12/21/07

Great coffee

by wavecrest

Ray's has great coffee, even Blue Mountain coffee and Kona coffee, and all of them are delicious. The service is excellent, the people polite. The food is expensive, though and the cheapest of the coffees is $4 for one cup.

Also, it's a bit awkward if you're with a group, since it's a small cafe. There are four-chair tables, however, so don't let that deter you.

But if you need a place to relax and enjoy a good cup of coffee, and can afford to splurge a little, then this is definitely the place for you.

Chinatown cafe serves intricately brewed coffees with grace and care.

by Contributor

In Short
Exotic coffee beans are carefully ground, combined with spring water and siphoned. A cup of Hawaiian Royal Kona can cost $8, but its intensely rich aroma is worth the splurge. As a bonus, drinks come with a fruit tart or a homemade white-chocolate cookie. Thai dishes are simple and as carefully prepared as the coffee. Delicate vegetarian dumplings are light and flavorful. Soups of buckwheat noodles or spicy beef with broccoli are just spicy enough.

09/13/05

Unique and interesting

by paulpc

I head to Ray's whenever I'm in Philly for an out of the ordinary coffee and food experience. Try the dumpling sampler or one of the specials. The Iced Coffee is outstanding. If you're bored with the assembly line service and generic treats at Starbucks head to Rays.

• Pros: small size, china town

06/02/05

not great

by ceroshaper

I walked in with a very positive attitude but left having only had a fairly good cup of tea at an excellent cup-of-tea price. It's possible that my palate wasn't discerning enough to appreciate what they were offering. The atmosphere was interesting (bubbling contraptions at the counter) but a bit cool and sterile, not cozy. On the bright side, the tea presentation was impressive and the menu offered the customer access to some rare and exquisite coffees.

• Pros: nice presentation, friendly staff
• Cons: limited atmosphere, expensive

05/25/05

Maybe I missed something?

by ljb823

I'm apprehensive to be too critical, having been here only once, but my initial reaction is "$8.50 for a cup of tea--what?!". The presentation was nice, the service was pleasant, the interesting glass brewing contraptions (I think that's what they were, we didn't see them put to use) were a conversation topic. But beyond that...I'm not sure what other reviewers seemed to be so taken with about this place. The ($8.50) tea tasted...like tea, but I'm willing to admit that I might have a thing or two to learn about exceptional tea? Not sure. The iced capuccino was nothing special (at $5.50). I'm sorry Ray

• Pros: Unique?, Not Starbucks, I've now had $8 tea
• Cons: Expensive, Not a good value, Overpriced

06/15/04

Best Coffee in Philly

by nicsnoopy

Ray's makes an amazing cup of coffee that is served with elegance! The service is always prompt, warm, and polite. The food is tasty and the desserts are wonderful. It is always a treat to introduce friends to this wonderful place.

05/09/03

a nice place for a fancy cup o' joe

by userinnj

Ray's is probably the best place for exotic coffee and tea within chinatown limits. It's a wonderful place for a first date as it is informal while portraying a slight elegance. Definately a favorite!

• Pros: Great Service, Great Coffee
• Cons: decent location