By Sheehan Bradshaw

What could be better than visiting a new cafe in the local Richmond area on a Saturday afternoon? A few weeks ago, I tried the new cafe Ever Better on Lombardy Street in the Fan area. After seeing their vibrantly colored teas on their Instagram, I was hooked and wanted to taste their fancy drinks for myself. The cafe opened earlier this fall and seems to be very popular. The colorful wall allows the cafe to stand out amongst the other buildings. When you walk up to the building, the first thing that meets the eye is a bright blue wall. The ordering window includes their drink menu, with two panels on each side. The most vibrant part of the wall is the logo. Painted in cursive and outlined in pink and a dark blue, the words “Ever Better’ are emphasized to grab customers’ attention. 

In early September, Richmond Magazine reviewed the new cafe and described their special menu items. The owners wanted to create a place where everyone can gather and spend time together in an enjoyable environment. They do not offer outdoor seating, but they have a great indoor space that will eventually be open to the public. Due to COVID-19, they are unable to provide use of their indoor spaces at this time. The building features a first floor dining area and an upstairs space that can be used as a workplace or study area. The article also discusses how the owner’s main goal was to include healthy menu items. Instead of having a bunch of added sugars in a tea, they offer healthy shakes with different proteins and healthy ingredients. Ever Better’s menu features three main beverages: teas, healthy milkshakes, and coffees. They only sell drink items at the moment. 

On Ever Better’s social media platforms, you will find a variety of colorful looking teas. The menu has 30 different teas, consisting of mega and mini teas. The mega tea provides a caffeine boost, which is great for people who are not fans of coffee but still want the caffeine rush. The mini teas are just a smaller version of the mega tea, in case you are not in the mood for a large serving. Alexandra Brownstein (’22) had the Strawberry Margarita tea and had great things to say: “The strawberry margarita is refreshing and very flavorful. There is a good balance of sweetness. This would be a great summer drink.” She gave her drink a 10/10 rating. Another tea review came from Lizzie Hagan (’22). Hagan had the Shirley Temple tea, which includes pomegranate, raspberry, and cherry flavoring. Hagan gave her drink a 8.4/10 and had some advice for those who are planning on taking a visit soon: “Wear warm clothing, because the line is outside.” 

Another popular menu item are the healthy protein shakes. Similar to a milkshake, Ever Better’s shakes are supposed to be filling and an alternative to a sugary milkshake. They have a variety of different shakes—for chocolate lovers, peanut butter people, and sweet tooths. I ordered the chocolate chip cookie dough shake, and it was just what I asked for. It was not too sweet, but did not taste too healthy at the same time. I did notice that there plenty in one shake, but it filled me up for the rest of the afternoon. I would give my drink an 7.5/10, because there was a flavorful balance of sweet and “protein,” but I think there should be an option for shake sizes, as there are for their teas. Each shake includes 24+ grams of protein and is 200-300 calories. Overall, I had a positive experience. The wait time took about 15 minutes, but the drinks came out within five minutes of placing my order. The staff was very helpful with menu suggestions and helped me narrow down my options on the large menu. 

Do not forget about the coffees! Ava Riddle (22’) ordered a cold brew with almond milk and caramel but was disappointed in her order, as the almond milk was missing from the drink. Riddle said, “the lady at the front told me that their coffee was not as good as their shakes, but I ordered a coffee anyway.” Riddle recommends taking the staff’s advice and trying a shake or a tea next time. 

All photos by Sheehan Bradshaw.