The name says it all and I love a restaurant with a good theme. At Superstitions Java, a café owned by Golden Valley veterans (which opened in the summer of 2020), they go all out.

Umbrellas hang from the ceiling inside, a ladder crosses the catwalk above the heads of patrons, photographs of people standing under ladders adorn the walls. Even the logo is a black cat, reproduced on the entrance, in the artwork and on the coffee mugs. The more you look, the more you will discover in the decor.

Although the theme is kitsch, it is not intended to obscure a nice weather restaurant. The cafe offers concoctions as creative as its decorations, as well as standard sips like a cup of coffee or an Americano. If you are looking for something sweet, they have what you need. And in addition to their regular menu of coffee and tea based drinks, seasonal specials adorn the menu and enjoy the holiday cheer all year round.

A London lavender mist is one of the most popular items on the menu. A little sweet, it comes with two bags of infused Earl Gray tea, almond milk (but other milk alternatives are available) and vanilla syrup. They add a layer of soft mist on the top to make it special.

If you’ve come for coffee, choose from a collection of Starbucks-adjacent hits, such as a caramel macchiato, dirty chai, white mocha, or flat white. The flavorful brewed coffees offer something a little different, including cowboy roast, French roast, or house coffee from Peru.

The truth is the list is almost endless, of Superstitions specialties – Love Potion # 9 is made with horchata, espresso, and steamed milk before topped with whipped cream and cinnamon. – to a collection of flavored lattes such as Aphrodisiaque (rose and vanilla), peach pie, lavender and cookie dough. Order plenty of them hot or iced, and don’t forget to ask about the Death Before Decaf iced option.

If you’re hungry, toast is sure to fill you up with a savory or sweet option. Large slices of sourdough bread topped with ricotta cheese and organic blackberry or avocado jam, cilantro, parmesan, sea salt, red pepper flakes, lime and arugula with just a little heat. Served on the go or on porcelain plates that don’t match and blend in nicely with the rest of the decor, you get a discount when you buy two slices, but we warn you that one is enough for most appetites, unless you plan to share.

Bakery items such as bagels and muffins, cupcakes and danishes are available in the cashier. A particularly cool extra that kids are sure to love – did we mention that Superstitions includes a list of kid-friendly drink options as well? to notice were different. Plus, the designs are fun, coming from kittens, cookie monsters, and other edible creations.

Despite the length of this story, we’ve barely scratched the surface of what Java Superstitions has to offer. Come for the coffee, baked goods or fun decor, whatever you’re up to, come in and support the locals.

Details

440 E. Golden Valley Road, Suite G, Reno, NV 89506
775-683-9331
Monday to Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
From Saturday to Sunday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Nora Heston Tarte is a longtime Reno resident who lives in the south of the city. In addition to food, his hobbies include wine, hiking, yoga, and travel. She is also the editor of a regional lifestyle publication and works freelance for other publications mostly in the travel industry. Nora received her BA in Journalism from California State University at Sacramento before earning a Masters in Professional Journalism from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. You can follow his travel adventures and local exploits on his Instagram account @wanderlust_n_wine.