What: Always Latte Café (AKA La Vie Café)
Where: 1846 E. Little Creek Rd., Norfolk, VA
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. until 2 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Details: Follow on Instagram
Driving along Little Creek Road, you could be forgiven for not noticing one of Norfolk’s friendliest woman-owned small businesses. But step inside Always Latte Café and you’ll soon find yourself one of the family as you sip on your favorite hand-crafted beverage or tuck into a leisurely lunch just minutes from the beach.
Located right on E. Little Creek Road southwest of Ocean View Beach, the cafe offers an easy escape from the daily routine, working both as a welcoming space and lunch hub for coffee enthusiasts and non-coffee drinkers. Always Latte’s atmosphere is coastal, warm and comforting. This former pharmacy will be familiar to many Little Creek residents who had prescriptions filled in this very building prior to the pandemic. Look around and you’ll see friends catching up, workers grabbing a quick lunch and families playing in the game room in the back.
Always Latte’s menu covers an impressive range of carefully crafted drinks, from espresso-based beverages and creamy lattes to caffeine-free teas, hot chocolates, refreshers, matcha drinks and smoothies. The signature “Pam’s Dream,” created by employee Pam Donahue, features banana matcha with toasted marshmallow cold foam to add unique variety to the lineup.
Alongside the drinks, Always Latte Cafe serves a selection of baked goods made in-house, including Danish pastries, brownies and banana bread, with gluten-free options available. They also offer a homemade lunch menu featuring made-from-scratch items like slow-baked chicken salad.
What sets Always Latte apart is its deep connection to the local community and the people behind the counter. As Donahoo puts it, “I love the whole idea that it’s not just about the money… It’s about the people.” The business regularly gives back to local causes, supporting youth ball teams, food drives and regional charities.
When asked about who visits Always Latte, Donahoo says, “Mostly locals, though we have postcards on the wall from out-of-town visitors who drop in. We’re also getting a younger crowd. We host small groups like a Bible study, a knitting group and a book club. People feel safe and homey here.”
