Before I was even allowed to drink coffee, my childhood friend and I would stumble into the café that became a beloved part of my childhood and teenage years, and I hope it will remain a part of my adulthood. Bwè Kafe is where I grew up, enjoying their adorable madeleine bears, scrumptious vegan brownies (despite my initial wariness of vegan desserts), and warm powdered sugar donut holes. I will admit — in all those years I have been ordering my 2% milk hot chocolates, I never read their origin story, which is my bad. However, I grew to love the cafe even more, especially after visiting their site — I learned that they decided to create a sustainable funding source for Love For Haiti after the 2010 earthquake. This initiative supports higher education for students in Haiti, and it feels great to know that each purchase is for a good cause. Plus, it’s incredibly convenient for us ducks to get to Bwè Kafe, with three locations that are just a short walk away from campus: 1002 Washington St. in Hoboken, 140 River Dr. S. in Jersey City, and 1401 Adams St. in Hoboken. Each location maintains the same organic modern style that combines natural materials with a clean, welcoming look. The stores have a calm, demure aura, with light-washed wood, lush plants, and large cream-beige paintings creating a peaceful backdrop. It’s somewhat minimalist, but the organic touches make it feel cozy and like home. The shop is always almost packed and bustling, with busy office workers typing away on their computers.
Gosh, how I love their menu, especially with the freshly baked items and the way the coffee aroma drifts through the store. The bakery items displayed by the counter are so tempting that it’s tough to choose between the pain au chocolat and the adorable teddy bear madeleines. The madeleines are more for appearance than for taste — they taste like the ones found at BJ’s. However, if you’re lucky, you might find their famous vegan brownies, which often sell out. These brownies are unbelievably rich and chocolatey, and the first time my friend and I tried them, they practically melted in our hands and mouths. I didn’t even realize the brownies were vegan when I first tried them; it blew away my preconceptions about vegan desserts. My experience with a disappointing avocado brownie had left me thinking vegan treats couldn’t compare to the real thing. I’m not sure if they still have the donut holes, but I remember one Halloween when my friend’s brother brought them for us. I can’t recall if they were filled with dulce de leche or drizzled with it, but the sweet, milky, caramelized flavor combined with the warm, soft donut hole was life-changing. It perfectly captured the essence of fall.
These days, I don’t visit Bwè Kafe as often, but whenever my sister insists on having a hot chocolate, I find myself placing an order and reminiscing about those summer days when I took my friend from Texas there. We quickly earned the nickname “2% family” from the barista in the headband, thanks to our consistent request for 2% milk in our hot chocolate. I always felt sad putting the lid on my cup because the latte art with hearts, swans, and tulips looked so pretty. Lately, the signs outside showcasing their fall specials have been tempting me with offerings like the Apple Pie Cold Brew and Fall Spice Latte. Although I’ve stopped drinking coffee for a while now, I can’t resist the mouthwatering description of the Apple Pie Cold Brew — it’s made with housemade apple syrup, and I love apple pie! I often find myself ordering drinks and bakery items, but next time, I’ll make it a point to try their healthy sandwiches or breakfast bowls. I’m making it my mission this year to revisit this café and reconnect with my childhood memories.
