At the corner of resilience and revival in downtown Reading, tucked inside the lobby of a towering office building on North 5th Street, a quiet warmth awaits. It’s not just the smell of fresh soup simmering or the soft hum of conversation. It’s the feeling that you’ve stepped into someone’s story—one built on faith, healing, and the courage to begin again.
That’s the heart behind Rosanna’s Choice Café, a cozy new gathering space created by Dominican-Turkish chef and owner Rosanna Martinez. Open Tuesday through Saturday, with Sundays reserved for private brunches and small events, the café offers more than coffee and light fare—it offers connection.
A Café with a Story
Every inch of the space tells a piece of Rosanna’s journey. The walls are lined with artistic photographs—many showing sunglasses, a motif that carries a deeper meaning.
“I was going through a toxic relationship. I didn’t talk about it much, but it marked my heart,” Rosanna shares. “The glasses? I wore them because my eyes were always puffy from crying. But one day I said, ‘God, take the wheel.’ That’s when things started changing.”
From that point forward, Rosanna poured her energy into creating a place not just for herself, but for others—especially women facing their own battles. “Mental health is a big problem, especially for women,” she says. “We do a lot, and sometimes we just need a space to feel peace. I want people to feel like they’re at home here.”
The name of the café—Rosanna’s Choice—speaks to that turning point in her life, a declaration of reclaiming purpose and choosing joy.
From Home Kitchen to Culinary Training
Though her love for food began at home, Rosanna eventually formalized her culinary passion at Escoffier Culinary School. Before opening the café, she built a loyal following by creating charcuterie boards and offering private cooking services. That foundation of personal connection and artistic food presentation remains central to how she cooks today.
“I like to see color in my food, to smell the flavors, to watch people’s faces light up when they taste something,” she says. “That’s what brings me joy.”
Her current menu reflects both simplicity and soul. One early hit is her signature chicken lentil soup, which began as a quiet offering and quickly turned into a crowd favorite. Alongside it, her house-made lavender lemonade continues to draw regulars.
Building Slowly, With Intention
Rosanna is the first to say that she’s still growing into her new space. With help from her daughter—who studied both business and art—she’s fine-tuning the menu and the experience one day at a time.
“I’m not rushing. I want to see what people like, what they come back for. I’m adjusting, listening,” she says. “I’m building something that lasts.”
What remains unwavering is her commitment to creating a place where love, food, and faith come together. For Rosanna, prayer is her anchor, and her café is a reflection of that.
“My battles don’t belong to me—they belong to God,” she says. “This café, it’s not just my business. It’s my purpose.”
Rosanna’s Choice Café
60 North 5th Street, Reading, PA
Open Tuesday–Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sundays available for private brunches and events
