Zen Cafe: tea-riffic or crap-uccino?

As the lunch rush began, Lehigh students walked into the South Side’s newest cafe, grabbing food and drinks between classes as Olivia Dean’s soothing voice drifted through the bustling space.

The Brown and White’s editorial board members Alexandria Braxton and Ashlee Rothenberg stopped by Zen Cafe at Amicus after its opening on Oct. 19.

“This is so cute,” they overheard students say, admiring the space. 

Zen Cafe, the latest venture into the Bethlehem coffee scene from Amicus Properties and Donerds Donuts, took over the former Saxby’s location, bringing a more modern look to a familiar student spot.

But replacing a student favorite comes with high expectations.

With light green walls, faux plants and industrial lighting, Zen Cafe feels like a throwback to the millennial aesthetic of the 2010s, seemingly designed to make the space feel both trendy and relaxing. The only thing missing is a “but first, coffee” sign by the entrance.

While Zen Cafe makes an effort to live up to its name through its calming decor and soothing music, the chaos of college life makes it difficult to fully achieve that atmosphere.

Morton Street traffic gathers just outside the giant windows while students sit with headphones in, hunched over laptops, seemingly more focused on upcoming assignments than the calming setting. 

Behind the counter, employees greet customers with friendly smiles while measuring matcha and preparing food in a kitchen visible to customers.

Where Zen Cafe really stands out is in the adventurous items not typically found on campus. 

For students accustomed to ordering a plain latte, a $6.25 coconut-based refresher topped with purple ube cold foam might seem like an unlikely choice. But after mixing the purple foam into the clear refresher, one sip tastes like a tropical vacation.

For students living in Amicus properties, the company offers 50% off their first drink each day, making Zen Cafe’s options easier on a college budget.

The bakery options are equally flavorful with a s’mores cookie, cinnamon roll cheesecake cookie and chocolate chip cookie all priced at $4. While the prices are comparable to those of social media sensation Crumbl, Zen’s cookies have a more homemade feel that makes the $4 price tag easier to justify.

The s’mores cookie pulls apart to reveal a gooey center, with graham crackers lining the bottom and a melted marshmallow on top. Crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, it’s a creative take on a familiar treat.

The $5.50 blueberry lemon scone is yet another standout. Served warm, it avoids the dry, crumbly texture often associated with scones, striking a balance between sweet and tart without overwhelming the tastebuds.

While Zen Cafe’s baked goods offer some pleasant surprises, its savory menu leaves a lot more to be desired. 

As one of only two breakfast options, the Zen Breakfast feels less like a signature dish and more like something that could be found at The Grind or prepackaged at Starbucks. Priced at $7.95, the bacon, egg and cheese is offered on brioche or as a burrito, but the sandwich falls short, with barely any bacon and cheese that overpowers the other ingredients.

For students looking for a new place to grab coffee between classes, Zen Cafe offers creative drinks, satisfying baked goods and a playlist worth sticking around for.

But those hoping for a substantial meal or the same cozy atmosphere Saxby’s once offered might leave disappointed.

With the hustle of students, Zen Cafe may not be the peaceful escape its name suggests, but with an ube refresher in hand and Noah Kahan playing in the background, it’s not a bad place to spend a morning or afternoon.