Friday Café Fun - Mid-Summer Sip
At the beginning of the summer, I sat down with my kids and said:
“My boss asked if I could work every weekend this summer. How do you guys feel about that?”
Both of them shrugged and said it was fine.
But was I okay with it?
Because here’s what every other summer looked like:
Work all week. Clean and cook all weekend. Repeat.
I quickly became the most miserable version of myself. I hated life.
And deep down, I kept thinking: This can’t be it.
But… that was the life I was building for myself.
YAWN.
This summer, I knew something had to change. I had to do different.
So, I asked myself one simple question:
“What would bring you joy?”
And the answer came quickly:
Café hopping.
Long drives. Banging playlists. Great espresso.
When I shared the idea with my daughter, she lit up and said, “That could be our thing!”
YES.
So on her last day of school, I picked her up early, and we kicked off our Friday Café Fun Tour close to home.
Let me tell you about the magical little spots we’ve visited since:
1. New Bean Café
125 Inc Arran Avenue, Dalhousie, NB
This one’s my second-favorite coffee spot (what can I say—I’m a barista, and my café will always be #1 in my heart!). The menu is simple but has all the essentials. The staff is lovely and always greets you with a smile.
It’s tucked inside the Hub de la Baie, a community hub with local goods, events, and the dreamiest upstairs space. Cozy, creative, and warm—this one is a must.
2. Auberge d’Anjou
587 Principale St., Petit-Rocher, NB
This café has layers of memories for me—I’ve visited with my parents, my best friend, and now with my daughter.
This time around, I had my go-to double espresso and she tried a homemade slushie. We shared a peanut butter brownie (YUM). She’s still talking about the slushie, and I’m still dreaming about that brownie.
The atmosphere is pure cozy. It’s the kind of place you want to curl up with a book and sip the afternoon away. A hidden gem we’ll definitely return to.
3. Surya Café
1298 Principale St., Bathurst, NB
From the same owners as Auberge d’Anjou, this café is a quick outdoor stop—there’s no indoor seating, just a few cozy tables outside. The menu was huge! So many options.
We arrived a little late and most snacks were gone, but I still enjoyed a solid espresso, and the iced tea was refreshing.
Would we go back? Probably not. But it was worth the visit at least once.
4. ForêStation Café
11082 Principale St., Rogersville, NB
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This one required a bit of a drive, but the playlist carried us there with good vibes!
The menu was simple and straightforward—which I appreciated. However, lunch was tricky since both of us are lactose intolerant and grilled cheese was the only real food option. We had our drinks and found a place to eat afterward.
The espresso was smooth, and the smoothie my daughter shared with her boyfriend was a brand-new creation—so new it didn’t even have a name yet. It was a tropical blend of pure goodness.
The vibe? Think grandma’s dining room: mismatched furniture, warm energy, and total charm. Bonus: the café is inside a converted train station! The staff was warm and welcoming. Definitely worth a visit.
5. Cali.co Café
1 Allan Street, Miramichi , NB
After ForêStation, the kids were hungry and begged for Subway—so off to Miramichi we went. But if we’re already there… you know we had to stop at Cali.Co Café.
This isn’t your espresso kind of place—it’s all about the fancy drinks. Lemonades, dreamy lattes, edible glitter, cute straws, and all the vibe. We tried three different special lemonades, and each one was amazing.
You don’t just go for the drinks. You go for the experience. It’s a mood-boosting, sparkle-filled pit stop we’ll absolutely return to.
The Real Magic
This isn’t just about the coffee. It’s about slowing down.
About creating joy on purpose.
About turning ordinary Fridays into core memories with my daughter.
After so many summers that felt like surviving, this one feels like living.
And the espresso? That’s just the bonus.
Coffee Cheers,
Nadia