Independently owned, locally roasted, expertly prepared coffee can soon be enjoyed al fresco at Kafka’s in the Park (860 Richards St.). Rooted in striking and sophisticated modern design with a vibrant, inviting colour palette, Kafka’s Coffee Roasting‘s at the new park at Smithe and Richards offers downtown residents and workers alike a true Vancouver experience. Kafka’s in the Park is set to officially open on Saturday, June 4.
The everyday city-dweller experience of combining park life and supporting small independent businesses is about to get a lot more convenient. Enjoying a locally roasted cup of coffee in a dynamic urban park setting will soon be a one-stop shop, as Kafka’s in the Park will be open seven days a week from 8am to 6pm, 365 days a year.
Coffee isn’t the only thing made in house—Executive Chef Nitzan Cohen’s everything-made-from-scratch menu was designed with quick workday eats, light lingering lunches, and treats for the kiddos in mind. Whether grab-and-go al desko breakfasts or sit-down midday meals, highlights include housemade Feel-Good Granola with nuts and seeds, lemon yogurt, and fruit confiture; Glory Bowl packed with a triumphant gathering of avocado, quinoa, kale, radish, egg, Brussels sprouts, tomato, pickled cabbage, arugula, yam hummus, and crispy chickpeas, all topped with a citrus vinaigrette and the option to add chicken or not-meat balls; and Gobble No Squabble smoked turkey sandwich with peperoncini aioli, Swiss cheese, tomatoes, banana peppers, and arugula on sourdough rye.
Kafka’s makes it easy to enjoy a charming family picnic-in-the-park experiences with delightful Kiddos-Only Meals, featuring a choice of Throwback Mac and Cheese topped with potato-chip gremolata, or a house-baked milk bun with ham, cheese, or avocado, along with fresh fruit and a freshly baked cookie. This new verdant park space is designed to shed the stress of the day over après-work snacks, now known as Crinkle-Cut Chips.
Treat yo’ self and greet the weekend with vanilla soft-serve ice cream (exclusive to the park) that’s served in a cup with a mini cone, topped with Pastry Chef Adi Kessleman’s cookie crumble and your choice of chocolate magic shell, rainbow sprinkles, or caramel. And what could be more perfect on a Sunday morning than grabbing a freshly baked loaf of Kafka’s house-made sourdough or marble rye bread to make toast for weekend brunch.
In addition to her loaves of bread that line the café’s back wall, Adi is filling the pastry case with her famous salted chocolate-chip cookies, alfajores, dark-chocolate raspberry brownies (gluten free), Earl Grey coffee cake, banana-bread muffins, and puff tarts filled with a savoury red pepper and feta or sweet blueberry compote and ricotta.
The new Kafka’s interior was designed by Scott Cohen in partnership with the park’s architect, Dialog. It sparkles with eye-catching high-contrast graphics and rainbow-tinted lucite mobiles casting coloured light across downtown Vancouver’s urban backdrop. Custom-crafted banquette seating and tubular Marcel Breuer chrome furniture provide functional style, while volcanic grey floors, finely crafted local Douglas Fir carpentry, and natural plants round out the sophisticated, welcoming aesthetic.
Opened on April 29, 2022, this impressive new park has instantly become a widely used and well-loved neighbourhood gathering place. Lush landscaping incorporating over 6,000 shrubs, climbing plants, perennials, and mature trees enhance the sensitively designed greenspace that works to support Vancouver’s climate resilience as a city. Kafka’s café itself is also mindfully designed with a 30 per cent reduction in energy use and features a green roof.
Continuing a legacy of community involvement established over twelve years at their now closed Main Street location, Kafka’s is excited to put down new roots in the downtown core and carry on their heartfelt tradition of neighbourhood connection and care. This collaboration with the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation and the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association spotlights the creation of an approachable, nourishing space for those who work and live in the area.