If you’re bad at directions, like me, you might have a difficult time spotting this tiny cafe. This Australian-inspired coffee shop is hidden in plain sight, in-between other shops, and very small. Embarrassing as it sounds, the first time I visited Cafe YOU, I actually missed the turn three times, and I was using Maps! The second time was much easier to find (mainly because my boyfriend was driving). What I love about this coffee shop is that they have a variety of vegan and gluten free options from their dairy-free milks, to their bakery and lunch menu, so if you’re vegan, this is the perfect place for you to visit during your morning or afternoon. The inside of Cafe YOU is so cozy and soft, you’ll never want to leave. They’ve decorated the inside with plants almost everywhere. The lights bulbs are all dimmed so you feel very comfortable and relaxed. They also have a very large old wooden, antique door that sits to your right wall as you walk into the cafe. I’m not sure if it’s a door that works, or if it’s there solely for decoration, but either way it is very pleasing to the eye and fits the coffee house aesthetic. One nice gesture they do, because they do offer food as well, they bring you water in a glass bottle–yay environment! Our server was also extremely funny, kind, and welcomed any questions we had about the coffees. We noticed our glass bottle, where our water was in, was a vodka bottle, and he made jokes with us about it, making the experience at cafe YOU more memorable.
The drink my boyfriend ordered, top picture, is called The Golden latte. If you’ve never heard of a “golden latte”, it is turmeric and milk. If you’re an espresso fan and go to coffee shops for the rich taste of espresso, you may want to steer clear of the golden latte. There is no espresso in the golden latte, although you can order it with espresso, it just might cost you extra! If you’re unaware of what turmeric is, it is part of the ginger family and native to Southeast Asia. Turmeric has many health benefits from being amazing for your liver, to one of the best things to aid in your digestion. Our server was nice enough to explain exactly what the golden latte was and his excitement in it only made cafe YOU more pleasurable.
The drink I ordered was an oat milk latte with an extra shot of espresso. If you’re looking for a cafe with a wide range of dairy-free milks, this place is a must. Not many coffee shops offer oat milk, so I instantly grew to love this cafe when I saw it on the menu. Be wary when ordering dairy-free if you want a macchiato or cappuccino. Almond milk would be your best bet for dairy-free if you must have a macchiato or cappuccino. The thick consistency from the dairy-free milks make it harder to create froth, making the macchiato or cappuccino more watery instead of frothy, depending on how dry or wet you want it.
You also don’t have to worry about breaking the bank at this cafe. Even the bakery and lunch options they offer are manageable. The golden latte, which you could call a fancy drink, considering it’s a pretty yellow color and has incredible health benefits for your body–only $4.25. Regular latte’s and cappuccino’s are only $2.85. Remember, if you want an extra shot of espresso or dairy-free milk, it will always be a little extra!