetarian sandwich. We both enjoyed what we got. The only reason I can't honestly give it 4 stars is because I felt like it wasn't the best value. So my sandwich is vegetarian - so the most expensive ingredient (meat) is not in my sandwich and yet I paid $7 for shards of avocado and cheese,not good thick slices of either. That's why I subtracted a star. While They have an excellent menu, I felt the meal was lacking some substance. I mean, if I get a veggie sandwich I want some hearty slices of veggie; not veggie remnants- as good as it was. I will still want to come again and try their other sandwich options. read more

Went today for the first time and it was a great experience! even when they got a little rush, they were very nice. it was super quiet and chill, truly a great place! I had the full cuban sandwich and it was soo delicious! Full Cuban Sandwich read more

Neat place in Tampa casual and comfortable and best of all quite and respectful! Great service and great fun if you want. Owners are local stapes and deserve to be applauded for there contribution to this wonder city of ours read more

Cafe Hey - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

This is a heavily biased review, because I am obsessed with kale, and this is a kale-promoting restaurant. Oftentimes nutritious, healthy food that's prepared at a restaurant is either drowning in soy sauce or tamari or is just completely unexciting and flavorless. Cafe Hey has a very respectable kale salad, great coffee, good soups, and decent sandwiches. I'd definitely re-visit. I don't know about their other desserts, but I am not a fan of their vegan cookies...they're too dry and crumbly. Then again, I've been spoiled by Central Cafe & Organics in St. Pete - the best vegan cookie I have ever had! read more

This is a deliberately funky coffee/sandwich shop. I have sampled several times and enjoyed the brew, sandwiches & soup. They have multiple vegetarian options and some fine sandwich breads. The tiny place is in the corner of the Oceanic Asian market, looking downtown towards the Interstate. You gotta want to go there. Service is not always quick if they get backed up, and there are lots of unique bottled drink options (no alcohol). You order at the counter amid counter-culture flyers/brochures and cookies, and can eat in or take out. It seems they have wi-fi since there are usually a few folks parked at the sparse tables, nursing a drink and focused on keyboard. Clientele is a mix of hipsters, office types and squares like me. Staff is welcoming even if I do not look like a lefty cause supporter, and I do not feel compelled to apologize for looking like a Republican. Actually the place is a welcome change from Starbucks or more structured/snobbish coffee shops. You can park in the Oceanic Market lot and walk south to the Hey entrance and pretend you are a street person. read more

This cute eclectic spot holds a vegan brunch on Sunday that will make you forget about that greasy bacon or sausage. They have a bottomless mimosa option for 10 bucks! And several vegan options to choose from. I had the shrimp n grits, biscuit n gravy, and berry waffles . Yum yum. Out of all the plates, the biscuit n gravy was definitely my fav. Gravy was seasoned just right. Biscuit was soft n flaky and the side of greens were on point. And if you are not a vegan they also serve meals with meat. for the coffee lovers this place is a must! would highly recommend this spot to anyone looking for a bite to eat in a swanky spot. read more

Cafe Hey - Berry waffle - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Fantastic, healthy food. Went for brunch on a Sunday. I got the Cuban toast with eggs, avocado, peppers, tomatoes and swiss. It was excellent and featured a generous amount of the toppings. My wife got the ABBA sandwich: bananas, almond butter, apricot jam and cinnamon on Cuban toast. (Maybe not as healthy, but phenomenal!) We also got cafe salads, which were just like we'd make at home. Oh, and good coffee to top it off. Eclectic, comfortable atmosphere with a creative menu for omnivores and vegans alike. A jewel! read more

I've stopped here twice and both times I just wasn't overly impressed. I like the idea of Cafe Hey. Small, independent coffee/brunch spots are usually a favorite. It's a very small space though and gets extremely crowded. I would have liked to try the food but waiting for one of the few tables probably would have taken forever. Both times I've tried the coffee which was decent. read more

I met up with my friends for brunch on Sunday. There was a couple of people waiting along the tables prior to the place being opened. It was a Vegan meet up that day. I decided to try the vegan chicken and waffles and I was surprised that the food was really great! Just be prepared to wait in line, but it goes by fast. read more

Cafe Hey - Vegan chicken and waffles..pretty good!! - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

This cafe is always so cozy and endearing yet exciting to see what Chef Anne has whipped up for the day. I really really love the "Ric Ross" sandwich. It has the best of all worlds, sweet, spicy, savory, meat, vegetables and it's pressed so it's crunchy too! The yogurt parfait is a great breakfast. It's such a healthy start of the day. You got your dairy, grains, and fruits all in one! They've also started doing Open Mic every Thursday night, which brings in an interesting night crowd. You definitely have to try this place out! read more

I was really impressed with this small, artsy cafe. Their corner location is a little awkward for parking but I was able to find a spot with little fuss. I recommend the VLT (one of their vegan sandwiches) with avocado. This place has friendly service, good food, and interesting art and photography displays. read more

Cafe Hey - VLT with avocado. - Sandwiches Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Stopped here for an early lunch while visiting this past weekend. My vegan friend suggested from her research and the four of us were all very happy with our experience. To start, the coffee was amazing. I chose the Cafe con Leche and wanted to dive into it was so good. Adorable, artsy and kind of a lo Fi casual feel to this Cafe. After much thought ( lots of great sandwich options here!) I decided on the full Cuban sandwich with the Cafe salad. Both were great. I did opt to no tomato on sandwich which they forgot and added anyhow, it tasted good so I let it go. I probably would ask for light mayo if I ordered again- not a big mayo fan I'll make exceptions for some sandwiches- this one was heavy! Overall, really liked the sandwich, the Cuban bread so fresh and amazing! Side salad was pretty standard, but again fresh and tasty. My veggie friends did the VGT and raved about ( vegan bacon) and the roasted garlic potato soup which the devoured. Great meal and a decent value. Order at the counter and they'll bring out. Bathroom is unisex and literally has no door with commode facing entry way! Edgy! Lol....so you might be advised to go beforehand! Would definitely eat here again. read more

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