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In Center City alone, there are over 25 coffee / teahouses that aren’t under the Starbucks name. Comfy couches, delicious snacks and wifi are pretty commonplace in all of them. But having a computer available to check your email, as the great Borat says, “not so much.” I understand that a computer probably doesn’t fit into most decors, but how many visitors usually carry a laptop into town. The Free Library requires a library card and Kinkos/UPS charge quite a bit just to watch that YouTube video of Mayor Nutter doing Rappers Delight.

And so, rather than have a confused look on my face when tourists ask me where they can check email, I went on a hunt to find an internet cafe. Although I’m aware of ING Direct on Walnut, this post is about the Zenlab on South. Yep, on 742 South Street lies a teahouse that believes in experience first, email second. Roberto, the manager on duty calls Zenlab a “place to find peace and tranquility while also getting work done.”

There are 20 computers on hand to use which start from a $1.00 for 10 minutes to $3.00 for a whole hour!. There is a widerange of bubble teas but also 38 brands of hot tea!. The smells of African Autumn or Peaches & Ginger really awaken the senses and is quite invgorating.

As I sipped my peppermint tea in the green room (picture this – green apple on white walls and lipstick red leather couches), sounds of jazz, hip hop and latin beats were bouncing off the turntables that are free to spin… that is, if you supply your own needle.

Coffee is served as a columbian blend but they also have everything from Goya juice to Vitasoy- a true mix of ethnic tastes which is exactly the feel Roberto is hoping to achieve. It’s Asian meets Latino.

And with the hours from 11am to 11pm- it’s just enough time to get some of that cultural flava.

Zenlab Teahouse
742 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 625-0500