A café in Warren Street may not be your immediate go to place for a chinwag about relationships, but that’s exactly what the founders of Coffee, Cake & Kisses are hoping you’ll do. And it seems that it’s something Londoners are crying out for as they managed to raise over £37,000 through Kickstarter to fund it.
Part coffee shop, part baking hub, part shop and part event space, Coffee, Cake & Kisses is the brainchild of Sonia and Amanda who used to run another alternative café called Coffee, Cake & Kink in Covent Garden. This is a softer, more vanilla version of the previous incarnation, with the emphasis firmly on relationships. They want to create a ‘comfortable, non-judgemental space for the exploration of all things carnal and cerebral, inclusive and welcoming of all genders, sexualities, relationship models and lifestyles.’ Co-founder Sonia Cassida says: ‘It’s about people coming together joyfully, without the need for labels and boxes; a truly integrated space to fully explore and celebrate all that we are.’ Not your average Starbucks, then.
But what does that actually mean? Well, there are a number of different ways to enjoy Coffee, Cake & Kisses. Firstly, it’s a lovely little coffee shop. There are drool-worthy cakes, tasty food and excellent coffee all served in a light and friendly space. Grab one of the tables for two and you’ve got your classic independent London coffee shop experience. If you feel like getting a bit more involved, there’s communal tables where you can join discussions and chat to other people. Peruse the books on baking, coffee, sex or relationships or just chill and use the wifi.
However, unlike other cafés where you’re pretty much left alone to stare at your laptop and load up on caffeine, here they’re actively encouraging people to get a bit more involved. The café also doubles up as the kitchen, with work surfaces, ovens and sinks lining two of the back walls. You can watch your brownies being made, get baking tips from the chefs and then be the first to nab one when they come out of the oven. It’s already starting to feel like a welcoming community space, even after just a few weeks.
And this is only the beginning. They have plans to continue the homely vibe downstairs with a ‘living room’ where they’ll hold events, talks, workshops and more. Think of it like a School of Life but a little bit more spicy. There’s also a room for couples who want to come talk through their issues. Much more productive than a screaming match on the tube, we reckon.
In a city where it’s often hard to connect with your fellow Londoners, any places that encourage you to make connections are more than welcome by us. Whether that’s just finding a recipe, joining in a conversation or learning something new, it’s worth a trip – even just for the brownies.