The Café Dispatch #20
The new wave of coffee shops are about PLAY and FUN, three new café openings in Paris, and a 60s iconic café revamped in Kazakhstan.
Welcome to the Café Dispatch, a weekly letter about interesting café trends across the globe. If you enjoy it, please feel free to share it☕️
So much is happening in Paris - right now! Growing up in a small town in Switzerland, I often forget how wildly busy a metropolis like Paris can be. There is a new café opening every minute of the day (not literally, but trust me, it really feels that way).
In the past three weeks alone, fashion influencer Jeanne Damas opened Le Café en Rouje as an extension of her fashion brand, and as a love letter to cinema, to her community, and to a very particular idea of what Parisian life looks and feels like.
Then there’s the remarkable Sound and Coffee, which looks like it walked straight out of a Mad Men set. All sleek lines, vinyl records, and obviously great specialty coffee.
And the last one I came across, just as I was writing this, is Parisien Tête de Chien. A yoga studio, concept store, and coffee shop all in one, and yes, dog-friendly. I had to laugh but then wondered: how are people this creative?
Three cafés, all very different and daring to open their doors in a market many claim is saturated.
But looking at these openings together, something clicked. It isn’t really about concepts, or layering multiple ideas on top of each other. It’s simpler than that: it’s about giving people a reason to play, or rather showing them that you can have fun with your life.
So often I hear that opening a café is a terrible idea, and yet, every time I see a new opening, there’s that little flicker of excitement, the delight of wondering what that new world will feel like inside.
So let’s welcome new cafés with open arms. Let’s make room for owners’ creativity and their kind wish to give us something fun and playful.
This might be something you don’t know about me, but as a kid I developed an obsession with interior design. Well, not really decorating an interior, rather inventing new furniture pieces. I was about 10 and drawing chairs after studying Andrée Putman and Charlotte Perriand’s work.
I had crafted this lookbook, but for furniture and smart showers that recycled used water... anyways, I developed a passion for 60s furniture pieces, and so when I saw Irina designing menus for cafés in Kazakhstan, I went looking for cafés there.
A country I have never, ever visited, and magically came across Aqqu (translating to White Swan). Needless to say, early teens Julie was very satisfied.
What I’d order: Food, very much so. Their food plating is remarkable. Drink-wise though, I’ll have to order an Espresso Tonic. I think that’s just what the vibe requires.
If you’re obsessed like I am, please read this great piece about Aqqu here.
Brussels cafés are taking after Paris and banning screens, while replacing them with knitting needles. Craft cafés across the city are handing customers mosaic kits, watercolours, and collage supplies instead of wifi passwords. The whole point is slowing down, having an actual conversation, and freeing your mind through making something with your hands. Right before WoC, this feels like the most Brussels thing I’ve read and well, had I more time there, this would be on my to-dos list.
After 38 years, Edgar’s Café on the Upper West Side served its last coffee in April. The closing sign read: “For nearly four decades, Edgar’s Cafe has been a home for stories, laughter, friendships, and love.” It’s sad but the they could no longer afford the rent and that’s how landmarks vanish…. The comment section had 84 replies, which shows that some cafés don’t just close, they leave a hole.
Paris is officially in a dog café moment. Spots like Le Bone Appart and Casa del Doggo are turning up everywhere. Part café, part off-leash social club, with a €5 Le Merveilleux pastry on the menu (for the dog, not you). One regular summed it up perfectly: “Dogs are really great for bringing people together.” and I agree!
If you enjoyed this edition, don’t miss these past editions,
The Instagram truth about opening a café in Dubai
This is part of the Coffee Founders series where I chat with café owners, and share their experience, as well as part of mine as an ex-café owner. It’s about the little things that make your café a b…
How to find cafés you’ll actually love anywhere
Crisp air, sun rays, tree leaves spiralling down graciously onto the ground… autumn is finally here, and it is time to travel again, as well.
Thank you for being here! It means the world to me. If you love reading The Coffee Dispatch and want to further support my writing, please like this post, leave a comment, share it with a friend, or upgrade to a paid subscription.
Follow along on LinkedIn, or read my LinkedIn newsletter for practical café & coffee gear tips, and if you’re interested in collaborating, send me an email at hello@juliehanell.com.