Paradise Kafe truly is a little slice of paradise in Bethlehem, and for my taste buds. Tucked away on New St., the shop offers a cozy atmosphere with the kindest owners and is a great place to study.
The business soft-launched on Sept. 16 and held its grand opening on Oct. 1.
My first time there, I couldn’t decide between the French hazelnut latte and the strawberry matcha. One of the owners helped me select the matcha, but then realized they had run out of their supply. He kindly asked if I wanted to switch to the latte, which I was happy to do, and gave me a piece of baklava for the “inconvenience.”
I was blown away by how delicious the latte was! It was rich and creamy with the perfect hit of hazelnut.
While I sat waiting for my drink, I got to observe all the beautiful local artwork on display in the shop. The shop features some stunning pieces that perfectly complement its serene atmosphere. It feels like the sort of cafe that you can spend hours in without even realizing, whether locking in on studying or chatting away with friends. There are multiple seating areas, with a couch, bartop, and traditional tables.
Of course, I had to go back to try the strawberry matcha. When I say this was the creamiest, most flavorful matcha I have ever tasted, I am not exaggerating. They have my two favorite components of the beverage: the strawberry puree at the bottom and a strawberry cold foam on top, which bookends the rich matcha. I have had the matcha twice now, and it was just as great the second time!
The owners seem genuinely interested in the people who come in, constantly striking up a conversation, which adds to the great vibes. I got to talk to both owners a bit each time I was there while they made my drinks. Not only did they discuss themselves and the business, but they also seemed genuinely curious about me, what brought me to the Lehigh Valley, and how I ended up at the cafe.
That’s something that I truly appreciate, and it definitely makes me feel like a valued customer.
The menu blends modern trends with cultural traditions. They offer Arabic coffee brewed in hot sand, Dubai chocolate matcha, mango matcha, Biscoff and Kinder lattes, crepes, baklava, and karak tea, among other offerings. I haven’t had an Arabic coffee in so long, and I missed those immaculate flavors, so I am glad to have a place serving it so close to campus.
I will definitely be a regular there for the foreseeable future, and I highly recommend that every Moravian student try Paradise Kafe at least once. They even offer a 10% discount to Moravian students with a valid ID.
Paradise Kafe is located at 522 N New St., Bethlehem, PA 18018, and their phone number is 347-468-0518. You can find them on TikTok at @paradisecafe, Instagram at @paradisekafee, and Facebook at Paradise Kafe.
